This study on what the Bible has on "Hell" is by its very nature include many verses as the destruction of the wicked is a theme that is repeated many times in the Bible, so I had to focus on the words used for it to begin with. The prophets who wrote the Bible did not know the word "Hell"; they used the Hebrew Sheol, which meant the grave, and also three different Greek words that are translated as “Hell” in our English New Testaments. It’s important to know this, for they each mean something different. They are “Tartarus,”“Gehenna,” and “Hades.” Tartarus is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:4. The Scripture says, God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [Tartarus], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This verse says that “the angels that sinned”(which would include Lucifer, too) have already been cast down “to hell” by God Himself. Yet they aren’t burning right now, obviously, and they certainly aren’t suffering somewhere far beneath the earth. Tartarus means “dark abyss” or “place of restraint.” It isn’t a place of punishment either. Look carefully. 2 Peter 2:4 says Satan’s angels are “reserved unto judgment,” which means their punishment is yet future. For Satan and his evil angels, the fire hasn’t started yet. Next word:“Gehenna.” All authorities admit this word is derived from the name of the narrow, rocky valley of Hinnom just south of Jerusalem where trash, filth, and the bodies of dead animals were burned up in Bible days. Here is a quote from Bible Facts" by Jenny Roberts “..Gehenna meant "the valley of Hinnom", and was originally a particular valley outside Jerusalem, where children were sacrificed to the god Moloch (2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chron. 28:3;Jer. 32:35). In later Jewish literature Gehenna came to be associated with a place of torment and unquenchable fire that was to be the punishment for sinners. It was thought by many that lesser sinners might eventually be delivered from the fires of Gehenna, but by New Testament times punishment for sinners was deemed to be eternal...." Jesus Christ spoke about Gehenna many times such as in Matthew 5:22, 29 & 30 where He warned about “the danger of hell [Gehenna] fire”(Matthew 5:22). Gehenna definitely suggests real flames. The key question is when will this fire burn, Christ shows us when the fire will burn: “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:40-42) Peter taught the same thing when he wrote:But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:7 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 “Sheol" is a Hebrew word used for the abode of the dead. It is thought of as a place situated below the ground (Ezek. 31:15), a place of darkness, silence and forgetfulness (Job 10:21). Although the dead in sheol are apparently cut off from God (Ps. 88:3-5), he is not absent (Ps. 139:8), and is able to deliver souls from sheol (Ps. 16:10). It is sometimes translated as "hell"; however, it is not seen as a place of eternal punishment, and its use in the New Testament (e.g. Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:27) suggests a meaning relating simply to the power of death.”......"Bible Facts" by Jenny Roberts Sheol (pronounced "Sheh-ole"), in Hebrew שאול (Sh'ol), is the "abode of the dead", the "underworld", or "pit". Sheol is the common destination of both the righteous and the unrighteous dead, as recounted in Ecclesiastes and Job. By the time of Jesus, some Jews had come to believe that those in Sheol awaited the resurrection either in comfort (in the bosom of Abraham) or in torment. This belief is reflected in Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus. At that time most Jews believed that Sheol meant simply the grave. Although many use this account (Luke 16:19-31) to support that the wicked go to Hades when they die, most readers forget the story is actually a parable, not an account of real events.Sheol is sometimes compared to Hades, the gloomy, twilight afterlife of Greek mythology. The word "hades" was in fact substituted for "sheol" when the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek (see Septuagint). The New Testament (written in Greek) also uses "hades" to refer to the abode of the dead. So we can see how the Jews had little actual teachings on the concept of ‘Hell’ as a place where Satan was in charge with demons running around with pitchforks. It however became seen as a place of eternal torment with demons in charger where sinners were punished forever, so you can see how todays idea of Hell evolved. Now lets look what seems to come nearest to this which is “Hades.” This Greek word is also translated “Hell” in many English Bibles, such as the King James Version. In Revelation 6:8, the King James Version refers to “Death, and Hell [Hades].” It does this same in Revelation 20:14. Yet some English Bibles leave the word “Hades” itself, such as the New International Version, which translates Revelation 6:8 and 20:14 as “Death, and Hades.” Now here’s a key point: in Revelation 20:14 “Hades”(“Hell”) is eventually “cast into the lake of fire.” Thus “Hades” itself is not a fiery place, but is cast into “the lake of fire.” Here is Revelation 20:14 in both the KJV and NIV:And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire”(Revelation 20:14, King James Version) Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14, New International Version) In King James Version, there is a marginal reference beside the word “Hell”(Hades) listed in Revelation 20:13 and 14. It says “Hell” literally means “the grave.” Thus Revelation 20:14 could properly be translated,“death and the grave were cast into the lake of fire.” This makes sense. To make it simple,“Hades” literally means “the grave.” This is easy to prove from 1 Corinthians 15:55, which in the King James Version states, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?