If God is loving, why does He send people to hell?

[David]

This is one of the most common and emotionally charged questions skeptics ask. The truth is, the Bible teaches that God is both loving and just. His love does not cancel His justice, and His justice does not negate His love.

God doesn’t send people to hell against their will. People choose sin, reject His truth, and refuse the gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:18–20 says:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

God has made Himself known, and no one has an excuse. He is patient and merciful.

2 Peter 3:9 says:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Yet many people reject His offer of salvation. Jesus said in John 3:19–20:

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

The good news is that God has provided the way to be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 explains the gospel:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Jesus said in John 14:6:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Hell is not about being “not good enough.” It’s the consequence of rejecting the only One who can save us. God’s love is shown in the fact that He sent His Son to die for us so we wouldn’t have to perish.

John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

In short, hell exists because God is holy and must judge sin. But His love is shown in that He made a way out, at the highest cost to Himself. No one has to go to hell. But many will, because they reject Jesus Christ.

 

[bobinfaith]

I wish the Scriptures could make it simple less the challenge to study but that's not the way it works. So I have two questions.

1. I don't mean to get technical but according to Scripture, aren't the ones who chose to separate themselves from God upon death, sending themselves to hell, not He?

2. Are there those who separated from Christ already in hell, according to Matthew 25:41-46?

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” - NKJV

 

[Denise60]

God does not send anyone to hell we send ourselves to hell when we dont accept Jesus in our life its Gods will we all go to heaven

 

[David]

1. I don't mean to get technical but according to Scripture, aren't the ones who chose to separate themselves from God upon death, sending themselves to hell, not He?

2. Are there those who separated from Christ already in hell, according to Matthew 25:41-46?

You said you wish Scripture was simpler. You’re not alone in that thought. Sometimes we approach the Bible seeking a quick word from God and are faced instead with a well of truth so deep we need faith, patience, and the Spirit to clear it up. It can be frustrating, but that is the way He often operates. He’s not withholding truth from us; He’s refining us through the search. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” (Prov. 25:2). Growth comes through digging.

As for your questions…

1. Do people send themselves to hell, or does God send them?

Picture this, God designed the road, put up the signs, and sent His Son to stand in the middle of the highway waving His arms and shouting, “Don’t go that way!” But some of us still step on the gas. When they reach destruction, it is true that they have chosen to ignore the warning, but it is also God who hands out the judgment.

Romans 2:5 says the ungodly are “storing up wrath for themselves”, their own decisions fill that cup to the brim. But Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death”, and wages are paid by the employer. In other words, people freely choose rebellion, but God, in His righteous role as Judge, pays out the penalty.

Hell is not a place people stumble into by accident. People hear the truth, reject the truth, and choose to live their lives apart from God. And since God is the source of all life, to turn away from Him is the same as choosing death. But don’t miss this, it is still God’s judgment which makes it final. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus says to “Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” God alone has that power.

2. Are people already in hell according to Matt. 25:41–46?

No, this passage is not referring to now, but to later. The Son of Man comes “in His glory” at the beginning of verse 41. That is not the present tense, it is the day of judgment. The picture we see in verses 41–46 is a courtroom, not a holding cell. Christ is on the throne. The nations are gathered. The verdicts are read. The righteous enter eternal life; the wicked into eternal punishment.

Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, that’s what verse 41 says. It was not prepared for people. But when people reject Christ they are choosing to be numbered among the devil’s followers and will reap his punishment. Revelation 20:15 is in perfect harmony with Matthew 25:41–46, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Hell, then, is a final place of punishment. But it is not a temporary one. It is for the unredeemed dead and that is why they are there, in John 3:18, in the “second death,” and there is no coming back. The rich man in Luke 16 was in torment but still waiting for that final verdict. Hell is not the “lake of fire” yet, for that is what it will become after Christ’s return and the Great White Throne Judgment.

The point is this: God does not want any person to go to hell. He made every provision through Jesus Christ to rescue us from hell. But if a person says to God, “I do not want You,” God will honor that choice eternally. Separation from God is hell, not because God is mean or vindictive, but because He is just.

So yes, the choice is real, but His mercy is also real. God is calling every person to take the exit off the highway of sin and step on to the narrow road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13–14). Jesus paid the price for that road with His blood. And if you are walking with Him, there is no place you will ever have to fear ending up.

You don’t have to live your life trying not to go to hell; you can live your life enjoying heaven right now by walking with Jesus Christ.

 

[Hobie]

Gods Word is clear that we will be judged, and that the dead are lying in their graves turned to dust awaiting the judgement, both of the saints and of the wicked.

2 Corinthians 5:10​

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

John 12:48​

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Romans 2:16​

On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Acts 17:31​

Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Hebrews 9:27​

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

1 Peter 4:17​

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Revelation 20:12​

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.


The infusion of pagan Greek thought has left Christians with much confusion.

Genesis 3:19​

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Ecclesiastes 3:20​

All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.

Job 10:9​

Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust?

Job 34:15​

All flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

Psalm 104:29​

When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

Psalm 146:4​

When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

Isaiah 26:19​

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.

Daniel 12:2​

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Its something we must study closely and grasp with fuller understanding.

 

[David]

The infusion of pagan Greek thought has left Christians with much confusion.

I do not dispute the verses you quoted about standing before the judgment seat of Christ. It is clear in Scripture that all mankind will stand before Christ. My point is with the conclusion you are drawing that the dead are nothing more than unconscious dust until that day. The Bible never teaches this. You are not describing the teaching of Scripture, you are describing the Seventh day Adventist doctrine of soul sleep.

