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The Location of HELL
Summary of Inductive Study on Hell
Is hell in the depths of the earth or is it some “spiritual” realm in the heavens someplace? Whether or not you “believe” in hell, we’re going to look at some of the clues in the Bible to see if we can shed some light on this hellish mystery.
In a couple of my previous hubs, HELL: Sheowl, Hades, Tartaroo, Geenna and How to do an Inductive Bible Study we saw that “hell” has three different meanings. Sheowl (also spelled Sheol) and Hades are the same hell (Hebrew word/Greek word). Hades appears to be where human souls that have not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior dwell after physical death, awaiting the final hell, which is the Lake of Fire (Geenna). Likewise, we saw that Tartaroo is the “deepest abyss of Hades” where the angels who sinned in the days of Noah are incarcerated, also awaiting the final hell, which is the Lake of Fire (Geenna).
Why do some think that Hades/Tartaroo is in the depths of the earth? Well, first we must look at Ephesians 4:9-10: “(Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)” Was Jesus buried in the “lower parts of the earth”? No. He was buried in a tomb that sits on the face of the earth.
To study this further, let’s read 1 Peter 3:18-20: “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; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 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.”
Again, verify more by reading 2 Peter 2:4: “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell (Tartaroo) and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;”
Considering all this, we can reasonably conclude that Sheol/Hades/Tartaroo is in the depths of the earth. But, what about the final hell (Geenna), the Lake of Fire?
About Geenna: The Lake of Fire
In reading all passages regarding Geenna, the Lake of Fire, the description includes “fire and brimstone”. In doing a study about brimstone, it is actually the Greek word theion (thi'-on); prob. neut. of theios (thi'-os) [in its or. sense of flashing]; sulphur:-brimstone. Brimstone is inflammable sulphur. Sulphur is not present in space; only in earth. Have you ever been to a hot springs? You will smell an odor produced by Hydrogen Sulphide. In fact, the one place you will find fire and brimstone together is an erupting volcano! Truly, the molten lava appears as a “lake of fire”, does it not? Prior to a volcanic eruption, this fiery liquid is known as “magma”, basically melted rock. How hot does rock have to get before it melts? Lava can reach up to 1,250° Celsius, which is 2,000° Fahrenheit, and it has to be hotter than that to be called magma.
In the book, All the Miracles of the Bible, Herbert Lockyer explains that brimstone is a once common English name for sulphur, signifying “burning stone” and refers to the inflammable character of the element. In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, you might be surprised to know earthquake and volcanic activity was present.
“Under Mount Usdom (Sodom) there is a stratum of salt 150 feet thick. Above this is a stratum of marl mingled with free sulphur. It is a burned out region of oil and asphalt. A great rupture in the strata occurred. At the proper time, God kindled the gases. A great explosion took place. The salt and the sulphur were thrown into the heavens red hot, so it did literally rain fire and brimstone from heaven.”
Considering the stratum of salt, does it now make sense that Lot’s wife “turned into a pillar of salt” in Genesis 19:26?
Back to the Lake of Fire, I decided to also look up the word “fire” used in the Bible. It is the Greek word pur (poor); a prim. Word; “fire” (lit. or fig., spec. lightning):-fiery, fire. Lightning? Well, I then did more research on volcanoes and lightning. An article I read states that when volcanic gasses and materials are thrust high into the air, lightning can be triggered inside the ash clouds. Such electrical activity frequently accompanies large eruptions, and have done so at least 150 times in the past two centuries.
Considering the smoke and ash clouds, combined with volcanic lightning, it brings me to this passage found in Revelation 14:10-11: "...he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."
Salvation is Yours Today!
The Bible states in Philippians 2:9-11 “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
While some interpret this to mean “all are or will be saved”, God would not have mentioned hell in the Bible, nor would the Bible warn us about hell, if this were the case. The demons confessed who Jesus Christ was, and yet shudder (Mat 8:29; James 2:19). Truly, all things in heaven and on earth and under the earth are subject to God’s authority. He is both righteous and just; He grants eternal life as well as condemnation and judgment. God is perfect and we are not. There is only one way to be made perfect in God’s sight and it is through accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, who shed His own blood on the cross for you.
