The topic of hell is controversial, complex, and often misunderstood. At the core of the debate is one key question: Did God create hell? To answer this, we must examine what the Bible says about the nature and purpose of hell.
First, it is important to define what we mean by “hell.” In the Bible, there are several terms used to describe the place of eternal punishment for those who reject God. The Hebrew word Sheol refers to the grave or pit. The Greek words Hades, Tartarus, and Gehenna also refer to the place of the dead or eternal punishment. In English translations, these terms are often translated as “hell.”
So did God actively create this place called hell? Looking at Scripture, we don’t see any passage that directly states God created hell. However, there are verses that indicate hell serves a specific purpose in God’s overall plan. Matthew 25:41 reads, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” This verse suggests hell was created not for humanity, but specifically prepared for Satan and his demons.
We also see clues in the Old Testament about a place of punishment for the wicked after death. The prophet Daniel writes, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). This indicates a belief among the Jews of a place of judgment for the unrighteous after death.
While the Bible does not state explicitly “God created hell,” it does seem to be part of His overall design and purpose. God is completely righteous and just, intolerant of evil (Habakkuk 1:13). Therefore, it follows logically that the wicked must face judgment and separation from a holy God. Hell serves this purpose as a place of punishment for Satan, demons, and unrepentant sinners.
Looking more closely at God’s attributes, we see clues as to how hell aligns with His nature:
- God is holy and righteous – His justice requires a response to unrepentant sin.
- God is sovereign – He has complete authority over creation and hell.
- God is love – Despite God’s just wrath against sin, He desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Based on God’s attributes and the purpose of hell described in Scripture, here are some key conclusions we can draw:
- Hell was not created for humanity, but for Satan and demons. It became the default destination for humans only after the fall into sin (Genesis 3).
- Hell is a result of God’s justice and righteous anger against evil. It is evidence of His holiness.
- God takes no pleasure in sending people to hell (Ezekiel 18:23). Yet He allows human free will to accept or reject Christ.
- Hell is a difficult truth for humans to grapple with. Yet it motivates us to accept Christ’s offer of salvation and share the gospel urgently with others.
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly state “God created hell,” Scripture indicates hell’s purpose is to serve God’s justice and righteousness. It is the logical result of God’s intolerance of sin and rebellion. Hell’s existence forces humanity to confront our sin and motivates us to place faith in Christ alone. Though difficult to accept, hell is consistent with God’s holy and just nature.
Purpose of Hell
We’ve established that though the Bible does not clearly state God created hell, its existence and purpose align with His attributes. But what is hell’s specific purpose in God’s plan? Scripture points to a few key purposes:
- Punishment for Satan, demons and the wicked – Hell punishes those who have rebelled against God and rejected His mercy. (Matthew 25:41, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 20:10)
- Payment for sin – Hell is the just penalty for the sins of humanity. The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
- Removal of evil from God’s kingdom – Those who continue rebelling against God cannot remain in His holy presence. Hell quarantines evil. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
- Motivation for righteous living – Warnings about hell motivate Christians to pursue holiness and evangelism. (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11)
Hell serves God’s overall purpose of establishing perfect righteousness and justice. It ensures evil is ultimately eradicated from creation and sin is paid for. Without hell, God would not be fully just in dealing with wickedness and rebellion. His attributes of holiness, righteousness and justice require a response to unrepentant sin.
Descriptions of Hell in the Bible
The Bible uses vivid and frightening imagery when describing hell. These graphic metaphors emphasize the horror of being eternally separated from God. Hell is described as:
- Everlasting fire – Matthew 25:41
- Place of weeping and gnashing of teeth – Matthew 13:42
- Outer darkness – Matthew 25:30
- A fiery furnace – Matthew 13:50
- Eternal punishment and destruction – Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:9
- Unquenchable fire – Mark 9:43
- Eternal sin and judgment – Mark 3:29, Hebrews 6:2
- Blackest darkness – Jude 13
- Lake of fire – Revelation 20:14-15
These vivid word pictures of fire, darkness, pain and despair all communicate hell as a place of eternal separation from God, unrelenting remorse for sin, and continual torment without relief. Hell is depicted as the complete opposite of being in God’s glorious presence.
