Biblical Answer

The Biblical Perspective on Hell

The Bible teaches that hell is eternal, and this is not just a matter of reason or speculation, but a clear doctrine of Scripture. The Bible describes hell as a place of eternal punishment, where the wicked will be tormented day and night forever (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 20:10, 15). The Bible also teaches that the punishment in hell is not just temporal, but eternal, meaning it will last forever. This is evident in passages such as Revelation 14:9-11, where it says, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he will drink of the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."

The Case for Eternal Punishment

Some may argue that hell is not eternal, but rather temporary, and that those who are punished in hell will eventually be annihilated. However, this view is not supported by the Bible. The Bible teaches that the punishment in hell is not just temporal, but eternal, and that those who are punished in hell will continue to be tormented forever. This is evident in passages such as Jude 10-13, where it says, "But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, detest. Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain and have burst out with Balaam’s error of rebellion against the truth. They have been destroyed in their rebellion against you." In this passage, the Bible describes the punishment of those who reject God as being "destroyed" and "burst out with rebellion against the truth." This suggests that the punishment in hell is not just temporary, but eternal.

The Reason for Eternal Punishment

The reason for eternal punishment is not just a matter of God's justice, but also a matter of God's holiness and righteousness. The Bible teaches that God is a holy God who cannot tolerate sin and rebellion against Him. As such, those who reject God and His righteousness will be punished eternally. This is evident in passages such as Revelation 20:15, where it says, "If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." In this passage, the Bible describes the punishment of those who reject God as being thrown into the lake of fire, which is a place of eternal punishment. The Bible also teaches that the punishment in hell is not just a matter of physical pain, but also a matter of spiritual torment, where those who are punished in hell will be separated from God forever. This is evident in passages such as 2 Thessalonians 1:9, where it says, "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." In this passage, the Bible describes the punishment of those who reject God as being "away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might." This suggests that the punishment in hell is not just physical, but also spiritual.