Revelation 1:18 states about Jesus, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forever more, Amen; And have the keys of hell [Hades] and of death.”
If you have not yet given your heart to Jesus Christ, I invite you to read my hub Come to JESUS: Salvation. John 3:36 states, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." God loves you that much to have made THE WAY to save you. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Will you accept Him today?
- Did Jesus Preach In Hell?
I dont know about you, but Ive heard and read the teaching that people of the Old Testament weren't officially saved until Jesus Christ died on the cross. In fact, their souls are said to have waited someplace (some call Paradise in the earth), ...
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If you say so.
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SoM, there was no sin in man when he was created. God created the Tempter, the Adversary, for His purpose. Just as those who prepare food expect the containers in which they come to be discarded or burned.
Adam and Eve allowed the seed of the serpent IN, to be planted in mankind, for which all have sinned and are already judged. For this reason, Jesus came to save that which was already lost. By faith, we are adopted and receive the Seed of God, whereby we are the children of God once again. Jesus will judge (sentence) those who are yet condemned (children of wrath) at the end of the age.
Consider Mat 18:7 "Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!" If man is held accountable for enticing another to sin, how much more Satan! Get it right, SoM, get it right.
Oh, yes God did create evil, and there is nothing more wicked than the heart of man (not satan btw).
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SoM, You said, "To suppose that God would bring beings into existence for both His purpose and pleasure who He knew in advance without mercy would be infinite losers by that existence, is to charge him a hypocrite with the utmost malignity." I just wrote on this subject, as a matter of fact, in my hub entitled "God Created Satan - Did God Create Evil?" Be my guest.
@JsD, I all most fell out of my chair from laughing when you said that THWLE's wisdom and understanding is carnal.
If you combine a carnal view to scripture with fear, blind ego, self-righteous pride, a hidden desire for vengeance and spark the religious engine with a pharisitical spirit. You get a determined believer of hell. To suppose that God would bring beings into existence for both His purpose and pleasure who He knew in advance without mercy would be infinite losers by that existence, is to charge him a hypocrite with the utmost malignity.
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Your ‘wisdom’/’understanding’ is carnal, THWLE. Romans 10:4 states, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” What about those who don’t believe? They are yet to be judged according to their deeds (Rev 20:13). Even the demons know they have an appointed time for torment (Mat 8:29). The Jews who wish to live by the Law even to this day will be judged by that Law, not by the grace of God through faith (believing) in Christ.
God’s judgments have been on the earth since the beginning of time and Jesus said in John 3:17-18, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been JUDGED ALREADY [predestined for wrath], because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (Read Eph 2:3; Rom 5:9; 1 Thes 5:9).
Acts 17:31 declares, “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." You will see that final judgment (sentencing) AFTER the second resurrection – AFTER the millennial reign (Rev 20:5). If you want to claim the millennial reign has already taken place, then explain why there are antichrists and false prophets (like Universalist Preterists) running rampant, when they’re supposed to be in the Lake of Fire (Rev 19:19-20), and why Satan isn’t bound in the bottomless pit (Rev 20:1-2), but children of God are told to put on the full armor of God (Eph 6)? Why were Jews and Christians martyred in the Inquisition; why the holocaust? Why is Galatians 4:29 still a very real reality? “But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh [Ishmael – Islam/Bel worshipers] persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit [Isaac/Jews], so it is NOW also.”
I won’t continue this discussion with you, but since it has to do with hell [Sheol/Hades and Gehenna] and the judgment to come, I will leave this debate posted.
On the contrary, this has EVERYTHING to do with "Hell" and it's location.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (the words of Jesus)
So, in other words the timeline is this:
Heaven and Earth will pass away, ALL will be fulfilled, and then a jot and tittle (and the rest by implication) will pass away.
Again, not one thing will pass from the law until heaven and earth pass away and everything is fulfilled.
So, if ANYTHING has changed about the law, then heaven and earth (the old order of things as found in Revelation) has passed away and ALL has been fulfilled (at the cross and resurrection of Christ).
So how does this explain the location of hell?
