What is Hell like?

[C.A.B.L]

I thought I would start this thread, just to give everyone who doesn't know alot about Hell, and why it's such a scary place, an idea of the place that some thousands of people everyday spend eternity.

What is Hell like?

First, let me give you an illustration -- You are driving down the highway. And as you approach an oncoming car, they flash their highbeams at you, signaling that the law is ahead. This is a perfect example of what Jesus does for us. The highway we are on is called, "Life" and the Law around the corner called, "Hell" remember the scripture says, "The Law was not made for a righteous man, but for sinners", and Jesus is flashing His highbeams, trying to warn us of the impending danger the Law has for a sinner, which is Hell.

Here on earth, evil is diluted. It's not able to express itself to its max, because of God's grace. God expresses His wrath through, earthquakes, violent storms, hurricanes etc etc. But God's Grace, overrides His wrath. In Hell, evil will no longer remain hindered, and be expressed to its extreme! It's a place of torment (Luke 16:19-31) everlasting punishment (Matt25:46) everlasting fire (Matt 25:41) furnace of fire (Matt 13:41,50) unquenchable fire (Matt 3:12; Luke 3:17) suffering (Matt 5:29, 10:28) weeping (Matt 24:51)

Hell is described as: fire and brimstone, flames of fire, fiery hell, pits of darkness, and lake of fire. Hell will be like nothing you can ever imagine. No world war, no holocaust, no horrifying experience will ever come close to the terrifying reality of Hell. Jesus says that many go there (Matt 7:13)

What will happen once you get to Hell? The Bible says, there will be torment, death, destruction, their worm does not die, you will not be able to rest ever!. For all eternity, you will be punished for what you've done.

Let's take a look at the Bible, where Jesus gives us the only story in the Bible, of someone being in Hell. Luke 16:19-31, 4 times the rich man in the flames of Hades is described as being in anguish of torment. In Revelation 14:11, the word torment is used to describe the fate of the unsaved. Jesus says of the man in verse 23, "and in Hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torment" No horror movie can describe it's fright, no crime scene with all it's blood and gore can ever begin to match it's terror. Hell is also desribed as "eternal blackness" (Jude 13) there will be no daylight.

Hell is inside the earth (Matt 12:40) "heart of the earth" (Ephesians 4:9) "lower parts of the earth" -- the Earths inner core has a temperature over 12,000 degrees farenheit. Now, don't get the idea that in Hell, your body will be on fire, and you won't be able to function. Think of it more like everything is on fire, but you. A good illustration of it would be to look at desert people, it's extremely hot, but they can still function. Hell is inescapable, almost like Alcatraz. In the story, notice the rich man never asked to get out, you know why? because he knew there wasn't one.

Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

People in Hell, will be able to see Heaven. And for all eternity realize what you missed out on. In Hell, there are NO PAINKILLERS. NO SLEEP. Most people tend to dwell on the physical torment of Hell, and often overlook the social torment. There was a famous rapper who once said "I can't wait to go to Hell, because all my buddies will be there" you will have no friends in Hell, because whatever goodwill, whatever kindness people had comes from God, therefore, your sin nature will be fully expressed and unhibited.

Revelation 9, describes it as "the abyss" in Hell things don't get better, they get worse. Two phrases that will be most said in Hell are: too late, and I wish. You will never be able to go back and start over, you will have no hope.

There is a glimmer of hope though. You can avoid having to spend eternity in a place called Hell, because 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ paid your debt. He experienced Hell for everyone, so you never would have to. Jesus descended into Hell, but He didn't stay there! (Acts 2:31) and because of Jesus, we have hope. Remember, death isn't a period, it's a conjuction. Decide today where you will spend eternity.

God bless you all,
Matt

 

[Pseud]

I disagree.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Soul is destroyed.

Matthew 25:46
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Eternal punishment. A punishment that will be eternal, not be rebuked. Destruction of the soul without possibility of being restored to God.

Matthew 25:41
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

The fire is an eternally burning fire.

Matthew 13:50
and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

If my soul was in the process of being destroyed by a 'firey furnace' I think I'd be pretty weepy!

