Command the Raven

Psalm 9:17, 18 [show/hide]Psalm 9:17 [17]The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

The 5th prophecy in Psalms. [Ps. 9:17-18 [show/hide]Psalm 9:17-18 [17]The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. [18]For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
, partially fulfilled and will be completed when the last of the wicked are in hell and the righteous are vindicated and safe with God forever].

Where are the dead? That hell is the grave is one of the most popular themes of all false cults. They, without exception, change the Bible to suit themselves and gain converts who are always glad to accept any method of escape from the reality of hell.

Their tactics remind one of the free translation of the new electronic brain designed to translate English into Russian. It was fed the words, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” The machine answered with a sentence in Russian, “The whiskey is agreeable but the meat has gone bad.”

Where is the harmony between the two statements?
To make hell the grave and the grave hell is just as ridiculous, for different Hebrew and Greek words are used for hell and the grave. These are two distinct subjects and as foreign to each other as heaven is to hell.
There is no possible harmony of scriptures when we FORCE the same meaning for hell and the grave.

The following study is the truth of the Bible on all phases of the subject of the dead and their destiny:

DEATH DEFINED:
The word death as applied to man in Scripture means SEPARATION or a cutting off from realizing God’s purpose for which he was created.
One can logically substitute the word separation for death in every scripture where it is used. It will clarify many passages to do so, as we shall see below.

PHYSICAL DEATH:
Physical death is the separation of the inner man from the outer man: the soul and spirit from the body [note I, Jas. 2:26; 3 kinds of death, p. 213 of N.T. as follows:

3 Kinds of death in Scripture: Eph. 2:5 [show/hide]Ephesians 2:5 [5]even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- (ESV)

1. Physical death – the separation of the inner man from the body [Jas 2:26]

2. Spiritual death – separation from God because of sin [Eph. 2:1,5 [show/hide]Ephesians 2:1 By Grace Through Faith [2:1]And you were dead in the trespasses and sins (ESV)
; Isa. 59:2 [show/hide]Isaiah 59:2 [2]but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
; Matt. 8:22 [show/hide]Matthew 8:22 [22]And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." (ESV)
; Col. 2:13 [show/hide]Colossians 2:13 [13]And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, (ESV)
; 1 Tim. 5:6 [show/hide]1 Timothy 5:6 [6]but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. (ESV)
]

3. Eternal death – eternal separation from God because man chooses to remain separated from God in sin [Matt. 10:28 [show/hide]Matthew 10:28 [28]And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (ESV)
; 25:41, 46; Rev. 2:11 [show/hide]Revelation 2:11 [11]He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.' (ESV)
; 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:8; 22:15; Isa. 66:22-24 [show/hide]Isaiah 66:22-24 [22]"For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain. [23]From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD. [24]"And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh." (ESV)
]. This is called the second death or second separation from God [Rev. 2:11 [show/hide]Revelation 2:11 [11]He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.' (ESV)
; 20:14; 21:8].
Death in all scripture means separation from the purpose for which one was created, never annihilation or extinction of being. PHYSICAL DEATH is separation of the inner man from the body. The body only dies at this time and goes back to dust [Gen. 3:19 [show/hide]Genesis 3:19 [19]By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
; Js .2:26].
The spirit and soul are immortal and are either dead in sins or in possession of eternal life in Christ at the time of physical death. In either case, they continue in consciousness whether in heaven or hell [notes on 1 Pet. 3:4 [show/hide]1 Peter 3:4 [4]but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. (ESV)
; Lk. 12:5 [show/hide]Luke 12:5 [5]But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! (ESV)
; Lk. 16:23 [show/hide]Luke 16:23 [23]and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. (ESV)
; 270, 421-424 notes].

SPIRITUAL DEATH:
Spiritual death is separation of man from God because of sin [as above notes on Pg 213: 3 kinds of death].

One spiritually dead can be alive physically [Matt. 8:22 [show/hide]Matthew 8:22 [22]And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." (ESV)
; Col. 2:14 [show/hide]Colossians 2:14 [14]by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (ESV)
; 1 Tim. 5:6 [show/hide]1 Timothy 5:6 [6]but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. (ESV)
], or he can be dead physically and alive in hell, conscious in the soul and spirit or the inner man [point 14, The Doctrine of Man, p 618 [previous on this web site], and the facts about hell, page 620-622 Dake’s A.R.B.

