The Fate of Unbelievers

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

(Mark 16:15-16)

We have already established that after death the human spirit and soul continue to exist. The question then arises: what happens to the human spirit after death? To fully answer this question, mankind can be grouped into four categories: unbelievers, Old Testament saints, New Testament saints, and children.

In this section, we will consider what happens to unbelievers when they die. Scripture classifies all who refuse to believe the gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus as unbelievers. In the passage quoted above, the Lord Jesus declares that such individuals will be condemned. The condemnation to which He refers is the condemnation of hell (Matthew 23:33).

"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

(Luke 12:4-5)

In this passage, the Lord Jesus warns mankind to fear God, who not only ends physical life but also has authority to cast the spirit into hell. Scripture makes it clear that there is only one destination for the spirits of unbelievers after death: Hell.

As an aside, Scripture uses various names for this same place: Hades, Outer Darkness, the Bottomless Pit, Sheol, and the Abyss. From Cain onward, and continuing until the final battle of Gog and Magog at the close of the age, all unbelievers are and will be cast into the place known as Hell.

 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

(Luke 13:1-5)

In the passage quoted above the Lord Jesus clearly explains that all who refuse to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15) will perish. When Jesus speaks of people perishing, He is referring to their being cast into Hell after they die.

Many foolishly believe that only those who live relatively “wicked” lives will be cast into hell, while those who live relatively “good” lives will gain entrance into heaven. However, the Lord explains that refusing to repent and believe the gospel is the only reason for people being condemned to Hell. In other words it has nothing to do with how “wicked” or “good” the person was during their lifetime.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

(Matthew 23:14)

While all unbelievers are condemned to hell, the severity of torment differs. Hell is a place of torment, described by Jesus as a place “where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44). The story of the rich man in torment illustrates this reality vividly.

The Lord’s statement in this passage reveals that some will receive greater condemnation. In other words, although all unbelievers suffer torment in hell, those who lived more wickedly will endure greater suffering than those whose lives were relatively less so.

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.

(Isaiah 14:12-15)

Hell is located beneath the earth. Jesus Himself confirmed this truth when He said that between His death and resurrection He would spend three days and nights in “the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).

One of the scriptural names for Hell is the Bottomless Pit, and the passage quoted above indicates that hell has depths, or layers, with degrees of torment increasing the lower one descends.

During the millennial reign of Christ, Satan will be bound and cast into the lowest part of this pit (Revelation 20:2–3). Being the most wicked of God’s creations, Satan will therefore suffer the greatest torment in Hell’s lowest depths.

Michael E.B. Maher

Resurrection of the Dead

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