Gehenna, the greek word for which hell is given, to see whether these popular concepts are grounded therein. Bible verses related to levels of hell from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order luke 12. Here they meet satan, who is described as a threeheaded beast. Baxter describes her personal journey through hell as told in her own words.
The 4 levels of heaven according to the bible and we will use the scriptures like christ said in order the real deal with this mystery. There seems to be some confusion about the meaning of hell and who goes there because of the way the hebrew word sheol and the greek word hades have been translated in our english bibles. Yes, there are different degrees of punishment in hell. Sproul explains the good and necessary reason for the existence of hell and why there must be degrees of punishment. First, note that there is a difference between hell and the lake of fire. This text, many believe, is the best evidence in the bible for the view that there are degrees of punishment in hell.
The passages below are grouped in sections to help you understand what the bible has to say about hell. In religion and folklore, hell is an afterlife location in which evil souls are subjected to punitive suffering, often torture as eternal punishment after death. As one descends into the depths of hell, he comes closer to the 9th circle where satan himself resides. The bible does not offer clear information to indicate whether or not there are different levels of hell. After making their way through all nine circles of hell, dante and virgil reach the center of hell. This writing describes, in graphic detail, his supposed travels through the realms of purgatory, hell and others, each of which is comprised of nine parts. Key passages about hell 1 hell was designed originally for satan and. First of all, the bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god romans 3. Bible verses about levels of hell king james bible. The bible describes heaven as coming out or descending out of the sky and. Most contemporary christians acknowledge the doctrine of hell, but theyd rather not think about how god punishes the wicked.
The holy bible says heavens plural, which therefore means that there are more than one, and in one of these we are told is where we can find alhym and the heavenly families ep 2. A place of weeping and gnashing or grinding of teeth matt 24. Do the different words translated into english as hell actually refer to different levels of hell. In the ensuing revelation, smith identifies three heavens, or levels of glory. The bible does not offer clear information to indicate whether or not there are. Although the bible does not specifically say there are different levels of punishment in hell.
Furthermore there is a principle in scripture that those who have more truth revealed to them will be judged more harshly. Does the bible say anything about levels or degrees in hell. Although it does not specifically say so, the bible might seem to indicate that there are different levels of punishment in hell. Consequently the suffering in hell will be proportionate to the light people have received. The concept that the bible teaches there are levels of heaven highly likely originated with the middle ages poem entitled divine comedy by dante written somewhere between 8 21. The authors of four views on hell meet this subject headon with different views on what the scriptures say. In the new testament, the word hades is found, which refers to the ordinary greek underworld of the dead aka hell in christian mythology. This is dantes journey through the nine circles of hell, guided by the poet virgil.
The closest thing scripture says to there being different levels of heaven is found in 2 corinthians 12. This compelling story describes mary baxters journey through hell as she is called upon from jesus to share with the world her visions. Feb 04, 2015 bible verses about hell there are many verses that discuss the subject of hell, for it is not a place where anyone wants to spend eternity, so it is important for christians to know the scriptures describing this horrible place. Since this confusion has led some into an erroneous understanding of what the bible actually teaches about the i. Jul 15, 2009 biblically, there seems to be definite teaching that there are different levels of hell at least in the sense that there are various degrees of punishment.
The author ventures to hope that any one who will read candidly, not permitting the bias of an erroneous education to warp his judgment, will not fail to agree with the conclusions of this book,that the doctrine of unending sin and woe finds no support in the bible teachings concerning hell. The purpose of this study is to briefly analyze jesus teaching on hell more correctly. The biblical evidence for hell by christopher morgan. The idea is that there are three greek words for hell interpreted as gehenna, hell, and the lake of fire all with different meanings. However, there has been much confusion on this topic due to a passage in 2 corinthians 12 in which paul speaks of a third heaven. Hell is exclusion from the kingdom of god, a result of gods active judgment on sin, and a place of eternal suffering. The people who sit in church all day and always hear the message of christ, but do not truly accept him will be in more pain in hell. At the beginning of the story, a woman, beatrice, calls for an angel to bring virgil. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as eternal destinations, the biggest examples of which are christianity and islam, whereas religions with reincarnation usually depict a hell as an intermediary period between. The phrase in seventh heaven means to experience great joy or contentment.
