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ACCORDING TO THE OT WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU DIE?
GRAVE
QEBER – 46X grave; 16x tomb; 7x burial. Gen.23:6; 35:20; 2Sa.4:12;
Your physical body returns to the dust, cremated or buried, no matter, Ecc.3:20; 12:7;
SHEOL
Sheol - 66x – the underworld to which the souls of the dead descend – Gen.44:31; Num.16:30f; Ezek.31:17;
To the Jews, a place of captivity, Gates of Sheol Isa.38:10; Mt.16:18;
The Jews knew nothing of reward or punishment in Sheol, just when all men die that is where they go. Mt.12:40; KJV mistakenly calls SHEOL the grave.
‘Gathered to his people’ – Gen.25:8,17; 35:29; 49:33; Num.20:24,26; Dt.32:50;
HADES
Hades – 10x - abode of the departed spirits Jesus calls Sheol, Hades and describes it in Lk.16:19-31;
Two parts separated by an impassable chasm.
Eternal Reward side - Abraham’s bosom Lk.16:22; also called Paradise – Lk.23:43;
Eternal Punishment side – torment (mental anguish-guilt of unforgiven sins) Abaddon.
ABADDON
Means destruction – 7X - a place of destruction or ruin.
Abaddon and Sheol Job.26:6; 28:22; Pr.15:11; 27:20; As a name Rev.9:11; destroyer.
This points to 2 parts of Sheol, one being destruction, the other would-be reward.
Possibly the proper name for the torment side of Hades/Sheol.
ABYSS
ABUSSOS – bottomless, – 7x abyss – 2x bottomless pit.
Satan’s angels cast into abyss when Jesus ascended Rev.12:9; 2Pe.2:2-4; Jd.6
Rev.20:1-3; Satan was cast into the abyss after Roman persecution, 313 AD
Where he remains until the 1,000 yrs. are over, just before the judgement day.
Rev.20:7; 1,000 yrs. is symbolic of a period of time that only God knows.
James wrote in 45 AD, Peter in 65 AD Satan was running around and not thrown into the abyss until 313 AD, no contradiction, time line important.
TARTARUS
TARTAROO – location just below Hades, the abode of the Titans.
Was the special place for the titans – Greek gods. A location just below Hades.
Probably proper name for the bottomless pit where Satan and his angels were thrown awaiting the judgment day.
Tartarus root word – to twist, to stir, disturb.
HELL
GEHENNA - is the valley of Ben Hinnom – Ben = son; Hinnom = lamentation or valley of Hinnom. GE HINNOM or valley of lamentation. 12X used by Jesus. Ja.3:6;
Located south of Jerusalem where Kidron valley ends this one begins. Jos.15:8; 18:16;
Valley where they burned children to Molech – 2Kin.23:10; Jer.7:31,32; 19:6,
The final place of punishment for the ungodly.
Thought to have been a garbage dump, not true, no evidence ever found to verify this.
A rabbi in the 10th century AD came up with the garbage dump theory, only proven false
SHEOL - OLD TESTAMENT TEACHES
8,000 BC -
29 AD
EARTH
RIGHTEOUS &
WICKED
The OT teaches Sheol is where the spirits of the dead all go. Whether righteous or unrighteous, everyone dies and goes there.
Gen.15:15; As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age.
Gen.37;35; And he said, “Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.”
So his father wept for him. (Jacob for the loss of Joseph) Gen.44:29,31;
Num.16:30; But if the Lord brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will understand … (Korah family and friends)
Pr.27:20; Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied…
Isa.14:9; “Sheol from beneath is excited over you to meet you when you come; It arouses for you the spirits of the dead, all the leaders of the earth; It raises all the kings of the nations from their thrones.
Isa.38:10; I said, “In the middle of my life I am to enter the gates of Sheol; I am to be deprived of the rest of my years.”
Jonah 2:2; and he said, “I called out of my distress to the Lord, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.
HADES - JESUS TEACHES
LK. 16:19f
29 AD
EARTH
ABRAHAM'S BOSOM
LAZARUS - RIGHTEOUS
CHASM
TORMENT
RICH MAN - WICKED
Jesus opens a window for us to see into the world of the dead, Sheol/Hades.
What can we reason from this lesson Jesus gives us?
Isa.1:18; Ac.17:2,17; 18:4,19; 19:8,9; reason together
1. Souls are Aware - the conversation between Abraham and rich man, he was worried about his brothers, still alive, coming to this place.
2. Immediate Judgement at death, both were assigned to eternal destinies, they could not cross over. Heb.9:27 after death comes judgement.
3. Souls Discuss the Scriptures in Hades – Abraham knew about Moses writings and the writings of the prophets.
Lk.9:28f; The mt. of transfiguration – Jesus prepares those in Hades for His arrival by speaking to Moses and Elijah about His exodus Vs.31; Mt.14:1f John was killed and was in Hades preaching about the Messiah. Jn.11:39 Lazarus was 4 days in Hades before Jesus raised him from the dead.
Heb.11:39; And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, everyone is still waiting for their reward.
JESUS DESCENDS INTO HADES
30 AD
APRIL 7TH
EARTH
ABRAHAM'S BOSOM
JESUS & ROBBER INTO PARADISE
CHASM
ABADDON - TORMENT
JUDAS
Mt.12:40; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
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Lk.23:43; And He said, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Jn.5:28; Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, (Lk.16:19f rich man heard Moses answer)
Ps.22:22; I will tell of Your name (Jesus) to my brethren (Jews in Hades); In the midst of the assembly (Hades) I will praise You.
Ezek.36:22; “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. Ps.23:3; 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; Isa.48:9,11; 66:5; Ezek.20:9,14,22,44;
1Pe.1:10-12; As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know…(The OT prophets did not understand their own writings.)
Lk.24:45; Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
Mt.16:15-16,18; “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”…. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church (assembly); and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Jesus had to teach the OT righteous, they needed to confess that He was the Son of God, to make the good confession, upon which the church (assembly) is built.
JESUS' RESURRECTION
30 AD
APRIL 9TH
EARTH
ABRAHAM'S BOSOM / PARADISE
SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS
CHASM
ABADDON - TORMENT
SOULS OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS
Jn.20:17; Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”
Jn.20:19-20; So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Mt.27:52-53; The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. (These heard all Jesus had to say and witnessed His leaving Hades as everyone else.)
Ac.1:3; To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Ac.2:31-32; David looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
1Cor.15:3f
JESUS' ASCENSION
30 AD
MAY 19TH
EARTH
ABADDON - TORMENT
SOULS OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS
Jn.3:13; No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
Heb.9:11; not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Heb.10:4,14; For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
Eph.4:8; Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, (Ac.1:9f) He led captive a host of captives, (resurrection of all in paradise 2Cor.12:4;) And He gave gifts to men.” (He sent the HS on Pentecost)
Jn.14:3; If I go and prepare a place for you,(cross) I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. (Rev.3:5)
Heb.12:22f But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God…
Ro.6:5; For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
Our resurrection is from the waters of baptism, we have eternal life now, 1Jn.5:13; He has raised us up an seated us with Him - Eph.2:6; Col.1:13; 3:1f; Lk.16:19f shows instant judgement upon death, faithful or unfaithful, heaven or hades. Our judgement is on earth 1Pe.4:17; judgement begins with the church. The wicked will judged on judgement day.
JESUS DWELLING IN HEAVEN
30 AD -
313 AD
EARTH
ABYSS - TARTARUS
FALLEN ANGELS
HADES - ABADDON
SOULS OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS
Rev.12:9; And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
2Pe.2:4; For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; (Not hell which is Ghenna but Tartarus a pit below hades see terminology.)
Jn.5:29; and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, (The righteous go directly to heaven at death, Jesus confesses your name) those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. (the wicked come to life on judgement day, sentenced or judged)
Rev.20:5; The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. Rev.20:10f
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Souls of the righteous made perfect – OT now covered by the blood of Christ Heb.11:40 apart from us they would not be made perfect, waiting for the blood
John reveals the martyrs in heaven - Rev.4:4; 6:9-11; 7:14-17; 1Th.3:13;
The faithful now enter heaven Mt.25:14-30, 21,23; enter into the joy of your Master
Jn.14:3; I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am you may be also.
Rev.3:5; he who overcomes, I will confess his name before My Father in heaven
Lk.16:9; make friends … they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.
Php.1:23; Paul desires to depart and be with Christ, who is in heaven.
Rev.20:6; Blessed and holy is one who has a part in the first resurrection
Ie. your baptism and faithful life bring you to hear, Well done good….
Jn.5:29 resurrection of life
The wicked go to Hades until judgement day Rev.20:13;
We worship by spiritually entering into heaven, Heb.12:22f; 4:16; 10:19-22; 2Cor.12:1-4;
Where did Enoch, Melchizedek, Elijah, go? They all went to Sheol/Hades –
Jn.3:13; No one has ascended into heaven accept the Son of Man who descended…
Dan.12:13; But as for you, go your way to the end – death
Then you will enter into rest – Abraham’s bosom in Hades.
