Heaven and Hell

The Bible Speaks

by Leroy Freeman

Get Other Great Books by Leroy Freeman

Freedom From Fear And Worry ~ Surviving The Storm

God’s Power Behind The Wire

Death And The Afterlife ~ The Bible Speaks

11 Evidences Of Eternal Salvation ~ Examine Yourself

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including scanning, photocopying, or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder: Leroy Freeman ~ P.O.Box 221076 ~

West Palm Beach, FL 33422.   Copyright © 2012 Leroy Freeman

Website: ~ http://mtcm.com

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Near Death Experiences

3. New Heavens and New Earth

4. The Heaven of Heavens

5. New Jerusalem

5.1. God's Presence In The New Jerusalem

5.2. The Gates Of New Jerusalem

5.3. The Foundations of New Jerusalem

5.4. What Will The New Jerusalem Be Like?

5.5. What ‘Will Not’ Be In The New Jerusalem?

5.6. What Will We Be Doing Throughout All Eternity?

5.7. Will We Know Each Other In The New Jerusalem?

5.8. Will There Be Eating and Drinking In The New

Jerusalem?

5.9. Will There Be Marriage and Sex In The New

Jerusalem?

6. Eternity With Jesus

7. Hell

7.1. Hell ~ Sheol

7.2. Hell ~ Hades

7.3. Hell ~ Gehenna

7.4. Hell ~ Tartaroo

8. Invitation To Salvation

1. Introduction

There are many sources that speak on the subjects of Heaven and Hell; some are trustworthy and some are not. Many opinions, ideas, and guesstimates are offered apart from what has been revealed in the Scriptures. Only God can supply the answers we so desperately need and He reveals them to us in His Word, the Holy Bible.

The Holy Bible gives us knowledge and information that lets us know what is in store for all of us in the future. This Biblical information is like an exciting jigsaw puzzle, but its messages come through loud and clear.

It is a fact that we all will die, someday. This thought can be disturbing to people who do not know where they are going after they die. Therefore, there’s much interest among many who are eager to understand what happens after death.

The different religions of the world teach many different things about life after death. The Bible (God’s Holy Word) is a Book that has been sent from Heaven and has stood the tests of time. The Bible is the final authority on all subjects.

In the midst of the many opinions of men, the Bible or the Scriptures continue to remain reliable and relevant in this 21st Century.

The Apostle Peter says concerning the Bible,

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy …”

2 Peter 1:19

The Psalmist said,

“For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven.”

Psalm 119:89

In the Scriptures, both the Old and the New Testament, God the Father tells us exactly what is to come after death, so that we can properly prepare ourselves.

God lets us know over and over that Heaven is a real place and is promised in the future for believers in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said,

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

John 14:2,3

The Apostle Paul also said concerning the believer’s future,

“For our conversation is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body …” Philippians 3:20.21

As Christians, our citizenship is in Heaven. We are strangers and pilgrims here (on the earth) for a short time as we prepare ourselves for Heaven.

The Apostle Paul speaking of Paradise above said,

“… that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words,

which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

2 Corinthians 12:4

The words that were heard spoken in the glories above were indescribable, even by one as well learned as Paul.  Man has not the capacity of mind or thought to realize the beauty or the magnificence of God’s Kingdom.

Heaven will be beyond anything that our imaginations can even begin to come up with. The many Scriptures that the Spirit of God has given us (only) give us a partial vision and partial knowledge of what we are going to end up with in Heaven above.

Paul said,

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into

the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

I Corinthians 2:9

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:18

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2. Near Death Experiences

There are many well-formed testimonies and visual images of some who were near death, or clinically dead, but came back to tell of what they have seen over there in that land called Heaven. We must not be deceived by these many so-called encounters of being in Heaven.

The most common features of them all are about seeing a “bright light” and experiencing a great feeling of calm, peace, or joy.

Death or Near Death Experiences ~ I don’t doubt the Light. The Scripture says,

“… God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

I John 1:5

Death or Near Death Experiences ~ I don’t doubt the Joy.  The Scripture says,

“… in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 16:11

Death or Near Death Experiences ~ I don’t doubt the Peace.  The Scripture says,

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

Romans 15:33

Death or Near Death Experiences ~ If you’ve really been to Heaven, tell us something additional to the Light, Joy, and the Peace.

Remember: Everything that’s said about Heaven must ‘match’ what is already written in the Holy Scriptures.

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3. New Heavens and New Earth

The Bible mentions over and over that there are heavens - meaning more than one. The Apostle Paul mentions being caught up to Paradise and calls it the third Heaven. If there is a third Heaven, there must be a second and a first heaven. The other heavens can be seen in the following Scriptures.

The first heaven is considered the atmosphere where the birds fly.

“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly

the moving creature that hath and fowl that may fly

above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”

Genesis 1:20

The second heaven is said to consist of the sun, moon, stars, and the sky which God also created that (daily and constantly) declare His glory, by speaking without words. For example, the sun speaks by rising at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat, as stated in the following verses,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the Heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it:

and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.”

Psalm 19:1-6

Interestingly, the Bible says that the current earth is eternal.

“And He built His sanctuary like high palaces,

like the earth which He hath established for ever.”

Psalm 78:69

The Prophet Isaiah was the first to let us know about God’s plan for the current heavens and earth. God said through the Prophet,

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:

and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”

Isaiah 65:17

The Apostle John was given a revelation, whereby, he too saw that the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. Our earth, as we know it now, and our atmospheric heaven, will pass away. John said,

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven

and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

Revelation 21:1

The Apostle Peter also talks of the new heavens and a new earth; he said,

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise,

look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

2 Peter 3:13

How can this be, if the current earth is eternal? Will they both exist? The answer to these questions can be answered by taking a closer look at the word “NEW”.

Before we look at the word “new” we must remember that the Apostle Peter let us know, this present world is said to have perished (once before) by water.

“... and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.”

2 Peter 3:5,6

The Greek word for “New” = Strong's G2537 - kainos [kī-no's] - recently made, fresh, unused.