Matt 7:13
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Again, destruction

Luke 16:19-31

As for this passage, (which is very large to post so the above is a link to it), we'll use Strong's Hebrew and Greek dictionaries. First, the word "Hell" is passage 23...

???????
hade?s
hah'-dace
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1492; properly unseen, that is, ?Hades? or the place (state) of departed souls: - grave, hell.

So basically, we have the word hell which really means 'the unseen'.


Now let's look at what Lazarus says:

Luk 16:24 And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.

The word 'tormented' is translated into anguish or suffering in the NIV of the bible. If we look at the actual HEBREW word we see that the word there that Lazarus uses is:

????????
odunao?
od-oo-nah'-o
From G3601; to grieve: - sorrow, torment.

G3601 is:

G3601
???????
odune?
od-oo'-nay
From G1416; grief (as dejecting): - sorrow.

So really.. it's to do with sorrow and grief. Probably weeping. Which I'd be doing too if my soul was being destroyed....

 

[C.A.B.L]

I totally disagree, for a very simple reason. If your soul was "destroyed" in Hell, what would be the purpore of the word "everlasting" as it pertains to Hell and punishment? Your soul will live forever, but where your soul lives is another matter.

 

[Pseud]

I totally disagree, for a very simple reason. If your soul was "destroyed" in Hell, what would be the purpore of the word "everlasting" as it pertains to Hell and punishment? Your soul will live forever, but where your soul lives is another matter.

Everlasting destruction ie... you ain't coming back. your soul is gone forever, eternally.

Why would it NOT be destroyed?

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

[C.A.B.L]

I still don't think you understand. Hell will be eternal, it will always be there. Because the Bible says Hell is a place of eternal punishment, which means you will be punished in Hell forever. I can understand your point, but I just don't see how if your soul is destroyed, and it no longer exists, then why is your soul tormented in Hell forever? Just doesn't make any sense.

 

[Pseud]

I still don't think you understand. Hell will be eternal, it will always be there. Because the Bible says Hell is a place of eternal punishment, which means you will be punished in Hell forever.

I do understand. I just disagree with you.

You say that the punishing will be continuous and eternal. That we will reside in Hell for the duration of eternity and be punished throughout that time by torture.

I say that the punishment will be eternal in the sense of a final decision. Once your soul is destroyed, it's destroyed forever. Your punishment lasts eternally.

Do you see the difference?

I can understand your point, but I just don't see how if your soul is destroyed, and it no longer exists, then why is your soul tormented in Hell forever? Just doesn't make any sense.

I already explained. Your soul isn't 'tormented in hell forever'. The word that Lazarus uses for 'torment', originally wasn't torment. It's hebrew translation is 'sorrow'... and that passage doesn't say anything about Lazarus being 'in sorrow' or 'hell' or 'torment' or anything forever. I believe that passage to be a story that intends to focus on the part about the chasm and there will be no passage between. Back to eternal punishment. Once in you're in one of those places, it's the last call. Train left the station. No changing platforms. Too late.

I believe the confusion to stem from words being twisted to 'scaremonger' people into the Christian faith....

 

[flyin high]

this is my picture of what hell will be like (not that I plan on going there I think hell will be completely empty of anything except longing to be in heaven. It will be quiet and everyone will be isolated from each other. It will be like being in box with the top being one of those mirrors where you can only see one way...the only thing you can see is heaven, but they can't see you down there. so all you look at all the time is everyone enjoying themselves in heaven and rejoicing with the Lord.

Sorry this is my picture...not entirely based on scripture or anything...but i think this would be the worse

 

[Evie]

I thought I would start this thread, just to give everyone who doesn't know alot about Hell, and why it's such a scary place, an idea of the place that some thousands of people everyday spend eternity.

What is Hell like?

First, let me give you an illustration -- You are driving down the highway. And as you approach an oncoming car, they flash their highbeams at you, signaling that the law is ahead. This is a perfect example of what Jesus does for us. The highway we are on is called, "Life" and the Law around the corner called, "Hell" remember the scripture says, "The Law was not made for a righteous man, but for sinners", and Jesus is flashing His highbeams, trying to warn us of the impending danger the Law has for a sinner, which is Hell.