SECOND DEATH : ETERNAL DEATH:
The second death means the second and eternal separation from God in the lake of fire [Rev. 2:11 [show/hide]Revelation 2:11 [11]He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.' (ESV)
; 20:6, 14; 21:8].

- Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible – Page 619 O.T. and Page 213 N.T.

Genesis 25:8 [show/hide]Genesis 25:8 [8]Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. (ESV)

Then Abraham’s spirit was released, and he died a good [ample, full] old age, and old man, satisfied and satiated, and was gathered to his people [Gen. 15:15 [show/hide]Genesis 15:15 [15]As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. (ESV)
]. The Amplified Bible.

This often repeated expression forms a remarkable testimony to the Old Testament belief in a life beyond the grave and to our recognition and fellowship with our loved ones there.

Isaac was 75 and Ishmael nearly 90 years of age when their father died. Jacob and Esau were 15, and may have been present.

- The Amplified Bible: page 31

Heaven & Hell – Part 4
Luke 16:31 [show/hide]Luke 16:31 [31]He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'" (ESV)

He [Abraham] said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe if some one should rise from the dead.

Abraham reminds the wicked rich man of Lazarus’s present bliss – “now he is comforted and you are tormented”.

Heaven is comfort, and hell is torment; heaven is joy, and hell is weeping, gnashing of teeth, and wailing.

Those who have fallen asleep in Christ, though subject to the many calamities in this world, will now be comforted and all their tears will be wiped away – IN HEAVEN THERE IS EVERLASTING CONSOLATION.

And, on the other hand, hell will be hell indeed to those that go thither from the midst of the enjoyment of all the delights and pleasures of sense.

Abraham assures him that it was to no purpose to think of having any relief from Lazarus, “For besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, a great chasm, in order that those who want to pass from [this] place to you, may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us”.

The saints in heaven cannot pass to the congregation of the dead and damned, to comfort or relieve any there who once were friends.

Those incarcerated in hell cannot force their way out of their eternal prison.

In this world, there is no gulf fixed between a state of nature and grace – but we may pass from one to another – FROM SIN TO GOD.

We are afforded the opportunity here and it might have been prevented in time, BUT IT CANNOT BE REMEDIED TO ETERNITY.

The further request he makes to Abraham is to improve the situation for his relatives he left behind and begs that Lazarus be sent to his father’s house.

He knows well enough where the house is and that he had five brethren, and they will know him and regard what he says – let Lazarus tell them what condition he is in – let him warn them not to tread in his steps, lest they come into the place of torment.

The testimony of Lazarus would be sufficient to frighten them out of their sins.

He does not ask leave to go himself, but begs for Lazarus to go – the poor godly man, who was slighted and suffered their contempt and cruel conduct towards him now became an acceptable messenger for the rich wicked man.

This family, in their entirety, and indeed their many acquaintances, denied Lazarus an extended hand of kindness or even one word of comfort or even a crust of bread, except the crumbs he shared with the dogs.

Abraham denies him this favour too – THERE IS NO REQUEST GRANTED IN HELL.
They have Moses and the prophets – let them hear them – and that will be sufficient to keep them from this place of torment.

He urges his request further – if one went to them from the dead, they would repent – that would be a realistic conviction for THEY WERE USED TO MOSES AND THE PROPHETS!

God’s method of conviction, by his word, is the chosen and appointed way and cannot be superceded by another.

Abraham insists upon the denial – for indeed a witness from the dead cannot triumph over the written word of God – which is the ordinary way of God’s making known his mind to us, and it is sufficient. - Dake A.R. Bible

Heaven & Hell – Part 3
Luke 16:24 [show/hide]Luke 16:24 [24]And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' (ESV)

And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

The preceding two parts reveal the different condition of the godly poor man and the wicked rich man in this world, at and after death.

The day will come when those who make light of God’s divine mercy will beg hard for it.

In his misery he cries to Abraham for mercy; He that had no mercy on Lazarus, yet expects Lazarus should have mercy on him.

Lazarus was better nurtured than he ever was and he begs Abraham to allow him to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue.

Here he complains of the torment of his tongue in particular, and rightly so, as explained by James in Chapter 3: 6 – 9: The Tongue is a fire – a world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth – the cycle of man’s nature – BEING ITSELF IGNITED BY HELL – Every kind of beast or bird, reptile and sea animal, can be tamed by human genius – But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is [an undisciplined, irreconcilable] restless evil, full of death bringing poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness!