Vine’s Expositor Dictionary says, New - denotes that which is unaccustomed or unused, not new in time, recent, but new as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old.

This same word kainos is used many times in Scripture. In one example, it is used to describe a person becoming a new man in Christ (new character of manhood, spiritual and moral, after the pattern of Christ), as stated in the following scriptures.

“And that ye put on the new man,

which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Ephesians 4:24

Another example of this word kainos is used to describe what happened on the day of Pentecost when it speaks of new tongues. These languages, however, were new and different. Not in the sense that they had never been heard before, or that they were new to the hearers, for it is plain from verse eight that this is not the case; they were new languages to the speakers, different from those in which they were accustomed to speak.

“... In My name ... they shall speak with new [kainos] tongues ... .”

Mark 16:17

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to

speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:4

“And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”

Acts 2:8

Therefore, the promise of new heavens and a new earth points to renewal; not to re-creation. Satan has not won. God will not be forced to start all over again, creating a new heaven and a new earth; because the present heaven and earth will be purged of all that has defiled them. Everything will (again) be made perfect as things were in the Garden of Eden before the Fall.

This renewal process is what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of the regeneration. Jesus said,

“… Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me,

in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory,

ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Matthew 19:28

Regeneration = Strongs #3824 - Paliggenesia - [pä-lēn-ge-ne-sē'-ä] - new birth, reproduction, renewal.

Strong’s Lexicon says this about regeneration, “The word often used to denote the restoration of a thing to its pristine state. The signal and glorious change of all things (in heaven and earth) for the better, that restoration of the primal and perfect condition of things which existed before the fall of our first parents, which the Jews looked for in connection with the advent of the Messiah, and which Christians expected in connection with the visible return of Jesus from Heaven.”

In the book of Acts, Regeneration is similar to Apostle Peter’s reference concerning (this same renewal) when he spoke about “the times of restitution” on the Day of Pentecost.

“And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was

preached unto you: Whom the Heaven must receive

until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath

spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

Acts 3:20,21

To further clarify the similarity of the meaning of regeneration and restitution, let’s look at the definition of restitution.

Restitution  = Strong’s #605 – apokatastasis - [ä-po-kä-tä'-stä-sēs] -      restoration; of the perfect state before the Fall.

Prior to the restoration of the Earth, the Apostle Peter lets us know how God will purge this earth.

“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 … .

... 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.

… the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”

2 Peter 3:7,10,12

Out of the old will come the new. From Scripture, we see that the new purified earth will no longer have a sea.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven

and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

Revelation 21:1

We are told that water covers about 3/5 of the earth’s surface. Without the sea, there will be much more land space for people to live in the New Earth. The whole earth will become habitable. Jesus said,

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

Matthew 5:5

The Apostle Paul spoke of the time when the creation shall experience its deliverance from the bondage of corruption which it was subjected to because of Adam’s sin. After Adam sinned (disobeyed God) in the Garden of Eden; God made the following statement,

“And unto Adam He said ... cursed is the ground for thy sake;

... Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee ... .”

Genesis 3:17,18

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth

and travaileth in pain together until now ... .”

Romans 8:22

The new Heavens and the new Earth are going to be far beyond anything that our imagination can even begin to conjure up. Somehow (the renewed) new heavens and new earth are destined to play a permanent part in the future of the people of God.

Currently, we have partial vision and partial knowledge of what God has in store for us within this new heavenly environment. Those things are without earthly example, above human experience, and beyond  our wildest imaginations. The Word of God states,

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

I Corinthians 2:9

All we have in this life is a foretaste and snapshot of the great and glorious things that God has chosen to reveal to us concerning the things to come.

There are many activities that will take place during the Millennium (1,000 year reign of Christ). Isaiah gives us a snapshot of a glorious future on earth, where man and beast will live together in peace as seen in the following scriptures.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

and a little child shall lead them.

And the cow and the bear shall feed;

their young ones shall lie down together:

and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp [cobra],

and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice [viper’s] den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain:

for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD,

as the waters cover the sea.”

Isaiah 11:6-9

“... and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,

and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up

sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

Isaiah 2:4

After the 1,000 year time period, the activities of the Millennium may or may not carry over to the new earth.

Therefore, we are concentrating on what the Scripture has to say about the eternal ages of ages, after the Millennium. Regardless, whatever God has in store for the new heavens and the new earth, it will be incredible.

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God ... . ”

Deuteronomy 29:29

“... unto Him that is able to do

exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think … .”

Ephesians 3:20

Praise God, we believers will be there to share in it all.

We must keep in mind that when the Scriptures speak of the new heavens, it is not talking about a re-creation of the third Heaven which is the habitation of God. Nowhere, does the Bible suggest that there is anything abnormal or requires the renewal of God’s dwelling place.

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4. The Heaven of Heavens

The Heaven of heavens is a definite place.

“Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; Thou hast made Heaven,

the Heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things

that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou

preservest them all; and the host of Heaven worshippeth thee.”

Nehemiah 9:6

Heaven is the region spoken of as the immediate presence where God dwells; also, the dwelling place of angels and saints. Evidently it is above, because Jesus looked up as He lifted His eyes to call on His Father.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to Heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee.”

John 17:1

“… and hear Thou in Heaven Thy dwelling  place … .”

I Kings 8:30

“The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in Heaven … .”

Psalm 11:4

Jesus referred to Heaven as “My Father’s House.” He spoke of going and preparing an infinitely more exciting and rewarding life of unimaginable blessings.

“In my Father's house are many mansions ... . I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive

you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

John 14:2,3

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

I Corinthians 2:9

The Apostle Paul called this place the Third Heaven and also Paradise.

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago ... such an one

caught up to the third Heaven. And I knew such a man ... How that

he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words,

which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Paul let us know that human language cannot illustrate the glories of Heaven. These stories far outweigh the most magnificent description ever given by man. Out of all that we have read, heard, and dreamed about Heaven, (one day) we shall say as the Queen of Sheba said to Solomon,

“… until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me:

thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.”

