Expert gives detailed description on what the Devil and Hell would really look like and if they actually exist
A theologian has questioned everything we 'know' about the Devil and Hell, suggesting sinners may not burn for eternity.
Jared Brock has spent years studying the nature of religious afterlife. He's even written a book on the matter, titled A Devil Named Lucifer, and after rigorously analyzing passages of scripture in the Bible, he has gained a different understanding to most.
He believes a common misconception of Hell is that the Devil breathes fire upon the souls that enter his fortress, but according to the final book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation, he doesn't.
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The passage in question in Revelation 12:15 reads: "The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood."
While Hell is also spoken about often in the Holy Book, there are up to six different places where the 'underside of the afterlife' could be according to the texts.
It is common knowledge among believers of the afterlife that if you fail to repent your sins, you'll be banished from Heaven and sent down to Hell for eternity... but Brock isn't too sure if that's correct, although he can't say for sure.
He also questioned how Hell has been formed, whether it is physical, or just somewhere the souls of sinners are sent to.
Speaking to the Mail Online, he said: "Are these physical? Are they spiritual? Are they forever? Are they for a limited period of time? And the answer to all of that is we just don't know."
And that brings us on to Satan, the red-skinned, horned demon who is often depicted carrying a pitchfork and with a goatee, and at times, hoofs - this is not the case, according to Brock, who explained that it isn't even supported by scripture.
He told the publication: "I think culture just got so obsessed with this idea of this little red devil on your shoulder haunting you at all times."
In fact, he is adamant that Satan is not a physical being like Jesus, but instead is spiritual, and can appear in attractive forms to tempt people into sin.
Brock explained: "There's two words in the Bible for the devil. One means accuser, and one means adversary. Nothing is saying the devil can be in all places at all times. He's not omnipresent like God is."
Christian faith also leads us to understand that Lucifer was banished from Heaven and sent to Hell with his demons.
The Book of Revelation 12:7-9 reads: "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
Has Brock persuaded you into a new understanding of Hell?
Joe Yates