What Is Heaven Like According To The Bible
We shall see the Lord face-to-face. The fact that our all-knowing, all-powerful Creator will dwell with us and we shall know him in an even more intimate way should be sufficient for the true Christian to rest assured that they will be satisfied there.
- Jessica MillerChristianity.com Contributing Writer
- 202224 Mar
When people try to imagine heaven, they sometimes picture ethereal images like angels loafing on clouds or chubby cherubs strumming on harps. In order to be motivated to live for the values of heaven, maintaining a biblical mindset about eternal realities is important.
But maintaining this perspective is difficult when we are bombarded with numerous misconceptions about heaven in popular culture. Here are three of the most common ideas about heaven and what the Bible says about them.
How To Escape Hell
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved .
We have all sinned and deserve the punishment of hell. But God loves us so deeply that He gave His only Son Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus took our punishment for sin on His own body, so that if we believe in Him, we will not spend eternity in the lake of fire, but instead in heaven with Him.
Through His name, everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sin . Repent turn away from your sin and toward God and acknowledge that Jesus died and rose again for your sins. Receive a restored relationship with God!
If you are already a believer, what are you doing to save others from hell? Are you sharing the good news with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers? Are you supporting mission efforts taking the good news of salvation to those around the world who havent heard?
Heavenly Father, may the painful truth of hell motivate us to share Your good news with those who have not yet received it.
Hell In The New Testament
In the New Testament, hell is described both clearly and vividly. There are three words used in the Greek for hell Gehenna, Hades, Tartaros, and pyr. Greek Scholar William D. Mounce, states that gehenna comes about later as a translation from Hebrew and Aramaic phrase referring to a desecrated valley south of Jerusalem. In New Testament usage it refers to an eternal, fiery abyss of punishment where both body and soul are judged The Lexham Bible Dictionary states,
It is a noun derived from the Hebrew phrase gy hnwm, which means Valley of Hinnom. The Valley of Hinnom was a ravine along the southern slope of Jerusalem. In Old Testament times, it was a place used for offering sacrifices to foreign gods. Eventually, the site was used to burn refuse. When the Jews discussed punishment in the afterlife, they employed the image of this smoldering waste dump.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Most Beautiful Bible Verse
Hell Isnt About The Magnitude Of Our Sins Its About The Magnitude Of God
As for the argument from justice, we humans are hardly the ones to assess the enormity of our sins. Is the magnitude of our sin established by our own status, or by the degree of offense against the sovereign, transcendent God? . As John Piper has pointed out, The essential thing is that degrees of blameworthiness come not from how long you offend dignity, but from how high the dignity is that you offend . In other words, our sin is deserving of infinite punishment because of the infinite glory of the One against whom it is perpetrated.
The Unquenchable Fire Of Hell
In Matthew 18:8-9 Jesus teaches on temptations to sin and that it better for a person to go without the limbs that allow them to give into sin, then for their whole body to be cast into hell. And in Matthew 25:41-46 the unrighteous will depart from God into eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels for eternal punishment. In conclusion, in The Gospel of Matthew, hell is described as the place of fire, which is unquenchable, containing suffering, weeping and gnashing of teeth. Those who will inhabit hell are the devil and his angels. Also, all those who do not bear fruit because of their unbelief, those guilty of murder and lust in their hearts and those who do not believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are the ones guilty of the sins of omission and commission.
In the Gospel of Mark, hell is mentioned Mark 9:45-49. Jesus is teaching again on how it is better to lose a limb then for ones whole body to be cast into hell, as seen in Matthew 5:29-30 and 18:8-9. But where it differs is in verse 48, where Jesus says that hell is the place where the worm never dies and the fire is not quenched. Hendriksen explains that, The torment, accordingly, will be both external, the fire and internal, the worm. Moreover, it will never end. He also writes,
He also writes,
So, in the book of Jude, hell is described as the place where unbelievers and rebellious angels will experience a more extreme fire, and devastation, than Sodom and Gomorrah experienced.