By the torment of his tongue he is put in mind of all the wicked words that he has spoken against God and man, all his hard and filthy speeches; BY HIS WORDS HE IS CONDEMNED and therefore IN HIS TONGUE HE IS TORMENTED.

He desires a drop of water to cool his tongue, suffering further torment in remembrance of his inordinate relish of the delights of tasting.

He asks for a drop of water and he names Lazarus, because he knows and recognizes him and thinks that he will not be unwilling to do him this favour, after all, did not Lazarus share the crumbs from his table with the dog? HE THAT DESPISED LAZARUS NOW SEEKS GLADLY TO RECEIVE A KINDNESS FROM HIM.

Abraham did not grant his request – how justly the rich man is paid in his own coin!
HE THAT DENIED A CRUMB IS DENIED A DROP!

Abraham addresses him as son, in a civil manner, albeit, he had been a son, but a rebellious one, NOW AN ABANDONED DISINHERITED ONE.

Abraham continues by saying: SON REMEMBER – remember thy creator, thy redeemer, remember thy latter end, the offers of eternal life and glory, which he would not accept – NOW SINNERS ARE CALLED UPON TO REMEMBER, BUT THEY DO NOT, THEY WILL NOT.

He reminds him of his condition and the condition of Lazarus in their life-time; he had received all the good things, God had been a bountiful benefactor – therefore he could not say that God owed him anything, NO, NOT A DROP OF WATER.

What God gave he received, and that was all – he received his good things – HE CHOSE THE GOOD AND BEST THINGS IN HIS LIFE-TIME and had no thought of better things in another life.

The day of good things is past and gone.

In contrast what evil things Lazarus had received in his life-time, the godly good man had received as much evil as the wicked good man received good.

Abraham reminds him of his behaviour towards Lazarus – he cannot forget that he would not help him, and how then could he expect that Lazarus should now help him?

Heaven is comfort and hell is torment – to continue Part Four

Heaven & Hell – Part Two
Luke 16:22 [show/hide]Luke 16:22 [22]The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, (ESV)

And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

In the preceding reading we were acquainted with the state of good and evil in this world; this reading will endeavor to give us insight into the good and evil of the other world, after death occurs.

The beggar died first – God often takes godly people out of the world, when he leaves the wicked to flourish still. Since Lazarus could find no other resting place or shelter – he was hid in the grave.

The rich man died and was buried – presumably a pompous funeral – where his generosity and good way of living was praised, disregarding the evidence to the contrary – the world habitually practices this method of deceit – the dead burying the dead.

The beggar died and was no doubt cast into a hole somewhere, no pomp, no splendor – ostracized and loathed in life and finally the ultimate rejection in death.

The beggar was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom, carried by special messengers with honor to his resting place – the splendor of the messengers far exceeded that of the rich man.

Thus we can establish that we have ministering angels while we live and when we die.

Abraham was a very wealthy man, the father of the faithful, who did not despise the poor man, receiving him in his bosom, in comfort and consolation. Thus the rich and the poor saints meet in heaven, with no partiality or distinguishment made between them, finally attaining equality in the other world.

Next we hear that the rich man is in hell and lifted up his eyes, being in torment. His state is miserable, in the utmost anguish possible.

The souls of the faithful immediately are escorted to heaven [paradise], and the souls of the wicked, immediately after they are fetched from the pleasures of the flesh by death are in misery and torment endlessly.

The misery of his state is aggravated by the knowledge of the happiness of Lazarus – with clarity he could now consider what was become of Lazarus – he is not found in the place that he is, as HE SEES him from afar off in Abraham’s bosom.

The sight of Abraham no doubt brought to his mind his own cruel conduct towards Lazarus, and the sight of him in that happiness made his own misery the more grievous.

The rich man cries to Abraham – HE THAT COMMANDED NOW BEGS ALOUD – the songs of his revels are all turned into lamentations.

The title he gives Abraham; Father Abraham, now in death acknowledging the reality of the word of God, which went ignored in his life time, which he probably scoffed at, but now he affords him some respect.

The day approaches when the wicked will earnestly desire acquaintance with the righteous, though they slight them.

He complains about his deplorable situation, the torment of his soul – tormented by the flame – the very fire of God’s wrath, the flame that burns the guilty conscience, the reproaches of a self accusing, self condemning heart.

