This article is an excerpt from Rhema For Living Devotional by Ken Macaulay.

Tuesday, January 17th.
Is Hell Fire Real? - 1.

"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God". (Psalms 9:17).

We established the fact that there is life after death yesterday. We also said there are only two destinations after death; heaven and hell. The road to hell is wide and easy while the road to eternal life is narrow and difficult. Only a few people take the narrow road. But how are we really certain hell is real? What proofs do we have of its existence?

The word hell is translated from the Hebrew word Sheol in the Old Testament. There are two words translated hell in the New Testament. They are Hades and Gehenna. There are those who argue that the word Sheol actually means grave and not hell. We will look at a few Scriptures in the Old Testament and see if grave is is the right translation for Sheol or not. Thank God we all know what grave is and we have all seen graves at one point or the other. Graves are usually shallow pits where dead bodies are laid to rest. There are graves that are in the form of caves but they are still shallow.

The opening text says, ""The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God". (Psalms 9:17). If we put the word grave in the place of hell, let's see whether the scripture verse makes sense. "The wicked shall be turned into grave, and all the nations that forget God". (Psalms 9:17). Grave is a place every dead bodies are buried whether they are wicked or righteous. So, it sure does not make sense to translate the word Sheol grave in this context. The Psalmist must be talking about the place only the wicked goes to and that is hell.

2nd Samuel 22:6 says, "The sorrows of hell compassed me about..." Are there sorrows in the grave? Does the dead bodies feel any pain talk more of sorrows? When people have made up their minds not to believe a thing, they twist the scriptures to make it agree with their preconceived opinions.

There are about 33 times in the Old Testament the word Sheol is translated hell. If you examine all of them closely, it doesn't fit the description of the physical graves we all know. Just look at the few more Scriptures references quoted below and judge for yourself if it fits the description of the physical grave; "The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath".(Proverbs 15:24). "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell". (Proverbs 23:13-14). "And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice". (Jonah 2:2). "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption". (Psalms 16:10).

These Scripture references from the Old Testament proves that a place called hell does exist where the departed lost souls go to and suffer great torment before the final judgment day. Hell is actually a temporary place of punishment. There is place worse than hell. But you don't have to go there. Jesus already went for you so you won't need to go there. Tomorrow, we will look at the evidence of the New Testament to seal up my argument. We will also find out where hell is located.

Prayer and Confession of Faith: Lord Jesus, I thank you for saving me from the torment and sorrows of hell. I reject the deceit from false teachers that teaches there is no place of torment called hell. I am heaven bound. Heavenly Father, I ask you strengthen me by your spirit in my inner mind to remain steadfast in the faith in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prophecies: This year, those who despise you will look for you in the mighty name of Jesus. There is no frustration for you in the name of Jesus. It is well with all that concerns you. The Lord will be your hiding place. He will preserve your going out and compass you about with songs of deliverance in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Further Study: Deuteronomy 32:22; Psalms 116:3.
Daily Scripture Reading: Genesis 32-33; Luke 1-3.



Wednesday, January 18th.
Is Hell Fire Real? - 2.

"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched". (Mark 9:43).

We are still on the subject of the reality of hell. We looked at some references in the Old Testament that points to the reality of hell yesterday. We said hell is translated from the word Hebrew Sheol in the Old Testament. There are those who argue that the right translation for Sheol is grave. We subjected some of the scriptures to critical analysis and found that physical grave can not be the right translation for Sheol.

In the New Testament, there are two Greek words, Hades and Gehenna translated hell. Hell is translated 10 times from the Greek word Hades and 12 times from the Greek word Gehenna. First, let's look at a few scriptures where it is translated from the word Hades.

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And IN HELL HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom". (Luke 16:19-23).

This is a true life story narrated by Jesus to his disciples. It is not a parable. In parables, you don't mention specific names. Three names were mentioned in this story; Lazarus, Abraham and Moses if you read the complete story. How did Jesus know when he was not there? He knew by word of knowledge in just the way he told the Samaritan woman he met at a well her history.