Here on earth, evil is diluted. It's not able to express itself to its max, because of God's grace. God expresses His wrath through, earthquakes, violent storms, hurricanes etc etc. But God's Grace, overrides His wrath. In Hell, evil will no longer remain hindered, and be expressed to its extreme! It's a place of torment (Luke 16:19-31) everlasting punishment (Matt25:46) everlasting fire (Matt 25:41) furnace of fire (Matt 13:41,50) unquenchable fire (Matt 3:12; Luke 3:17) suffering (Matt 5:29, 10:28) weeping (Matt 24:51)

Hell is described as: fire and brimstone, flames of fire, fiery hell, pits of darkness, and lake of fire. Hell will be like nothing you can ever imagine. No world war, no holocaust, no horrifying experience will ever come close to the terrifying reality of Hell. Jesus says that many go there (Matt 7:13)

What will happen once you get to Hell? The Bible says, there will be torment, death, destruction, their worm does not die, you will not be able to rest ever!. For all eternity, you will be punished for what you've done.

Let's take a look at the Bible, where Jesus gives us the only story in the Bible, of someone being in Hell. Luke 16:19-31, 4 times the rich man in the flames of Hades is described as being in anguish of torment. In Revelation 14:11, the word torment is used to describe the fate of the unsaved. Jesus says of the man in verse 23, "and in Hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torment" No horror movie can describe it's fright, no crime scene with all it's blood and gore can ever begin to match it's terror. Hell is also desribed as "eternal blackness" (Jude 13) there will be no daylight.

Hell is inside the earth (Matt 12:40) "heart of the earth" (Ephesians 4:9) "lower parts of the earth" -- the Earths inner core has a temperature over 12,000 degrees farenheit. Now, don't get the idea that in Hell, your body will be on fire, and you won't be able to function. Think of it more like everything is on fire, but you. A good illustration of it would be to look at desert people, it's extremely hot, but they can still function. Hell is inescapable, almost like Alcatraz. In the story, notice the rich man never asked to get out, you know why? because he knew there wasn't one.



People in Hell, will be able to see Heaven. And for all eternity realize what you missed out on. In Hell, there are NO PAINKILLERS. NO SLEEP. Most people tend to dwell on the physical torment of Hell, and often overlook the social torment. There was a famous rapper who once said "I can't wait to go to Hell, because all my buddies will be there" you will have no friends in Hell, because whatever goodwill, whatever kindness people had comes from God, therefore, your sin nature will be fully expressed and unhibited.

Revelation 9, describes it as "the abyss" in Hell things don't get better, they get worse. Two phrases that will be most said in Hell are: too late, and I wish. You will never be able to go back and start over, you will have no hope.

There is a glimmer of hope though. You can avoid having to spend eternity in a place called Hell, because 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ paid your debt. He experienced Hell for everyone, so you never would have to. Jesus descended into Hell, but He didn't stay there! (Acts 2:31) and because of Jesus, we have hope. Remember, death isn't a period, it's a conjuction. Decide today where you will spend eternity.

God bless you all,
Matt

the Bible tells us clearly that in Hell even the worm never dies. Souls are screamimg in torture forever and ever. It is dark and no one to rescue you. Once your there there is no where else your soul will go.

 

[Pseud]

the Bible tells us clearly that in Hell even the worm never dies. Souls are screamimg in torture forever and ever. It is dark and no one to rescue you. Once your there there is no where else your soul will go.

I disagree.

Please find me a quote that proves this?

 

[C.A.B.L]

If thy hand offend thee cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: There their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, that having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-48).

3 times Jesus mentions their worm not dying, as well as the fire not being quenched. This tells me 2 things: 1: Whatever the word "worm" signifies, we know that it's eternal. 2: We know that the fires of Hell are NEVER quenched. I also remember somewhere in the Bible, during the endtimes, people will seek death, but not find it. I think that's the way Hell will be like, it will be so terrifying you will want to die, but you can't.

 

[C.A.B.L]

I also remember distinctly, that Jesus saying "the dead in Christ will rise first" everyone will have their body reunited with their soul.

 

[Evie]

I disagree.