Are there different levels of hell and degrees of sin. Before we address the question directly, recognizing some preliminary observations and principles would be helpful. Going beyond the surface of what the bible states on the topic of hell in the greek and hebrew. Rather, the idea that hell includes different levels was first popularized in the divine. Jesus spoke of different levels of judgment of certain cities that rejected him. The word hell is used approximately fiftyfour times in most bibles, and is translated from several different words including sheol, hades, gehenna, and tartarus. Apr 10, 2004 yes, i believe that there are levels of torment in hell, and also levels of reward in heaven. All the resources that support a book can be found on its home page. Jun 11, 2009 here smith found two levels of heaven, but became confused when he then read paul speaking of three glories, that of the sun, moon, and stars. The bible uses several terms to identify the various purposes and descriptions of hell. Rather, the idea that hell includes different levels was first popularized in the divine comedy written by dante alighieri between 8 and 21. Again this has nothing to do with dantes inferno we are not into cartoons and make believe realms here. There are 4 levels to heaven or 4 biblical bible definitions of heaven. Does hell have levels, each with a different degree of punishment.
Jan 03, 2016 going beyond the surface of what the bible states on the topic of hell in the greek and hebrew. Levels of hell bible verses in the king james version kjv about levels of hell. In the book a divine revelation of hell, author mary k. While there are many views of heaven and the afterlife found in cultural and religious teachings, the bible presents only two places in the afterlifeheaven and hell and does not teach multiple levels of heaven. When we read scripture there does seem to be different degrees of punishment in hell. Hell, sheol, hades, paradise, and the grave berean bible. The bible speaks of only one eternal home for believers in which all of gods people will ultimately dwell with him forever. If you take different levels of heaven to mean that there are different levels of blessedness, there is no reference to that in the scriptures. Different levels of hell third millennium ministries.
In the book of amos, we read that god said to his people. An actual place where both body and soul go matt 10. Punishment in hell typically corresponds to sins committed during life. In the hebrew old testament we find terms like new earth, sheol, abaddon. See levels of hell instances in the king james version kjv. In it, roman poet virgil guides dante through the nine circles of hell. The bible doesnt tell us directly that there are different levels of punishment in hell. If so, to what degree does it mean regarding reward, positions, and suffering for those in hell. Some say there are 7 levels of hell, some also claim that there are 9 levels instead of 7, however, the most famous description is the one from dante alighieris inferno, which happens to be the most sought after nonreligious description of hell. You only have i known of all the families of the earth. The first heaven is described as being made of water and is the home of adam and eve, as well as the angels of each star. The bible does not specifically mention higher or lower levels of hell in the location sense, but it does allude to degrees of punishment and sins. The bible is very clear in affirming that god is a being of absolute goodness. Niv the idea of levels of punishment in hell is further reinforced by the distinctions and different types of penalties for varying levels of criminal acts in the old testament law.
Sometimes these distinctions are specific, with damned souls suffering for each sin committed see for example platos myth of er or dantes the divine comedy, but sometimes they are general, with condemned sinners relegated to one or more chamber of hell or to a level of suffering. Some leveled books are also supported by fluency practice passages, readers theater scripts, a writers response activity, a literature circle journal, or might be part of a paired book set or other collection. Jun 25, 2019 jesus plainly taught the existence of hell. God is love the bible says that god is love 1 john 4.