The word hell here is translated from the Greek word Hades. It clearly reveals the nature of hell. The rich man was in torment and he is still in torment till date. The word grave couldn't have fit into the translation as there is no torment in the grave. In addition, the rich man spoke. No one speaks in the physical grave. This story narrated by Jesus is enough to convince any skeptics of the reality of a place of torment called hell. Even if it's a parable, the message is still the same. Parables are short stories designed to teach one a biblical principle or a moral lesson. You give parables with things that could actually happen in real life.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the GATES OF HELL shall not prevail against it". (Matthew 16:18). "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the KEYS OF HELL and of death". (Revelation 1:18).

This two Scripture references just quoted are the very words of Jesus. The first reveals hell has gates or entrance points while the second reveals it has keys. There is consistency in the two references as gates usually have keys. Jesus couldn't have been referring to physical graves as graves don't have gates and keys.

Please don't play light on this subject of hell as so many people do today. The torment is unbearable. It is better you were not born than to end up in that terrible pit after you have been warned and given the opportunity to be saved. We will attempt to round this subject up tomorrow. Take a bold step now and invite Jesus into your heart as your Lord and personal Saviour if you haven't done so. It is the best thing that could ever happen to you.

Prayer and Confession of Faith: Gracious Father, I pray for my family members and friends that are yet to receive Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour. Give me the wisdom and boldness to preach the gospel to them. As I do, I pray they will receive the truth of the gospel that they might be saved and delivered from hell in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Prophecies: I decree liberty for you in every area of your life in the name of Jesus. You are set free from the shackles of the wicked one in the name of Jesus. I bind every witchcraft spirit attempting to frustrate your destiny in Jesus mighty name. The God that brought water out of the rock will turn your deserts into fountains in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Further Study: Matthew 11:23; Acts 2:27.
Daily Scripture Reading: Genesis 34-35; Luke 4-6.


Thursday, January 19th.
Is Hell Fire Real? - 3.

"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched". (Mark 9:43).

So far, we have dealt with the Hebrew word 'Sheol' and the Greek word 'Hades' translated into hell in the Old and New Testament respectively. We have also refuted the claim that the physical grave is the right word for Sheol and Hades. Today, we will look at the Greek word Gehenna translated into hell 12 times in the New Testament.

The Greek word Gehenna is derived from the Hebrew words, ge-hinnom , meaning
“Valley of [the sons of] Hinnom.” This valley South of Jerusalem was where some of the ancient Israelites “passed children through the fire” (sacrificed their children) to the Canaan items god Molech (2nd Chronicles 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:2–6). The place is called “Tophet” in Isaiah 30:33. It was the place of horrible idolatry. God brought Babylon against Judah to punish her for the idolatrous practice. So when the Hebrews finally came back to Jerusalem after 70 years of Babylonian Captivity (about 605-535/6 BC), they resolved never to use the Valley of Hinnom for idolatry again. Instead, they burned their trash there, and it became a burning valley of waste.

Our Lord Jesus used the word Gehenna figuratively to depict the real hell where lost souls go to after death. He couldn't have been talking about the valley of Hinnon where trash are burnt. This is made clear when we analyze the statement he made in Matthew 10:28; "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". There is no way you can throw souls into a physical burning trash. Only Jesus can cast soul into hell. Besides, the idolatrous practice has long ceased even before the time of Christ.

In addition, Jesus said the fire there is not quenched and the worms do not die. (Mark 9:44). This description doesn't fit the valley of Hinnon in Jerusalem which is also known as Gehenna. The fire there is not unquenchable. The worms there also die.

So, a place of horrible torment called hell does exist. It is underneath the earth surface, in the lowest depth of the earth. The hotness is unbearable. It was prepared for the devil and his angels but anyone who choose to serve the devil will go there also. Jesus already paid the price to redeem you from that horrible pit. Receive the free gift of salvation by inviting Jesus into your heart. Please, it is not about water baptism or joining a Church. It's all about what you did with the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Make him the Lord of your life today and depart from iniquity.

Prayer and Confession of Faith: I thank you Lord Jesus for taking my place on the cross of Calvary. I know that my name is written in the book of life. Hell will not lay claim on my soul when I depart this earth in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Prophecies: God showed Prophet Ezekiel in a vision, a valley of dry bones. He told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones and they shall live again. I stand by the authority of God's word that every dry bones in your life shall live again. The joy that has disappeared in your marriage and relationship shall be restored in Jesus name. Your business shall blossom again in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Further Study: Matthew 23:33; Luke 12:5
Daily Scripture Reading: Genesis 36-37; Luke 7-9.

