In today’s religious landscape, the idea of hell is often shaped by tradition, medieval imagery, and human imagination. But what does the Bible truly say? When we return to Scripture alone, we find a picture of hell very different from the commonly accepted notion of eternal conscious torment.
What Do “Sheol,” “Hades,” and “Gehenna” Mean?
- Sheol – The Hebrew term for the general place of the dead. It is not a place of torment but of silence and rest, where all the dead go. Ecclesiastes 9:10* Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
- Hades – The Greek equivalent of Sheol, often misunderstood as “hell,” but it simply means the realm of the dead. Luke 16:23* And in hell (Hades), being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
- Gehenna – A Greek form of the Hebrew “Valley of Hinnom,” a place outside Jerusalem used for burning garbage and unclean remains. In Jesus’ time, it symbolized final destruction, not eternal torment.
Jesus used “Gehenna” to refer not to an everlasting torture chamber, but to a place of complete destruction:
“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
Hell as Destruction, Not Eternal Conscious Suffering
While the Bible speaks of “eternal punishment,” it is not eternal conscious torment, but eternal consequences – destruction:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
– Romans 6:23
- “The soul that sins, it shall die.” – Ezekiel 18:4
- “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord...” – 2 Thessalonians 1:9
- “But the fearful, and unbelieving... shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
Hell Was Not Prepared for Mankind
“Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
– Matthew 25:41
God’s will is not destruction but salvation:
“The Lord... is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
– 2 Peter 3:9
Jesus Came to Save, Not to Condemn
“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
– John 3:17
🔍 Conclusion: Hell as Eternal Torment Is Not Biblical
The Bible does not teach eternal torture for sinners. Instead, it teaches that:
- The second death is the final result of sin.
- Gehenna is a symbol of irreversible destruction.
- Eternal life is the gift given only to the redeemed.
“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”
– Hebrews 3:15
Salvation is free, full, and available in Christ. Hell – as popular tradition paints it – has no place in the message of a God who is love.
Today’s message is a gentle invitation to release ourselves from the fears imposed by tradition—whether knowingly or not—because God’s Word offers a love like no other.
So, follow us, share this with your friends, and most importantly, read the Holy Scriptures, for in them we find life
John 5:39* Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me..
And don’t forget—God has a plan, a purpose, and a future designed just for you
Jeremiah 29:11* For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end..