Hell is located... only in the imagination of those who subscribe to it. It is not in the bible, not under the earth, not in another dimension... nowhere.
How would you interpret these words of Jesus?
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THWLE, This hub is about the location of hell, not the Torah and the Covenant. I will, therefore, answer your question about pork, which should answer all your other questions, if you have wisdom:
I just had pork for dinner last night. In Mark 7:18-20 Jesus said, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?' (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, 'That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.”
If you would like my hub links to five I have written on the subject of the Law and grace, I will provide them to you. However, this topic will not be discussed here, as it doesn't have anything to do with the hub.
Let's just start with something short and simple...
Are we under the law or grace?
Has the law been abolished?
Has any part of the law changed?
Is it OK to eat pork now?
and yes... this is a setup. Do you know where I am going with it?
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THWLE, I will not post your 1,329-word comment - you Universalists are full of words that simply FALL to the depths of the earth. I will NOT waste my time with you guys. I spent two years refuting your reprobate doctrine and have learned this is deeply ingrained in you (because you love it more than God). Your hearts are made of stone, your ears are deaf and your eyes are blind. You cannot make one who hears deaf; you cannot make one who sees blind, for it is the 'god of this world that blinds the minds of the UNbelieving' (2 Cor 4:4). God, on the other hand keeps those who love darkness blind and their darkness only gets greater (Mat 13:11-13). It doesn't matter if I tell you the Truth, for you are as deaf and blind as the Jews who yet did not believe, though Jesus spoke to them, died for them and was raised from the dead (Luke 16:31). Let's conclude with 2 Thes 2:11-12 "For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be condemned who did not believe the Truth, but took pleasure in wickedness."
If you guys were genuinely seeking and open to the Truth, I would labor for you and with you. I will not simply be 'worn down' (Dan 7:25) by laboring when all you are seeking is to deafen ears that hear and blind eyes that see. Not going to happen.
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SoM, while this is really not a question, but rather a ‘set-up’ (Jesus even knew when He was being set up with a ‘question’ – Mat 22:18), I will answer you.
First of all, as a foundation, you would benefit by reading my latest two-hub series called “The FORM of GOD – Old Testament” and “The FORM of GOD – New Testament”. If you only have time for one, please read the New Testament hub.
Jesus, who appeared in many ways to mankind in the Old Testament, appeared in the flesh of the Son for our salvation and redemption by fulfilling the Law and nailing it the cross. When it came time to leave His followers, He assured them He would not leave them ‘comfortless’ and ‘Fatherless’ (orphans).
In John 16:7 He said to His disciples, “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
So, here we see that He will not leave us ‘Fatherless’ and said, ‘I will come to you’ as the ‘Counselor’. What does Isa 9:6 tell us about the Son? “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
While some think Jesus is currently standing at the ‘right hand of the Father’, interceding for us. They don’t understand that ‘right hand’ means POWER, which the Holy Spirit (God) IS All Powerful. Jesus said to His disciples in Acts 1:8, “but you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses [martyres] both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Is the Spirit of God the Spirit of Christ? Absolutely (Rom 8:9).
As far as intercession goes, Jesus plainly said to them in John 16:26 “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf.” That’s simply a mistaken understanding; rather, He intercedes for us straight from within the ‘temple’ (body) of believers. Rom 8:26 tells us, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
1 Cor 6:19 “What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?”
So yes, His Spirit came to baptize (to live in) and comfort/counsel/teach believers (and all who would believe since) on the Day of Pentecost. This is not His Acts 1:11 return to 1) catch up the Church, the time when every eye will see Him (Rev 1:7; 2 Cor 12:2; 1 Thes 4:17). Did the Jews mourne on the Day of Pentecost? NO. Saul (Paul) was present at the stoning of Stephen and still out persecuting Christians until his conversion in Acts 9. This is also not His post-rapture return to fight the battle of Har-Mageddon (Rev 19:11-21) – all of this happens before the first bodily resurrection of the saints and the subsequent millennial reign (Rev 20:5-6). After post-millennial battle of Gog and Magog, He is the JUDGE of Satan and those raised in the second, bodily resurrection (Rev 20:7-15).