Thus we can establish that ones conscience is active, you can speak, see, feel pain, suffer anxiety and torment, hear, show feigned respect, compare and complain after death.

The rich man’s plea for mercy – to follow Part Three –

Heaven & Hell – Part One
Luke 16:19 [show/hide]Luke 16:19 The Rich Man and Lazarus [19]"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. (ESV)

There was a certain rich man, who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendour every day.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus sets before us the wrath to come and is designed for our awakening.

Here we have the distinct comparison between abject poverty and extreme wealth and the description of the state of good and bad in this world and the other.

Every day the poor, godly people die away out of their miseries and go to heavenly bliss and joy, and the rich, who live in luxury and ease and are unmerciful to the poor die, and go into a state of perpetual torment.

Here Jesus acquaints us with another world and describes the condition of a wicked rich man, and a godly poor man.

The wicked man in the height of prosperity, doomed to everlasting misery – with no name given him, as the poor man has.

The emphasis is not laid upon the wealth of an individual – but upon the indifference to the distresses of the poor and the afflicted.

If a man’s estate can afford it, he can live accordingly, as riches are not instrumental in escorting him to hell; but the splendour and abundance that leads to overindulgence, that can become fuel for pride. Plenty and pleasure can prove to be dangerous and the disregard of the poor does provoke God to anger.

A rich man may have a great deal of wealth, and yet in death lie and perish for ever under God’s wrath.

The poor godly man, Lazarus, was reduced to the depth of distress at his end, with ulcerated sores covering his body, making him more loathsome to those about him.

He was carelessly dropped at the gate of the rich man, utterly destitute, reduced to begging for alms.

He was thankful for the crumbs from the rich man’s table, uncomplaining and modestly satisfied with the crumbs.

Here is a child of wrath and an heir of hell sitting in a house of wealth and splendour partaking of sumptuous fare, and a child of love and an heir of heaven lying at the gate, perishing for hunger.

It is evident that the rich man was unconcerned about the necessities and miseries of the poor and afflicted; the dogs which licked his sores were kinder to Lazarus than their hard hearted master.

The beggar died and the rich man also died; death is the ultimate lot of rich and poor, godly and ungodly.

Saints die that they may bring their sorrows to an end, and enter upon their joys; sinners die that they may go to give up their account.

DEATH WAITS FOR BOTH RICH AND POOR – there they meet together – and so the rich and poor ought to prepare themselves for death.

The condition of the godly poor man, and this wicked rich man after death – Part Two, Three and Four…

Isaiah 30:33 [show/hide]Isaiah 30:33 [33]For a burning place has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it. (ESV)

For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. [Dake A.R. Bible].

The Assyrian, the Antichrist of v 31 who is to be destroyed in Tophet [v33; Zech. 14:1-15 [show/hide]Zechariah 14:1-15 The Coming Day of the LORD [14:1]Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. [2]For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. [3]Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. [4]On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. [5]And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. [6]On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. [7]And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. [8]On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter. [9]And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. [10]The whole land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem shall remain aloft on its site from the Gate of Benjamin to the place of the former gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. [11]And it shall be inhabited, for there shall never again be a decree of utter destruction. Jerusalem shall dwell in security. [12]And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. [13]And on that day a great panic from the LORD shall fall on them, so that each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of the one will be raised against the hand of the other. [14]Even Judah will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be collected, gold, silver, and garments in great abundance. [15]And a plague like this plague shall fall on the horses, the mules, the camels, the donkeys, and whatever beasts may be in those camps. (ESV)
; 2 Thes. 2:8 [show/hide]2 Thessalonians 2:8 [8]And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. (ESV)
; Rev. 19:19-21 [show/hide]Revelation 19:19-21 [19]And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. [20]And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. [21]And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (ESV)
]. This king is the only one referred to in this prophecy. To bring Hezekiah or some other one into it would be adding to Scripture.

He [Jehovah], who is the only one referred to in this prophecy as doing all the things predicted in v30-33. To bring another into the picture would be out of harmony with the passage. The Lord is the one who created this valley and when He did so, He made it deep and large. He alone is the one who will kindle the great fire in Tophet when Antichrist and his army are destroyed. [Dake A.R. Bible – notes Isa. 30:33 [show/hide]Isaiah 30:33 [33]For a burning place has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it. (ESV)
].

