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Questions & Answers

Hell

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Our Lord and the Faith › Hell

The question

What are the specific verses in the Bible that indicate specifically that Hell is a place of eternal torment rather than eternal destruction? The two seem to be mutually exclusive, and many of the verses about Hell seem to indicate that the souls, which go to Hell, will be destroyed rather than eternally tormented (be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, according to 2 Thessalonians 1:9).

The answer

Humans, like the angels, are the only creation that will live eternally. God breathed life into humans. Thus, the human spirit will live forever. Those who are counted among the righteous and the martyrs will enter into the kingdom of God and enjoy His presence eternally in the everlasting life. The others will be separated from Christ and from His grace. This separation in itself will burn their souls. They will be eternally tormented and find no relief.

Read Lecture VI: The Eternal Torments of Hell, for more information and understanding: http://www.suscopts.org/messages/lectures/eschlecture6.pdf

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2154 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.