Search Results for: hell
What is Hell?
What is Hell: Nothing has plagued the Christian religion more than the misinformation regarding hell. Many have equated hell with a place similar to Dante’s Inferno, consisting of multiple levels marked by punishment fit for sins the inhabitants have committed. Others view hell like the chamber of a volcano where Satan rules with a trident. These concepts of hell are, not only non-Biblical, they make no theological sense. Why would God be concerned with torturing the inhabitants of hell? If all sins are considered equal, why would different sins result in different punishments? Why would Satan rule hell? While hell is a…
What are some references to hell in the Bible?
What are some references to hell in the Bible: A lot of confusion has arisen regarding references to hell in the Bible. Much of the confusion is due to the assumption one goes to either heaven or hell immediately upon death. In reality, no one is currently in heaven or hell. All dead are awaiting judgment. Only after the dead have been judged will anyone enter heaven or hell: Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2 References to the afterlife include several places:…
What is hell like?
What is hell like: No one really knows what hell will be like. Many imagine fire and brimstone. However, these people are confusing an analogy with reality. The use of fire in describing hell comes from a valley called Gehenna, or ga ben Hinnom, “the valley of the son of Hinnom.” This valley exists outside Jerusalem and was used by the ancient Israelites to dispose of their garbage. The valley was always on fire and the fire consumed the trash. When Christ refers to hell as “Gehenna” he is referring to hell, not necessarily as a place of fire,…
Are people punished for their sins in hell?
Are people punished for their sins in hell: While hell is the consequence of sin, it is only because sin is the means by which one expresses their choice to go to hell. Given that this is a bad choice to make, one could say hell is a punishment. But only so far as it is a consequence for a bad decision. To say that hell is punishing is to say that people are punished for their sins in hell suggests hell is not simply the consequence of sin, but instead a location or a condition in which one will face…
What is the purpose of hell?
What is the purpose of hell: Contrary to popular belief hell does not function as a place of torture or retribution for those who violate the laws of God. One could instead consider hell a gift. Because God is a loving God he will not force anybody to follow his laws and will always honor their right and ability to exact their own freewill. If one has made the freewill choice to violate the laws of God, and by extension choose to exist outside of his kingdom, then God will honor this freewill choice and allow them to exist…
Catechism: Christ descended into hell
632 The frequent New Testament affirmations that Jesus was “raised from the dead” presuppose that the crucified one sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection.477 This was the first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ’s descent into hell: that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Saviour, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there.478 633 Scripture calls the abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, “hell” – Sheol in Hebrew…
Catechism: Hell
… you cursed, into the eternal fire!”614 1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.”615 The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs. 1036 The affirmations of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church on the subject of hell are a call to the responsibility…
Does the devil rule hell?
Does the devil rule hell: The idea of the devil ruling hell is the product of medieval theology and has absolutely no biblical basis. According to Scripture, hell was created for the devil and his angels (what are called demons) as a place where they may exist apart from the laws of God. Hell is described only as a place of torment for man, demons in the devil alike. There are absolutely no biblical passages that suggest the devil will torment the inhabitants of hell or in any way derive pleasure, satisfaction or enjoyment from his damnation in hell….
Will the Devil rule hell?
Will the Devil rule hell: Generally this opinion is maintained by those who submit to a dualistic system (those who elevate the devil to a deity). Believing the devil is a second, equal and opposite god leads some to believe the devil imitates God in every way. Hell, therefore, would be an imitation of heaven. While the devil does imitate God in an attempt to deceive, it is important to remember the devil is not a deity and cannot imitate God in every way. This fact is demonstrated when Nebuchadnezzar needed a dream interpreted: In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar…
Was hell was created for angels?
Was hell was created for angels: Hell was created for anyone who chooses to exist outside the laws of God (i.e. heaven). This includes angels: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Matthew 25:41 This does not suggest hell was created only for the fallen angels. Fallen angels are not the only one’s who chose hell; they were only the first. Angels fell (chose to leave heaven) prior to the fall of man. It was due to their choice that…