Wait ooo. Will I have an A in my EEGs if I read the text book you wrote up there? If No. Am outta here

Fash20:
Wait ooo. Will I have an A in my EEGs if I read the text book you wrote up there? If No. Am outta here

If you call this a text book, then what will you call the full book I have written on this subject? My brother, please read. Information is power and ignorance destroys. What you have here is a very brief summary on the subject of hell.

Ken4Christ:


If you call this a text book, then what will you call the full book I have written on this subject? My brother, please read. Information is power and ignorance destroys. What you have here is a very brief summary on the subject of hell.

you guys wont cease to amaze me .

Since Sheol = Hell , please explain Job 14 vs 13 for me ?

Yes. He'll is real

It is called Nigeria and Buhari is the new Satan running things.

Peacefullove:


you guys wont cease to amaze me .

Since Sheol = Hell , please explain Job 14 vs 13 for me ?

I will just give a benefit of doubt that you have a teachable spirit. Otherwise, the article I put up is enough to convince anyone that their is a place of torment the wicked go to beyond the physical grave.

Job 14:13 states

"O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!"

Yes, I agree that here the world Sheol is translated grave. But do you think it is talking about the physical grave? Hell can also be rightly referred to as a spiritual grave. That is why in my write up, I used the adjective, 'physical' to qualify the grave I am talking about.

If Job really meant the physical grave, Can God hide one in the physical grave?

Job of course had a limited knowledge of Eternal realities and probably thought God could hide him in the underworld also known as hell. Saints of the Old Testament had a vague knowledge of spiritual things.

God confirmed it when he rebuked Job thus;

Job 38:2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

You cannot therefore take everything Job said authoritatively. Jesus is the one that brought the true revelation of things we don't understand clearly. That is why he said, I am the way, the truth and the life.

If you want to honestly argue about the existence of Hell, please make reference to any of the statement Jesus made concerning it.

FunkyMetahuman:
Yes. He'll is real

It is called Nigeria and Buhari is the new Satan running things.

There is no amount of suffering on earth that can be compared with the torment and discomfort of hell. Even the worst prison on earth is paradise when compared with hell. You can make fun of it. Believe the word of God. Hell is real and the reason we are creating the awareness is to warn you and encourage you and everyone to give their lives to Jesus.

It is not a police cell you can bail yourself out. Once you are in, you will remain there till final judgment day where you will be thrown into a worse place known as the Lake of fire - Revelation 20:11-15.

Ken4Christ:


I will just give a benefit of doubt that you have a teachable spirit. Otherwise, the article I put up is enough to convince anyone that their is a place of torment the wicked go to beyond the physical grave.

Job 14:13 states

"O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!"

Yes, I agree that here the world Sheol is translated grave. But do you think it is talking about the physical grave? Hell can also be rightly referred to as a spiritual grave. That is why in my write up, I used the adjective, 'physical' to qualify the grave I am talking about.

If Job really meant the physical grave, Can God hide one in the physical grave?

Job of course had a limited knowledge of Eternal realities and probably thought God could hide him in the underworld also known as hell. Saints of the Old Testament had a vague knowledge of spiritual things.

God confirmed it when he rebuked Job thus;

Job 38:2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

You admit that Sheol @ Job 14 vs 13 can mean grave . its totally inconsistent then to also claim the same word mean Hellfire . this are two different poles . if it means Hellfire , its totally unreasonable for the following reasons:

1. It means Job wish to go to hellfire

2. it means Jacob the Father of Joseph also delight in going to hellfire, when he said he will weep for his lost son till he descend to Sheol .

3. it means Jesus the founder of Christianity also go to hellfire. therefore he must be a wicked person since the wicked are the ones turn into Sheol which Jesus also go


4. It means all humans will go hellfire , going by Ecclesiaties 9 vs 10 .

in view of the above inconsistencies, you propose that grave means Spiritual grave , please what exactly is Spiritual Grave ?

You cannot therefore take everything Job said authoritatively. Jesus is the one that brought the true revelation of things we don't understand clearly. That is why he said, I am the way, the truth and the life.

If you want to honestly argue about the existence of Hell, please make reference to any of the statement Jesus made concerning it.

