WHO GOES TO HELL?
To get a clear understanding of this you should also understand what it means to be saved and the difference between grace
and works. If you do not understand what it means to be saved or the difference between grace and works we encourage you
to follow those links from the home page as well.
John 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them
into the fire, and they are burned."
(Here it is anyone that does not abide in Jesus that will go to hell.)
II Th 1:6-9 "For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are
afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out
retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the
penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,"
Here it is anyone that does not know God and also those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus that will go to hell.
Rev 21:7-8 "He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. "But for the cowardly and
unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in
the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Most people focus on the murders and immoral people etc. in this passage, but take notice that all unbelievers are
included in those that will go to hell.
Rev 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another
book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books,
according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were
in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of
fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was
thrown into the lake of fire.
Here we find that anybody's name that is not recorded in the book of life will go to hell. This is a partial listing but it can
be summed up as follows.
The following will go to hell. Anyone not covered by Jesus's payment for their sins, because of refusal to accept him and his
payment for their sins on the cross. Only sin will land a person in hell, but we are all sinners. The blood of Jesus covers all sin. 1
Jn.1:7-10.
What is Hell Like?
The Bible speaks of hell in metaphorical descriptions. By the descriptions we can learn certain truths about it. Metaphorical or
not, it certainly is not describing anything good. We do know that those in hell
(1) have a body,
(2) they are conscious, and
(3) they are suffering in some manner.
(4) They will be in this state forever and there is no second chance.
(5) For some there are greater degrees of punishment.
(1a) They have a body.
Dan 12:2 "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to
disgrace and everlasting contempt.
(1b) John 5:28-29"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall
come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of
judgment.
Here in the text we have just seen that everyone will be resurrected. Whether they have been resurrected for eternal life in
heaven or for eternal judgment in hell. Paul when writing to the church at Corinth described the resurrected body that they would
receive as one that was imperishable 1 Cor.15:42. In other words their new body would last forever.
(1c) Matt 5:29-30 (See also Matt 18:8-9,Mark 9:45-47)
"And if your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your
body perish, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. "And if your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off, and throw it
from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body to go into hell.
By Jesus' words we can see the seriousness of sin. We also see that Jesus believed that those going to hell would go there
with a body. He gives us a metaphorical description of an irrevocable law. They understood once the eye was plucked out it
would not be put back. Likewise once your body was thrown in hell it will not come back out.
(2) They are conscious.
Jesus told a story of a man in hell that we find in Luke 16:19-31. Some people choose to believe this is a parable others do
not. For this discussion let's say that we do regard this as a parable that Jesus taught. Jesus always taught specific truths in his
parables. In this text the rich man is in hell and fully conscious He can see, speak and experience misery. Also across the gulf
Lazarus who is not in hell is also conscious and he is being comforted. I have not yet heard a good explanation of what this
parable would mean. If it does not teach and warn us that hell is a place of mental and physical misery.
Also when Jesus was speaking to the Sadducee's, who said there was no resurrection, Jesus said: " regarding the
resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." (Matt. 22:23-32.) Now Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob had died long before this but Jesus refers to them as alive. Moses had also died long before Jesus was born. Yet
he and Elijah appeared on top of a mountain and they were talking to Jesus. Mat.17:1-8 Certainly Moses was conscious in
order to be able to talk to Jesus.
The Apostle Paul said he would rather be dead and be with the Lord but for the sake of the brethren he knew he must continue
on. Phil.1:20-24, 2 Cor.5:6-9. Why would Paul wish for such a thing if it only meant he would enter unconsciousness? Keep this
in mind when I deal with the next subject which is " (3) they are suffering in some manner" .
How could they be in torment if they are not conscious? Before I move on to that subject there are 2 Bible passages
I should comment on. These are passages that some people mistakenly refer to for a proof text that the dead are not conscious.
Eccl 9:5-10 For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward,
for their memory is forgotten. Indeed their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer
have a share in all that is done under the sun. Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a
cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your
head. Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the
sun; for this is your reward in life, and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to
do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are
going.(NAS)
(Sheol here is Strong's #7585 also translated as grave, pit or hell)
People that believe the dead are unconscious point out the underlined parts of this passage. The idea is that if they do not
know anything or have any activity and their feelings have perished they must be unconscious. There are a couple of problems
with this view point.
1. This idea does not line up with other scripture. This would contradict what Jesus said about Lazarus and the rich man as well
as other scripture.
