Although many people believe that hell is a currently existing place where sinners go to burn forever and ever while the saved look down upon their unabated suffering with glee, these ideas are not consistent with Bible scriptures.
The Bible teaches that Jesus will come a second time to execute judgment upon the earth. “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22: 12) For some that will mean eternal life, for others, the reward for a life of sin and wickedness will be eternal death. “The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28, 29)
Fire from God out of heavenRevelation 20:9 says that fire will come down “from God out of heaven” to destroy unrepentant sinners. The fires will last until they have done their work and then they will go out. “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 4:1) The following verse shows what will be left when the burning is finished. “You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this, says the Lord of hosts.”
Satan condemned to death by fireNot only will sinners be destroyed, but Satan himself, responsible for all the evil that has ever been committed upon the earth, will also be destroyed. “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.” (Revelation 20:10)
God's unusual act.In contrast to the belief that God enjoys punishing sinners, the Bible shows an altogether different picture of a God who longs for sinners to repent so that He can restore them to a loving relationship with Himself. “As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?” (Ezekiel 33:11) “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (Luke 9:56) Furthermore, the Bible refers to the final destruction of sinners as God’s unusual act, so contrary to His nature is destruction. “For the Lord will rise up…and bring to pass His act, His unusual act.” (Isaiah 29:21)
In summary, the Bible teaches that God will kindle a fire to completely destroy sin and sinners, Satan will also be burned up, and that executing the final judgment will be God’s unusual work.
