Some children are taught that hell is located deep within the earth where the wicked burn forever as soon as they die. Others teach that hell is somewhere in the universe. Which one is true?
Revelation 20 describes how the wicked will be resurrected after a thousand years and surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city on the earth. And fire will come down from God out of heaven and devour them. This indicates that the punishment of the wicked will take place on the earth’s surface, not in some remote location.
Additionally, 2 Peter 3:13 speaks of new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. This suggests that God’s plan is to cleanse and recreate the earth, transforming it into a place where righteousness reigns. The earth will be cleansed by fire, and every vestige of sin will be burned up, resulting in the obliteration of the curse.
Therefore, according to the Bible, hell will involve the punishment of the wicked on the earth’s surface, culminating in the earth being transformed into a “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10). Every last trace of sin will be burned up, and the curse will be forever gone.