Scripture is clear that Satan’s eternal destiny is the unrelenting lake of fire. It is the place into which the antichrist, the false prophet, and all unbelievers are cast as well. It does not appear there is any reversal of fortune for those in hell. Nevertheless, some in the early church took a different view. 

When we consider the final destiny of Satan, demons, and the unrepentant wicked, at least two questions often arise. In this post, we briefly address both of them: Is hellfire literal? And, is hell forever?

In college, Wil Hoffmann found a love for Christian apologetics, and for well over a decade, he's been studying, writing, and witnessing to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent three years pastoring a church in Utah before following God's call to central Missouri, where he has served as a pastor and a staff member of the Salvation Army.

Let's consider for a moment that the notion of a loving God and the doctrine of hell are perfectly compatible. There is nothing of one that cancels out the other. Jesus speaks frequently on hell and alludes to it in parables. He tells some religious leaders they're headed for hell. And he says hell is prepared for Satan and demons, yet he makes it clear that many people are going to spend eternity there. So, in what possible way is hell good?

In this month's guest column, Ed Croteau writes, "As we watch Israel's continued efforts to eradicate Hamas, whose goal is to destroy destroy her, it is worth going back to history to understand the origins of Hamas: the 'spirit of Amalek.'"

The Bible instructs Christians to value our neighbors, society, and nation. As the apostle Paul writes, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18). This means taking an active role in the laws, customs, and moral fabric of our society. 

While the Hebrew sheol and the Greek hades generally depict the temporary abode of the dead, gehenna and its associated terms describe a place of everlasting future punishment, not only for Satan and evil spirits, but also for those whose names are not written in the book of life.

When Southern Baptists gathered in Memphis in 1925 for their annual meeting, they made two historic decisions. First, they established the Cooperative Program, the SBC's funding mechanism for missions at home and abroad. And, they affirmed a new statement of faith called The Baptist Faith & Message. Both CP and the BF&M celebrate their 100th anniversaries this year. Missouri Baptists, through High Street Press, have created a guide for personal or group study for the BF&M.

What Every Christian Should Know about Satan explores more than a dozen biblical names and titles that reveal the evil one's character, tactics, and ultimate destiny in hell. Written for pastors and laypersons alike, this resource is designed for personal or group study.