What is hell?

[Christina2000]

When studying Mathew 25, verses 41 to 42 I am wondering what is hell and who is in charge there? I always assumed it is the devil but now I need clarification.
If the eternal fire is prepared for the devil and his demons, that puts a new slant on things.

I always thought hell was where God is not present, so that fits the long term. Yet the devil and his followers are not yet in hell, so where do the unbelievers go meanwhile? How can the devil receive their lost souls?

 

[B-A-C]

When studying Mathew 25, verses 41 to 42 I am wondering what is hell and who is in charge there? I always assumed it is the devil but now I need clarification.
If the eternal fire is prepared for the devil and his demons, that puts a new slant on things.

God is present even in hell.

(KJV) Psa 139:8; If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Rev 14:10; he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Hell/Hades is temporary place. The Lake of Fire is a permanent place.

Eventually Satan, and even Hell itself will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Rev 20:10; And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Rev 20:14; Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

The Lake of Fire may have originally been prepared for the fallen angels (including Satan) but some humans will go there.

Rev 20:15; And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:8; But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Rev 14:11; And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Matt 25:41; “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

 

[Christina2000]

God is present even in hell.

(KJV) Psa 139:8; If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Rev 14:10; he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Hell/Hades is temporary place. The Lake of Fire is a permanent place.

Eventually Satan, and even Hell itself will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Rev 20:10; And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Rev 20:14; Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

The Lake of Fire may have originally been prepared for the fallen angels (including Satan) but some humans will go there.

Rev 20:15; And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:8; But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Rev 14:11; And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Matt 25:41; “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

Very helpful, thanks.

 

[MedicBravo]

Hell will also punish the sin of those who reject Christ (Matthew 13:41,50; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8).

• Hell is eternal and irreversible.
  
  
• Revelation 14:11 “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever and they have no rest day and night”
• Revelation 20:14 “This is the second death, the lake of fire”
• Revelation 20:15 “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire”

Also:

Biblical Terms Describing Where the Dead Are​

• Sheol - a Hebrew term simply describing “the grave” or “death” – Does not refer to “hell” specifically
• Hades - A Greek term that usually refers to hell – a place of torment (Luke 10:15; 16:23, etc.)
• Gehenna - A Greek term (borrowed from a literal burning dump near Jerusalem) that always refers to hell – a place of torment (Matthew 5:30; 23:33)
• “Lake of fire”- the final abode of unbelievers after they are resurrected (Revelation 20:14,15)
• “Abraham’s bosom” - (Luke 16:22) a place of eternal comfort
• “Paradise” - (Luke 23:43) a place of eternal comfort
• “With the Lord” - a key phrase describes where church age believers are after death (Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:8)
• “New heavens and earth” – where believers will be after they are resurrected (Revelation 20:4-6; 21:1-4)

 

[Butch5]

When studying Mathew 25, verses 41 to 42 I am wondering what is hell and who is in charge there? I always assumed it is the devil but now I need clarification.
If the eternal fire is prepared for the devil and his demons, that puts a new slant on things.

I always thought hell was where God is not present, so that fits the long term. Yet the devil and his followers are not yet in hell, so where do the unbelievers go meanwhile? How can the devil receive their lost souls?

Hi Christina, hell is an English term. It carries the idea that the ghosts of the dead are there suffering eternal torment. However, this concept is not found in the Bible. There are 3 places in the Bible that are translated hell. One is Hades. It is the grave. Another is Gehenna. This is what most people think of when they say hell. However, Gehenna is a literal place on earth. It is a valley outside of Jerusalem. It's also known as the Valley of the Son of Hinom or the Valley of Hinom. If you Google it you can see pictures of it. The other is tartarus which is a pit. It's reserved for demons. There is no place where dead people go to be tormented eternally. This idea comes from Greek Philosophy. It's a consequence of the erroneous doctrine of an immortal soul. When people died they are dead until they are resurrected.

