What in the Hell is Hell?

[Deeje]

Hell is literal, eternal fire. Eternal punishment prepared for Satan and his angels. However the unjust can experience it too in the resurrection.

Do you know what "sheol" is?

Can you tell me the difference between "hades" and "gehenna"?

What is "the lake of fire" and "tartarus"? All these are supposedly different words for "hell", but in the original languages of the Bible they are very different.

Have you done any study on these words?

 

[David1967]

Do you know what "sheol" is?

Can you tell me the difference between "hades" and "gehenna"?

What is "the lake of fire" and "tartarus"? All these are supposedly different words for "hell", but in the original languages of the Bible they are very different.

Have you done any study on these words?

Very good point. Please share more.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

They will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. Matthew 25.46
The Bible teaches that there is a fiery Hell, a place that Jesus warned people about.
"And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the eternal fire," (Matt. 18:8).1
In this verse, the same word, "eternal," is used to describe the punishment of the wicked as well as the eternal life of the believer. The punishment is endless as is the eternal life of the believer.
"Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire, Jude 12-13
Hell is literal, eternal fire. Eternal punishment prepared for Satan and his angels. However the unjust can experience it too in the resurrection.

There is No mention of fire, burning, flames, etc. at Matthew 25:46, but eternal punishment. It does Not say what the punishment is.
However, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 mentions the everlasting punishment of ' destruction '
The wicked to be destroyed forever - Psalms 92:7 - the wicked destroyed Not the unjust - Acts of the Apostles 24:15; Joshua 11:11 - city burned Not people.

KJV translated the word Gehenna as hell fire. Gehenna was just a garbage pit outside of Jerusalem where things were ' destroyed ' Not kept burning forever.
So, the ' eternal fire ' Jude 1:5-7 ( not verses 12-13 ) is like the destructive fires of Luke 17:29 for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Does anyone righteous go to hell ?______
If biblical hell is fire then the day Jesus died - Acts of the Apostles 2:27 - Jesus went to fire.
Jesus taught ' sleep ' ( Not pain ) in death - John 11:11-14
' Sleep in death ' is also taught in the old Hebrew Scriptures such as: Psalms 115:17; Psalms 146:4; Daniel 12:2; Daniel 12:13; Ecclesiastes 9:5
So, the Bible's hell is just the temporary stone-cold grave until being resurrected out of biblical hell, the grave.

Also, how can hell fire be eternal when biblical hell comes to a final end according to Revelation 20:13-14
After everyone in hell is ' delivered up ' (KJV) meaning ' resurrected out of hell ', then emptied-out hell is cast vacant into that symbolic ' second death ' for vacated hell.

 

[David1967]

There is No mention of fire, burning, flames, etc. at Matthew 25:46, but eternal punishment. It does Not say what the punishment is.
However, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 mentions the everlasting punishment of ' destruction '
The wicked to be destroyed forever - Psalms 92:7 - the wicked destroyed Not the unjust - Acts of the Apostles 24:15; Joshua 11:11 - city burned Not people.

KJV translated the word Gehenna as hell fire. Gehenna was just a garbage pit outside of Jerusalem where things were ' destroyed ' Not kept burning forever.
So, the ' eternal fire ' Jude 1:5-7 ( not verses 12-13 ) is like the destructive fires of Luke 17:29 for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Does anyone righteous go to hell ?______
If biblical hell is fire then the day Jesus died - Acts of the Apostles 2:27 - Jesus went to fire.
Jesus taught ' sleep ' ( Not pain ) in death - John 11:11-14
' Sleep in death ' is also taught in the old Hebrew Scriptures such as: Psalms 115:17; Psalms 146:4; Daniel 12:2; Daniel 12:13; Ecclesiastes 9:5
So, the Bible's hell is just the temporary stone-cold grave until being resurrected out of biblical hell, the grave.

Also, how can hell fire be eternal when biblical hell comes to a final end according to Revelation 20:13-14
After everyone in hell is ' delivered up ' (KJV) meaning ' resurrected out of hell ', then emptied-out hell is cast vacant into that symbolic ' second death ' for vacated hell.

