Are Sinners on a Highway to Hell?

I am writing this topic, because I feel that "hell" is a slippery subject to many Christians. Some believe so strongly that there is a hell, because God judges Sinners by condemning them to eternal punishment in hell. While others believe that God loves us all, why would He send anyone to Hell? I don't have all the answers to these questions, but my hope is that by the time you read this message it will give you more insight into God's inspired word. 

     

 I would like to point some things out before I start talking about Hell.

     Some Thoughts to Consider:

1: When we are being taught the Bible by our pastors and priests, is it the same as what is written in the Bible? Is what you hear the truth?

Peter warns us in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (NASB)

This is not to say that the church you attend is not teaching truth. I am saying test what is being taught by doing your own studying.

2: The Bible was written in three different languages the Old Testament is in Hebrew and Aramaic and the New Testament is in Greek. When you and I read the Bible in English, we are reading a Translation, very different from the original manuscripts.

3: To help you better understand Scripture, use Bible helpers.

Such as Concordances, Bible Dictionaries, Study Bibles, Bible related Websites, Using More than one Translation of the Bible, Bible Professors and other believer's council. I discuss this more in detail in my post Bible Helpers. 

     Question: Are we getting the authenticity of the Bible?

    4: When one word in a sentence is changed, it changes the entire meaning of that sentence.

Example: 

Sentence 1: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (KJV)

Sentence 2: And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

     

     The word Hell is listed 54 times in the King James Version. This is why most people believe in Hell, because it is there in the Bible! Hell is also in other translations not just in the King James Bible. I'm sure you knew that 

I am going to use the King James, because Hell is listed the most times in this version than any other English translation of the Bible. 

                 

Here is the 54 times in each Book, chapter and verse that the world Hell shows up in both Old and New Testament:

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

2 Samuel 22:6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

Job 11:8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

26:6 Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
18:5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

55:15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
116:3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Proverbs 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
9:18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
23:14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Isaiah 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
 14:9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
14:15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.)

28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
 28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
57:9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.

Ezekiel 31:16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.
 31:17 They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.
 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
 32:27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell 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.)

Amos 9:2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

Habakkuk 2:5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

New Testament

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

5:29And 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.

5:30And 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.

10:28And 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.
11:23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

18:9 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 fire.
23:15 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 than yourselves.

23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape thedamnation of hell?

Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
9:45 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, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

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;

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

20:13 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.
20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

What is read is what is writing, right. Not in this case. Before I go on let me explain how a concordance works for those of you who haven’t use one. Let’s look at Deuteronomy 32:22

For a fire ⁷⁸⁴ is kindled ⁶⁹¹⁹ in mine anger ⁶³⁹, and shall burn ³³⁴⁴ unto the lowest ⁸⁴⁸² hell ⁷⁵⁸⁵, and shall consume ³⁹⁸ the earth ⁷⁷⁶ with her increase ²⁹⁸¹, and set on fire ³⁸⁵⁷ the foundations ⁴¹⁴⁴ of the mountains ²⁰²².

You see the numbers beside the words. Notice Hell’s number (7585). That number will take you to the Hebrew Dictionary-Index in the Strong's Concordance.  Hell is the translated word and (7585) is the actual Hebrew word. Scene most of us can't read Hebrew a concordance helps you by using numbers to help you find the corresponding Hebrew word Translation. The numbers start from 0.1 to 8674 instead of A-Z. Just go to page where (7585) is and read the Hebrew word and English meaning. In this case you get sheh·ōle or sheol not Hell.

     

     The meaning of Sheol is grave; by extension, realm of the dead, deepest depths

     This is very different from the traditional belief of Hell “Place of Unquenchable Fiery Pain and Torment!”

     

     Sheol sounds rather harmless, "Look at all the dead people who are in torment and pain in the grave!" If you are dead how can you feel pain?

     Finishing up with the Old Testament Deuteronomy threw Habakkuk. In each of these verses, Hell (7585) is Translated sheol- grave; by extension, realm of the dead, deepest depths.

Here’s where it gets interesting, stay with me… Now Let us look in the New Testament.

Since the New Testament was translated from Greek we must now go to the Greek Dictionary-Index in a concordance to better understand the actual meaning of the word Hell in each scripture of the New Testament. 

Take a look at Matthew 5:22

But ¹¹⁶¹ I ¹⁴⁷³ say ³⁰⁰⁴ unto you ⁵²¹³, That ³⁷⁵⁴ whosoever ³⁹⁵⁶ is angry ³⁷¹⁰ with his ⁸⁴⁶ brother ⁸⁰ without a cause ¹⁵⁰⁰ shall be ²⁰⁷¹ in danger ¹⁷⁷⁷ of the judgment ²⁹²⁰: and ¹¹⁶¹ whosoever ^{3739 302} shall say ²⁰³⁶ to his ⁸⁴⁶ brother ⁸⁰, Raca ⁴⁴⁶⁹, shall be ²⁰⁷¹ in danger ¹⁷⁷⁷ of the council ⁴⁸⁹²: but ¹¹⁶¹ whosoever ^{3739 302} shall say ²⁰³⁶, Thou fool ³⁴⁷⁴, shall be ²⁰⁷¹ in danger ¹⁷⁷⁷ of ¹⁵¹⁹ hell ¹⁰⁶⁷ fire ⁴⁴⁴².

