What is hell according to the Bible?
The Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) uses the word Sheol to describe the realm of the dead. Sheol was not, however, associated with firey torment, nor is it a place of punishment. That idea comes later. In the New Testament, “hell” is referred to by various terms: Gehenna, Hades, Tartarus, or the Abyss.
What is the Christian view of heaven?
Heaven is described as eternity in the presence of God. Heaven is the ultimate aim for all Christians in order for their soul to be reunited with God and united with Christ. In the Gospels, Christ often describes and teaches about Heaven using parables, such as the Mustard Seed and the Pearl.
Does the Bible say hell is eternal?
In Matthew 13:42, Jesus says: “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” HELL IS FOREVER! All who enter hell — abandon all hope! The horror of hell — for even one second is unbearable — but FOREVER!
What Bible verses talk about eternal life?
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Where did the idea of eternal hell come from?
The idea of eternal hell was very much a late comer on the Christian scene, developed decades after Jesus’ death and honed to a fine pitch in the preaching of fire and brimstone that later followers sometimes attributed to Jesus himself.
What is the meaning of eternal life in the Bible?
Eternal life traditionally refers to continued life after death, as outlined in Christian eschatology. In the Synoptic Gospels and the Pauline Letters, eternal life is generally regarded as a future experience, but the Gospel of John differs from them in its emphasis on eternal life as a “present possession”.
What does eternity mean in the Bible?
Eternity in the Bible means forever in the past or future. And in the case of God having never been created but necessarily exists.
Does hell exist eternally?
The most convincing evidence for the eternality of hell is Matthew 25:46, “Then they [the unsaved] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” In this verse, the same Greek word is used to refer to the destiny of the wicked and the righteous.
What does annihilationism mean in Christianity?
Answer: Annihilationism is the belief that unbelievers will not experience an eternity of suffering in hell, but will instead be “extinguished” after death. For many, annihilationism is an attractive belief because of the awfulness of the idea of people spending eternity in hell.
Why do evangelical Christians believe in Hell?
There are at least two reasons. Evangelical Christians have spent a lot of time talking about the doctrine of hell. One question weighs particularly heavily: Why, if there is a hell, is it forever? The idea of eternal hell weighs heavily on the heart, as we think of those we know and love apart from Christ.
What does the Bible say about punishment in Hell?
While there are some passages that seem to argue for annihilationism, a comprehensive look at what the Bible says about the destiny of the wicked reveals the fact that punishment in hell is eternal.