Tophet:
This verse explains that Tophet is ordained [Heb. Arak, set in a row; arrange; put in order] of old [Heb. Ethmow], therefore; yesterday; of late; times past] for the king [the Assyrian of v 21]. It is prepared; He [Jehovah] hath made it deep and large; the pile thereof [of Tophet] is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it [v 33].

The verse should be understood in connection with the Assyrian [the Antichrist] and his great army of v 30-32]. It no doubt pictures the exact spot where Antichrist will be destroyed at Armageddon. Much of the army with him will be destroyed and Tophet, at that time, will be a great funeral Pyre kindled by the Lord like a stream of brimstone. He will come with great flaming fire which will destroy multitudes in this battle [v20; Ezek.38:17-21; 2 Th.1:7-10].

The word ‘Tophet’ in Heb. Denotes that which causes loathing, abhorrence, and vomiting. Just as Tophet was to be a place of great destruction and a burial ground for multitudes in the ruin of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar [Jer.7:31-32; 19:6-14], so it was appointed by the Lord in this prophecy to be a place of slaughter when Jerusalem will be surrounded by the armies of the Antichrist.

It is a deep valley on the southeast of Jerusalem, celebrated as the place of idolatry and worship of Moloch. Here a large brazen image with hollow trunk and arms was heated; and children were offered as sacrifices to it. To drown their cries as they were being put into this red hot idol, drums were beaten, which were called Toph or Tophim; and so the name of Tophet was given to this part of the valley – the valley of the son of Hinnom [2 Ki. 16:3; 21:6; 23:10].

Fires were kept going in this place to burn up the refuse of the city and to purify the atmosphere and prevent contagion. Because of this it became a symbol of eternal hell, among the Jews; therefore, the name ‘Gehenna’ was coined to denote the place of eternal torment. [see note m, Lk. 12:5 [show/hide]Luke 12:5 [5]But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! (ESV)
, Dake].
- Dake Annotated Reference Bible : Page 487

1 Corinthians 15:55 [show/hide]1 Corinthians 15:55 [55]"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Gr. Hades, hell or the unseen world of departed spirits of men where the wicked are kept in a conscious state of torment until the resurrection of the bodies at the end of the Millennium [Rev. 20:11-15 [show/hide]Revelation 20:11-15 Judgment Before the Great White Throne [11]Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12]And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. [13]And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. [14]Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15]And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (ESV)
].

Hades was also the place of confinement of the righteous souls before the resurrection of Christ.

At that time Christ reclaimed all these captive souls from the paradise or comfort compartment of Hades and took them to heaven when He ascended on high [Eph. 4:8-10 [show/hide]Ephesians 4:8-10 [8]Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." [9](In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [10]He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) (ESV)
; Heb. 2:14-15 [show/hide]Hebrews 2:14-15 [14]Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, [15]and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (ESV)
].

Hell was robbed of its victory then, as far as saints are concerned. Death still stings the Christian and will do so until the end of the first resurrection. It will sting sinners until it is destroyed at the end of the Millennium [1 Cor. 15:24-28 [show/hide]1 Corinthians 15:24-28 [24]Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. [25]For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26]The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [27]For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. [28]When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. (ESV)
; Rev. 20:11-15 [show/hide]Revelation 20:11-15 Judgment Before the Great White Throne [11]Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12]And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. [13]And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. [14]Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15]And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (ESV)
; 21:1-7].

Hell is personified here as being a victor holding his victims in defeat.

He will loose his victims at the end of the Millennium when they will be judged and death and hell themselves will be cast into the lake of fire in utter defeat. [Rev. 20:11-15 [show/hide]Revelation 20:11-15 Judgment Before the Great White Throne [11]Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12]And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. [13]And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. [14]Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15]And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (ESV)
]. See notes on Lk. 16:19-31 [show/hide]Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus [19]"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20]And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, [21]who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22]The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, [23]and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. [24]And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' [25]But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26]And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' [27]And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house-- [28]for I have five brothers--so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' [29]But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' [30]And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' [31]He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'" (ESV)
; Ps. 9:17 [show/hide]Psalm 9:17 [17]The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
– Dake A.R. Bible.
- Dake A.R. Bible: page 190.

Revelation 21:8 [show/hide]Revelation 21:8 [8]But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (ESV)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

- 1 – The fearful. Gr.Dellos, cowardly, craven: vile: worthless: miserable: wretched; and unhappy. Found only in v8; Mt. 8:26; Mk. 4:40 [show/hide]Mark 4:40 [40]He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" (ESV)
. In Sept. in Dt. 20:8; Judg. 7:3 [show/hide]Judges 7:3 [3]Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. (ESV)
; 10.

