What Hell Is Not
People have a myriad of ideas on multitudes of subjects, but only those ideas that are echoed in the Bible, God’s holy Word are accurate. In this age in which we live, it is commonplace to hear people’s ideas concerning hell. The only One who has been to hell and back is Jesus Christ; and He is therefore the only authority on the subject. Muhammad’s ideas on hell are worthless, unless he got them from Jesus Christ. Buddha provides no answers concerning eternity, unless he was sitting at the feet of Jesus Christ when he received them. Since modern science admits to being absolutely certain of so few things in the material world, I am positive that modern science is completely helpless in things pertaining to an eternal burning, hell.
So, again we turn to the only valuable source on the subject of hell, the Bible. Before we discover the Bible’s descriptions of hell, let me first cover some things that hell is not.
HELL IS NOT A STATE OF MIND
Because some cannot stand the thought of a literal, burning hell, they readily minimize it by making hell simply a state of mind. One who is tormented in some degree or other is said to be “in a hell.” That is completely incorrect. Hell is not a state of mind; it is rather a place. When Jesus told about a rich man who went to hell, the rich man begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers, and warn them, “lest they also come into this place of torment.” Hell is every bit as much a place as any geographical location on this planet.
HELL IS NOT A CIRCUMSTANCE
Some try to diminish the reality of hell of making it a circumstance in their lives. Sometimes, the one returning from a battlefield says, “I’ve been to hell!” But, how untrue! Do not be mistaken! I am very thankful for the freedom I have, even to write this blog. If I lived in one of those “tolerant” Muslim nations, I would be hanged or beheaded for writing what I have written. If I lived in “tolerant” China, there’s no telling where my remains would be, simply for writing my own opinions and God’s facts. So, let me pause here to say “thank you” to all who have sacrificed, either in the armed forces on foreign soil or in the National Guard at home; either in past wars or in present; either in combat duty or non-combat; either in high ranks or low; either in a long duration or a short one; whatever the case may be – if you have served your best to our nation and freedom to its citizens – thank you! I understand that freedom is never free!
However, if you have been to the worst battlefield in the world – hell is far worse. Bad circumstances through which people pass is not hell! Hell is a real place; not a circumstance.
HELL IS NOT A PARTY
Hell is not a party house; it is a madhouse! No one who is in hell enjoys being there. I have heard that, if a person goes to hell, the devil will laugh at him through the endless ages. Not true! The Bible says this is Revelation 20:10 –
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Did you get that? The devil himself will be tormented in the lake of fire for ever and ever. This verse is concerning the devil, the beast, and the false prophet. The lost will also be tormented, according to Revelation 14:9-11 –
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
It is clear that the devil will be tormented for ever in hell; the beast will be tormented in hell; the false prophet will be tormented in hell; and if you go to hell, you will be tormented in hell. Hell is not only a place; it is a place of torment! It is a place of agony and torture! Yes, you’ll have plenty of company in hell, but you will not want it! Most people do not wish others to see them in agony. It is humiliating to most people. Most people do not wish to watch someone suffer who is in agony. If you go to hell, you will not desire that anyone behold your misery, and you will not wish to see anyone else’s. Hell is a place of torment.
HELL IS NOT EMPTY
It goes without saying, but many do not know it – hell is not empty! Rather, it is full and overflowing. Notice Isaiah 5:14 –
“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”
Hell enlarges itself to receive those who plunge into it! There are many today who seem to believe that hell is empty. I have talked to people in funeral homes, who stood before the casket of a loved one, and heard them say, “So-and-so is in a better place.” In many instances, it was a known fact that So-and-so was not a Christian. Do you know why so many think that So-and-so went to a better place? Simply because So-and-so died. I am not at all trying to be cruel, mean, or harsh. But facts are facts, and it is a fact that just because someone died does not mean that they’re in a better place! You do not go to heaven just because you die!
Some seem to think that if someone suffers a great deal before he dies, he must be in a better place. This is faulty thinking. Again, I do not wish to be insensitive, but if a person does not know Jesus Christ, they would be better off to suffer on the hospital bed for another century than to die lost! If the suffering one does not know Jesus Christ, their greatest suffering is yet to come, and it will last forever.
Characteristics of Hell
Having looked at several faulty ideas about hell, let us look at some actual characteristics of that dreaded place. Look at the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who told this true story found in Luke 16:19-31 –
Luke 16:19-31
19) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
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.
25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26) And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27) Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31) And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Allow me to point out some Bible truths about hell from this passage.
THE BIBLE DOES NOT CALL THIS STORY A PARABLE
Often in the gospels, you will find the phrase – “And he spake a parable unto them…” But you do not find that phrase here. It is a story that really happened. The story is real. The name of the beggar, Lazarus, is given. In parables, names are never given. Abraham’s name is given here; not so in parables. This is clearly a non-fiction account.
