Theme Text– ‘Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna]’ (Matt 10:28 NASB).
1) Aren’t there warnings about fire in the New Testament?
Whenever we read a biblical passage, there’s always a key question – Is this supposed to be taken literally? Or is this mentioned as a symbolic depiction of something else?
For instance, Jesus says the grass of the field is daily thrown into the fire (Matt 6:30 NIV). Does that mean there’s a plant-hell? No, he just uses this symbolic language to indicate the short lifespan of plants. Fire is symbolically used across the Bible to denote death – eternal destruction. Not eternal torture.
2) We studied Sheol/Hades earlier. Which other word is translated as hell in the New Testament?
It’s Gehenna. It’s translated as hell 12 times. If Gehenna denotes hell, we can actually book a flight and go to hell! Intrigued?
Yes, it’s a real place in Israel. That’s why translations like YLT render it as Gehenna instead of hell. When Jesus says ‘the fire in Gehenna’, it’s like a New Yorker saying ‘the water in Brooklyn’.
3) Where exactly is Gehenna?
The Valley of Hinnom, named Gehenna in Greek, lies just outside the city of Jerusalem. During Jesus’ time, it was the city’s garbage burner. Its fires were kept continually burning (an everlasting lake of fire!) to fully consume all things dumped there. Brimstone used to be added to fuel the incineration. It ensured total destruction.
4) Was any living thing ever permitted to be thrown into Gehenna?
Not at all. Never! God’s Law to Israel prevented torture of any kind to any creature.
Apart from garbage, animal carcasses (dead dogs) and dead bodies of some vile criminals (those who were denied an honorable burial) were thrown into Gehenna.
There they got burnt up i.e. destroyed. No living thing, not even an animal, suffered any torture there.
5) So what was the symbolic meaning of Gehenna?
Old Jerusalem’s lake of fire at Gehenna illustrated the God-assured destruction of the impure entities of this earth in the future, to prevent pollution of the New Jerusalem that would symbolize God’s obedient people. Scriptures directly explain this figurative burning of wicked components in a lake of fire as the Second Death – final destruction (Rev 20:14).
It’s described as the ‘fiery indignation which shall devour [destroy] the adversaries’ (Heb 10:26-27).
6) Could we look at an example where Gehenna is used?
‘Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna]’ (Matt 10:28 NASB) – Just like the lifeless dead bodies of the criminals in Jerusalem were cast into Gehenna Valley to be destroyed.
- No torture. Only complete destruction. Jesus used the same Gehenna in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:22). The Gehenna Valley was not far from where Jesus uttered these words.
- Those who heard him would not think for a moment that he was saying all who reject him were to be tortured forever. And no one reading his words today would ever think of such an idea were it not for the background of distorted Dark Age interpretations that have crept into Christendom.
Gehenna Valley – The Curious Case of the Undying Worms
7) Jesus says in Gehenna ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched’ (Mark 9:47-48 NIV). Many assume that it must be only in a mystic hell that worms don’t die even in fire. Isn’t that the case?
Only those who know Jesus’ first century Gehenna Valley will know the true meaning of this phrase.
- Even today, we know that fire is kept continually burning in city waste burners. In the same fashion, fires were kept burning (not quenched) in the Gehenna Valley of that time.
- But, why did the worms not die? Because while the fires used to burn at the bottom of the Gehenna Valley, it was in the vegetation that lined the slopes of the valley that the worms thrived. And these worms do not die because they were maggots that eventually turn into flies!
8) What does Jesus signify with all these in terms of the Gehenna Valley?
Dead bodies thrown into Gehenna Valley would be destroyed by the fires burning below. The ones that might get stuck in the slopes would be consumed by worms. Bodies dumped into Gehenna would be destroyed one way or other without fail. Likewise, sinners cannot escape destruction is the point Jesus is making. No living person was ever burnt alive or eaten alive by worms in Gehenna!
Gehenna’s Everlasting Fire – What’s everlasting?
9) Is the lake of fire mentioned in Revelation 20 and eternal fire in Matthew 25:41 related to Gehenna?
- Revelation says those not found worthy of life are to be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). Fire, as always, is used as a sign of destruction. The lake of fire symbol is drawn from the real Gehenna Valley of Jerusalem. The trial of the Kingdom age of judgment (Rev 20:1-4) will be a time of examining and separating the righteous sheep (who obey Jesus) from the goats (who disobey) (Matt 25:31-46). More on this here.
