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Writer's pictureMark Alan Williams

What Exactly Is Hell?

"Christianity Questions and Answers" podcast CQA 045


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People use the word “hell” all the time, but rarely in its proper context. What exactly is hell?

Most of the time it’s used:

  • In a joke

  • As an expletive such as “hell yes” or “what the hell”

  • As a threat such as “he can just go to hell”

  • With no regard to the depth of meaning and warning in Scripture

Dr. Chris Gnanakan


People want to think of hell as

  • Imaginary

  • Unreal

  • A myth

  • A joke

  • Impossible

But what does the Bible say? What exactly is hell? 


That’s the question addressed by my guest on this week’s podcast. My guest is Dr. Chris Gnanakan. Here’s a short biography:


Dr. Chris Gnanakan is originally from South India, and now lives with his family in Virginia. He is currently a professor at Liberty University’s School of Divinity, serving as a bridge between the mission field and the next generation of Christian leaders. Dr. Chris is also the Director of Outreach to Asia Nationals (OTAN), a mission organization that enables nationals to reach nationals in restricted-access countries with the Gospel. Chris holds three doctoral degrees.


You can learn more about Chris and contact him via his website: chrisgnanakan.com

The goal of this podcast is to get clear on what the Bible really says and teaches about what exactly is hell.


Chris’ and my goal is not to puff up or downgrade biblical teaching. It is to simply and clearly present exactly what the Bible says about hell.


Here are some of the verses regarding exactly is hell that are referenced in this recording:


And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15 KJV)


All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 NIV)


Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 ESV)


The wonderful promise of the Bible is this: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)


To be sure you are ready to meet the Lord Jesus when you die, click HERE


For more help with death, dying, judgment, salvation and eternity, check out these resources:

To learn more about this “Christianity Questions and Answers” podcast and how to submit your questions, click HERE.


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