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HELL, the Future Home of the Wicked?  

Dan Baxley

Update:  Since having written this article and looking into things a little deeper I felt it necessary to do an update in clarifying the understanding I now have concerning the "soul", and the "spirit" or "spirits" of men.  I must thank one of my readers for this new insight.  Also, because of being pushed by another I have expanded the understanding of the "parable" Lazarus and the Rich Man.  Thank you for sharpening me and helping me to a better understanding.  04-16-2011

Hell, Hell and Hell Fire

Why start with Hell as the first basic doctrine?  First, this is assuming the reader is a professing Christian, a follower of the Christ, a follower of Yahshua or, at least, a follower and believer of the Bible.  From this point it is also assumed that the doctrine of the Christ (Messiah) does not need to be taught – you have either accepted the Christ (Messiah) of the Holy Bible or you have not.  Okay, maybe you are still on the fence but searching -- then it is you I’m writing to.  Hell is a definite place, but wait, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  Keep reading, talk back if you want, but please continue.  For some, a few, this may be old stuff and this will be a nice refresher, but for others this may be a whole new experience from what your church, your local minister has been teaching you and your children.

The first thing we need to look at concerning “hell” is to answer the question, is it a real place? And the answer is, yes it is --  It is three places, actually.  That’s right, three separate places.  When the Messiah or one of the Apostles made mention of this place called “hell” they had a definite image in mind and they did not have to explain which image to their listeners.  The concept of a Hell-Fire where all the fun people are sent to live is not a concept of your Bible.  Yes, there is a place where the souls of those dead go.  The Saints to one place and others to another.  Hey, wait a minute, you might shout, I thought you just said there ain't no place like Hell.  I know, this can be a confusing issue but once you grasp the concept of the word "hell", as used in scripture, has three very different meanings you will see what is meant.

The word we use for “hell” is actually three separate words in the Greek, each having a specific meaning so the audience knew which of the three “hells” was being referred to, this was for the Greek speaking audience, the Jews speaking Aramaic had no such problems as they taught that you died and went to the grave (one of the Hells) to await the resurrection.  Some, however did not believe in a resurrection, however and that the grave was the last resting place .  The Old English translators, being very knowledgeable in Greek, however, for some reason, missed this and failed in presenting to the readers the correct image, or mind pictures of which “hell” the Messiah spoke and later Greek writers tried to pass on to the understanding of the Greek mind.  My guess is, and it is only a guess, as I have no idea what the translators, commissioned by King James, used for their reason in using a single English word, hell, for all three different meanings from the Greek?  My guess is this:  The Christian leadership and scholars of the day had already accepted a false doctrine concerning this “fiery” place -- the Hell Fire of pagan theology.  Some may have even reasoned that to teach the “hell fire” of the damned would be a good thing in order to keep the “commoners” under the influence of the Bible -- scare them to Christ.  The end justifies the means, so to speak.  Let the masses believe the lie in order to keep them focused on the God of the Bible, and, of course, keep us in authority.

First Hell (geenna or gehenna)

Our first “hell” is “hell fire”, why, because that is the first one spoken of by our Savior, besides, it is the one everyone fears.  Actually, looking at the majority of Evangelical Christians it doesn’t really seem that they fear this as much as their ancestors did, the idea of going to the “hell fire”, living forever in torment, with demons torturing you day and night does not really compute in modern thinking.  Let’s take a closer look at this “hell fire”, this place where you live forever in burning flames -- or do you?.

In the Greek, from the text most scholars recognize as the authorized language, from which the New Testament writings are derived, we see that this “hell fire” mentioned first in Matthew 5:22, “…and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire”.  Pretty strong words for calling someone a “fool”, seems to me.  Seems to me this “hell fire” should be reserved for the likes of a Hitler or a Charles Manson, not for merely calling someone a "fool", never the less this is what our Savior warned.  The Greek here is “geenna”, found in the Strong’s Concordance #1067.  It is most definitely a place – the valley of Hinnom, to be specific, located right along side of Jerusalem.  This valley had been used as the city garbage dump.  Most cities today have such a place located somewhere close by that the garbage collected from the local residence is taken and dumped – that would be your local geenna, or hell.  I remember when the local dump, or geenna, always had smoke rising from the piles and piles of garbage.  It was the practice, in those day, to burn the refuse, the garbage of waste -- it was the geenna fire out side the city.  YaHshua used this imagery to make his point and from this point no one thought He was talking about living in the city bump but rather being burned up, like so much trash.

See how the picture changes?  Continuing on let’s see what else the Messiah had to say about this “Hell fire”.  In Matthew 5:29 we read, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell”.  (Notice the word, perish)This is the same hell mentioned previously, remember, the garbage dump outside the city.  The Messiah is suggesting that if a member is doing damage to the body it should be cut off, or cut out and thrown into “hell fire”, where it will be consumed.  this lesson from our Savior is not about you poking your eye out for looking but about the body of believers removing offending memebers.  Althouh, in the physical realm we do see this practice of cutting cancerous limbs from our bodies, by surgeons, of course, and no one suggests these cancerous limbs or tumors go on living somewhere else, do they? I know there is a lot that can be said about this but for know let’s stay on the path of determining, rather, defining just what the “basic doctrine” of hell should be. 

