Is Hell Real?
Nobody likes to talk about Hell. It’s uncomfortable. It’s terrifying. It’s the kind of topic that makes people squirm in their seats, even in church. Many pastors won’t preach about it, and a lot of Christians avoid discussing it because it feels too harsh.
The Question Nobody Wants to Ask:
Is Hell real?
Jesus talked about Hell more than anyone else in the Bible. If we claim to follow Christ, we don’t get to pick and choose which parts of His teaching we like and which ones we’d rather ignore.
The real question is simple: Is Hell real?
If it is, then ignoring it won’t make it go away. If it isn’t, then Jesus was either lying or mistaken. And if that’s the case, we’ve got a much bigger problem than just whether Hell exists.
So, let’s go straight to Scripture and see what God says.
Jesus’ Warnings: Hell Is Real, and You Don’t Want to Go There
One of the biggest lies people believe today is that Hell is just a metaphor—just a way of describing bad things that happen on earth. That’s not what Jesus said.
In Matthew 10:28, Jesus tells us:
“And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Think about that. Jesus is telling His disciples not to fear death, because physical death is not the worst thing that can happen to you. There’s something far worse—Hell.
And what does He say about it? It’s not just a place of destruction—it’s a place of eternal fire.
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Matthew 25:41)
There it is—eternal fire. A fire that never ends. Not just for Satan, but for every person who rejects Christ.
In Mark 9:43-44, Jesus describes Hell as a place “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished.” The image here is brutal—a fire that never goes out, and worms that never stop feeding. Jesus didn’t soften the truth to make people feel comfortable. He said it plainly: Hell is real, and it is forever.
Hell Is a Place of Separation from God
A lot of people think Hell is just a place of fire and demons with pitchforks. But the worst part of Hell isn’t the fire. The worst part of Hell is being completely cut off from God—forever. Not from his oversight, because is God is the one that sustains hell; but cut off from his mercy and grace and love – those things associated with his presence.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 makes this clear:
“Dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
People joke about Hell like it’s a big party where all the sinners get to live it up together. That’s not what the Bible teaches. The truth is, Hell is total separation from everything good, everything joyful, everything hopeful, and everything of God.
On earth, even the worst sinner still experiences some of God’s mercy—the warmth of the sun, the love of family, the beauty of creation. In Hell, all of that is gone. No hope, no light, no relief. Just eternal regret and the full weight of God’s judgment.
That’s not a place anyone wants to be.
Hell Is a Place of Conscious Torment
Some argue that Hell is just a temporary punishment, or that people who go there simply cease to exist. But that’s not what Jesus taught. Hell is not just a metaphor, and it is not temporary. It is a place of conscious suffering.
In Luke 16:22-24, Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus:
“Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he raised his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his arms. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’”
Notice a few things:
- The rich man is fully aware of his suffering. He is not unconscious.
- He desires relief, but none is given. There is no second chance.
- He remembers his life on earth. He has regret but no way to change his fate.
This is not an annihilation. This is eternal torment.
The Judgment of the Wicked
Many people assume Hell is just for Satan and his demons, but Revelation 20:14-15 tells us something different:
“Then 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.”
If your name is not in the book of life—if you have not trusted in Jesus Christ—then you will face this judgment.
Who are those that go to Hell? The Bible gives a sobering list in Revelation 21:8:
“But for the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral persons, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
It’s easy to read a list like that and think, Well, I’m not a murderer or a sorcerer, so I must be okay. But don’t miss the first two on the list:
- The cowardly – Those who refuse to stand for Christ.
- The unbelieving – Those who reject Jesus.
Hell is not just for the “worst of the worst.” It is the default destination for every person who dies in their sin without Christ.
Hell Is Real, Eternal, and Final
The Bible leaves no room for debate—Hell is real, Hell is eternal, and Hell is final.
There is no second chance after death. No one gets to “work their way out” of Hell. No one gets a “lighter sentence” because they were a “pretty good person.”
There are only two options:
✅ Eternal life with Christ
❌ Eternal judgment in Hell
If that doesn’t shake us to our core, we’re not paying attention.
But here’s the good news—Hell is avoidable. Jesus Christ came to save sinners. His death on the cross was the payment for our sins, and His resurrection was the proof that God accepted that payment.
No one has to go to Hell. But many will—because they reject Christ.
The choice is yours.
Where Do You Stand?
If you’ve never truly trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, don’t put it off. Tomorrow isn’t promised.
If you have questions about salvation, the Gospel, or what it means to follow Christ, reach out. Let’s open the Bible and talk—not based on opinions, but on what God has actually said.
Would you like to know more about the biblical doctrine of election? Read my free pamphlet on the subject – Chosen by Grace.
Walt Roderick is a Christian writer who cares more about biblical clarity than online applause. He writes to strengthen believers and confront spiritual drift.
