Heaven & Hell

Heaven & Hell - Eschatology Week 04

Big Ideas:

I. Definitions and Origins of Heaven and Hell

A. Sheol / Hades

Hebrew (Sheol) and Greek (Hades) terms for the realm of the dead.

Described as the invisible world of departed souls.

Differentiation:

Wicked go to “hell”

Righteous go to “paradise”

Referenced by Jesus in the parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus (Luke 16) and on the cross (Luke 23:43).

B. Gehenna

A physical valley near Jerusalem, later symbolized eternal destruction.

Used by Jesus to describe hell in the Gospels.

Constant fire and refuse—imagery of judgment and punishment.

C. Pyros (Greek for fire)

Associated with the “lake of fire” in Revelation 20:14–15. 

II. Views on the Duration and Intensity of Hell

A. Traditional View

Eternal, conscious punishment for the wicked.

B. Terminal View

Hell is finite; time in torment could range from moments to millennia.

C. Annihilationist View

No prolonged suffering; souls are destroyed instantly.

D. Biblical and Philosophical Considerations

God’s immortality vs. the soul’s conditional immortality.

Eternal life is a gift, not inherently possessed (1 Tim. 6:15–16; John 3:16).

III. Scriptural Interpretations and Conflicting Verses

Matthew 25:46: “eternal punishment” vs. “eternal life”

Emphasis on “destruction,” “consumed,” and “perish” as biblical terms.

IV. Biblical Imagery and Descriptions of Hell

Psalms and Hebrews describe God’s enemies as consumed by fire.

Jesus warns of the destruction of body and soul (Matt. 10:28).

Emphasis on God’s justice and the consequences of unrepentance.

V. Heaven: Its Nature and Location

A. Heaven is “Above”

Cited verses: John 3:31, John 8:23, Acts 7:55–56, Col. 3:1–3.

Heaven is where Christ is seated with God.

B. Heaven as a City: The New Jerusalem

Described in detail in Revelation 21–22:

Precious stones, pearly gates, streets of gold.

No more pain, death, or sorrow.

God dwells with His people.

VI. The Second Coming and the Resurrection

A. Jesus Returns in the Clouds

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: The dead in Christ will rise, believers will meet Him in the air.

B. Transformation of Believers

Glorified bodies (Phil. 3:20–21; 1 Cor. 15:51–54).

C. Final Judgment

2 Corinthians 5:10: Each will be judged for deeds in the body.

VII. Eternal Destiny and Worship

Believers will see God’s face (Rev. 22:4).

A great worship scene in heaven (Rev. 15:2–3).

Earth and creation will be destroyed and renewed (2 Peter 3:10–13). 

VIII. Entrance into Heaven

Access through the blood of Christ (Rev. 22:14).

A call to faithfulness, purity, and hope in eternal life.