Beth-El Baptist Church

06/17/2007

Greg Tomlinson

 

Is hell really located in the center of the earth?

 

There is some controversy as to where hell is physically located. Some claim it is in the center of the earth, others say it is elsewhere.

 

1.      What is hell defined as?

Hebrew word: Sheol

Psalm 9:17; 16:8-11; 18:4-8; 55:12-16;

 

Greek word: Gehenna

Matthew 5:21-24; 10:28; 23:33

 

Greek word: Hades

Luke 16:19-26

Acts 2:25-31

 

Greek word: Tartaroo

2 Peter 2:4

 

There are three Greek words one Hebrew word translated Hell in the King James Version of the Bible. It is often described as a final and ultimate resting place of destruction for eternal punishment and damnation.

 

2.      Are these words used in any other particular ways?

Hebrew Sheol:

Genesis 37:33-35; 42:38; 44:27-31                        1 Kings 2:5-9

Job 7:9-11; 14:13-15; 17:13-16                             Psalm 6:5

Ecclesiastes 9:9-10                                     Hosea 13:14

Numbers 16:28-33

 

Greek Hades:

Matthew 16:18 cmp Revelation 1:18-19                 Revelation 20:13-15

1 Corinthians 15:55-56

 

The Hebrew Sheol and Greek Hades are also used as a reference to the physical grave, a pit, or death itself. The other Greek words, Gehenna and Tartaroo, are only used in reference to the place of everlasting punishment.

 

3.      What about other phrases related to hell?

Psalm 63:9                                                 Isaiah 44:34

Ephesians 4:9                                                         2 Thessalonians 1:9

Matthew 25:46                                                      Mark 3:29

Revelation 9:1-11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1-3

 

Other phrases related to hell include the lower parts of the earth, everlasting destruction, everlasting punishment, eternal damnation and the bottomless pit

 

4.      Why would people believe that hell is in the middle of the earth?

Psalm 63:9 ; 18:4-8                                                Isaiah 44:34

Ephesians 4:9                                                         Proverbs 5:5; 7:27; 9:18; 15:23

Isaiah 14:14-15                                                      Amos 9:1-3

Ezekiel 31:13-18; 32:21                                         Luke 10:15; 16:19-26

Matthew 11:23                                                       Mark 10:15

 

The language of hell makes references to the nether or lower parts of the earth. People are cast into or go down into hell.

 

5.      Why would people believe that hell is not in the middle of the earth?

Proverbs 27:20; 30:16                                           Isaiah 5:11-16

Jonah 2:1-3                                                            Amos 9:1-3

Ezekiel 31:13-18                                                    Revelation 9:1-11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1-3

2 Peter 3:10-13                                                      Isaiah 65:17; 66:22

Revelation 21:1                                                      1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Luke 16:19-26                                                       Hebrews 11:16

 

Some of the language of hell and its expansion and its inability to ever be full may be poetic but also indicates its inability to be measured while the earth can be measured. There is also the association of being in hell with being in the belly of a fish. The most important reasons though are associated with the destruction of this earth and the creation of a new earth. Then of course there is the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. If hell were in the middle of the earth, how could he be able to see in the heavenly realm? Surely they are of a similar realm and neither is physical as we know them to be physical.

 

Summary

 

Much of the language associated with the real place of hell identifies the need to go down and it being associated with the lower parts of the earth at the same time, this earth will be destroyed but hell continues for all eternity so it could not be destroyed with the destruction of this hell. Heaven and hell are continually placed in contrast with one another. If hell were in the center of the earth then it would be perfectly plausible that one could drill into the center of the earth and drill into hell itself. It also indicates that if someone could fly far enough into outer space that they could actually enter into heaven. While heaven and earth are real places they cannot be located in the same physical realm that we are in for their entrance is made not by physical action but by spiritual thus they would need to be located in a more spiritual dimension.