One question before I go. You believe that Christ will come back as he left in a literal sense while I believe he came back as he left in a spiritual sense. So when he went up into the sky, what happened after he was hidden by a cloud? Did he continue to go out into outer space? Did a UFO (not that I believe in UFOs) pick him up? What?
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It is FINISHED, SoM. You know where to find me.
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Well, SoM, it's good you came by to read the Word. You know, a true prophet does not misquote God's Holy Word. Can you show me the passage of scripture that states, "To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom"? NO.
How about we quote it correctly? Ps 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever."
Now, in regard to 'hell' and 'fear', let's look at what Jesus said in Mat 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [gehenna - the Lake of Fire]."
The word for 'fear' here is 'phobeo' - hmmm. What English word might capture this? Phobia, perhaps? The definition is 'to put to flight, to terrify, frighten'.
A cross-reference to this verse is Heb 10:31 "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The Greek word here is 'phoberos' - fearful, dreadful, terrible.
What about the passage that states, "God has not given us a spirit of fear'? (2 Tim 1:7) This is the Greek word 'deilia', meaning 'cowardness, timidity'. Those in Christ stand up to the 'world' without cowardness, timidity, even in the face of death. Why? Because they FEAR GOD. They will NOT take the mark of the beast and the majority of the world will.
God is not into child sacrifice, that's why people need to 'understand' that God shed His OWN blood for us (Acts 20:28). Those who are condemned to the Lake of Fire are not for a sacrifice, so I hope you understand that. Man cannot pay for his own sin. This is an eternal sentencing, not a temporal punishment. God only disciplines those He calls 'sons' (Heb 12:8), those who are born of the Spirit. He judges/condemns those who are not His sons.
If you think all mankind are sons of God, check out passages such as John 8:44; Mat 13:38; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10.
The Lake of Fire is 'the second death'. For those who are saved by faith, the second death has no power over them (Rev 20:6). Those who reject so great a salvation (Heb 2:3) will be consumed in a 'phoberos' way.
What a load of literal nonsense. The use of the words Hades and tarturus are meant for two different purposes in scripture because of its use in ancient Greek mythology. One, Hades was the realm of the dead, and only the dead went there according to ancient Greek mythology. The topic of it was so feared, Greeks avoided talking about it, as they believed that they would eventually go there. It wasn't until the apostle Paul arrived to tell them the good news that Christianity started to flourish in Greece because hope was given to them. Two, tarturus in ancient Greek mythology was a mountain where the pagan god zeus sent rebellious gods such as cronos and the titans. It had nothing to do with the dead. It was a prison and it symbolic use by Peter fits perfect for the angles who rebelled against God in Gen 6. Hell is real, but only to those who are blind enough to believe in it. The lake of Fire (LoF) is real, and there is only on spiritual fire and that is God (Heb 12:29. The only thing this blog does, is motivate Christians to worship God out of fear of going to hell. Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. The Holy Book of the living God suffers more from its exponents today than from its opponents.
- Author
THWLE, Jesus first came as the ‘suffering Servant’ to save that which was lost (G622 apololos – fully destroy, cutting off entirely) – Mat 18:11, for the world is condemned already (John 3:18) “He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” He loved His enemies enough to die for them, in order that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). This ‘perish’ means ‘the second death”, which is the eternal Lake of Fire. Is Jesus’ innocent death on the cross not enough love for you to receive Him now? “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2).
The second time Jesus comes is to Judge. Under the New Covenant in His blood, we are under grace; we love our enemies, as He did and does. Jesus said in John 15:20-21, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.” Acts 10:42 “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.”
Does judgment wait for Christ’s second coming? The final judgment, yes (Mat 8:29). However, the Word says “It is appointed unto man once to die and after this comes judgment.” (Heb 9:27) There is no sleeping in the grave until the resurrection (John 11:11-14, 26). Your soul will first be judged (Ecc 12:7; Acts 7:59), and then you will rise bodily in one of the two resurrections (Dan 12:13): the first is of the believers in Christ (1 Thes 4:16; Rev 20:5-6), the second of the damned (Rev 20:10-15). If you don’t believe this, think about how it is Jesus raised Himself from the dead (John 2:19-21).
