Its disturbing to think of an all powerful God, who by His own definition “is love,” that will cast the unbelieving into a lake of everlasting fire. This is the fate of all those who reject salvation through Jesus Christ. This is something that was repeatedly taught over and over again as I grew up. However, it seems that the tide is turning on this belief and I have come across many who claim the name of Christ who believe that (a) hell is not a real place or (b) it is a real place but not a place of never ending torment or (c) neither a real place nor a place of everlasting torment. As with all things, I ask you to clear your mind of any previous biases, ask for Spiritual discernment and dive into the uncompromising word of God.

A Tale of Four hells..

Okay, I realize that to say that there are four hells may be just a little misleading. What I mean by that is that there are four words that are translated “hell” in the King James Version of the Bible. (The version I use.) In the Old Testament, the word Sheol is used for the temporary place of the dead and in the New its Hades. In addition to this, the word Tartarus is used to signify the deep abyss in Hades. Not much is known about Tartarus because it is only mentioned once in 2 Peter 2:4. Gehenna is the final word used and it is the one that we would commonly refer to as Hell today. It is the only one of the four words that pertain to a permanent place of torture. Gehenna is also known as the lake of fire.

So in summary, we have one word in the Hebrew language that is translated “hell” and it is Sheol. Sheol is used in the Old Testament 65 times. We have three words in the Greek language and they are Tartarus, Hades, and Gehenna. Hades is used in the new Testament 42 times while Gehenna is used 12. Thus, although they are all translated as “hell,” what we really have is four different words.

Why is this important?

Knowing that there are different words for hell is important because we need to understand why two of God's Righteous went to Hell!

Abraham went to Hell.

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:23,24

Hell used here is the Hebrew word Sheol

David expected to go there and leave again

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 2:25-27 hell used here is the Greek word Hades.

When either Sheol or Hades are used, they simply mean the place of the dead. As such, before the sacrifice of Christ, everyone who died went to hell. Both the righteous and the wicked went to a place of the dead that seemed to be divided into a place of pleasure (paradise / Abraham's Bosom) and a place of torment. It is also apparent that these two classes of people are separated by a “Great Gulf.”

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence Luke 16:26

Before the coming of Christ, the Old Testament believers had no choice but to wait on the coming Messiah to deliver them from their sins. All the animal sacrifices that they did was only a temporary covering for their sin until the coming of the “Perfect Sacrifice.” Not only did Jesus give them access to the Father in heaven,

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

it seems that He moved paradise into heaven as well.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:17

In case its not clear that paradise is in heaven, lets take a look at another scripture in Revelation that talks about the tree of life being by God's heavenly throne.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, Revelation 22:1,2a

Since Sheol / Hades is now only the abode of the unrighteous, it is accurate to say that Hell is a place of the wicked. Jesus recognized the difference between the temporary (Sheol / Hades) and the permanent by calling the lake of fire by a different word, Gehenna.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:43-48

All three cases of hell are the Greek word “Gehenna”

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:45,46

It has been brought to my attention that there is some discrepancy as to just how long everlasting is. There are many whom I respect who fall on either side of the coin as to whether it means forever or just a very long time. Again, when it comes to the study of God's word, we must be free of preconceived bias and paint on a clean canvas of God's word.

Lets start of with two scriptures which use the same Greek word for everlasting.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

Here we see that both scriptures agree that the wicked shall be punished with everlasting fire. This is not just any fire either, its original purpose was to punish the rebellious angels. The word translated everlasting is the Greek word aiónios.

Aiónios [Strong’s Greek 166]
Definition: age-long, and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting.

Here are more cases of aiónios

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast themfrom thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. Matthew 18:8

Here we have figurative language which is intended to stress the seriousness of missing a true fellowship with God. Many point out that since Jesus is not seriously suggesting that we cut off our body parts in order to enter heaven, that we can not take this to mean a literal eternity or a literal fire. It is true that Jesus doesn't want us to cut off our body parts, what He wants is for us to stop committing sins with them. He wants us to stop stealing with our hands and lusting with our eyes. He wants us to stop doing things that are contrary to His commandments. Nevertheless, what Jesus said was absolutely true. If Hell is indeed forever and the fire is indeed real, it is better to avoid it missing a limb that to go there whole.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Matthew 19:16 Here, the same word is translated eternal proving that eternal and everlasting are interchangeable.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29

In the last two verses the everlasting has to do with life and reward. The verses before them had to do with punishment and destruction yet all of them use the same Greek word. Whatever eternal is with regards to hell, it is the same with heaven. The same word is used with both. The definition says that the word can mean “practically eternal” and “unending.” Practically eternal would mean a very long time whereas unending would mean forever. Most believe that our stay in heaven will indeed have no end but believing is not proof of such. To be fair, the word can mean a very long time, ages and ages. Whatever it means, why ascribe it to mean one thing for heaven and another for hell? If our stay in heaven will have no end, so will the fires of hell and if our reward in heaven is limited, so is the punishment in hell.