Metaphors like fire and darkness also represent the emotional agony of being cut off from God’s presence. The Bible emphasizes God is the source of all goodness, joy, peace, and hope (James 1:17, Psalm 27:1). In hell, these are stripped away, leaving only despair, hopelessness and regret.
Overall, the Bible’s harrowing metaphors ensure we grasp the gravity of continuing in sin and rejecting God’s offer of salvation. They provide motivation to avoid hell at all costs by trusting in Christ.
Nature and Duration of Hell
Two important questions about hell’s nature arise from reading these vivid biblical descriptions:
- Are the descriptions literal or metaphorical?
- Does hell last forever or only temporarily?
Regarding the first question, some argue the imagery of fire and darkness is metaphorical, representing the emotional pain of separation from God rather than physical torture. However, Revelation 14:11 indicates at least some sensory/physical component, describing those in hell enduring “the smoke of their torment.”
Ultimately, the precise nature of hell is not definitively answered in Scripture. Vivid metaphors could point to either spiritual or physical suffering. But regardless, the reality and horror of hell are clearly communicated.
Regarding the second question, the duration of hell, Scripture consistently presents hell as eternal. Verses describe it as “everlasting fire” (Matthew 18:8), “never be quenched” (Mark 9:43), “eternal fire” (Jude 7), “blackest darkness forever” (Jude 13), and a place where “the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever” (Revelation 14:11). Other passages contrast hell with the eternal life of the saved (Matthew 25:46).
From these verses, we conclude hell lasts forever. It is not temporary or “a period of time” as some argue. The eternal duration emphasizes the complete finality and separation from God that results from rejecting Him.
In summary, the Bible is clear hell involves intense suffering and despair, whether literally physical or emotional/spiritual. Hell is also depicted as eternal, with no end to the separation from God and punishment for sins.
Who will end up in hell?
A sobering question arises from the reality of hell – who will end up there? Several biblical truths provide insight:
- Hell was created for the devil and his angels – Though hell was not intended for humans, Scripture teaches hell is the destiny for the devil, demons and other angelic beings who rebelled against God. (Matthew 25:41, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 20:10)
- Those who reject Christ will face judgment – People who continually reject Jesus, refusing to place faith in His atoning sacrifice for sin, will face hell as their judgment. (John 3:18, 36)
- Unbelief and lack of repentance lead to hell – Those who persist in unbelief or refuse to repent from their sins are headed for hell. (Luke 13:1-5, Revelation 21:8)
- God’s judgment is fair and true – No one will end up in hell unfairly or mistakenly. God is perfectly just and knows people’s hearts. He would not condemn anyone undeservedly. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-6)
Therefore, according to Scripture, those who reject salvation in Christ and cling to their sin face eternal separation from God in hell. This includes Satan, demons, and human beings who stubbornly persist in unbelief despite knowing the gospel.
However, God is also rich in mercy. He sent His Son to provide redemption from sin for all who repent and believe (John 3:16-17). He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, pleading with them to repent (2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 33:11). Hell shows the gravity of refusing God’s mercy and the importance of placing our faith in Christ alone.
Does God predestine people for hell?
A difficult question is whether God actively predestines or elects some people to end up in hell. There are two main perspectives on this:
- Double predestination – This view believes God sovereignly chooses who will be saved and who will be damned, for His glory. Just as some are predestined for heaven, others are predestined for hell.
- Single predestination – This view believes God predestines some to be saved, but does not actively predestine others for hell. People choose hell through their own persistent rebellion and rejection of Christ.
There are reasonable biblical arguments on both sides. Verses on God’s sovereignty and election could support double predestination (Romans 9:22-23). However, Scripture also reveals God’s desire for all to be saved and His fairness in judgment (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).