I Kings 10:7

The glories of Heaven are so magnificent, Jesus prayed that we would be kept, to ensure we would be with Him on the other side; to see the glory that He has with the Father. Jesus said,

“Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me

where I am; that they may behold My glory, which thou hast given Me ... .”

John 17:24

Jesus gave the Apostle John a foretaste of what’s going on around God’s throne. One day, we believers will join this heavenly throng in worship and praise to the Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the

throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand

times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb

that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

Revelation 5:11,12

Apostle Paul also had a glimpse of the foretaste of God’s glory, as he looked forward to going immediately into the presence of Christ, he said,

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:21

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are

not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:18

For the believer, the best is yet to come. I’m sure we’ll be amazed at what awaits us on the other side. God hasn’t revealed even a fraction of what He has in mind for us.

“That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches

of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:7

As we look forward to going to our new home (Heaven) in Scripture, we see spiritual concepts and promises in a vague outline as if we are looking through steamed glass. Someday, we will see clearly. Apostle Paul said,

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:

now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

I Corinthians 13:12

God assures us that His promise of eternal life is more than worth the effort, struggles, and disappointments of life and death. Paul said,

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,

worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

2 Corinthians 4:17

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5. New Jerusalem

Scripture mentions a place called the New Jerusalem. New Jerusalem is described as a magnificent kingdom with a magnificent beauty that we cannot comprehend.

The New Jerusalem is the city where God abides, which will descend directly from Heaven, according to the following Scriptures,

“… which is New Jerusalem,

which cometh down out of Heaven from my God … .”

Revelation 3:12

“… and showed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem,

descending out of Heaven from God, Having the glory of God … .”

Revelation 21:10

Scripture never says this city touches the earth. It seems to be suspended in mid-air above the new earth.

This city will be like a square or cube. Its size will be 12,000 furlongs. Vine’s Expository Dictionary says, a furlong [stadion] is 600 Greek feet, or 1/8 of a Roman mile.  Bible Scholars believe this city may literally be 1,400 to 1,500 miles in circumference, with its length to be as great as its width.

“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city,

and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare,

and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city

with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and

the breadth and the height of it are equal.

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits,

according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building

of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”

Revelation 21:15-18

The New Living Translation quotes these verses by saying,

“The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick

to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. When he measured it,

he found it was a square, as wide as it was long.

In fact, it’s length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.

Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick

(according to the human standard used by the angel).

The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.”

Revelation 21:15-18  NLT

John lets us know that the thick walls of the celestial, chandelier type city of pure gold, shines brilliantly as clear as glass. What a sight it must be to see these miles of jasper reflected on the golden streets of the city.

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5.1. God's Presence In The New Jerusalem

Scripture lets us know that the Throne of God the Father and God the Son, is located in the New Jerusalem.

“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God

out of Heaven ... And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold,

the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

Revelation 21:2,3

“And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from

God out of Heaven ... I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying,

Look, God's home is now among His people! He will live with them,

and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.”

Revelation 21:2,3   NLT

“And I saw no temple therein:

for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

Revelation 21:22

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5.2. The Gates Of New Jerusalem

The gates surrounding the city were described as being made of pearls. John says this of the New Jerusalem,

“And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates,

and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon,

which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

On the east three gates; on the north three gates;

on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.”

Revelation 21:12,13

“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls;

every several gate was of one pearl:

and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

Revelation 21:21

“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day:

for there shall be no night there.”

Revelation 21:25

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5.3. The Foundations of New Jerusalem

The foundations of the New Jerusalem far exceeds out finite imagination. The magnificent description is as follows.

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations,

and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

Revelation 21:14

“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.”

Revelation 21:19,20

The New Jerusalem is a real place where people with physical, glorified  bodies will dwell in God's presence for all eternity. Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf, the New Jerusalem belongs to those who believe on His Name.  The Apostles Paul and Peter make two awesome statements concerning our future inheritance. They said,

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Romans 8:17

“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you.”

I Peter 1:4

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5.4. What Will The New Jerusalem Be Like?

In the New Jerusalem, there will be (both) the conscious presence of God and the sight of Jesus Christ. Throughout all eternity, we will have the privilege of basking in His radiance.

On the Damascus road, Saul of Tarsus saw a vision of Jesus Christ, which was a light brighter than the noon day sun that blinded him for three days. Born-again believers, in our new glorified state, will be able to look at Jesus and not be affected by His radiance. John said,

“And they shall see His face ... .”

Revelation 22:4

“… and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people,

and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

Revelation 21:3

On that day, the whole family (Old and New Testament saints) will be there.

“... the whole family in Heaven ... .”

Ephesians 3:15

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon,

to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it,

and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

Revelation 21:23

“And there shall be no night there;

and they need no candle,

neither light of the sun;

for the Lord God giveth them light:

and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

Revelation 22:5

“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day ... .”

Revelation 21:25

“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.”

Revelation 21:4

“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more;

neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.”

Revelation 7:16

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5.5. What ‘Will Not’ Be In The New Jerusalem?

Only that which is righteous and holy will be able to enter into the Holy City.

God says,

“And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth,

neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:

but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.”

Revelation 21:27

“For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers,

and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

Revelation 22:15

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5.6. What Will We Be Doing Throughout All Eternity?

I dare not speculate – but there will be no boredom or idleness in Heaven. The Scriptures that speak of our eternity with the Lord are beyond our comprehension. This is where others have pressed on, walked by faith, and so should we. If God said it, it shall be so. The Apostle John wrote,

“... that they may rest from their labours ... .”

Revelation 14:13

The Bible does not go into detail as to what our activities will be in the eternal state. It simply says that we will serve God. Whatever it is, it will be a meaningful and fulfilling service.

“Therefore are they before the throne of God,

and serve Him day and night in His temple ... .”

Revelation 7:15

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne,

even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”

Revelation 3:21

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God ... .”

Revelation 3:12

“… and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.”

Revelation 3:4

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment ... .”

Revelation 3:5

“... Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father ... .”

Revelation 1:5,6

“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? ... .”

I Corinthians 6:3

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee

ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Matthew 25:21

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5.7. Will We Know Each Other In The New Jerusalem?

