Life is a journey… it has a beginning, a direction and a destination.
God is endless. Man is made in God’s image and is endless in conscious existence.
Jesus spoke constantly about heaven, hell and hades and the reality of life after death.
In gospels alone, the words heaven, hell, hades, fire, torment, judgment, and death are in 237 verses.
In Matthew only 2 chapters are without their mention.
Satan, demons, and hell are mentioned well over a hundred times in the gospels.
The Bible is very clear about the reality of a conscious, enduring afterlife for every human being.
The Bible is also clear about who goes where and what it’s like!
The Bible uses many different terms for describing the afterlife’s location.
The three most common are Heaven, Hell and Hades or Sheol.
Heaven, Hell and Hades
Goal #1 – To discover what we can know and accept as hidden what we cannot know
Goal #2 – To avoid pointless intellectual imaginings focus instead on revealed truth
Goal #3 – To grasp the deep seriousness of this subject, making soul connection not satisfy idle curiosity
The Story in Prepositions… English teacher on airplane
Foundational Realities Heb 9:27 Rev 20:11-21:5 1 Cor 15:55-56
God is holy, God is just, God is merciful, God is not conflicted
Man is uniquely blessed by God and uniquely responsible to God.
Man is enduring, man is accountable, man is guilty, man is helpless, man is whole.
Enduring, conscious existence after death and before judgment
Stages of life… conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, judgment, heaven or hell
Stages of redemption… promise, sacrifices, cross, resurrection, return, kingdom, GWT,
Lake of Fire, New Jerusalem
Original Perfection… Eden… God with man… tree of life… river to four rivers…
Original Rebellion… judgment… curse… death… promise… grace… sacrifice… restoration…
Paradise Genesis 2 Ezek 28:13 Luke 23:43 2 Cor 12:2-4 Rev 2:7 (Rev 22 Tree of Life)
Eden, presence of God, presence of Tree of Life
Tree of Life is only mentioned in Genesis, Proverbs and Revelation
Genesis 2-3 Proverbs 11:30 (wisdom = tree of life) Revelation 2:7 & 22:2,14
Paradise, as the place of God’s presence and Tree of Life is mentioned in numerous places
Eden – Genesis 2
Lucifer’s originally – Ezek 28:13
Jesus & the thief Luke 23:42
Third Heaven called – 2 Cor 12:2-4
Revelation 2:7; 22:1-4
Heaven
God’s throne Ps 11:4 103:19 Matt 5:34
Perfection
Tree of Life
Paradise 2 Cor 12:2-4
Rev 4:2 16:17 20:11
Hell – Lake of Fire
God’s justice
Satan’s destination
Terms used for place of final judgment
Purpose, eternality, aspects (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual)
Confusion due to terms…. Hades-Hell-Sheol-Lake of Fire
Hades
Acts 2:22-23 Luke 23:43 Jesus went to Hades; Jesus went to Paradise
Temporary dwelling place of man awaiting judgment
Believer’s resting place – Luke 16; until resurrection Psalm 16; Acts 2:24-32; Ephesians 4
Unbeliever’s waiting place – Luke 16 Revelation 20
Death and Hades are cast into lake of fire - Revelation 20:13-18
Biblical Terms for the afterlife:
Paradise: Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:24-32
Sheol: OT term referring to the place of the dead – grave/body and Hades/soul Psalm 16:10
Hades: NT term equivalent to OT Sheol translated “hell” in KJV Luke 16:19-31; Rev 20; Acts 2:24-32
Gehenna: term used by Jesus for lake of fire… final destiny of the condemned Matt. 5:27-30
Lake of Fire: final destiny of the condemned…. The second death Rev. 20:11-15
Tartarus 2 P 2:4
Abyss Luke 8:31; Rev 9, 20
Outer Darkness Jude 6,13; Matt 22:13… descriptions of Hades or lake of fire
Heaven: sky, space, God’s throne, final destiny of the redeemed also referred to as Paradise 2 Cor 5, 12;
New Heaven & Earth: restored creation Rev 22
New Jerusalem: dwelling place of the redeemed; God and man together forever Rev 21-22 Isaiah 66
“My Father’s House” John 14:1-6
FINAL FIRE
Sinai – burning fire on the mountain
Egypt – pillar of fire
Pentecost – Spirit as flames of fire on each one
Heb 12:29 God is a consuming fire Final Fire
World – 2 Peter 3:7-12 Stuff perishes in the final fire
Believer – 1 cor 3:13-15 Service purified in the final fire
Unbeliever – Rev 20:11-15 Sinners punished in the final fire
2 kinds of atheists in the world… those who say there is no God and those who live like it
Those who live like there were no final fire
Luke 12 the farmer who forgot the final fire
Luke 19 the wealthy man who forgot the final fire
Names of Spiritual Dwelling Places