Please find me a quote that proves this?

disagree all you want,if in God's word, it's the truth!

 

[Pseud]

If thy hand offend thee cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: There their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, that having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-48).

3 times Jesus mentions their worm not dying, as well as the fire not being quenched. This tells me 2 things: 1: Whatever the word "worm" signifies, we know that it's eternal. 2: We know that the fires of Hell are NEVER quenched. I also remember somewhere in the Bible, during the endtimes, people will seek death, but not find it. I think that's the way Hell will be like, it will be so terrifying you will want to die, but you can't.

I'm not arguing that the fires of Hell will be quenched. I'm certain the fires of hell are eternal. My doubt comes in accepting that the punishment will be an everlasting punishing. Just because the fires in hell are everlasting, doesn't mean being thrown into them will result in everlasting existence.

Look at it this way for a moment. I understand you disagree but imagine for a moment that your soul is destroyed when it's thrown into hell. Do you think that fire would stop burning after your soul is destroyed? No, because it's an eternal fire. This is my point. It says the fire is eternal but not existence in it.

To my knowledge, there is NOTHING in scripture that says, 'those in hell will endure a punishing that will last eternally'.

Matthew 25:46
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

This does however say that the punishment will be an eternal one. A punishment of death. A death that will last eternally:

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

This is crystal clear to me. Hell = soul destruction.

I see scripture that says hell is eternal.
I see no scripture that says 'people will have to endure an existence of torture forever'.
I see scripture that says the soul will be destroyed in hell.

 

[Pseud]

disagree all you want,if in God's word, it's the truth!

I do not see that portrayal of hell in God's word.
I see that portrayal of hell in other people's interpretation of God's word though.
I see scripture that says hell is eternal.
I see no scripture that says 'people will have to endure an existence of torture forever'.
I see scripture that says the soul will be destroyed in hell.

 

[Pseud]

I would just like to add that I don't argue with you out of malice. I have no animosity towards anyone, and would like to extend my love to you CABL and Evie.
May the loving peace that only comes from our savior Christ be with you.

 

[JaneKaty13]

Why worry? Just follow the teeachings of the Bible and you won't have to go there.

 

[Evie]

I do not see that portrayal of hell in God's word.
I see that portrayal of hell in other people's interpretation of God's word though.
I see scripture that says hell is eternal.
I see no scripture that says 'people will have to endure an existence of torture forever'.
I see scripture that says the soul will be destroyed in hell.

read the book of Mark in chapter 9.

 

[Pseud]

read the book of Mark in chapter 9.

I have read it, and I know what you're going to say...

48where
" 'their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.'

I believe this to be poetic language for how repulsive death will be for the unrighteous. Being eaten by worms, and burned by a fire.

In any case, the passage is describing the worms as eternal, and the fire as unquenchable.

Again, nothing to suggest that the unrighteous will exist eternally amongst the worms and the fire.

I have two questions for people who believe that hell will be living in hot fires and torture eternally:

Question number 1) What do you feel Matthew 10:28 means? Specifically the 'destruction of both soul and body' part.(Passage is below)

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Question number 2) We know that Jesus will be judging us (john 5:22) and either bringing us to Paradise or 'Hell'. If hell is a place of pain and torture, do you think it is characteristic of Jesus to send anyone to such a place?

(you can probably guess my answer to Q 2 )

 

[Pseud]

Why worry? Just follow the teeachings of the Bible and you won't have to go there.

It's not that I'm worried about heading there. It's to do with two things:

a) misrepresentation of He whom I love and

b) I truly believe that Hell is not such a place that we are led to believe. I believe this to have started as scaremongering, to try and convert more people. 'Be a Christian or suffer eternity in fires and pain'. But it backfires. How many more people have you heard say 'If God DOES exist I want nothing to do with him because of his cruel nature'. He's been portrayed as having a cruel nature because people think He's gonna send them to this horrible image of hell! So.... I'm just trying to clear some things up, one person at a time

 

[C.A.B.L]

As to question number one, I cannot answer that. As for question number two, of course Jesus would send someone to such a place, Him being a Holy God, he must punish sin. His character calls for it, therefore, He will send the inrighteous to Hell.