In the Old Testament, Sheol (generally translated as hell or the grave) is a place where everyone expected to go when they died -- the righteous and unrighteous alike -- and is located in the center of the earth.
Hell is an English word which has a tutonic root meaning to hide or to cover. Most English translations of the Scriptures use this singular term in place of Sheol (Hebrew/Old Testament) or Hades (Greek/New Testament) ... however, both sheol and hades have no singular definition in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, the word hell, as an English translation of the original texts of the Bible, is incorrect -- except when it is referring to Abaddon or The Pit (see below).
Sheol (Hebrew/Old Testament) or Hades (Greek/New Testament) is defined in the Bible as a temporary holding place for those who have died and which has two sides to it -- a place for the righteous (believers), known as Abraham's Bosom ... and a place, far more dreadful, for the unrighteous (unbelievers), known as Hell, Abaddon or The Pit ... this "bad side" of Sheol also contains two deeper sections known as The Abyss and Tartarus.
The Righteous Side of Sheol or Hades:
1. Abraham's Bosom
The Unrighteous Side of Sheol or Hades: 1. Hell, The Pit or Abaddon (synonymous)
2. The Abyss
3. Tartarus
There is a great chasm between these two areas of Sheol or Hades which is uncrossable and separates the righteous from the unrighteous (see Luke 16:22-26) ... and it's important to note that it is also a place of consciousness (see Isaiah 14:9-10).
Note: When the Bible describes those on the unrighteous side of Sheol, it uses a Hebrew term which means "shades" ... nondescript beings in a place of judgment, with a total absence of righteousness and complete separation from God.
Hell / The Pit / Abaddon
Hell, The Pit, Abaddon (Hebrew) and Appolyon (Greek) are terms which refer to a place reserved for the unrighteous (unbelievers) ... unsaved humans only -- not for fallen angels.
The Abyss
The Greek/New Testament word Abyss means The Netherworld or Bottomless and is associated only with fallen angels (nephilim), demons and the antichrist -- it is never associated with human beings.
Note: Sheol or Hades, Hell, The Pit, Abaddon and the Abyss are all places of temporary confinement.
Tartarus
There is a permanent place of confinement called Tartarus. This Greek/New Testament term, mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4, is translated most inappropriately as hell. Nevertheless, the original text reads Tartarus and defines a place reserved only for fallen angels (nephilim) in connection with the Great Flood (see Genesis 6:1-2 and also Jude 6 & 7) ... these fallen angels, aka sons of God (benei Elohim) will go directly from Tartarus to the Outer Darkness, aka Gehenna or The Lake of Fire as mentioned in Revelation 20:14.
The Outer Darkness / Gehenna / The Lake of Fire
The Greek/New Testament terms Gehenna and Lake of Fire are synonymous and are also known as the Outer Darkness. This is a place which is completely void of hope; total separation from God.
The term Gehenna is derived from two Hebrew words -- gei (say gay) and hinnom (say hin-nome') -- meaning the Valley of Hinnom which is a valley outside the south and west walls of Jerusalem. It was a place where kings practiced human sacrifice ... a place for the burning of human beings ... thus, the mention of burning or fire usually associated with Gehenna. Gehenna is the permanent, final and eternal abode of lost souls and bodies; of lost angels and humans; the Book of Revelation tells us that Death (referring to the body) and Hades (referring to the soul) are finally cast into the Lake of Fire; Gehenna; the Outer Darkness.
Abraham's Bosom / Paradise
The term Abraham's Bosom is found only in Luke 16:22-23. Abraham's Bosom implies blessedness after death and refers to the place in Sheol (Hades) which contains only the righteous (believers). It is located "next door" to hell; all those in Sheol (Hades) can see and hear those on either side, but none are able to cross over the gulf between.
Paradise is a New Testament term ... however, the Hebrew definition of this Greek term is "a royal park or garden" and describes the abode of the righteous (believers) after the Ascension of Christ when Abraham's Bosom was removed from the center of the earth and brought up to Heaven, where the Father dwells ... i.e. the place referred to as Abraham's Bosom is now located in Paradise, in Heaven (see Luke 23:43).
Paradise is only mentioned three times in the Scriptures ... Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4) and Revelation 2:7.
Heaven
The Bible speaks of three different heavens. Many believe the following: The first heaven is the atmosphere of the earth where birds fly (see Genesis 1:20-26) ... the second heaven is what we call space -- where the sun, moon and stars are seen (see Genesis 1:14-18 and Matthew 24:29) ... and the Third Heaven is the one that is "unseen" -- the abode of the Father.
The Heaven, where the Father dwells, has been testified to by eye witnesses ... firstly by Christ, who came from Heaven (see John 6:38) and Isaiah speaks of the Father's Throne (see Isaiah 6) in Heaven, which is also the abode of the Holy Angels ... it is a very real and definite place, above the earth, above the sky and above space. And, of course, the Apostle John was caught up to Heaven and speaks of his experience throughout the Book of Revelation.
However, the Third Heaven (mentioned above) is only mentioned one time in the Scriptures and that is in 2 Corinthians 12:2. I have a different belief about the definitions of the "First," "Second," and "Third" heavens, based on 2 Peter 3:5-7 where Peter talks about how the heavens existed and God created the earth (Genesis 1:1), and then about the present heavens and earth. From this, I believe it's possible that the "First Heaven" is the heaven that existed before Genesis 1:2, the "Second Heaven" is the heaven that we are presently a part of and that the "Third Heaven" will be known after the Millenium, when God creates a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).
