After Death part three
AFTER DEATH part three
The Grave
The end of our physical life here on earth is most often called death. At the instant of death the human trinity is divided. The physical body (the earthly material part), is most often put in the grave, that is, buried in the ground.
In the Bible, where we end up after the event of death is spoken of in various ways. Some words used are Sheol, Hades, Hell, asleep, Paradise, Gehenna, grave, Tartarus and for the future Lake of Fire. Some of these words are Hebrew and some are Greek. The Hebrew refers to the Old Testament and the Greek words to the New Testament.
First lets start with the word “grave” (geber). This a place to put the corpse or body of one who has died. Normally the grave is about six feet deep. This term concerns the condition of the physical body when life as we know it ceases.
Words pertaining to the Unsaved
Sheol-is the Old Testament Hebrew word for the Greek word “hell”. Refers to a condition after death. This is a location for the spirit and soul of the body to be held after death. Sheol does not refer to one who is going to heaven. In Lk. 16 the rich man was in Sheol and Lazarus and Abraham was in Paradise.
Hades-the Greek word for Sheol.
Gehenna-a place called Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem where garbage was burnt. This place was constantly burning and had a bad odor. This place also had wild dogs feeding and fighting at night and worms that never died. Jesus described this as a disgusting place where no one would want to be.
Lake of Fire-John describes this as a place where all unsaved will end up. A place of horrible anguish and suffering. Having to do with flames, torment, gnashing of teeth, with total separation from God.
Tartarus the original Greek term used one time in 2 Peter 2:4. This is to denote a particular place where the fallen angels are held captive in chains and darkness till the Great White Throne. Most versions just lump this term in with “hell”.
Another reason that there are so many terms describing the state of beings after death is that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. Because of this we have two words for the same meaning. Such as, the Hebrew word “Sheol” is translated in the Old testament to the word “hell”, “Grave” and “Pit”. All of these refer to a place where the soul and spirit goes after physical death.
The final conclusion is that all unsaved will end up in the “Lake of Fire”. And no matter by what name it’s called, it is not a place one will want to spend forever. Commit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ while here on this side of death to chose heaven over hell. For “now” is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2.
Terms pertaining to the Saved.
Asleep is a term used only for the saved after death. Eleven times this Greek term (koimao) is used to denote the saved’s condition after physical death. This term is never associated with the unsaved.
Paradise is a term used to denote the location of the saved. In Luke 23:43 remember this is before the death of Christ, Jesus told the penitent thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”. In Luke 16:22and 23 it is referred to as Abraham’s bosom. Again this was before Christ’s resurrection. In Mt. 27:52-53 where the saints that slept arose right after Christ did. 2 Cor. 12:2-4, Paul tells where he was “caught up into the third heaven. . .caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words. . .” Going up tells us that Paradise has moved locations. And in Eph. 4:8-10 tells us that Christ descended to lead the captives up far above all heavens. Ps. 68:18 tell us of this prophecy, “thou hast ascended on high, thou has led captivity captive. . .”
2 Cor. 5:8, Paul says, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Again in Phil. 1:23-24, Paul states, “having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”