You have a choice, just as Adam and Eve. Jesus, as the last Adam, gives you life, not death (1 Cor 15:45). “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Rom 6:16).
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.” (Deut 30:19)
“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's hand.” (Ez 33:6)
Would God make us do something that He himself will not do?
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
So we are to do good to our enemies, but God burns his? Be perfect like God is perfect? Based on this passage, from the mouth of Jesus, does God burn people forever? If you only love people who love you back then that does not make you special... but God's love is different in that He loves and does good to everyone... is that not what Jesus is saying here?
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Glad you found this hub interesting, sister Kristeen! Yep, I just dug in and this is what I discovered ~ indeed, we may see this phenomena on that day and maybe we won't ~ I'm just looking forward, as you are, to seeing my Jesus' face and dwelling in His perfect and everlasting love. I'll see you there!! God bless you!!
Great hub Judah's daughter. Although God doesn't tell us for sure about these things, it does seem to make sense. I guess we will find out for sure on judgment day - a day of rejoicing for all who believe! Blessings to you.
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I am smiling, sister Nayothara! This all came from enlightenment in the Lord, and what I have learned I have shared! So He gets all the glory!! I'm blessed that you are also englightened. Writing is my passion, and to write for Him makes it a perfect passion. Thank you so much, and I will keep on writing as He leads. God bless you abundantly as you go and in everything you do.
OH I have learned so much from you... Thank you for writing for us... And you are so blessed with writing for everyone...
Enjoyed reading your Hub sister...
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Hi ladyt11! What a blessing you are to me today! Thank you! I look forward to coming over and reading your hubs as well! Blessings in abundance to you, too sista!!
Judah's daughter you are truly an inspiration. 2nd timothy 2:15 says "study to show or (present) yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" I can see you in this scripture! It is easy to see that you are a student of the word of God and that you have a strong relationship with him that you absolutely cherish! All I can say to you sista is WRITE ON!!! (SN:I am now a follower!)
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Wow, Harlan, I didn't know that about cult dictionaries. Am I surprised? lol One of the arguments that comes at me goes something like this: "Jesus only suffered four hours on the cross. He didn't go to hell for all eternity, so if He paid for our sins, and this only meant four hours of suffering, it wouldn't make sense He would send mankind to hell for all eternity."
What they need to realize is hell is not a payment for sins; it's a SENTENCE that has no end. There is no payment available to get out of hell, once there ~ not even by Jesus Christ. He's paid for everyone's sins in order to save us; if that payment is rejected before physical death it is of no value.
God bless you!!
I like your answer/angle too, I will put that among my responses, there are several ways to say it, and some are more appropraite for various ears, depends on who you are witnessing to - if you can get a feel for that particular person. I don't generally don't use the word Hades myself. I know a lot of people use it and I know what they mean generally, but a lot of people in the occult believe Hades is a place where you simply go party for all eternity, even some occult dictionary's define it that way. Some people even look forward to going to Hades. If you're witnessing to someone who believe's that and you say Hades, they may be confused and think you mean somewhere to go party forever. Hell, however, is predominately understood - tho not always - as somewhere they don't want to go. Again, I guess its who you are talking to, how well you know them and what there level of understanding is. I don't like to witness to someone in just a few minutes time, but sometimes that's all they give you too.
But, God says to put forth the word and it won't return void. I guess that is important to keep in mind too.
- Always a pleasure talking to you sis.
- In Christ
- Harlan
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Harlan, that's a pretty good answer, brother. I have explained it in a way that we are slaves to the one we obey; in a sense, the Devil as a master owns your soul and he knows he'll take you with him to his eternal home of anathema. Jesus paid the ransom to get you out from under Satan's rule (due to the fall of man), but if you reject Him you have no hope. If you receive Jesus, who paid this ransom for your soul, He'll take you with Him to His eternal home of life.
The "hell" in which the rich man dwells is Hades, whereby he could see Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. The final hell, which is described in this hub is the lake of fire, geenna. The Word says "they will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb", so I don't believe those in hell will see us or we them. For that I am very thankful. There will be no tears in heaven. Amen.
I agree JD, hell is a literal place where Lazarus and the rich man could look out and see each other, one in hell and one in Abraham's Bosom. I hear people say that God wouldn't send people to hell and I tell them, hell is not where you go for your sin, your sin was paid for, eternal hell is the equal and opposite measure of the grace you rejected in Jesus Christ. Reject Christ's salvation, then you can be your own savior and save yourself, problem is... you can't, but God will let you make that choice anyway. Sad.
I have been reading, its been a pleasure.
- Harlan
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Hallelujiah, Healed Poster! Salvation includes HEALING (Greek word sozo - John 10:9); praise God! We rejoice with you!!! All of heaven rejoices with us!!!
I have been healed and strengthened. Thank you Jesus for not giving up on me. If I did not have Jesus in my life I dont have a clue what I would do in these perilous times we live in. THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!
:0)
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Thank you for your wonderful words of life, Gene. Be blessed in His Name!! You are a blessing!
Hi JD, been real busy, just went through a cyclone, everything’s ok.
Poor Roy, it’s sad, but I understand and like you said, hopefully what we wrote will benefit those silent ones that are reading, this has been a good learning experience and warning for them because weirdness doesn’t come from just reading the Bible, it comes from outside, some one has to plant it in our minds, the parable of the wheat and the tares is a good illustration of this.
Post, dear one, you’re not alone, every child of God has been there or is there at some time in their walk with the Lord. May I say it is just a test of your faith, do you really believe God is with you when you are going through the ‘dark times’? During these times we claim God’s promises for us like, “Do not let your heart be troubled, I will never leave you or forsake,” or “My God will supply all of my (make it personal) needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” There are lots of promises we can claim, I found reading the Psalms to be very helpful and comforting in these times. What He is working out in this part of your salvation, or sanctification, or walk with Him is, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” May I suggest also you read the fourth chapter of Philippians and what Paul wrote about his ‘dark times.’ May I also humbly suggest that you go and ‘cry on Jesus’ shoulder’, that is why He has allowed this to ‘come to pass,’ (notice that it ‘comes’ and when its purpose has been accomplished it will ‘pass’) to draw you to Him and He is really the only one that has the answers.
May I suggest that you need to return to the last place you heard God talking to you, build an alter (that’s what Abraham did to remind himself that God had talked to him) and rest in whatever He said, what ever verse He revealed to you in your heart read it over and over, claiming the promise AND appropriating it into your life(that’s called building an alter), God always meets us where we are and you will find He will always be there to comfort you.
Please allow me to speak foolishly as Paul said, but it is for your benefit, I’m a missionary in a third world country, where I live is in the top 10 most expensive places to live in the world, He told me to come here without any financial support, that He would supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, I’ve been here almost twenty years and I live daily in faith that He will supply my needs and He has never once let me down, like David said, ‘I’ve never seen the righteous begging bread,’… my cup truly runneth over, Praise be to God from whom all mercy flows.
I tell you that dear one to show you that your God, our Father is faithful and he isn’t a respecter of persons, He doesn’t love me more that he loves you, He is and will work things out in your life, trust in Him, …the just live by faith.
You know JD, what we write, our personal experiences, are proof of our faith (I will show you my faith FROM my works) it easy to cut n’ paste and spout bile, but I haven’t seen one time, these people that dispute God’s Word, give a testimony of how God IS working in their lives from their walk in faith.
Time for work, may the Lord richly bless you, I’ll be praying for you Post (can you tells us your name?) you have lots of brothers and sisters in Christ that are praying for you too,
Gene
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Post, do you have a friend that knows the Lord you could call? It's okay to cry ~ Jesus wept, too. He weeps with you, and He will bring peace to your heart ~ feel His love. You are LOVED!!!
