Torment is Hell || What the…? || Part 4

Welcome back to the “What the…?” Bible study, a series designed to investigate the different and often misunderstood concepts of Hell. Using the Old and New Testaments, we dive into three journeys to examine Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna (different descriptors of Hell) to see if what the Bible says and what we’re taught align.

We’re switching gears to the next focus of Hell: Hades. We understood that Sheol is a place of isolation and nothingness that we can be saved from if we believe in God and have a right relationship with him. Today’s study will feel different, mainly because I have no notes for our passage today. I want to see the historical understanding of the Hades within the biblical narrative. We, at least I, know Hades as a place with Greek mythology. Most of the New Testament is a Greek audience, and they will align with each other. However, understanding this place within the Biblical narrative will help us build a foundation for the three passages I have for you.

In a broad sense, Hades is the place or state of departed spirits. The name Hades is borrowed from Greek Mythology and is associated with Sheol. Overall, Hades is seen as a middle state between Heaven and Hell in which the dead enter and will remain until the Last Judgment. This concept may feel similar to the alternate understanding of purgatory in the Catholic religion. Still, it’s important to note that Hades is a distinct biblical concept with unique characteristics and implications.

In the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, Hades was the translated term for Sheol. (Hebrew – Sheol; Greek – Hades) In the New Testament, there are 10 instances of the word translated to Hades. The one exception we’ll discuss today is the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

Luke 16:22-23

AMP	NLT	VOICE
22 Now It happened that the poor man died and his spirit was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried.	22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man died and was buried,	22 The poor fellow died and was carried on the arms of the heavenly messengers to the embrace of Abraham. Then the rich fellow died and was buried
23 In Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus.	23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.	23 and found himself in the place of the dead. In his torment, he looked up, off in the distance he saw Abraham, with Lazarus in his embrace.

Let’s look deeper into this Parable, found in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man lived luxuriously. At the gate of his home was Lazarus, the poor man. Lazarus wanted the rich man’s scraps and lived among the wild animals. This poor man died and went to heaven. The rich man died and went to Hades, awaiting his final judgment. He saw Lazarus at the heavenly table and regretted his actions, asking for pity from the heat he was feeling. Abraham said that because he had everything he needed on earth, while Lazarus had nothing. Lazarus is receiving comfort from the discomfort he felt on earth, and vice versa for the rich man. Abraham mentioned that there’s a chasm separating the two realms. The rich man then wanted to send Lazarus to his father’s home as a sign and warning for the rich man’s brothers. Abraham said that they can read the words of Moses and the Prophets. The rich man countered with the urge to repent if they saw someone from the dead. Still, Abraham re-countered to say that if they didn’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they wouldn’t listen to anyone.

What do we take away? Hades is a place of remorse. If it’s the in-between eternal death and life, it’s a place to recognize wrongs. There’s heat and pressure in this place. The rich man’s discomfort, the ask for forgiveness, and a path to join Lazarus show remorse and reflection. Abraham stated that Lazarus was here to face his anguish, recognizing that he treated his neighbor poorly and did not love him as Jesus taught. What happens after this? I don’t know. If this place is the in-between before the final judgment, where God will ultimately send people to heaven and Hell. It seems like a place for a final repentance, a final chance to recognize the wrongs and the sins committed during the earthly life. It’s never easy to accept that we’ve messed up and done wrong, but that’s why this place creates a sense of pressure and push to do what is right, even when it’s too late.

There’s more to explore here, but we’re starting well. In the next one, we move to the Gospel of Matthew to discuss how Hades is a hostile place that can’t stand against the church. Until then, stay blessed.