Is Stephen Hawking going to hell?

Stephen Hawking is no doubt the most famous atheist in the 21st century. If you ask most Christians, he should be in hell now since he died without accepting Jesus in his life.

But is this true? What does the Bible say about non-Christians? Will they all burn in hell?

Read this eye-opening article and discover what the Bible truly says about death and hell!

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“I’m an atheist.”

Those were the words of Stephen Hawking when he spoke plainly about his views of God in an Interview with El Mundo, a Spanish publication.

He said:

“Before we understand science, it is natural to believe that God created the universe. But now science offers a more convincing explanation. What I meant by ‘we would know the mind of God’ is, we would know everything that God would know, if there were a God, which there isn’t. I’m an atheist.”

Based on the popular teachings of Christianity, Stephen Hawking is considered to be a “lost soul.” Since he died not praying the Sinner’s Prayer and not accepting Jesus as his personal savior, he would forever burn in the lake of fire.

Stephen Hawking NASA 50th

But is this view biblically true?

Can a loving God burn people, including Stephen Hawking, forever in an unending gruesome fire, while the righteous children of God look upon these “lost soul” mercilessly and apathetically?

If you ask me, there’s a problem in this common Christian teaching.

It is either God is sadistic OR we have been taught wrongly about hell.

Who is Stephen Hawking?

Stephen Hawking is among the most brilliant scientists this world has ever known. His unmatched contribution to the field of physics and cosmology has changed how we view the universe. He became more popular as an author when he wrote the book, “A Brief History of Time.”

At age 21, he was diagnosed with an incurable neurodegenerative condition. His doctor expected him to live for a few years, but against all odds, he reached the age of 76. He died March 14, 2018.

As a well-respected and admired physicist, it is not surprising for people to take note of his religious background and belief.

When Stephen Hawking declared that there is no God, he became the most popular atheist during his time.

Hell or Heaven: Where is Stephen Hawking now?

Like any other people who are already dead, Stephen Hawking is in the grave. He is neither in heaven nor in hell.

Contrary to popular Christian belief, he is lying in his coffin in a sleep-like and unconscious state. Nowhere in the Bible can we read that we have an immortal soul that continues to live on after we die.

Ezekiel 18:20 tells us:

“The soul who sins shall die.”

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 further states:

“For the living know that they will die, BUT THE DEAD KNOW NOTHING; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.”

All people who died are in the grave, waiting for the resurrection. Yahshua/Jesus Christ tells us, “NO ONE has ever gone into heaven” (John 3:13).

Christ added, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live… Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” (John 5:25, 28).

Now, what would be the point of resurrecting people if they are already in heaven or hell? Let’s face it: there’s a problem in the traditional Christian view of life and death.

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A chance for Stephen Hawking and the rest of the world

Here’s an astounding and unbelievable truth: today is not the only day of salvation. God’s plan of salvation includes giving every single person who has ever lived and died a chance to learn His way of life.

Let’s read Revelation 20:4-6:

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD DID NOT LIVE AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

God is faithful. He does not want anyone to perish but come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). He does not take any pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23).

Is Stephen Hawking in hell?

To answer our original question, no, Stephen Hawking is not in hell. Thankfully, we have a merciful and loving God who will raise Stephen Hawking and those who have not known God’s truth in the future. There will come a time when God will open their minds and show them the way to eternal life.

May we have the comfort to know that we serve a just, powerful, and living God who deals with us with unending love and unfathomable mercy.

I recognize that this is a huge topic. So, please feel free to read related articles:


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30 thoughts on “Is Stephen Hawking going to hell?

  1. So I am confused. So those who don’t know God, refuse to recognize and have reverence for him and dies still go to heaven? So what is hell for then? So that means that people who blaspheme God and die still go to heaven in the end? I’m just trying to understand because what is then the point of people like me and you who go through test and trials in the name of loving God? The ones who are reading his word and has dedicated their lives in the best way we know how to living according to the word and building the kingdom of God.

    • Hi Alexandria! The lake of fire is reserved to those incorrigibly wicked. They are the people who refused to follow God after knowing the truth.

      The majority of people today are spiritually blind because of Satan’s deception. That’s why God is only preparing a select few people who will reign with Him during the millennium. During that time, the world will be filled with the knowledge of God.

      After the millennium, the rest of the dead will be resurrected. They too will be taught of God’s way of life. That’s their chance to salvation. If they still refuse to follow God, they will be thrown to the lake of fire and be instantly burned up.