(1 Corinthians 15:55) If you look in any Strong’s Concordance, you’ll discover that the original Greek word here translated “grave” is “Hades.” By looking at the context, it’s obvious that “Hades” means “the grave” because it is God’s saints who rise out of “Hades” when Jesus Christ returns. See for yourself:Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up on victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave [Hades] where is your victory? (1 Corinthians 15:51-55, King James Version,)“O grave [Hades] where is your victory?” the redeemed triumphantly shout. Thus “Hades” here cannot mean a place of burning, for who can imagine God’s people writhing in flames as they await the resurrection?Additional proof that “Hades” means “the grave” is the fact that “Hades” was the place Jesus Christ’s body rested in immediately after His death. In Acts 2:31, the King James Version declares,His [or Christ’s] soul was not left in hell [or Hades] neither his flesh did see corruption (Acts 2:31,KJV ). The New International Version translates Acts 2:31 as,"He was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay "(Acts 2:31, NIV) Thus Christ’s “body”(NIV) or “flesh”(KJV) was not allowed to see “corruption”(KJV) or “decay”(NIV) because it remained in the grave only a short time before He rose. So the meaning of the three Greek words translated “Hell” in our English Bibles:“Tartarus” means “a place of darkness or restraint”(2 Peter 2:4). Satan abides there now. “Hades” means “the grave”(Acts 2:31; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Revelation 20:14). Jesus Christ’s body rested there, and His saints rest there now awaiting the resurrection. “Gehenna” means a place of fire, brimstone, and punishment (Matthew 5:22, 29, 30, also Matthew 13:40-42, 2 Peter 3:7, 10-12). These flames are yet future, at the end of the world. In its description of this final fire, and the doom of the wicked or lost, the Bible declares: Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Why, then, do so many Christians believe in a hell that burns forever with Satan in charge? Well this problem can come about if you just look at a few verses which if viewed apart from the many other texts that teach the wicked are destroyed at the end, seem to say the flames are eternal. Looking forward to the Day of the Lord, God Himself declares:“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”(Malachi 4:1, 3). Hebrews 6:2 speak of the “eternal-aionios judgment”. This does not mean that the judgment is a process that has a start but does not have an end, rather that the judgment is of eternal consequences and/or effect. The fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha was “eternal” (Jude 7), however the city is not burning until today, because it was a eternal fire in its consequences (or effects). Jude explains about “the vengeance of eternal fire”(verse 7), here’s the entire verse:“Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire”(Jude 7) In 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Paul, speaking of those who reject the Gospel, declares: “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power”. Now, what the word “destruction” evokes, but the picture of something that comes to its final end? Jesus compared the destruction of the wicked with weeds gathered in bundles to be burnt (Mat. 13:30,40), the bad fish cast away (Mat. 13:48), the bad plants to be rooted up (Mat. 15:13), the unfruitful tree to be cut down (Luke 13:7), the withered branch to be cast into fire (John 15:6), the unfaithful servants who are destroyed (Luke 20:16), the bad servant who will be cut asunder (Mat. 24:51), the Galilaeans who perished (Luke 13:2, 3), the eighteen people who were smashed by the Siloam tower (Luke 13:4, 5), the ones before the flood who were drown by the waters (Luke 17:27), the people in Sodom and Gomorrha which were destroyed by the fire (Luke 17:29) Jesus Christ also warned that He will someday declare to lost sinners,“Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels”(Matthew 25:41). Is this fire the same type of fire mentioned in Jude 7, one which destroys completely? We know it is because five verses later our Lord clarified,“And these [the lost] shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal”(Matthew 25:46). Notice the word is punishment, not punishing. Punishing would be continuous, while punishment is one act. The punishment of the wicked is death, and this death is everlasting. Thus the lost experience “everlasting punishment,” not punishing, just like Sodom and Gomorrah. Note what Jesus says: "And 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." Mat. 10:28 Notice what is said that hell does. It destroys, the word means just that in the Greek. Contrary to some ideas picked up from pagan mythology being taught by some, the fire that God sends down upon the lost at the end of time will completely devour all the wicked. It will cleanse the earth of every taint of sin and even burn up the very elements of the earth. It will make the way open for God to create a new heaven and a new earth. Having sinners suffering for their sins in hell with Satan and his minions in charge, or in Purgatory as some portray, is from pagan mythology and the doctrine of the devil and not of God. It is contrary to what the Bible teaches about God. And it is merely an extension of the first lie that Satan gave to Eve in the Garden of Eden: "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4). This is Satan’s great lie repeated, that when you die you really don’t die, but you keep on living forever—either in heaven or in hell. Here are some scriptures my friend Amo came across about the fact that the wicked will perish. Ps 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. per•ish (pµr“¹sh) v. per•ished, per•ish•ing, per•ish•es. --intr. 1. To die or be destroyed, especially in a violent or untimely manner. 2. To pass from existence; disappear gradually. 3. Chiefly British. To spoil or deteriorate. --tr. To bring to destruction; destroy. --idiom. perish the thought. Used to express the wish that one not even think about something. Ps 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Ps 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. Ps 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 1 Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. II Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Pet 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Sodom and Gommorrha suffered the vengeance of eternal fire, they are no more, they perished. The destruction of the wicked is just that, and is a complete and final, which destroys the body and the soul, forever wiping out Satan and those who follow him.
