Christianity: Three views of Hell

The topic of Hell is not talked about enough in the church today. This does not make sense considering most people are going to the Lake of Fire. Most people will reject their Creator, Jesus Christ, and be tormented for their sins as a result. Moreover, given how this life is just a vapor, it makes even more sense to talk about where the majority will end up in the afterlife—where most are going very soon.

Eternal Conscious Torment (also known as “Traditionalism”) –

This is the view of Hell taken by most evangelical theologians throughout church history. Contrary to eternal life, unbelievers will experience eternal death. Though sins are finite, these people have sinned against an infinitely Holy Being. Also, “I think the idea that Hell is a place where people continue to sin also makes sense that the punishment would go on” (“Frank explains Hell: is it eternal or temporary? | with ‪@drchipbennett‬“ 00:02:41 – 00:02:52). Scripture literally uses the word “eternal” and “everlasting” (e.g., Matthew 24:51, Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Daniel 12:2). Revelation 14:11 says, “And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever,” but some say this is to not be interpreted literally.

Though Gregg is still undecided on his stance, he does list this in his book under the traditional view:

There will be no eternal grieving on the part of believers for those who are lost. God will wipe away all tears from their eyes (Rev. 21:4). This may involve the erasing of memories about former relationships (Isa. 43:18), or it may involve a change in perspective on the part of believers, once they see the matter from God’s point of view (Isa. 55:8-9; Job 42:5-6). (11)

Conditional Immortality (also known as “Conditionalism,” “Annihilationism,” “Extinctionism,” “Terminalism”) –

This doctrine states that only God is innately immortal, and God gives eternal life (immortality) to those who put their trust in Jesus Christ. The words perish, death, destroy, etc., in Scripture means the unsaved will eventually cease to exist. After they die, they are tormented proportional to their sins and then are annihilated (they cease to exist similar to how they were before they were born). This brings a just and final solution to rebellion, avoids comprehending the idea of eternal torment by a loving God, and allows God to avoid the grief regarding souls being tormented forever.

Universal Reconciliation (also known as “Christian Universalism,” “Restorationism”) –

Eventually, all souls will come to repentance and will be restored. Christ died so that all could be saved, and “[i]f all for whom Christ died are not ultimately reconciled, then Christ will never receive all that He died to obtain, and He becomes the cosmic Loser for all eternity, while the devil wins his desired object—which hardly agrees with biblical statements about Christ’s victory over sin, death, and Satan (Isa. 42:1-4; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8)” (Gregg 13). After death, unbelievers will be punished justly for their sins or until they come to repentance. This view asserts that given enough time, all men will repent and come to God. In this viewpoint, all are eventually saved.

My View

I believe the traditional view of Hell is the correct stance. The second most likely view to be correct is the annihilationist view. The universal reconciliation view seems highly unlikely, especially given that some are scorched by intense heat in the book of Revelation but will still refuse to repent or give Him glory (i.e., Revelation 16:9). 

The Bible makes it clear with the words eternal, everlasting, and forever and ever that the Lake of Fire is eternal separation from God. Just as it’s unfathomable to imagine living forever, it’s unfathomable to picture someone being tormented forever. Even after 500 trillion years, the torment is basically just beginning. 

The most important choice you can make is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you reject Him, nothing on Earth compares to the agony that awaits you in the Lake of Fire.