2. This interpretation would not be true to the context of the passage. Solomon is referring to the conscious action in this
physical world. The context is not about what one does actively in the spiritual realm after death. In the parts in bold we can see
that in the living world the dead are soon forgotten. The dead no longer know what is happening in our physical world. They no
longer have any part of anything here "under the sun" Therefore enjoy life here while you can. Because our time here "under the
sun". is passing quickly.
Another verse commonly used by those who try to support their belief of the dead being unconscious
Ps 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. (KJV)
The word ('estonet) translated as "thoughts" here in Ps.146:4 in the KJV. can also be translated as plans which is the way it
appears in the NKJ and the NIV. Webster's Collegiate Dictionary tenth edition gives part of the definition of thought as " a
developed intention or plan."
Following is the way this verse appears in the NIV.
Ps 146:4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Since the Hebrew word is also translated plans it seems more logical to accept this translation.(1)Viewing this verse this way it
does not effect the context of the passage. (2) The words thoughts and plans by definition can be referring to the same thing. It
seems more likely this interpretation of the word is correct, than it is that this verse contradicts the other scriptures.
(3a) They are suffering in some manner.
Rev 14:9-12 And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his
image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed
in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and
in the presence of the Lamb. "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and
night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Here is the
perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus."
The word "tormented" in this passage came from the Greek word "basanizo."
Thayer's definition of Greek & Hebrew words defines it as following.
928 basanizo- (1) to test (metals) by the touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by
the color of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal (2) to question by applying torture (3) to torture (4) to vex
with grievous pains (used of body or mind), to torment (5) to be harassed, to be distressed; used of those who are struggling at
sea with a head wind
Granted the passages concerning hell are used with symbolic language. But symbolic of what? The use of this word in no way
implies ceasing to exist or being unconscious. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Notice the text here said this was
forever and ever that they had no rest day or night.
(3b) Matt 13:41-42 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and
those who commit lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.
The word weeping in this passage is defined as follows by Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words "WEEPING
klauthmos ^2805^, akin to A, No. 1, denotes "weeping, crying," <Matt. 2:18; 8:12; 13:42,50>, RV (KJV, "wailing"); <22:13;
24:51;25:30; Luke 13:28; Acts 20:37>.#
I believe that is significant that this same Greek word was used to describe how the people were weeping when Herod had all
of the boys 2 years old and younger murdered. Matt.2:16-18. Can you imagine the sorrow and weeping that took place at that
time and place in history?
To get a clear understanding of this you should also understand what it means to be saved and the difference between grace
and works. If you do not understand what it means to be saved or the difference between grace and works we encourage you
to follow those links from the home page as well.
John 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them
into the fire, and they are burned."
(Here it is anyone that does not abide in Jesus that will go to hell.)
II Th 1:6-9 "For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are
afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out
retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the
penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,"
Here it is anyone that does not know God and also those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus that will go to hell.
Rev 21:7-8 "He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. "But for the cowardly and
unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in
the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Most people focus on the murders and immoral people etc. in this passage, but take notice that all unbelievers are
included in those that will go to hell.
Rev 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another
book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books,
according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were
in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of
fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was
thrown into the lake of fire.
Here we find that anybody's name that is not recorded in the book of life will go to hell. This is a partial listing but it can
be summed up as follows.
The following will go to hell. Anyone not covered by Jesus's payment for their sins, because of refusal to accept him and his
payment for their sins on the cross. Only sin will land a person in hell, but we are all sinners. The blood of Jesus covers all sin. 1
Jn.1:7-10.
What is Hell Like?
The Bible speaks of hell in metaphorical descriptions. By the descriptions we can learn certain truths about it. Metaphorical or
not, it certainly is not describing anything good. We do know that those in hell
(1) have a body,
(2) they are conscious, and
(3) they are suffering in some manner.
(4) They will be in this state forever and there is no second chance.
(5) For some there are greater degrees of punishment.
(1a) They have a body.
Dan 12:2 "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to
disgrace and everlasting contempt.
(1b) John 5:28-29"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall
come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of
judgment.
Here in the text we have just seen that everyone will be resurrected. Whether they have been resurrected for eternal life in
heaven or for eternal judgment in hell. Paul when writing to the church at Corinth described the resurrected body that they would
receive as one that was imperishable 1 Cor.15:42. In other words their new body would last forever.
(1c) Matt 5:29-30 (See also Matt 18:8-9,Mark 9:45-47)
"And if your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your
body perish, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. "And if your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off, and throw it
from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body to go into hell.
By Jesus' words we can see the seriousness of sin. We also see that Jesus believed that those going to hell would go there
with a body. He gives us a metaphorical description of an irrevocable law. They understood once the eye was plucked out it
would not be put back. Likewise once your body was thrown in hell it will not come back out.