Third heaven 2 Cor 12:1-4
Read Genesis 1:1, 1:14-17; also 2 Cor. 12:1-4
1. Atmosphere - Atmospheric – where the birds fly and the clouds float
The blanket of atmosphere that surrounds the earth. Gen. 7:11-12; Psa.147:8
2. Outer space – stellar - galactic - where the stars (galaxies) and planets are Gen. 1: 14-17
3. Dwelling place of God – God’s throne. The other two heavens will pass away.
Third heaven is eternal. 2 Peter 3:10

Sheol Psalm 16:10
Hebrew word referring to the place of the dead awaiting judgment. Translated Hades in NT.
General term including both grave (body) and soul (paradise or torment).

Hades Luke 16:19-31
Greek word referring to the place of the dead awaiting judgment. Same as Sheol.
Originally composed of the place of rest (Paradise) and the place of Torment and a great chasm between them.
Hades is the Greek term for the abode of the dead.
In the LXX it was used to translate the Hebrew Sheol, which referred to the realm of the dead in general,
without distinguishing between righteous and unrighteous souls.
Now, following Christ’s resurrection, it’s the abode for unbelievers awaiting the Great White Throne judgment.

Paradise Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:24-32
Originally half of Hades/Sheol.
The blessed resting place of believers in the OT awaiting Christ’s death.
Now located in heaven as the resting place of church-age saints, too.
The place Jesus went (Paradise-Hades) with the believing thief when they died.

Hell
Acts 2:24-32
In the bible, “hell” is used to translate Sheol, Hades and Gehenna.
Christ went to (KJV) “hell” - Hades after he died” . Thus The Apostles Creed and Acts 2.
Jesus did not go to the place of suffering torment (Lake of Fire.)
The suffering of Christ ended at the cross; it did not carry over into the afterlife.
He told the thief... you will be with me…today…in paradise…not “you will be with me today in hell.” Luke 23:43
However, in common theological terms, “hell” refers to final destination of the lost: the Lake of Fire.

Lake of Fire Rev. 20:11-15
Final punishment and eternal dwelling place of unbelievers, the Devil and fallen angels
Also the place where the Beast and False prophet are sent before the GWT. (Rev. 19:19 – 20:3)

Gehenna Matt. 5:27-30
Word used by Jesus for the Lake of Fire. The valley of Hinnom was the garbage dump outside Jerusalem.
It was a place continual burning, uncleanness and stench, providing an apt symbol referring to Lake of Fire.

Abyss (Bottomless Pit) Rev. 20:1-3
Place where Satan is kept until the end of the Millennium.
Perhaps part of Hades
Perhaps synonymous for Tartarus.

