Understanding Hell

What is Hell?

Lets take a look at three words the Bible uses to describe Hell and the place we all go to after death.

 Shoel (Strongs #7585): Hades; the world of the dead (a sub-terranian retreat, grave, hell, pit.) The Israelites understood Shoel to be the invisible domain for dead souls both righteous and unrighteous.. All awaiting the final resurrection on the last day.

 Hades (Strongs #2175): this Greek word mean "the place of the unseen." It means the same as the Hebrew word "Shoel". Unfortunately, this word is often associated with the word "hell", a place of eternal punishment. We cannot avoid Hades, but we can avoid hell

 Gehenna (Strongs #1067) is a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment. Gehenna is an allusion to the "Valley of the Son of Hinnom (Joshua 18:16)" The Israelites had gone so far as to offer their children as burnt sacrifices to Molech. Josiah defiled this site in order to prevent further repititions of such abominations. A fire was kept burning so as to burn the carrion and trash that accumulated around Jerusalem. The final punishment of the wicked is described in the Old Testament uses this valley as an example (Isaiah 66:24) Most importantly Gehenna was made specially for Satan and his fallen angels and is forever.

So reading the descriptions of these 3 words, I conclude that the first two (Shoel & Hades) indicate a place of waiting for the dead. I cannot describe what it looks like, but I think if you read Luke 16:18-31 gives a fair description of what both the saved and unsaved will experience. The "saved" on one side of a chasm, while on the other side of it, is flame and torment for the "unsaved". Note that in this particular scripture, the rich man saw Lazarus and Abraham together. He was able not only to look to them, but also to call out to Abraham for a cool drink, from the hell (Gehenna) side.

Scripture that supports universal salvation

Psalms 139:8 God is with people everywhere, even in Sheol (the abode of the dead or hell)

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Luke 15:3-6 Parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd (who represents God) kept looking until he found the last lost sheep.

John 12:32 “I, when I am lifted up…will draw all people to myself.”

John 12:46-47 “I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.”

Romans 5:18 “Therefore just as one man’s (Adam’s) trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s (Christ's) act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.”

Romans 8:38-39 Nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God.

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.”

1 Peter 3:18-20, 4:6 Christ preached the gospel to people in hell, to convert them.

Colossians 1:19-20 “God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things”

1 Timothy 2:4-6 God “desires everyone to be saved….Christ Jesus…gave himself a ransom for all.”

1 John 2:1-2 “Jesus Christ…is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world

So why is there a hell? Its punishment plain and simple. Much like a father or mother punishes a child for wrong-doing, God punishes the unsaved for their ways. Punishment brings about correction. It is a nothing more than a tool.

What does the Bible have to say about Hell, Shoel, Gehenne, and Hades? Lets look at some scripture. (note that I have only written the specific verse, and have not included the verses before & after it. Get out your Bible to read it completely)

And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.....Matthew 13:4

Then will he say also to them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the demon and his angels.....Matthew 25:41

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;......2 Thessalonians 1:6 & 9

Gehenna or hell is a tough place. But I also believe that for man it is NOT permanent. Its only permanent for the devil and his demons. You can be in hell for 15 hours or 1500 years. It all depends upon you reconciling with Jesus. God is a God of second chances. I believe that even in hell a person can find salvation and that Jesus will go there to save you. Your Father in Heaven will never let you go!

References

Destined For Salvation: By Kalen Fristad; ISBN; 0-9729625-0-6

Nelson Study Bible (NKJV)

New King James Version Bible (NKJV): ISBN 0-7180-1086-8

New American Standard Bible (NASB): ISBN 1-885217-72-2

American Standard Bible, 1901 Version

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: ISBN 0-917006-01-1

Smith Bible Dictionary: ISBN 0-8407-5542-2

The Laymans Bible Encyclopedia