I need a shoulder to cry on
:o(
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Oh, Post ~ believe me, I know exactly where you're at! I haven't had a job in over a year. I've owned my home for six years and was never late on a payment. This month, I didn't make a payment. God knows I was willing to lose my home, as long as I didn't lose HIM! I've been sitting as you ~ doing what I can, waiting on the Lord, as He says to do. I've just had an interview and waiting to hear if I got this job. In all things, I just wait on the LORD and TRUST HIM! He has a plan for you, and sometimes He tells us to "be still and know that He is God" ~ and read Jeremiah 29:11. He is building your faith; you will have a testimony. Don't panic; don't turn away; just know that He is with you!!
1 Peter 5:9 comes to mind: "But resist him [Satan], firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."
Remember that God's kingdom is not of this world, and in fact, the more we hate our life in this world, the more we experience the salvation in Christ Jesus. He alone is our peace and HE GOES WITH US TROUGH EVERY VALLEY and DOES NOT FORSAKE US. Ps 23:4 "Even though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."
Jesus tells us in Mark 8:35 "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal."
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
I have a hub called, "Jesus, WAKE UP!" I highly recommend reading. It's about times we feel like the storms of life are about to kill us and Jesus is SLEEPING! Please read it and know that you are in my prayers, and I'm certain of those reading as well. You are not alone!
I am struggling with my Christian walk right now. I'm in a tight spot and I feel like I cannot move. I look into my future and it seems so uncertain. I hate my life right and I want a change and a sense of direction. I feel so alone right now. I know that Jesus is w/ me but sometimes I dont feel His presences. I am tired of waking up in every morning doing the same thing day in an day out. This world sucks and the job market sucks. I cant even find a good job because I lack experience or an advanced degree. This is a cry out for help cuz I am broke spiritually, mentally, and financially. I live w/ my parents and I am growing sick and tired of them. I dont want to end up like the Prodigal son but when you feel like there is no hope what do you do? I feel so down, hurt and worthless. Seriously I am about to reach my breaking point.
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Defeated, please see my response to you on "The Unholy Trinity" and know you are in my prayers and all believers who read! God is drawing you, brother, and He is faithful because you desire salvation ~ He is able and willing to save you! He died on the cross for you!! It is finished! Believe and receive Him in Jesus' Name! Amen!!
I need prayer.
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Gene, just start with hubpages.com and click on "sign up" or "join". I assumed you had already. Once you've done that, you just sign in and click on "start a new hub". Feel free to email me (my contact under my profile photo, top right) if you need any assistance. I'd be happy to help you get started! You have a lot of truth flowing through you and thousands can be reached here on HubPages!
Thanks JD, but I don't know how to join, I though I was, or if I would have the time.
Gene
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Gene, I surely hope you will join HubPages, brother. I've read many of your comments and you are right on with the Lord. I would be your first fan!!! (If I can get there in time)! Blessings!
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Hi shazz01109, you might be interested in two more hubs: "HELL: Sheowl, Hades, Tartaroo, Geenna" and "How To Do An Inductive Bible Study". If you're saved, you have no concern for hell (at least for yourself), but it does give us a sense of urgency to spread the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, whereby we are saved by His grace through faith in Him, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God! Hallelujiah! Be blessed.
Good research! I've been taught, and believe that hell is the absence of God.
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Chief Apathetic, AMEN, brother. Until that day, I like all of God's children, want to know I did the will of my Father ~ to share the truth in love and know His Word will not return to Him void. All of heaven rejoices when even one lost gets found. Praise God! Thank you for coming by and leaving such a truthful comment. Be blessed.
Yes, Old Mr. Lamb of God & Lion of Judah holds the keys of death & hell in his hands. Those are some mighty big keys. The God of Israel & of all Creation, not I, has already cast judgment on any who worship the Beast & the Image of the Beast, as well as anyone who takes the Mark of the Beast. The world of man's technology has now increased that a literal Mark of the Beast is now possible even on a global basis as God spoke about the increase in knowledge but not in any good light at all.
So if a literal Mark of the Beast comes then basically all conversations are a moot point at that time as things will be up to the individual to accept or reject the mark.
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Praise God, DiamondRN! This truth is evident in Revelation. There are two resurrections on either side of the millennial reign: the first is for those who are in Christ; those who will reign with Him. Over these the second death has no power (Rev 20:4-6). The second resurrection is after the millennial reign; those who are not in Christ Jesus. They will stand before the Judgment seat and their end is "according to their deeds"...and because they have no Savior, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is the second death (Rev 20:11-14).
