In the bible we read hell was initially prepared for Satan and those angels that followed in rebellion. These creatures will be cast into the lake of fire (hell) at the end of this age (Mat 25:41)
But how about humans...are we in danger? Jesus spoke often about hell so it is important to examine His words carefully regarding this awful place.
If hell was prepared for those angels who rebelled against God, Why should I worry?
Hell may not have initially been intended for the human race. But when Adam (who was created in a state of untried innocence) broke the single prohibition given to him by God, the entire human race was defiled and follows in Adam's rebellion (Rom 5:12). Since Adam's fall, all of us have broken God's moral law (ten commandments) in thought or deed. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) and, "the wages (penalty) of sin is death" (Rom 6:23). Those who love the pleasures of sin ignore thoughts of God's eternal justice and overrule their conscience. If this is you, please read on.
How can a loving God punish people in eternal torment ?
While the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed loving (John 15:13) and good, He is also severe (Rom 11:22). Just like a good earthly judge will punish criminals for murder, rape, etc., so must the Lord of the universe punish all criminals BECAUSE He is good. In fact God is so good and his standard high, He will not only punish rape and murder, but also violations such as lying, stealing, adultery and the other items listed in the moral law (see Ex 20:1-7).
Make no mistake, a just God will punish guilty human beings for eternity (Is 13:11). Those being punished will be conscious. In the book of Luke, we read of a rich man who found himself in hell. He consciously was able to feel pain, to thirst, and to feel sorrow (Luke 16:19-31). Can you imagine how terrible it would be in eternal agony and cut off from friendship, love, color, light, peace joy, and laughter? The Bible warns it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb 10:31).
Jesus spoke often about hell, warning people not to let it be their eternal destiny. Jesus clearly states, "if your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin it would be better to remove it than "go into hell where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-48).
No matter how hard we hope a little sin is OK, God will not change (Mal 3:6). The Creator authored the law and set the penalty for the guilty. A pure and just God demands justice, and He will have it. One time atheist C.S. Lewis summed up the terror of hell when he said:
"There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than the doctrine of hell, if it lay in my power. But it has the full support of Scripture and, especially, of our Lord's own words; it has always been held by the Christian Church, and it has the support of reason"