 

[Christina2000]

Hi Christina, hell is an English term. It carries the idea that the ghosts of the dead are there suffering eternal torment. However, this concept is not found in the Bible. There are 3 places in the Bible that are translated hell. One is Hades. It is the grave. Another is Gehenna. This is what most people think of when they say hell. However, Gehenna is a literal place on earth. It is a valley outside of Jerusalem. It's also known as the Valley of the Son of Hinom or the Valley of Hinom. If you Google it you can see pictures of it. The other is tartarus which is a pit. It's reserved for demons. There is no place where dead people go to be tormented eternally. This idea comes from Greek Philosophy. It's a consequence of the erroneous doctrine of an immortal soul. When people died they are dead until they are resurrected.

That is very interesting, I shall look more into it, thanks.

 

[Butch5]

That is very interesting, I shall look more into it, thanks.

You're welcome! I'd be happy to walk you through it if you'd like. It's a subject I've studied for years.

 

[MedicBravo]

Hi Christina, hell is an English term. It carries the idea that the ghosts of the dead are there suffering eternal torment. However, this concept is not found in the Bible. There are 3 places in the Bible that are translated hell. One is Hades. It is the grave. Another is Gehenna. This is what most people think of when they say hell. However, Gehenna is a literal place on earth. It is a valley outside of Jerusalem. It's also known as the Valley of the Son of Hinom or the Valley of Hinom. If you Google it you can see pictures of it. The other is tartarus which is a pit. It's reserved for demons. There is no place where dead people go to be tormented eternally. This idea comes from Greek Philosophy. It's a consequence of the erroneous doctrine of an immortal soul. When people died they are dead until they are resurrected.

Ghosts?
I can tell you're going the word play excuse.
When you can't explain something regardless of language then you find words to convey that thing.
Hades is a Greek word. Since no human mind could genuinely comprehend Hell, then a real place was used and at the time it was Gehenna.
"There is no place where dead people go to be tormented eternally." - If you're suggesting that Hell doesn't exist then where do non-Christians go after they die?
Even in hell the judgment will be fair. The Scriptures teach that punishment will be proportionate to the degree of one’s guilt (cf. Mt. 10:15; 11:20-24; Lk. 12:47-48; Heb. 10:29; Rev. 20:12-13). One will be judged according to his knowledge, ability, and opportunity.
Casting such a weak idea that God isn't Just is incorrect and absurd. As a flawed human don't go thinking you know how He thinks. Your fragile thinking meat would burn, literally, if you were able to see a TINY fraction.
Hell is far more than "eternal separation from God".

Matthew 25

(34-40) The judgment and reward of those on the right hand.​

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

(41-46) The judgment and condemnation of those on the left hand.​

Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

 

[Butch5]

Ghosts?
I can tell you're going the word play excuse.
When you can't explain something regardless of language then you find words to convey that thing.
Hades is a Greek word. Since no human mind could genuinely comprehend Hell, then a real place was used and at the time it was Gehenna.
"There is no place where dead people go to be tormented eternally." - If you're suggesting that Hell doesn't exist then where do non-Christians go after they die?
Even in hell the judgment will be fair. The Scriptures teach that punishment will be proportionate to the degree of one’s guilt (cf. Mt. 10:15; 11:20-24; Lk. 12:47-48; Heb. 10:29; Rev. 20:12-13). One will be judged according to his knowledge, ability, and opportunity.
Casting such a weak idea that God isn't Just is incorrect and absurd. As a flawed human don't go thinking you know how He thinks. Your fragile thinking meat would burn, literally, if you were able to see a TINY fraction.
Hell is far more than "eternal separation from God".

Matthew 25

(34-40) The judgment and reward of those on the right hand.​

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

(41-46) The judgment and condemnation of those on the left hand.​

Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

You probably should get to know someone before making accusations. Think about what you said. If no human mind can comprehend hell, what point is there in trying to explain it? I didn't suggest that God isn't just. It's the doctrine of eternal torment that suggests God isn't just. God said through Ezekiel, 'the soul that sins shall die'. The eternal torment doctrine says that's wrong. The soul that sins doesn't die, it suffers eternal torment. Paul said, "the wages of sin is death". The eternal torment doctrine says that's wrong. The wages of sin isn't death, it's eternal torment. So, it's the doctrine you're defending that suggests that God is unjust. What I posted shows God is just. He said, 'the soul that sins shall die'.. I said the soul that sins shall die.

