Question 3: How do you know that Hell is real?

Answer: The basis of the Christian life is that the entire Bible is inspired by God and is completely without error. The Bible has much to say about the reality of hell. In Luke 16:23-24, Jesus describes to us what Hell is like: “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴And 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.” Psalm 9:17 also tells us the following: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Finally, in Revelation 20:15 a description is given of what awaits every man or woman who has never accepted Jesus Christ’s free gift of salvation: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Many have taught that Hell is only a “state of mind” or that it will be a “big party where I will hang out with my friends for the rest of eternity.” Both of these beliefs are entirely wrong! Hell will be a horrible place with endless suffering and torment – just look at some of the Bible’s descriptions of Hell:

1) Hell fire (Mark 9:47)

2) The fire that never shall be quenched (Mark 9:43, 45)

3) Where the worm dieth not (Isaiah 66:24, Mark 9:44, 46-48)

4) Tormented in this flame (Luke 16:24)

5) Everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

6) Everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46)

7) Tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10)

8) Tormented with fire and brimstone (Revelation 14:10)

9) Wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42,50)

10) Cast into a furnace of fire (Matthew 13:42,50)

11) Depart from me ye cursed in everlasting fire (Mathew 25:41)

Based on the above, you can clearly see that Hell is a horrible place that needs to be avoided – and it can be if we only choose to accept Jesus Christ’s free gift of eternal salvation.