© 2004–2005 Dion Astwood
What does the Bible teach us about the nature of the afterlife? A common understanding makes use of progressive revelation. Contrast with a more consistent biblical view. Progressive revelation can be valid, but it has limitations. True concept of progressive revelation:
Later understanding greater than earlier understanding.
Earlier understanding limited, but not incorrect. (1 Peter 1:10-11).
This view suggests that earlier understandings of the afterlife were limited and greater (but different) understanding developed over time (this is a false concept of progressive revelation). The view states the development of understanding of the afterlife was:
All alike went to the place of the dead (Hades).
Righteous and wicked were separated in Hades and rewarded or punished.
Wicked go the Hades which is in fact hell, and the righteous go to heaven.
The understanding of judgment with this view is variable.
Are people judged at point of death or is there a subsequent judgment?
Are only the wicked judged or both the wicked and the righteous.
Problems with this view of the nature of the afterlife.
Assumes ignorance of the ancients.
Later views imply earlier views incorrect (implies biblical errancy).
Resultant (final) theology is inconsistent.
At the end of the age, all people will be resurrected (Revelation 20:12). The righteous unto eternal life and the unrighteous unto damnation (Matthew 25:46). Do the wicked go to hell, get resurrected from hell, then cast back into hell?
Sheol (H7585 sheol). The place (or abode) of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous.
Pit (H875 beer, H953 bor, H7845 shachath). Descriptive of a hole in the ground. When used in the context of Sheol it means the deepest or worst parts of Sheol. Where the unrighteous go.
Hades (G86 hades). Greek equivalent of Sheol. Sheol translated Hades in the Septuagint. The place of the dead.
Abyss (G12 abussos). Deep, bottomless pit.
Tartarus (G5020 tartaroo). The deepest Abyss of Hades.
Paradise (G3857 paradeisos). Paradise. A place of future happiness.
Heaven (H8064 shamayim; G3772 ouranos). Sky or space. Used frequently of the dwelling place of God (ie. heaven), eg. Hebrews 9:24.
Hell (G1067 geenna). From Hebrew: valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna. A valley in Jerusalem. Describes the place (or state) of everlasting punishment. Synonymous with Lake of Fire.
God created hell (lake of fire) for the angels that rebelled (Matthew 25:41). They were not sent to hell at that time. No creature—human or angel—is currently in hell. No one will be sent there until after the final judgment.
Because of the Fall humans suffered spiritual death, but probably also physical death (Genesis 2:17; 3:3,19). Sheol (Hades) was created (or had been created) for people to go to after they die. They remain conscious there. As some people will be rewarded and some punished, Sheol was divided between a pleasant place—paradise, and an unpleasant place—the pit or the abyss.
Prior to Jesus’ resurrection everyone went to Sheol (Enoch, Elijah and possibly Moses excepted): To paradise to await their reward, or the the pit to await their punishment.
God sent some fallen angels to Sheol (Tartarus) to await judgment. (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6)
After Jesus’ resurrection he ascended to heaven. Since that time, when the righteous die they go to heaven, not to Hades (Philippians 1:23). It is likely that those who were in paradise until that point went to heaven also.
At the end of the world God will judge every person (and angel) who has ever lived. Those who have accepted Christ will be rewarded; those who have rejected him will be punished and cast into hell. We only have this life to choose Christ (Hebrews 9:27) and hell is to be avoided at any cost (Matthew 5:29-30).
Patriarchs are mentioned as being gathered to their people, eg. “...and Isaac expired and died and he was gathered to his people.” Genesis 35:29. He joined his ancestors in Sheol, the place of the dead.
David mentioned that he would join his deceased son but that his son would not join him (2 Samuel 12:23).
Samuel appears to Saul and tells Saul, “Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me.” 1 Samuel 28:19 (NET).
Abraham saw Jesus’ day, ie. time when Jesus came to earth; and Abraham rejoiced (John 8:56).
Jesus told the thief: “...today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 (NET).
Peter states Jesus “...went and preached to the spirits in prison.” 1 Peter 3:19 (NET).
Revelation states that Hades itself is thrown into the lake of fire which is hell. “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14 (NET)
Christ did not ascend into heaven during the three days after his death. (John 20:17; Acts 2:27-31)
Following the resurrection the righteous were taken to heaven. Those who died in the Lord following this also went to heaven. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-24). The unrighteous remained in Sheol and those who don't know Jesus go to Sheol until the resurrection. (2 Peter 2:9)
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. But at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus whose body was covered with sores, who longed to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. In addition, the dogs came and licked his sores.
“Now the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.And in hell [Hades], as he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side. So he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this fire.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish. Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ So the rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, father—send Lazarus to my father’s house (for I have five brothers) to warn them so that they don’t come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they must respond to them.’ Then the rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He replied to him, ‘If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31 (NET)
This is possibly a parable but this is disputed (Scripture does not call it a parable). But whether or not it is a parable the points are the same.
The place is called Hades, despite some translations calling it hell.
Lazarus goes to Abraham's side, wherever that is; the rich man goes to Hades.
The two men can speak to each other.
Lazarus is in a pleasant place, the rich man in torment.
There was a chasm between them that was uncrossable.
Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 (NET)
Hell is described in several ways
Fiery hell. Matthew 5:22; 18:9
Unquenchable fire. Mark 9:43
Lake of fire and sulfur. Revelation 20:10
Where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. Mark 9:48
Fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
They will be tormented there day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10
This is the second death—the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14