What is Hell?

Here on this plane of existence, we are in the partial presence of God. We have God’s presence and the presence of sin.

Sin is rebellion, falling short of the standard, and the bending, twisting and warping of the heart.

Sin leads to evil. Sin leads to death.

In heaven, we will be in God’s full presence.

In hell, there will be none of God’s presence.

God is love. In heaven there will be love. Here, there is love, though it is corrupted by the presence sin.

God is also joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. From God, these good things come. From God also comes strength, truth, righteousness, faith, salvation. From God comes mercy, grace, forgiveness and hope. From God comes the relief of pain, the wiping of tears, and feelings of pleasure.

In hell, because it is a place without God’s presence, NONE OF THOSE THINGS WILL BE THERE.

Because love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs; there will be none of those things in hell.

There is no fear in love. So in hell, there will be fear.

Don’t get caught up in all the ways the world has convoluted and confused the meaning of the word “hell.”

Purge from your mind the red devils with capes and horns, pointed tails and pitchforks.

Set aside the fire and sulfur and brimstone (they have a place, but not in this discussion).

There are two planes.

One where God is present.

One where He is not.

God is love.

Because He IS love, love can only be present where He is present.

On the plane where He is not present, there can be no love.

So there will be no joy in that plane. No peace, no patience, no kindness, no goodness, no gentleness, no faithfulness, no self control, no good, no strength, no truth, no righteousness, no faith, no salvation, no mercy.

No laughter, no happiness, no pleasure.

No hope.

God is good. So where He is not, there can be nothing good.