You asked where do non-Christians go when they die? They go to the same place that Christians go, the grave. They are dead and remain dead until the resurrection.

Regarding the passage you posted. The Greek word "aion" is wrongly translated as everlasting. It doesn't mean everlasting. Jesus and the apostles spoke of the END of the aion. Something that ends is not everlasting.

As I said, Gehenna is a physical location on earth. That is where Jesus said the wicked would be cast. They will burn in the valley of Gehenna. And, it's not ghosts that are burning it is corpses. When Jesus spoke of Gehenna He was quoting from Isaiah.

Isaiah 66:23 (KJV 1900): And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another,
And from one sabbath to another,
Shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
And they shall go forth, and look
Upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me:
For their worm shall not die,
Neither shall their fire be quenched;
And they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Just out of curiosity, where in the Bible do you find it teaching that there is a place called hell that no human mind can comprehend?

 

[MedicBravo]

You probably should get to know someone before making accusations. Think about what you said. If no human mind can comprehend hell, what point is there in trying to explain it? I didn't suggest that God isn't just. It's the doctrine of eternal torment that suggests God isn't just. God said through Ezekiel, 'the soul that sins shall die'. The eternal torment doctrine says that's wrong. The soul that sins doesn't die, it suffers eternal torment. Paul said, "the wages of sin is death". The eternal torment doctrine says that's wrong. The wages of sin isn't death, it's eternal torment. So, it's the doctrine you're defending that suggests that God is unjust. What I posted shows God is just. He said, 'the soul that sins shall die'.. I said the soul that sins shall die.

You asked where do non-Christians go when they die? They go to the same place that Christians go, the grave. They are dead and remain dead until the resurrection.

Regarding the passage you posted. The Greek word "aion" is wrongly translated as everlasting. It doesn't mean everlasting. Jesus and the apostles spoke of the END of the aion. Something that ends is not everlasting.

As I said, Gehenna is a physical location on earth. That is where Jesus said the wicked would be cast. They will burn in the valley of Gehenna. And, it's not ghosts that are burning it is corpses. When Jesus spoke of Gehenna He was quoting from Isaiah.

Isaiah 66:23 (KJV 1900): And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another,
And from one sabbath to another,
Shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
And they shall go forth, and look
Upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me:
For their worm shall not die,
Neither shall their fire be quenched;
And they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Just out of curiosity, where in the Bible do you find it teaching that there is a place called hell that no human mind can comprehend?

I don't make accusations.
There are countless things we can't "explain" but we do our best to try. Hence: STEM, logic, common sense, basic knowledge, and experiences. "what point is there in trying to explain it?" - You fail to grasp the limit of human brains vs the infinite God.
Wrong as usual. God's Just punishment IS beyond your or any human understanding. In fact, if He showed up and hid himself b/c his holiness would obliterate you, then him explaining it would fry your brain, make you blind, and you'd go insane. Remember "No one can know the mind of God." but as Jesus showed many you can learn on some level on many things.
Your flawed, human idea that Him sentencing human souls to Hell isn't Just is simply wrong. You're not the Authority and Judge, He is.
Isaiah 66 - Rejoicing in God's Ultimate Victory. Hence "ultimate victory". You don't know what that is according to God. No one does but one can infer, which you haven't, what it is.

(22-24) The certainty of both the LORD’s judgment and His restoration.​

“For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD,
“So shall your descendants and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass
That from one New Moon to another,
And from one Sabbath to another,
All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
“And they shall go forth and look
Upon the corpses of the men
Who have transgressed against Me.
For their worm does not die,
And their fire is not quenched.
They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

Let's break this down. Reminder that preceding and post verses matter. In fact, the audience to which each book, chapter, and their purpose are all relevant.

And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me: Some from every tribe and tongue will have a destiny of ultimate triumph; some also will have the destiny – freely chosen – of ultimate tragedy. Using the images of eternal damnation (their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched), Isaiah describes the fate of those who reject God – even if they had the veneer of empty religion.

i. “After this life, and at the day of judgment, they shall go into eternal torments; where they will feel a work of conscience that shall never die, and a fiery wrath of God upon their souls and bodies that shall never go out.” (Poole)

ii. The book of Isaiah closes with a sobering contrast, revealing the ultimate, eternal importance of this present life. Each life can choose its destiny: worship or the worm.