Bibliography
Read Also: Where In The Bible Does It Say About Gay
What Does The Bible Say About Hell
Both the Old Testament and New Testament talk about hell. Although they approach it very differently. Because of that I broke the topic of hell in the Bible into two parts. First we will look at hell in the Old Testament and then hell in the New Testament.
You can read the top 100 verses about hell in the Bible here: What Does The Bible Say About Hell
So, what does the Bible say about hell?
Hell In The Old Testament
The concept of hell in the Old Testament is vague to say the least. The concept of hell in the Bible doesnt really pick until the New Testament. But that doesnt mean theres nothing, so lets take a look.
The word the Old Testament uses thats sometimes translated as hell is sheol and its used 65 times. This is where the difficulty comes in. This word translates as the grave, death, destruction, the pit, and sometimes hell. Thats quite the spectrum of possible definitions.
At very least sheol is referring to death. At most sheol may refer to some sort of afterlife human existence for the wicked.
Ezekiel 32:17-32 offers us the longest description of the afterlife for the wicked in the Old Testament. Still its only a few glimpses and nothing solid. The picture he paints is one of separation for the wicked and judgment for their deeds. There are hints that the wicked feel shame, but also that they are comforted.
Ezekiel isnt the only example. Heres a few more:
Hell In The New Testament
Its no coincidence that Jesus chooses this word to describe hell.
Who Is The Ruler Of Hell
Not the devil! Far from it! In fact, the devil is subject to Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell . God will throw Satan into the lake of fire , along with anyone whose name is not found written in the book of life .
Hell is the wrath of the Almighty God. Jesus rules over hell. Jesus said, I have the keys of death and of Hades . Jesus holds the power and authority. Every created being even those under the earth will give Him glory and honor and proclaim His dominion . At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth .
16. Revelation 1:18 I am the Living One I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
17. Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
18. Revelation 14:9-10 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of Gods fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
You May Like: Where Do I Find The 10 Commandments In The Bible
Is Hell Eternal Torment
Hell is most certainly a place of eternal torment.
They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb .
Jesus gave a compelling description of the torment of Hades in Luke 16:19-31. Some think it only a parable, but the graphic description of Lazarus, named by Jesus, indicates a real-life story. A man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was laid at the gate of a wealthy mans home. Lazarus was starving, longing to eat the crumbs falling from the rich mans table.
Lazarus died and was carried away by the angels to the arms of Abraham. The rich man also died and went to Hades, where he was in torment. He saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his arms. And he cried out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame. Abraham told him there was a great chasm between them that could not be crossed. Then the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his fathers house to warn his five brothers of the torments of Hades.
Jesus account makes it clear that the torment of hell is conscious suffering. In the same way that Lazarus longed for a crumb to eat, the rich man longed for a drop of water to relieve his agony. The Rich man was screaming, help! Have mercy! Its hot! He was burning in agony. We cant deny the words of Jesus. Jesus was teaching everlasting pain and torment.
6. Hebrews 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.
The Act Of Punishment May Or May Not Be Eternal
Do texts such as this speak of eternal punishing or eternal punishment ? In other words, what is it that is eternal or unending: the act of punishing unbelievers, or the effect of their punishment? Again, is the torment of the lost a conscious experience that never ends? Or is the punishment a form of annihilation in which, after a just season of suffering in perfect proportion to sins committed, the soul ceases to exist? Does the ascending smoke of their torment point to the unending conscious experience of suffering they endure? Or does it signify a lasting, irreversible effect of their punishment in which they are annihilated? Those who argue for the latter view contend that there will be no rest day or night from torment while it continues or as long as it lasts. But whether or not it lasts forever or eternally must be determined on other grounds.
Recommended Reading: What Does 6666 Mean In The Bible
What Does Weeping And Gnashing Of Teeth Mean
Jesus foretold the fate of evildoers: In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves being thrown out .
In Matthew 13:41-42, Jesus said: The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The weeping and wailing in hell are from bitter grief and utter hopelessness. People in hell will be shrieking in uncontainable psychological pain. Likewise, gnashing or grinding the teeth like a wild beast snarling and snapping its teeth portrays extreme anguish and absolute despair.