HELL EXISTS ONLY IN THE PRESENT TENSE
Look in verse 22, and you will find three verbs mentioned, all of which are in the past tense. These verbs are “died [mentioned twice in the verse],” “carried,” and “buried.”
But in verse 23, the tense changes. Verse 23 speaks to us concerning the rich man’s arrival to hell after his death. It reads this way, “And in hell he lift [not “lifted”] up his eyes, being [not “was”] in torments, and seeth [not “saw”] Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom…” The next verse goes back to the past tense. The rich man’s death is in the past tense; it happened, and now it’s over. Lazarus’ death is in the past tense as well; it is a thing of the past. But when the rich man arrives in hell in verse 23, we are in the present tense. Know this, dear reader, that the rich man is still lifting up his eyes in hell. He still dwells in agonizing torments. He can look across the great gulf and see Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. Hell always exists in the present. Its torments are never mentioned in the past tense, for their tormenting work is never completed.
HELL BECOMES A REALITY IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH
The rich man died and immediately it is said, “in hell he lift up his eyes.” There is no room for soul-sleep here. Someone may say that it is possible that there was gap between the rich man’s death and his arrival into the flames of hell. Perhaps he actually opened his eyes in hell after the resurrection of the unjust. This is inaccurate thinking, for the rich man’s brothers were still alive. Had the time of the rich man’s arrival in hell been many years after his death, i.e. the time of the resurrection of the unjust, then the rich man’s brothers would have already died also. However, it is clear that the rich man was in hell immediately after he died, and his brothers were still living on the earth. This account of a man actually arriving in hell gives us no room to teach soul-sleep.
HELL’S AGONIZING TORMENTS
I have mentioned that hell is a place of torment, but now, let us look at some of these torments specifically. First, there is physical torment. The first thing the rich man asks Father Abraham is for one drop of water! The first statement the rich man makes is, “I am tormented in this flame.” In hell, there is physical torment beyond measure. It is greater torment than any physical condition ever beheld in this world. Jesus said in Mark 9 and Matthew 5, that if your right eye offends you, pluck it out! He says that if your right hand offends you, cut it off! He says that if your right foot offends you, cut it off! Whatever it is that keeps you in your sin and preventing you from turning to Him – get rid of it! Why does he use such strong words? He gives us the answer – “For it is better for you to enter into life maimed, or having one eye, than to have both hands/ both feet/ both eyes cast into hell, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched!” I would be better off to go through life blind and avoid hell than to go to hell with perfect sight. I would be in better shape to have someone push me in a wheelchair because both my feet are gone, than to go to hell! I would be in a better condition to lose both hands and stay out of hell than to go to hell with two perfectly good hands! Whatever is keeping you from coming to Jesus, cast it down! This is called repentance. Repent of anything that keeps you living in sin and come to Jesus Christ today!
Secondly, there is the torment of seeing heaven. Verse 23 tells us that the rich man is able to see Lazarus the beggar in Abraham’s bosom. I am convinced that those in hell can see clearly into the portals of God’s celestial city. They see the throne of God, but they can never approach it with their requests. They could have come before the throne and prayed to God while on earth; but not in hell. They can see the pure river of water of life flowing from the throne, but they’ll not get one drop of it! The rich man cried out for just one drop of water, but his request was denied. We are told in Revelation of the tree of life in the New Jerusalem. I am sure that those in hell can see the tree of life, but they will never be able to benefit from its healing fruit! They will be able to see the saints in heaven who have rest in abundance; but in hell, there is no rest day or night! What a torment!
Thirdly, there is the torment of the great gulf fixed. In verse 26, Father Abraham tells the rich man, “…between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” This simply means that those in heaven will never be able to cross the great gulf and go to hell; and those in hell will never be able to travel across the great gulf and go to heaven. This gulf is not the Catholic “purgatory.” There is no such a place. Catholics teach that those in “purgatory” can be prayed out of purgatory and go to heaven. But Jesus plainly teaches contrariwise here. He plainly teaches the truth that once in hell always in hell. No prayers can help once you are in hell. No amount of money given to some priest can get anyone out of hell. Once you are in hell, you are there to suffer its torments for ever.
Last, there is the torment of the memory. Abraham told the rich man, “Son, remember.” The greatest torment of all is the memory – remembering what you heard preached; remembering the gospel message that you rejected with stubbornness while living upon the earth. The message of the memory will be this: “I am in hell, but it did not have to be this way!”
Hell is not a party, like Hollywood makes it out to be. Hell is a place of torment. Sever anything in your life that keeps you from placing all of your faith in Jesus Christ to save you!
