Of all Christian doctrines, hell is perhaps the most uncomfortable.
We’d rather it didn’t exist. We hope it’s metaphorical. We wonder if a loving God could really send anyone there. And so, we dismiss it, soften it, or reinterpret it into irrelevance.
But Scripture is unambiguous. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. And the hard truth is this: Hell is real and eternal.
This doesn’t sit well in a culture that prioritizes comfort over truth. But honesty demands we face what Scripture actually teaches.
Why Hell Exists
To understand hell, you must first understand God’s character.
God is not only love. He is also:
- Perfectly just. He cannot and will not allow evil to go unpunished.
- Perfectly holy. He cannot coexist with sin.
- Sovereign. He has authority to establish the terms of relationship with Himself.
Hell exists because justice demands it.
Consider: If Hitler died and immediately entered eternal fellowship with God, would that be just? If someone who tortured innocents experienced no consequence for their cruelty, would God be righteous?
Most people instinctively say no. But here’s the problem: If we believe in justice—real, final justice—then there must be a place and state where the unjust are separated from God.
That place is hell.
What Jesus Teaches About Hell
Jesus didn’t invent the doctrine of hell to comfort His disciples. He spoke about it to warn them.
He spoke of:
- Fire and darkness (Matthew 25:30, 41)
- Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12)
- The “second death” (Revelation 20:14)
- Separation from God forever (Matthew 7:23: “I never knew you”)
Most striking is Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 25, where He describes the final judgment:
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels… Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
As mentioned, Jesus taught about hell more than any figure in Scripture. And He taught it not as myth or metaphor, but as literal truth.
Is Hell Eternal?
Perhaps the hardest aspect of hell is its eternality. Temporary punishment, even severe, feels more just. But eternal punishment seems excessive.
Yet Scripture is clear: It is eternal. The same Greek word, aionios (αἰώνιος), is used for both “eternal life” in John 3:16 and “eternal punishment” in Matthew 25:46.
Why We Must Speak of Hell
Every Christian is challenged to come to a correct understanding on a number of doctrines, and the doctrine on hell is no exception. The doctrine of hell is a modern-day contest that must be addressed. We are surrounded by a hedonistic culture and we are confronted with liberal theology within Christian circles. We need to take up this cultural and spiritual battle and stand firm on the truth of the Bible. The Biblical understanding on hell is under attack.
Please recall that Revelation 20:15 is a very clear and concise statement on hell, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire”. I am convinced that people need to be made aware of this. Hell should be presented at some point in the discussion of the gospel message when the gospel is shared with an unsaved person. I know that discussing hell with an unsaved person or a new believer may be uncomfortable. The following is a summary of the key reasons for sharing the correct doctrine of hell that was summarized at the beginning of the chapter:
- Jesus taught about hell during His earthly ministry because he wants people to be aware of the existence of hell.
- Hell points to the fact that sin is very serious to God.
- Hell illustrates that God is just. He controls who will be condemned to hell.
- God created hell for the devil and his angels (Mt 25:41), but unsaved people will also be placed there (Rev 20:15).
- Hell amplifies the importance of Jesus death on the cross and the kindness of God.
The Ultimate Hope
The great irony is this: The existence of hell proves the reality of God’s justice and the preciousness of His salvation.
If there were no hell, forgiveness would mean much less. Grace would be empty. Christ’s sacrifice would be unnecessary.
But because hell is real, our salvation is real. Because judgment exists, mercy is precious. Because we’ve been delivered from what we deserved, we can live in gratitude and worship.