The New Testament seems to indicate that our identities will remain unchanged in our new glorified state. Personally, I don’t believe that we will be nameless, faceless individuals without an identity.

I say this because, in the underworld of Hades, the rich man through divine revelation recognized Abraham who had died hundreds of years earlier. The rich man also saw and recognized Lazarus.

“And in Hell [Hades] he lift up his eyes ...

and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom [Paradise].”

Luke 16:23

I believe it will be the same in Heaven.

Moses and Elijah suddenly appeared with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. Even though they had died centuries before, they still maintained a clear identity.  Through a divine revelation, Peter, James, and John, recognized them and knew who they were.

“And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt,

let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”

Matthew 17:3,4

This implies that in our perfected form, we will somehow be able to recognize people we've never even seen before. Jesus said,

“... many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down

with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Matthew 8:11

We will be able to have fellowship with Adam, Eve, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, David, Peter, Barnabas, Paul, any of the saints, and our  loved ones. For that to be possible, we must all retain our individual identities and not all turn into common generic beings.

Jesus, who is our example was recognizable after His resurrection.  Mary and the disciples recognized Him.

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself,

and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”

John 20:16

“And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him;

and He vanished out of their sight.”

Luke 24:31

The Apostle Paul when speaking about physical death and the sorrow that it brings on this side, spoke words to comfort our hearts by saying, that we shall see our born-again loved ones again. Paul said,

“... 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.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

I Thessalonians 4:16-18

The prospect of reunion brings comfort. There would be little comfort  (in the reunion) if we could not recognize one another.

There won’t be anyone in Heaven that Jesus does not know. Through divine revelation, I believe that we shall know each other also. John said,

“... when He shall appear, we shall be like Him ... .”

I John 3:2

Paul speaks of this increase of divine knowledge we will have when we are with the Lord Jesus Christ, by saying,

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:

now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

I Corinthians 13:12

In Heaven, people from all of history, from every nation, race, and tongue, will be there; we will be one big happy family. The size of the family will not matter in the infinite perfection of Heaven. There will be plenty of time for unending fellowship with everyone.

The song says, “When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory.” Hallelujah!

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5.8. Will There Be Eating and Drinking In The New Jerusalem?

In our new resurrected, glorified bodies, the physical appetite for food will not be as we know it now.

In this life, we are under the power of bodily appetites, with the desire for food and drink being major for survival. In the next life, we don’t seem to be under the power of these bodily appetites, even though eating and drinking will be done.

In the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus eating, even though He had a resurrected glorified body.

“And when He had thus spoken, He shewed them His hands and His feet.

And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He said unto them,

Have ye here any meat? And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish,

and of an honeycomb. And He took it, and did eat before them.”

Luke 24:40-43

Even though we see Jesus in this passage eating a piece of broiled fish, Paul speaks of God one day destroying the act of meat eating. He says,

“Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats:

but God shall destroy both it and them. ... .”

I Corinthians 6:13

In scripture, we are not told all of the intricate details of our new glorified bodies, but we must remember that in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were not meat eaters. Even during the 1,000 year reign of Christ (Millennium) the Scriptures speaks of the nature of animals being changed.

“And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall

lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.”

Isaiah 11:7

“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall

eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the LORD.”

Isaiah 65:25

While sharing the Passover meal with His disciples, Christ promised that He would drink the fruit of the vine together with them again in Heaven. Jesus said,

“... Take this, and divide it among yourselves; For I say unto you,

I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.”

Luke 22:17-18

“... I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,

until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.”

Matthew 26:29

“For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof,

until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:16

“That ye may eat and drink at My table in My Kingdom ... .”

Luke 22:30

“... To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life,

which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:7

“... To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna … .”

Revelation 2:17

What joy it’s going to be to dine and fellowship with JESUS and all the other saints of God at the Heavenly feast in the New Jerusalem that shall never cease. You don’t want to miss it!

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5.9. Will There Be Marriage and Sex In The New Jerusalem?

In Heaven, the bodily appetite for sex will be gone forever. We will not marry, but we will be like the angels. When asked about future martial relationships, Jesus spoke these words,

“And Jesus answering said unto them, The children

of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they

which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world,

and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are

given in marriage: Neither can they die any more:

for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God,

being the children of the resurrection.”

Luke 20:34-36

The only marriage in Heaven will be our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. We, the body of Christ, are also the bride of Christ and will be married to the Lamb. The Apostle Paul spoke this mystery over and over again, by saying,

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.”   |

Ephesians 5:32

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused

you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

2 Corinthians 11:2

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife [body of Christ] hath made herself ready.”

Revelation 19:7

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That He might present it to Himself  a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,

or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Ephesians 5:25-27

In Heaven, in the place of sex, there will be many other unimaginable, unspoken pleasures (for evermore) that God has in store for us.

“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house;

and thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.”

Psalm 36:8

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy;

at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 16:11

Take note that the scriptures quoted above, speak of God’s river of pleasures and His pleasures for evermore. The pleasures of sin (with all of it’s  ungodly lusts) which have captivated those in this present world, are only for a season. None of this world’s sinful pleasures can tap or compare to what we will experience throughout all eternity.

On the Cross Jesus said,

“… It is finished ... .”

John 19:30

Jesus finished His work on Earth, so that our eternity with Him will never be finished; it will never end.

Have you ever watched a movie so good, you wished it would never end? Have you ever savored a dessert so sweet, you wished it would last and last? Have you had a relationship so fulfilling, you hoped it would go on forever?

Eternal life with God will be so much better. It enhances all of the positives - love, joy, peace, and happiness; while eliminating all of the negatives - sinful lusts, stresses, wants, needs, greed, envy, or any other vices.

God loves and desires only the best for us (now) and in eternity. If you're worried about feeling out of place in Heaven, don't. It’s the earth (here and now) whereby, we are strangers and pilgrims. Heaven is our home. It has been prepared by Jesus to be the place where we will live together and enjoy Him forever in the fullness of our glorified humanity.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear

what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear,

we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”

I John 3:2

Is it any wonder that the psalmist said,

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints?”