People have a myriad of ideas on multitudes of subjects, but only those ideas that are echoed in the Bible, God’s holy Word are accurate. In this age in which we live, it is commonplace to hear people’s ideas concerning hell. The only One who has been to hell and back is Jesus Christ; and He is therefore the only authority on the subject. Muhammad’s ideas on hell are worthless, unless he got them from Jesus Christ. Buddha provides no answers concerning eternity, unless he was sitting at the feet of Jesus Christ when he received them. Since modern science admits to being absolutely certain of so few things in the material world, I am positive that modern science is completely helpless in things pertaining to an eternal burning, hell.
So, again we turn to the only valuable source on the subject of hell, the Bible. Before we discover the Bible’s descriptions of hell, let me first cover some things that hell is not.
HELL IS NOT A STATE OF MIND
Because some cannot stand the thought of a literal, burning hell, they readily minimize it by making hell simply a state of mind. One who is tormented in some degree or other is said to be “in a hell.” That is completely incorrect. Hell is not a state of mind; it is rather a place. When Jesus told about a rich man who went to hell, the rich man begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers, and warn them, “lest they also come into this place of torment.” Hell is every bit as much a place as any geographical location on this planet.
HELL IS NOT A CIRCUMSTANCE
Some try to diminish the reality of hell of making it a circumstance in their lives. Sometimes, the one returning from a battlefield says, “I’ve been to hell!” But, how untrue! Do not be mistaken! I am very thankful for the freedom I have, even to write this blog. If I lived in one of those “tolerant” Muslim nations, I would be hanged or beheaded for writing what I have written. If I lived in “tolerant” China, there’s no telling where my remains would be, simply for writing my own opinions and God’s facts. So, let me pause here to say “thank you” to all who have sacrificed, either in the armed forces on foreign soil or in the National Guard at home; either in past wars or in present; either in combat duty or non-combat; either in high ranks or low; either in a long duration or a short one; whatever the case may be – if you have served your best to our nation and freedom to its citizens – thank you! I understand that freedom is never free!
However, if you have been to the worst battlefield in the world – hell is far worse. Bad circumstances through which people pass is not hell! Hell is a real place; not a circumstance.
HELL IS NOT A PARTY
Hell is not a party house; it is a madhouse! No one who is in hell enjoys being there. I have heard that, if a person goes to hell, the devil will laugh at him through the endless ages. Not true! The Bible says this is Revelation 20:10 –
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Did you get that? The devil himself will be tormented in the lake of fire for ever and ever. This verse is concerning the devil, the beast, and the false prophet. The lost will also be tormented, according to Revelation 14:9-11 –
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
It is clear that the devil will be tormented for ever in hell; the beast will be tormented in hell; the false prophet will be tormented in hell; and if you go to hell, you will be tormented in hell. Hell is not only a place; it is a place of torment! It is a place of agony and torture! Yes, you’ll have plenty of company in hell, but you will not want it! Most people do not wish others to see them in agony. It is humiliating to most people. Most people do not wish to watch someone suffer who is in agony. If you go to hell, you will not desire that anyone behold your misery, and you will not wish to see anyone else’s. Hell is a place of torment.
HELL IS NOT EMPTY
It goes without saying, but many do not know it – hell is not empty! Rather, it is full and overflowing. Notice Isaiah 5:14 –
“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”
Hell enlarges itself to receive those who plunge into it! There are many today who seem to believe that hell is empty. I have talked to people in funeral homes, who stood before the casket of a loved one, and heard them say, “So-and-so is in a better place.” In many instances, it was a known fact that So-and-so was not a Christian. Do you know why so many think that So-and-so went to a better place? Simply because So-and-so died. I am not at all trying to be cruel, mean, or harsh. But facts are facts, and it is a fact that just because someone died does not mean that they’re in a better place! You do not go to heaven just because you die!
Some seem to think that if someone suffers a great deal before he dies, he must be in a better place. This is faulty thinking. Again, I do not wish to be insensitive, but if a person does not know Jesus Christ, they would be better off to suffer on the hospital bed for another century than to die lost! If the suffering one does not know Jesus Christ, their greatest suffering is yet to come, and it will last forever.
Characteristics of Hell
Having looked at several faulty ideas about hell, let us look at some actual characteristics of that dreaded place. Look at the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who told this true story found in Luke 16:19-31 –
Luke 16:19-31
19) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
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.
25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26) And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27) Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31) And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Allow me to point out some Bible truths about hell from this passage.
THE BIBLE DOES NOT CALL THIS STORY A PARABLE
Often in the gospels, you will find the phrase – “And he spake a parable unto them…” But you do not find that phrase here. It is a story that really happened. The story is real. The name of the beggar, Lazarus, is given. In parables, names are never given. Abraham’s name is given here; not so in parables. This is clearly a non-fiction account.
