HEAVEN AND HELL II

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HEAVEN AND HELL 2

INTRODUCTION
Apart from heaven and hell, words with which most are familiar, the Bible uses a few other terms in both Testaments, for where the dead go. A careful search of Scriptures reveals that there is nothing to be confused about (Jn. 8:32; 17:17). For instance, the KJV Bible uses the word hell for different Greek words (hades, gehenna, tartarus). Thank God studious Christians will not be in the dark! (2 Tim. 2:15; Jn. 8:12, Ps. 119:105).
PARADISE
This word means a pleasant, beautiful, enjoyable place of rest that has every needed thing, an idea place, related to a garden, park and/or lovely orchard. The word is sed thrice in the N.T. In the Septuagint (GkOT), it is first used for Eden. (Gen 2:8-15; Isa. 51:3).

• Luke 23:39-43. Christ said that He was going there (after death) “today”. The criminal who accepted His personal Lordship would be there with Him. It appeared to be the TEMPORARY abode of the righteous.
• 2 Cor. 12:1-6. No doubt Paul referred to the third heaven, where the throne room of God is (see Heaven & Hell 1) as Paradise. The revelation he was given was apparently for his personal edification only. (See also Is. 8:16; Dan. 12:4; Rev. 10:4).
• Rev. 2:1-7. Christ, while talking about the “loveless Church”, promised it as an overcomers inheritance. This, no doubt, was heaven. So, paradise that was lost in Eden is regained in heaven through Christ.
SHEOL
Job 17:16 (NKJV; rendered pit in KJV); Jonah 2:2 (NKJV; rendered hell in KJV); Ps. 16:10 (NKJV; rendered hell in KJV); Ps. 116:3 (NKJV; rendered hell in KJV). Sheol was the term used in the O.T for the abode of the soul/spirit of the departed. They were not clear about the details of what happened to you after death, but some through Divine light, referred to bodily resurrection. (E.g. Job 19:25-26; Ez. 37:1-14; Ps. 16:10/Acts 2:22-32). Note NKJV used hades (Greek) (hell in KJV) for what Ps. 16:10 calls Sheol! (Hebrew) Sheol was believed to be beneath (Job 11:8 NKJV; hell in KJV)

ABRAHAM’S BOSOM
(Luke 16:19-31). This account was not a parable! The Jews considered the term “child(ren) of Abraham ” as a special title of honour (Mt. 3:9; Lk. 3:8; Matt. 1:1f). Even Christ alluded to it (Luke 13:10-16; 19:1-9). The term “bosom” was probably from the relaxation position at that time (See Jn. 13:23). The spirit (& soul) of a dead O.T saint went to Abraham’s bosom or paradise (Luke 23:43) which, no doubt, was beneath. (Jn. 3:13). What the O.T saints called Sheol is likely to be the same place that Christ called Abraham’s bosom, paradise and which as will be seen later must have place of abode for departed saints. (See Mt. 27:50-53; Eph. 4:8; Hew. 12:1 etc).

…………….to be continued