The subject of Hell is one of the most debated subjects found in the Bible. Some would have you to believe that Hell does not exist at all; others would have you to think that Hell is the bad circumstances you face while here on earth. Still others would try to convince you that Hell is a temporary place of punishment for sin and once you have suffered enough to pay for your sins, you will be released.
 
Please read on to see what the Bible has to say about the subject of Hell; who goes there; how long it lasts and how to keep from going there.
 
The very first place you will find the word Hell in the Bible is in Deuteronomy 32:22 where the Bible says “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.”
 
As you read the Bible, you will come to the conclusion that Hell is a terrible place; it is a place of fire, suffering and torment. However, the Bible teaches us that Hell was not made for humans at all. The Bible says in  Matthew 25:41,  “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
 
By this, we see that Hell was created for the devil and his angels (often called demons). Why then do people go to Hell?
 
In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells us of the very first sin that was committed on earth. We are told that Adam sinned in the garden and by that, fellowship was broken between him and God.
 
Because of Adam’s sin and the fellowship that was lost between him and God, their was a need for man to be reconciled (brought back into fellowship) to God; the only way for this to take place was for someone that was sinless to pay man’s sin debt and die in his place.
 
This brings about another problem; who was sinless and willing to do this for sinful man? There was only one who met these requirements and His name is Jesus.
 
The Bible teaches us the Jesus came to earth and died on the cross so that man could escape the punishment of Hell and go the Heaven to live with God forever.
 
In spite of this great sacrifice that Jesus made for man, many still reject the free gift of God. Because of this rejection, man must then pay the price of his own sin by spending all of eternity in Hell.
 
Another question that is often asked about Hell is this; when do people go to Hell?
 
In Luke 16:19-31, the Bible tells us about two men who died; one man was a Christian and loved Jesus. But, the other man did not trust Jesus to save him and when he died, the Bible says “in Hell he lift up his eyes.”
 
By this, we know that once a person dies he immediately goes to Heaven (if he has trusted Jesus for salvation) or else he goes to Hell (if he has rejected the free gift of salvation).
 
Still another question that is often asked about Hell is this; what is hell like?
 
Within Luke 16 lies a very graphic description of this horrible place called Hell.
 
            1. There is torment from the fire in Hell.
            2. There is great thirst in Hell.
            3. There is separation from God in Hell.
            4. Those in Hell can remember life on earth.
 
You might ask why it would be so terrible to remember life on earth; I believe that while in Hell, a person will remember every time they had an opportunity to accept Jesus. They will remember every time the gospel was presented to them. And,  they will remember every time they rejected Jesus and His grace.
 
The final question we will deal with is this; how does a person escape Hell?
 
At this point, let me establish this one vital fact; there is ONLY one way to escape Hell!
 
Living right is a wonderful thing, but it will not help you to escape the flames of Hell!
 
Doing good deeds is great, but it will not help you to escape Hell!
 
Being baptized, joining a Church and tithing are good things to do, but they WILL NOT help you to escape the judgment of God in Hell!
 
There is only one way to escape Hell.
 
The Bible says in John 3:16, “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
 
Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
 
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
 
The only way a person can escape this terrible place called Hell is to accept the free Gift of forgiveness and salvation that has already been paid for by the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
If you, from a sincere heart and by faith ask Jesus to forgive your sin, come into your heart and save you, He has promised in His Word that He will do that and then you will not have to go to Hell!