God and Hell

Some like to argue that Hell is but a mere separation from God, as if God is somehow absent from Hell. These same persons fail to understand that if Hell is but mere separation from God then it would be something like "heaven" to the lost, for they revel in their desire to be separated and wholly at enmity from God.

On the contrary, Hell is a place of eternal, just punishment for the wicked. And punishment implies pain wrought by the presence of the never-ending wrath of God, from which relief or escape is impossible.

Scripture makes the existence of Hell clear from the mouth of our Lord's own words in Matthew, Chapter 25:

Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.

Or see Daniel, Chapter 12:

And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake: some unto life everlasting, and others unto reproach, to see it always.

Here, in just two verses it is clear that a real place of torment exists and any view of annihilation is contra Scripture.

A more detailed discussion on doctrine of hell can be found here:
The Biblical Doctrine of Hell Examined

AMR