The phrase "hell was made for the devil and his angels" comes from Jesus' words in Matthew 25:41, indicating that hell was originally intended as a place of punishment for Satan and his fallen angels, not humanity, though people who reject God's salvation may end up there as a consequence of their choices. It signifies a place of eternal fire and torment, a consequence for spiritual rebellion against God, with humans only going there by choosing to align with evil rather than God's kingdom.
Matthew 25:41 Jesus says, "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'".
Revelation 20:10 Describes the devil being cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
•Original Purpose:
Hell was created for spiritual beings (Satan and demons) who rebelled against God, not for humans.
•Human Involvement:
People end up in hell not because God intended it for them, but because they choose to reject Christ and follow the path of sin, aligning with the devil's rebellion.
•A Place of Separation:
It is a place of eternal separation from God, a consequence of defying His holiness and love, distinct from the eternal life prepared for the righteous.
In essence, while hell wasn't made for people, their rejection of God's salvation leads them to the same place prepared for the devil and his angels, highlighting the severity of sin and the necessity of choosing God's path.
From a biblical perspective, "proof" of hell comes from Jesus' teachings and other New Testament writings describing it as a real place of eternal punishment, separation from God, conscious torment, and fiery destruction for the unrighteous and demonic beings, using terms like Gehenna (blazing furnace, weeping/gnashing teeth) and Tartarus (gloomy dungeon) to signify lasting ruin, not annihilation, as seen in passages like Matthew 25:41, Mark 9:43, Revelation 14:10-11, and the Rich Man and Lazarus parable.
Matthew 25:41 Jesus says, "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'".
Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched
Revelation 14:10-11 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Key Biblical Descriptions of Hell
•Eternal Punishment: Jesus described eternal punishment for the wicked in contrast to eternal life for the righteous (Matthew 25:46).
Matt 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
•Conscious Torment: The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) depicts conscious suffering in flames with no relief or second chances, featuring a great chasm separating the saved from the damned.
Luke 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Fire and Sulfur: Revelation describes hell as a "lake that burns with fire and sulfur" (Revelation 21:8), a place of intense torment.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
•Unquenchable Fire: Passages like Mark 9:43-48 speak of a fire that is not quenched and a worm that does not die, symbolizing perpetual torment and ruin (Matt 5:22).
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
•Everlasting Destruction/Ruin: The Greek word for "destroy" (e.g., apollumi in Matt 10:28) is interpreted as ruin or bringing to ruin, not annihilation, applying to both soul and body.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
•Darkness and Weeping: Other descriptions include utter darkness, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42).
Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
•Prison for Angels: Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4 mention angels being cast into gloom and prison, kept for judgment, showing God's judgment on spiritual evil.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment
Key Terms & Concepts
•Gehenna: A valley outside Jerusalem where refuse was burned, used by Jesus as a metaphor for fiery judgment and ruin.
•Hades: The realm of the dead, sometimes used in conjunction with judgment.
•Tartarus: A Greek term for a gloomy abyss where fallen angels are imprisoned.