To confirm who is judged and who is not, look at 2 Cor 11:14-15 "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds."
On the other hand, God's children do not come into any condemnation or judgment: Romans 7:20 & 8:1 "But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me." ; "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
God bless you, brother! AMEN!!!
I have recently become convinced by the scriptures that the people who face the White Throne Judgement will be sent into the Lake of Fire, never to be heard from nor thought of again.
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20.11-13,15 KJV)
I'm not trying to convince anyone else; just telling you where I am. It took me a long time to come to that conclusion; but I could easily change my mind, if I should see some convincing scriptural evidence somewhere down the road.
What is unrefutable is the fact that Jesus is the only path to salvation and GRACE is everything.
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Hi Judi! Welcome to HubPages :-) I'm so glad you were captivated by this hub. It certainly was fascinating to study and write. Thank you for becoming a fan! God bless you and enjoy the awesome experience on HubPages!
Hi, my name is Judi. Read your piece on "Where or What is Hell" and was captivated. Look forward to reading more. Thank you! Judi
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Praise the Lord, Royal Diadem! How are you, sister? Good to see you!! God bless you!!
Again another great teaching!
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Thank you so much!! Pastor DTW, you are such a river of fresh water to my heart. It's good to have an overseer bless the work I pray the Lord is doing through me. Bless your heart!! I love you so much!!
Again, your research is impeccable. I love how you give the facts of hell, with all the undeniable references, and then you give the solution to hell through knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Awesome hub.
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Hi jesusmyjoy! Thanks so much! I was pretty fascinated finding this stuff out myself ~ just had to write about it! I pray you are encouraged and blessed, sister!! Our Lord loves His children ~ and is mighty to save all who will hear His voice and open the door to let Him into their hearts!!!
wonderful writing i love this
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Thank you so very much, Artin2010. It would be an incredible joy to think even one soul would turn to Jesus Christ through such a message as this ~ He is our Creator and created all things, including the light and the dark side of the afterlife. He keeps knocking and speaking to those who have yet to accept Him ~ and if He's doing this through this hub, I am blessed!
Truly awesome hub you've written here. It makes the reader more want to consider Jesus's offer of retribution by acceptance. Keep up the sharing, faith gets stronger with every prayer we pray. We whom love the Lord Jesus know that HELL is not an option. Write On, in Christ Jesus namesake.
You are blessed and using your gift very well! :)
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Godslittlechild, I so appreciate your uplifting comment. Where would a writer be without her readers? You are a blessing to me and others, as well!!
You are a very good teacher and writer. Thank you.
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Thank you and God bless you, sister Smireles!!
Great work, Judah's Daughter.
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That's right, brother no body ~ we at least know why teachers and believers indicate the location of hell as being in the earth, for it's all we can deduct right now. I hope this hub will "give an answer" (as best as I can) to those who wonder about these things :-) God bless you and thank you for your encouragement.
Sister JD you are so good at digging into these things. Finding all of these facts that are so interesting is your speciality. I've always said to take the Scriptures literally unless otherwise stated in the text. It says "those under the earth" and that means just what it says. We don't know everything but we know enough to form a pretty good opinion until we are told everything. I loves ya.
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Quill, thank you so much. I really appreciate uplifting and encouragement by my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I'm not sure how many responses we will receive here, as this topic is highly avoided due to offensiveness. While Christians do not have to fear hell, and prefer to win people over to the Lord through focusing on the positive, there are those who need to get a "wake up call" in our world, for love is shown from the saved and the lost. False love is avoidance of the hard truth; true love is telling it like it is. May God bless you also, brother! I know you love the Lord and are called according to His purpose, which is to share the truth in love. Amen!
Excellent Hub Judahs Daughter, yet another well written and researched writing.
Thank you and as always what you write is taken from the Word. I look forward to the many responses to the subject and veiws of what hell really is all about. We are likely getting a more clear picture in our daily lives and the world we are seeing change all around us than we care to think about.
Many Blessings
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