The term “hell” actually comes from the Greek word sheol, meaning the grave. This was a place in Israel where the people usernames to burn bodies, and was basically constantly lit with fire. Also, something I find interesting is how similar Christianity’s beliefs about death are to Pagan, Greek mythology. Greek and Roman mythology believed in the main places (that I know of). There was Hell/Hades, there was a middle ground, and a nice place where good people went. Coincidence? Christianity also believe in these places, Hell and Heaven obviously but also Limbo. There are other similarities as well, but I don’t want to blab on
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The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all . . . for there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave, where you are going.” Ecc 9:5,10
We know that we can die, but the dead know nothing, meaning that they cannot have any sense of conciseness? It later says that there is no “knowledge”, no thoughts. Also, this text is in connection to righteous people, meaning that this state of non’existence is not just some form of hell.
““His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; on that very day his thoughts perish.””
So his spirit goes out and his body returns to the ground, to dust, so it could be some sort of spiritual place. However, we do know that God has the power to do anything and would be able to recreate a person’s body if he wishes. What reinforces the previous idea is that the bible states that “his thoughts perish”, meaning he thinks no more.
“[Jesus] added: ‘Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.’ Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly: ‘Lazarus has died.’” -John 11:11, 13, 14
Here, Jesus likens death to a deep sleep. What happens when you are in a very deep? It is like you are unconscious. This I find comforting because you don’t have to worry about whether your relatives are burning in hell. Additionally, I think it interesting that Lazarus did not talk about any experience in an afterlife. When the news reached Jesus, he was infact 2 days journey away, but it took him 4 days to get there because he stayed in that place for 2 days. It was common belief that the soul stayed with the body for 3 days then left. Maybe Jesus purposely delayed? Anyhow, by common and pretty much every custom, Lazarus had been properly dead then arose, not to speak of what would probably have been the first thing on his mind to tell?
““There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”” Acts 24:15
Ok, so not everything is about non-existance. This says that people will be brought back to life. We believe to a paradise earth, but wherever it is I hope it is nice
We have reasons for thinking Earth not a new world or heaven,and why it says righteous and unrighteousness (basically; some may not have been given a chance, and God is fair. ) but my post is getting long and longer XD