What is this about Hell...
What is this about Hell?
Hell is probably one of the most confused doctrines of in modern Christianity. In the Old Testament Hebrew, Hell (an Old English rendition) was called "Sheol" and in the Greek ,"Hades", meaning the place of departing spirits. It did not at that time have any negative implications except that when you died that is where your spirit went to. The English word "hell" comes directly from Old English, where the meaning was a black fiery place of eternal torment for the damned. But because the Vikings were converted to Christianity centuries after the Anglo-Saxons, the Old Norse hel , from the same place as the Old English hel, retained its earlier pagan senses as both a place of the abode of oath breakers, other evil persons and those unlucky enough not to have died in battle. If you died in battle you got to go to Valhalla.
What does the Bible say about Hell. Well, as I said, in the Old Testament Hell...or Sheol, was a place where everyone's spirit went when you died. Jesus gave an incredible description in Luke 16:19-31. Jesus told the story about this place that was divided in half by a huge gulf which could not be crossed. One side was a place of comfort which he called Abrahams bosom. Later at the cross He would call this place, Paradise. But the other side was a place of torment. This whole area...or dimension...was the "place of departing spirits." When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he first descended into this place (Sheol/Hades) to the side where those you had waited in faith since the time of righteous Abel. (1 Peter 3:19-20) I can just imagine what He said. "Hey, guys the ransom has been paid...would you all like to leave and come to my Fathers house?" This place now is not only a place of torment, but a place for those lost souls awaiting judgment. Those who die in Christ now go directly to be with the Lord. (Do not pass go...do not collect $200 dollars) This waiting place in the Old Testament was where the Catholic traditions developed the doctrine of "purgatory".
At the end of times...Hell and Death will be thrown into Gehenna (Greek), the lake of fire.
God does not send anyone to Hell. Hell is a place where you are separated from God's presence. I think the worse part about being there is knowing for an eternity...that you did not have to be there. It was your choice. No one will end up separated from God because the means wasn't taken care of for them to spend an eternity in heaven. It is like a million dollar check that you hold in your hand. You're actually in the same financial situation you were before.....unless you cash it in.
I am sure glad I went to the bank and made my deposit. Now I am a Kings kid.
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How do you reach this conclusion? Do you have a scripture reference?
Although it does not specify when “hell” was created, most theologians feel it was made before the “fall of man”. It is interesting that Heaven is seen as three divisions (much like the Tabernacle courts). 2 Corinthians 12:2 , caught up into the third heaven. If there is a third...there is a first and second. Rev 8:13, 14:6, 19:7...in the midst of heaven. or "middle heaven".. mesouranema (Gk).
Hell is also is divided into three areas. Sheol ..in the Hebrew/ Hades in the Greek, simply the "place of departing spirits". Really a very poor rendering into the English. Tartarus as seen in 2 Peter 2:4 (actually has a number of different meanings in the greek) but is used here as a "prison of fallen angels". And the Pit or Abyss.. (Rev 9:11, 11:7, 17:8, 20:1, 20:3). This was for the most powerful demons.
I love the symmetry of Gods Word.
As I wrote in the article, Hell (Sheol/Hades) is a place (maybe outside our dimension) that is divided by a “great gulf” that no one could traverse. (Luke 16: 19-31). One side was a place of comfort (Abraham’s bosom/ Paradise) where there are those who have waited in faith for the fulfillment of Gods promises. From Adam…all the way to the thief on the cross who Jesus said, “Today you shall be with me in Paradise”. The other side a place of torment, for the wicked awaiting judgment. When Jesus descended into the earth, he went to those that had waited in faith (Paradise) to preach the Good News and to set the captives free. He did not set them free so they could hang around there for thousands of years. That area is now only a place for those awaiting judgment, as when a believer dies, he goes to be with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6) “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body (death) and to be present with the Lord.” Paul was really home sick for heaven. Paul knew these struggling believers needed him…but he would have much rather have been with Jesus. But at the end of time….after the judgment, even Hell (the place of departing spirits) shall no longer be needed as Hell and death are thrown into the lake of fire (Gehenna). Rev 12:20. "This is the second death."
It is interesting that we like God (in his image) are also tri-partic (three distinct portions of our being…in a unity….body, soul and spirit). When we die, our material body, stays in “quiber”,,the grave. For a believer our soul and spirit go to be in Gods presence. Is that heaven? It never says specifically if we are in heaven. Death is an exit from this present life and an entry into God’s presence. We know we are active after death as opposed to the soul sleep heresy that dates all the way back to the debates within the early church councils and synods. We know what we will be like….”for we shall be like him” (1 John 3:12). In Romans 6:8 and 2 Timothy 2:11, the meaning goes beyond just living this present life …but when we leave this life, “Now if we be dead in Christ we believe that we shall also live with him.”
Matthew 17:1-9 describes a scene at what is called “the Mount of Transfiguration,” where Jesus conversed with Moses and Elijah. Now this happened prior to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. So He had not made the final sacrifice to redeem the race of Adam yet. They had been awaiting for this final fulfillment in Paradise (the place of departing spirits). But they were cognizant. They were not in a state of suspended animation, annihilation or soul sleep. When Lazarus died, Jesus used the word “sleep” in John 11:13, which was misunderstood by his disciples so he had to clarify his statement saying, “Howbeit Jesus spake of his death; but they thought that he had spoken of taking a rest in sleep. The said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” But he was obviously awake enough to hear the voice of Jesus as He commanded him, “Lazarus come forth”.
What I do know is that, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (my present physical body, this tent) were dissolved (physical death), we have a building of God (a new eternal body), a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1) My spirit is dwelling presently in this tent while my house is being prepared. "Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. For in My Father's house there are many mansions. And I'm going to prepare one for you.” (John 14:2)
It is also good to mention that before the final judgment Jesus comes back to earth not as a humble servant but as a conquering king.....with all his saints, in His battle with those who make war against the Lamb. That is those that have died in Christ. (We would have to be with him to do that) If the Lord should tarry and I die before his coming....I hope I get a horse. Ha..Ha. I love horses! Our bodies will be raised from the earth and changed in the blink of an eye, " 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 ( those believers that have died) shall rise first: 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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:53)