Hell - The Punishment of the Wicked (1 of 3)
-What does "hell" mean
-When is hell
-Where is hell
-What happens in hell
---WHAT DOES THE WORD HELL MEAN?
The Bible uses the word “hell” 54 times in the KJV: 31 times in the Old Testament, all translated from the Hebrew word 'Sheol' which means “the grave”, “the pit”, or “the abode of the dead” (place of the departed). In the New Testament the word “hell” is translated 10 times from the Greek word Hades which though in Greek had a lot more mythology behind it, the word itself was basically the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word 'Sheol': “the grave.” These 41 uses have nothing to do with the final judgement and punishment of the wicked but only deal with the state of the dead before that time (both the saved and the lost). Of the 13 remaining uses of the word “hell” in the New Testament, 12 come from the Hebrew word “Gehinnom” which is a place: “The Valley of Hinnom”:
(originally Ge bene Hinnom; i.e., "the valley of the sons of Hinnom"), a deep, narrow glen to the south of Jerusalem, where the idolatrous Jews offered their children in sacrifice to Molech (2 Chr. 28:3; 33:6; Jer. 7:31; 19:2-6). This valley afterwards became the common receptacle for all the refuse of the city. Here the dead bodies of animals and of criminals, and all kinds of filth, were cast and consumed by fire kept always burning.
Now this appears to be a clear reference (or comparison) to what the punishment of the wicked will be. Jesus was basically showing them what kind of place the wicked shall end up in: a burning landfill. Finally we have the last translation of “hell” used only one time and it is the Greek word “Tartarus.” Interestingly this word in Greek mythology meant a sunless abyss, below Hades, in which Zeus imprisoned the titans. Knowing this we better understand what Peter was saying when he used it:
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
It seems the fallen angels (which would include Lucifer) have been cast from heaven to a place of darkness where they remain “reserved” for judgment. So they currently have not been judged (fully) and therefore they are not being punished but whatever the state may be which they are “chained” they are there being reserved for judgment day. So where might this place of darkness where they have been cast be?
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
We are told they were cast from heaven to the earth.
So the word “hell” does not provide us with a full understanding of the punishment of the wicked but as we will see there are a great number of verses in the Bible which describe the final outcome of the wicked.
---WHEN IS HELL?
THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT HELL FIRE (THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED) TAKES PLACE AFTER THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, AFTER THE 1,000 YEARS (THE MILLENNIUM), WHEN THE WICKED ARE RAISED FROM THEIR GRAVES IN THE 2ND RESURRECTION.
Job 21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. (Job declares that the wicked are currently reserved for destruction and that they will be brought forth on the day of wrath)
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (Peter declares that the fallen angels are currently reserved unto judgment)
2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (Peter declares that the heavens and the earth as they are now, are reserved unto fire for the day of judgment and perdition of the ungodly)
Jude 1:6 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 declares that the fallen angels are currently reserved unto judgment in that great day)
Daniel 12:1-2 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel tells us that the great tribulation will take place before the dead rise: the good to everlasting life and the evil to shame and everlasting contempt)
John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (Jesus here tells us essentially the same thing that Daniel said: that there are two resurrections: the resurrection of life to they that have done good and the resurrection of damnation to they that have done evil)
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (The just shall be resurrected as well as the unjust)
John 6:39-40 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (The dead in Christ are resurrected at the last day)
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (The dead in Christ are resurrected at the last day)
John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (The dead in Christ are resurrected at the last day)
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (The dead in Christ are resurrected at the last day)
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (Jesus return is the last day, the dead in Christ rise and the living in Christ follow to meet them in the air)
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (We see that there is a first resurrection of the godly at the start of the thousand years and they have no part in the second death. So that means that when the second resurrection occurs, those in it, the second death will have power over)
1 Corinthians 15:22-26 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (Those in Christ shall rise at his second coming, in the end He will put all enemies under His feet and finally death. By destroying death it means that no one shall ever die again. This means He destroys death after the “second death” has taken place and this is why death is the last enemy to be destroyed)
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (The wicked are judged at the last day, revelation describes the judgment of the wicked taking place at the 2nd resurrection after the 1,000 years. Those who are not raised at the last day in the first resurrection are obviously not written in the book of life and will be raised to the resurrection of damnation, also known as the second death)
Isaiah 24: 21-22 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. (Isaiah describes the 1,000 years here as many days, after which the wicked receive their punishment)
Matthew 13:40-42 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Jesus' parable describes the wicked being cast into fire at the end of the world (also translated as “age”))
Conclusion: We see in the Bible that hell is not some place where the wicked are sent when they die but instead we see that God is reserving the wicked for the day of judgment. No dead person is burning in hell at this time. So we see throughout the Bible that those in Christ are resurrected in the first resurrection (the resurrection of life) at the last day. The last day is described as after the great tribulation when Christ returns (the second coming). Then the 1,000 year millennium takes place. After this time the second resurrection takes place (The resurrection of damnation), which is all of the wicked being raised from the dead to be judged (judgment day). So as far as hell being a physical place where the wicked are currently being punished we find no scriptures. Rather hell (punishment of the wicked) will take place after the 1,000 years when the wicked are raised (at the end of the world or end of the age) and judged.