The passages that say man turns to dust are clearly talking about the body, not the spirit. Scripture is not confused on this point. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” ~Ecclesiastes 12:7. The body dies, the spirit does not become dust or unconscious. Jesus said, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” ~Matthew 10:28. The soul does not die with the body.

Scripture is completely consistent in teaching conscious existence after death. Paul said, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” ~2 Corinthians 5:8. He also expressed a desire “to depart and be with Christ” ~Philippians 1:23. That is not compatible with the idea of unconscious sleep. Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” ~Luke 23:43. He did not say tomorrow after a period of unconsciousness. He also gives the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19 through 31 and it is clear from this that both were fully conscious after death.

The dust passages are true, but they refer to the physical body. The whole person sleeping or becoming unconscious until judgment is not in Scripture. That is an SDA interpretation imposed on the verses. Let all Scripture speak, the picture of what happens at death is clear. The body returns to dust, the spirit returns to God, the righteous are with Christ, the unrighteous face conscious judgment and the resurrection reunites body and spirit.

I am trying to be kind in this, but firm. This forum is based on Scripture alone. The idea of soul sleep is not taught in the Bible. It is an SDA doctrinal position that does not fit the entire testimony of the Word. Let’s stick with what God actually said.

 

[David]

What the SDA Teaches That Is Not Biblical

For clarity to our members, some of the teachings promoted within Seventh day Adventism do not come from Scripture, and this is why they are not allowed to be taught here.

1. Soul Sleep
SDA doctrine teaches the dead are unconscious until the resurrection.
Scripture teaches the opposite.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” ~2 Corinthians 5:8.
“Today you will be with Me in paradise” ~Luke 23:43.
The body returns to dust, but the spirit returns to God ~Ecclesiastes 12:7.

2. Investigative Judgment / Close of Probation
SDA doctrine claims Christ began a second phase of judgment in 1844 and that a global “probation closing” will happen before His return.
The Bible never teaches this.
“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” ~Hebrews 9:27.
The final separation happens when Christ returns ~Matthew 25:31-46.

3. Giving Prophetic Authority to Ellen G. White
SDA doctrine treats her visions as divinely authoritative.
Scripture forbids adding to God’s Word.
“Do not add to His words” ~Proverbs 30:6.
“Do not go beyond what is written” ~1 Corinthians 4:6.

4. Binding the Sabbath as a Salvation Issue
The SDA system teaches Sabbath observance as an end-time requirement.
Scripture rejects this.
“Let no man judge you… regarding sabbath days” ~Colossians 2:16.
Our rest is found in Christ Himself ~Hebrews 4:9-11.

These teachings come from the SDA system, not from Scripture.
Our forum stands on the Word of God alone, which is why these doctrines cannot be promoted here.

 

[Hobie]

I do not dispute the verses you quoted about standing before the judgment seat of Christ. It is clear in Scripture that all mankind will stand before Christ. My point is with the conclusion you are drawing that the dead are nothing more than unconscious dust until that day. The Bible never teaches this. You are not describing the teaching of Scripture, you are describing the Seventh day Adventist doctrine of soul sleep.

The passages that say man turns to dust are clearly talking about the body, not the spirit. Scripture is not confused on this point. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” ~Ecclesiastes 12:7. The body dies, the spirit does not become dust or unconscious. Jesus said, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” ~Matthew 10:28. The soul does not die with the body.

Scripture is completely consistent in teaching conscious existence after death. Paul said, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” ~2 Corinthians 5:8. He also expressed a desire “to depart and be with Christ” ~Philippians 1:23. That is not compatible with the idea of unconscious sleep. Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” ~Luke 23:43. He did not say tomorrow after a period of unconsciousness. He also gives the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19 through 31 and it is clear from this that both were fully conscious after death.

The dust passages are true, but they refer to the physical body. The whole person sleeping or becoming unconscious until judgment is not in Scripture. That is an SDA interpretation imposed on the verses. Let all Scripture speak, the picture of what happens at death is clear. The body returns to dust, the spirit returns to God, the righteous are with Christ, the unrighteous face conscious judgment and the resurrection reunites body and spirit.

I am trying to be kind in this, but firm. This forum is based on Scripture alone. The idea of soul sleep is not taught in the Bible. It is an SDA doctrinal position that does not fit the entire testimony of the Word. Let’s stick with what God actually said.

My brother, its in Gods Word, we must look at what is there, not just go with tradition of man or his preconceived ideas and set aside what is written in scripture.

 

[Denise60]

Gods Word is clear that we will be judged, and that the dead are lying in their graves turned to dust awaiting the judgement, both of the saints and of the wicked.

2 Corinthians 5:10​

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

John 12:48​

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Romans 2:16​

On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Acts 17:31​

Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Hebrews 9:27​

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

1 Peter 4:17​

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Revelation 20:12​

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.


The infusion of pagan Greek thought has left Christians with much confusion.

Genesis 3:19​

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Ecclesiastes 3:20​

All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.

Job 10:9​

Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust?

Job 34:15​

All flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

Psalm 104:29​

When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

Psalm 146:4​

When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

Isaiah 26:19​

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.

Daniel 12:2​

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Its something we must study closely and grasp with fuller understanding.

noone sleeps in a grave the bible plainly says after death we go to heaven are hell