1. Jesus spoke of Hell as a literal place, using graphic terms (Matthew 10:28; 13:40-42; Mark 9:43, 44).
2. Hell is as literal as Heaven (Psalm 11:4-6) and as eternal as heaven (Matthew 25:46).
3. Hell is a place of punishment designed for Satan and the fallen angels (Matthew 25:41-46; Revelation 20:10).
4. Hell will also be inhabited by people who do not accept God's gift of the Savior (Revelation 20:12-15). Because of man's sinfulness, he deserves to spend eternity away from the presence of God, in Hell. The opportunity to spend eternity in heaven because of God's grace is undeserved by men but offered freely by God.
5. Hell is a horrible place of suffering and everlasting destruction (Matthew 13:41,42; 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
6. In Hell people are fully conscious and retain all their capacities and desires with no hope for any fulfillment for all eternity (Luke 16:22-31).
7. Because God is fair, Hell will not be the same for everyone. The severity of punishment will vary with the amount of truth known and the nature and number of the sins committed (Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 20:45-47, Romans 2:3-5).
Related resources:
Eternal Rewards (Chart and overhead transparency reproductions)
What does the Bible say about Heaven?
Rethinking our Beliefs about Heaven
Is There Awareness in Heaven of People and Events on Earth?
Heaven: Future Home, Present Reference Point (a sermon on heaven by Randy Alcorn)
