The term fire is often used in connection with the punishment of the lost. In Revelation 20, the expression "lake of fire" occurs three times to denote the final destiny of God's enemies.
Fire is also associated with hell because of the Greek word "gehenna," the term most often employed to denote the place where the lost will go after death and judgment. It occurs 11 times in the Gospels and once in the rest of the New Testament (James 3:6). The word itself referred to " the valley of Hinnom," just south of Jerusalem. It was there that the Israelites under Ahaz and Manasseh (II Chr. 28:3, 33:6) placed children on a fiery altar dedicated to the god Molech. The specific place where this was done was called Tophet (literally "fire place"). There is a strong tradition that the valley became a city dump where refuse and the bodies of criminals were burned. The terrible reputation of this valley plus its association with fire and judgment made it an apt symbol for the place of final punishment for the wicked.
The Bible presents a literal hell as the place of eternal punishment for all who die in unbelief and rebellion. This truth can be used by God to strengthen Christians and to awaken sinners to their need of Christ.
We don't like the idea of eternal punishment. We may even find ourselves repulsed by the concept. But we need to be careful. God sees and understands infinitely more than we do.
He has proven His love in so many ways, especially providing salvation through Jesus Christ (Jn 3:16; Rom. 5:8). He wants you to place your trust in His Son. Listen to Him and accept His salvation. Accept His warning to escape "the fire that shall never be quenched -- where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched'" (Mark 9:44, 46, 48).
