Hell

Revealed Truths

The wicked will be completely destroyed.

The wicked will be destroyed by fire.

The wicked will be destroyed at the final judgement.

The wicked will be destroyed on the earth.

The destruction of the wicked is called the "second death".

Satan and his demons will also be destroyed by fire at the final judgement.

God is merciful.

Some key verses:

Ps 37:9,10,20,38, Ps 136:1-26, Ps 145:20, Mt 7:13, Mt 25:46, Jn 3:16, Ro 6:23, 2Th 1:8,9, Rev 20:9,14,15, Rev 21:8

Exposed Falsehoods

It is false to think that there is a place of eternal, fiery torment.

It is false to think that Satan and his demons are custodians of eternal torture.

It is false to think that God is a sustainer of eternal suffering.

Some key verses:

Ps 92:7, Isa 34:8-11, Isa 47:14, Eze 28:13-19, Mal 4:1-3, 2Pe 2:6, 1Jn 4:8,16, Jude 1:7


The Wicked will be Completely Destroyed  Hell Fire

The wicked will be completely destroyed. (Ps 37:9,10,20,38, Ps 68:2, Ps 104:35, Ps 145:20, Mt 7:13, Mt 10:28, Jn 3:16, Php 3:18,19, 2Th 1:8,9, 2Pe 3:7)

Destroy - "To demolish; to pull down; to separate the parts of an edifice, the union of which is necessary to constitute the thing. ... To ruin; to annihilate a thing by demolishing or by burning; as, to destroy a city. ... to bring to naught; ... In general, to put and end to;" (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Perdition - "Entire loss or ruin; utter destruction; ... The utter loss of the soul ...; ... eternal death." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Perish - "To die. ... To be destroyed; to come to nothing." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

The wages of sin is death, not eternal burning. (Ro 6:23, Jas 1:15, 1Jn 5:11,12)

The destruction of the wicked is called the "second death". (Rev 21:8)

The Wicked will be Destroyed by Fire

The wicked will be destroyed by fire. (Ps 21:9, Isa 47:14, Da 7:11, Zep 1:18, Mal 4:1-3, Mt 13:40-42, Mt 25:41, Rev 20:9,14,15, Rev 21:8)

Devour - "To destroy; to consume with rapidity and violence." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Eternal fire does not burn eternally, its effect (destruction) is eternal. (Jude 1:7)

Sodom and Gomorrah are not still burning today. (Lk 17:29, 2Pe 2:6)

A similar, relative use of the word "eternal" (Heb 6:2)

Some relative uses of the word "forever" (Ex 21:5,6, 1Sa 1:22,28, Jnh 2:5,6 compare Jnh 1:17)

The greatest suffering of the wicked will be their own mental anguish. (Zep 1:14, Lk 13:24-28, Rev 6:15-17)

The Wicked will be Destroyed at the Final Judgment

The wicked will be destroyed at the final judgment. (2Pe 2:9, Rev 20:11-15)

Satan and his demons will be also be destroyed by fire at the final judgement. (Eze 28:13-19, Mt 25:41, Rev 20:10)

The Wicked will be Destroyed on the Earth

The wicked will be destroyed on the earth. (Dt 32:22, Eze 28:13-19, Mal 4:1-3, Rev 20:7-9)

The earth is destroyed by fire, then recreated. (Isa 65:17, Zep 3:8, 2Pe 3:10-13, Rev 21:1,5)

God Takes No Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Eze 18:23,32, Eze 33:11)

God's mercy endures forever. (Ps 136:1-26)

mercy - "That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

For God, this destructive act is a "strange work". (Isa 28:21,22 compare 1Jn 4:8,16)

Consumption - "destruction by burning" (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

A Popular Deception

Many people believe that a wicked person goes to hell immediately at death.

This deception contradicts the Biblical teachings on the state of the dead. (See the State of the Dead topic.)

Many people believe that the wicked will be tormented in hell fire forever.

This deception contradicts the Biblical teachings on the destruction of the wicked.

This deception contradicts a loving and merciful God.

This deception causes many people to become alienated from God.

This deception causes many people to "follow" God only out of fear.

Difficult

What does it mean when it says "their worm will not die?" (Isa 66:24, Mk 9:47,48)

It is a destruction that cannot be stopped until it has completely consumed. (Isa 51:8, Ac 12:23)

What is "everlasting fire" for the wicked? (Mt 25:41)

Everlasting fire does not burn eternally, its effect (destruction) is eternal. (2Th 1:9, Jude 1:7)

Sodom and Gomorrah are not still burning today. (2Pe 2:6)

What is "everlasting punishment" for the wicked? (Mt 25:46)

Note that the word is "punishment", not "punishing."

The punishment for the wicked is eternal death. (Ro 6:23, Rev 21:8)

What is "unquenchable fire" for the wicked? (Mt 3:12, Lk 3:17)

It is fire that cannot be put out until it has completely consumed. (compare Jer 17:27 and 2Ch 36:19,21)

Does the story of the rich man and Lazarus reveal an eternally burning hell? (Lk 16:19-31) (No)

It is a prophetic parable aimed at the Pharisees and based upon popular Jewish beliefs.

Jesus' choice of the name "Lazarus" was prophetic of this yet future event.

After Lazarus was actually raised from the dead, the Pharisees continued to oppose Jesus. (compare Lk 16:31)

What is torment "day and night for ever and ever" for the wicked? (Rev 14:11, Rev 20:10)

It is an expression that means their destruction (the effect) will last for ever. (Ps 92:7, Isa 34:8-11)

Notes on Isa 34:8-15:

The smoke (the result of the fire) goes up (lasts) forever.

Aquatic environment birds (cormorants and bitterns) live in a place where its waters have become pitch (tar).

Non aquatic environment birds (owls and ravens) live in a place where its land has become constantly burning brimstone and pitch.

These expressions point to the eternal nature of the effects of utter destruction, rather than the eternal continuation of the detruction process itself.

The "line of confusion" - The end result of those who cross the boundary line of disregard for God's universal laws serves as the ultimate example of the end results of radical confusion.

The "stones of emptiness" - No being will ever again consider to dwell in this land of confusion. (compare Na 1:5-9)

Are the wicked alive outside the holy city? (Rev 22:14,15) (No)

The point is that they will not be in the city. They will be outside, but eternally dead.