12/18/01

Hell is a topic that many people try to avoid talking about. Either it's to unsettling a discussion or, for some, it's just dismissed out of hand. Because I believe the words of God to be true I must stand by what is written in the Bible and not just dismiss it. Also since it is written in the Bible it is a topic which should be shared and discussed. Understand however that it should not be used as a club to try and coerce people through fear into believing, that is not what God intends.

Of interest to some might be the fact that 3 different words are used in the Bible to describe hell. Two of these words are used in the Old Testament as a description of  the destination of our souls. This destination, I believe, changes with Jesus' death on the cross for our sins. (Luke 23:43). This however is a study for another time.

The last word is used in the New Testament strictly for describing the eternal punishment that awaits those who deny Jesus. These definitions can be found at: CCEL and is from the Easton's Bible Dictionary. The following is their definition.

Hell - derived from the Saxon helan, to cover; hence the covered or the invisible place. In Scripture there are three words so rendered:

(1.) Sheol, occurring in the Old Testament sixty-five times. This word sheol is derived from a root-word meaning "to ask," "demand;" hence insatiableness (Prov. 30:15, 16). It is rendered "grave" thirty-one times (Gen. 37:35; 42:38; 44:29, 31; 1 Sam. 2:6, etc.). The Revisers have retained this rendering in the historical books with the original word in the margin, while in the poetical books they have reversed this rule.

In thirty-one cases in the Authorized Version this word is rendered "hell," the place of disembodied spirits. The inhabitants of sheol are "the congregation of the dead" (Prov. 21:16). It is (a) the abode of the wicked (Num. 16:33; Job 24:19; Ps. 9:17; 31:17, etc.); (b) of the good (Ps. 16:10; 30:3; 49:15; 86:13, etc.).

Sheol is described as deep (Job 11:8), dark (10:21, 22), with bars (17:16). The dead "go down" to it (Num. 16:30, 33; Ezek. 31:15, 16, 17).

(2.) The Greek word hades of the New Testament has the same scope of signification as sheol of the Old Testament. It is a prison (1 Pet. 3:19), with gates and bars and locks (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 1:18), and it is downward (Matt. 11:23; Luke 10:15).

The righteous and the wicked are separated. The blessed dead are in that part of hades called paradise (Luke 23:43). They are also said to be in Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:22).

(3.) Gehenna, in most of its occurrences in the Greek New Testament, designates the place of the lost (Matt. 23:33). The fearful nature of their condition there is described in various figurative expressions (Matt. 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 25:30; Luke 16:24, etc.). (See HINNOM.)

The Christian Viewpoint:

Old Testament Hell:

New Testament Hell:

How to avoid Hell:

No ETERNAL Hell?

Ages or Eternity:

Mercy vs. Judgment:

Will ALL Be Saved?

No Hell At All?

Annihilation:

Summary: