In the ranks of the skeptics,
hell is discarded as an antiquated religious myth not to be entertained by an enlightened and sophisticated society.
In the religious world, hell takes on new and unbiblical dimensions. To some, just like the worldly skeptics, it does not exist. To others, it is a place where sinners are consumed instantaneously by fire and are engulfed by oblivion. Yet there are those who know it to be as the Bible describes.
In the new, post‑Westcott and Hort translations, the name hell is changed to Hades, which takes on various definitions. The Assyrian culture introduced the idea of Hades as an intermediate state. They called it “Happy Fields.” The Egyptian Hades was called “Amenti,” a place of “dreamless sleep.” Some, of course, depict Hades as the Biblically described hell. Those who are cast into hell, and then finally into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12‑14), will experience everlasting punishment. The Bible’s account of hell that we read in Luke, in the beginning of this feature, is not a parable. It mentions proper names and a specific location. It shows the rich man in hell being tormented but not consumed by the flames. Jesus declares in Matthew 25:31‑46:
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Part 4.In the ranks of the skeptics, hell is discarded as an antiquated religious myth not to be entertained by an enlightened and sophisticated society.
Psalms 147:1-10 (KJV) Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.