Hell - a more biblical, believable version

After seeing glimpses of God's glory (in the burning bush and on Mt. Sinai when the radiant "fire" of God's presence appeared), Moses asked the LORD, "Please show me your glory," (implying that he knew there was more to see,
and he'd only seen glimpses of that beautiful, but veiled, glory). Exodus 33:18ff.

God told Moses no man could see his face and live. I take that to mean that a mortal human can't see God in his unveiled glory; it would kill him. We're assured, however, that someday the saints will be made immortal and shall see God's face, i.e., his unveiled glory (Matt.5:8; Rev.22:4). So, God proclaimed his virtuous/glorious character as his fiery glory passed by Moses, who was protected in the cleft of a rock. Again, Moses saw only the veiled glory of God, but he came back down the mountain literally glowing -- like he had some kind of spiritual sunburn. Ex.34:29ff. :-)

In Jesus, we see the glory of God revealed more completely than ever before. And it transforms us. 2 Cor.3:7-18; 4:6. For now, the glory of God's presence resides in our mortality, like a beautiful diamond in a plain clay jar. But someday
all of God's redeemed people will be glorified in a resurrected, immortal form -- a form that's suitable for God's glorious presence.

When Jesus returns "in the glory of his Father" (Matt 16:27), the unveiled glory of God will be visible (in "flaming fire," 2 Thess 1:7), and it will consume those who are not raised immortal (Heb 10:26-27;12:29).

God's unveiled glory will be an awesome, beautiful sight for those who are redeemed and immortal; it will be the Beatific Vision. But for those who have rejected God's truth and grace to the bitter end, it will be too much to endure.

Cf. Isaiah 33:14 (Amplified) The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling seizes the godless ones. [They cry] Who among us can dwell with that devouring fire? Who among us can dwell with those everlasting burnings?

Those who are finally condemned will be destroyed body and soul (Matt 10:28), blotted out of existence, literally, forever. The process of their destruction will last as long as the justice of God determines for each one (Luke 12:47-48); but the result will be total, irreversible, eternal destruction.

Cf. Malachi 4: ¹ "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. ² But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. ³And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts."

So, considering all of the above, it seems reasonable to me that the "fire," that destroys the ungodly may be the unveiled glory of God. The "destruction" that overtakes them will proceed from the presence [literally "the face"] of the LORD.

They "shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might..."
(2 Thess 1:9 ASV).

^"They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction that comes from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might... " (2 Thess.1:9 ESV alternative reading).

Our God is a consuming fire (Heb.12:29). His holiness and love will finally be seen in unveiled glory throughout all of the universe. God will be "all in all" (1 Cor.15:28). His presence won't have to be mediated to us in a veiled fashion. It will be fully revealed. That will be the greatest thrill of the redeemed and the most fearsome destructive force for the ungodly.