Christians: how do you explain that nobody had a hell concept until Jesus came along?

Question

Even though the Old Testament is full of barbaric savagery and wanton cruelty, there is no hell concept in the OT. The Christian hell concept didn’t exist until the New Testament was written. So one of Jesus’ main achievements was to give the world Christian hell; doesn’t make you at least a little bit annoyed with Jesus for giving the world Christian hell?

Answer 1

yeah, the great punisher of those he loves!

Answer 2

You're trying to make the Old Testament say something it wasn't intended to convey. The "barbaric savagery" you mention--have you seen what other countries (Assyria, for one) did to conquered peoples and nations? Did you ever read of Sennacherib's prism or the Stele of Shalmaneser? Don't talk to me or anyone else about "savagery" or "cruelty" until you examine some collateral evidence.



And yes, the Old Testament peoples knew about Hell. Maybe they didn't have the knowledge that we did. About all they had was the first five books of the Bible, until more of the OT became available, and until the ministry of the writing prophets came along. These saints, and anyone else who experienced salvation before Calvary, were saved by faith. IF they were saved, they went to Abraham's bosom; if not, they went to the place of torment.



No need to be "annoyed" with Jesus (and where did you get that concept?) for giving additional information about Hell. Part of His earthly ministry was devoted, after all, to correction of erroneous ideas and teachings. Please also remember that Jesus died so that nobody, but nobody, would have to go to Hell.

Answer 3

Once again you question God with a Lie! Have you Never Read The Old Testament? I do not know where you people who are bashing Christianity and the God of the Universe come up with these lies but Hell was a well understood concept . Read about the Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah !



Either you are a student in America who has been lied to by foreign teachers who worship Idolatrous gods or you are not American at all and are writing from another Country pretending to be American . Or you are an Illegal immigrant who brings this False teaching to America!



97 % of Americans are Christians and have expressed their desire that such false teachers should be removed from this country as traitors because America Is a Nation Built ON the Holy and Inerrant Word of God the Holy Bible!

Answer 4

"Hell" is an English Word. There are a couple of Greek words that have been translated into English as the word "hell". In this passage...



Mark 9:43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- 44 where 'THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.'



...the Greek word is Gehenna. The word Gehenna is derived from the Hebrew expression, gā-Hinnom, Valley of Hinnom. This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction.



In the above passage the capitalized portions are capitalized because the Lord Jesus is quoting from the Old Testament.



Here is where you find a "hell" concept in the Old Testament as well as a prediction of a restored earth.



Isaiah 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD. 24 "And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Answer 5

Hell iu spoken of in the old testament. Perhaps in differing ways.

The Hebrew translations too and meaning s of it can be death and evil or torment.

Psalm 16:10 " For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Is this a Messianic prophecy?

Psalm 18:5 " The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me" Is this a Messianic Prophecy?

In reference to hell it is judgement in the old testament or the wrath of God .

Your statement seems to posses an anti-Christ like observation or understanding.

The concept of hell, death and judgement are all in the old testament as well.

Jesus Christ did not give the world Christian hell .



The walk with God even with Christ is not always an easy road to take.

Answer 6

One of the important principles in understanding the Bible is to appreciate that revelation is progressive.



That means that we should not expect to find in earlier Scripture something that is revealed later. We do not find Noah circumcising his sons, as God did not reveal circumcision until afterwards, in the time of Abraham. And we do not find Abraham keeping the Sabbath day, as God did not reveal the Sabbath (to Moses) until after the exodus from Egypt.



Moses, who brought the Creator's Law into the world was told that "the wages of sin is death," but he was not given a detailed description of Hell.



Later on in the time of Isaiah the prophet mentions "everlasting burnings" in his prophecy (Isa. 33:14).



Zephaniah said, "In the fire of his jealous wrath, all the earth shall be consumed" (Zeph. 1:18).



Malachi said, "the day comes, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch" (Mal. 4:1). He goes on to say that the wicked would be reduced to ashes under the feet of the righteous (verses 2,3).



This is very close to the christian understanding of the fate of the unsaved.



Everything alluded to in the old testament became clearer with the arrival of Jesus who taught a final judgment in which God would "destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28).



So the idea of Hell didn't just suddenly come out of left field - it was there all along.

Answer 7

The book of Enoch has that concept. That book is accepted by Ethiopian Jews.