- The disobedient will meet utter destruction in everlasting fire (Matt 25:41). This everlasting fire is derived from Jerusalem’s Gehenna where fires were kept continually burning (everlasting). The everlasting adjective applies just to the fire. It does not mean anyone will burn eternally. Fire burns and destroys.
The Fate of the Beast & An Error ‘Forever’
10) Doesn’t Revelation 20:10 talk about the beast and false prophet being tormented forever in the lake of fire?
We know this verse is full of symbols (There is a beast!). The previous verse Rev 20:9 shows individuals who join Satan being destroyed in fire. So this Rev 20:10 doesn’t refer to humans. The beast stands for the political powers of the world – governments and authorities. The false prophet represents false religious systems.
But how can institutions be tormented? These worldly systems operating against the precepts of God today are to be destroyed by undergoing financial, social and religious difficulties and pains.
The ‘forever’ is a mistranslation. The root Greek word aionion means age-lasting i.e. to continue till the end of the age when they would be utterly destroyed in the [symbolic] lake of fire.
Hell Thrown into Lake of Fire – Say What?
11) Does the Bible have a direct definition of the lake of fire anywhere?
As a matter fact, Revelation defines it explicitly! It says the lake of fire is the second death (Rev 20:14) i.e. complete destruction.
That’s a plain and straightforward scriptural declaration.
20:14 also says death and hell (HADES) are to be cast into the lake of fire! Many ask – Aren’t hell and lake of fire the same?
Now that we understand better, we know it means there would be no more death and grave (HADES) then! Being cast into the lake of fire shows the symbolic end of death and HADES.
Read Next: Tartaroo – Bad Angel Lockdown
The fire in a smith's furnace and the fire in Gehenna are not the same. The fire in Gehenna was used to destroy stuff. Nobody was thorwn there to get purified. Dead bodies were thrown there to be destroyed. And the article doesn't say people are being thrown into Gehenna right now. Everyone's going to Sheol (grave). We die because of the punishment we got from Adam. Death is REAL. Only because of Jesus' ransom for Adam, ALL of us will rise at the resurrection when Jesus returns. Those who had followed Jesus will get the reward of ruling with him over the resurrected mankind to teach them righteousness. But there will be a test at the end of the thousand years where those who still choose evil will go to their second death. You can read it here with scriptures – ChristianityOriginal.com/Kingdom
Thank you Jean Markham . That is exactly the truth and the wisdom I was seeking god for. Thank you may god bless you and your house in the name of jesus christ. I got a revelation from what you said about the parables a revelation is an unveiling of a mystery which is a parable thank you jesus.
The writer said this well.. Stop confusing yourself and others… Read the Bible and ask God for Understanding!!!!!! The problem is wrong translations and not reading with an open mind…..
Death and hell were cast into the Lake of fire. This is the second death. Whosoever is not found written in the book of life was cast into the Lake of fire.
Although still future, this is as real as it gets. And this comes after many many years of tribulation. It almost seems that the thrust of your article is, don't worry, your only punishment is a cozy bed if maggots, so eat drink and sin all you want!
I did not feel that way at all about his article.
Awesome analogy. Awesome. Babes need the real truth.
Revelation 29:14,15
Has anyone seen the ending of the film 'Drag me to hell'? The fiery destruction depicted is very similar to what Jesus meant by 'Gehenna'. It's not eternal torture but it Is a painful final End.
wow i like it
#9 above states, "Fire- as always- is used as a sign of destruction." This is not biblically sound.
Please allow me a gentle correction by offering just one example of many to the contrary.
Exodus 3:2: "the angel of the LORD appeared to him (Moses) in flames of fire from within a bush."
Peace & Grace to you & yours…
That's correct. Fire is not always a sign of destruction.
The fire in the word of God will destroy both body and soul, burning forever, feeling the perpetual sting of death. "God is love." "God is fire." He appeared as fire because "God is a consuming fire." In that case the fire of God was a blessing, presenting to Moses and it was also mercy because we cannot be in the full presence of God until we are completely like Him or we will disintegrate.
However, Gihenna, the eternally burning lake of fire is real not a figure of speech etc.
2 Chron tells of kings making sacrifice of their children to Baal or Molech
I believe God's word, he put before man life of Death if he didn't obey, and listen to the father of lies and a murderer from the start by his own choosing,life good, Death EVIL, choose life, he who has the son has life and he who has not the son shall not see life, but perish which is the opposite of life.
