Biblical Answer

The Nature of Hell

The concept of hell as a place of eternal punishment is often misunderstood. The Bible teaches that hell is not a physical location, but rather a state of existence where the souls of those who have rejected God's offer of salvation will be separated from Him forever. The Bible says, "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Psalm 139:8) This means that God's presence and power are not limited to any particular place, and that He is always with us, whether we are in heaven or in hell.

The Doors of Hell are Locked on the Inside

The Bible teaches that the doors of hell are locked on the inside, meaning that those who are in hell are there because they have chosen to reject God's offer of salvation. As C.S. Lewis put it, "The doors of hell are locked on the inside." (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain) This means that the only way to escape hell is to turn to God and accept His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) This is the only way to avoid the consequences of sin and to be with God forever.

The Comfort of Eternal Life

The Bible teaches that eternal life is a gift from God, and that it is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) This means that we do not have to face death or the possibility of hell alone, but that we can follow Jesus with confidence, knowing that He will be with us every step of the way. The Bible also says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) This is a great comfort regarding death, and it is a reminder that we are not alone, but that we are part of a larger community of believers who are following Jesus together.