Does heaven and hell exist right now or after the end times?

Question

The Bible seems to argue both cases and it seems like it's a contradiction or maybe I'm not understanding it right. Does anyone have a clear answer? On one hand, Revelations states that Jesus will raise the dead so I guess that means they aren't in heaven or hell yet. Also, Ecclesiastes states that the dead have no memory, no wisdom, no thoughts, etc. which also seems to favor the theory of no afterlife until after the second coming of Christ. But on the other hand, what about the story of Lazarus and the rich man, or the fact that Moses and Elijah showed up on the mountain with Jesus, or how King Saul called upon Samuel to consult with him; all these stories seem to support that hell and heaven already exist and you go there as soon as you die. Also when Jesus died on the cross, the Bible states that he descended into hell, but on the third day he rose again. Why would he need to descend into hell if there was no one there yet? I thought Jesus descended into hell (Abraham's bosom) to grab all His followers and bring them to their new home in heaven. Thanks for answering :)

Answer 1

Heaven exists right now. That is where God is. Jesus is preparing a place for the faithful there (Mt 5:16; Jn 14:2).



Hell does not exist yet, or if it does, no one is there yet. It does not come into a play until after The Judgment (2Pet 2:4).



When one dies, they either go to Paradise/Abraham's bosom or Hades/Tartarus (Lk 16:22-23: 23:43; 2Pet 2:4). It is a waiting place for the Day of Judgment when the final decision is made by God to send one to heaven or hell.



Ecclesiastes does not contradict the above. Coffman provides an excellent commentary on Ecc 9:5 and other similar passages.



http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/view.cgi?bk=20&ch=9

Answer 2

In most lands, only a few people are rulers. Since Jesus resurrects people to heavenly life so that they can rule over the earth, we would expect those chosen to be few. (Luke 12:32) The Bible says exactly how many will rule with Jesus.—Read Revelation 14:1.

Those in hell are unconscious and so cannot feel pain. “There is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol.”—Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Death, not torment in a fiery hell, is the penalty for sin. “He who has died has been acquitted from his sin.”—Romans 6:7.

Answer 3

Every story man ever made up about religious bull hockey are all imaginary!!! No, actual gods or devils exist anywhere outside of any ones religiously inculcated minds!!! But con man religious profit making organizations trade on all the worlds stock exchanges!!! Thank you for the tithes!!! Now religions are rich enough to hob nob with the elite ruling class while you do their chores, slaves!!!

Answer 4

soon after the fall of the first ancestors, hell came into existence.

Answer 5

Never. They never exist. They're imaginary.

Answer 6

yes,hell and heaven exit after the death.but any body got it we could not know.

Answer 7

Since they are imaginary, they can exist any time that you imagine.

Answer 8

heaven is eternal and hell was created

Answer 9

They don't exist at all....