Isn’t it odd that more people believe in heaven than believe in hell? People would like to believe that a loving God wouldn’t send anyone to hell. But there is a purpose for hell.
Why is there a hell? God created hell because of Satan. Before satan fell from grace, before he decided he wanted to be like God, even greater than God, there was no need for a place for sin. Before Satan rebelled against God, there was no sin.
Initially, Satan was an angelic being called Lucifer, meaning “morning star” or “shining one,” highlighting his original high status, beauty, and splendor. Due to pride and a desire to equal God, he was cast out, transitioning from “Lucifer” to “Satan,” meaning “adversary” or “accuser.”
Where does Satan live? While not explicitly detailed, it is inferred that he was cast down from heaven in verses such as Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-17.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12–15)
“Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; (Ezekiel 28:17)
While Satan no longer resides in heaven, it would seem he may have or had some access to heaven. The book of Job presents Satan as appearing before God in heaven, suggesting that, at least for a time, Satan had some entry to the heavenly realm. In Job 1:6-7 it’s written, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.'”
Satan is described as a roaring lion prowling around seeking whoever he can destroy. So he is busy here on earth. Unlike God, he can only be in one place at a time; however, his demonic legions are everywhere, in the air and on earth. When Satan rebelled against God. One third of the angels rebelled with him. They were removed from heaven along with Satan. They are the demonic forces that are helping the devil in the unseen spiritual battle that is taking place constantly about us. The battle over the souls of men.
What is Sheol? In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to denote the realm of the dead is Sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent to Sheol is Hades, which is also a general reference to “the place of the dead.” The Old Testament doesn’t go into much detail, but it’s pictured as dark, dusky, and gloomy. Sheol is typically viewed under the rule of God’s enemy, Satan. However, God it is still in control. He is still King even there. Sheol is not like Hell. It is not the final place of confinement.
What is the Abyss? The Abyss is a place for the containment of evil spirits. Many Bible scholars believe that this is the same place referred to in 2 Peter 2:4 as “hell,” where some evil spirits are “in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.” The King James Version usually translates it as the bottomless pit.
In Luke 8, Jesus cast the Legion of demons out of a man, “and they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss” (verse 31). The Abyss is obviously a place that the demons fear and try to avoid.
Another reference to the Abyss is when Satan was bound and cast into it. “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.” (Revelations 20:1-3) This is after the battle of Armageddon and before the thousand-year millennium.
Many Bible scholars believe that this is the same place referred to in 2 Peter 2:4 as “hell,” where some evil spirits are “in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.” It is clear from Scripture that God has ultimate power over all evil spirits. Some of the demons have been consigned to the Abyss and held captive there, while others seem to be able to move more freely upon the earth. Ultimately, all evil spirits will be consigned to the lake of fire, along with all unbelievers (see Revelation 20:10–15).
What is The Lake of Fire? The lake of fire is mentioned only in Revelation 19:20 and 20:10, 14-15, is the final hell, the place of eternal punishment for all unrepentant rebels, both angelic and human (Matthew 25:41). It is described as a place of burning sulfur, and those in it experience eternal, unspeakable agony of an unrelenting nature (Luke 16:24; Mark 9:45-46). Those in Hades/Sheol who have rejected Christ will have the lake of fire as their final destination.
Whether hell is literal fire is a subject of debate, with interpretations ranging from a physical place of burning sulfur (mentioned in Revelation 20:15) to a metaphorical state of eternal separation from God. While traditional views often interpret “fire and brimstone” literally as agonizing physical pain, others argue these are symbols representing intense spiritual, mental, and emotional torment. Jesus often used the term Gehenna (a burning trash heap outside Jerusalem) to describe hell, using it as a metaphor for destruction and severe judgment. Whatever hell is, it isn’t somewhere one will want to spend eternity.
Who goes to hell when they die, and why? Hell is a place of justice where the consequences of choices made on earth are carried out. Sin cannot enter heaven. While the thought of hell can be troubling, everyone has a choice. God is loving and merciful, always urging us towards repentance and grace. We are reminded that His desire is for us to choose life, joy, and full communion with Him. God does not send people to hell; they go there because they rejected God while here on earth. Hell is a reflection of the choices we make in life. Our hope is in God’s promise of salvation and the joy of eternal life with Him. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, our place in Heaven is secure.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”. (Ephesians 4:30). This verse emphasizes that believers are marked by the Holy Spirit as God’s possession, serving as a guarantee of their salvation until they are redeemed on that final day.
What is the Great White Throne Judgment? The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) is the final, post-millennial judgment where Jesus Christ judges all unbelievers, both small and great, according to their works. Those whose names are not in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire, representing eternal separation from God.
At the Great White Throne Judgement, Jesus Christ sits as judge on a pure white throne, signifying absolute righteousness. The judgment takes place after the millennium and the final rebellion of Satan. This judgment is for the spiritually dead—all who did not accept Jesus as Savior—whose bodies are resurrected to stand before God. It should not be confused with the “Judgment Seat of Christ,” where believers are rewarded.
Records of every person’s deeds are opened to determine their sentence, those who’s name is not written in the Book of Life, will be condemned to the Lake of Fire, also known as the second death. The event is viewed as the ultimate manifestation of God’s justice, where every hidden action is brought to light.
It is the last of the Biblical judgments, marking the transition to the new heaven and new earth. It enforces the final, eternal separation between those who accepted and rejected God’s salvation. Satan, the demons, and all those that rejected Christ will be confined in hell for all eternity.
But those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life should have no fear of this terrible fate. By faith in Christ and His blood shed on the cross for our sins, we are destined to live eternally in the blessed presence of God.
Books by Jerry, many of which you may read for free on Prime. All are priced as low as possible. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jerry-Blount/author/B06XK4GJT1
- Things You Probably Didn’t Learn in Church
- Basic Christianity: Living a Joy-Filled Life and Making a Difference
- The End Times: Signs and Prophecy
- Noah and the Great Flood: Proof and Effects
- Following Jesus and Fishing Along the Way: Stories of God’s Great Outdoors
- The Rapture: Coming Soon
- Delighting in the Lord: Enjoying a Close Walk with Jesus
- Evidence of God: Proof beyond Doubt
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