Why is it that None of those who practically Died and were raised to life by Jesus give any stories of been in heaven or hell ?

Ken4Christ:


There is no amount of suffering on earth that can be compared with the torment and discomfort of hell. Even the worst prison on earth is paradise when compared with hell. You can make fun of it. Believe the word of God. Hell is real and the reason we are creating the awareness is to warn you and encourage you and everyone to give their lives to Jesus.

It is not a police cell you can bail yourself out. Once you are in, you will remain there till final judgment day where you will be thrown into a worse place known as the Lake of fire - Revelation 20:11-15.

Ken4Christ am not attacking your beliefs , But I want us to be practical and reasonable


there are many cases of people who ACTUALLY died in the Christian bible isnt it? Please how many of those who died in the bible , are raised only to came back to life to start telling horror stories of hell like the ones u depict above even though you have never for once died ?

@Peacefullove

Please can I know your point?
Is it that you do not believe there is a place call Hell?
Where people that disobey God will be punish?

EvangelistNdudi:
@Peacefullove

Please can I know your point?
Is it that you do not believe there is a place call Hell?
Where people that disobey God will be punish?

thanks

My point is we humans are like every other living things thats SUSTAINED by BREATHING . and once we lost our breath we die just as every other living thing


for the point of hell to be valid , I need to know what exactly go to heaven or hell Because I have genuine evidence that the sperm that is released into a woman developed into a zygote , eventually an embryo and at an appointed time was given birth to and growth starts , then later this living organism died and lost all qualities of a living thing. then we open the ground and bury it . yes that same being ! So how come the person inside the ground is also in some hell elsewhere ?



To further my point , Why is it that NoNE of those who AcTUALLY died in the Christian bible come to life to give tales of hell ? does this not further prove a dead person is a NON living thing ?


If the God of the universe doesnt create such a place nor send men there , It will be a grave offense lying against him that he does so . hence the need for proper research

Peacefullove:


thanks

My point is we humans are like every other living things thats SUSTAINED by BREATHING . and once we lost our breath we die just as every other living thing


for the point of hell to be valid , I need to know what exactly go to heaven or hell Because I have genuine evidence that the sperm that is released into a woman developed into a zygote , eventually an embryo and at an appointed time was given birth to and growth starts , then later this living organism died and lost all qualities of a living thing. then we open the ground and bury it . yes that same being ! So how come the person inside the ground is also in some hell elsewhere ?



To further my point , Why is it that NoNE of those who AcTUALLY died in the Christian bible come to life to give tales of hell ? does this not further prove a dead person is a NON living thing ?


If there is a God and he doesnt create such a place nor send men there , It will be a grave offense lying against him that he does so . hence the need for proper research

okay, I think I get your point now

What do you think Jesus mean when he say in Matthew 13:49-50

"49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Or
Revelation 20:15
And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

Remember that "lake of fire" is what people refer to as "Hell fire"

When someone die, his physical body will be bury (of cause as you say) but his soul will rise for judgment at the last day

Revelations 20:13

The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.

So my brother, Hell fire is real(what bible call lake of fire)

Please remember, we are not arguing, we are leaning from each other

Remain Bless

EvangelistNdudi:
okay, I think I get your point now

What do you think Jesus mean when he say in Matthew 13:49-50

"49  This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

I think this practically destroy the general notion that people are judged when they die. if you noticed the Underlined , you would discover it is reffering to the end of time or last days instead of the evangelical Die and be judge formular. #noted#


I dont dispute the fact that it mentions a burning furnace, but the question still remains : what will be burned ? the characteristics depicted in the word " weeping " and " gnashing of TEETH" reveal what is been burned is A human being and if this is the case, it means the person will turn to ashes since Flesh cant burn forever as taught in hell teaching thus a flaw to the teaching. the passage didnt seem to support some Souls or spirits as generally believed , unless you want to tell me that Spirit have TEETH which is a bone ?

Or
Revelation 20:15
And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."


