Who goes to hell?
Most people picture hell as a place for murderers, terrorists and the worst people in history. The Bible paints a very different picture, and it should make all of us think.
Hell is for everyone who rejects God and refuses His forgiveness through Jesus, whatever kind of life they lived. It isn’t divided by wealth, intelligence, job or reputation. There will be rich people and poor people, bankers and teachers, doctors and athletes, people who never went to church and people who went every week. Jesus even warned that some who did religious work in His name will hear, “I never knew you; depart from Me” (Matthew 7:23). The deciding question isn’t how good you were; it’s whether you belong to Jesus.
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People who did ministry and still weren’t His
Jesus said, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22–23). Religious activity isn’t the same as knowing Jesus.
It isn’t about being “bad enough”
Scripture says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If heaven were for good people, it would be empty. That’s why salvation is a gift, not a reward (Ephesians 2:8–9).
The kind of people who will be there
Successful people who never needed God. Struggling people who blamed Him. Smart people who argued Him away. Kind people who thought their kindness was enough. Religious people who went through the motions but never surrendered. Intelligent, aware people, like the rich man in Hades who could still think, remember and speak (Luke 16:23–28).
And who will be in heaven
Forgiven people: rich and poor, criminals and church kids, from every nation and language (Revelation 7:9). People who admitted they couldn’t save themselves and trusted Jesus.
What the Bible says
- 01
I never knew you.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”
Matthew 7:21–23 - 02
Already condemned, or not.
“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:18 - 03
All have sinned; grace for all.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23–24 - 04
Not found in the book of life.
“And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:15 - 05
Every nation in heaven.
“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.”
Revelation 7:9 - 06
Whoever believes.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Ask yourself honestly: do I know Jesus, or do I just know about Him? Talk to Him about it today.
Common questions
Do good people go to hell?
No one is good enough to earn heaven. People who reject Jesus go to hell, however good they seemed; people who trust Him go to heaven, however bad their past.
Will church people go to hell?
Going to church doesn’t save anyone. Knowing and following Jesus does (Matthew 7:21).
How do I know I won’t go to hell?
“Whoever has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12). If you have trusted Jesus and belong to Him, you can know.
Take your first step with us.
If you prayed today, or you’re close, Become will walk with you: your first days with Jesus, step by step, with people praying for you.