What about the Beast and False Prophet and then Satan being cast into the lake of fire? Will they cease to exist or will they be tormented day and night forever?

 

[URAVIP2ME]

What about the Beast and False Prophet and then Satan being cast into the lake of fire? Will they cease to exist or will they be tormented day and night forever?

According to Scripture Revelation is written in very-vivid word pictures. Not a literal animal beast, nor literal false prophet, not a literal lake of fire.
Please notice the definition of the lake of fire as defined at Revelation 20:13-14.
It is defined as " second death ". In death there is No consciousness - Ecclesiastes 9:5
Jude 1:12 talks of those being ' twice dead ' ( No further resurrection for them ). They sleep a perpetual sleep - Jeremiah 51:39; Jeremiah 51:57
So, their torment ( Not torture ) is forever. Meaning: forever destroyed - Psalms 92:7
Please notice the word is torment, and Not the word torture. In Scripture a tormentor ( Not torturer ) is simply a jailer - Matthew 18:34; Matthew 18:30
We are given the two choices of either ' perish ' ( be destroyed ), or repent - 2 Peter 3:9

Sinner Satan ends up in ' second death ' - Revelation 21:8
Since Jesus will destroy Satan - Hebrews 2:14 B, then ' second death ' is a fitting term for: destruction.
All of the wicked are ' destroyed forever ' - Psalms 92:7

 

[David1967]

According to Scripture Revelation is written in very-vivid word pictures. Not a literal animal beast, nor literal false prophet, not a literal lake of fire.
Please notice the definition of the lake of fire as defined at Revelation 20:13-14.
It is defined as " second death ". In death there is No consciousness - Ecclesiastes 9:5
Jude 1:12 talks of those being ' twice dead ' ( No further resurrection for them ). They sleep a perpetual sleep - Jeremiah 51:39; Jeremiah 51:57
So, their torment ( Not torture ) is forever. Meaning: forever destroyed - Psalms 92:7
Please notice the word is torment, and Not the word torture. In Scripture a tormentor ( Not torturer ) is simply a jailer - Matthew 18:34; Matthew 18:30
We are given the two choices of either ' perish ' ( be destroyed ), or repent - 2 Peter 3:9

Sinner Satan ends up in ' second death ' - Revelation 21:8
Since Jesus will destroy Satan - Hebrews 2:14 B, then ' second death ' is a fitting term for: destruction.
All of the wicked are ' destroyed forever ' - Psalms 92:7

A minister friend once told me that Rev. Was the easiest book of the bible to teach. You just had to decide what says before you read it. He was talking about all the symbolism in it.

 

[ThirtyThree]

Think about it for a moment.....if the lake of fire was a literal place, how could death and hades be thrown in there?

Well, that is true unless the universe was swallowed up in destruction. In that, it can be said anything could be thrown into it, right? Yet, what destruction might that be? I have a theory on the subject, and it relates directly to an understanding of:

Gen 1:2: And the earth was without form (can be translated as confusion), and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. (relating again to the primeval ocean/chaos). And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (waters, relating once again to the primeval ocean where Leviathan dwelled: ie: chaos)

Earlier creation myths (like the one regarding Tiamat) deal into this, as does one of the most prominent scientific theories of our age, the big bang theory. Other scientific theories also deal into the lawful universe originating from chaos as well.

My theory is outlined here. I will also briefly summarize it in stating that I believe the firmament is that thing called "the veil", that invisible force over this planet, which separates this dimension (current dimension we are in now) from the reams of the dead, and other dimensions as well. That would well explain what the firmament is. That is, unless you honestly want to believe all it meant was a literal dome of ice or crystal over a flat Earth.

Gen 1:6: And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

See? Some type of separation to divide chaos from the new creation, the lawful creation. The creation which is moved by intelligence.


Rev 20:14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 21:1: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

There you have it, in chronological order! Notice how the new universe and new Earth are shown immediately after death and Hell and those not written in the book of life are cast into the "Lake of Fire"?