Hate it all you want but God's Just judgment is far beyond your understanding. There is eternal suffering for those that reject Him and their punishment as such is Just. Accept it or not but your opinion on this is irrelevant.

 

[Butch5]

I don't make accusations.
There are countless things we can't "explain" but we do our best to try. Hence: STEM, logic, common sense, basic knowledge, and experiences. "what point is there in trying to explain it?" - You fail to grasp the limit of human brains vs the infinite God.
Wrong as usual. God's Just punishment IS beyond your or any human understanding. In fact, if He showed up and hid himself b/c his holiness would obliterate you, then him explaining it would fry your brain, make you blind, and you'd go insane. Remember "No one can know the mind of God." but as Jesus showed many you can learn on some level on many things.
Your flawed, human idea that Him sentencing human souls to Hell isn't Just is simply wrong. You're not the Authority and Judge, He is.
Isaiah 66 - Rejoicing in God's Ultimate Victory. Hence "ultimate victory". You don't know what that is according to God. No one does but one can infer, which you haven't, what it is.

(22-24) The certainty of both the LORD’s judgment and His restoration.​

“For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD,
“So shall your descendants and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass
That from one New Moon to another,
And from one Sabbath to another,
All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
“And they shall go forth and look
Upon the corpses of the men
Who have transgressed against Me.
For their worm does not die,
And their fire is not quenched.
They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

Let's break this down. Reminder that preceding and post verses matter. In fact, the audience to which each book, chapter, and their purpose are all relevant.

And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me: Some from every tribe and tongue will have a destiny of ultimate triumph; some also will have the destiny – freely chosen – of ultimate tragedy. Using the images of eternal damnation (their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched), Isaiah describes the fate of those who reject God – even if they had the veneer of empty religion.

i. “After this life, and at the day of judgment, they shall go into eternal torments; where they will feel a work of conscience that shall never die, and a fiery wrath of God upon their souls and bodies that shall never go out.” (Poole)

ii. The book of Isaiah closes with a sobering contrast, revealing the ultimate, eternal importance of this present life. Each life can choose its destiny: worship or the worm.

Hate it all you want but God's Just judgment is far beyond your understanding. There is eternal suffering for those that reject Him and their punishment as such is Just. Accept it or not but your opinion on this is irrelevant.

The key word in your post here is "infer". You've inferred just about everything you've said. I asked you to show where the Bible teaches a hell that the human mind can't understand. Where is that? As far as what is just, we know what is just. God told Israel that they were to use an eye for an eye as justice.

Your claims simply side step the Scriptures. As I said, God said through Ezekiel, 'the soul that sins shall die'. Do you disagree with God?

Also, as I pointed out, the Greek word aion does not mean eternal or everlasting. Jesus and the apostles spoke of the END of the aion. Something that ends is not everlasting. The entire eternal torment doctrine you're arguing for is based on a faulty translation of aion. Thus the argument fails.

 

[Beetow]

When people pass away, they leave all behind, including the clothes they wore for
burial. Well; what are guys to do with their hands in Hell without pockets to put
them in?

Personally, I like to hook my thumbs in the front pockets of my jeans while waiting
in lines and such. I prefer that to folding my arms.
_

 

[Beetow]

Luke 16:19-31 tells of two men dead and buried carrying on a conversation. I'd like
to know how they're doing that: by means of a grave to grave intercom system?
_

 

[Butch5]

By way of parable

 

[Beetow]

My childhood religious training did a good job of instilling within me a fear of the
fires of Hell; but it wasn't till seeing some paintings by Gustave Doré that I came to
an understanding of Hell's despair.

In the movie "Shawshank Redemption" a man is given two life sentences for
murders he didn't commit. At first he feels very strongly that the truth will come
out that he's innocent and doesn't belong in prison: he expects to eventually be
exonerated and set free.