Would anyone think that if you were to cut off your hand, or to pluck you eye out and throw it into the “hell fire”, that “geenna”, and your hand or eye would then be tormented day and night by the demons of Satan?  Of course not.  To be thrown into the “geenna fire” is to be destroyed permanently -- to be consumed by the fire of the garbage pit.  Those listening to the Messiah knew exactly where and what He was talking about.  The simple logic here explains itself.  In verse 29 and 30, please take notice of the word “perish” and realize this means to be consumed fully – it in no way suggest a continuing life in pain and torment.  You see, my friends, this is the original lie from the beginning, “… you shall not die” (Genesis 3:4), and this lie is still being spread.  No, when the Messiah said “perish” he meant just that. 

Perish: Strong’s #622 “…to destroy fully”.  And the Messiah used this word, to “fully destroy” not once but twice.

There it is, the “hell fire” doctrine.  It is not a doctrine of life after death in an eternal torment, but it is a doctrine of absolute destruction.  The destruction of the things disposed of in the garbage dump of “geenna”.  Still not enough?  Still not convinced?  I know, I know, what about the “lake of fire”, and what about the rich man calling up to the poor man from the pits of hell.  We will be covering those in a little bit but first we need to understand the meaning of what is actually said and to understand the concept of what heaven and hell meant in the first century.  Do you think this does not apply to you, that “hell fire” is for those sinners outside of the body of the Christ?  You had better think again.  Read verse 22 again, “…anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell”  (NIV).  Which of us has never, ever, done this?  How many times have you heard yourself say, “Look at that idiot”, or remark, “Now that person is an idiot” or “What a fool he is”?  Please, He said, "...in danger of...", not that because you make such a remark you are going there, it is a warning to watch what you say, or do, next.  You get the point, I'm sure.  But wait, there is more in clarifying the “fires of hell” in you Bible.

Matthew 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. KJV

Again we see the suggestion that the “hell” spoken of as destruction not a continuing of life in torment.  See the word “destroy”?  This is the same exact word as “perish” found in the Strong’s Greek Dictionary, #622.  A second witness to this definition is found in, “Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments”, pages 467-468, under Perish,  “…utterly perishing”.  It has a much longer definition and coverage of this term but the short of it is to “utterly perish, to be completely destroyed”. 

What is unique about the above verse, a direct quote of the Messiah, is the addition of another element possibly headed for this “hell fire” of total destruction and that is the mention of the ‘soul” apart from the “body”.  What we are being told is that not only will this destroying fire of “geenna” consume the body but it is also capable of the destruction of your very “soul”, your spirit.  In this ‘geenna” even your life force, apart from you physical body, can be destroyed.  Is it the “hell fire” that does this?  No, it is the One that can use it for that purpose.  You see, Satan has the power to destroy us physically and he has over the past centuries been the iunspiration for the murder of millions upon millions.  Satan has made it his goal to destroy as many of God’s people as possible but he does not have the power to take your spirit, your very soul – only our Creator God has that power.  With this truth we should not fear what Satan can do to us, or what men can do, by comparison, but we should have a healthy fear of Him that has the power to destroy us totally, both body and spirit, by the “fire of geenna”.

Other verses that use this “geenna” hell” – Mathew 23:15; 23:33; James 3:6

There is a "fire", an eternal fire,  prepared for the Devil and his angels, please read:

"The He will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41 NIV

It should be plain that the "genna fire" and this "fire prepared for the devil and his angels" is one and the same.  We have seen this "fire" as all consuming, a fire leading to total destruction, not another type of "eternal life".  Is the devil and his angels destroyed in this fire? Possibly, one thing is sure, this fire is able to consume both body (flesh) and soul (spirit), remember Matthew 10:28.  From this verse it is apparent that while Satan can destroy the body he has no power to destroy the soul (Spirit), but our Creator can.  Understanding the scripture in this way it may be our Heavenly Father will destroy Satan and his angels of rebellion.  But, I'm wondering, in the light of this false teaching, about men going to "hell" and continuing to live, if that is not really the punishment of Satan and his angels -- it's just a thought and it would explain thje reason for calling this fire an "eternal fire".  What a trick in doctrine, imagine, Satan preaching to mankind a punishment reserved for him and his angel (demons) is the punishment for flesh and blood men and women -- "Really, you will not die, you will live forever, either here or there -- you wil continue", he might say, and has said.  This is a concept we see taught worldwide, the "Circle of Life", some call it.  We continue on and on and on and on and on, but this is not what you Bible teaches, this is not what our Lord tells us. 