 

[ThirtyThree]

What about the Beast and False Prophet and then Satan being cast into the lake of fire? Will they cease to exist or will they be tormented day and night forever?

Torment day and night (representing a cycle of time) for ever (aion) and ever (aion). Also, they are people, as proven by the emphasis of "ARE", as in they are still there.

Rev 19:20: And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Rev 20:10: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

A minister friend once told me that Rev. Was the easiest book of the bible to teach. You just had to decide what says before you read it. He was talking about all the symbolism in it.

With an answer like the above by that minister it is No wonder the clergy class are likened to the composite ' man of sin ' the ' son of perdition ' (destruction )
2 Thessalonians 2:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

They seat themselves in the ' temple ' ( houses of worship ) as if they are God - 2 Thessalonians 2:4 - when in reality they are anti-God.

 

[David1967]

With an answer like the above by that minister it is No wonder the clergy class are likened to the composite ' man of sin ' the ' son of perdition ' (destruction )
2 Thessalonians 2:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

They seat themselves in the ' temple ' ( houses of worship ) as if they are God - 2 Thessalonians 2:4 - when in reality they are anti-God.

? He was being silly and referring to how many different interpretations of REV. have been taught through the centuries. That was a pretty harsh thing to say about someone you have never met.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

? He was being silly and referring to how many different interpretations of REV. have been taught through the centuries. That was a pretty harsh thing to say about someone you have never met.

Sorry, please accept my apology because I did Not see an LOL I took him to be serious.
Wrong interpretations of course does Not make Revelation wrong, and as Daniel wrote things would be clearer in due time - Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9; Proverbs 4:18
He is right about many different interpretations of Rev. and without the book of Daniel we would Not be able to piece together some of the symbolism.
So, the book of Revelation with its corresponding cross-references to Daniel helps with understanding Revelation. ( Revelation 13:1-7; Daniel 7:1-7; Daniel 8:3-8; Daniel 8:20-25 )
Again, please accept my apology.

 

[David1967]

Sorry, please accept my apology because I did Not see an LOL I took him to be serious.
Wrong interpretations of course does Not make Revelation wrong, and as Daniel wrote things would be clearer in due time - Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9; Proverbs 4:18
He is right about many different interpretations of Rev. and without the book of Daniel we would Not be able to piece together some of the symbolism.
So, the book of Revelation with its corresponding cross-references to Daniel helps with understanding Revelation. ( Revelation 13:1-7; Daniel 7:1-7; Daniel 8:3-8; Daniel 8:20-25 )
Again, please accept my apology.

No problem , and thank you. And I do agree with what you said concerning Rev. and the book of Daniel. And yes wrong interpretation does not make it wrong. There are things in Rev. that would have made no sense whatsoever just a few years ago yet today seem a bit clearer. Daniel and Rev do compliment each other. And no need to apologize. Its a bit difficult reading a post sometimes to get the intended meaning. Next time I will try to remember to put LOL.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Thank you David for your kind reply. I appreciate you.
Spiritual light, spiritual understanding, does grow brighter and lighter with the passing of time - Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9; Proverbs 4:18

 

[prometheus11]

As with many concepts, biblical scripture is contradictory on the issue of eternal torment for human "souls"

The case can be made for both positions.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

As with many concepts, biblical scripture is contradictory on the issue of eternal torment for human "souls"
The case can be made for both positions.

Where is it contradictory ? the sinning soul dies, and the dead know nothing.
Ezekiel 18:4; Ezekiel 18:20; Joshua 11:11; Acts of the Apostles 3:23; John 11:11-14; Psalms 115:17; Psalms 146:4; Daniel 12:2; Daniel 12:13; Ecclesiastes 9:5

Also, there is a difference between torment and torture. Eternal flames would be torture. Scripture does Not say: torture.
In Scripture at Matthew 18:34; Matthew 18:30 a tormentor ( Not torturer ) was simply a jailer.
The torment then of ' second death ' is being jailed in unconscious death forever and ever - Revelation 21:8 - Satan ends up in ' second death '.
Satan is a sinner. All sinners must pay the price of sin which is: death - Romans 6:23
Jesus destroys Satan - Hebrews 2:14 B - so ' second death ' is a fitting term for: destruction.
All the wicked are destroyed forever - Psalms 92:7