Due to contradictory evidence, it’s challenging to develop a definitive position on this theological debate. Instead of speculating, it may be wise to simply trust the character of God. We know He is loving, just and merciful. He would not arbitrarily predestine people to an eternity in hell without cause.
Rather than focusing on predestination, a better response is to heed Christ’s urgent call to believe in Him and proclaim the gospel to all people. While God’s sovereign election is a mystery, the duty for all Christians to make disciples is clear (Matthew 28:19-20).
Is hell just?
For many, the concept of eternal punishment seems grossly disproportionate to temporary sins committed on earth. How could a loving God send people to eternal torment? Several truths help address this understandable objection:
- Hell shows hatred for sin – Hell reveals God’s perfect hatred and revulsion of sin. His holiness cannot tolerate any evil or rebellion. He cannot simply overlook open rebellion from His creation.
- Sins against an eternal God warrant eternal punishment – Crimes against an infinitely holy God are infinitely serious. Therefore, punishment in hell is justified.
- Hell is chosen, not imposed – People in hell have chosen rebellion despite God pleading with them to repent (2 Peter 3:9). They are not innocent victims.
- Sin spreads like a disease if not quarantined – Hell justly isolates and contains the cancer of sin from God’s perfect kingdom.
- Hell shows the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice – The horrific nature of hell highlights Christ’s love in enduring the cross to save people from it.
Therefore, while incredibly sobering, hell is a just response to evil, reflecting God’s perfect righteousness and justice. Without hell, sin would go unpunished. God’s attributes of holiness, justice and sovereignty could not co-exist with ongoing unrepentant rebellion in His creation.
Additionally, the possibility of hell causes people to confront sin and their need for Christ. We serve a God of perfect love and perfect justice. Both qualities are reflected in the reality of hell.
What about those who never hear the gospel?
Some argue it is unfair for people to perish eternally for never hearing the gospel message. While we cannot know definitively how God judges these souls, several biblical principles offer insight:
- God is perfectly fair and just – God would not condemn the ignorant undeservedly. He knows people’s hearts. (Genesis 18:25)
- Creation testifies to God – Even without the Bible, the creation declares God’s existence and attributes. People are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
- God values truth-seeking – Those sincerely seeking God will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13)
- Christ is the only way to salvation – Scripture teaches Jesus is the exclusive path to heaven. Faith in Him is required. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
In summary, Scripture indicates God will judge those without knowledge of Christ fairly. Only He knows a person’s heart and whether they would have responded to the gospel if presented. We can take comfort that the Judge of all the earth will do what is right (Genesis 18:25).
At the same time, the possibility of judgment motivates us to proclaim the gospel urgently to all people, so they have a chance to respond in faith. The reality of hell should spur us to redeem every opportunity to spread the good news of salvation in Christ.
How should Christians respond to hell?
The doctrine of hell, while disturbing, offers critical lessons for followers of Christ in how we are called to respond:
- Worship God for His justice – Hell displays God’s commitment to punish evil. We praise Him for His holiness and justice.
- Thank God for saving us – Realizing we deserve hell makes us grateful for God’s grace in Christ. Our salvation is completely undeserved.
- Fear God and pursue holiness – Contemplating hell motivates us to fear and obey God, repenting of all sin in our lives.
- Share the gospel urgently – Hell’s reality should remove all complacency in evangelism. We should plead with others to be reconciled to God.
- Trust God’s judgment – While hell is tragic, we can trust a good God has reasons for allowing some to perish. His ways are higher than ours.
Hell certainly raises many troubling questions – how could a loving God punish eternally? Why do some seem destined for hell from birth? However, we are called to trust our sovereign, holy, loving Creator. He desires mercy, not punishment. But He will not compromise His righteousness.
Hell reminds us we have all sinned and face deserved judgment apart from Christ. It fuels our mission to reach the lost. Hell exalts and glorifies Christ as the only means of salvation for a sinful humanity. We plead with men to be reconciled to God.