HELL EXISTS ONLY IN THE PRESENT TENSE
Look in verse 22, and you will find three verbs mentioned, all of which are in the past tense. These verbs are “died [mentioned twice in the verse],” “carried,” and “buried.”
But in verse 23, the tense changes. Verse 23 speaks to us concerning the rich man’s arrival to hell after his death. It reads this way, “And in hell he lift [not “lifted”] up his eyes, being [not “was”] in torments, and seeth [not “saw”] Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom…” The next verse goes back to the past tense. The rich man’s death is in the past tense; it happened, and now it’s over. Lazarus’ death is in the past tense as well; it is a thing of the past. But when the rich man arrives in hell in verse 23, we are in the present tense. Know this, dear reader, that the rich man is still lifting up his eyes in hell. He still dwells in agonizing torments. He can look across the great gulf and see Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. Hell always exists in the present. Its torments are never mentioned in the past tense, for their tormenting work is never completed.
HELL BECOMES A REALITY IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH
The rich man died and immediately it is said, “in hell he lift up his eyes.” There is no room for soul-sleep here. Someone may say that it is possible that there was gap between the rich man’s death and his arrival into the flames of hell. Perhaps he actually opened his eyes in hell after the resurrection of the unjust. This is inaccurate thinking, for the rich man’s brothers were still alive. Had the time of the rich man’s arrival in hell been many years after his death, i.e. the time of the resurrection of the unjust, then the rich man’s brothers would have already died also. However, it is clear that the rich man was in hell immediately after he died, and his brothers were still living on the earth. This account of a man actually arriving in hell gives us no room to teach soul-sleep.
HELL’S AGONIZING TORMENTS
I have mentioned that hell is a place of torment, but now, let us look at some of these torments specifically. First, there is physical torment. The first thing the rich man asks Father Abraham is for one drop of water! The first statement the rich man makes is, “I am tormented in this flame.” In hell, there is physical torment beyond measure. It is greater torment than any physical condition ever beheld in this world. Jesus said in Mark 9 and Matthew 5, that if your right eye offends you, pluck it out! He says that if your right hand offends you, cut it off! He says that if your right foot offends you, cut it off! Whatever it is that keeps you in your sin and preventing you from turning to Him – get rid of it! Why does he use such strong words? He gives us the answer – “For it is better for you to enter into life maimed, or having one eye, than to have both hands/ both feet/ both eyes cast into hell, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched!” I would be better off to go through life blind and avoid hell than to go to hell with perfect sight. I would be in better shape to have someone push me in a wheelchair because both my feet are gone, than to go to hell! I would be in a better condition to lose both hands and stay out of hell than to go to hell with two perfectly good hands! Whatever is keeping you from coming to Jesus, cast it down! This is called repentance. Repent of anything that keeps you living in sin and come to Jesus Christ today!
Secondly, there is the torment of seeing heaven. Verse 23 tells us that the rich man is able to see Lazarus the beggar in Abraham’s bosom. I am convinced that those in hell can see clearly into the portals of God’s celestial city. They see the throne of God, but they can never approach it with their requests. They could have come before the throne and prayed to God while on earth; but not in hell. They can see the pure river of water of life flowing from the throne, but they’ll not get one drop of it! The rich man cried out for just one drop of water, but his request was denied. We are told in Revelation of the tree of life in the New Jerusalem. I am sure that those in hell can see the tree of life, but they will never be able to benefit from its healing fruit! They will be able to see the saints in heaven who have rest in abundance; but in hell, there is no rest day or night! What a torment!
Thirdly, there is the torment of the great gulf fixed. In verse 26, Father Abraham tells the rich man, “…between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” This simply means that those in heaven will never be able to cross the great gulf and go to hell; and those in hell will never be able to travel across the great gulf and go to heaven. This gulf is not the Catholic “purgatory.” There is no such a place. Catholics teach that those in “purgatory” can be prayed out of purgatory and go to heaven. But Jesus plainly teaches contrariwise here. He plainly teaches the truth that once in hell always in hell. No prayers can help once you are in hell. No amount of money given to some priest can get anyone out of hell. Once you are in hell, you are there to suffer its torments for ever.
Last, there is the torment of the memory. Abraham told the rich man, “Son, remember.” The greatest torment of all is the memory – remembering what you heard preached; remembering the gospel message that you rejected with stubbornness while living upon the earth. The message of the memory will be this: “I am in hell, but it did not have to be this way!”
Hell is not a party, like Hollywood makes it out to be. Hell is a place of torment. Sever anything in your life that keeps you from placing all of your faith in Jesus Christ to save you!
