What is the Difference between Sheol, Hades, and Gehennah?

Kosher Gospel ^ | Rev. Mark Alterman

[wmfights]

This month I would like to explain the difference between the immediate state of the dead (what happens after death) and the ultimate destiny of the human race (Lake or Fire or New Jerusalem).

In the Bible, various words are used to describe the state of the dead. The terms Sheol, in the Hebrew Bible, and Hades, in the Green New Testament, are EQUIVALENT. This is very important to understand. They mean the same thing-the place of Departed Spirits! In Psalm 16:10, we read these words of David:

“For thou (YHVH) will not leave me soul in Hell (Sheol)

neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one (Jesus) to see

corruption.” Psalm 16:10

David says that GOD will not leave his soul in SHEOL. Sheol is the PLACE OF DEPARTED SPIRITS. Prior to the resurrection of Christ, Sheol was under the earth and had TWO COMPARTMENTS (Luke 16:22-24).

The verse that we quoted in Psalm 16 is REPEATED in the New Testament. In Acts 2:27, Peter quoted from Psalm 16. When we read the word “hell” it is really HADES (in Greek). Thus HADES and SHEOL are EQUIVALENT.

Prior to Christ, everyone went to SHEOL. No one went directly to heaven except Elijah and Enoch. Even Christ went to SHEOL, for the Scripture says, “…He (Christ) also DESCENDED first into the lower parts of the earth” (Ephesians 4:9). We must understand that Christ and the righteous dead of the Old Testament went to the UPPER COMPARTMENT of Sheol, which is called PARADISE, or “Abraham’s bosom.” The unrighteous dead (i.e. the rich man in Luke 16, etc.) went to the LOWER COMPARTMENT of Sheol.

When Christ died on the cross, he told the thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). He took this man to paradise, or Upper Sheol. Some churches have creeds that state that Christ “DESCENDED INTO HELL.” This is actually HADES (SHEOL). After His resurrection, He emptied Upper Sheol (Paradise) and took the righteous dead to heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Only LOWER SHEOL remains in the earth and is the destination for the lost. LOWER SHEOL will be emptied into the LAKE OF FIRE (GEHENNAH) at the final judgment (Revelation 21:14).

“And death and HADES were cast into the LAKE OF

FIRE…” (Revelation 21:14).

The term GEHENNAH is different from SHEOL (Hades), for it refers to the FINAL ABODE of the unrighteous dead. One place where it is used is Matthew 5:22: “…Thou fool, shall be in danger of GEHENNA fire.” The confusion comes because GEHENNA is also translated “hell” in the King James Bible. GEHENNA IS NOT SHEOL but the FINAL JUDGMENT, which is often called the Second Death! (Revelation 21:14-15).

Between UPPER and LOWER Sheol, there was a “great gulf” or some kind of division (Luke 16). The righteous dead went to the upper compartment

[wmfights]

Salv.: >> Thinking you will get into heaven without purging the damage you have done with your sins<<

Thinking you will be saved because of any works you have done is a different Gospel and should be fled from.

One passage that seems to cause a lot of controversy is Matt. 16:18. One part of this verse "and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" makes no sense if it's believed that Hades is attacking a physical church on earth. First, gates are fixed objects that open and close. Second, gates are used to keep things in, or out. Finally, gates don't attack anything because they are just objects.

Also, Hades is not a being, but a place. A place is a location and locations don't attack people, or another location ie, a church.

However, Matt 16:18 does make sense and is easy to understand if we see that Jesus Christ is saying the gates of Hades can't keep Him out, or contain those that He intends to take out of there. When you also recognize what Jesus Christ said to the thief on the Cross "today you will be in paradise" it starts to become very clear.

[annalex]

Those works which are good will survive the fires of judgment the way gold, silver, and precious stones can survive fire. But false works will be consumed the way fire consumes wood, hay, and straw. What is left has no bearing on whether or not we are saved

Yes. Note that these works are attached to the man and fire purges them from him. You just paraphrased what Purgatory is.

[annalex]

Christian man is a building. Its foundation is solid, it is his faith. He added his works through his life, some sterling, others inferior. The inferiorities are purged by fire and he enters heaven.

What is your interpretation?

[The Theophilus]

You just paraphrased what Purgatory is.

Could you please tell me what heinous crime merited being crucified on a tree, yet minutes before His own death our LORD told the man "Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise"? Because it doesn't sound like the dude hung out in this alleged Purgatory for very long.