You are dead on. Amen. All the word of God.
You forget that the valley used to be used by wicked Judean Kong’s to sacrifice their sons and that’s when the valley was first deemed cursed.
*Kings, sorry
Can you please explain, what happens to the dead in the meanwhile? So what is clear to me is that the dead are in the grave (Sche'ol) and will get resurrected – both the unbelievers and the believers (John 5:29). The believers for life and the unbelievers for judgment with the lake of fire as final destination. But are the believers already with Christ in the meanwhile? Without their resurrection body? And the unbelieving dead in a kind of conscious state like in Luke 16:19? The adventists and jehova witnesses teach the soulsleep, but I don't think that is the correct teaching. The question is, when we die, does only our body die and does our soul continue to live? Because if a sinner dies, both body and soul, what sense would it make that God resurrect that person to kill him again.
OGNJENO JEZERO VJEČNE MUKE
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ONDJE ĆE SE MUČITI
DANJU I NOĆU U VIJEKE VJEKOVA.
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OTKRIVENJE 19,20
I ZVIJER bi uhvaćena, a s njom i LAŽNI PROROK koji je u njenoj nazočnosti činio znamenja i njima zavodio one što su primili žig Zvijeri i klanjali se njezinu kipu.
Živi su oboje BAČENI U OGNJENO JEZERO što gori sumporom.
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OGNJENO JEZERO VJEČNE MUKE
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ONDJE ĆE SE MUČITI
DANJU I NOĆU U VIJEKE VJEKOVA.
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OTKRIVENJE 20,10
A njihov zavodnik, ÐAVAO, BAČEN BI U JEZERO OGNJENO i sumporno,
gdje se nalaze i ZVIJER I LAŽNI PROROK:
ONDJE ĆE SE MUČITI DANJU I NOĆU U VIJEKE VJEKOVA.
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OGNJENO JEZERO VJEČNE MUKE
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ONDJE ĆE SE MUČITI
DANJU I NOĆU U VIJEKE VJEKOVA.
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OTKRIVENJE 20,15
TKO SE GOD NE NAĐE ZAPISAN U KNJIZI ŽIVOTA,
bio je BAČEN U JEZERO OGNJENO.
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svatko onaj koji neće biti uskrsnut na prvi uskrs za Raj
bit će uskrsnut na drugi uskrs za sud i vječnu kaznu
vječnu muku
OGNJENO JEZERO VJEČNE MUKE
—————————————————–
ONDJE ĆE SE MUČITI
DANJU I NOĆU U VIJEKE VJEKOVA.
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Philippians 2:10-11 “That at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth: And that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
There is absolutely nowhere in this Passage of Scripture that states or even suggests that every knee will be FORCED to bow the knee to the name of JESUS. In ALL religions, bowing the knee is a voluntary form of worship.
As explained in the next several paragraphs, we will come to understand more clearly that Philippians 2:10-11 is revealing to us that bowing the knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord is not going to be forced upon ALL, but that ALL will do so willingly. Throughout the Bible we find that the Scriptures clearly state that God only accepts a willing heart.
A word study of confess (ἐξομολογήσεται) in the Greek language (in light of the way that this same verb is used in other New Testament Scriptures) reveals that this verb in the context of this Passage of Scripture is rendered to thank. That meaning growing out of the sense of open, joyful acknowledgement. The sense here is that of frank, open confession. An individual cannot praise and joyously proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord if they are being forced to do so, especially if that individual knows that eternal torment & eternal separation from God awaits them. It is just that simple.
The traditional teaching on Philippians 2:10-11 has been that the enemies of the Cross will be forced to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This train of thought is in complete contradiction to the Written Word of God, because the Bible from Genesis to Revelation clearly teaches that the Lord only accepts praise and worship from a willing heart. Forced praise and worship DOES NOT bring Glory to God. Also, the Lord states in Isaiah 45:23 “I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord, that unto me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear.” (Swear in this verse means to pledge allegiance to)
Also, the Bible does not teach annihilation. Proof of this is found in Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in it’s time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds.” God created us as eternal beings.
Revelation 14:9 to 11
And the third angel follow them saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and then the presence of the Lamb:and the smoke of their torment ascends us up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Meaning of revelation 20:15