Psalm 116:15

In the ages to come, God will show us more and more of His great grace and glory. Wow - the best is yet to come.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the glories of the eternal ages, by saying,

“That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of

His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:7

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6. Eternity With Jesus

The Light of Heaven is the face of Jesus;

The Joy of Heaven is the presence of Jesus;

The Melody of Heaven is the name of Jesus;

The Harmony of Heaven is the praise of Jesus;

The Theme of Heaven is the work of Jesus;

The Employment of Heaven is the service of Jesus;

The Fullness of Heaven is Jesus Himself.    Author Unknown

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7. Hell

Almost everyone in every culture believes that most people are going to make it to Heaven. Many believers and non-believers have a problem with and are uncomfortable with the Bible’s teaching about Hell. The subject of Hell is a painful and frightening truth that many care not to hear about.

The questions are asked:

·           Isn't God a God of love, not vengeance?

·           How can a loving God send people to Hell for eternity?

Hell has become a difficult and terrifying term, so much so that it has been removed as a word from many modern Bibles. Satan works overtime to cause many to deny the existence of such a place of eternal punishment. Even though the term and its concept has been removed, Hell remains and always will be.

Common sense alone should convince us that there must be a Hell. All around us are opposites.

There is positive and there is negative.

There is cold and there is hot.

There is up and there is down.

There is good and there is evil.

There is light and there is darkness.

There is sin and there is holiness.

There is grace and pardon and there is judgment and punishment.

There is God and there is Satan.

There is Heaven and there is Hell.

The only authoritative book on the subject of Hell, has already been written by God called, the Bible. To find out about Hell, we must carefully study what the Scripture has already revealed on the subject.

The Bible teaches us the reality of a very real and terrible place of punishment for those who keep Christ out of their lives.

The Loving, Sweet, Gentle, Lord Jesus Christ spoke more about Hell than anyone else in Scripture. When you put together all the things that Jesus said, the picture of Hell does not sound very pleasant, but is pretty horrible and not a place any one should want to go.

To question the fact and the reality of Hell is to question the authority of the Bible and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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7.1. Hell ~ Sheol

The word Sheol - shĕ'owl  [sheh·ōle'] is found in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament 65 times. Sheol is translated in the King James Version as - “Hell” 31 times, “the Pit” 3 times, and “the Grave” 31 times.

Because Sheol is at times translated Hell and other times translated as Grave, there has been much misunderstanding - causing many to teach that Sheol means the grave. We have already seen that the word [qeber] is the word used for a physical grave where dead bodies are laid to rest.

Sheol is a place described in the Old Testament as the nether or underworld - the abode of the dead. God never put forth the concept of annihilation or nonexistence as the fate of man's soul/spirit at death.

A careful examination of Old Testament Scripture shows that a person does not cease to exist at death. But the Bible consistently shows that the grave [qeber] claims the physical part of man (the body) and Sheol [Hell] claims the separated, spiritual part of man (the soul).

Sheol in the Old Testament was a temporary place where conscious, disembodied (departed) souls/spirits of the dead were kept.

“… her guests are in the depths of Hell [Sheol].”

Proverbs 9:18

Sheol (Hell) is under the earth, while graves were built as sepulchers and tombs above the earth, in man-made caves or holes in the earth.

Sheol does not refer to the grave or to passing into nonexistence. When the body dies, a person’s soul/spirit enters a new kind of existence and experience. In Sheol, the person’s soul/spirit continues to be aware of what is going on around them and is capable of memory, speech, recognition, and communication, without the need of a physical body. This can be proven in scripture.

The first mention of Sheol in the Old Testament is found in Genesis.

“And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him;

but he refused to be comforted; and he said,

For I will go down into the grave [Sheol] unto my son mourning. ... .”

Genesis 37:35

The Jerusalem Bible translates this verse as follows,

“All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.

‘No,’ he said ‘I will go down in mourning to Sheol, beside my son’ ... .”

Genesis 37:35 TJB

While death meant separation from the living, the Old Testament saints clearly understood that it also meant reunion with the departed. The Old Testament saints looked forward to reuniting with their departed loved ones. This is why over and over again (in the Scriptures) we see the term “gathered unto his people.” This means reuniting with the souls of those who have died, in the place of departed spirits.

God said to Abraham,

“And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace [Sheol];

thou shalt be buried [qeber] in a good old age.”

Genesis 15:15

“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age,

an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people [Sheol].”

Genesis 25:8

“And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was

gathered unto his people [Sheol], being old and full of days:

and his sons Esau and Jacob buried [qeber] him.”

Genesis 35:29

“And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his son,

he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost,

and was gathered unto his people [Sheol].”

Genesis 49:33

“And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be

gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor,

and was gathered unto his people.”

Deuteronomy 32:50

“So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab,

according to the word of the Lord. And he buried [qeber] him

in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor:

but no man knoweth of his sepulcher [qeber] unto this day.”

Deuteronomy 34:5,6

David also believed in consciousness after death, because when his newborn son died, he said,

“But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast?

Can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him [Sheol], but he shall not return to me.”

2 Samuel 12:23

In the Old Testament Scriptures, we have a Hebrew word called rapha' [rä·fä']. Strongs Exhaustive Concordance - H7496 says, [rapha] means the dead (ghosts of the dead, shades, spirits).

“For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead [rapha].”

Proverbs 2:18

“But he knoweth not that the dead are there;

and that her guests [rapha] are in the depths of Hell [Sheol].”

Proverbs 9:18

King of Babylon and the Underworld

In the book of Isaiah, we have a very interesting passage of Scripture that gives us a little insight into the underworld. God commanded Isaiah to proclaim this proverb against the king of Babylon. Whether this is future or has already come to pass, is not known.

God says through the prophet, tell the proud king of Babylon that conquered many and ruled with a cruel hand, that he is about to die. His earthly possessions and his status as king of Babylon will mean nothing below. The pleasant music he enjoyed and earthly power he enjoyed will all be gone. He will be conscious, helpless, and hopeless as he is taunted in the underworld by the welcoming committee of other departed spirits [rapha]. As a matter of fact (on the earth) his body will not even get a decent burial.

