Does the Fire In Hell Last Forever? - Soul Choice Ministries

Is the fire in hell forever? Yes, it is. Since many annihilationists believe hell does not exist, then what is the purpose of the fire being everlasting? Others believe hell exists, but that those who are cast into it cease to exist shortly afterward.

They believe that the fire is forever, but that the people are not there forever. They state that the reason for the ongoing fire is to serve as a reminder to God of the punishment they received. But what punishment are they receiving if they cease to exist, as most of them believe? Some believe people may enter hell for a period of time and then cease to exist. But what purpose would God have for a fire burning forever?

In addition, why would God need a reminder of their nonexistence?

Besides, there are verses that point out that people are burning forever, not just the fire.

Revelation 14:10–11: “He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night.”

Notice that they have no rest day or night. They are continuing to burn forever and ever.

What do you think Jesus saved us from?

Isaiah 33:12–14: “And the people shall be like the burnings of lime; like thorns cut up they shall be burned in the fire… Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

Notice that they are burning everlastingly, along with the fire.

Matthew 13:49–50: “The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Notice that they wail and gnash their teeth in the fire.

Mark 9:43–44: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than, having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—where ‘their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”

Notice that it says “their worm.” The people in hell have their own worm, or maggots, which indicates they exist in the fire.

What about the beast and the false prophet in Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10? They are thrown into the lake burning with fire and brimstone at the beginning of the one thousand year period, and at the end of the one thousand years they still exist in those fires.

Look at Luke 16:23. The rich man is tormented in the flame and wanted one drop of water. He was also concerned about his five brothers coming there. Why would he be concerned about them coming there if they simply cease to exist?

Obviously, the people still exist, and that is the reason for the eternal fire.

Matthew 25:46: “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” The word “punishment” denotes ongoing pain.

Proverbs 9:18: “But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.”

Ezekiel 32:21: “The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell.”

Isaiah 14:9–10: “Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you… They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we?’”

We see that there are people in hell speaking. This presupposes their continued existence. Remember that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead to pay for our sins and give us eternal life—if we will repent and believe in Him. It is a person’s own choice.

The reason the fires are burning forever is because the people are burning forever.