What The Hell

(From the Weird Darkness episode, “From Leeds to Lore, The Jersey Devil”: https://weirddarkness.com/jerseydevil/)

From the intricate paintings of Hieronymous Bosch to the exaggerated portrayals in films like Constantine, hell has been illustrated in numerous diverse manners. However, its most prevalent components – hellfire, souls enduring torment, and macabre demons – are often misinterpreted. Analogous to the evolution of beliefs about angels, the contemporary depiction of “hell” is the culmination of centuries of artistic interpretations, religious doctrines, and creative inventiveness. The ancient Greeks espoused a retributive afterlife known as Tartarus, which served as a significant source for Christian artists and writers as they crafted their multifaceted mythological depictions. Other contributing influences encompass the Sumerian underworld known as Kur, characterized by its vast desolate cavern, along with the Jewish notion of sheol, a dark realm analogous to hell. Over more recent epochs, few Christian figures have left a more enduring imprint on the perceived landscape of hell than Dante Alighieri (Inferno) and John Milton (Paradise Lost), with numerous visual artists—Bosch notably among them—also endeavoring to capture its essence. Nevertheless, as Western artists and worshippers have constructed a cultural interpretation of hell, the fiery afterlife portrayed increasingly diverges from the biblical depiction of hell.

There is a widely held belief that individuals in hell are currently undergoing punishment. Some Christians subscribe to the notion that upon death, individuals are promptly judged by God and placed in either heaven or hell. Young Christian individuals often express concern about the fate of those who have passed away, hoping that they have not been consigned to the Lake of Fire. However, it is important to note that God does not execute judgment immediately; instead, judgment is reserved until the final day. As outlined in the Bible, no one is currently in hell. Every person who has ever lived, regardless of their conduct, is awaiting the return of Christ and the ultimate day of reckoning. That being said, once you die you can’t change your mind about how you lived your life or who you put your faith and trust in.

A prevalent belief is that one’s actions determine their destination in hell. The contention over the significance of good deeds versus God’s grace has been a longstanding debate in Christian history. The doctrine of good works posits that individuals must engage in virtuous actions to gain access to heaven, while the doctrine of grace (as depicted in the Bible) emphasizes that our placement is determined by whether we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The following item does not revolve around a misconception of hell, but rather a theological disagreement regarding its nature. The question at hand: is hell everlasting? While many adherents of Christianity are acquainted with the notion of “everlasting torment,” there exists a substantial group of theologians who advocate for annihilationism. Annihilationism posits that, after a period of suffering (its duration unknown), God eradicates the consciousness of those beyond redemption. Proponents of annihilationism cite passages like Isaiah 5:24 to bolster their stance, wherein it is stated: “Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.” Conversely, supporters of the belief in eternal hell draw on numerous scriptural references. The Scriptures depict the punishment of the unrighteous in hell as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a realm where “the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44-49), “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a domain where “the smoke of torment rises forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10-11), and a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Despite the unsettling nature of these descriptions, it is understandable why some may lean towards annihilationism; however, this concept is not widely supported by theologians as a biblical truth.

Another common misunderstanding about hell is the belief that Satan holds dominion over it. Lucifer, originally known as ha-Satan, simply translates to “the Adversary.” In the Bible itself, Satan’s authority and origins are ambiguously defined. It is not until much later, notably through Dante and Milton, that the portrayal of Satan as a formidable, winged demon emerged, often referred to as the King of Hell. According to the Bible and mainstream post-Biblical theology, hell is recognized as Satan’s confinement, not his realm. Similar to his reign over heaven, God governs hell. Nonetheless, reconciling this notion with events such as Satan tempting Jesus during his 40-day ordeal in the wilderness appears challenging. If Satan were indeed imprisoned in hell, how could he undertake such actions? Moreover, instances in Genesis hint at God permitting Satan to challenge the faith of humans, notably illustrated also in the book of Job.

It is a common belief that the perception of hell as a prominent theme in the Bible is a misunderstanding, as it is purportedly not even referenced in the Old Testament. While contemporary churches place significant importance on the concept of hell, one might anticipate a comparable emphasis in the scriptures. Nevertheless, some individuals claim that the Old Testament does not contain any allusions to hell. This absence of mention could be attributed in part to the fact that the Bible was not originally composed in the English language, leading to potential discrepancies in terminology. Furthermore, the interpretation of the Old Testament can vary depending on the particular translation being used. In the King James Bible, the Hebrew term Sheol is interpreted as “Hell” 31 times, as “the grave” 31 times, and as “the pit” three times. Present-day translations of the Bible often translate Sheol as “the grave,” “the pit,” or “death,” all connoting a consistent concept – an eternal place of retribution. It is worth noting that Jesus focused considerably more on discussing heaven than hell, with references to heaven outnumbering mentions of hell by a significant margin in the New Testament. This disparity suggests a recommendation to prioritize reflections on the rewards and everlasting life attainable in heaven over concerns about hell. Additionally, abiding by the teachings of Jesus Christ, the main focus of the New Testament, alleviates apprehensions regarding hell, further influencing the emphasis placed on this aspect.

Blame Dante for perpetuating the misconception of varying levels of punishment in hell for different sins. Contrary to popular belief influenced by Dante’s writings, the Bible does not mention distinct “circles” or zones in hell or different degrees of punishment based on sins. Instead, the Bible portrays all the damned collectively as sinners and unbelievers who will be cast into the Lake of Fire. While some religious beliefs suggest fitting punishment to the sin, these ideas are man-made constructs and do not align with Biblical truths. Dante likely drew inspiration from Greek and Roman mythologies, such as the eternal suffering of Tantalus in Tartarus for taking ambrosia from the gods. Tantalus endured perpetual hunger and thirst with water receding when he tried to drink and fruit forever out of reach from a nearby tree.

Some individuals hold the belief that purgatory serves as an alternative to hell. According to the doctrine of purgatory, there exists an intermediary realm in the afterlife, resembling hell, where one’s sins are cleansed or “purged” to ready the individual for heaven. While certain aspects of Biblical teachings may be subject to interpretation, the existence of purgatory is not among them. The Bible provides no substantiating evidence for the concept. Initially proposed by the early theologian Clement of Alexandria, it was Pope Gregory the Great in the 5th century who officially incorporated purgatory into church doctrine. Despite being embraced by several denominations, belief in purgatory remains a theological doctrine rather than a scriptural one.

God desires to see all of us in heaven, yet some believe that God finds pleasure in the suffering of the wicked in hell. The Bible portrays various facets of God. At times, he exhibits wrath, while at other times, he embodies a compassionate father overflowing with mercy, grace, and love towards his children. So, which should we embrace? In truth, both are valid. The God depicted in the Old Testament is the same God revealed in the New Testament. The distinction lies in the absence of a Christ figure, a Messiah, in the Old Testament to bear the burden of sin in our place — hence, mercy and grace were not as readily accessible as we, as sinners, were perceived. In the New Testament, we encounter Jesus the Christ, who shoulders our punishment, causing our guilt to be eradicated even from God’s sight, purifying our spirits. Those who reject Jesus may face hell, yet there is substantial evidence that God takes no delight in this fate; he loathes condemning sinners and eagerly anticipates their return to his embrace. Reflect on Ezekiel 18, where it is declared: “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live… Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” proclaims the Sovereign Lord. “Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?”.

Another common misunderstanding is that the majority of individuals will attain heaven, while only the most evil will end up in hell. Matthew 7:13 appears to address this notion: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Alternatively, The Message translation offers a perspective: “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”

Universalism, a doctrine that has gained popularity in modern times but has ancient Christian origins, proposes that all individuals will eventually be saved by God after a period of punishment, regardless of their faith or deeds. Despite its appeal, Universalism lacks theological support. While the Bible does not extensively discuss hell, it explicitly indicates that hell exists for occupancy by not only Lucifer and his demons but also by non-believers. Some find it concerning that morally upright individuals who are not followers of Christ may face eternal damnation regardless of their virtuous actions. This belief stems from the understanding that no one is inherently good enough to deserve heaven; thus, salvation is only attainable through Jesus Christ, the sinless advocate for humanity.

Many people hold the belief that hell is a large realm of continuous agony. No reputable theologian contends that hell offers any form of pleasantness. Despite this notion, there exist individuals who challenge the concept that hell solely entails an immense, physical suffering where individuals are burning and writhing in excruciating pain. Regardless of their stance on physical torment, the majority of Christian scholars posit that the true anguish of hell does not stem from fire, brimstone, physical mutilation, being consumed by worms, or any other harrowing imagery that may come to mind. Instead, hell is fundamentally defined as eternal separation from God. The consequence of this detachment is a spiritual anguish far surpassing the physical tortures commonly associated with hell. It is believed that all descriptions of physical torment and suffering are merely attempts to elucidate the spiritual agony one would face. As it is impossible to comprehend without experience, God inspired individuals to portray it in a manner accessible for our understanding.

Additionally, there is a prevalent misconception among some individuals, especially those who express a preference for going to hell to revel with friends rather than to heaven. A cursory examination of scripture readily disproves this fallacy, yet various media portrayals depict hell as an unending, debauched celebration, blending elements of societal vices with genuine damnation. Contrary to such depictions, the biblical representation of hell is dismal and devoid of any party-like attributes. While the Bible provides limited descriptions of hell, it unequivocally conveys it as a place of unquenchable fire where desires remain unfulfilled. Moreover, it is a realm of full consciousness and recollection, intensifying the pain experienced. Even the demons are depicted as enduring suffering in this realm.

If the narrative I’ve just shared with you has caused you distress, and you are uncertain about your destination in the afterlife, I have provided a page on my website to assist you in discerning the answer – please go to WeirdDarkness.com/EternalDarkness.

(“What The Hell” sources: Quinn Armstrong, Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/57v4chdu; Bible Gateway: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/45tmyjhp, GotQuestions.org: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8zfdas, Wikipedia: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8p88hc)