From a Christian belief standpoint, is Hell eternal?

Question

Are souls kept eternally in Hell, or if someone goes to Hell, is the body and soul destroyed? Yes, I know that there is the verse about the rich guy in Hell, but how do we know that the duration of his existence goes anything beyond that one verse?

I'm looking at this passage below, that seems to indicate strongly that in Hell a person is destroyed.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

I have a hard time comprehending that the body just endlessly regenerates in Hell, or that the soul would just be kept in an eternal stasis, when the eternity of a soul's presence isn't clear in scripture (unless I've missed it, which is completely possible).

From some of the commentaries I've read, the wording directed at Hell seems to imply complete destruction of the being, but I could be mistaken. I'd be interested in hearing other points of view. Thanks

A great variety of answers so far.

Answer 1

Hell can't be eternal.

There is an exponential amount of bodies being sent into Hell. Likewise, by the bible, hell is hot. And we know that by burning something, it releases 100% of all energy through light and heat. With the exponential rate of bodies going into hell, plus with the burning, entropy is going to occur.

Now, we can say that hell is infinetly long, which means energy has already equilibriated itself, thusly hell becomes nothing more than a cold, energy-less rock.

Likewise, if we say hell is contained, entropy keeps on getting contained and it becomes more chaotic, which would then become a cold energy-less rock.

Answer 2

Mark 9:43-49
Malachi 4
2 Thes 1
Rev 14
Rev 19-22

Answer 3

I'd just like to point out that from a jewish perspective, hell is eternal. It is said that it doesn't last for more than a year.
It is also seen as more of a cleansing process, than a punishment.

just thought I'd add that
cheerio

Answer 4

I understand it to be the physical body is destroyed and the soul burns for eternity

Answer 5

Hell would have to last as long as Heaven does.
It is the Christian beleif that Heaven is eternal.
I agree, however, that destruction is implied more than eternal suffering.

Answer 6

Judaism has no professional dogma pertaining to to what happens to the soul as quickly as we die so no heaven or hell. in actuality, all we've are unfastened theories as to what could take place to the souls of the lifeless. it extremely is this form of minor subject rely for us that there're in elementary terms some oblique mentions interior the Tanach (Jewish Bible) as an entire. This being mentioned, one theory is that the souls of each and every physique , even with faith/ideals, could have a place interior the international to return as long as they attempt to deliver reliable into the international by using their movements in life.

Answer 7

God is a loving Father. Do you think he would like to keep you frying forever? No. He will destroy the devil and those that follow him. Gone for good. No more. God give a analogy: as the fat of the lamb hits the fire, it turns into ashes, gone.
Think about it.

Answer 8

FAQ: How could a loving God cast people into hell?


"And I have the keys of hell and death, signifies that He alone can save. By "keys" is signified the power of opening and shutting; here the power of opening hell, that man may be brought forth, and of shutting, lest, when he is brought forth, he should enter again. For man is born in evils of all kinds, thus in hell, for evils are hell; he is brought out of it by the Lord, to whom belongs the power of opening it. That by "having the keys of hell and death," is not meant the power of casting into hell, but the power of saving, is because it immediately follows after these words:

Behold, I am alive for ages of ages;

by which is signified that He alone is eternal life (n. 60); and the Lord never casts anyone into hell, but man casts himself. By "keys" is signified the power of opening and shutting, in Revelation also (3:7; 9:1; 20:1; also in Isa. 22:21, 22; in Matt. 16:19; and in Luke 11:52). The power of the Lord is not only over heaven, but also over hell; for hell is kept in order and connection by oppositions against heaven; for which reason, He who rules the one must necessarily rule the other; otherwise man could not be saved; to be saved is to be brought out of hell" (Apocalypse Revealed n. 62).

Answer 9

I believe as a Christian, that Hell is actually Earth and until we get right by God, we will continue to be reincarnated back onto Earth.

Where else is hell gonna be ?

Answer 10

Rev 20
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Hell is not for ever!