 

[NewChapter]

A person lives a very , less than righteous lifestyle, full of greed, anger and such. He dies and goes to hell? From a Abrahamic standpoint, what would be 'Hell"? He doesn't have a body anymore so, he can't feel 'burning fire'. He can't see, due to not having a body so he can't see 'fire'. So , USING THE BIBLE/QURAN/HOLY BOOK , what part of the person is tortured in hell, without a body?

Without a brain, body, memories, feelings and physical attributes What is really of a 'person' to send to HELL? Wouldn't the be a completely diffrent person or not them?

Hi savethedreams,

The Bible actually says that "hell" is a spiritual condition experienced in one's physical lifetime. Here is Psalm 30:3:

Psalm 30:3
English Standard Version (ESV)
(3)O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Hi savethedreams,
The Bible actually says that "hell" is a spiritual condition experienced in one's physical lifetime. Here is Psalm 30:3:
Psalm 30:3
English Standard Version (ESV)
(3)O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

What was the 'spiritual condition' of the dead Jesus while the dead Jesus was in biblical hell ?______________Acts of the Apostles 2:27; Psalms 16:10
Since Jesus only taught unconscious ' sleep ' in death - John 11:11-14 - then Jesus believed while in hell he would Not know anything.
Jesus did Not experience any hell during his physical lifetime because biblical hell is just the grave for the sleeping dead.
Jesus, already by age 12, was well educated in the old Hebrew Scriptures which also teach sleep in hell/ sheol
- Psalms 6:5; Psalms 13:3; Psalms 115:17; Psalms 146:4; Daniel 12:2; Daniel 12:13; Ecclesiastes 9:5
So, Jesus had his life restored to him when God resurrected the dead Jesus out of hell ( grave ) - Acts of the Apostles 13:30; Colossians 2:12 B

 

[NewChapter]

What was the 'spiritual condition' of the dead Jesus while the dead Jesus was in biblical hell ?______________Acts of the Apostles 2:27; Psalms 16:10
Since Jesus only taught unconscious ' sleep ' in death - John 11:11-14 - then Jesus believed while in hell he would Not know anything.
Jesus did Not experience any hell during his physical lifetime because biblical hell is just the grave for the sleeping dead.
Jesus, already by age 12, was well educated in the old Hebrew Scriptures which also teach sleep in hell/ sheol
- Psalms 6:5; Psalms 13:3; Psalms 115:17; Psalms 146:4; Daniel 12:2; Daniel 12:13; Ecclesiastes 9:5
So, Jesus had his life restored to him when God resurrected the dead Jesus out of hell ( grave ) - Acts of the Apostles 13:30; Colossians 2:12 B

The Bible uses symbolic language sometimes...you surely don't believe in animals talking do you, like the talking snake in Genesis and the talking donkey in the story of Baalam?

"Dead" coming back from "the grave" I believe is symbolic language.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

The Bible uses symbolic language sometimes...you surely don't believe in animals talking do you, like the talking snake in Genesis and the talking donkey in the story of Baalam?
"Dead" coming back from "the grave" I believe is symbolic language.

What is symbolic about resurrection?_______________ 1 Corinthians 15:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:15-17
ALL the people Jesus resurrected while on earth was a small preview, or a coming attraction, of what Jesus will be doing on a grand global scale during his 1,000-year governmental rulership over earth.

 

[NewChapter]

What is symbolic about resurrection?_______________ 1 Corinthians 15:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:15-17
ALL the people Jesus resurrected while on earth was a small preview, or a coming attraction, of what Jesus will be doing on a grand global scale during his 1,000-year governmental rulership over earth.

Here:

Matthew 8:22
English Standard Version (ESV)
(22)And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Jesus refers to living people as "the dead." He was using symbolic or figurative language.