Notice The number beside the word Hell(1067) The Greek Dictionary-Index results are, The Greek word geenna meaning Gehenna, “Velly of Hinnom”

Gehenna is use 12 times in Greek in the New Testament instead of Hell (1067)

Verses in which the word Gehenna Include:

Matt  5:22, Matt  5:29, Matt  5:30, Matt  10:28, Matt  18:9, Matt  23:15, Matt  23:33, Mark 9:43, Mark 9:45,Mark 9:47, Luke 12:5 and James 3:6

           

Question: Was Jesus Talking About Hell in a literal scene or was he using Gehenna to tell a spiritual lesson?

Side Note:  Gahenna Refers to a valley just outside Jerusalem the word is derived from the Hebrew word Ge-Hinnom, the valley of Hinnom (Joshua18:16). At the Time of Jesus this valley was what we might call the city dump-the pace where garbage, trash and refuse were thrown and consumed in the fires that constantly burned there. The carcasses of dead animals-and bodies of despised criminals-were also cast into Gehenna to be burned. Jesus used this particular location and what took place there to help us understand the fate of the wicked and unrepeated will suffer in the future. (Hevean & Hell: What Does The Bible Really Teach)

Now you’re probably thinking this explains Hell, “A Place of Unquenchable Fiery Torment”

Another place where Jesus spoke of gehenna fire is in Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell(gehenna).(NKJV)  We should notice that Jesus did not speak of people suffering everlasting torment. He said God can destroy –annihlate-both body and soul in Gehenna. (Haven & Hell What does The Bible teach p.25)

Again in Psalm 37: 9-11; 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more.11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (NKJV) Now in the (NLT) 9 For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.10 Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone.11 The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.

And another Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, “Says the LORD of hosts,” That will leave them neither root nor branch.

Something To Ponder: God is able to destroy both body and soul, He will destroy the wicked both body and soul and not throw them into hell being tortured for eternity. To me that sounds more frightening then going hell. God is love and his judgment is perfect.

Now to the Greek Dictionary of the word Hell in the New Testament. 

Take a look In Matthew 11:23.

And ²⁵³² thou ⁴⁷⁷¹, Capernaum ²⁵⁸⁴, which ³⁵⁸⁸ art exalted ⁵³¹² unto ²¹⁹³ heaven ³⁷⁷², shalt be brought down ²⁶⁰¹ to ²¹⁹³ hell ⁸⁶: for ³⁷⁵⁴ if ¹⁴⁸⁷ the mighty works ¹⁴¹¹, which ³⁵⁸⁸ have been done ¹⁰⁹⁶ in ¹⁷²² thee ⁴⁶⁷¹, had been done ¹⁰⁹⁶ in ¹⁷²² Sodom ⁴⁶⁷⁰, it would have remained ^{302 3306} until ³³⁶⁰ this day ⁴⁵⁹⁴.

Notice the number beside the word Hell(86) this time it is not (1067) so we have another word we need to look at to get a better understanding of what Jesus is saying here.  Now look in the Greek Dictionary-Index to find (86) is hadēs meaning-The Grave, The place of the Dead, “the underworld”

Hell is Translated Hades 10 Time in The New Testament.

Verses Include: 

Matt 11:23, Matt 16:18, Luke 10:15, Luke 16:23, Acts 2:27, Acts 2:31, Revelation 1:18, Revelation 6:8, Revelation 20:13, Revelation 20:14.

Here is where it gets interesting.

Take a look at 2 Peter 2:4

For ¹⁰⁶³ if ¹⁴⁸⁷ God ²³¹⁶ spared ⁵³³⁹ not ³⁷⁵⁶ the angels ³² that sinned ²⁶⁴, but ²³⁵ cast [them] down to hell ⁵⁰²⁰, and delivered ³⁸⁶⁰ [them] into chains ⁴⁵⁷⁷ of darkness ²²¹⁷, to be reserved ⁵⁰⁸³ unto ¹⁵¹⁹ judgment ²⁹²⁰;

  

     Notice the number beside the word Hell is (5020) Now going in the Greek Dictionary-Index and Find the Greek Word tartaroō meaning- to send to hell, hold captive in Tartaus. A derivative of the Greek noun “Tartaus” a place of torture and torment lower then Hades in Greek and Jewish apocalyptic literature

     

     Question: Is Peter talking about hell or another place?

        Your probably thinking this explains Hell and I would agree with you but my question is: Do humans go to hell or is it just fallen angles? Look at what Peter says, For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

Nothing in there about Humans who sinned going down to hell, just fallen angles.

I must admit “Tartaus” has me confused about Hell, but I'm still wrestling with the scriptures. 

From What I have read Peter was talking about this place being a holding cell for the falling ones

  

     Questions: If there is a Hell do Human Beings Go There for Judgment?

                      What Awaits the punishment of the wicked if there is no Hell?

                      Is the Belief in Hell exclusive to Christianity?

Is the Lake of Fire the same as Hell the Final Judgment on all who separate themselves from God?

                   

     I must end this for now because this is a lot of information. I would like everyone who reads this to think about what is being said here and do your own research. On my next post I will talk about the soul remember Matthew 10:28 and the questions I will attempt to answer, more on this as it develops...

May God give you wisdom and understanding in his word and on this topic.

Web Sites Used

http://www.biblegateway.com
www.blueletterbible.org

Bibles Used

The New King James Version

The King James Version

New American Standard

Books used

Haven & Hell What does The Bible Teach 

found on http://www.ucg.org/booklet/heaven-and-hell-what-does-bible-really-teach/

Strong's Concordance 

Thank You For Reading