Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  9000 Last things  »  9500 Hell  »  9510 hell  »  9512 hell, as an experience

The state of final separation from God, and so from all light, love, peace, pleasure and fulfilment.

Hell is separation from God

2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 See also Matthew 7:23; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 25:32; Revelation 21:8

The final state of the wicked is one of eternal punishment

Matthew 25:41-46 “eternal punishment” means the punishment that is part of, and belongs to, the final order of things that follows this present age. This is usually, though not invariably, understood as an unending process of punishment consciously experienced by the wicked. See also Jude 7

Biblical expressions for final punishment

God's wrath

John 3:36 See also Deuteronomy 32:22; Zephaniah 1:18; Matthew 3:7; Romans 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 19:15-16

Torment

Luke 16:23-24 See also Matthew 8:29; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 20:10

Corruption

Psalm 55:23; 2 Peter 1:4

Destruction

Galatians 6:8 See also Deuteronomy 7:10; Psalm 88:11; John 17:12; Romans 9:22; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 17:8

Unquenchable fire

Jude 7 See also Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 3:12; Matthew 18:8-9; Hebrews 10:27; Revelation 19:20

Intense darkness, emphasising utter isolation

Jude 13 See also Matthew 22:13; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 6

Death

John 8:21 See also Job 28:22; Proverbs 15:11; Isaiah 28:15; Hosea 13:14; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:26,54-55

The second death

Revelation 20:14-15 See also Revelation 20:6; Revelation 21:8

The finality of hell

Luke 16:26 See also Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-27; Revelation 16:11

See also

1025  God, anger of
4826  fire
5295  destruction
5398  loss
5482  punishment
5493  retribution
5584  torture
6130  corruption
8341  separation
9024  death, spiritual
9040  grave, the
9105  last things