Second Hell (Hades)

We have covered the first “hell” but there are more.  Our next use of the English word “hell” is found in Matthew 11:23, “…And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell:”  This "hell" is the Greek "hades" and means the grave, where all eventually go.  Even our Messiah went to the grave, or "hades", for three days and three night.

In the verse above the Messiah has pronounced the demise of the city of Capernaum.  This first century city  was considered very modern and up to date, a beautiful city, a high minded city.  They, like other cities near by, were able to explained away the miracles the Messiah had preformed in their midst.  The context is that they saw no reason to repent, life was good, they had the feeling of immortality and lived in a city that appeared to have an eternal life of its own.  Our Messiah, Yahshua, however, told them what He thought of their haughty attitude.  If anyone had received signs and wonders it was those at Capernaum. 

 The “hell” spoken of here is the “grave” – that place they put you when your physical body dies.  Again turning to the Strong’s Dictionary for this “hell”, or “Hades” #86 “…place of departed souls”.  You will notice there is no mention of destruction but of being brought down.  In the context, expressed for this “hell”, makes reference of the Judgment.   From this we can see that while being brought down to the grave (hades) does not mean total destruction as does the “genna” hell.  We are all going to be brought down to the grave, rich or poor all are the same in “hades” -- the “grave” where our souls reside awaiting the judgment day.  In this condition the body, the flesh corrupts in its natural process degenerating back into dirt.  The spirit returns to our Creator and what He does with it after that we are only given hints.  In the geenna hell the spirit is destroyed but in the hades hell the flesh is destroyed but the spirit leaves and returns to the one that gave it. 

We see the spirits of the saints held in a place "under the Altar" and you will notice, they are not "on" the Alter but "under" it, as if hidden, preserved in a place of safety.  By this we see our Heavenly Father cares for the spirits of all men, especially those of the saints. 

These "souls" may not be the same as those seen later standing before the thrown, then again maybe they are, but at a later date, released from their position under the Alter, the Resurrected believers? 

To get the right picture we need to put this in context and we will see this vision is not taking place in Heaven but on earth, in the Kingdom of YaHshua established after His return.

None of this helps explain the "hades hell" but is of interest when considering the concept of Heaven.  It would seem that no flesh is in Heaven and not all spirits are either, some are held in a prison.  At the end of the thousand year rule of YaHshua on earth we are told the sea gives up the dead.  Considering  those souls that died in the great flood it would not be impossible to think the prision might be the seas of the earth.

This verse really says it -- the sea gives up its dead and then hell (Hades, the grave) gives up its dead, and "death" too, gives up its dead.  This covers everyone that has ever died and gone to hades hell, or the grave and this is not a place of living in a hell-fire.

The warning to Capernaum was to wake them up to the fact they were not "immortal" and no matter how wonderful life was for them at that time in their history, they were all going to the grave -- and they did -- the City of Capernaum and all of its inhabitants of living during Yahshua's flesh and blood days are in the grave, "shalt be brought down to hell" (hades, the grave).  Read the context concerning Capernaum and you will see the "day of judgment" is mentioned as a future event.   

Okay, we should begin to see why the basic doctrine "Hell” needs to be understood.  Getting rid of preconceived notions planted in your mind by the false teachers and the misguided teachers of this world is not easy but is necessary.  A "generation" is being prepared to face up to the Babylonian system of this world.  When the final generation of our Savior's Earthly body is stamped and ready to stand before the "false Preacher" and the Beast ruler refusing the "Mark", refusing the "false worship" and holding fast to the "testimony of YaHshua", not some "other Gospel", not some other "messiah" they will know the basic doctrines of that "TESTIMONY".  Only through YaHshua will anyone come back to life, their spirit being restored in a new body, a body like that of YaHshua, incorruptible, forever.

 Mathew 16:18  “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Again this English word “hell” is really not understood properly without the true Greek definition.  What the Messiah is telling Peter is that the grave (hades hell), unlike the city of Capernaum, will not be its end.  The church, the very body of the Messiah, the body of true believers of the Christ will be alive forever.  The individual parts may suffer a physical death and go to the grave but the body of the Christ, the total number, as a "holy city" will be retrieved from this "hades" (hell, grave), its gates shall not prevail against those asleep and waiting YaHshua's return to break them out into eternal life. This is also a guarantee that Satan will not be able to destroy the physical presence of the Church on Earth -- even if it were possible, and it is not, all chosen, all called, all given to the Messiah would still be raised back to life -- that is the promise. 

Hell Number Three  (Tartaros)

This "hell" is an "abyss", where rebel angels are held awaiting the "day of judgment".  From Strong's #5020, Tartroo: abyss.  

2 Peter 2:4  "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell (tartroo) KJV

2 Peter 2:4 "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment"  NIV

Many bible dictionaries don't even bother to mention this "hell".  It is a place of darkness.  A place of imprisonment while awaiting the "judgment".  What is going to happen when the "judgment" is finished?