My first thought is no, there are not literal flames in hell. At least for the interim before the resurrection, hell is a place of disembodied torment for the souls of the wicked; does fire burn souls?

Literal flames in hell would be possible for the wicked who are resurrected and cast into it after the final judgement, since I expect they will suffer in both soul and body. However, it seems to me that the fires of hell, and other such illustrations, are primarily word-pictures to relate the terrible horror of God's wrath.

Don't get me wrong; some people will say that the fires only represent a sort of passive "separation" from God, but I believe that God will actively punish the wicked for eternity.

Edited to clear up confusion.

Last edited by CovenantInBlood; Fri Dec 08, 2006 1:30 AM.
Kyle

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.