Question of the Day

When Kenneth and Gloria started their journey of faith they had questions too—lots of them! So, we've compiled the most frequently asked questions by people like you—people who earnestly desire to find God's answers to the practical, real-life challenges of everyday living. We have a new question every day, so check back often!

Is hell real?
Is hell real?
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The Bible is filled with references to a literal hell and a literal lake of fire. It’s very real. Here is a list of scriptures that can be of help as you study the subject:

  • Deuteronomy 32:22
  • Job 26:6
  • Psalm 9:17
  • Ezekiel 32:27
  • Matthew 16:18; 18:9
  • Luke 16:23
  • Acts 2:27; 2:31
  • 2 Peter 2:4
  • Revelation 1:18; 19:20; 20:10, 13-15

The Bible makes it clear, hell was never intended for mankind. It was created for the devil and his angels: “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons’” (Matthew 25:41). The only reason man can be subject to hell is if he has taken the devil as his lord. This happened in Adam, who by an act of his own free will, chose the devil when he ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. With that act of disobedience, he changed who was lord of his life and he died spiritually.

All of Adam’s descendants (excluding Jesus) were born into this world having a sin nature (Romans 5:12-14). Due to our sin nature, Satan doesn’t have to give any effort to persuade us from serving God. That comes naturally. What he puts his energies into is deceiving our minds from ever receiving the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Jesus made a way out. Jesus went into the region of the damned and spent three days and nights there to pay the sacrifice required to free all of mankind from the penalty of sin (Matthew 12:40; Ephesians 4:8-9). Then He took the keys of hell, death and the grave, and literally made a show of Satan in his own domain, stripping him of his authority over mankind (1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 1:18). The price for your sins and for all the sins of the world has been paid in full. Now mankind can be restored to the direct access and relationship with God Adam severed through disobedience.

What it comes down to is a choice. When a person chooses to receive Jesus as Lord of their life, they become a brand new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being born again in the image of God is the choice that replaces the sin nature with God’s nature once again and assures us that we will spend eternity in heaven with Him. It is not God’s will for anyone to go to hell, but people will only go as a result of their own free will by refusing to accept Jesus into their lives.