(2) They are conscious.
Jesus told a story of a man in hell that we find in Luke 16:19-31. Some people choose to believe this is a parable others do
not. For this discussion let's say that we do regard this as a parable that Jesus taught. Jesus always taught specific truths in his
parables. In this text the rich man is in hell and fully conscious He can see, speak and experience misery. Also across the gulf
Lazarus who is not in hell is also conscious and he is being comforted. I have not yet heard a good explanation of what this
parable would mean. If it does not teach and warn us that hell is a place of mental and physical misery.
Also when Jesus was speaking to the Sadducee's, who said there was no resurrection, Jesus said: " regarding the
resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." (Matt. 22:23-32.) Now Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob had died long before this but Jesus refers to them as alive. Moses had also died long before Jesus was born. Yet
he and Elijah appeared on top of a mountain and they were talking to Jesus. Mat.17:1-8 Certainly Moses was conscious in
order to be able to talk to Jesus.
The Apostle Paul said he would rather be dead and be with the Lord but for the sake of the brethren he knew he must continue
on. Phil.1:20-24, 2 Cor.5:6-9. Why would Paul wish for such a thing if it only meant he would enter unconsciousness? Keep this
in mind when I deal with the next subject which is " (3) they are suffering in some manner" .
How could they be in torment if they are not conscious? Before I move on to that subject there are 2 Bible passages
I should comment on. These are passages that some people mistakenly refer to for a proof text that the dead are not conscious.
Eccl 9:5-10 For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward,
for their memory is forgotten. Indeed their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer
have a share in all that is done under the sun. Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a
cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your
head. Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the
sun; for this is your reward in life, and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to
do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are
going.(NAS)
(Sheol here is Strong's #7585 also translated as grave, pit or hell)
People that believe the dead are unconscious point out the underlined parts of this passage. The idea is that if they do not
know anything or have any activity and their feelings have perished they must be unconscious. There are a couple of problems
with this view point.
1. This idea does not line up with other scripture. This would contradict what Jesus said about Lazarus and the rich man as well
as other scripture.
2. This interpretation would not be true to the context of the passage. Solomon is referring to the conscious action in this
physical world. The context is not about what one does actively in the spiritual realm after death. In the parts in bold we can see
that in the living world the dead are soon forgotten. The dead no longer know what is happening in our physical world. They no
longer have any part of anything here "under the sun" Therefore enjoy life here while you can. Because our time here "under the
sun". is passing quickly.
Another verse commonly used by those who try to support their belief of the dead being unconscious
Ps 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. (KJV)
The word ('estonet) translated as "thoughts" here in Ps.146:4 in the KJV. can also be translated as plans which is the way it
appears in the NKJ and the NIV. Webster's Collegiate Dictionary tenth edition gives part of the definition of thought as " a
developed intention or plan."
Following is the way this verse appears in the NIV.
Ps 146:4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Since the Hebrew word is also translated plans it seems more logical to accept this translation.(1)Viewing this verse this way it
does not effect the context of the passage. (2) The words thoughts and plans by definition can be referring to the same thing. It
seems more likely this interpretation of the word is correct, than it is that this verse contradicts the other scriptures.
(3a) They are suffering in some manner.
Rev 14:9-12 And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his
image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed
in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and
in the presence of the Lamb. "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and
night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Here is the
perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus."
The word "tormented" in this passage came from the Greek word "basanizo."
Thayer's definition of Greek & Hebrew words defines it as following.
928 basanizo- (1) to test (metals) by the touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by
the color of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal (2) to question by applying torture (3) to torture (4) to vex
with grievous pains (used of body or mind), to torment (5) to be harassed, to be distressed; used of those who are struggling at
sea with a head wind
Granted the passages concerning hell are used with symbolic language. But symbolic of what? The use of this word in no way
implies ceasing to exist or being unconscious. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Notice the text here said this was
forever and ever that they had no rest day or night.
(3b) Matt 13:41-42 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and
those who commit lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.
The word weeping in this passage is defined as follows by Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words "WEEPING
klauthmos ^2805^, akin to A, No. 1, denotes "weeping, crying," <Matt. 2:18; 8:12; 13:42,50>, RV (KJV, "wailing"); <22:13;
24:51;25:30; Luke 13:28; Acts 20:37>.#
I believe that is significant that this same Greek word was used to describe how the people were weeping when Herod had all
of the boys 2 years old and younger murdered. Matt.2:16-18. Can you imagine the sorrow and weeping that took place at that
time and place in history?
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