      • But Bro Joshua, where in the Bible does it say that the dead who are resurrected, will be taught God’s way of life and get an opportunity to be saved

      • Hi Sajeev,

        Thanks for the question.

        This is a huge subject, but let me give you a quick answer. Revelation 20:4-6 tells us:

        And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD DID NOT LIVE AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED.

        Okay, here’s the shocking truth. Who are the rest of the dead? (taken from this page: https://www.ucg.org/vertical-thought/the-rest-of-the-dead)

        Notice that we find the “rest of the dead” further identified in Revelation, when the period of a thousand years is over. It says, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great , standing before God…” (Revelation 20:11-12).

        The “rest of the dead” are not people condemned forever because of their ignorance but rather they are the vast majority of mankind who will be given an opportunity to receive God’s calling, to repent and then to be part of God’s eternal kingdom.

        Now, how do we know that the rest of the dead will be given an opportunity? In Ezekiel 37:12-14, we see an example of such a group of people (ancient Israel in this case) resurrecting, clearly not in the first resurrection, but afterward, and receiving God’s spirit. These ancient Israelites are part of the “rest of the dead.”

        It says, “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you , and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,’ says the Lord.”

        I know this is a huge topic, so please read this helpful booklet regarding what happens after death: https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbklet&InfoID=1327623637&SearchWhat=KeyWord&SearchFor=what%20happens%20after%20death%20booklet&NoShow=&page=&return=search

    • Joshuainfantado is not speaking from biblical truth. It is said that only those born in Christ will have life in the Kingdom of God forever. Otherwise why did Jesus bother coming to earth to pay the penalty of sin for all of us. The penalty of sin is death. The only way to life is to be born again by the blood of Jesus. If you have not been born again, you are then dead in God’s kingdom. So, where do the unbelievers go when they die? To the grave until the 2nd coming of Christ when ALL will rise again and face the great white throne on judgement day. Believers in Christ will rise first and ascend with Him to the new earth/heaven. Unbelievers will be judged before God, who will then decide their fate. Whether they get saved or sent to the lake of fire. Read the book of Revelations!

  2. This is False
    According to the word of God,
    Hebrews 9:27- ” And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement”
    Revelations 21:8- “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
    Only the dead in Christ shall be raised up to reign with him
    1st Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first
    1st Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
    Christ is the only Way [John 14:6]
    Only by Repenting genuinely from our sins and being born again, then following Jesus Christ till the end can one get to heaven. Nothing more, Nothing less
    We must not be decieved. The times are here

    • First of all, the righteous won’t go to heaven. Jesus Himself clearly said this (John 3:13).

      Next, the Bible tells us that God will give everyone a chance to salvation. Wouldn’t it be unfair for those who have lived and died in the wrong place at the wrong time? They too will be given a chance after the millennium mentioned in Revelation.

      Regarding born again topic, please refer to this page:

      https://www.google.com.ph/amp/s/becomingchristians.com/2017/02/13/what-your-pastor-doesnt-tell-you-about-being-born-again/amp/

    • Yes, it is appointed unto men to die once and the dead in Christ shall be raised up to reign with Him.

      However, have you ever thought what will happen to billions of people who have lived and died without even hearing the word of God? Will God destroy them just because they were born at the wrong place at the wrong time? Is that fair? Is that justice?

      If you ask me and the BIble, that’s not God’s justice. God is merciful who is not willing for anyone to perish but everyone should come to repentance.

      That’s after the millenial reign of Christ and the saints, God will raise the “rest of the dead” mentioned in Revelation 20. They are the billions of people who were deceived by Satan. They are the people who will now be given their final chance to salvation.

      Please read this booklet to learn more: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/what-happens-after-death

  3. No doubt the dead remain dead in sheol (hades, grave) until the time of resurrection. However, the idea of the unsaved being resurrected to be taught the way of life before their judgement is something I have been struggling to understand. I just can’t find the scriptural backing for that.
    1. What kind of bodies will they have during the probation period? (Mortal or immortal?).
    2. Will it include tyrants like Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler etc?
    3. Looking at scriptures like John 5 v28-29 & Dan. 12 v 2, is it not clear enough that at the time of resurrection, people will either be given eternal life or be burnt up in the lake of fire? Please clarify if I am missing something.
    Have a wonderful Sabbath.

