Is there a definition of hell in the bible? The fact is, every time hell, eternal punishment, or other such words are used, a piece of the definition is being forged. So, in order to get the whole picture, you would have to do more than pick just certain verses and come to a conclusion. For instance, in one place we read about the dead not being conscious and in another place Jesus talks about the place where "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm does not die."
How are these seemingly opposing statements to be reconciled? Here are a few ideas:
Dead people do not gnash with there teeth! I am not sure exactly what "the worm" is, but, isn't it interesting that it does not die, in a place reserved for judgment?
Another place, in 2 Thessalonians talks about "suffering the punishment of eternal destruction". Eternal destruction? Destruction that never ends? And all this is going to take place "away from the presence of the Lord". The word fire may just be a symbol, a metaphor. I would ask what is it a metaphor of?
The bible speaks of those who will "die" and go to heaven eternally. Are they really alive? And the splendors of heaven, do you think that the description in that bible (God's Holy Word) even comes close to the full glory of it? If that is true of Heaven then it is equally true of Hell. The bottom line, the full reality of both Heaven and Hell is far more than our finite minds and limited words can express. How much more glorious Heaven will be! By the same token, how much more terrifying Hell will be!
Another thought, concerning fire, whether literal or not God knows, however isn't it interesting that Moses saw a burning bush whose leaves and branches were not consumed?
Add all these verses with the ones that mention that the dead are not conscious and they will take on a different meaning. How can we reconcile that the dead are not conscious in light of the above verses? I believe that the dead are not conscious of the pleasures of the life of the living, of the joys of being in the presence of the Lord. But they do understand the presence of the Lord, not for joy, but for terror.
If anyone thinks this makes God sound harsh and unloving, consider this - "there is none righteous, no not one" Do you think you are better than say, Adolph Hitler? Why? What did you do that wooed the attention of God, that got you in His good graces? The fact is that unless Jesus is your Lord and Savior, the wrath of God is hanging over you even now. Apart from Him Hitler's fate is your fate. On the other hand if Jesus is your Lord and Savior, the glories of God's dwelling place await you. Your destiny will be the same as Jesus, who is now with God His Father.
This is hardly exhaustive and in fact far too simple. But I hope it will stir up your minds and get you searching the Bible to see if these things are true.
