Lesson 11: Hell
"The Son of Man shall send His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all scandals, and them that work iniquity.  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:  there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  (Matthew 13:41-42)

  1. What is Hell?

    2.     The place in the next world where the souls of the damned are condemned to suffer forever with the devils.
    "If any one abide not in Me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth."    (John 15:6)

  2. How do you know there is a Hell?

    3.     The Bible and Tradition (and Jesus too) often speak of the everlasting punishments of Hell.
    "Then He shall say to them also that shall be on His left hand:  Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.  And these shall go into everlasting punishments:  But the just, into life everlasting."    (Matthew 25:41-46)

  3. Who will go to Hell?

    4.     Those who die with mortal sin on their souls, that is, without Sanctifying Grace.
    "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the pool of fire."    (Apocalypse 20:15)

  4. Does anyone ever get out of Hell?

    5.     No, Hell is a place of "everlasting punishment." (Matthew 25:46)
    "And the smoke of their torments shall ascend up for ever and ever:  neither have they rest day nor night."    (Apocalypse 14:11)

  5. What are the pains of Hell?

    6.     Separation from God, torture by fire, regret, and the companionship of the devils.
    "Before I go, and return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of death:  a land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror dwelleth."    (Job 10:21-22)

  6. What is the pain of separation from God?

    7.     To be separated from God, the Source of all love and happiness, will be the greatest pain in Hell.
    "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, with the angels of His power:  In a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of His power."    (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

  7. Is there real fire in Hell?

    8.     Yes, Jesus often spoke of the "unquenchable fire" of Hell and says that the damned souls will be "salted with fire" (Mark 9:43), which is "everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:41).
    "If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth."    (John 15:6)

  8. How does the fire of Hell differ from the fire here on earth?

    9.     The fire in Hell burns without consuming (it does not burn up your body, so the pain never ends) and can torture not only the body but the soul as well.
    "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished."    (Mark 9:47)


    "Humble thy spirit very much:  For the vengeance on the flesh of the ungodly is fire and worms."    (Ecclesiasticus 7:19)

  9. What is the pain of regret?

    10.     The pain of regret means that you will be tortured forever with the thought that you had so many chances to save your soul and be happy with God, but lost Heaven because of mortal sin.

  10. What is the pain of companionship of the devils?

    11.     Your companions in Hell will be the devils and the other lost souls, who will always hate you and mock you for being such a fool.
    "Then He shall say to them also that shall be on His left hand:  Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels."    (Matthew 25:41)

  11. Are the pains of Hell the same for all?

    12.     All the souls in Hell will have the same type of punishment, but the degree of suffering will differ according to the number and kind of sins committed.

PRACTICAL POINTS

  1. Think often of Hell and the possibility of your going there.  Pray every day that you will not die with mortal sin on your soul.  Say the Act of Contrition every night:
    "O my God, I am very sorry for having offended Thee, and I hate all of my sins, because I fear the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because my sins offend Thee, my dear God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, do penance, and amend my life.   Amen."

  2. Presumption is the sin committed by people who think that a good God will not punish a sinner with the torments of Hell.  God, being a just judge, has to reject those who choose to separate themselves from Him by mortal sin.

  3. The horror of Hell helps us understand the evil of mortal sin.  Mortal sin is the greatest evil in the universe.
We invite you to read some of the many good articles we offer on Hell to supplement this lesson.