By Sidharth Mohandas

Words used for Hell:

There are three Greek words that are mostly translated as ‘hell” in the New Testament:

(1) Geheena which is the actual translation for “hell”, which originates from the Hebrew word “Gehinnom” [Valley of Hinnom or Valley of son of Hinnom as mentioned in Jer 7:31, Jer 19:6, and Jer 32:35]. The valley of Hinnom was a place in Jerusalem where refuse was burned with unquenchable fire. This is a type and shadow of the Lake of fire or hell where those who reject Christ will be turned into.

(2) Hades [Hebrew: Sheol], which means grave, but on studying the Scriptures you find that Hades is more than just the grave. The Old Testament portrays this place as a place of torment, pain and agony. In fact the Psalm says that “the wicked shall be turned into Sheol”. Hence, I come to believe that Hades/Sheol is a place of torment for the wicked, but then Hades is never considered as Hell in Greek. Moreover, Hades is a place of temporary torment, and not eternal torment.

(3) Tartaroo, the bible uses this word just once in 2 Peter 2:4 and it refers to a place where the fallen angels are held in chains.

Where do people go when they die?

There are just two destinies for every person on planet earth. Every man will face these factual realities. And their destiny is dependent on one great choice they make on earth: a “yes” or a “no” to Jesus.

Let’s see what happens to those who say “no” to Jesus:

Scripture tells us that these when they die, their material part [bodies] will go to dust where it came from, while their immaterial part [spirit and the soul] will be in a place that the Bible calls Hades [Greek] or Sheol [Hebrew]. The body is taken over by the enemy called “Death”, while the real person [spirit and the soul] is tormented in Hades till the Day of Judgment. On the Day of Judgment, Death and Hades will give up that which is in them and the wicked will be judged according to their deeds.

 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. - Revelation 20:13

However, for those who say “yes” to Jesus:

Though their bodies return to dust, Scripture clearly teaches that they [spirit and soul] will be with the Lord.

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. -2 Corinthians 5:8-9

When the Lord Jesus manifests Himself at His second coming He will bring the immaterial part of these people along with Him in the air and as their sleeping bodies raise up at the time of the “harpazo” [rapture], it re-unites with the immaterial part, While those of us who are alive at His coming will be caught up into the air. [1 Thess 4:13-18]