All Christians will see hell, but they will be resurrected!
How does the Bible define hell? In the Old Testament, the word for “hell” is the Hebrew word sheol (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #7585). It is the condition of death; the grave. Every single person dies and goes to the same place – sheol. Ecclesiastes 9:10 explains what sheol is like: “there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in sheol where you are going.”
During his misery, Job actually prayed that he might go to sheol to escape his suffering. Job 14:13, “If only you would hide me in the grave (sheol) and conceal me till your anger has passed.” The patriarch Jacob expected to go to sheol. Genesis 42:38, “You will bring my gray hair down to sheol in sorrow.”
In the New Testament, the Greek word hades corresponds exactly to the Hebrew word sheol. Acts 2:27, “You will not abandon my soul to hades” is a quotation from Psalm 16:10, “You will not abandon my soul to sheol. In Revelation 20:13, we see that those who are in the grave are brought to life again. “…and death and hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every one of them according to their deeds.”
Thus, the word “hell” or sheol or hades means the grave or death – destruction. So, why do Christians die and go to the grave? All mankind is under the death sentence. “The wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23. We all die and go to sheol/hades – the state of being dead – because of Adam’s disobedience. “In Adam ALL die,” 1 Corinthians 15:22.
Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which ALL who are in the tombs will hear his [Jesus] voice and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28. The faithful disciple of Christ receives the “resurrection of life” (immortal spiritual life) while ALL others receive the “resurrection of judgment.” This is the resurrection on earth during which time mankind will learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9 “…for when the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.” Christ will teach the whole world love and justice!
Additional Resources:
Episode #1174: “Did God Make Heaven and Hell Humanity’s Destiny? (Part I)”
Uncovering who goes to heaven and what happens to planet Earth
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1175: “Did God Make Heaven and Hell Humanity’s Destiny? (Part II)”
Unpacking the true meaning of hell and Judgment Day in Scripture
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1231: “What if I’m Not Good Enough for Heaven?”
Uncovering the destiny of humanity’s billions who don’t go to heaven
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Special 3-part series: “Is the Hell of Christian Tradition Taught in the Bible?”
For a comprehensive study on hell, download the free PDF: “The Truth About Hell”