[caww]

There is no purgatory...sins are either or not forgiven this side of life...after death there remains no choice as the decission for or against Christ is made this side of heaven. Christ’s blood operates this side...”Once”...there is no partial cleansing after death.

[caww]

Purgatory is a dangerous doctrine that makes the Cross of Christ insufficient by requiring the person to undergo suffering in order to be made worthy of being with God. This is a false teaching and is to be avoided. We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1), not by faith and works (Rom. 3:28).

I completely agree...good post.

[CynicalBear]

>>What is your interpretation?<<

The passage we were talking about is 1 Cor. 3. that passage is talking about the ministers.
[1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.]

Verse 1 sets up the passage. Paul is saying he is talking to them as new Christians who don’t understand the deeper meanings but are still thinking carnally. He goes on to say that they have carnal strife within the Church. He laid the foundation of belief.

[4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?]

Here in verse 4 he begins to explain what he means. The people are still claiming they are followers of the ministers who have been working among them. He goes on to say that he (Paul) was the one who first introduced them to Christianity and Apollos came later and (watered) or continued what he had started.

[7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.]
In verse 7 he explains that it’s not he nor Apollos that is important or who they should follow but it is God.

[8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.]

Verse eight is perhaps the key to understanding the passage. Here again he is talking about himself and Apollos as ministers and their labour among the Church and Corinth.
[9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.]

In verse 9 he begins to explain that he and Apollos are labourers together and the building that is being built belongs to God.

[10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.]

Here again, in verse 10 you can see he (Paul) is the masterbuilder that laid the foundation and others (ministers) are coming after and need to “take heed” on how they build upon the foundation that he has laid. They need to build with sound Godly truth.

[13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.]

In verse 13 you can see that he is still talking about the ministers (builders) who have been teaching the people in Corinth. He gave them a good foundation to build on but if the ministers who follow him do not teach the same truthful precepts of God the will not last but will be “revealed by fire”. In other words when things come against the people such as nay sayers etc. if the things taught by the ministers that follow him are not build on those same truthful Godly prinicipals they will not last. Also if the people aren’t firm in there belief the weakness of their faith will not last.

The rest of the chapter goes on to explain that if they don’t teach and learn about the Spiritual things they will remain in a carnal state. The things we do in a carnal state will not last. (things like money, the things of this world etc.) But as we grow in the Spirit, more of what we think about and do is because of the leading of the Spirit of God and will last.

The passage is not saying anything about purification after death but about what will be lost at death. The carnal things that have been left will not last but the spiritual things we did (witnessing to others, helping the poor etc.) will last long after we are gone.

[14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.]

Verse 14 tells us that we will be rewarded in heaven for works on earth that were built on Godly principles. Paul called the gold, silver, etc. that had already been tried by fire. They are pure, not something that can easily be destroyed.

[CynicalBear]

>>Could you please tell me what heinous crime merited being crucified on a tree, yet minutes before His own death our LORD told the man “Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise”? Because it doesn’t sound like the dude hung out in this alleged Purgatory for very long.<<

He was the thief on the cross. Sheol, prior to Jesus death and resurrection, had two levels. The lower level for people who were not saved, the second level for those who were. Jesus had not paid the price yet so those saved could not yet go to heaven. After Jesus died on the Cross He went to the second level of Sheol and released those souls and took them with him to heaven. The unsaved souls in the lower level are still there and will be sent to Hades with Satan.

[wmfights]

He went to the second level of Sheol and released those souls and took them with him to heaven.

IOW, "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it"

Nobody is there anymore.

[annalex]

it doesn't sound like the dude hung out in this alleged Purgatory for very long.

He may not have hung there at all. He did all the Catholic conversion required: did penance for his sin, suffered with Christ, defended Christ, and asked to be saved. He died what the Catholics call a good death. May we all be so lucky.

In general, we don't know who individually goes to purgatory and who doesn't. We know that heaven and hell are the two ultimate destinations and we have the rule of faith that the Church proposes for us so that we get to heaven. We know that some will enter heaven after the supernatural purgation following their death. We don't know who individually goes where, except that for the canonized saints of authentic churches we know that they are in heaven.

Further we don't know the exact nature of the Purgatory. It is outside of time and space, so concepts like fire and the duration of it are only metaphors. It may all happen in a flash as the soul goes to heaven. Note that St. Paul framed that passage as an allegory, where man is likened to a building which burns.

St. Dismas, the Repentant Thief

[annalex]

...sins are either or not forgiven this side of life...after death there remains no choice as the decission for or against Christ is made this side of heaven.

Purgatory is not a place where either sins are forgiven or retained, or decisions for Christ or against are made. Learn first that, which you try to deny.

