The question, as we concluded in the first article in this series, was the subject of “hades” and what it means. We learned from David’s prophesy that it was fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus and this was Peter’s subject in much of the first sermon we have recorded. Of course, the text is Acts chapter two! It was in this sermon that Peter said, and Luke recorded it: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (verse 27). With this we are ready to look more closely at this text.
The word “hell,” where Peter said the soul of Jesus would not be left, is the Greek “hadēs” and it means: “the realm of the dead” but not the physical body. Please notice that Peter said: “wilt not leave my soul in hell.” It is not possible to understand the subject of “hell” without knowing that the inspired writers used three different words, which are translated into our one word “hell.” These three words are: 1) hades, 2) tartaroō, and 3) geenna. It is a surprise for many to learn, that each of these three words refer to a different place. Taking each word and learning a few things about it, will go a long way in helping us to understand the subject of “hell.” It is interesting, but few think about it, that two of the words refer to a place of punishment, while the third one refers to the place where there is both comfort and punishment. It is the place that so many have trouble with their understanding of it.
Now having before us the three Greek words which are translated into our word “Hell;” we are ready for verses wherein each appears. Taking the Greek “Geenna” first, attention is turned to Jesus and his statement: “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 (Geenna)” (Matt. 10:28). This is the place of eternal punishment! Thayer gives us this: “Hell is the place of the future punishment call “Gehenna” or “Gehenna of fire”. This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction.” Here Thayer acts as both authority and commentator. Nevertheless, he is correct in both fields. Thus, “Geenna” is the final place of eternal punishment. There are some who do not believe in an eternal punishment, but this puts them in a contradiction. Jesus used the same Greek word to describe both eternal punishment and eternal life. He said: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 25:46). The words “everlasting” and “eternal” are the same Greek word, “aiōnios,” which means as used in the text: “without end, never to cease, everlasting.” Therefore, the person who believes in heaven is forced, if he is honest, to accept the fact both heaven and hell are ‘without end, never to cease.!
The second of our Greek words is “hades” and it is necessary to understand this word, so we can have the right concept of the third word. This will be clear as we continue our study. If you will recall that Jesus’ soul was not left in “hades,” which requires that his soul went there! As you cannot be left someplace you have never been! It will help, just here, if you will think of “hades” as being the realm, or a place. It is not a physical place, but spiritual and holds the spirit/soul of man. It holds the souls/spirits, the eternal part of man, between the time of death, wherein the spirit is separated from the body. As James wrote: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, …” (James 2:26). Hades holds all departed spirits, both the righteous and the unrighteousness! Therefore, it is true that Jesus’ soul went into Hades, but was not in the area of punishment. Hades has three parts or areas: Abraham’s bosom, or paradise, being just one of the three. Here it will help our understanding to recall the words of Jesus on the cross, as he spoke to the pendant thief; Jesus said: “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Clearly, it must be accepted that “paradise” is not a place of punishment; therefore, Jesus’ soul did not go into “hell” a place of punishment, but into Hades, the part of Hades equaled to “paradise;” which is Abraham’s bosom.”
The third word is “tartaroō” and is used but one time in the New Testament. Peter is the inspired writer: “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell (tartaroo), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment” (2 Pet. 2:4). Let me point out that the “angels that sinned” are more than likely, not heavenly beings, but messengers of the Old Testament, as the word “angel” means “messenger.” At any rate, because of their sin, they were “… cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” Now, notice this is a temporary place, as they were being “reserved unto judgment!” So, this means they and all others in the same place, would come out of “tartaroo;” then, they will be judged!
Just where is this place called “tartaroo?” It is a place of punishment, for Peter wrote God: “delivered them into chains of darkness.” It is easy to understand that “chains of darkness” cannot equal neither: 1) a “bosom” or 2) “paradise!” Friends, Jesus was never in “chains of darkness” nor, was he ever “punished!”
It is clear that our subject will require a third article. Therefore, look forward to more study one the subject: “Where does the soul/spirit go after death?”