    • Hi Israel,

      I understand that it can be confusing.

      1. The first resurrection gives eternal life. During this time, the saints are resurrected. This happens at the start of the millennium.

      In the second resurrection, the rest of the dead will be given a mortal body. This happens after the millennium.

      2. The second resurrection includes tyrants who will be given their chance to live according to God’s way of life. If they don’t repent after God giving them a chance, they will be thrown to the lake of fire.

      3. The key here is to know the timing and understanding that there are three resurrections mentioned in the Bible. This is a huge topic so I recommend you read this booklet.

      https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/what-happens-after-death

      I hope this helps, Israel. 🙂

  4. According to our Bible, atheists are corrupt fools who do abominable work. You are mistaking Hawking for being ‘misguided’ because he has appealed to your pity by using his quadriplegia to an advantage. He tirelessly worked against God all his life and plotted to disprove Him and His Kingdom. Anybody looking at the night sky would marvel at God’s Creation but his mind, devoted to satan, set about furthering his propaganda. He is part of the global scientist gang – including, but not limited to, evolutionists, biologists and astronomers – who are bent upon spreading the malicious word of Satan among us. They are certainly going to Hell, but not before they have let loose their evil upon us. Only by holding true to the Word of God can we resist and save us and our children. To summarize, I know in my heart that Hawking is burning in Hell, and will do so for eternity, like the sinner he is.

    • I’m sorry but I beg to disagree, Adrian.

      First of all, the Bible reveals that God will not burn the wicked forever in hell. Remember, that the reward of the wicked is DEATH, not eternal life in hell.

      Read the prophecy given in Malachi 4:1-3. It tells us the ultimate destiny of the wicked:

      “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be STUBBLE, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be LEFT to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ASHES under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

      Like what I mentioned in this blog and other previous blogs I wrote, God only works with a few people today. He is not trying to save the whole world.

      The truth is that they rest of the dead, including all the atheists who were deceive by Satan, will be given a chance during the second resurrection, after the Millennial reign of Christ with His saints.

      This is a huge topic, so please read this blog for more information:

      https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/will-everyone-have-a-chance-for-salvation-what-happens

  5. Hello Joshua, You keep quoting this “The truth is that they rest of the dead, including all the atheists who were deceive by Satan, will be given a chance during the second resurrection, after the Millennial reign of Christ with His saints.” My question for you : Give me the scripture/s of which you somehow came to that conclusion! I’d rather Bible be my wisdom and interpreter. So verse/scripture please. And kindly keep to context. Thanks

    • Hi SK,

      I already gave the scripture on my blog. Revelation 20:4-6 tells us that after the Millenial reign of Jesus/Yahshua along with the saints, God will resurrect the “rest of the dead.” They will then be given their chance to know the truth.

      This is a quote from this article: https://www.ucg.org/vertical-thought/the-rest-of-the-dead

      In Ezekiel 37:12-14, we see an example of such a group of people (ancient Israel in this case) resurrecting, clearly not in the first resurrection, but afterward, and receiving God’s spirit. It says, “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you , and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,’ says the Lord.”

      Also Jesus Christ spoke of that time of judgment, when different generations will resurrect together. He said, “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it , because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:41-42).

  6. Jesus said, “Don’t judge…” who are we to say, “John is saved while Judas is not”? If you believe that Jesus has the mind of God, and He had spoken only what the Father instructed Him to speak of, then this is a clear DON’T to us human. We are not created and molded to be judges to one another. What the Bible says we will do is said in Matthew 28:18-20 which is the fulfilment of the two greatest commandments. Noone even deserves to go to heaven based on the standard of God. And the reiteration of Jesus, “Let him who has no sin cast the first stone.”; and, “How can you see the speck from your brother’s eye if you fail to remove the log in your own eye”. So then, let God decide whether to save them or not. It is for us to do what we can do to highlight the Grace and Mercy of God to us sinners so we return to Him, not because we are afraid of eternal death, but because we are grateful of His great love for us.

    • I’m sad to see Christians using Matthew 7:1 to prevent people from judging. Judging itself is not bad. We judge almost every moment of our lives. We judge which food to eat, what clothes to wear, which way to go, etc. We need to realize there are two types of judging: the wrong one and the right one.

      In Matthew 7, we see Jesus/Yahshua defining what it means to judge wrongly. He is saying that if we are to judge, we must judge ourselves first. If we are going to tell other people that they are sinning and then you yourself do the same thing, what good could that be?

