Hell
In the KJV Bible, there are three words translated as "hell" in English. In the OT, the Hebrew word "Sheol" was translated as "hell" 31 times, "grave" 30 times, "pit" 3 times, and "grave's" 1 time. In the NT, the Greek word "Hades" was translated as "hell" 10 times, and "grave" 1 time, and "Geenna" was translated as "hell" 12 times.
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"hell" - STRONG'S DEFINITIONS AND KJV OCCURRENCES
SHEOL:
H7585
שׁאל שׁאול
she'ôl she'ôl
sheh-ole', sheh-ole'
From H7592; hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat), including its accessories and inmates: - the grave, hell, pit.
Total KJV Occurrences (O.T. only): 65
hell, 31
Deu 32:22, 2Sa 22:6, Job 11:8, Job 26:6, Psa 9:17, Psa 16:10, Psa 18:5, Psa 55:15, Psa 86:13, Psa 116:3, Psa 139:8, Pro 5:5, Pro 7:27, Pro 9:18, Pro 15:11, Pro 15:24, Pro 23:14, Pro 27:20, Isa 5:14, Isa 14:9, Isa 28:15 (2), Isa 28:18, Isa 57:9, Eze 31:16-17 (2), Eze 32:21, Eze 32:27, Jon 2:2 (2), Hab 2:5
grave, 30
Gen 37:35, Gen 42:38, Gen 44:29, Gen 44:31, 1Ki2:6 (2), 1Ki 2:9, Job 7:9, Job 21:13 (3), Job 24:19, Psa 6:5, Psa 30:3, Psa 31:17, Psa 49:14-15 (3), Psa 88:3, Psa 89:48, Pro 1:12, Pro 30:16, Ecc 9:10, Son 8:6, Isa 14:11, Isa 38:10, Isa 38:18, Eze 31:15, Hos 13:14 (2)
pit, 3
Num 16:30, Num 16:33, Job 17:16
grave’s, 1
Psa 141:7
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HADES -
G86
ᾅδης
hadēs
hah'-dace
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1492; properly unseen, that is, “Hades” or the place (state) of departed souls: - the grave, hell.
Total KJV Occurrences: 11
hell, 10
Mat 11:23, Mat 16:18, Luk 10:15, Luk 16:23, Act 2:27, Act 2:31, Rev 1:18, Rev 6:8, Rev 20:13-14 (2)
grave, 1
1Co 15:55
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GEENNA:
G1067
γέεννα
geenna
gheh'-en-nah
Of Hebrew origin ([H1516] and [H2011]); valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment: - hell.
Total KJV Occurrences: 12
hell, 12
Mat 5:22, Mat 5:29-30 (2), Mat 10:28, Mat 18:9, Mat 23:15, Mat 23:33, Mar 9:43, Mar 9:45, Mar 9:47, Jam 3:5-6 (2)
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The 23 verses using "hell" in the King James, NT:
Mat 5:22; Mat 5:29; Mat 5:30; Mat 10:28; Mat 11:23; Mat 16:18; Mat 18:9; Mat 23:15; Mat 23:33; Mar 9:43; Mar 9:45; Mar 9:47; Luk 10:15; Luk 12:5; Luk 16:23; Act 2:27; Act 2:31; Jas 3:6; 2Pe 2:4; Rev 1:18; Rev 6:8; Rev 20:13; Rev 20:14;
As a good study of the words used in other languages and translated as "hell" in English will reveal, "Sheol" and "Hades" are better understood as "the grave" in English. And "Geenna" as a trash dump outside Jerusalem, a place for trash to be consumed in the earth. All relating to the same thing, "the grave".
Definitions of "Hell"
In the first century, if you were to tell someone to "Go to Hell!", they would probably quickly draw their sword in defense, knowing you wanted them to go to their "grave".
Even so, only four centuries ago, the Webster’s Twentieth Century Dictionary definition was: “hell, n. [ME, helle; AS, hell, hell, from helan, to cover, conceal.]”. And if you were to tell someone to "Go to Hell!", they would probably go to their cellar and fetch some potatoes for dinner! That's where they stored potatoes, in "hell".
