"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
One often hears at funerals that the person the service is memorializing is in Heaven. Even if the person has never made a profession of trusting Christ as Saviour or has never shown any indication that he was saved, many still hold that that person is in Heaven. Often it is believed that all are going to Heaven when they die. The Bible does not say that all are going to Heaven!
The Bible clearly says that there is only one way to get to Heaven, and that is by trusting that Christ’s blood was payment for one’s sins. It is only through salvation that one can go to Heaven. If one has not been saved according to what the Bible dictates, they will not go to heaven. Sadly, they will go to hell.
Here is some of what the Bible says about Hell, and what will happen to a person when they die that has never been born again (John 3:3):
The unsaved will perish (John 3:16). Perish, as defined by Noah Webster (1828), means “to be lost eternally; to be sentenced to endless misery.”
“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:6
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17. The “wicked” are those whose sins are not forgiven. The only way anyone can have their sins forgiven is by trusting Christ’s death on the cross as payment for their sins.
People in Hell are tormented. They are tormented by extreme heat, fire, and worms.
“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” II Thes. 1:8
“… Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” Isa. 33:14
Such was the case of the rich man in Luke 16: “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And 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.” Luke 16:22-24
“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” Is. 66:24
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:44 Also: Mr. 9:46, 48.
People in Hell will experience torment forever!
“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” II Thes. 1:9
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Mat. 25:46
Hell is a place of sorrows:
“The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.” Ps. 18:5
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” Ps. 116:3
Those in Hell go down to the center of the earth.
“The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” Prov. 15:24
“Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations” Isa. 14:9.
Also: Ez. 31:16, Ez. 32:21, Is. 14:15
Hell has levels:
“For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” Deuteronomy 32:22
“For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.” Ps. 86:13
People in Hell are separated from God — forever!
“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” II Thes. 1:9
Hell, for the unsaved person, is not the end. There will be another death for them, other than the first death of their body.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Rev. 2:11
Hell is only a temporary holding place for the lost. At God’s White Throne Judgment, those in hell will be released, judged and then cast in to Lake of Fire, where they experience the second death.
“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Rev. 20:13-14
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8
It is not God’s desire that any go to Hell.
“Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Mat. 18:14
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Pet. 3:9
Hell is ever increasing with more occupants.
“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” Prov. 27:20
“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” Isa. 5:14 Also: Hab. 2:5.
Sadly, most are going to Hell!
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Mat. 7:13 Most are trusting what they think God wants them to do to get to heaven, or what they think is right. Few realize that their opinions and unbiblical beliefs matter little in altering their eternal destination. It is God’s Heaven, and only His way will get anyone there!
All will perish unless the realize they are a sinner, and trust Christ’s death on the cross as the only means of payment for their sin. Not once is it mentioned that belonging to a church, doing good deeds (good works), or being religious will get anyone to heaven.
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 Also: Luke 13:5.
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:15-16
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28 One cannot lose the gift of salvation, once they have truly have been saved!
Also: I Cor. 1:18
After reading some of what God’s Word reveals about Hell, immediately one should be concerned and know for sure if they are going there. If one believes he is headed for Hell, it is never too late to change one’s eternal destination. The Bible says to have the promise of Heaven, one must know he is a sinner, believe Jesus died for him on the Cross, and ask Him to be one’s Saviour. After doing that one can know for sure they will miss Hell.
If one is saved, and believes what the Bible says about Hell, it should spurn them to warn others so they do not go there. No one can save anyone from Hell, but we can tell them what the Bible says. How will they know unless someone tells them. Go, and tell!