Tartarus 2 Peter 2:4 Jude 6
The captive residence of a special group of demons awaiting final judgment.
(Kept in chains, not free as are other demons.)
Perhaps part of Hades
Perhaps synonymous for Abyss
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
Your Day in Court – Perfect Justice will be executed! Hell is about the Justice of God!
Heaven is grace - Hell is Justice! It’s perfect fairness & justice!
HELL is the eternal destination of people who get what they want and what they deserve!
They didn’t want God’s gift of salvation, they didn’t want God’s grace, they wanted to live without Him,
and they wanted to die without Him! So they will get what they want! And what they deserve!
Hell is a place of utter aloneness, darkness & pain. It is utter, eternal abandonment. Jesus on Calvary.
Matt. 25:41,46 - the eternal nature of hell
As long as God is Holy, As long as God is righteous, as long as salvation lasts…..
That’s how long the lost will be in Hell!
Is God righteous?
Is God fair?
Is God even handed?
Does God let things slide?
Will God punish sin?
All sin?
Every sin?
What we are about to look at today in Revelation 20:11-15 is all about the justice of God!
And the only thing anyone will be able to say when this final judgment is over will be….
FAIR ENOUGH!
Hell is about the Justice of God! Heaven is about Justice and Grace.
It’s the eternal destination of people who get what they want and what they deserve!
They didn’t want God’s gift of salvation, they didn’t want God’s grace.
They wanted to live without Him, and they wanted to die without Him!
So they will get what they want! And what they deserve!
Hell is a place of utter aloneness, darkness & pain. Shut out from the presence of the God they ran from.
Four Days when Heaven holds court! Your day in Court is here!
Day 1 – The Garden of Eden – when the sentence of death passed upon all men Rom 5:12-20
Gen. 2-3 Romans 5 John 3:18 & 36
Day 2 – The Cross – when the sentence of death for sinners was executed upon the sinless Son of God
Romans 3:23-26 Heb. 9:27-28 Isa. 53:6
Day 3 – The Bema Seat – when the judgment of believers’ obedience will be executed
I Cor. 3:11-15 II Cor. 5:9-10
Day 4 – The Great White Throne – when the judgment of unbelievers’ sin is executed
Rev. 20:11-15
As long as God is Holy, as long as God is righteous, as long as God is just,
That’s how long justified sinners will be in His presence.
Great White Throne Judgment
Reality #1 Everyone will be judged by God, fully & fairly
Heb 9:27
Reality #2 Every sin will be punished fully and fairly by God
2 Cor 5:10-11
Romans 2:1-6
Reality #3 Jesus is the judge you will face John 5:22-30 Romans 2:16 Acts 17:31 2 Tim 4:1
Reality #4 Every man will face judgment with their sin or their Savior 1 John 2:1-2
Every lost sinner will die – now, or at Armageddon or in the last battle
Every lost sinner will be raised to face God at the GWT
Armageddon, Millinial Reign, Last Battle, GWT
Romans 1:20 No excuse 2:3 No escape 3:23 No exception
Read Rev 20:1-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it,
from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.
And there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great,
standing before God,
and books were opened.
And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.
And the dead
were judged
according to their works,
by the things which were written in the books.
No Escape
No Exception
No Escape
No Excuse
No Exception
No Escape
No Excuse
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it,
and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. No Exception
And they were judged,
No Escape
each one according to his works.
No Excuse
14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
15 And anyone
No Exception
not found written in the Book of Life
was cast into the lake of fire.
No Excuse
No Escape
Revelation does not end with this! Read with me Revelation 22
Come…. Come…. Come!
Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ
This judgment has fallen on Him… like the ancient Passover… the lamb died and judgment passed over
those who believed and fell on the lamb. Those who believed were under the blood. Come under the
blood of theLamb… by faith… lay hold of Him with all your heart and soul. He will rescue you!
Foundations for Your Faith
Lesson 23 NIV
Heaven, Hell and Hades Luke 16:19-31 (Eschatology)
Read Luke 16:19-31 carefully, several times, and then answer the following questions from the
verses as noted.
Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable? Why or Why Not?
16:23-31
Did these two deceased men possess consciousness?
Did these two men possess recognition?
Did these two men possess memory?
Did these two men possess the ability to communicate?
Did these two men possess some kind of body? The former earthly body?
What does II Cor. 5:1-10 and I Cor. 15:35-44 reveal about the body and the death of the believer?
Read Genesis 1:1, 1:14-17; also 2 Cor. 12:1-4
The “3 Heavens”
1.
2.
3.
Paradise Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:24-32
Hades Luke 16:19-31
Sheol Psalm 16:10
Hell
Acts 2:24-32
Lake of Fire Rev. 20:11-15
Gehenna Matt. 5:27-30
Tartarus 2 Peter 2:4
Abyss (Bottomless Pit) Rev. 20:1-3
Review the following Chart and Look up the Verses (See KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV)
Eph. 4:8-10
HADES (Sheol)
HEAVEN
2 Cor. 5:8
2 Cor. 12:1-4
Phil.1:21-23
1 Thess. 4:13-18
Rev. 2:7
BLISS
Luke 16
Luke 23:43
Psalm 16:10
Acts 2:24-32
TORMENT
Luke 16
Rev. 20:13-15
Great White Throne
LAKE OF FIRE
Rev. 20:11-15
Matt. 25:41-46
Quiz on Lesson 23 NIV
Heaven, Hell and Hades
Foundations for Your Faith
Luke 16:19-31 (Eschatology)
1. How many heavens are there – list and define
2. Define “Hades”
3. Define “Paradise”
4. Define “Hell”
5. Define Hades before the cross; after the cross and before the GWT; and after the GWT.
6. Where are deceased unbelievers today?
7. Where are deceased believers today?
8. Why does Paul favor the word “asleep” when referring to deceased believers?
9. List 5 important chapters important for the study of Heaven, Hell and Hades.
10. Where did Jesus go when He died? Give a complete answer and scripture passages
to prove your belief.
11. Describe and define the three aspects of sanctification and the key word for each.
(Extra credit – give a scripture passage for each one)
Teacher’s Guide - Foundations for Your Faith
Lesson 23 NIV
Heaven, Hell and Hades Luke 16:19-31 (Eschatology)
Read Luke 16:19-31 carefully, several times, and then answer the following questions from the
verses as noted.
Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable?
Why or Why Not?
 It sounds somewhat like a parable.
 It is surrounded by other parables.
 It is dealing with men and death and eternity – earthly story transitioning into eternal truth.
BUT – it is not a parable, in my view, for four reasons – the last three are most significant
and in ascending order of importance.
1. It is not called a parable – this is a weak argument, but still, it isn’t called a parable like 15:3
however, there are many parables that are not introduced with “he spoke a parable…”
2. Named characters – “a beggar named Lazarus” – parabolic characters are not named since
they are illustrative and obviously fictional – Lazarus is named, making it unique
3. Historically known major named character – Father Abraham Father of the Jewish nation
The Abraham…everyone understood exactly who Jesus meant.. no parable contains named
historical figures since parables are not about history, but about spiritual truth gleaned from
fictitious illustrations.
4. Historical character quoted – “Abraham said….” this absolutely removes it from parable
narratives since it is either historically accurate (and therefore not a fictitious illustration),
or a lie – (Jesus said this definite man said these definite words and it really wasn’t so?!)
I conclude from this that it cannot be a parable.

However….those who say it is a parable, usually insist that it is a parable because they reject what it teaches (JW’s and
others who reject the reality of conscious life after death in torment for unbelievers) But, even if it were a parable, it must
teach something! And the something it must teach is that there is conscious life after death – some are in torment and
some in a place of rest and comfort and they are irreversible.
16:23-31
 Did these two deceased men possess consciousness?
Obviously!
 Did these two men possess memory?
Obviously! The Rich man spoke of his brothers….Lazarus….etc. Abraham referred to their
earlier life experiences on earth.
They remembered what they knew and even things they weren’t aware of before.
 Did these two men possess recognition?
Certainly. Rich man knew Lazarus whom he had known and Abraham who he hadn’t known
before. Abraham knew these men and their past.
 Did these two men possess ability to communicate?
Obviously, since a conversation going on.
Did these two men possess some kind of body?
Apparently. Eyes, tongue, finger, recognition….
The former earthly body?
NO – it was buried. But there must be some kind of (intermediate) body between death and
resurrection.
The body in the fire wasn’t consumed.
But it was real, useable, sensitive, functional, yet controlled.
THE NATURAL, PHYSICAL BODY 1 Cor. 15:42-58 Luke 16:19-20, Acts 2:27; 29-32
THE SPIRITUAL , INTERMEDIATE BODY 1 Cor. 15:42-58 Luke 16:19-31
THE RESURRECTED, GLORIFIED BODY Phil. 3:21 ; 1 Cor. 15:42-58
What does II Cor. 5:1-10 and I Cor. 15:35-44 reveal about the body and the death of the
believer?
We presently live in a corruptible, physical body under the curse of death. This body is called
the “tent”. We also have a spiritual, “heavenly” body (the building of God, eternal in the
heavens) that we inherit at death. We leave the “tent of earth” and move into the “house form
heaven” – that is, this spiritual, real, imperishable body. We will not be “naked spirits” floating
around invisible and bodiless. We will inherit this spiritual body immediately at death. Now, the
“earthly tent” is laid in the grace – turns to dust or ashes or fish food. At the rapture, the Lord
Jesus brings “we who have died in Christ” in our spiritual bodies into the clouds with him, and
then resurrects our earthly corruptible bodies and robes them with our spiritual incorruptible
bodies. Like the earthly tent of meeting, Moses’ tabernacle, was moved into the temple,
dissolved and reassembled into the glorious Temple. So our earthly tabernacle will put on the
incorruption of our heavenly temple –this earthly body will be raised and glorified as it is robed
with the spiritual body completing the glory of the resurrection – a glorified body – just like the
glorified body of Jesus Christ at his resurrection. Natural, spiritual, glorified. It will be in stages
if we die before the rapture – it will all be one event if we are alive at the rapture. But it is
definite, regardless. 2 Cor. 5:5 says this is what we were originally designed to inherit. A
permanent, glorified body.
Read Genesis 1:1, 1:14-17; also 2 Cor. 12:1-4
The “3 Heavens”
1. Atmospheric heaven - Atmospheric – where the birds fly and the clouds float
The blanket of atmosphere that surrounds the earth. Gen. 7:11-12; Psa.147:8
2. Stellar – outer space – galactic - where the stars (galaxies) and planets are Gen. 1: 14-17
3. Dwelling place of God – God’s throne. The other two heavens will pass away, this
one is eternal. 2 Peter 3:10
Other names for spiritual dwelling places….

Paradise Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:24-32
Originally half of
Hades/Sheol – now located in heaven – the blessed resting place of believers in the OT
dispensation awaiting the Christ’s death, and now in heaven as the resting place of churchage saints, too. The place Jesus went (Paradise-Hades) with the believing thief when they
died on Mt. Calvary.

Hades Luke 16:19-31
The place of the dead awaiting judgment – Greek word – originally composed of the place
of rest (Paradise) and the place of Torment and a great chasm between them
This was the Greek term for the abode of the dead. In the LXX it was used to translate the
Hebrew Sheol, which referred to the realm of the dead in general, without necessarily
distinguishing between righteous and unrighteous souls. However in New Testament usage
following Christ’s resurrection, it refers to the place of abode for the wicked dead awaiting the
Great White Throne judgment.

Sheol Psalm 16:10
Same as Hades – Hebrew word referring to the place of the dead awaiting judgment – not
specific when referring to believer or unbeliever…the context determines which part of Sheol
(Hades) is being referred to.

Hell
Acts 2:24-32
Usually translated from Greek Hades – usually refers to Hades in the Bible.
But this term (Hell) is used to refer to the Lake of Fire in common theological discussions.
Hence the confusion. Christ went to “hell” after he died – “HADES” – as in The Apostles Creed –
not to the place of suffering torment (Lake of Fire.) The suffering of Christ ended at the cross; it
did not carry over into the afterlife. He told the thief... you will be with me…today…in
paradise…not “with me today in torment”
Theologically: Hell is the Lake of Fire
Translationally: Hell is Hades

Lake of Fire Rev. 20:11-15
Final punishment and eternal dwelling place of unbelievers, the Devil and fallen angels
Also the place where the Beast and False prophet are sent before the GWT. They are finally
and fully judged at Armageddon. (Rev. 19:19 – 20:3)

Gehenna Matt. 5:27-30
Word used by Jesus – valley of Hinnom – garbage dump outside Jerusalem – place of
continual burning and stench –symbolic term referring to Lake of Fire.
Tartarus

Abyss (Bottomless Pit) Rev. 20:1-3
Probably part of Hades – place where Satan is kept until the end of the Millennium.
Perhaps the Abyss is synonymous for Tartarus, also.

Tartarus 2 Peter 2:4 Jude 6 Probably part of Hades – place of special group of demons
awaiting final judgment – they are kept here in chains – not free as are other demons. The
captive residence of certain angels, perhaps a synonym for the Abyss
Review the following Chart and Look up the Verses (See also in the KJV or NKJV)
Eph. 4:8-10
HEAVEN
2 Cor. 5:8
2 Cor. 12:1-4
Phil.1:21-23
1 Thess. 4:13-18
Rev. 2:7
HADES (Sheol)
PARADISE
Luke 16
Luke 23:43
Psalm 16:10
Acts 2:24-32
TORMENT
Luke 16
Rev. 20:13-15
Great White Throne
LAKE OF FIRE
Rev. 20:11-15
Matt. 25:41-46