This passage shows conscious communication that takes place in Sheol and this lets us know that it’s talking about something other than a burial [qeber] place.

“Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming:

it stirreth up the dead [rapha] for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth;

it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we?

art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave [Sheol],

and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee,

and the worms cover thee.”

Isaiah 14:9-11

“They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee,

saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof;

that opened not the house of his prisoners?

All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory,

every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave [qeber]

like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain,

thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit;

as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them

in burial [qeber], because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain

thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.”

Isaiah 14:16-20

The Jerusalem Bible quotes this same passage as follows,

“On your account Sheol beneath us is astir to greet your arrival.

To honor you he rouses the ghosts [rapha] of all the rulers of the world.

He makes all the kings of the nation get up from their thrones.

Each has something to say and what they will say to you is this,

‘So you too have been brought to nothing, like ourselves.

You, too, have become like us. Your magnificence has been

flung down to Sheol with the music of your harps; underneath

you a bed of maggots, and over you a blanket of worms.”

Isaiah 14:9-11 (TJB)

“What! Now you have fallen to Sheol to the very bottom of the abyss!

All who see you will gaze at you, will stare at you, ‘Is this the man

who made the earth tremble, and overthrew kingdoms, who made

the world a desert and leveled cities, who never to his captives

opened the prison gates?’

All the kings of the nations lie honorably, each in his tomb.

But you, you have been expelled from your grave [qeber] like loathsome dung,

buried under the slaughtered, under those cut down by the sword,

and thrown on the stones of the ditch like a mangled carcase.

You are never going to rejoin them in the grave [qeber],

for you have brought your country to ruin and destroyed your people.”

Isaiah 14:16-20  (TJB)

Sheol cannot be the grave here because the body and soul are in different places. The soul is in Sheol with other departed souls, while the body remains unburied, or outside of the grave to be infested by maggots.

In the text of Isaiah 14:12-15 (not listed), this is a passage commonly used in reference to the downfall of Satan. No doubt, Satan was behind the cruel actions of this Gentile king of Babylon. Regardless, it does not change the fact that Sheol and the grave are in different places.

Kings of Assyria and Egypt and the Underworld

To further prove the point that there is consciousness in the underworld - we also find another similar situation in Ezekiel about the fall of the two mighty kings (of Assyria and Egypt) who ended up in the underworld with those who have gone before them. We should take note that in Ezekiel chapter 31, it was pointed out to Pharaoh that just as the king of Assyria, who was greater than he was, had died and gone into the underworld; so would he.

“Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude...

Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast

lifted up thyself in height ... I have driven him out for his wickedness.

... for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth,

in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the Pit ...

when I cast him down to Hell [Sheol] with them that descend into the Pit ... .”

Ezekiel 31:2,10,11,14,16

Then we see Pharaoh, the mighty king of Egypt and his host, who had thought themselves invincible because of their strength and fame among the nations, as they too arrive in Sheol. It is pointed out that now, they were just like the great nations who had gone before them. Their individual souls/spirits were confined to Sheol while their bodies decayed in the grave [qeber].

“Son of  man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast

them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations,

unto the nether parts [regions underground] of

the earth, with them that go down into the Pit.”

Ezekiel 32:18

“Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with

the uncircumcised.  They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by

the sword: she is delivered to the sword: draw her and all her multitudes.

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of Hell [Sheol]

with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.”

Ezekiel 32:19-21

“There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave [qeber],

all of the slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down

uncircumcised into the nether parts [regions underground] of

the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living;

yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the Pit.”

Ezekiel 32:24

“And they shall lie with the mighty that are fallen of the

uncircumcised, which are gone down to Hell [Sheol] with

their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under

their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones,

though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.”

Ezekiel 32:27

These Old Testament Scriptures clearly show that the physical body and the soul/spirit are in two different places. Make no mistake about it, the Old Testament teaches that there is conscious existence of soul/spirit after death.

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7.2. Hell ~ Hades

Hadēs  [hä'-dās]is the Greek word for Hell and is a key term to the Biblical understanding of death and the afterlife. Hades is the bridge that takes us from the Old Testament view of death to the New Testament position.

Hades is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament word Sheol. Both of these words speak of the same place. The Apostle Peter clearly shows that Sheol and Hades are the same as he talks about the Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Peter made direct application of this concept as he quoted from the book of Psalms which spoke of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also

shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell [Sheol]; neither

wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption [qeber or grave].”

Psalm 16:9,10

“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,

that His soul was not left in Hell [Hades],

neither His flesh did see corruption [body left to rot in the grave].”

Acts 2:31

Notice that Peter used Hades for the Old Testament word Sheol to signify what happened to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Peter uses Hades in the place of Sheol to show that they are identical in meaning.

Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon (p. 11) states that Hades comes from two words which joined together mean invisible or unseen. Thus it refers to the common receptacle of disembodied spirits.

Hades is also defined as “the region of departed spirits of the lost” (but including the blessed dead in periods preceding the ascension of Christ).

Hades is used 11 times in the Greek New Testament, being rendered “Hell” 10 times and “grave” 1 time.

Because Hades is used once in the New Testament as the grave, there has been some misunderstanding determining the difference between Hell and the grave in the folllowing scripture.

“O death, where is thy sting?

O grave [Hades], where is thy victory?”

I Corinthians 15:55

Some have mistakenly taught that Hades always refer to the grave rather than a physical Hell. This erroneous teaching leads to the denial of the existence of an immediate or present Hell and to other false doctrines such as soul-sleep or the unconscious state of the dead. Not once does Hades mean nonexistence or unconsciousness.

Hades Is Not The Grave

Hades is not the grave, because in the New Testament we find three Greek words that refer to the grave, taphos, mnema, and mnemeion.

·           Taphos - [tä'-fos]is used 7 times and is translated “sepulcher” 6 of those times and “tomb” 1 time.

