CONCEPT
Hell
1. The Word in the King James Version:
The English word, from a Teutonic root meaning "to hide" or "cover," had originally the significance of the world of the dead generally, and in this sense is used by Chaucer, Spenser, etc., and in the Creed ("He descended into hell"); compare the English Revised Version Preface. Now the word has come to mean almost exclusively the place of punishment of the lost or finally impenitent; the place of torment of the wicked. In the King James Version of the Scriptures, it is the rendering adopted in many places in the Old Testament for the Hebrew word she'ol (in 31 out of 65 occurrences of that word it is so translated), and in all places, save one (1 Corinthians 15:55) in the New Testament, for the Greek word Hades (this word occurs 11 times; in 10 of these it is translated "hell"; 1 Corinthians 15:55 reads "grave," with "hell" in the margin). In these cases the word has its older general meaning, though in Luke 16:23 (parable of Rich Man and Lazarus) it is specially connected with a place of "torment," in contrast with the "Abraham's bosom" to which Lazarus is taken (16:22).
2. The Word in the Revised Version:
In the above cases the Revised Version (British and American) has introduced changes, replacing "hell" by "Sheol" in the passages in the Old Testament (the English Revised Version retains "hell" in Isaiah 14:9,15; the American Standard Revised Version makes no exception), and by "Hades" in the passages in the New Testament (see under these words).
3. Gehenna:
Besides the above uses, and more in accordance with the modern meaning, the word "hell" is used in the New Testament in the King James Version as the equivalent of Gehenna (12 t; Matthew 5:22,29; 10:28, etc.). the Revised Version (British and American) in these cases puts "Gehenna" in the margin. Originally the Valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, Gehenna became among the Jews the synonym for the place of torment in the future life (the "Gehenna of fire," Matthew 5:22, etc.; see GEHENNA).
4. Tartarus:
In yet one other passage in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:4), "to cast down to hell" is used (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)) to represent the Greek tartaroo, ("to send into Tartarus"). Here it stands for the place of punishment of the fallen angels:
"spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits (or chains) of darkness" (compare Jude 1:6; but also Matthew 25:41). Similar ideas are found in certain of the Jewish apocalyptic books (Book of Enoch, Book of Jubilees, Apocrypha Baruch, with apparent reference to Genesis 6:1-4; compare ESCHATOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT).
On theological aspect, see PUNISHMENT, EVERLASTING. For literature, see references in above-named arts., and compare article "Hell" by Dr. D. S. Salmond in HDB.
James Orr
▶Sermons
Audio
A Carnival Near Hell!Alan Bartley · 1:19:28The sermon warns of the dangers of complacency in faith and the urgent need for repentance in light of God's impending judgment.
Voices From Hell and What They Have to Say to America TodayAlan Cairns · 1:09:23The preacher is calling on America to hear the voices from hell, which testify to the reality of hell and the consequences of sin, and to pray for a visitation of the Spirit of God.
Eternal Hell (1 of 2)Art Katz · 45:39The gospel is a message of hope and salvation for the Jewish people, and it is a fulfillment of their ancient prophecies and expectations, but it is also an offense to the world because it challenges the world's relativistic and tolerant views.
Eternal Hell (2 of 2)Art Katz · 39:47The sermon emphasizes the reality of eternal hell and the importance of repentance before it's too late, using the story of Elijah as a model for prophetic ministry in the end times.
(Clip) Hell is Real Because God Said ItB.H. Clendennen · 3:26B.H. Clendennen passionately emphasizes the reality and eternal nature of hell based on God's clear declarations in Scripture, urging believers to confront this truth without sentimentality.
Heaven & HellBill McLeod · 43:07The Bible teaches that there is a heaven and a hell, and that faith in Christ is the key to salvation, with no second chance after death.
Testimony Time in HellCarter Conlon · 41:56The sermon 'Testimony Time in Hell' emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus Christ and accepting His sacrifice to avoid the pitiful testimony of those who were almost persuaded in hell.
A Cry From TormentCharles Stanley · 44:23The sermon explores the reality of torment in hell, emphasizing the urgency of accepting Christ to avoid eternal separation from God.
Is Hell a RealityDavid Gooding · 55:44The doctrine of hell is a reality and a place of eternal torment for the impenitent, but it is also a demonstration of God's love and justice.
The Second DeathDavid Gooding · 1:04:56The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding God's judgment and the consequences of rejecting his salvation, highlighting the second death as a punishment that permits of no degree and is determined by a person's works.
The Cry From HellDavid Legge · 35:09The sermon emphasizes the importance of cultivating the ear of faith to hear the cry from hell and respond with compassion and travail to save loved ones from eternal torment.
A Message On Hell (1988)David Wilkerson · 50:25David Wilkerson passionately warns that hell is a real, eternal place of punishment and darkness, emphasizing Jesus' own preaching on hell and urging listeners to repent before it's too late.
Hell - Part 1David Wilkerson · 45:10David Wilkerson's sermon emphasizes the reality of hell as a serious consequence of sin and the necessity of preaching this truth in the church today.
Hell - Part 2David Wilkerson · 20:27David Wilkerson's sermon warns of the reality of hell and the urgent need for repentance to avoid eternal separation from God.
Hell Whats It Like - Whos Going ThereDavid Wilkerson · 42:30Hell is a place of eternal darkness and torment, where men will suffer the vengeance of God and reject the simplicity of the cross of Jesus Christ.
The Wrath Of GodDon Currin · 53:38Don Currin warns that the wrath of God is a real and terrifying reality, urging believers to understand both God's judgment and mercy for true repentance and salvation.
The Reality of HellDon Perkins · 45:49The reality of hell is a place of eternal judgment and separation from God, created by God as a place of unadulterated wrath, and can be avoided by repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.
The Reality of HellDon Whitney · 58:04The sermon emphasizes the importance of clarity on the gospel and the reality of hell, warning that those who are unclear on the gospel are at risk of being separated from God for eternity.
A Plain Talk on HellE.A. Johnston · 10:44E.A. Johnston warns that without the new birth through Jesus Christ, all religious professions are futile and lead to eternal damnation in hell.
A Tour of HellE.A. Johnston · 37:12This sermon warns of the reality of hell and the consequences of sin, emphasizing the importance of a relationship with God.
Contemptible Silence of ChurchE.A. Johnston · 18:30E.A. Johnston warns that the modern church's silence on repentance, sin, and hell leads to spiritual deadness and calls believers to genuine salvation through true repentance and faith in Christ.
Deacon in a Devil's HellE.A. Johnston · 19:29E.A. Johnston warns that mere church service and good reputation cannot save a person from hell without genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Disturbing Voices from HellE.A. Johnston · 0:57E.A. Johnston warns of the terrifying reality of hell and the urgent need to embrace Jesus for salvation.
False Faith Real HellE.A. Johnston · 8:28E.A. Johnston warns that false faith leads to real hell and urges believers to embrace the full gospel of ruin, redemption, repentance, and regeneration through Christ alone.
Gospel of RepentanceE.A. Johnston · 3:58E.A. Johnston passionately teaches that true salvation requires genuine repentance, emphasizing its necessity for forgiveness and eternal life.
Greedy for HellE.A. Johnston · 7:18E.A. Johnston warns that many live recklessly in sin, being 'greedy for hell,' but offers hope through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the only savior from eternal judgment.
Guilty As Hell Before Holy GodE.A. Johnston · 31:29E.A. Johnston powerfully warns that all humans stand guilty before a holy God and must urgently turn to Jesus Christ, the only ark of safety, to escape the coming judgment and eternal hell.
Haunted in HellE.A. Johnston · 8:54E.A. Johnston warns listeners of the terrifying reality of hell as a place haunted by demons and eternal torment, urging repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Hell Ain'T Half Full YetE.A. Johnston · 8:43E.A. Johnston warns that hell is never full and urges listeners to repent and turn to Christ to avoid eternal punishment.
Text
Nightclub Disasters: A Parable of HellArt KatzThe sermon presents a parable of hell, where a sudden and terrifying transformation from pleasure to chaos serves as a warning to a mindless generation to consider prayer and repentance.