Hell

 

The word "hell" is used in the Bible to refer to a number of different places, but it is most commonly used to refer to the place of eternal punishment for the wicked.

The Bible teaches that hell is a place of fire and torment (Revelation 20:10). It is a place where people will be punished for their sins (Matthew 25:46).

The Bible also teaches that hell is a place of separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9). It is a place where people will experience eternal suffering (Revelation 20:14-15).

Biblical references to hell

Here are some of the most well-known biblical references to hell:

• Matthew 10:28: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
• Matthew 25:41: "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'"
• Mark 9:43: "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out."
• Luke 16:19-31: This is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man died and went to hell, while Lazarus died and went to heaven. The rich man begged Lazarus to bring him some water to cool his tongue, but Lazarus was unable to do so.
• Revelation 20:10-15: This passage describes the final judgment and the punishment of the wicked. The wicked will be thrown into the lake of fire, where they will be tormented forever and ever.

Conclusion

The doctrine of hell is a sobering one. It is a reminder that we must choose carefully how we live our lives. If we choose to sin and reject God, we will face eternal punishment in hell. But if we choose to repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ, we will receive eternal life in heaven.

The Greek text of Revelation 20:14-15 is as follows:

καὶ ὁ θάνατος καὶ ὁ ᾅδης ἐβλήθησαν εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ πυρός. οὗτος ὁ θάνατος ὁ δεύτερός ἐστιν, ἡ λίμνη τοῦ πυρός. καὶ εἴ τις οὐχ εὑρέθη ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς γεγραμμένος ἐβλήθη εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ πυρός.

This can be translated as follows:

And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, they were thrown into the lake of fire.

Greek Linguistics

The word for "death" in Greek is θάνατος (thanatos). It is a common word in the New Testament and refers to the physical separation of the soul from the body. The word for "Hades" in Greek is ᾅδης (hades). It is a more complex word, but it can be understood as the realm of the dead, or the place where people go after they die. The word for "lake of fire" in Greek is λίμνη τοῦ πυρός (limne tou pyros). It is a unique phrase that only occurs in Revelation. It is a symbol of God's judgment and destruction.

The phrase "second death" is also unique to Revelation. It is a reference to the spiritual death that occurs when someone is separated from God eternally.

Interpretation

Revelation 20:14-15 is a passage that has been interpreted in many different ways. Some people believe that it is a literal description of a future event, while others believe that it is symbolic.

Those who believe that the passage is literal interpret it to mean that there will be a time in the future when death and Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. This will be the end of death and the realm of the dead. Only those who are written in the book of life will be spared.

Those who believe that the passage is symbolic interpret it to mean that God will ultimately triumph over death and evil. The lake of fire represents God's judgment and destruction. The second death represents the spiritual death that occurs when someone is separated from God eternally.

Conclusion

Revelation 20:14-15 is a complex and challenging passage. There is no single interpretation that is universally accepted. However, by understanding the Greek linguistics of the passage, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its meaning.

Hell