Many people who have a problem with teaching a never ending punishment hang on the Bible's repeated use of the term "destroy" with fire. They reason that anything that is cast in fire will eventually be overcome and turn to nothing. I hope that the flaw in this thinking is instantaneously obvious to all those who are spiritually minded.

First of all, we must be cautious that we never limit the actions of an all powerful God to those of mortal man. Just because something is impossible for us does not make it impossible for God. In fact the Bible teaches that nothing is impossible for God.

When the virgin Mary's cousin Elisabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist in her old age the Angel said this:

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:36,37

When teaching on how hard it is for the rich to enter heaven, Jesus said it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. When his disciple's thought this to be impossible, Jesus said this:

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27

Even better, the Bible says that God's word became flesh, God's voice walked in the garden, God made light with no light source, a earth with nothing, Jesus walked on water, made the dead rise up again, and so on. Why then, is it so hard for God to make people burn without being consumed?

Last but not least, scripture confirms that God has already done this before. This is nothing new!

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, andspake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. Daniel 3:24-26

Neither was the bush consumed nor were the three faithful Hebrew boys. Here God protected them from any hurt, harm or pain because they were righteous, this will not be the case with the wicked.

And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

The word destroy in the above scripture is the Hebrew word “machah.”

machah [Strong’s Hebrew 4229] Definition: wipe out, blot out, exterminate

Here we see that man will be wiped from, blotted from, exterminated from the face of the earth. He will die (be separated) from the face of the earth. Some might argue that this is indeed saying that man will be annihilated or destroyed from existence instead of simply being “wiped away.” This indeed seems like a valid interpetation until God repeats His plan of destruction by using another word; “shachath.”

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:13

shachath [Strong's Hebrew 7843] Definition: destroy

Just for good measure, here are two more uses of the word shacath in the same narrative of Noah.

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. Genesis 9:11

And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. Genesis 9:15

Notice that the same Hebrew word for destroy is used for man, flesh and earth. Whatever God has in mind to do to man He will also do to the earth. We can plainly see that man was not vaporized or turned to nothingness but only drowned. Man may have indeed lost his life, (the soul separated from the body) but his soul is still alive awaiting judgment. This is death (separation) not annihilation. It stands to reason that the earth is still here as well. God didn't destroy the earth by blowing it up, He destroyed the evil off the face of it. God caused catastrophic conditions to happen to it. After the flood ended, the earth still remained it was just in a different condition than it was a first. This is no different than a bunch of children playing in a room and you open the door to see that it is “destroyed.” The room is still there, it is just in a state of disorder.

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9

Previously we looked at the fact that destruction does not necessarily mean complete annihilation but can mean separation or removal. Here it appears that the destruction of those who do not obey God to be the removal from His presence.

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Rev. 14:9

Here we see that the smoke of those who received the mark of the beast is rising forever and ever. It also appears that they burn forever which causes the smoke and also keeps them from resting or having a moments peace from pain. But how long is this torment? Is it indeed with no end? What exactly does it mean when scripture says forever and ever?

Forever = Aion [Strongs Greek 165] Definition: a space of time, and age.

The scripture means “for an age and an age” or for ages. But how long is that? An age can definitively come to and end. ie. (The age of the apostles, the church age, etc). However, this could also be figurative language for an unlimited amount. Remember what Jesus said about forgiveness?

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21,22

This was just figurative talk for an unlimited amount. Jesus did not expect Peter to count offenses until he reached 491 and then say, “Ah ha! I don't have to forgive you anymore!” Seventy times seven means an unlimited amount and so could ages and ages.

When definitions are unclear, we turn again to God's word. Here are a few other scriptures which use aion.

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Rev 20:10

This describes how long the devil, beast and false prophet shall be tormented.

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Rev 4:9,10

God is sitting on the throne receiving the worship. Twice it is said that God lives forever and ever.

So then, the devil, the beast, the false prophet and the people who worshiped the beast shall be burned and tormented for a space of time that is also illustrated by the same words that are use to describe the length of time that God shall live; forever and ever. In both cases “forever and ever” is translated from the same Greek word; “aion.”

How long is forever and ever? Answer: As long as God lives.

False: The good go to heaven and the bad go to hell.

It's not true that the good go to heaven and the bad go to hell when referring to how a man acts but it's true to say this when referring to what a man believes. It's good to believe and build your hope on the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It's bad, and damnation, not to.

I can be the most terrible person around and then totally give my life to Christ. If I die the next day, I will be considered righteous and go to heaven with no rewards. On the other hand, I could lead a moral and giving life and never come to believe and trust in Jesus. If I die, I will go to hell. God is just and the degree of punishment I get there will not be the same as someone who lived a foul life, but I will go to hell just the same.

Some believe that those who generally lead moral lives, those who have made a few mistakes but have done more good than bad will have a case for salvation. Some believe that it would be unfair to sentence someone to hell because of one horrific act when they have a lifetime of good deeds. To them, this would make God unjust.