·           Mnēma - is used  7 times, being rendered “tomb” 2 times, “grave” 1 time, and “sepulcher” 4 times.

·           Mnēmeion - [mnā-mā'-on] is the most common word for grave in the New Testament. It is used  42 times. It is used 5 times as “tomb,” 29 times as “sepulcher,” and 8 times as “grave.”

The grave is a place where the physical body is laid at death. It is a place of corruption whereby the body returns to dust. There is no consciousness of life in the grave, because the soul/spirit which produces physical consciousness has departed.  There is only silence in the grave.

Hades Is Not Death

Hades does not mean death, because the Greek word thanatos is the word for death of the physical body in the New Testament.

Strongs #2288 - thanatos [thä'-nä-tos ] = the physical death of the body.

Hades is not death because Hades and death are linked together in many passages and are talking about two different things. Jesus said,

“I Am He that liveth, and was dead [thanatos];

and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;

and have the keys of Hell [Hades] and death [thanatos].”

Revelation 1:18

In these few passages, we see a general distinction between the “outward man” which is the body, and the “inward man” which is the soul.

Death or the grave claims the physical part of man - the body.

“… but though our outward man [body] perish ... .”

2 Corinthians 4:16

Hades claims the separated, spiritual part of man - the soul/spirit. Jesus said,

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly;

so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Matthew 12:40

Jesus was letting us know that He would spend the time between His death and resurrection in Hades (the heart of the earth).  The body of Jesus rested in the tomb (sepulcher), but His soul/spirit was in a different place (in the heart of the earth).  Paul affirms this by saying,

“... what is it but that He also

descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”

Ephesians 4:9

The Apostle Peter writes,

“By which also He went and preached unto the spirits

[pneuma - human soul/spirits that have left the body] in prison.”

I Peter 3:19

Apostle Peter spoke of the death of Christ’s physical body, and His return from Hades.

“Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad;

moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell [Hades],

neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One

to see corruption [the decay of the body after death].”

Acts 2:26,27

Through the life of Christ, we can clearly see that the soul/spirit of man lives on after physical death and remains in a conscious state of being.

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7.3. Hell ~ Gehenna

The word Gehenna [ge'-en-nä] is found 12 times in the Greek New Testament.  “Gehenna,” which is derived from the Hebrew word hinnom - means “a place of burning.”  The “Valley of Hinnom,” which translated into Greek becomes Gehenna.

The word Gehenna was originally referred to as the Valley of Hinnom, which was just outside the city of Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, it was the place where idolatrous Jews gave human sacrifices to pagan gods.

“Ahaz … he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord.

Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom,

and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the

heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.”

2 Chronicles 28:1,3

Because of these horrible idolatrous practices, the Valley of Hinnom was hated and considered unclean by pious Jews.

In Christ's day, this hatred of the Valley of Hinnom caused it to become the dump and garbage burner to the city for the burning of refuse. The fire continually burned and they cast into it all kinds of filth, together with the carcasses of beasts, and the unburied bodies of criminals who had been executed. With many remaining relics/corpses that were around, the worms were always feeding. Because of this, the Valley of Hinnom became a graphic symbol of the place of punishment for the wicked.

Out of its 12 occurrences in the New Testament, 11 of those times Gehenna was mentioned by Jesus. Jesus deliberately used the word Gehenna to impress upon His hearers that eternal punishment, as a consequence of sin, awaits the wicked after the resurrection.

The scriptures listed below are serious warnings from Jesus about the terrible reality of God's judgment in the world to come. Jesus says,

“… but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,

shall be in danger of Hell [Gehenna] fire.”

Matthew 5:22

“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 [Gehenna].”

Matthew 5:29

“And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, 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 [Gehenna].”

Mattthew 5:30

“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 [Gehenna].”

Matthew 10:28

“And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee:

it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye,

rather than having two eyes to be cast into Hell [Gehenna] fire.”

Matthew 18:9

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass

sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made,

ye make him twofold more the child of Hell [Gehenna] than yourselves.”

Matthew 23:15

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers,

how can ye escape the damnation of Hell [Gehenna]?”

Matthew 23:33

“And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee

to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast

into Hell [Gehenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

Mark 9:45,46

“But I will forewarn you Whom ye shall fear:

Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power

to cast into Hell [Gehenna]; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him.”

Luke 12:5

Gehenna, as Biblically described, is a permanent, eternal place of punishment in which the unfaithful and wicked reside forever. Gehenna is not to be confused with Hades or Sheol. They are different places.

While Sheol and Hades describe the temporary abode of the dead until the resurrection, Gehenna is the place of future punishment of the unrepentant angels and unbelievers for all eternity.

From looking at the Scriptural expressions that describe the eternal state of the wicked as being forever separated from God, it seems that Gehenna, the Lake of Fire, and the Second Death are identical terms.

“And death [thanatos] and Hell [Hades] were cast

into the Lake of Fire [Gehenna]. This is the Second Death.”

Revelation 20:14

Gehenna is the place where the body as well as the soul is punished. Jesus said,

“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 [Gehenna].”

Matthew 10:28

The word destroy comes from the Greek word apollumi [ä-po'l-lü-mē] = which means to be delivered up to eternal misery.

The wicked that are cast into Gehenna do not get annihilated, but they are separated from God’s presence and power, which is eternal death.

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven

with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,

and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with

everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.”

Isaiah 66:24

According to Scripture, this indicates conscious, eternal torment.

In Revelation 19:20, the first residents of Gehenna seem to be the Beast  and the False Prophet. John said,

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies,

gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse,

and against His army. And the beast was taken, and with him

the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which

he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast,

and them that worshipped his image. These both were

cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

Revelation 19:19,20

On this earth, Satan knows he has only a short time to continue to deceive mankind.

“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.”

Revelation 12:9

“... for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,

because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

Revelation 12:12

During the ministry of Jesus, the demons were always crying out not to be punished and tormented before the time.

“... there met Him two possessed with devils [demons] ... And,

behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus,

thou Son of God? art Thou come hither to torment us before the time?”

Matthew 8:28,29

“... there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils [demons] long time ...

