Page 5     

                                                                                                                                                                    `                                                                                   

the dimensions of Hell, which will be the dwelling
 place of the damned after the resurrection,
cannot be determined.

Pains of Hell

Let us now treat of the pains of Hell, and first of all, of that of sense. St. Thomas proves that
the fire of Hell is a corporeal and material fire, though for the most part he does not write
of the fire which torments the souls separated from their bodies, but of that which the damned
are to endure after their corporeal resurrection. Many heretics have maintained that the fire of
Hell is not material, but only metaphorical or imaginary fire. There are numerous texts in Sacred
Scripture, however, which demonstrate that the fire of Hell is a true, material and corporeal
fire. We read, for instance, in the book of Deuteronomy: "A fire is kindled in my wrath, and shall
burn even to the lowest hell." (Deut. 32:22). And in the book of Job: "A fire that is not kindled
shall devour him" (Job 20:26), revealing that this fire of Hell needs not to be nourished, but,
once enkindled by God, burns eternally. There are a number of passages in the book of Isaias
referring to this fire of Hell: "Which of you can dwell with devouring fire? which of you shall
dwell with everlasting burnings?" (33:14); "Their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be
quenched, and they shall be a loathsome sight to all flesh." (66:24). "He will give fire, and
worms into their flesh, that they may burn, and may feel forever..." (Judith 16:21).