The New Jerusalem
There are three major passages in Scripture that tell us about the New Jerusalem: Galatians 4:26, Hebrews 12:22-24 and Revelation 21:1 through 22:5. This Holy City presently exists in Heaven and is the dwelling place of the Father, the Son, the Holy Angels and the righteous (believers) who have passed on. It is also the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, however, the Holy Spirit is presently on the earth, gathering the Bride of Christ, until the Rapture occurs.
In the future, the New Jerusalem will come down to the earth ... whether it resides on the earth or is situated just above it, is a matter of conjecture ... see Revelation 21:2.
The Location of Those Who Have Died
As has been explained, all those who have died go to one of two places ... the righteous (believers) go to Abraham's Bosom (now located in Paradise) and the unrighteous (unbelievers) go to Hell ... after the Ascension of Christ, any believer who died went to Paradise in Heaven and any unbeliever went to Hell in the bowels of the earth.
Regarding Believers Who Died Before Christ Ascended
All believers who died before the Ascension of Christ are now in Paradise ... they will be resurrected after the Second Coming (see Isaiah 26:19 and Daniel 12:2) and will live in Israel, the Promised Land, in the coming Millennial Kingdom.
Regarding Believers in Christ Who Died After His Ascension
All believers who died after the Ascension of Christ went to Paradise and will be resurrected at the Rapture ... which, at this writing, is yet a future event ... they will return with Him at the Second Coming, to co-reign with Him during the Millennium (see Revelation 20:4-6).
Regarding Believers in Christ Who Die During the Great Tribulation
All believers who die during the Great Tribulation ... which, at this writing, is yet a future event ... will go to Paradise. They will be resurrected after the Second Coming and will co-reign with Christ during the Millennium.
Regarding All Unbelievers
All unbelievers who have died will remain in Hell until the end of the Millennium when they will be removed from Hell (see Revelation 20:11-15). This is known as the Second Resurrection. At this point, Sheol (Hades) will be eliminated and all unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment on what is commonly known as Judgment Day. The Judgment is to determine the degree of punishment which will be assigned to each soul ... forever (see Revelation 14:11). After the Judgment, all unbelievers will be cast into the Lake of Fire; Gehenna; the Outer Darkness ... forever. This is also known as the Second Death ... the First Death being physical separation of soul from body; the Second Death is spiritual separation of soul from God (see Daniel 12:2 and Revelation 2:11, 20:14 & 21:8).
Consider This Carefully:
Contrary to common belief, no one ever dies; no one ever ceases to be. Everyone lives on ... forever. It's only a matter of where.
If this idea concerns you, and it certainly should if you haven't yet prayed and asked the Father in Heaven to save you, there is a very simple way for you to discover the peace that surpasses all understanding and to know that your life in eternity will be spent in absolute and uninterupted joy.
Take a moment to pray to the Father of all creation ... take a deep breath and center yourself as you ask Him to receive you into His Presence ... and then, simply talk to Him!
Tell Him that you love Him and want to be received into His Kingdom.
Confess with your heart that you are a sinner and tell Him that you want to receive His free gift of salvation.
Tell Him that you believe He sent His Only Son, Yahshua (Christ), from Heaven to the earth where he paid the full price for all your sins (past, present and future!) ... that you believe Yahshua died for you, was buried, rose again on the third day and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.
Tell Him that you want to make His Son, Yahshua, the Master of your life and that you commit yourself, from this day forward, to a daily life of prayer and seeking His will to be done in your life.
Ask Him to send His Holy Spirit to dwell in you and to become your Comforter, your Guide and your Teacher.
And, finally, close your prayer by praying in His Holy Name, Yahweh; the Name of His Beloved Son, Yahshua.
If you want to pray that prayer right now, then read this prayer out loud and from your heart, with deeply felt conviction:
Beloved Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, Yahweh!
Father, I love you! And I want to be accepted in your Kingdom!
I recognize that I am a sinner, Father, and that I am unworthy of your wonderful gift ... but I also recognize that your wonderful gift of salvation is free to all who ask you for it ... and so I come to you in this very hour to ask you for your gift. Save me now, Father, I pray!
I believe that you sent your beloved son, Yahshua (Christ), from your dwelling place in Heaven to my dwelling place on this earth where he paid the full price for all my sins -- past, present and future!
I believe that Yahshua died for me, was buried, rose after three days and is now seated at your right hand in Heaven.
I want to make your son, Yahshua, the Master of my life! I commit myself ... from this day forward ... to a daily life of prayer and seeking your will to be done in my life.
Father, I also pray and ask you to send your Holy Spirit to dwell in me and to become my Comforter, my Guide and my Teacher, from this day forward.
I pray and ask all this in your Holy Name, Yahweh ... the Name of your Beloved Son, Yahshua ... Amen.
And, if you prayed that prayer ... I say to you, "Welcome to His Kingdom!"
If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Me ... I'm happy to discuss anything with you!
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New Info Gets Added; Changes Are Implemented; My Knowledge Is Growing.
