Nobody can think seriously about hell and remain emotionally and psychologically unaffected. The idea that after a few years of life on earth an untold number of human beings, many of whom would be thought of as decent, law-abiding citizens, will spend eternity in indescribable agony and exposed to God’s relentless anger is overwhelming.

Reaction to the paralysing prospect of everlasting punishment varies from those who dismiss the whole idea because they reject the authority of Scripture to those who seek to soften its impact by reducing hell to manageable proportions.

What does happen after death? What if the traditional pictures of hell as a place of endless punishment and suffering are true? What if millions of ordinary men and woman are on their way there? What if we are? And if so, is there any way in which we can avoid hell or evade it? These are vitally important questions and this book sets out to find answers to them.

‘Theologically and pastorally, John Blanchard’s work is a valuable contribution on a difficult theme... I gratefully commend it, and hope it will be widely read.’
From the foreword by J. I. Packer

‘As extensive a treatment of the biblical doctrine of hell as is ever likely to be written in our contemporary climate.’
Evangelicals Now

‘This book will provide a biblical foundation on which we can stand unashamedly, though tearfully.’
The Banner of Truth


Dr John Blanchard is an internationally-known Christian author, teacher and conference speaker. Nearly fifteen million copies of his publications are in print in over forty languages. He received an award for his best-selling book Does God believe in Atheists as the best UK Christian Book for 2001. He is also the author of Evolution: fact or fiction?, How to enjoy your Bible, Is God past his sell-by date?, Meet the real Jesus, Pop goes the Gospel, Read Mark Learn, Ultimate Questions and Where was God on September 11?