ETERNITY IN HELL FIRE? It baffles even you, a born-Christian, to discover by this article/study that you are always in support of the idea of everlasting life in hell-fire when you agree to eternal torture of sinners in it. But ordinarily, your answer will be NO if asked directly. This question is derived from the general concept that sinners will be wailing and gnashing of teeth in the hell fire forever. But the continuous usage of and believe on the old, unfounded and non-biblical concept of Hell fire by most believers of the Bible, of this age, calls for a serious concern. The concept stresses that hell fire becomes a place where all sinners of this world will be kept, tormented and burnt for live. Here, the occupants will not experience death, rather live forever under torture. This concept originally was first propounded by the mother of Churches, perhaps, with a view to assist God in His quest for righteousness and bringing back the lost human race to Himself. It was her hope that the masses would reverence God the more if they are instilled with the fear of being burnt by fire when they sinned. By this doing, righteousness would be highly encouraged. Unfortunately, this was not to be because no man can assist God by false pretence or teachings. The Bible says “know the truth and the truth shall make you free”. (John 8:32) Yes, the truth will set man free, nothing else. Let man rather not distort the truth to enable attainment of God’s plan but to stand by it through generations. For any man to have whatever experience or be in whatever condition at any place, yet breaths and lives forever there, is said to have eternal life. Simply, where life is sustained, no death, such is living eternally, not minding whether such person lives in abject poverty, pains or in affluence, as far as no going or returning back from there. To many Christians, this is what they believe of hell fire. This is absurdity! By the study of the Bible, it is discovered is written in many contexts and symbol languages; types or shadows and antitypes or real. To appreciate the study, let us fully examine the biblical Hell and Hell fire. We are all aware that the Bible was originally written in Hebrew language for the Old Testament and in Greek language for the New Testament and then translated in very many other languages. It is realized that Jesus often speaks to his people in pictorial, symbolical, metaphorical etc languages. At times, he uses types and antitypes to portray His points. Most precious promises of God are presented in picture forms, example in Psalm 23:1-2. The origin of the word “Hell” is of Anglo-Saxon; and before the English translation of the Bible, simply meant a covered or hidden state. For example, the act of burying potatoes in the ground to protect them through the winter was called “helling” the potatoes. They still follow the custom in Britain of helling their potatoes. Also, putting a thatch roof on a house was called “helling” the house, but never did it mean to set the house on fire. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word “sheol” is English translation “Hell”. This word appears in the Old Testament for a total number of sixty five (65) times; thirty one (31) times is translated hell; grave also for thirty one, while three (3) times as pit. Unfortunately, this inconsistency in the translation has added to the confusion existing in the minds of the people concerning the condition of the death. Obviously, most translators of the various versions of the Bible were inconsistent too. Often times, they found it impossible to use the word “hell” in every instance to translate the Hebrew word “sheol”; for to do so would have to put some of the most faithful servants of God, mentioned in the Bible, in a place of torment, hence the switched back and forth from hell to grave as best suited their purpose. In other words, as a rule, the word “hell” is given when the text applies to wicked people, while the words “grave” or “pit” are used if righteous persons are involved. For example, sheol (hell or grave) was first used in the Old Testament by the good patriarch, Jacob in Gen.37:35 thus: “For I shall go down into the sheol (hell) to my son in mourning”. You can imagine what kind of hell was it to which Jacob expected to go when he died if this was a place of torture as claimed. Again, Jacob expressed a similar thought in connection with the possible loss of his son, Benjamin, explaining that if taken to Egypt and did not return, it would bring down his “gray hairs with sorrow to the sheol (i.e. hell)”. In both instances, the translators used “grave”. Apparently, they did not like to send Jacob to hell; for in view of the meaning, which has been given to the word “hell”, it would have raised too many questions in the minds of the Christians. The next time the word “sheol” appeared in the Old Testament, the translators felt justified in translating it “hell”, for it is used in association with the wrath of God. Here, the Lord speaks through Moses thus: “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell (sheol)” Deut. 32:22. Hannah, in 1Sam.2:6 uses the word Sheol, and in a very revealing statement of fact. Extolling the works of God, she said – “The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the Sheol (hell), and bringeth up”. It cannot be translated hell, meaning that the Lord will bring up from hell those who go there. This would completely upset the theology concerning hell, which insists that it is a place from which there can be no return, and where the victims suffer forever. Prophet Job also prayed to go to sheol, but in translating was given “grave” (Job14:13). He had been going through much hardship and suffering. So, he asked God to let him go to Sheol where he knew he would be at rest as in Job 3:17-19. If the translators had given the word “hell” in this instance, readers of the Bible would have soon learned that the “hell” of the Bible is not a place of torment, but a condition of unconsciousness and they would know that Job did not ask to go to a place where his suffering would be increased, and where it would last forever. Sheol is the only “hell” of the Old Testament; the only hell that the people of God were told about throughout a period of 6,000 years, as a place of quietness and rest, a condition of unconsciousness to which they were taught by the prophets both the righteous and the wicked go when they die, there to await the time when, by the power of the Creator, they would be restored to life in the resurrection. There are several other cases in the Old Testament that cannot be handled now, but let us look at “Hell” in the New Testament. The facts concerning hell as they unfold in the New Testament are fully in harmony with what is revealed in the Old Testament. The New Testament was written originally in the Greek language, and here the Greek word “Hades” corresponds to the Hebrew word “Sheol” of the Old Testament. This is known from Apostle Peter’s sermon in the day of Pentecost (Act 2:31&32) as he quoted a text from the Old Testament in which the word “sheol” appears and was translated in the Greek word “Hades”. This is in Psalm 16:10 – “For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption”. It is the prophecy on the death and resurrection of Jesus, declaring that his soul would not be left in Sheol. Here, two things are proven: (i) That Jesus went to hell when he died. (ii) That the Old Testament “hell” is the same as the New Testament “hell”. In both instances, the translators have given us the word “hell”. They were caught in dilemma, for if they had used the word “grave” they would have put Jesus soul in the grave which would have been quite correct but certainly would not harmonize with the other designed or developed doctrine concerning the immortality of the soul. Actually, Jesus’ soul did go into death, into Sheol (Isaiah 53:10&12). Jesus took the sinner’s place in Sheol, in death, that all would be awakened from death and given an opportunity to live forever. We are gladdened that Jesus did go into the Bible hell when he died, for thereby provided redemption for those who are there. Jesus, himself, makes a very interesting statement in this connection, saying “I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore… and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev.1:18). Jesus in possession of the keys of hell assures us that he will unlock the great prison-house of death and set its captives free at the appointed time. This is in conformity with chapter 20:13-14 which tells us that hell will give up its dead; and thereafter be destroyed. The symbol used to describe the destruction of hell is that of a lake of fire. The Revelator tells us that it is the second death. It is a known fact, fire is one of the most destructive elements known in science, and our Lord Jesus employs it in his word to picture or depict destruction. Another Greek word in the New Testament translated “hell” and with which the word fire is sometimes associated with, is “Gehenna”. This is the word Jesus uses in Mathew 10:28 – “… fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna (hell)”. Here, Jesus presents it as a place, or condition of destruction, not of torment. All that which the Lord consigns to Gehenna is destroyed not preserved or tortured. And this is fully in line with the significance of the word, as it was understood by the Jews of Jesus’ days. At this point, let’s literally examine the word “Gehenna”. This was the name of a deep ravine just outside of the ancient city of Jerusalem, which was used as a place for the disposal of the garbage and offal of the city. In the Hebrew language, it was known as the “valley of Hinnom”. Here, fires were kept constantly burning in order to assure the destruction of everything that was cast into it. Gehenna, therefore, was not only a place of destruction but that which was destroyed therein was worthless. During Jesus’ day, the people were well acquainted with the purpose for which Gehenna was used, and when Jesus employed it, as a symbol of utter destruction of those unworthy of life everlasting, they would be quick to understand the force of the illustration. Or simply put it, Jesus used it to portray destruction. Nobody was ever tormented in Gehenna as it was used exclusively for destruction purposes. So, the concept of torture and sinners being held bound in hell fire is in contrast with the Scriptures. Jesus confirmed the