Well, one of the old-timers cautioned him about that with the advice: "Hope is a
dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. It's no use on the inside. You'd
better get used to that idea."

I'd imagine that most new arrivals in Hell hope against hope that it isn't permanent.
It probably takes quite a while for them to get used to the idea that it is what it is,
i.e. they're never getting out.
_

 

[Beetow]

Creeping up the blind side,
shinning up the wall
Stealing through the dark of night

Climbing through a window,
stepping to the floor
Checking to the left and the right

Picking up the pieces,
putting them away
Something doesn't feel quite right

Help me someone,
let me out of here
Then out of the dark was suddenly heard:
Welcome to the Home by the Sea

Coming out the woodwork,
through the open door
Pushing from above and below

Shadows without substance,
in the shape of men
Round and down and sideways they go

Adrift without direction,
eyes that hold despair
Then as one they sign and they moan

Help us someone,
let us out of here
Living here so long undisturbed

Dreaming of the time we were free
So many years ago
Before the time when we first heard
Welcome to the Home by the Sea

Sit down, sit down
As we relive our lives in what we tell you

Images of sorrow,
pictures of delight
Things that go to make up a life

Endless days of summer
longer nights of gloom
Waiting for the morning light

Scenes of unimportance
like photos in a frame
Things that go to make up a life

Help us someone,
let us out of here
Living here so long undisturbed

Dreaming of the time we were free
So many years ago
Before the time when we first heard
Welcome to the Home by the Sea

Sit down, sit down
As we relive our lives
in what we tell you
Let us relive our lives in what we tell you

Sit down sit down
Cause you won't get away
So with us you will stay
For the rest of your days.

So sit down
As we relive our lives
in what we tell you
Let us relive our lives
in what we tell you.
Home By The Sea, Genesis 1983: Phil Collins, Tony Banks, & Mike Rutherford

The lyrics of that song are useful for depicting how one of the few thing that some
people have to do down in the netherworld to help pass the time is tell each other
about their previous lives; sort of like a group of old guys meeting together day
after day in the park for games of speed chess. There is, of course, nothing to tell
about their lives down there since the colloquialism "get a life" is a non sequitur in
that place. Nobody has a life; nor any hope of getting one.
_

 

[Brother Paul]

When studying Mathew 25, verses 41 to 42 I am wondering what is hell and who is in charge there? I always assumed it is the devil but now I need clarification.
If the eternal fire is prepared for the devil and his demons, that puts a new slant on things.

I always thought hell was where God is not present, so that fits the long term. Yet the devil and his followers are not yet in hell, so where do the unbelievers go meanwhile? How can the devil receive their lost souls?

Where did you hear that the Devil receives their souls? Or that he rules in hell as the master of souls sent there? Not criticizing, just curious.

 

[Christina2000]

Where did you hear that the Devil receives their souls? Or that he rules in hell as the master of souls sent there? Not criticizing, just curious.

Hi Brother Paul ,
I suppose I have formed this opinion after many influences and my own logic. Yet I do seek the truth now.
Does it make sense that the devil and God compete for our souls?
Yet we know the devil was cast out of heaven to roam the earth. It also seems the firy pit is prepared for him and his demons eventually. So do any souls who follow him end up there too? I do not know if there is a hell where he rules.
It is interesting and ought to be explored.

 

[Jonathan_Gale]

I always thought hell was where God is not present, so that fits the long term. Yet the devil and his followers are not yet in hell, so where do the unbelievers go meanwhile? How can the devil receive their lost souls?

Hell is eternal separation from God and unity with the sinner's own idol. You know, there're the principalities, thrones, powers, those are ranks of satanic angels. Satan and these angels will be cast into the Lake of Fire, and worshipers of them will go down in there as well and unite with these wicked spiritual beings.

 

[Christina2000]

Hell is eternal separation from God and unity with the sinner's own idol. You know, there're the principalities, thrones, powers, those are ranks of satanic angels. Satan and these angels will be cast into the Lake of Fire, and worshipers of them will go down in there as well and unite with these wicked spiritual beings.

That is close to my belief.
You eventually spend eternity in company with that which you worship most.