And rise again for your allotted portion – Jesus taking them to heaven 30 AD Eph.4:8
at the end of the age – the end of the Mosaic system.
1Pe.3:18-21; This happened when Noah was building the ark.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;
Ro.8:9; …you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Lk.16:26; people in Abraham’s bosom could not cross to torment nor visa versa. To say Jesus taught those in torment to be saved by Him is a contradiction.
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
Jesus via the HS went and preached to those who refused to listen to Noah
2Pe.2:5; but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; Why was Noah preaching? If Jesus went to the souls in torment and offered them forgiveness, who wouldn’t
accept the offer? This false belief is called the harrowing of hell, taught by the Anglican church.
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water
THE HARROWING OF HELL this happened in 30 AD
Many versions, but basic teaching is, Jesus died and went to Hell and saved those in prison there. The problem is the use of hell and not understanding Hades of which we have previously outlined above. Jesus went to Abraham’s bosom to the righteous souls of the OT and revealed to them who He was, the Messiah. Those across the way in torment could hear what He said but had no opportunity to respond since your fate is determined at death. Then Jesus took Abraham’s at the time of His ascension, as has been explained earlier.
HELL - GEHENNA
Why does a loving God create a place of torment and torture that lasts for eternity?
Maybe the question is, what is hell really like, is it really a lake of fire or is that symbolic?
Mt.25:41 - ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;’
Jesus uses GEHENNA to describe hell, 7X Mt. 3X Mk. 1X Lk. 1x Jam.3:6;
GEHENNA is the valley of Ben Hinnom – Ben = son; Hinnom = lamentation or valley of Hinnom. GE HINNOM or valley of lamentation. Located south of Jerusalem where Kidron valley ends this one begins. Jos.15:8; 18:16; Thought to have been a garbage dump, not true, no evidence ever found to verify this. A rabbi in the 10th century AD came up with the garbage dump theory, only proven false.
TOPHETH – means the place of burning, not garbage but their children, a sin which has no forgiveness whose cries would never leave their ears, their sin eternally before them, self inflicted, torment.
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2Kin.23:10; (Josiah) defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech.
2Chr.28:3; (Ahaz) burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and burned his sons in fire, according to the abominations of the nations
2Chr.33:6; Manasseh - made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom;
Jer.7:31-32; “Therefore, behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when it will no longer be called Topheth, or the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of Slaughter
Jer.19:2; Then go out to the valley of Ben-hinnom, which is by the entrance of the potsherd gate,
25 references found in OT concerning child sacrifice, Dt.18:10; Lev.18:21; 20:2-5; etc.
WORD OF GOD IS FIRE
Zec.13:9; And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people, And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Mal.3:1; And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; [and the messenger of the covenant, in whom
you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who
can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3
He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver,
so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
Mt.3:11; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mk.9:49; For everyone will be salted with fire.
Lk.12:49; I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!
1C.3:13; each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and
the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.
1Cor.3:15; If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Heb.12:29; for our God is a consuming fire.
Jn.1:1; In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jn.16:8 ; And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;
1Th.5:19; Do not quench the Spirit;
Jude 1:7; are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.
Mt.24:35; Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
WORD OF GOD IS WATER
Jn.4:14; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will
become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
Ps.1:3; He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not
wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Ezek.47:1-14;
Rev. 22:1; Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
When God’s word convicts us, it is a fire, which convicts us of our sins but when we turn to God for forgiveness the Word then becomes as water, putting out the fire, bringing relief.
GEHENNA is the eternal destiny of the wicked, a lake of fire, to be immersed into God’s Word eternally, to live with the torment of your sins and guilt in your heart forever because there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins Heb.10:26;
Levels of torment in hell, equal the level of sin one has achieved, never being forgiven.
Lk.12:41-48; an eternal torment.
How does a spiritual being suffer physical thirst and ask for physical water for relief.
Lk.16:24;
Many movies out there that describe hell, I like Groundhog Day. It is a futile life that has no faith, no hope and no love, just the eternal knowledge of one’s sins.
Hell is self inflicted, self designed, to live forever with the guilt of sin, the desire to sin, but no opportunity to sin. There is no gender in heaven or in hell, Mt.22:29-30; There are no drugs for the druggy, no games for the gamers, no kids for the pedophiles, there is only a longing for what one cannot have and the forever memory of the sick sinful behaviors one put others through. I believe the books opened in Rev.20:12; are opened to remind individuals of all their sinful behaviors which they refused to repent of and ask God for forgiveness through the blood of His son.