Home of the Lost — What the Bible says about Hell

Bill Brinkworth

One of the most frightening doctrines taught in the Bible is about the place called Hell. Many go to great lengths to belittle and scoff at it. Some curse it. Many deny it.  However, it is mentioned 54 times in the Bible and referred to in many other places.

Perhaps, if people convince themselves and others that Hell does not exist, their scoffing will alleviate their guilt from their sins.  Their ridiculing the horrible place of torment may even help convince them that Hell does not exist and that they do not have to fear going there.

One’s opinion, however, does not negate facts. There is a place called Hell, and unfortunately, many will go there.

Here are some facts about Hell according to the King James Bible:
Hell is down:
“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.” Isaiah 14:9
“They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.” Ezekiel 31:17  Also: Ez. 31:16, Ez. 32:21, Isaiah 14:15.

Hell is for the wicked:
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:33   Also: Matthew. 5:22.

Hell is a place of sorrows:
“The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.” Psalm 18:5
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” Psalm 116:3

Hell is a place of pain:
“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. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”  Luke 16:24-25  Also: Luke 16:28.
“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.” Isaiah 66:24
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:44  Also: Mark 9:46, 48.

Hell is a place where the souls of the dead go:
“But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” Proverbs 9:18    Life isn’t over when our flesh stops breathing.

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  Also: Psalm 86:13.

Before Christ died,  the center of the Earth was different than it is today. There were three sections in it, as revealed in Luke 16:19-31.

In the verses in Luke 16, readers see the destination of two Old Testament people. One was Lazarus, who was a poor beggar, but a godly saint. When he died, his soul went to a compartment towards the center of the Earth called “Abraham’s bosom.”
“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;” Luke 16:22

When the rich man died, he went to Hell (“hades”). There, the man’s soul suffered torments (Luke 16:23-25, 28). 
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23

Although separated by an impassable chasm (“a great gulf fixed” — Luke 16:26), the once wealthy man could look up where he recognized Lazarus. There he saw that the man who once had a hard, deprived (“evil”) life was now “comforted.” The man suffering in Hell saw one thing Lazarus had that he longed for — water.
“And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Luke 16:26

This account in Luke 16 is important as it shows that the unrighteous, Old Testament dead went to a tormenting Hell.  The righteous saints of that time went to a place that was not tormenting but comforting.

After Jesus “died,” he led the godly Old Testament saints out of Abraham’s Bosom. Where the Saviour went was not a tormenting place, but a “comforting” one.

The Old Testament saints were “captive” in “Abraham’s bosom,” perhaps, until the perfect blood atonement was made to cover their sins. Jesus’ blood was that sacrifice, freeing them to go to Heaven with Him.
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Ephesians 4:8  Also: Ps. 68:18.
“Because thou wilt not leave my soul [David] in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 2:27  Also: Acts 2:31.  If I understand correctly, Abraham’s bosom was also referred to as “hell,” although it was not the tormenting place.
“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” Act 2:31

Hell is growing. Unfortunately, it is expanding as souls are still filling that horrible place.
“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” Proverbs. 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.” Isaiah 5:14

Hell is not for those trusting Christ as their Saviour.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish [“to destroy fully”], but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Hell is a temporary place, but then it gets worse:
“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.” Revelation 20:13 — All those in Hell will be released, judged, and sentenced to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. After Hell, one goes to the Lake of Fire – FOREVER!
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14

 

Hell certainly is a horrible place. No one should want to go there.

The only way to avoid that tormenting place is to be saved.  Are you positive you will not go to Hell when it is your time to leave this world?   Be sure!  Do not gamble or guess with your eternal soul.
“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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

Updated: 2/9/2023