Frank R. Williams
The question, as we concluded in the first article in this series, was the subject of “hades” and what it means. We learned from David’s prophesy that it was fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus and this was Peter’s subject in much of the first sermon we have recorded. Of course, the text is Acts chapter two! It was in this sermon that Peter said, and Luke recorded it: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (verse 27). With this we are ready to look more closely at this text.
The word “hell,” where Peter said the soul of Jesus would not be left, is the Greek “hadēs” and it means: “the realm of the dead” but not the physical body. Please notice that Peter said: “wilt not leave my soul in hell.” It is not possible to understand the subject of “hell” without knowing that the inspired writers used three different words, which are translated into our one word “hell.” These three words are: 1) hades, 2) tartaroō, and 3) geenna. It is a surprise for many to learn, that each of these three words refer to a different place. Taking each word and learning a few things about it, will go a long way in helping us to understand the subject of “hell.” It is interesting, but few think about it, that two of the words refer to a place of punishment, while the third one refers to the place where there is both comfort and punishment. It is the place that so many have trouble with their understanding of it.
Now having before us the three Greek words which are translated into our word “Hell;” we are ready for verses wherein each appears. Taking the Greek “Geenna” first, attention is turned to Jesus and his statement: “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 (Geenna)” (Matt. 10:28). This is the place of eternal punishment! Thayer gives us this: “Hell is the place of the future punishment call “Gehenna” or “Gehenna of fire”. This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction.” Here Thayer acts as both authority and commentator. Nevertheless, he is correct in both fields. Thus, “Geenna” is the final place of eternal punishment. There are some who do not believe in an eternal punishment, but this puts them in a contradiction. Jesus used the same Greek word to describe both eternal punishment and eternal life. He said: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 25:46). The words “everlasting” and “eternal” are the same Greek word, “aiōnios,” which means as used in the text: “without end, never to cease, everlasting.” Therefore, the person who believes in heaven is forced, if he is honest, to accept the fact both heaven and hell are ‘without end, never to cease.!
The second of our Greek words is “hades” and it is necessary to understand this word, so we can have the right concept of the third word. This will be clear as we continue our study. If you will recall that Jesus’ soul was not left in “hades,” which requires that his soul went there! As you cannot be left someplace you have never been! It will help, just here, if you will think of “hades” as being the realm, or a place. It is not a physical place, but spiritual and holds the spirit/soul of man. It holds the souls/spirits, the eternal part of man, between the time of death, wherein the spirit is separated from the body. As James wrote: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, …” (James 2:26). Hades holds all departed spirits, both the righteous and the unrighteousness! Therefore, it is true that Jesus’ soul went into Hades, but was not in the area of punishment. Hades has three parts or areas: Abraham’s bosom, or paradise, being just one of the three. Here it will help our understanding to recall the words of Jesus on the cross, as he spoke to the pendant thief; Jesus said: “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Clearly, it must be accepted that “paradise” is not a place of punishment; therefore, Jesus’ soul did not go into “hell” a place of punishment, but into Hades, the part of Hades equaled to “paradise;” which is Abraham’s bosom.”
The third word is “tartaroō” and is used but one time in the New Testament. Peter is the inspired writer: “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell (tartaroo), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment” (2 Pet. 2:4). Let me point out that the “angels that sinned” are more than likely, not heavenly beings, but messengers of the Old Testament, as the word “angel” means “messenger.” At any rate, because of their sin, they were “… cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” Now, notice this is a temporary place, as they were being “reserved unto judgment!” So, this means they and all others in the same place, would come out of “tartaroo;” then, they will be judged!
Just where is this place called “tartaroo?” It is a place of punishment, for Peter wrote God: “delivered them into chains of darkness.” It is easy to understand that “chains of darkness” cannot equal neither: 1) a “bosom” or 2) “paradise!” Friends, Jesus was never in “chains of darkness” nor, was he ever “punished!”
It is clear that our subject will require a third article. Therefore, look forward to more study one the subject: “Where does the soul/spirit go after death?”
Frank R. Williams