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him,

and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with Thee,

Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech Thee, torment me not.”

Luke 8:27,28

Hell was created for Satan and the other fallen angels who followed him in rebellion. The unsaved of humanity from all ages who have rejected Christ, will be with them in this place of torment.

“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.

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment ... .”

Matthew 25:41,46

“And shall cast them into a furnace of fire:

there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 13:42

Those who rejected Christ and are in the temporary abode of the dead called Hades, will be raised and judged at the Great White Throne Judgment; then, will be cast into the Lake of Fire [Gehenna] as their final destination. This is the everlasting reward of all that die in their sins.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;

and the books were opened: and another book was opened,

which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those

things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death [thanatos]

and Hell [Hades] 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.”

Revelation 20:12-15

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7.4. Hell ~ Tartaroo

The Greek word - tartaroo [tär-tä-ro'-ō]occurs but once in  Scripture and is translated Hell.

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to

Hell [Tartaroo], and delivered them into chains of darkness

[gloomy dungeons], to be reserved unto judgment … .”

2 Peter 2:4

The words cast down to Hell are translated from the one Greek word tartaroo. The word tartaroo very closely resembles tartarus [tahr-ter-uhs], a word used in Grecian mythology as the name for a dark abyss or prison [holding compartment] of punishment for the most wicked.

Tartaroo applies to a specific compartment or place of confinement in the underworld [Hades] where  a certain class of fallen angels are being held until the time of their judgment.

Not much is said about this evil angelic event, but Jude spoke of an unexplainable phenomenon, whereby a certain group of angels committed a particular wicked crime which caused them to be confined.

“And the angels which kept not their first estate [positions of authority],

but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under

darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

Jude 1:6

In Jude verse 5, he is asking the believers to remember this angelic event, and he links it with two other events. The events that Jude links it with are, the unbelief after the exodus, and Sodom and Gomorrah.

It is also interesting to note that Peter links the angelic incident, referred to above, with the same time frame.

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person,

a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of

the ungodly. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned

them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly.”

2 Peter 2:5,6

All of these events speak of wicked, shameless conduct by angels, suggesting that angels slept with natural women and produced giants. There is no other angelic event in  Scripture that fits this scenario other than the one in Genesis.

“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that,

when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men,

and they bare children to them, the same became

mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”

Genesis 6:4

The term sons of God refers to angelic beings.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present

themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.”

Job 1:6

“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present

themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them

to present himself before the LORD.”

Job 2:1

Somehow, it seems that certain fallen angels caused a disruption of normal genetic patterns, and were confined to Hell [Tartaroo].

Presently, this is all that God has chosen to reveal concerning this wicked angelic event. In the future, if God chooses to open our understanding of this event, we’ll have a clear picture of what actually happened to cause this angelic confinement.

Hell is not God’s will for anyone. God does not send anyone to Hell. As a matter of fact, God has done everything in His power to prevent anyone from going to Hell. God has put many blockades in the pathway to Hell.

Because of Adam and Eve’s (Genesis 3) fall into sin, mankind (after death) was doomed to an eternity of separation from God, imprisoned in Hell. Before Jesus, man had no choice in his eternal destiny.

To say that God sends people to Hell is not correct. It was God who sent Jesus to give mankind a choice by providing us with an escape from a life in Hell.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that

whosoever believes on Him would not perish but have everlasting life".

John 3:16

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you

life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”

Deut. 30:19

God will not save us against our will. Therefore, many have made the choice to go to Hell by refusing to take advantage of the escape clause of the acceptance of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. If an individual finds themselves in Hell, it will be because of their own decision to reject and disobey God.

God gave His all, so we can be with Him in glory (Heaven) forever. We can escape the wrath to come and choose life by taking refuge in God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior of sinners.

♦

8. Invitation To Salvation

Many surveys show that Heaven is the place people hope they will go. To be sure we are going to Heaven when we die, we need to make peace with God.

God will not change our character against our will or without our cooperation. Our decision for Him must be developed in this lifetime. God wants to help us through life by walking with Him, and when it comes our time to die, He wants us to come and live with Him in Heaven.

God loves everyone and wants us to be His children. He is not willing that anyone should perish and is willing to forgive anyone who comes to Him in repentance.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that

whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have Everlasting Life.”

John 3:16

Jesus is God's Son, who came to earth on our behalf to pay sin’s penalty by dying on a cruel cross and then rising from the dead.

We cannot earn salvation, nor can we buy it. Salvation is a FREE spiritual gift from God. Jesus offers salvation to anyone who asks forgiveness for their sins and accepts Him as Savior in their heart by faith. Upon repentance, the Lord will then save us and we will have the assurance in our heart of going to Heaven when we die.

The Bible says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

Through these words, Jesus is extending His invitation to you today. Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart. It is up to you to accept it or reject it.

If you haven’t already, please invite Jesus in. You’ll never be the same.

"For Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved."

Romans 10:13

I look forward to meeting you on the other side ~ in Heaven. God bless you!

Email & Contact Information

More Than Conquerors Life Center

Pastor Leroy Freeman

P.O. Box 221076

West Palm Beach, FL 33422

Email: leroyfreeman@mtcm.com

Go forth and enjoy your SALVATION.

God bless you in your walk with Him!

♦

Get Other Great Books by Leroy Freeman

Freedom From Fear And Worry ~ Surviving The Storm

God’s Power Behind The Wire

Death And The Afterlife ~ The Bible Speaks

11 Evidences Of Eternal Salvation ~ Examine Yourself

Kindle Books by Leroy Freeman

Battles And Blessings Of Bing Single

God’s Power Behind The Wire

11 Evidences Of Eternal Salvation

Public Domain Titles Edited by Leroy Freeman

Lord Teach Us To Pray

The Pursuit Of God

As A Man Thinketh

The Chocolate Soldier

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Table of Contents

Copyright

1. Introduction

2. Near Death Experiences

3. New Heavens and New Earth

4. The Heaven of Heavens

5. New Jerusalem

6. Eternity With Jesus

7. Hell

8. Invitation To Salvation