A Biblical Description of Hell

A Biblical Description of HELL: What It Is, Who Goes There, and Why (New Testament Study)

This overview provides a detailed (but not exhaustive) examination of the New Testament's description of HELL, who goes there, and the biblical reasons why. All Scripture quotations are taken from the public-domain **King James Version (KJV)** to allow full citation of the passages.

1. What the New Testament Says Hell Is.

The New Testament offers several descriptions of Hell, portraying it as a place of judgment, fire, darkness, and ETERNAL separation from GOD. JESUS spoke more about HELL than anyone else in Scripture.

**Matthew 25:41 (KJV)**: ‘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.’

This passage reveals that Hell was originally prepared for Satan and his fallen angels, not humanity, but becomes the destiny of those who reject salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

**Matthew 25:30 (KJV)**: ‘And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Here Jesus describes Hell as a place of sorrow, regret, and darkness.

**Revelation 20:14–15 (KJV)**: ‘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.’

Hell is ultimately the ‘lake of fire,’ representing final and irreversible judgment.

2. Who Goes to Hell According to the New Testament.

The New Testament teaches that those who reject Jesus Christ, persist in unbelief, or practice unrepentant sin will face eternal judgment.

**John 3:18 (KJV)**: ‘He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’

This verse clearly states UNBELIEF in Christ results in condemnation.

**Revelation 21:8 (KJV)**: ‘But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.’

This passage lists categories of people who persist in unrighteousness and unbelief.

3. Why People Go to Hell: The New Testament Explanation.

Hell is not arbitrary; Scripture teaches it is the just consequence of sin and rejecting the salvation God freely offers.

**Romans 6:23 (KJV)**: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’

SIN earns DEATH —spiritual separation from God—but salvation is a gift.

**Romans 6:23 (KJV)**: 'For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’

**2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 (KJV)**: ‘In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.’

Paul explains judgment comes upon those who reject the gospel.

4. The Purpose of Hell in the New Testament.

Hell reveals the justice of God, demonstrating His holiness and His commitment to ultimately defeat evil.

**Matthew 25:46 (KJV)**: ‘And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.’

This shows HELL is as eternal as HEAVEN.

**Revelation 20:10 (KJV)**: ‘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.’

Hell (Lake of Fire) is ultimately the final defeat of Satan and evil.

5. The Hope the New Testament Offers: SALVATION from HELL.

The New Testament consistently pairs its warnings about Hell with the hope of salvation by being ‘born again’ and belief in Jesus Christ.

**John 3:3-5 (KJV)**: 'Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’

**John 3:16 (KJV)**: ‘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.’

Faith in Jesus rescues one from perishing and promises everlasting life.

**Romans 10:9 (KJV)**: ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’

**Acts 2:38-39 KJV**: 'Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.'

"REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED"!!!