Another common belief is that Satan rules over hell. However, the Bible doesn’t support this idea. Satan is not the master of hell, but rather a condemned being who will share in its punishment. Revelation 20:10 reveals a vision of the future for Satan (who is also known as the devil) and other demons: “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Hell is a place of punishment for Satan and his followers, not his kingdom. The Bible does not say that the devil is the ruler of hell. It simply says that he is “the prince of this world” (John 12:31) and “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). But Matthew 25:41 reveals that God has planned an “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Demons like Satan know that they are destined for punishment in hell. In Matthew 8:29, two demons yell at Jesus: “’What do you want with us, Son of God?’ they shouted. ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’” So, Satan doesn’t rule over hell. Instead, he will suffer there along with other beings who don’t accept God’s love for them.

Exploring what the Bible truly teaches about hell can help us dispel common myths and foster a deeper understanding of this challenging topic. It’s important for us as believers to approach the study of hell with humility, relying on biblical truth to guide our understanding. While hell is a place of punishment, we should remember that God’s mercy and grace are profound. God’s desire is for everyone to choose relationships with him and live in heaven – not hell.