There a lot of misconceptions about eternity and especially about hell. The misconceptions are based not on the Bible, but instead on folklore, legend and people's hope for what hell is like. I know this is not a comfortable topic but it is a necessary one.
Once again:
A few things we need to understand about eternity
1 We have only one life in which to determine our destiny (Hebrews 9:27).
2 We will exist eternally either in heaven or hell (Daniel 12:2,3; Matthew 25:46;John 5:28; Revelation 20:14,15
3 Heaven or hell is determined by whether a person believes (puts their trust) in Christ alone to save them (John 3:16, 36).
So if we are going to spend eternity in either heaven or hell, what are they like?
Islam – Hell is described like Christian hell, a place of eternal torment all non-Muslims go there and some Muslims. Everyone stays in the grave until the final judgment then everyone judged by his or her works, not grace. As a Christian and people of the book we would go to hell until judgment then go to paradise, if predestined to do so.
Hinduism/Buddhism – Karma (you deeds in this life) determine whether you reincarnate (as a bug, rock, cow, another human etc..) or escape to enlightenment.
Mormons – hell is temporary at the resurrection they are all given the opportunity to accept heavenly Father. After that only Satan and those who still reject heavenly Father will be in hell.
Jehovah’s Witness – No hell wicked annihilated, other people except for the 144,000, remain in grave until resurrected after Armageddon then given choice to go to heaven.
What does the Bible say?
Hell
1 Hell was not designed for people but was established originally for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
2 Hell will also punish the sin of those who reject Christ (Matthew 13:41,40; Revelations 20:11-15; 21:8)
3 Hell is conscious torment.
• Matthew 13:50 “furnace of fire…weeping and gnashing of teeth”
• Mark 9:48 “Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” Not it says where “their” worm – imposing that worms are eating at individuals
• Luke 16 parable of Richman and Lazarus verse 24 “Then 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.’
• Revelation 14:10 “he will be tormented with fire and brimstone”
• No where does it say or suggests that you will see or be with other people
4 Hell is eternal and irreversible.
• Revelation 14:11 “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever and they have no rest day and night”
• Revelation 20:14 “This is the second death, the lake of fire”
• Revelation 20:15 “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire”
Probably the worst torture is the absence of “feeling” the presence of God the aloneness that every person will feel along with the knowledge and remorse for eternity of rejecting God. There will be no hope, no joy, no love, no grace, no mercy, nothing of the fruit of the Spirit. The torment continues beyond that with the heat, flames, smell of the sulfur and the worms.
Hell is not a place where you will want anyone to spend time. God sends no one to hell. We choose to go there by our rejection of the gift he gave for our salvation, his Son Jesus Christ. It is not goodness that gets us entrance into heaven nor is it our evil nature that keeps us out but instead it is relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ that makes the difference.
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