Your fifteen year old daughter is walking to the store when there is a rustling in the bushes. As she stops to peer inside, Mr. Johnson, a respected member or society, jumps out. He has founded a food shelter, donates to The American Cancer Society, volunteers at the neighborhood retirement home and being a surgeon, has operated on several disadvantaged people free of charge. He has admired her for months and with the force of a madman, he beats her, rapes her, and leaves her for dead. When Mr. Johnson is put on trial, indisputable evidence is brought before the court. Your daughter, who was found in the woods alive, courageously points him out. In his defense, he doesn't say that he didn't do it, he says that he deserves acquittal because of all the good he has done. Tell me reader, do you think a good judge who would let him go free? Would you, a loving parent, want him acquitted?

We are punished for the evil we have done, not the good. God is a good God and it's good to punish wickedness. The only hope man has is to exchange his sins with someone who is sinless. That someone, is Jesus Christ. Only sinless Jesus could be our redeemer.

Redeemed means to buy back, to purchase from something. Believers in Jesus Christ have been redeemed from all their sins by the shedding of His precious blood. This was the only price high enough to buy back humanity from the bondage of sin and put them in right relationship with God. Any man who fails to "confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead," is not redeemed. Once a man has been redeemed, he no longer has the face the eternal penalty for sin. He is acquitted.

Since a unredeemed man has refused the free gift of salvation, he is considered an enemy of God. He is still in his sins and unsaved from the penalty for them.

He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: ²⁹ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? -Hebrews 10:28-29

False: Since God loves us, it is not necessary for Him to punish us for our sins.

First, it's a spiritual principle called sowing and reaping.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he thatsoweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. -Galatians 6:7-8

Second, it's just and loving.

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; -2 Thessalonians 1:6

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people -Hebrews 10:30

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: ¹⁰ And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? -Revelation 6:9-11

Purification:There are only two ways to be purified from sin.

Washing by the Spirit

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. -1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Trial by fire

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. -1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Notice that the people in 1 Corinthians chapter three are true believers. Anything impure will be revealed by fire because the fire will burn it up proving it to be reprobate (useless and spoiled). Notice again that only their impure work will be burnt but they will be saved. True believers are not perfect but their perfect faith in Jesus will stand up to the trail by fire. People who just talk the talk will not only lose their works but are built on an impurity- faith in themselves

False: Everyone in Hell will be tormented the same.

Contrary to popular belief, all sins are not the same. There are greater sins and lesser sins. All sins are a violation of God's commands but all violations are not created equal. God's sees sins differently depending on a few factors.

According to the greatness and number of them.

and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; -Hebrews 2:2b

Notice the things being rewarded are transgressions and disobedience. The Bible says that these things will receive a just reward. (The reward for wickedness is punishment).

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. -Galatians 6:7

Just like the rewards of the righteous depends on the amount of righteousness, the punishment of the wicked depends on the amount of wickedness. The more wickedness we sow during our life, the more torment we shall reap after death.

According to Light and Opportunity.

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, ³⁹ And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: ⁴⁰Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers:these shall receive greater damnation. -Mark 12:38-40 (Bold added for emphasis)

How can there be a greater damnation unless there's a lesser one. The people who receive the greater are the teachers of the law. They were supposed to know better and therefore they are expected to do better. To whom much is given, much is required. God expects more from those of us who have been more enlightened. This is fair.

It's quite clear that an eternal stay in hell is not one of equal torment. There are better and worse conditions in punishment:

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. -Matthew 26:24

And second, the Bible states that there are different places of torment in the afterlife.

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone -Revelation19:20

And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. -Revelation 9:1

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. -Jude 1:6 (Bold added in verses above for emphasis)

On earth, this would be the same as a maximum security prison having holding cells for general population but also isolation cells for the more unruly inmates. These are usually dark rooms with no windows, commonly called “the pit” or the “the hole.” Food is slid in by a slot under the door and the inmates are isolated and lonely. Sounds a lot like a place that the Bible speaks of.

It's often overlooked that God, the righteous Judge, will bring upon mankind the just rewards for wickedness and righteous alike. When the wicked do wickedly, God can prolong punishment until the hereafter. Because of this, it often appears that the wicked go unpunished while the righteous do. The righteous, however, have to be punished here, on earth because heaven is a place of peace and reward. So then, this is as bad as it gets for the children of God but the wicked have hell to look forward to.

The Damage

If people see all sin and punishment as the same, then an armed robber won't see any reason not to kill as well. People will say ridiculous things like, “If you lust after her then you might as well sleep with her, you've already sinned!” If the teaching that all punishment in hell is the same then they would be right. That would mean every time someone cut us off on the freeway and we have an evil thought about hurting them, we might as well do it. What's the harm, you've already considered it? We might as well be a society of the profane (and actually, we are).

Thankfully, this teaching is not only ridiculous, but untrue. A man who kills thousands and dies without Christ will not get the same punishment as a man who has only told lies and dies without Christ. What they will get in hell will be in direct proportion to what they have done on earth. We reap what we sow.