[CynicalBear]

Purgatory is a myth.

[annalex]

I have no disagreement with your interpretation of verses 1-8, of which I did not ask.

Verse eight is perhaps the key to understanding the passage. Here again he is talking about himself and Apollos as ministers and their labour among the Church and Corinth.

St. Paul does speak of "every man" repeatedly in the passage. So, no, the passage in question, starting at verse 9, where people are likened to buildings is directed at all of us, not only the clergy, even though previously St. Paul was talking of himself and Apollo. He says: "let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon" (v. 10).

The passage is not saying anything about purification after death but about what will be lost at death

When inferior things are removed from something, for example, from a building, that is purification. Did you ever clean anything?

The passage indeed speaks of events that happen at death of an individual who has a foundation of faith, yet has allowed impurities of carnal nature in his life. Those impurities will be lost before he enters heaven. The passage does not say anything about the duration of this process that is likened to the burning building. The metaphor of a house on fire does suggest some limited duration, but it is possible to think of the Purgatory as an instant event accompanying some deaths.

[annalex]

Then why did St. Paul teach it in the passage we are discussing?

[CynicalBear]

>> St. Paul does speak of “every man” repeatedly in the passage. So, no, the passage in question, starting at verse 9, where people are likened to buildings is directed at all of us, not only the clergy,<<

He is still talking about carnal acts of the people at Corinth. The entire passage is referencing whether people are putting their efforts in carnal thought and work or advancing toward more Godly thought and work.

[8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.]

In verse 8, look at the reference to planting and watering of he and Apollo the following reference to man is pertaining to work of he and Apollo. As you keep reading look again at verse 13. He again references the comment in verse 8 and is still talking about the work that ministers have done among the people.

[13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.]

There is no reference or inference of any of the purification happening after death. Any attempt to imply it does hinges on heresy.

[annalex]

Every man's work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire (v. 13)

You don't think that is a reference to an event at or after death?

If any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss (v.15)

You don't think loss of hay and stubble is purification?

[CynicalBear]

>>You don’t think that is a reference to an event at or after death?<<

At death, not after death. Remember that it is talking about the work that ministers do ON EARTH among the Church. Ministers, and yes we also, will be rewarded in heaven for witnessing and promoting the Kingdom of God. At the most, whether you believe that rewards will be at death or at the Judgment day, you could say that the determination will be made at that time. To say that any change or cleansing is or can be done after someones death is no where supported by Scripture.

[14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.]

My view is that the determination of ones reward will occur at the Judgment day because of the statement “for the day of the Lord shall declare”.

“The expression ‘the day of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ identified with His coming (1 Cor 1:7), is the period of blessing for the Church beginning with the rapture. This coming day is referred to as ‘the day of the Lord’ (1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14), ‘the day of Christ Jesus’ (Phil 1:6), and ‘the day of Christ’ (Phil 1:10; 2:16), ‘The day of Christ’ in all six references in the N.T. is described as relating to the reward and blessing of the Church at the rapture in contrast with the expression ‘the day of the Lord which is related to judgment upon unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, and blessing on millennial saints:

[annalex]

At the most, whether you believe that rewards will be at death or at the Judgment day, you could say that the determination will be made at that time.

Yes, I agree with this. That is the Catholic teaching: that the particular judgment occurs at the moment of death. However, the process of burning a house, which St. Paul used as a metaphor for Purgatory suggests a process of purification of certain duration. Despite that, the Church does not really teach that the purgatorial trial occurs in the time or space and therefore the measure of time cannot be really attached to it, even though in the popular imagination the Purgatory was spoken of in terms of a stay with a given duration.

To say that any change or cleansing is or can be done after someones death is no where supported by Scripture

It is supported exactly by the verses in focus, since it is not possible to reveal of what sort the work is until it is completed. I agree however, and more improtantly, I am sure the Church agrees, that the process of purgation cannot be separated from the death that preceded it and can indeed be viewed as an integral part of dying.

[CynicalBear]

>>It is supported exactly by the verses in focus, since it is not possible to reveal of what sort the work is until it is completed.<<

I disagree. It says it will be revealed. Revealing is not cleansing. It is not purification. One does not get purified of anything other then through the shed blood of Jesus.

[annalex]

You disagree, I know, but you disagree despite of the clear evidence of the scripture, and you find childish arguments to combat the text.

Revealing is not cleansing

No, by itself it is not. No one argued it is. Burning of stubble and hay, however, is cleansing as well as revealing, and yes, that is possible because Jesus died and rose again.