      So, how do we judge properly? Jesus Himself said this in John 7:24: Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

      You see, judging itself is not bad, but it is the way we judge that makes it good or bad.

      Please read this blog to learn more: https://becomingchristians.com/2013/07/25/shocking-truths-from-the-bible-is-it-really-wrong-to-judge/

  7. Stephen Hawking WILL go to hell, god sent people to talk to him and warn him, Stephen Hawking had all these years that god gave to him, he did not respond to him and i am sure that he did not even bother to search for him. Jesus said that his kingdom is not from this world so science has no matter.Look in the bible, it talks about a god who loves, who gave his SON, the PERFECT MAN to be betrayed, humaliated, beat and die on the cross for YOU and ME. Tell me…who would write all these things except god? No human writes about these things! How is Christianity true and others aren’t? It describes sin, how it was created, what it does, it describes everything with every detail. No other religion does that. The thing is, that he sinned, he did not accept Jesus, he went to hell on his own, Jesus offered him life, he did not accept it, his choices led him here, which is neverending death

  8. Pingback: WARNING: 5 Surprising Things A Christian Should Never Say | Becoming Christians

  9. The thing is, “good” people don’t exist.

    No one is good because we’ve all lied, cheated and stolen. “Good” and “righteous” people don’t go to heaven. Only those who accept they’re sinners and call onto the name of the Lord will go to heaven – like the thief on the cross.

    Stephen Hawkings said that he was an atheist, but did he die an atheist? Or did he make a last minute confession like the thief on the cross? We don’t know. You are in no authority to know who is going to heaven and who isn’t.

    Also, saying something like “God will forgive everyone” is foolishness. That’s what they’re preaching on TV these days. If God is a loving and forgiving God who will bring everyone into heaven, then Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was a waste.

    • Hi ccstringnotes!

      Thanks for dropping by.

      For one, there’s no scripture in the Bible that tells us that heaven is the reward of the faithful (John 3:13).

      Second, I agree that God will not simply forgive everyone. A person must first repent. If that person isn’t repentant and would not change, then God won’t let that person enter His Kingdom.

      By the way, the thief on the cross did not go to heaven or was saved. Here’s the full explanation: http://www.biblicaltruths.com/thief-cross-go-paradise-day/

      Cheers,
      Joshua

  10. Unfortunately Satan the great deceiver uses people who think they know the Word of God to divide us and fight among ourselves. If what you are preaching was true Joshua then anyone could just live anyway they like and still go to Heaven. How would it be fair for us Believers to give our lives to Christ our Lord and Savior and someone who denied God even existed to both enter Heaven with them getting a second chance? So what you are saying is Stephen can go to judgement and say ” Oh DUDE you really do exist, cool, sorry bro can I believe now”. Please stop demeaning scripture and spreading falsehoods. Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

    • Hi Jack,

      I appreciate you taking time to drop a comment.

      First off, nowhere in my blog that mentioned Stephen Hawking is in heaven. In fact, no one’s going to heaven (John 3:13).

      I NEVER mentioned that anyone can live the way they want to live. I’m not sure where you read that?

      Anyway, Jack, here’s the truth of the matter: God won’t allow anyone in His Kingdom who will not follow His commandments.

      My point in this article is that there will be a resurrection of the dead in the future, after the Millennial Reign of Christ. In that time, the rest of the dead, who haven’t heard of God will be given a chance to learn God’s way. If they don’t accept God then they will not be saved.

      Please take time to read my blog again so you don’t misunderstand my words.

      Thank you and God bless!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

  11. You need to make your decision for Christ when you are alive on this earth . . . you don’t get a second chance. Mr. Hawking will appear before the Great White Throne where he will be judged according to his works on earth, and he will be cast into the lake of fire. Read Revelation 20. I like your comment – contrary to Christian belief. Hello?? Christians go to heaven; non-Christians do not. Read your Bible. Obviously if you’re not a Christian you believe otherwise. And if you’re not a Christian, why do you care about heaven or hell? You don’t believe in either I would suppose or you would not be contrary to Christian belief.

  12. I have been witness to many who call themselves “Christian” in my travels who will bear the full fury of God’s true wrath for being idolators, molesters of youth, cheaters, frauds and greedy church leaders. Claiming one is “Christian” proves to me nothing. God sees deeds not words.

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