Does the Bible say that Hell is seven times hotter than any fire on earth?
Thank you my dear friend for this very interesting question. Well, to my knowledge, the Bible doesn’t say this. The only place in Scriptures that I can find with the “seven times hotter” description is that of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:19, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the king’s golden image. In the king’s fury, he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter before throwing these three men into it. But again, I do not find any reference in the Bible indicating the heat of the place relative to earthly fire, nor even the actual location of hell (although hell is generally referred as being ‘down’). And yet, hell is often described in terms of “a flame” in the Bible. A few Biblical references that do speak of “fire” would include Mark 9:43-48, Luke 16:19-31, Revelation 20:15, and Revelation 21:8. In Luke 16:19-31, we see the occasion of Lazarus and the rich man. I believe that this event gives us much insight into the nature of hell. From that place, the rich man cried out in despair: “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame,” (Luke 16:23-24). In this parable, we do find the suffering of hell described as a flame. Again, in Revelation 20:19, we read that all whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
So, what does the Bible tell us beyond these descriptions of the suffering in hell which is described as flames? The Lord Jesus described hell as a place of “outer darkness” where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12 and Luke 13:28). We do see in the story of Lazarus and the rich man that the rich man was suffering as being in “this flame,” but it is my thought that the temperature of the place is not at all the point. Hell is separation from God, being forsaken by God once and for all because one never repented of their sins and sought God’s forgiveness in life. Can you only imagine what it would be like to hear the Lord speak these words to you at the Great White Throne judgment: “…I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23).
To summarize, the Bible clearly teaches that there is a place of judgment for sinners who have never repented of their sins, and who have never sought God’s forgiveness. It is a place of eternal separation from God, and clearly those who are there are suffering without any sort of comfort. There will be no joy, no comradeship, no comfort, and no relief in hell.
My dear friend, what I have shared with you is what I believe the Bible actually tells us, and what we need to know about hell, and it is not a place where any would want to be. The only escape from this judgment for you or me is to put our trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, and this salvation was made possible for us through Christ’s finished work on the cross of Calvary on our behalf (1 John 4:10). The Lord Jesus promised: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life,” (John 5:24). And by way of contrast, just consider the glorious destination, Heaven, which will be the eternal abode of those who love God, and who are saved by the blood of the Lamb (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 22)! I have the certain hope of Heaven because I have trusted in Christ Jesus. Now, how about you? (SF) (560.3)