Having looked at some physical characteristics of an eternal, burning hell, I will proceed to examine a few more. I have used the true story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16 as a guide this far, but I will look at some other passages to give us some more of its physical characteristics.
“Where Their Worm Dieth Not, and the Fire Is Not Quenched”
Mark 9:43-48
43) And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45) And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
In this passage, Jesus Christ actually defines “hell” for us. Multiple times in this single passage, our Lord defines hell fire as a place “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” He does not define hell as some unseen state of the dead; He does not define hell as “the grave;” He does not define hell as a circumstance in this life. If you define hell differently than Jesus Christ, then you are dead wrong, and Jesus Christ, as always, is absolutely correct.
The meaning of “the worm that dieth not” has always been the debate of Bible scholars. Whichever explanation you choose to believe, it is not good. Some say that this phrase, “where their worm dieth not,” is relating to a literal worm that will constantly devour the body that is in hell. That is possible, for those in hell are not living in hell; they are dying in hell. The last verse of Isaiah includes the same wording, but refers to the bodies of those in hell as “carcasses.” I have heard it said, “You will live forever somewhere; either in heaven or in hell.” That is not true. You will not live forever somewhere. You will either live forever in heaven, or you will DIE forever in hell. The lake of fire is truly the second death. It is not that you will never die; it is that you are ALWAYS DYING. Hell is not a place of eternal life; it is a place of eternal death. Though your body in hell will never be completely dead, it will be continually dying. For this reason your body in hell is referred to as a carcass. Because the body in hell is referred to as a carcass, it is possible that “their worm that dieth not” may refer to actual worms constantly devouring those carcasses.
Others contend, however, that the phrase, “where their worm dieth not” simply means that the bodies of those in hell will never be completely dead. Some say that there is no literal worm in hell, but rather that the “worm” is simply referring to a person’s body in hell. I must say that this is also possible. In Psalm 22:6, David says, “I am a worm, and no man.” Some say that David was simply stating that his flesh, in the eyes of God, was no more than a worm. Some make the connection to those in hell, stating that their flesh in hell is referred to as a worm, and that it will never completely die, though it is dying continually.
Then, there is the phrase that Jesus used in defining hell fire, “the fire that shall not be quenched.” In my first post on hell, I showed several verses speaking of “eternal fire,” “everlasting fire,” “everlasting destruction,” “eternal judgment,” “the smoke of their torment ascendeth for ever and ever,” and other such phrases. These phrases all affirm that punishment of hell is eternal; the fire in hell is eternal; and the conscious torment of those in hell is eternal.
Some say it is scientifically impossible for a fire to burn continually without destroying completely. Science actually disproves this. Scientists say that the temperature of the earth’s core ranges from 7,200 degrees Fahrenheit to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The rock forming the outer core is molten rock. In spite of the extremely high temperatures and the molten rock of the outer core, the earth is not destroyed. Not even the core of the earth is destroyed! If it is scientifically possible for the earth core to be that hot, and the contents there remain; it is therefore scientifically possible for a soul to exist in eternal, hell fire without being completely annihilated.
Outer Darkness
Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; and Matthew 25:30 all speak of hell as “outer darkness.” Jude 13 describes the punishment for false teachers this way – “…to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” He not only mentions darkness, but “the blackness of darkness.” At the end of the verse, Jude makes it clear that the lost soul in hell will experience this darkness FOR EVER. In addition to eternal fire, eternal punishment, eternal judgment, and the eternal worm, we now have eternal, outer darkness. It is the blackest darkness ever witnessed. The loneliness of those in hell will be magnified by the immense, intense darkness. No artist can paint the darkness of hell; no poet can tell the darkness of hell; no dreamer can dream the darkness of hell; no preacher can adequately preach the darkness of hell; and no lost soul in hell can escape the darkness of hell.
Weeping, Wailing, and Gnashing of Teeth
In five passages of scripture, namely Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30; and Luke 13:28; the Bible refers to hell as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Matthew 13:42 and Matthew 13:50, Jesus referred to hell as a place of WAILING and gnashing of teeth.
In heaven, God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. But in hell, tears will continue throughout the endless ages. Tears of agony, pain, and sorrow will prevail in that awful place. Hell is place of weeping. Parents will weep because they did not raise their children to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and helped their own children arrive in that awful place. Religious people will weep because their priests, imams, pastors, teachers, rabbis, and other leaders cared more about money than telling them how to escape the damnation of hell. Some will weep because they missed heaven, and missed those precious loved ones who are in heaven. Many will weep because of the agonizing torture of that dreaded place. Many will weep because they mocked God, mocked the preacher, and mocked blog posts like this one, when they should have taken heed. Hell will be a place of weeping.
Not only will hell be a place of weeping, but it will furthermore be a place of wailing. Wailing is far deeper than weeping. Weeping is the shedding of tears; wailing is the loud, mournful cry of despair. I have seen some almost lie in the casket, crying and moaning loudly. This is wailing, and it will be heard in hell.
Gnashing of teeth will also be a characteristic of that dark place. I have heard ministers refer to “people gnawing on one another in hell.” The scriptures do not speak of this, and more than likely, those ministers are referring to the “gnashing of teeth” that will take place in hell. “Gnashing of teeth” is not the same thing as “gnawing on one another.” “Gnashing of teeth” means that a person grinds their teeth in severe agony or pain. What a horrible place!
