Most people think they know what Hell is.

Getting stuck in rush hour traffic.
Eating dinner with the in-laws.
A pit of flames they wish their enemies would be sent to.

The word Hell has been around since Medieval times. The Old English word was hel and referred to a black and fiery place of eternal torment for the damned. Maybe like the Dungeons of Old.

Today the English word Hell is associated with very negative consequences and unsympathetic actions or activities. It has even been elevated to the status of being its own curse word. The frequency of its use has caused a familiarity that even Christians do not notice when they or those around them use it inappropriately. But that is not the Hell you read about in the Bible.

There are actually two Hells in the Bible to consider. In the Old Testament, Hell is in the bowels of the earth and is where the souls of mankind went after death. The Old Testament Hebrew word Sheol, which the English translators translated into the word “hel”, was used when the Hebrew referred to a dark pit, the bowels of the earth and what the Hebrew translate into today’s English as Nether-World, where spirits go after death.

In the New Testament the Greek word Hades was used when referring to the Nether World, as the Hebrews understood it. When Jesus preached to the Jewish people He used what they were familiar with, the concept of the Nether World, to get his point across as seen in the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

Luke 16:22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And 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. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And 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.”

The Hebrew and Greek concept of the Nether World was basically the same. When a person died their Spiritual Body was transported to the Nether World.

The same Nether World we read about in Psalms 16:10, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” tells us that God’s people would be released from the Nether World. David knew God would be releasing His people when the Messiah came. But, David didn’t have our advantage. He didn’t get to read the “Back of the Book” to know he had won. His fellowship with God was strong enough that God provided him with insights and prophecies about the Victory through Jesus.

It was only after Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, came did the concept of Hell as a burning pit of fire for punishment of the wicked and un-Godly get fully explained to the Hebrew people.

The other word used for Hell in the New Testament is the Greek word Geenna, or “Gehenna of fire.” An excellent choice for describing the punishment God had built for Satan and his followers. Geenna referred to the valley of Hinnom where the people of Jerusalem put their dead animals and filth to be burned. Some historians say the fire burned day and night without ceasing, filling the valley with a black smoke and the stench of burnt flesh.

As I have been taught “A picture is worth more than a thousand words.” And Jesus knew this; he used it to His advantage at every opportunity. In His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:22 Jesus used the Greek word Geenna to describe Hell.

Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

What an outstanding teaching aid! Everyone could see the fire and smell the stench. Making it easy to comprehend what Jesus was teaching them.

The Hell that most people have heard of, and make jokes about, is from Matthew 25:41 “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:”

We often fail to even seriously consider that such a place or punishment actually exists. Even Evangelists rarely even use the topic of Hell in their sermons and we rarely hear an Old Fashioned “Fire and Brimstone” sermon. We are being told to not preach about Hell or the Blood Shed by Jesus on Calvary because those topics scare people away from the church.

I have been criticized for basing my Ministry upon Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

I was informed that God is only a God of Love and He does not punish His children. If that were true then there would be no such place as Hell, no need for churches and no need for the Sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary. Love means being able to correct, or punish, without destroying the one you love. The results of which is a better person and, in God’s case, a stronger love than before.

One of the basics in life that we are taught is when we do something wrong there is a punishment and, if we live in a loving family, forgiveness. Why then are we being told by the academics that to teach people about the punishment God has built for those who fail Him is wrong? People have started thinking they can do anything without fear of punishment or correction, condemning them to join Satan and his angels in their everlasting punishment.

I offer you this example of people thinking they did not have to follow God’s Commandments:

1 Sam 2: 22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. 25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.

1 Sam 3: 11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

And if we stop preaching about Salvation through the Blood of Jesus then people will start thinking they are Christians just by attending church, singing a song or giving a two-dollar tithe. Churches might even begin to completely ignore God’s Word and accept Homosexuals as members and even place them as Leaders in their church.

Yes, there truly is a Hell, a pit of Everlasting Fire and Torment, built for Satan and his followers, be they angel or mankind just as Jesus taught. I believe there is a greater Hell for those False Prophets, Priests, Ministers and Evangelists who mislead God’s children through false teaching and ignoring the warnings he has given us in His Word.

2 Tim 4: 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

What is worse; knowing about and failing to teach about the punishment waiting for those who do not follow God’s Commandments, ignoring Hell or failing to believe we could be sent to Hell? While we are afraid of scaring souls into salvation or of losing church members we are condemning Souls to Hell.

My greatest fear is that when the time comes, and I stand in front of God, Jesus may say to me:

Matthew 7: 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

So, I will strive to the best of my ability to work for God and spread the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth, Immanuel (God in the flesh).

Would you like to guess who might be joining those we have missed bringing the Gospel to? Read Ezekiel 34 for a hint.

Rev William H Anderson, © July 21,2004

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Copyright © William Anderson 2003
Last modified: 12/28/06