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The Spirit World is a study of the afterlife in scripture. Far from simply referring to “Heaven and Hell,” the scripture reveals an assortment of containers which temporarily sort the souls of men and angels prior to the eternal state. Places such as Sheol, Abaddon, and the Abyss are commonly used interchangeably by well-intended teachers of scripture. Yet, scripture itself does not use these terms interchangeably at all; for each has a unique characteristic among the others. |
The Spirit World provides a thorough examination of these terms and others, while time lining the course of human and angelic history from creation to the eternal state. Additionally, The Spirit World will examine the nature of the judgments of the righteous and the wicked, as these actions are the trigger events which relegate men from the temporary to the eternal abodes.
The Spirit World: Introduction
Introduction
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
Numerous are the terms used in scripture to reference the other-worldly spiritual abodes which remain unseen to the human eye. Some biblical students are content to quickly categorize these many terms into two simple categories: Heaven and Hell. However upon a thorough examination of scripture it becomes exceptionally clear that many of the abodes of spiritual existence in scripture are not synonymous with either Heaven or Hell. Hades, is often considered synonymous with Hell, for example, yet numerous Godly men, including Jesus himself, are noted in scripture to have entered Hades upon their deaths. While there are some who erroneously teach that Jesus went to “Hell” when he died (meaning “the eternal lake of fire”), scripture is unwavering in its clear assertion that in fact, Hell is not yet occupied. Continue reading
The Spirit World: Chapter One (Sheol)
Sheol
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
Giving consideration to the fact that the Bible is translated from the Hebrew and Greek languages (with some Aramaic), it is necessary to evaluate original language terms to have a consistent understanding of the meanings of the English terms which represent them in translation. One of the first terms one encounters in the scriptures which refers to a hidden spiritual realm is the Hebrew term, Sheol. Being Hebrew, Sheol is found, of course, in the Old Testament. Sheol literally means “the grave” or “the world of the dead.” It is frequently translated into English as “the grave” and at times, “Hell,” although “Hell” is not the best translation for modern English consumption as will be explained in chapter eight. Continue reading
The Spirit World: Chapter Two (Hades)
Hades
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
Skipping ahead to the New Testament, the next term to be observed in this work is the Greek term, Hades. Obviously, being Greek, Hades appears only in the New Testament. The term is used only ten times in Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Hades is translated in the NIV as “the grave,” “the depths,” “death” or is left in its original Greek form, transliterated as “Hades.” Also in the NIV it is translated “Hell,” in Luke 16 (below), but in the modern understanding of that term, “Hell” is not the best designation to be used. (More will be discussed on this in chapter eight) With the NIV being a more modern translation, this is an inexplicable use of the term “Hell” in English translation. Hades is, however, translated as “Hell” in all ten usages of the KJV, a much older translation. Continue reading
The Spirit World: Chapter Three (Abaddon)
Abaddon
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
Abaddon is also a Hebrew term, thus is constrained to the Old Testament, except for one occasion when the Hebrew term is referenced in its original language in the New Testament. Abaddon appears seven times in the Bible. Since it is used so sparingly, this chapter will examine each use of the term.
Abaddon is translated “destruction” throughout the NIV and KJV, except for the Revelation passage, where Abaddon is rendered in its native Hebrew, as a proper name.
Each use of the term is listed below. Continue reading
The Spirit World: Chapter Four (The Pit)
The Pit
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
The term
“The Pit,” is to be described in this work using its English rendering because two different Hebrew terms are translated “the pit” in the Old Testament. Both terms, when used metaphorically, clearly speak of the same place, however. Additionally, both terms translate into English as “the pit,” so are grouped together in this section. Continue reading
The Spirit World: Chapter Five (Abraham’s Bosom)
Abraham’s Bosom
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
The Term
The terms “Abraham’s Bosom” are found only in Luke 16, in Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man. The terms are Greek “kolpos Abraam.” Kolpos (or kolpon) is rendered “bosom” by the KJV and “side” by the NIV. “Bosom” is the most articulate and accurate term and the most historically known, thus the term “Abraham’s bosom” is familiar in theology as a designation for this abode. The definition of kolpos describes the area between the arms, or the chest. While the English use of “bosom” frequently implies the mammary specifically, it is not intended necessarily as such in Greek, but rather, the general chest area. Continue reading
The Spirit World: Chapter Six (Paradise)
Paradise
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
“Paradise” is a Greek term literally meaning a “royal park” or a “garden.” However, the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) translates “the garden of Eden” as “the garden of Paradise.” Thus it can be gleaned that the Greek understanding of “paradise“ was more than a mere garden. It was an exceptional type of garden, denoting a place of peace, innocence and freedom from the sinful realm. It was a place in some way resembling the character and nature of Eden. Continue reading
The Spirit World: Ch. 7 (The Migration of Paradise)
The Migration of Paradise
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
As has been demonstrated thus far, the righteous are appointed to leave Sheol/Hades at some point in time. The hope of a future release from Sheol for the righteous is a demonstrated characteristic of their existence there. Hannah notes in her prayer,
1 Samuel 2:6 (NIV)
6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave (Sheol) and raises up.
The priestly sons of Korah note,
Psalm 49:15 (NIV)
15 But God will redeem my life from the grave (Sheol); he will surely take me to himself. Selah Continue reading
The Spirit World: Chapter Eight (Hell)
Hell
(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)
Of all abodes of the dead, perhaps none bring the immediate sense of recognition as does the term, “Hell.” Hell is an English word from the Saxon “helan,” which means “to cover” or “to hide”. There is no single underlying Hebrew or Greek term which can be traced biblically to coincide with the use of “Hell” in varying translations. To that end, Hell must be treated first by its English understanding and then applied to those Hebrew and Greek terms which represent that definition in scripture. Continue reading
