What is Hell? 20/20 Explores

The late, great, C.S.Lewis wrote in his book, Screwtape Letters, "One of Satan's best tricks in the Twentieth Century, is to make people believe he doesn't exist".

I was recently asked this question. Does scripture teach that a person who dies in their sins without Christ, will spend a conscious, eternity being punished in hell?

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46

There is no doubt that Jesus said wicked people will go to a place of eternal punishment and it will last just as long as the righteous people who receive eternal life.

There are some, like the Jehovah Witness cult, who teach that after people die in their sins, they will be judged and then God will just burn them up into nothingness, just zap them out of existence to be as though they had never been. This is commonly referred to as the doctrine of annihilation. It is false!

First a comment about justice. It is not just that people like Attila the Hun, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Genghis Khan, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and others should get off with an easy death and then nothing but obliteration. Hitler committed suiside and sufferd nothing for his terrible crimes. But…the bible says there is more…

The Bible says that, “God is angry with the wicked every day.”

“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11

The Bible says that the unjust are reserved someplace (See Luke 16) unto the day of judgement and then they will be punished. (See Revelation 20:14-15)

“The Lord knoweth how …to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” 2 Peter 2:9

I believe the problem that exists in many peoples minds concerning hell, only exists because they do not comprehend, do not really understand just how much of an affront sin is to a holy and righteous God. If people would do an in-depth study of Gods holiness in contrast to sin, most problems people have with the biblical teachings on hell would be resolved.

The other common misunderstanding is that people often do not know that there are degrees of punishment for the lost.

“But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.” Matthew 11:22

The Bible says hell has pain.

“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” Psalms 116:3

The Bible says Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit (hell) for one thousand years. “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” Revelation 20:7

The Bible calls the bottomless pit, a part of hell, a prison.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

The Bible says this prison has gates.

Let me illustrate my thoughts as to how I understand the scriptures on this subject. In our system of government, when men commit crimes they are arrested and put into the city or county jail to await trial or judgment day. They are imprisoned there until they stand before the judge to be judged and sentenced. After judgment day and sentencing, they are taken to the state penitentiary where they will spend their sentence.

When men die in their sins they are taken to a prison, to hell, the same place the rich man was, spoken of by Jesus in Luke Chapter sixteen, to await trial, or Judgment Day. This is like the county jail hell. (Every bit as much a prison as the Lake of fire where they will spend their sentence.) After judgment day they are taken and cast into the lake of fire to spend their sentence. This is like the state penitentiary hell, the final place they will spend their sentence.

I know this is true because, scripture says that death (The grave where lost sinners bodies are.) and hell (Where lost sinners souls/worm are.) will deliver up the dead that were in them to appear before the Great White Throne to be judged.

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

This is the resurrection of the unjust unto damnation.

”And shall come forth…they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:29

“…there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15

After the judgement, all the wicked dead with bodies in the grave and souls/worms in hell were emptied out into the lake of fire.

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41

The Bible says that hell can expand.

"Hell hath enlarged herself" Isaiah 5:14

The Bible say hell has plenty of room.

"Hell and destruction are never full.” Proverbs 27:20

Without taking up every verse on the subject, the fact is the Bible says hell is painful; hell is a pit; hell is a place of sorrows; hell is a place that is never full; hell is a place that burns with fire and brimestone: hell is a place of damnation; hell is a place of torment; hell is a prison and as such it is a place that has gates. The gates of a prison exist to keep prisoners in. So since God put gates on this prison called hell there must be prisoners who would like to get out.

What is the worm that dieth not that Jesus spoke about?

The worm that dieth not is first spoken about in Isaiah chapter 66. The LORD is speaking about dead sinners who though dead, are in a place and condition where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. 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 66:23:24

Jesus tells us the place is hell.

“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:43-44

Jesus repeated the phrase "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." three times in Marks gospel. He must have thought it very important to do so. First in verse 44: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Then in verse 46: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." And again in verse 48: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." And there is the fourth time referenced above in Isaiah chapter 66.
The worm is that part of man that part of the sinner that will never burn up, never cease to exist. The worm is that part of man that is indestructible; it cannot cease to exist. The worm cannot burn up. The worm will be tormented forever and ever and ever.

You may ask, what exactly is the “worm”? I believe it is the soul with the mind and conscience, that part of us that exists apart from our bodies after death. But for the sake of our discussion, the shape, the size, the length, the breadth of it makes little difference. Whatever it’s makeup, the worm is that part of man that is absolutely indestructible! I say again whatever it is exactly, according to Jesus it CANNOT be destroyed!

If a sinner dies in their sins, they will wake up in hell, They will never cease to burn. They will never cease to exist. They are the worm!!! The person, the soul that exists after a lost sinner dies is the worm. They will have a body and whatever body they will have in hell will be determined by God Almighty.

The fact is there is a resurrection of damnation and that means a body.

”And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:29

The fact is their worm is that part of the sinner that will never die!

“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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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

Jesus said the rich man was in hell and while there he could talk, see, feel, hear, thirst and feel torment.

Since death (The grave where the body is) and hell (The place where the soul/worm is), is not emptied until several thousand years latter as we have in Revelation chapter 20, the rich man was, is and will be in conscious torment, that will only be interrupted by a resurrection unto damnation on Judgment Day and will be resumed for eternity in the lake of fire.

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

The beast and the false prophet were cast into the Lake of Fire one thousand years before this and they are still there when the devil is cast into the Lake of Fire.

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15

Jesus told us the rich man is conscious and tormented in hell. According to scripture the next event in the rich mans existence is that he will be resurrected, judged, sentenced and cast into the lake of fire with the devil and his angels where the bible says they are to be tormented day and night forever.

I know God always does right.

“…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25

I know God speaks to all men.

“For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.” Job 33:14

I know that most people have and will chose to go their own way in spite of God speaking to them.

“… Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.” Isaiah 66:3

“…when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.” Isaiah 66:4

I know from the bible that all men are without excuse.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: “ Romans 1:18-20

Jesus told us that those in hell are conscious and tormented in a place of fire that is never quenched and a place where the lost sinners worm/soul cannot die and will never die. I have no problem telling men in the words the bible uses, the words Jesus uses that there is a hell, that there is a lake of fire and there is no way to escape going there apart from trusting in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

I HAVE GOOD NEWS! MEN DO NOT HAVE TO PERISH IN HELL!

“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 3:16

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:27-28

“…he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering....” James 1:5-6

“…neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us (All of us.) the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:18

Let us be about our Fathers business who, “…is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman…therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7

Sam Ludvicek

By the way, in case it's thought ambiguous, or just a typo, 'He' refers to the non-existent God, not the Devil, hence the capital letter.