universal teaching of the Bible, that “the wages of sin is death” (Rms.6:23), not torment. The death refers to here stands for the initial or first death and also the final or second death as in Rev. 20:14. Thus, while both Hades and Gehenna represent the dead condition, Jesus seems to have used the Gehenna symbolism more particularly with respect to those who will prove to be incorrigible, hence unworthy of everlasting life; while the Bible indicates that those who are in Hades are to be awakened from death, either as members of the Church class who will come forth in the “first resurrection”, or else as those who come forth to participate in the trial, or judgment, of the Millennial age. Jesus, in Matthew 18:8&9 presents a lesson identical in meaning with the one he gave in his Sermon on the Mount. He speaks of “Gehenna fire” and refers to the same thing as “everlasting fire”. Since fire is a symbol of destruction, with its destructive qualities or tendencies, the expression “everlasting fire” would simply denote everlasting destruction, nothing else. Again, no torment is even suggested. See Matt.5:22, 29, 30; 23:33; Mk.9:43&47; Lk.12:5; Jms.3:6 etc. Now that most important texts in the Bible in which the words SHEOL, HADES and GEHENNA have been examined, you can agree that not even is there any justification for supposing that these Hebrew and Greek words, which are sometimes translated hell, are descriptive of a torture-chamber into which God proposes to consign all unbelievers at death. It is then necessary for all to dismiss from their minds this blasphemy against the good name of our loving and caring God, and then endeavour to learn more concerning His loving plan to bless all nations during the thousand years of Christ’s Kingdom on earth. Nevertheless, Christians need not be confused by the various translators’ syntaxes, but to be guided by the knowledge that the Bible is written in precept upon precept, a little here, a little there (Is. 28:10) and no conclusion is drawn except by a complete examination on a topical issue. As earlier stated, most words of the Bible are contextual in nature. Any attempt to attach literal interpretation results in great confusion and mislead. Severally, the words hell, fire, torment, brimstone etc are used but often not literally. For instance, David says, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters…” (Ps.23:1-2). Jesus is called the Lamb, the Shepherd, the Sheep etc.; while Jehovah is a consuming fire; the tongue is a fire, and so on. It is unfortunate that in spite of all these, majority of Christians are not confused except on the word “Hell” or “Hell fire”. Imagine the Creator’s posture as the masses, which have trod this earth without Jesus, being the only name that saves, are devastated by fire, yet never to die! There is destruction in hell fire as contained in Prov.15:1 – “Hell and destruction are before the Lord”. Apostle Peter affirms that anything on fire will be dissolved and melted due to fervent heat (2Pet. 3:11&12). Another metaphor comes up in Mark 9:43&44 thus: “…rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched – where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched”. Here, it appears as if fire has a kind of worm that does not die but stays in the fire and the fire that shall never be quenched. Literally, fire does not have worm and even worm cannot stay alive in fire. What it means is the tendency or ability of the fire to destroy or consume and as God’s creature is everlasting. This has nothing to do with what things are put therein, but the fire itself. Guess what happens to those inhabitants of the new earth if fire is out of existence; even to us in the present generation. Scripturally, man was made to live on earth forever as a human being but he forfeited this privilege by transgressing God’s law. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost, and in order to make restoration of the race possible, he died as man’s redeemer. This becomes a means or an opportunity to escape from eternal death. Believers in this present age receive life through faith; while temporary will fall asleep in death and be raised to glory, honour and immortality in the “First Resurrection” to live and reign with Christ a thousand years (Rev.20:6). During this Christ’s reign, all mankind will be given the opportunity to accept God’s loving provision of life through Christ, and those who accept and obey the laws of the Kingdom then in force, will be restored to perfection of human life. Instead of sickness and death, there shall be health and abundant life; for the promise is that “God will swallow up death in victory” and wipe away tears from off all faces…” (Is. 25:8-9). Finally Brethren, let us rejoice that our God, the God of the Bible, the Creator of Heavens and earth, is a God of love. Therefore, let the length and breadth and height and depth of His love inspire us with a greater desire than ever to serve Him, and to make known to all the glories of His character. Note, there shall not be everlasting life in hell as this would contrast the Scriptures on the release of all captives by all kinds of Hell. TO GOD IS THE GLORY.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 10:19:11 +0000