Hell Fire: Biblical examination

• One of the most misunderstood doctrines of the Bible is the topic of Hell Fire.
• To understand it fully requires answers to some important questions.

Important Questions

• Is there a Hell Fire?
• For whom is it?
• Where will it burn?
• When will it burn?
• For how long will it burn?

Is there a Hell Fire?

• The word "hell" appears 88 times in the Bible.
• In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "sheol" is used 64 times.
• In the New Testament, three Greek words are used:
  • Hades (11 times)
  • tartarus (once)
  • gehenna (12 times)
• Matthew 23:33 references hell fire

For Whom is it?

• In Matthew 25, Jesus discusses the righteous (sheep on His right) and the wicked (goats on His left).
• The wicked are condemned into hell fire as cursed people after judgment.
• Matthew 25:41 states that hell fire prepares for the cursed or wicked, the devil, and his angels.

Where will it burn?

• The Book of Revelation presents a panoramic view of how things will happen.
• Revelation 20:7-9 says that the wicked and wicked angels with the devil, will be burnt on the earth.
• Ezekiel 28:18 mentions that Satan will be destroyed in the fires of hell "upon" the earth.
• Hell fire will burn "upon" the earth, not inside it.
• Thus, no one is currently in hell.

When will it burn?

• After Jesus's second coming, the righteous and Jesus will judge the wicked for 1,000 years in heaven.
• Executive judgment takes place after the 1,000 years.
• Revelation 20:7, 9 states that after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison.
• Revelation 20:12, 15 mentions that after 1000 years the dead are judged and anyone not in the Book of Life gets cast into the lake of fire.
• Fires of hell will start 1,000 years after Jesus' second coming.

Rich man and Lazarus parable

• It is not meant to be taken literally.
• Luke 16:23 refers to Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
• Luke 16:24 mentions the rich man asking for Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
• It is only a parable.

For How Long will it burn?

• Some Christians believe it will burn for all eternity.
• Matthew 25:41 references everlasting fire.
• Mark 9:44 implies that the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
• Revelation 14:11 speaks of the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.
• Isaiah 47:14 indicates that there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit.
• Malachi 4:3 says the wicked shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.
• Ezekiel 28:18 will bring thee to ashes upon the earth.
• The wicked will be rewarded in hell fire for all their sins and die again.
• Revelation 21:8 the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
• Matthew 10:28 states to rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
• Malachi 4:1 leaves them neither root nor branch.
• Obadiah 1:15, 16 they shall be as though they had not been.
• Psalm 37:10: For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be.
• A little while is not years or months, but might be a few days at most.
• View 1 says eternal fire, no end to its duration and View 2 states a little while.
• The correct view: is consistent with the bigger picture.

New earth

• The earth that burns the wicked will pass away to be made completely new.
• Revelation 21:1 references a new heaven and a new earth.
• Psalm 37:9-11, the righteous will inherit the earth.
• Peter indicated that the earth should be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat to make a new earth.
• Thus, hell fire cannot last for eternal ages.

Puzzling Verses

• The Bible solves the puzzle for you with examples.
• Jude 1:7, there is an example of eternal fire.
• Peter 2:6; the cities turned into ashes.
• Lamentations 4:6 states cities were destroyed in a moment.
• God has solved the meaning and duration of hells internal fire.
• The temple Solomon built was burnt down by Nebuchadnezzer.
• Jeremiah 17:27 indicates the city of Jerusalem will not be quenched.
• Unquenchable means: no one can put the fire out unit the fire has consumed everything.
• It doesn't burn forever.
• God has solved the meaning and duration of hells unquenchable fire.
• The word forever can mean less than eternity.
• Jonah was in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights.
• Jonah 2:6 “I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the each with her bars was about me forever.
• So “forever” here only means 3 days and 3 nights.
• The Bible solves Jonah’s story about forever.
• Worm and fire: agents of destruction.
• Instead of burning corpses, worms eat them instead
• Isaiah 66: 24 states where carcases are consumed because the people are dead.
• A God of love would not punish his creations for all time, or for a moment longer than what they deserve.

The truth about hell fire

• There is fire for the wicked people and the devil and the wicked angels.
• It will burn on earth after the Millennium Judgment.
• The wicked will die in hell; They will be brought to ashes; They will be as though they were never created.
• Out of the ashes of the hell fire, a brand New Earth will be created which the righteous will inherit for all eternity.
• God's love is revealed even to the wicked!