Since creation, man has wondered whether or not hell exists and what happens after death. As Christians the bible is our operational manual of life and our source of answers to nagging questions. We require wisdom and knowledge to address this question. Job 28:12, 20 asked where wisdom or understanding shall be found? He answers in Job 28:28 that behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Biblical knowledge and understanding
The bible says we should not be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with a bit and bridle, else it will not keep with you, Psalms 32:9. God speaks to us in parables so Solomon said to the Lord, give me understanding, that I may keep thy law and observe it with my whole heart, Psalms 119:34. After God gave him wisdom he said, I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation, Psalms 119:99.
God has put wisdom in the clouds, Job 38:36. The psalmist also said the unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple, Psalms 119:130. God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and largeness of mind like the sand on the seashore because he asked God for an understanding mind, 1 Kings 3:9, 11; 4:29. Job 12:13 said with God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. God does not despise any or discriminate against any one, Job 36:5.
The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints, Proverbs 2:6-8. We happily share the facts of scripture about hell as we understand it from biblical knowledge, Proverbs 3:13. It is rather a fool who takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion, Proverbs 18:2. A man who wonders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead, Proverbs 21:16.
With God’s knowledge, we explain the secrets of hell which he established in the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens, Jeremiah 10:12; 51:15.
The fact of hell
There are several biblical references to Hell, Hades, Sheol or bottomless pit or shaft. They are sometimes used interchangeably in the bible. The Old Testament makes reference to Sheol in sixty-three verses as a place of sorrow. Hell is mentioned in fifteen verses in the New Testament in the context of destruction and sorrow. Bottomless pit is mentioned in six verses and shaft is in two verses. Hades is used in nine verses in the New Testament. In a verse they could be used more than once.
By whatever name it appears, hell exists for the ungodly. God so loved us that he gave us the free will to exercise just as he is. How we exercise it will determine our place for eternity whether for a place of sorrow and destruction or a place of tranquility and life. Though some Jews had opposing views about hell, Hades, Sheol, pit or shaft they largely believed that hell existed for some reasons which we shall discuss in due course. The bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die and after death face judgment, Hebrews 9:27. The dead are judged by what they had done, Revelation 20:133. Jesus is the judge, John 5:22. The bible says there is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is death, Proverbs 14:12. It is the soul that sins that shall die, Ezekiel 18:4, 20. Death means eternal death in hell fire. So we need Jesus to live and to avoid death through sin.
The bible says Christ was not abandoned in Hades nor did his flesh see corruption, Acts 2:27. Jesus has the keys to death and Hades, Revelation 1:18. The bible says the angel was given the keys of the shaft of the bottomless pit, Revelation 9:1; 17:8; 20:1. Our foremost treasure is our soul and we must preserve the same in Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 12: 33 that keep your treasure where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. Revelation 8:9 says those who revile whatever they do not understand like irrational animals do, they are destroyed. Hell was eternally prepared for the devil and his angels, Matthew 25:41. It has been stored up for fire until the Judgment day and destruction of ungodly men, 2 Peter 3:7.
Just as though we are made in God’s image yet do not qualify for heaven by works except by God’s grace, so shall we also enter hell fire if we misappropriate God’s grace. Romans 6:1 says shall we continue to sin in the abundance of grace? We become as devils with a common destiny if we align with him. Hades in the bible means a place of departed spirits. It is related to the Greek god of the underworld. Our God is a jealous God and does not share any relationship with gods of the underworld and those connected to him. Hades is therefore not a place of comfort but a place of God’s rejection or curse or destruction for ever.
Sheol is also a place or abode of the dead, both the godly and ungodly. It is not scriptural that both the godly and the ungodly will dwell together after death. If the false narrative of Sheol is true, then Christ would not sacrifice his blood for us. Biblically the godly and ungodly are separated and according to Jesus, he will say to those on His left hand, depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels to face eternal punishment, Matthew 25:41-46.
Sheol is a place without reward but retribution. Matthew 25:46 says the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life. Sheol is therefore not a place of rest at all or eternal life. Sheol is personified as the power of Satan and his demonic hosts, Job 18:14; Psalms 18:4-5; Isaiah 28:15; Jeremiah 9:21. Sheol is therefore a distinct and separate place from heaven. It is a place of hell fire and eternal death for sinners and the devil. We could die anytime. We must quickly decide while we have breath for soon our lives shall extinguish. We can call on Jesus now to save us for tomorrow may be too late.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please guide us in our choice of eternity. We need to avert death, sorrow and destruction where you originally prepared for the devil and his hosts. Forgive us and wash us in your precious blood today. Thank you Jesus for answered prayer, Amen!!
