Psalms 88:6 b-7 states that it is“ 6b…in the regions dark and deep, 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. So in light of this, what is an accurate description of “ Sheol” for the wicked? Job 10:21 b-22 states that it is “ 21b…the land of darkness and deep shadow 22the land of gloom like thick darkness, like deep shadow without any order, where light is as thick darkness.” Job 17:6 b states that it has bars. Psalm 9:17 states that, “ The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.” Psalms 55:15 b states, “ 15b…let them go down to Sheol alive for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.” In both of these passages it is a place for the wicked, the ones in whom evil dwells in their hearts. The account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 supports this view. Post-canonical Jewish writings, penned between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament, did make distinctions in “ Sheol” for the wicked and the righteous.

In the Old Testament, “ Sheol” is not just for the wicked, but it is also for those who lived righteously. In the Old Testament “hell” is not specifically mentioned in name, but the word used in reference to the after life is “ Sheol,” which is used to refer to the dwelling place of people after death. “Sheol”: Place of the Dead in the Old Testament ” Now a question may be asked, what do the Scriptures teach about “ hell?” Packer also writes, “New Testament teaching about hell is meant to appall us and strike us dumb with horror, assuring us that, as heaven will be better than we could dream, so hell will be worse than we can conceive. It is so unpopular with us that few would give credence to it at all except that it comes to us from the teaching of Christ himself. Theologian R.C Sproul writes, “There is no biblical concept more grim or terror-invoking than the idea of hell. It is a harsh and terrifying truth that awaits those who will not respond to the Gospel. “ Hell” is a Christian belief and teaching that many would like to avoid or forget altogether.

Hell is a place of torment, ordained by God for Devils and reprobate sinners, wherein by His justice He confines them to everlasting punishment tormenting them both in Body and Soul, being deprived of God’s favor, objects of His wrath, under which they must lie to all eternity.

Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet