Topical Studies                                                                                                          Power Point Show

Scripture Reading:  Ecclesiastes 8:10-17

BIBLE QUESTION BOX

June 2003

Intro.

1.  Solomon was able, in his God-given wisdom, to answer all of the questions posed to him by the queen of Sheba (1 Kgs. 10:1, 3).

2.  We must rely on the One who is greater than Solomon to answer ours (Matt. 12:42). 

#1:  What was the Jews’ understanding of hell in the OT (where the unfaithful went when they died)?  Did they have one?

1.  God’s word regarding eternal punishment gradually revealed throughout OT period (Heb. 1:1).  [General emphasis of OT is life on earth (Eccl. 8:10-17).]

  a.  OT offered shades & shadows of divine purposes that are fulfilled in Christ – Heb. 8:4-5; 10:4; Col. 2:16-17.

  b.  We can expect the statements regarding hell in OT to be from this standpoint or perspective.

2.  Sheol (Death, the grave, the pit):

  a.  The name:  “to ask” (demand), hence, insatiable (Prov. 30:15-16); “to be hollow”, hence, the receptacle (abode) of the dead.

      -Rendered:  death (2 Sam. 22:6); grave (Gen. 37:25); pit (Num. 16:30; Isa. 14:15).

  b. The abode of the dead (place of disembodied spirits).

       (1)  A place of darkness, silence & forgetfulness – Psa. 88:10-12; 115:17; Eccl. 9:5-6, 10.

       (2)  Regarded as the companion of destruction – Job 28:22.

  c. Not a state of unconsciousness or annihilation (1 Sam. 28:11-15).

       (1)  cf. Exo. 3:6 (Matt. 22:31-33) – Although Israel did not grasp this truth, it nevertheless existed in OT Scriptures.

       (2)  Acts 24:15 – Jewish hope in God included belief in resurrection from the dead (Dan. 12:2).

  d. Not removed from God’s jurisdiction – Psa. 139:8.

3.  Concept of reward after death is implied in the OT – Psa. 16:10; 86:13.

  a. Escape corruption - Psa. 16:10.

  b. Redemption – Psa. 49:15.

  c. Merciful deliverance – Psa. 86:13.

4.  Concept of punishment after death is implied in the OT.

  a. Fire of judgment reaches to the lowest (part of) hell (sheol) – Deut. 32:22.

  b. Sinners perish there – Num. 16:33.

  c. It consumes those who have sinned – Job 24:19.

  d. Judgment after death – Eccl. 12:14.

  e. Fire and worms depict the end of transgressors – Isa. 66:24.  (Foreshadows eternal punishment.)

5.  Jesus revealed & refines the reality of eternal punishment:

  a. Hell (Gehenna) – Matt. 5:29-30.

       (1)  Everlasting fire – Matt. 5:22; 18:8-9 (Mk. 9:43-48).

       (2)  Destruction – Matt. 10:28 (Lost, devoted or given over to eternal misery, Thayer, 64).

       (3)  Corruption (worm does not die) & agony – Mk. 9:43-48.

       (4)  Everlasting torment (punishment) of fire – Matt. 25:41, 46; cf. Rev. 14:10-11; 20:10, 15.

       (5)  Utter darkness (removed from God’s presence & providence) – Matt. 25:30.

  b. Who?

       (1)  Those who sin and will not repent – Matt. 5:29-30.

       (2)  Those who will not confess Jesus in this life – Matt. 10:28, 33.

       (3)  Those who do not know God & do not obey Him – 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

       (4)  Those who do not obey the truth, but do evil – Rom. 2:8-9; Rev. 21:8.

Conclusion

1.  The OT shows a belief that death ends life’s opportunities on earth & ushered one into the shadowy realm of the grave.

2.  The NT reveals that if the Son of God does not save us from our sins we will suffer eternal punishment beyond the grave.

3.  Heb. 10:30-31; 12:29 – God will judge His people & consume all evildoers.