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What is this about Hell?

Hell is probably one of the most confused doctrines of in modern Christianity. In the Old Testament Hebrew, Hell (an Old English rendition) was called "Sheol" and in the Greek ,"Hades", meaning the place of departing spirits. It did not at that time have any negative implications except that when you died that is where your spirit went to. The english word "hell" comes directly from Old English, where the meaning was a black fiery place of eternal torment for the damned. But because the Vikings were converted to Christianity centuries after the Anglo-Saxons, the Old Norse hel , from the same place as the Old English hel, retained its earlier pagan senses as both a place of the abode of oathbreakers, other evil persons and those unlucky enough not to have died in battle. If you died in battle you got to go to Valhalla.

What does the Bible say about Hell. Well, as I said, in the Old Testament Hell...or Sheol, was a place where everyone's spirit went when you died. Jesus gave an incredible description in Luke 16:19-31. Jesus told the story about this place that was divided in half by a huge gulf which could not be crossed. One side was a place of comfort which he called Abrahams bosom. Later at the cross He would call this place, Paradise. But the other side was a place of torment. This whole area...or dimension...was the "place of departing spirits." When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he first decended into this place (Sheol/Hades) to the side where those you had waited in faith since the time of righteous Abel. (1 Peter 3:19-20) I can just imagine what He said. "Hey, guys the ransom has been paid...would you all like to leave and come to my Fathers house?" This place now is not only a place of torment, but a place for those lost souls awaiing judgement. Those who die in Christ now go directly to be with the Lord. (Do not pass go...do not collect $200 dollars) This waiting place in the Old Testament was where the Catholic traditions developed the doctrine of "purgetory".

At the end of times...Hell and Death will be thrown into Gehenna (Greek), the lake of fire.

God does not send anyone to Hell. Hell is a place where you are separated from God's presence. I think the worse part about being there is knowing for an eternity...that you did not have to be there. It was your choice. No one will end up separtated from God because the means wasn't taken care of for them to spend an eternity in heaven. It is like a million dollar check that you hold in your hand. You're actually in the same financial situation you were before.....unless you cash it in.

I am sure glad I went to the bank and made my deposit. Now I am a Kings kid.