- 2 – The unbelieving. Gr. Apistos. Infidel, faithless [note g 1 Tim. 5:8 [show/hide]1 Timothy 5:8 [8]But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (ESV)
].

- 3 – Abominable. Gr. Bdelusso, to cause to stink; make loathsome; feel disgust; detest; have horror of; to be abominated. It refers to those polluted with unnatural lust. Trans. Abominable [v8] and abhor [Rom. 2:22 [show/hide]Romans 2:22 [22]You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? (ESV)
]. This latter passage refers to abominable immoral practices in connection with idolatry [2 Chr. 21:11 [show/hide]2 Chronicles 21:11 [11]Moreover, he made high places in the hill country of Judah and led the inhabitants of Jerusalem into whoredom and made Judah go astray. (ESV)
; Isa. 23:16-17 [show/hide]Isaiah 23:16-17 [16]"Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody; sing many songs, that you may be remembered." [17]At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. (ESV)
; Ezek. 16:15, 26, 29; Acts 15:20, 29 [show/hide]Acts 15:20 [20]but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. (ESV)
; 21:25; Rev. 2:14-21 [show/hide]Revelation 2:14-21 [14]But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. [15]So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. [16]Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. [17]He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.' To the Church in Thyatira [18]"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. [19]"'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. [20]But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. [21]I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. (ESV)
; 14:8; 17:2-4; 18:3; 19:2]

- 4 – Murderers. Gr. Phoneus, translated only murder [v8; 22:15; Mt. 2:7; Acts 3:14 [show/hide]Acts 3:14 [14]But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (ESV)
; 7:52; 28:4; 1 Pet. 4:15 [show/hide]1 Peter 4:15 [15]But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. (ESV)
].

- 5 – Whoremongers. Gr. Pornois, fornicators [5 classes page 213 Dake].

- 6 – Sorcerers. Gr. Pharmakeusin, persons who by use of drugs, enchanted potions, charms, and enchantments seek to produce supernatural effects in the lives of others. Only here: Rev. 22:15 [show/hide]Revelation 22:15 [15]Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (ESV)
.

- 7 – Idolators, Those who practice idolatry and abominable immoral acts in worship of idols, as in point 3, above.

- 8 – Dogs. False prophets and homosexuals are called dogs in Scripture [Dt.

23:18; Isa. 56:10-11 [show/hide]Isaiah 56:10-11 [10]His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. [11]The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.
; Phil. 3:2 [show/hide]Philippians 3:2 [2]Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. (ESV)
; Rev. 22:15 [show/hide]Revelation 22:15 [15]Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (ESV)
].

- 9 – Liars. [Rev. 21:8 [show/hide]Revelation 21:8 [8]But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (ESV)
; 22:15].

- 10 – Lovers of lies [Rev. 22:15 [show/hide]Revelation 22:15 [15]Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (ESV)
].

- Dake A.R. Bible – Page 303.

Psalm 90:10 [show/hide]Psalm 90:10 [10]The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

The days of our years are threescore years and ten [70 years]; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years [80 years], yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, AND WE FLY AWAY.
Who knoweth the power of Thine anger? Even according to Thy fear, so is Thy wrath.

This refers to length of life in the wilderness in the time of Moses, which was shortened so that the old generation died off within the forty years.

The days of these 40 years could actually be numbered as stated in v12.

Ordinarily, days cannot be numbered because we are not living through a special curse as was Israel in the wilderness [Numbers 14 [show/hide]Numbers 14 The People Rebel [14:1]Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. [2]And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! [3]Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" [4]And they said to one another, "Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt." [5]Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. [6]And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes [7]and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. [8]If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. [9]Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." [10]Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel. [11]And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? [12]I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they." Moses Intercedes for the People [13]But Moses said to the LORD, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them, [14]and they will tell the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, O LORD, are in the midst of this people. For you, O LORD, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. [15]Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations who have heard your fame will say, [16]'It is because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness.' [17]And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, [18]'The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.' [19]Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now." God Promises Judgment [20]Then the LORD said, "I have pardoned, according to your word. [21]But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD, [22]none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, [23]shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. [24]But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. [25]Now, since the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valleys, turn tomorrow and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea." [26]And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, [27]"How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble again