This lesson lays a biblical foundation on the doctrine of Hell. Hell is not a pleasant topic, but Scripture presents it as a literal place of torment and—most soberly—as separation from the presence of God. Revelation speaks of two deaths, and understanding these requires us to understand Hell’s abodes and the Lake of Fire.
Before we go further, hear the heart of God: He desires mercy. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, KJV). The Great Commission flows from this heart: that the lost would be saved through Jesus Christ.
Scripture does not give an exact map location, but it repeatedly describes Hell as “beneath,” or in “the lower parts of the earth,” even “the heart of the earth.” What does science say about the earth’s interior heat? While we can’t drill to the center, scientists estimate interior temperatures using earthquake waves and high‑pressure lab tests on iron. As a simple reference:
• Inner core (center): about 9,000–12,000°F (≈5,000–6,700°C)
These numbers are estimates, but all methods agree the deep earth is unimaginably hot. Regardless of where Hell is physically located, Scripture warns it is a real place of conscious torment—not a place any of us would ever want to be. With that sober truth in mind, notice how the Bible speaks about it by name:
The Bible uses several terms: Hell (English), Sheol (Hebrew, OT), and Hades (Greek, NT). These refer to the abode of the dead—the place of torment for the lost.
• Isaiah 14:9 — “Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming…”
• Ephesians 4:8–10 — Christ “also descended first into the lower parts of the earth.”
• Matthew 12:40 — “…so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Through Jesus Christ alone. We must be born again (John 3). This means believing that Jesus is the Son of God; that He died on the cross for our sins and rose again the third day; and surrendering our lives to Him. Salvation is not mere words—it is the Spirit’s drawing, true repentance, and a new life in Christ. A Christian grows by prayer, studying the Word, fellowship in a Bible-believing church, and obeying the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20).
For the saved: Scripture speaks of “sleep” for the body (1 Thessalonians 4), but the soul is with the Lord. Paul writes, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Your last breath here is your first breath there, in the presence of Jesus.
For the lost: Jesus’ account of the rich man and Lazarus shows that upon death the lost “lift up [their] eyes in hell, being in torments” (Luke 16:23). The body is buried, but the soul immediately enters torment.
Isaiah declares, “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure…” (Isaiah 5:14). Hell “enlarging” contradicts the idea of annihilation. Scripture presents Hell—and ultimately the Lake of Fire—as everlasting.
1) Present Hell (Sheol/Hades) — the current, temporary holding place of the lost. The lost are in conscious torment now, separated from God.
2) Lake of Fire — the final, eternal place of judgment following the Great White Throne. This is called “the second death.”
The first death (for the lost) is when they die in their sins and their soul descends to Hell. The second death occurs when “death and hell were cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14).
At the Great White Throne, all the dead outside of Christ will be raised. Their bodies—wherever their remains lie—will be reconstituted and reunited with their souls from Hell. They will be given a body suited to eternal judgment and will stand before Christ for final sentencing.
• Revelation 14:10–11 — “…tormented with fire and brimstone… and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever…”
• Revelation 20:10 — “And the devil… was cast into the lake of fire… and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
• Revelation 20:14–15 — “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 20:4 speaks of the thrones and “the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus… and which had not worshipped the beast… neither received his mark,” and that “they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” These are the tribulation martyrs who will reign with Christ.
The mark of the beast (Revelation 13–14) will be implemented during the Tribulation. Believers in Christ prior to that time (pre-tribulation view) will be raptured. As an observation about our times, national digital ID proposals can be seen as potential foreshadowings or infrastructures that future leaders might use for control. This is not to say such IDs are the mark—only that Scripture’s warnings help us watch and be wise.
The prophecy of Revelation is true and will come to pass. Christ is returning. Today is the day of salvation. If the Holy Spirit is drawing you—if you sense conviction—turn to Christ. He conquered death, hell, and the grave. He is mighty to save, and He desires that none should perish.
If you are ready to surrender your life to Jesus, pray from your heart:
Prayer of Surrender
Next Steps for New Believers
• Get connected to a Bible-believing church.
• Grow through preaching and teaching (Bible study, Sunday School).
• Pray daily, read the Word, and share your faith.
• Live as a disciple—obeying Christ and participating in the Great Commission.
