The Hebrew word for “hell” is pronounced “sheoul.” This word simply means the grave. It was translated 31 times as “hell,” 31 times as “grave” and 3 times as “pit.”

In the New Testament hell is translated from two different Greek words. The first is pronounced “Hades” and also means the grave. The other is pronounced “Gehenna” and literally referred to the valley of Hinnom which was the city dump where the garbage was burned. Obviously it soon came to symbolize destruction. But it did not imply eternal torment.

This is why it can be said of hell that it will be destroyed along with the wicked, in the lake of fire after the thousand years.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Revelation 20:14

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

Next time you read the word hell, remember it refers to the grave, and the certain mortality of man. Soon there will be no more death. I encourage you to do your own word study of the above words.

The Rich man and Lazarus

In this parable a rich man in hell cries in his torment to a poor man and Abraham, both of whom had gone to paradise. Does this teach that the righteous will witness the agony of those in hell throughout eternity? Does it teach that the dead go straight to heaven or hell at death? No! Jesus never intended us to take each detail of an illustration literally. What about parables such as: the lost coin, lost sheep, great banquet or the workers in the field? Of ten coins one is lost - are 9 people saved and only one lost? Are we going to be re-incarnated as sheep? Is heaven just one grand supper? Are there just 12 hours that we are to work for Jesus?

This parable is intended to teach the folly of riches and how a physical lineage with Abraham or a mere profession won’t save anyone. (See John 8:39; Matthew 19:23) It is not meant to teach about death, heaven or hell.

The Thief on the Cross

Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

Jesus was not saying that they would both be in heaven that same day, for he told Mary, soon after His resurrection: “I have not yet ascended to my Father.” John 20:17

So why the seeming contradiction? The answer is really very simple. In the original Greek, punctuation was not used. The translators, not the inspired Bible authors, inserted it. Try reading this verse again in your Bible, with the comma placed after the word “today.” A modern English translation of this text would be: “Today, (when it seems that you are forsaken of God and man, dying for your criminal acts), I can truly say, you will be with me in paradise.”