---WHERE IS HELL?
THE BIBLE DESCRIBES THE EVENTS OF HELL TAKING PLACE ON EARTH.
Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (This is talking about Satan and those raised in the second resurrection, so we see that the fire (hell) comes down on them as they were on the breadth of the earth)
2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (The heaven and earth are reserved for the fires of hell)
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (At the day of the Lord the heavens shall pass away and the earth shall be burned up)
Malachi 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts (The Bible says God will make a new heaven and new earth so Malachi is referring to that time when the saints shall be walking on the earth where the wicked have become ashes as is evident from the previous verses and Revelation 21:1)
Proverbs 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. (Solomon says the righteous receive their reward in the earth and the wicked much more so)
Conclusion: The wicked are all raised in the second resurrection (the resurrection of damnation) upon the earth at which time they are judged and punished according to their works. They are raised and punished on earth. So hell fire will occur on the earth itself.
---WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
THE BIBLE DISCRIBES THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED AS FIRE FROM GOD WHICH DEVOURS THEM UNTIL THERE IS ONLY STUBBLE AND ASH REMAINING.
Revelation 20:13-15 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (All of the remaining dead in their graves (the wicked) are resurrected, then judged, and finally cast into the lake of fire (“hell fire”) where they eventually die the second death)
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (The wicked die a second death in the lake of fire; this is “hell fire”)
John 3:15-16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John tells us we have two options: everlasting life/eternal life or else the opposite of everlasting life, which is to perish)
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (Jesus shows here that we have two options: everlasting life or else condemnation)
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Here Jesus shows us that we will all end up going one of two ways: many to destruction and few to life)
John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (Jesus gives his followers eternal life and says that they will never perish, therefor those that do not follow him will have just the opposite)
1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (It is those who have the Son that have eternal life but those who do not have the Son do not have life)
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (True believers have everlasting life but those who aren't will be condemned)
Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (The adversaries of God will receive first their judgment and then second fiery indignation which shall devour them)
1 Corinthians 15:52-55 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (Here we see that the first resurrection occurs at the second coming and that the saints are resurrected from corruptible and mortal to incorruptible and immortal)
Revelation 20:9-10 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 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. (This describes the wicked after their resurrection and their final destruction as well as the devil's punishment in the lake of fire which is “hell fire”)
Malachi 4:1&3 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. (Just as in Revelation, Malachi the last book of the Old Testament describes the punishment and results of the wicked. They will be burned up in that day and will become ashes on the ground)
Psalms 37: 9-20 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away (We see repeated here that the meek shall inherit the earth but there comes a day where the wicked will be cut off, they shall not be, they shall perish and they shall consume into smoke and consume away)
Isaiah 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. (The wicked will burn in fire until they are stubble and the fire will have consumed until there is not a coal remaining to warm at)
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Some think souls are immortal and never die so they can burn forever and never die but the Bible never teaches that man has an immortal soul, rather we see here that souls die)
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. (Jesus tells us that man can kill only the body but God can destroy both soul and body in hell)
2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (The wicked are destroyed from the presence of God for all eternity)
Philippians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. (The enemies of God have an end which is destruction)
Obediah 1:15-16 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. (The heathen shall be as though they had not been)
2 Peter 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; (Sodom and Gomorrha were turned to ashes which is an example to us of the results of those who live ungodly)
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Sodom and Gomorrha and the cities about them are an example to us of the suffering and vengeance of eternal fire)
Sodom and Gomorrah (our example):
Genesis 19:17And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
Genesis 19:24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; (We see that Sodom and Gomorrah were “consumed” when the Lord rained brimstone and fire upon them)
Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (The wicked will be burned with unquenchable fire)
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (After the wicked are judged and punished and have entirely consumed away in the lake of fire, God destroys hell (the grave) and death, after which there will never again be sorrow, crying, or pain. If the wicked never really die then there remains sorrow, crying and pain forever more)
Conclusion: We see clearly stated many times that the followers of Christ will receive everlasting and eternal life. These verses are not clarifying what all this eternal life consists of but rather the fact that they will have eternal life and will never die. It should be clear from this point without even needing to look at any of the many verses that the wicked are not receiving eternal life. They will suffer the consequences of their sins which is inevitably death. The words used throughout the Bible when describing the results of the wicked include the 2nd death, devoured, consumed, ashes, stubble, perish, destruction, destroyed, burned up, be as though they had not been, be no more. There are almost no words left to use to say that the wicked will be judged, punished and finally die to the point of being no more. They will suffer the second death, consume away, perish, and afterward God destroys death and and there shall be no more sorrow neither anymore pain.
-Caleb D Stroman