“Where Their Worm Dieth Not, and the Fire Is Not Quenched”
Mark 9:43-48
43) And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45) And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
In this passage, Jesus Christ actually defines “hell” for us. Multiple times in this single passage, our Lord defines hell fire as a place “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” He does not define hell as some unseen state of the dead; He does not define hell as “the grave;” He does not define hell as a circumstance in this life. If you define hell differently than Jesus Christ, then you are dead wrong, and Jesus Christ, as always, is absolutely correct.
The meaning of “the worm that dieth not” has always been the debate of Bible scholars. Whichever explanation you choose to believe, it is not good. Some say that this phrase, “where their worm dieth not,” is relating to a literal worm that will constantly devour the body that is in hell. That is possible, for those in hell are not living in hell; they are dying in hell. The last verse of Isaiah includes the same wording, but refers to the bodies of those in hell as “carcasses.” I have heard it said, “You will live forever somewhere; either in heaven or in hell.” That is not true. You will not live forever somewhere. You will either live forever in heaven, or you will DIE forever in hell. The lake of fire is truly the second death. It is not that you will never die; it is that you are ALWAYS DYING. Hell is not a place of eternal life; it is a place of eternal death. Though your body in hell will never be completely dead, it will be continually dying. For this reason your body in hell is referred to as a carcass. Because the body in hell is referred to as a carcass, it is possible that “their worm that dieth not” may refer to actual worms constantly devouring those carcasses.
Others contend, however, that the phrase, “where their worm dieth not” simply means that the bodies of those in hell will never be completely dead. Some say that there is no literal worm in hell, but rather that the “worm” is simply referring to a person’s body in hell. I must say that this is also possible. In Psalm 22:6, David says, “I am a worm, and no man.” Some say that David was simply stating that his flesh, in the eyes of God, was no more than a worm. Some make the connection to those in hell, stating that their flesh in hell is referred to as a worm, and that it will never completely die, though it is dying continually.
Then, there is the phrase that Jesus used in defining hell fire, “the fire that shall not be quenched.” In my first post on hell, I showed several verses speaking of “eternal fire,” “everlasting fire,” “everlasting destruction,” “eternal judgment,” “the smoke of their torment ascendeth for ever and ever,” and other such phrases. These phrases all affirm that punishment of hell is eternal; the fire in hell is eternal; and the conscious torment of those in hell is eternal.
Some say it is scientifically impossible for a fire to burn continually without destroying completely. Science actually disproves this. Scientists say that the temperature of the earth’s core ranges from 7,200 degrees Fahrenheit to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The rock forming the outer core is molten rock. In spite of the extremely high temperatures and the molten rock of the outer core, the earth is not destroyed. Not even the core of the earth is destroyed! If it is scientifically possible for the earth core to be that hot, and the contents there remain; it is therefore scientifically possible for a soul to exist in eternal, hell fire without being completely annihilated.
Outer Darkness
Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; and Matthew 25:30 all speak of hell as “outer darkness.” Jude 13 describes the punishment for false teachers this way – “…to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” He not only mentions darkness, but “the blackness of darkness.” At the end of the verse, Jude makes it clear that the lost soul in hell will experience this darkness FOR EVER. In addition to eternal fire, eternal punishment, eternal judgment, and the eternal worm, we now have eternal, outer darkness. It is the blackest darkness ever witnessed. The loneliness of those in hell will be magnified by the immense, intense darkness. No artist can paint the darkness of hell; no poet can tell the darkness of hell; no dreamer can dream the darkness of hell; no preacher can adequately preach the darkness of hell; and no lost soul in hell can escape the darkness of hell.
Weeping, Wailing, and Gnashing of Teeth
In five passages of scripture, namely Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30; and Luke 13:28; the Bible refers to hell as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Matthew 13:42 and Matthew 13:50, Jesus referred to hell as a place of WAILING and gnashing of teeth.
In heaven, God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. But in hell, tears will continue throughout the endless ages. Tears of agony, pain, and sorrow will prevail in that awful place. Hell is place of weeping. Parents will weep because they did not raise their children to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and helped their own children arrive in that awful place. Religious people will weep because their priests, imams, pastors, teachers, rabbis, and other leaders cared more about money than telling them how to escape the damnation of hell. Some will weep because they missed heaven, and missed those precious loved ones who are in heaven. Many will weep because of the agonizing torture of that dreaded place. Many will weep because they mocked God, mocked the preacher, and mocked blog posts like this one, when they should have taken heed. Hell will be a place of weeping.
Not only will hell be a place of weeping, but it will furthermore be a place of wailing. Wailing is far deeper than weeping. Weeping is the shedding of tears; wailing is the loud, mournful cry of despair. I have seen some almost lie in the casket, crying and moaning loudly. This is wailing, and it will be heard in hell.
Gnashing of teeth will also be a characteristic of that dark place. I have heard ministers refer to “people gnawing on one another in hell.” The scriptures do not speak of this, and more than likely, those ministers are referring to the “gnashing of teeth” that will take place in hell. “Gnashing of teeth” is not the same thing as “gnawing on one another.” “Gnashing of teeth” means that a person grinds their teeth in severe agony or pain. What a horrible place!
