The Bible is clear: every person will spend eternity in one of two places—heaven with Christ or separated from God in a place called hell. Revelation 20 presents one of the most sobering passages in all of Scripture, reminding us that eternity is not a distant concept but a certain reality.
Pastor Mike Sanders of The Open Door Church reminds us that the most important question we can ask is this: Is my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
The Great White Throne Judgment
Revelation 20:11–15 describes the scene of the great white throne judgment. The Apostle John writes:
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
At this judgment:
- The unjust and unbelieving will be raised to stand before God.
- Books will be opened, including the Book of Life.
- Anyone not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire.
For believers, the good news is that our sins were already judged at the cross. Through Jesus Christ, our debt is paid, and our future is secure.
What the Bible Means by “Hell”
To fully understand hell, Scripture uses several words:
1. Sheol (Hebrew)
Sheol is used in the Old Testament to describe the fate of the dead. Sometimes it simply refers to “the grave,” but often it points to the realm of the unrighteous awaiting judgment (Isaiah 14:15; Psalm 6:5).
2. Hades (Greek)
In the New Testament, Hades parallels Sheol. It is the temporary holding place of the unbelieving dead. In Luke 16, Jesus describes the rich man in torment, longing for a drop of water, while Lazarus rests in comfort.
3. Gehenna
Jesus often used the word Gehenna to illustrate hell. Gehenna was a burning garbage dump outside Jerusalem, filled with fire and filth. He used it as a vivid picture of eternal suffering apart from God (Matthew 10:28).
4. The Lake of Fire
The final destiny of the unrighteous is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14–15). Unlike Hades, which is temporary, the lake of fire is eternal. Satan, his demons, and all who reject Christ will be tormented forever.
5. Tartarus
In 2 Peter 2:4, Tartarus is described as the place where certain angels who sinned are kept in chains until judgment. It is another word pointing to God’s justice on the unrighteous.
Why People Go to Hell
Some object, “How could a loving God send people to hell?” But Scripture teaches that hell is a choice. God has provided salvation through His Son. Rejecting Christ is rejecting God’s gift of eternal life.
As Pastor Mike often says, “If you go to hell, you must climb over the prayers of your family, the preaching of the church, and the cross of Christ.”
Hell is not a place of partying or freedom—it is a place of torment, weeping, and gnashing of teeth.
Hope in Christ Alone
While hell is real, the gospel offers hope worth having. John 3:16 declares:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
To avoid eternal separation from God:
- Acknowledge you are a sinner.
- Believe Christ died and rose again for your sins.
- Call upon Him in faith to be your Lord and Savior.
Romans 10:13 promises, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The Call to Rejoice, Reach, and Respond
For believers, the truth of hell should stir three responses:
- Rejoice – We have been rescued by grace through faith in Christ.
- Reach – Share the gospel with others so they may avoid this eternal fate.
- Respond – Live with urgency and obedience, knowing eternity is real.
Final Thoughts
The Bible’s teaching on hell is not meant to frighten but to awaken. Eternity without Christ is unthinkable, but eternity with Him is joy beyond imagination.
At The Open Door Church, we want every person to know the hope of the gospel. If you have questions about salvation, faith, or eternity, we invite you to contact us today.