Remember that "lake of fire" is what people refer to as "Hell fire"

@ bold, you would agree with me that not everyone in Christianity will agree with you regarding that, some christians belive in two hellfires. For some, such as the Op seem to belive Sheol is also an hellfire on its own thats why they are quick to quote the KJV where it said the wicked will be turned into hell ( sheol) forgeting that the same KJV put Jesus in Hell too . Nd when it comes to Jesus they try to twist the meaning of Sheol from hell . typical cherry picking

When someone die, his physical body will be bury (of cause as you say) but his soul will rise for judgment at the last day

does the first verse you quote Support the soul rising when it said Gnashing of TEETH ? does it sound plausible that Soul have TEETH which is a bone ?

Revelations 20:13

The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.

So my brother, Hell fire is real(what bible call lake of fire)

Please remember, we are not arguing, we are leaning from each other

Remain Bless

thank you but to have a clear perspective of this lake of fire , I read that Death and the Grave will also be cast into that same lake of fire isnt it ?

bro how real is that to you .

Peacefullove, you're doing well. Bravo!
I got your back fully.

I will not waste my energy with those that have made up their minds on this subject. My recommendation to you all before you continue to hold on to your pre conceived opinion, please go and read thoroughly all that Jesus thought about eternal destiny and see if you will not have a re think.

Concerning a word having dual or more meaning, it is normal in English. There are some words that even have more than ten different meanings. So you have to determine within the context of discussion which meaning is more appropriate.

Those who say hell is grave in all context, please put grave everywhere you see hell and see out it fits.

You will notice the futility of reaching such conclusion.

Please, you don't have to win an argument. Just be honest. Put away your pre conceived opinion and study more. Jesus taught about the subject of hell in such an explicit manner that it will only take a man who is possessed with the devil to deny it.

I will make no further comment. When you get there, it will be too late and you will remember your stupidity.

Hell is about Money!.The concept of hell and a devil with a pitchfork standing in front of an open furnace are all things put in your minds by religious leaders and the media for their own personal gain. The more you believe in their concept of hell, the more frightened you become and the more you will pay for the religious leaders to forgive your sins and redeem your souls.Everybody gains, not just religious institutions. With the concept of horror which you know is entirely based on the devil and hell, everybody gains.

Ken4Christ:


There is no amount of suffering on earth that can be compared with the torment and discomfort of hell. Even the worst prison on earth is paradise when compared with hell. You can make fun of it. Believe the word of God. Hell is real and the reason we are creating the awareness is to warn you and encourage you and everyone to give their lives to Jesus.

It is not a police cell you can bail yourself out. Once you are in, you will remain there till final judgment day where you will be thrown into a worse place known as the Lake of fire - Revelation 20:11-15.

and you have been to this hell before or you have picture or video proof of this hell except the stories you read from a book filled with contradictions and fairytale?

The concept of hell makes no sense. It seems like a scary technique.

Ken4Christ:
I will not waste my energy with those that have made up their minds on this subject. My recommendation to you all before you continue to hold on to your pre conceived opinion,

You dont expect to open a thread and people accept everything u said verbatim, There is a place in your bible where Paul of tarsus commend beroans for researching and studying for themselves if this things are true . does it mean the beroans have a pre conceived notion ? Friend, you need to get down from your proud horse , sometimes we think we are removing a straw from someone eyes whereas a big log is on that of ours . meaning " be objective and open minded " . Address my earlier response to you and answer my question regarding the phrase " Spiritual grave" !!!

please go and read thoroughly all that Jesus thought about eternal destiny and see if you will not have a re think.

Jesus is a jew , I dont think he for once pronounced the english word Hell , did he ?

Concerning a word having dual or more meaning, it is normal in English . There are some words that even have more than ten different meanings. So you have to determine within the context of discussion which meaning is more appropriate.

Ken, the particular word in question is HEBREW not english . so that invalid your point above .

Those who say hell is grave in all context, please put grave everywhere you see hell and see out it fits.

You will notice the futility of reaching such conclusion.

this is why I said you should address my earlier post .

Please, you don't have to win an argument. Just be honest. Put away your pre conceived opinion and study more. Jesus taught about the subject of hell in such an explicit manner that it will only take a man who is possessed with the devil to deny it.

the bold is exactly what we are doing on this thread sir .

I will make no further comment. When you get there, it will be too late and you will remember your stupidity.

Only a lie needs threat as this , if you are plain you dont need all this .


am expecting your response to my earlier reply to u .

All this plenty talk...

just wear a suicide vest and take out a bunch of people.
You'll find out by yourself.