I was recently exposed to a doctrine that i had never heard before. And if anyones name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Jesus teaching on hell truth according to scripture. The truth is, the word hell, or i should say the words translated as hell hebrewsheol, greekhades, tartarus, and gehennawhich is a greek word of hebrew origin, have various meanings and usages in the different books of the bible and extrabiblical sources, yet this does not justify a failure to use the term hell as. In that poem, the roman poet virgil guides dante through the nine circles of hell. We may also find that our popular concepts of hell came from the same place that purgatory didroman catholicism. Enrollment closes tuesday tuesday is the cut off for new member enrollment into the new. I submit that without this verse, any secondary biblical texts that people might refer to would, on their own, be deemed clearly inadequate to make the case. For christians, whose names are in the book of life, they will not be judged at. Many english translations of the bible use hell as an english equivalent of the hebrew terms she.
With so many references to hell in the bible, any serious christian must come to terms with the doctrine. Even though your salvation does not depend on your deeds but on faith in christ alone, there are still various rewards and crowns. Those whose names were not found in the book of life were thrown into the fiery lake. Brethren who have responded seem to assume that there is either one heaven with different levels, or that there are three heavens. Will there be differing degrees of rewards in heaven and different levels of punishment in hell. Feb 10, 2011 indeed, according to scripture the torment of hitlers hell will greatly exceed that of the less wicked. Bible verses about levels of hell when we read scripture there does seem to be different degrees of punishment in hell.
The level of hell is not as important as to whether there will be different levels of. Hell is clearly defined in your bible as a place of torment and burning. Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. Where in the bible does it say there are different levels. Now i would remind you, brothers, of the gospel i preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word i preached to youunless you believed in vain. The idea that there are different levels of punishment in hell is graphically portrayed in the divine comedy, written by dante alighieri between 8 and 21. For further study, see hank hanegraaff, why should i believe in hell. In other sources, the concept is presented in metaphorical terms. Only a fool who rejects what he reads would say hell is the grave or only separation from god. Is the idea of seven heavens the seventh heaven biblical.
Gods perfect justice means that worse criminals will suffer worse punishments for their crimes. Whether it was in the body or out of the body i do not knowgod knows. He is clearly seeking to parallel the discussion paul presents in 1corinthians15. In dantes inferno, hell is described as having 9 different levels, or circles, each lower than the last. D oes the bible teach that there are different levels of hell and of heaven. Yes, i believe that there are levels of torment in hell, and also levels of reward in heaven. Apr 17, 2018 for a detailed explanation of this bible verse, please read the article what is the third heaven. Biblically, there seems to be definite teaching that there are different levels of hell at least in the sense that there are various degrees of punishment. Note the entire text as it is found in the new american standard bible. In the bible, there are a number of different words for the abodes of the deceased. Names for hell different names for hell in the bible. He is the originator of love and all his actions are directed by love. There are many people who believe hell is a place where all who go receive the same punishment. Although the bible does not specifically say there are different levels of punishment in hell, it does seem to indicate that the judgment will indeed be experienced differently for different people.
While the usual concept of levels of hell actually comes from the inferno, the bible does indeed discuss levels of hell. Hell the word hell appears 54 times in the holy bible. The expression also implies that there are seven heavens to be had, which is a common teaching among several religions. Each of the seven heavens is depicted as being composed of a different material, and islamic prophets are resident in each. Inferno, the first part of dantes divine comedy that inspired the latest dan browns bestseller of the same title describes the poets vision of hell. Are there degrees of blessedness and punishment in eternity. All of gods people will dwell in gods presence forever. The scripture you quoted is not the only one that indicates degrees of torment, there are many more. Oct, 2014 dr marshall explains the descent of christ into hell and the 4 sections of hell according to thomas aquinas. How is an eternity in hell a just punishment for only a human lifetime of sin. The story begins with the narrator who is the poet himself being lost in a dark wood where he is attacked by three beasts which he cannot escape. The term hell is also used for the greek hades and tartarus, which have markedly different connotations. Is this true or are there different degrees of punishment in hell.
For further research, read 10 things you should know about hell. Yes, hell is a literal place and it is not a figment of our imagination. Later, the bible indicates that those in hell are given up. Does hell have levels, each with a different degree of.
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