And there is the “hell” of today, the 21st Century. From the The American Heritage Collegiate Dictionary: “The abode of condemned souls and devils... the place of eternal punishment for the wicked after death, presided over by Satan… a state of separation from God… a place of evil, misery, discord, or destruction… torment, anguish.”
Read all the verses above. This is of course the first step into understanding what "hell" is all about. Consider how the very definition of hell has changed over the years. Even common sence should tell you that there is more to this than meets the eye.
"lake of fire" - Total KJV Occurrences: 4
Rev 19:20; Rev 20:10; Rev 20:14; Rev 20:15
(All quotes LITV)
The "lake of fire" references are often used as proof that "hell" is a literal lake of flames, but looking closer you may see otherwise, that the references are only found in the highly symbolic of Revelation to begin, and a question arises from 20:14 below. How can the "lake of fire" be taken literal If death and hell were thrown into it? Why would death and hell literally be cast into literal flames, if "hell" is supposedly literal flames itself? ...
Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death.
Death and hell are not literally cast into literal flames. No, the "lake of fire" is symbolic. It is the second death. The first death is the death of the flesh, the second, the death of the spirit. Therefore, the second death is spiritual, not literal. That death and hell were cast into the lake of fire is to say death and hell were cast away, consumed, and are no more. That is to say death and "the grave"-(hades) have no power over us, as Christ holds the keys of death and the grave (Rev 1:18), there is no more "sleeping". Because eternal life is the promise, there is no more death. That is the promise. Christ is life:
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life. The one believing into Me, though he die, he shall live. And everyone living and believing into Me shall not die to the age, never! Do you believe this?
Do you believe this? Those of us who believe in him do. Those of you who don't believe in him, meet the Living One, Christ the Lord. He will call you from your grave dear reader, yes he will. He was given that right:
Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet, as dead. And He put His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not fear. I am the First and the Last, and the Living One; and I became dead; and, behold, I am living forever and ever. Amen. And I have the keys to hell, and of death.
Believe in him and you will live forever. Your flesh will die, yes, but you won't die, you will be changed into a heavenly body, one that can live forever, you will be be caught up to heaven, and remain forever in the paradise of God. You won't go to "hell", (hades), "the grave":
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Joh 3:18 The one believing into Him is not condemned; but the one not believing has already been condemned, for he has not believed into the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than the Light, for their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone practicing wickedness hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, that his works may not be exposed.
Joh 3:21 But the one doing the truth comes to the Light, that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God.
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Jerry's final thought:
Our Good Father has many great things to show you, dear person. Having eternal life in the paradise of God will not be a bore! From what I hear, there's a lot to do, maybe even bowling, and you won't get a strike every time either! haha. Maybe new games too. If your a musician, new instruments. If your a singer, a new voice...etc. Im sure within God's creation there are many people and beings and places to see too, places far far away in galaxy's unknown, more breath taking than Hourglass Nebula, up close!
It's all good. Choose life, life is good. Christ is life. He is called "the bread of life" because his words bring life to all, eternal life to all who hear them, know them, and keep them dear. His Good Father was within him and spoke those words through him, every one. They are blessed words of life. "The Word" is his name. "Deliverer" is his name. "King of kings and Lord of lords" is his name. He is the light that was sent into darkness. This is not a fable. We call him "Jesus" in English, and "Yehoshua" in Hebrew.
If you delight in wickedness and sin, refusing to repent, and refusing to come to the light, you do live in darkness, and you have no life within you. Dear person, you don't have to suffer within torment of fire knowing you have received eternal death, when you could have had paradise, forever. Why would you choose to be driven mad knowing you will be dead forever and do nothing but feed worms, when you can live forever, and see and do so much God has planned for you, for you to see and experience?
You can come out of the darkness and into the light. You can enter into the kingdom of God. It's not too late, and you don't have to wait. You must pray to our Father in heaven, confess your sins, each one, realizing them and admitting them, say your sorry, and stop doing that. Tell God you remember the time he sent his beloved son to take away the sins of the world, and ask for a pardon of your sins. You must be sincere. When you are, your request will be granted, our Good Father is very good about that, when we are sincere.
You may feel 200 pounds lighter, maybe like a new born baby! It's a really good feeling to start again, receiving salvation from God!
