Death and Hell - Elizabeth Whitworth

The study of death and hell is one of my priorities because these matters are universally relevant and important. Also, they speak to the character of God. While these are difficult topics, the truth about them is ultimately good news.

You might wonder why I combine the topics of death and hell. The book of Revelation in the Bible refers to hell as “the second death.” So, the Bible speaks of two deaths — the first and the second. Both death and hell are deaths. In short, here’s what I mean by the terms:

Death is the end of someone’s life. For example, “All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died” (Genesis 5:5). Also, Jesus “said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.’ … Then Jesus plainly told them, ‘Lazarus is dead'” ( John 11:11,14).
Hell is also the end of life, but it’s specifically the final destruction of the lost (unrepentant people). The Bible describes it in a few different ways, but it’s clearly destruction: “You have destroyed the wicked; You have wiped out their name forever and ever” (Psalm 9:5).

Let’s take a look at what they have in common and how they’re different.

What Death and Hell Have in Common

They’re consequences of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God (see Genesis 2-3).
They don’t involve consciousness (see Ecclesiastes 9:5).

How Death and Hell Are Different

While they’re both consequences of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God, death at the end of our natural life is part of the curse that affects all creation; that’s why even innocent animals die. In contrast, hell is the payment exacted by sin.
Everyone is subject to death, but only the lost will be destroyed in hell (see John 3:16 and Romans 6:23).
In death, the person/soul sleeps (see Psalm 13:3); resurrection follows (see Daniel 12:2). In hell, the person/soul will be destroyed; there’s no resurrection afterward (see Matthew 10:28).

Note that I’m referencing sample Bible texts and not providing an exhaustive study here. Follow the links below to learn more about both deaths. Also, check out my course on what the Bible says about death and hell. The details are below.

The First Death

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The Second Death

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Video Series • Death and Hell: What Does the Bible Say?

What happens when we die? What’s the deal with hell? Is it real? What’s in our future, beyond this lifetime? The answers to these questions matter, regardless of what we believe, regardless of our level of interest. The truth about death, hell, and eternity impacts us greatly. We would be wise to know what the truth is.

I’ve heard too many people say we can’t know the answers to these questions. I’ve seen too many people lean on folklore and myths, pagan philosophy, and personal experiences.

But, we don’t have to scratch our head and wonder. We don’t have to build a house of cards on shifting sands. We can know the truth about death and hell. And, spoiler alert: It’s good news.

“Death & Hell: What Does the Bible Say?” is a comprehensive video series that aims to get to the bottom of what the Bible truly teaches about death and hell. These matters are so significant, and biblical truth is so integrated, this series delves into topics such as immortality, everlasting life, near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, ghosts, and resurrection. It explores the judgment, atonement, redemption, sin, suffering, justice, eternity, and the character of God.

This series isn’t just a bunch of information strung together; it’s an argument that’s constructed, one block at a time. So, I urge you to watch it all, watch it in order, and watch it with an openness to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that you’ll find hope and good news, that you’ll develop a stronger trust in God’s word, and — most of all — that you’ll cultivate a deeper love of truth and the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Death & Hell: What Does the Bible Say? by Elizabeth Whitworth

Along the way, I also talk about why the Bible is a trustworthy source of truth, how to study and interpret the Bible, how to think critically and evaluate claims, and how to develop sound beliefs that are less likely to be shaken and more likely to be true.

The topics I cover in each part of the series are listed below, along with links to previews. The series is available for free on YouTube. If you’d like to become a ministry partner to help cover the cost of production and allow me to create more content like this, I thank you in advance.

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Part 1

God is life.
Why we should forget “heaven and hell”
God’s dichotomy of everlasting destiny