Gnashing ones teeth also is a sign of anger those suffering in hell will be angry for bringing condemnation on themselves especially those who heard the good news of salvation but rejected it. Many in hell will think to themselves, why didnt I listen?
10. Matthew 8:12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
11. Matthew 13:42-43 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Fathers Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Read Also: Is The Bible Chronological
Parables Of Jesus Concerning The Hereafter
In the eschatological discourse of Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus says that, when the Son of Man comes in his glory, he will separate people from one another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, and will consign to everlasting fire those who failed to aid âthe least of his brothersâ. This separation is stark, with no explicit provision made for fine gradations of merit or guilt:
Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. â¦whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.
Matthew 25:4143
In a parable about âThe Rich Man and Lazarusâ in Luke 16:19-31, the poor man Lazarus enjoys a blissful repose in the âbosom of Abrahamâ , while the rich man who was happy in life is tormented by fire in Hades , the two realms being separated by a great chasm .
Also Check: How To Go To Heaven Bible Verse
Hell Isn’t About The Magnitude Of Our Sins It’s About The Magnitude Of God
As for the argument from justice, we humans are hardly the ones to assess the enormity of our sins. Is the magnitude of our sin established by our own status, or by the degree of offense against the sovereign, transcendent God? . As John Piper has pointed out, The essential thing is that degrees of blameworthiness come not from how long you offend dignity, but from how high the dignity is that you offend . In other words, our sin is deserving of infinite punishment because of the infinite glory of the One against whom it is perpetrated.
Has Anyone Been Released From Hell
Yes. The Bible provides detailed accounts of nine people who went to the Grave and were brought back to life by resurrection. * If they had been aware of their surroundings in hell, they would have been able to speak about that from personal experience. Significantly, though, none mentioned being in torment or experiencing anything at all. The reason? As the Bible consistently teaches, they had been unconscious, as if in a deep sleep.John 11:11-14 1 Corinthians 15:3-6.
^ Most modern English translations do not use the word hell in Acts 2:27. Rather, some use expressions such as the grave, the realm of the dead, the dead . Others simply transliterate the Greek word as Hades.Holman Christian Standard Bible, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version.
Also Check: What The Bible Says About Polygamy
What Is Hell According To The Bible
Hell is a place of sorrow and torment. This truth is seen throughout the Bible in the Old and New Testaments. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell is a real place to which the wicked/unbelieving are sent after death. Hell is this infinite and eternal death which we have earned because of our sin. Christ talked a great deal about this subject. He describes Gehenna as a place where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched . He spoke several times about weeping and gnashing of teeth for those who are cast into outer darkness . He also gives the parable about inhabiting a place of torment . Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else in Scripture.
Some people try to avoid the idea of hell by saying that God is a God of love and He wont let any of us perish. A loving God would not send people to a horrible hell. But God is a just God .
Some say not everyone has heard of Christ. But Gods word says they are still held accountable .
Some say hell is too severe a punishment for mans sin or our sin doesnt merit hell. But God is a holy and perfect God .
Some say God doesnt send people to hell, they choose it .
Hell Is A Spiritual Darkness And Separation From God Along With Everlasting Torment
Many unbelievers forget that their next breath is because of Jesus Christ. You cant live without Jesus Christ. In Hell you will be cut off from the presence of the Lord and you will have a greater sense of dying without the Lord.
You will have a greater sense of your filth, sinfulness, and shame. Not only that, but you will be uncomfortably surrounded by the worst of the worst sinners. Nothing good will be by your side.
21. Jude 1:13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
22. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.
People like the darkness more than the light. Ive heard people say, I want to go to Hell. Im going to tell God hell you. These people are in for a rude awakening. Most people even many professing Christians hate God and God is going to give them exactly what they want.
23. John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
24. Hebrews 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.
25. John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath remains on them.
Read Also: What Does The Bible Say About Good Deeds