It's part of progressive revelation, where God has revealed more and more about himself over time. We have a greater understanding of God's plan than Abraham did due to more being revealed. Through Jesus and the NT authors many things were made more clear.

Answer 8

Christ didnt give christians hell. False religion did to make sure that their followers were to scared to leave their congregation.



Christ came to the earth to give people a hope of everlasting life in a perfect world, that is why he died for man.



If I was going to be annoyed at anyone it would be the religions that preach a hell fire not Christ.



Matthew 6.9 recites the Lords prayer and it is full of love not damnation

Answer 9

Psalm 16: 10. Is still the grave as in the New Testament.

Answer 10

The hell that you think of was introduced by the Catholics and has no Biblical basis.



Hell is mentioned in the old testament. Maybe you should read before you broadcast your ignorance.



Deuteronomy 32:22

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

2 Samuel 22:6

The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me

Job 11:8

It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

Psalm 9:17

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 16:10

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

And etc. For more see: http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=hell&qs_version=9

Answer 11

Hell comes from ancient Greek's (Paganism) Hades. Hades is even mentioned in the bible but some translations calls it Hell. We don't know if Jesus really existed or if he is just a mythical character, so i'm think who ever wrote the story took parts of Roman/Greek mythology to create their new religion named christianity.

Answer 12

Sheol



By the second century BC, Jews who accepted the Oral Torah had come to believe that those in sheol awaited the resurrection either in comfort (in the bosom of Abraham) or in torment. This belief is reflected in Jesus' story of Lazarus and Dives. At that time Jews who rejected the Oral Torah believed that Sheol meant simply the grave.



After the resurrection is whenever Hell is made and Heaven is opened.

Answer 13

There was a concept similar to hell and that was Tartarus.

(Greek)



I suppose New Testament was written after some Greek influence

Answer 14

hell is in the old testament its also known as sheol theres a lot of verses that talk about hell. im guessing that you got that misconception from the niv it replaces hell with grave usually, that just implies that theres just the grave when you die nothing the niv does a lot of that its not a bible its just a book people wrote to fit how they wanted to believe not how God said it. KING JAMES BIBLE IS THE TRUE WORD OF GOD.



Isaiah 14:9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth it hath raised up from their thrones all kings of the nations.



Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Answer 15

Many of Christianity's doctrines derive from Greek philosophy, not Old Testament teachings.



Greeks had concepts of hell, eternal damnation, eternal life, a "heaven" where you reside with the gods in lordship over the earth... even a three-in-one god. Christians just copied this because it's an invention predominantly of Hellenised Jews.

Answer 16

We do, with the Oldest of the old testomony, the Vedas: financial disaster 26: an define of the Hellish Planets SB 5.26.5: the great sage ?ukadeva Gosv?m? spoke back: all the hellish planets are located interior the intermediate area between the three worlds and the Garbhodaka Ocean. They lie on the southern area of the universe, under Bh?-man?d?ala, and slightly above the water of the Garbhodaka Ocean. Pitr?loka is likewise placed in this area between the Garbhodaka Ocean and the decrease planetary structures. all the citizens of Pitr?loka, headed by utilising Agnis?v?tt?, meditate in great sam?dhi on the perfect character of Godhead and constantly wish their households properly.

Answer 17

How do you explain you ignorance? Hebrew and Greek are two different languages - what was sheol in one is hades in the other. Jonah described hell in sufficient detail as a place he went to when he died in the belly of the fish, he also states that God pulled him out of it.



jesus did not create it, jesus emptied "Abraham's bosom'- the temporary holding place for the righteous, but others were in the abyss. Stop relying on your uninformed, opinionated, atheist sources; you have not gained any knowledge since I last encountered your senseless rantings.

Answer 18

to me there is no hell there is only heaven ,when you die then you go to heaven and you se michael the archangel and he will take you and ask you some questions ,then when you are done then he will send you to heaven or to earth as a Spirit because you have to do something nice for someone and when you are done then you go to see him and he will take you to heaven .



i think this because we are god's children and he loves us and he will look in to our hearts and see the good in all of us even if we did any thing bad he will forgive us ,even the most bad of people have some good in them and he will see that.



hell is not a place it is just the dark.it not caring about the good of others .not being happy for other people.not being kind to one person in your life .not being happy once.not helping others for the good of your heart.

Answer 19

Read more Holy book. There is many around.



The Chinese, Indians,Jews knows about Hell way back before Christ came.



I would rather you read comic book. No, made it I would rather you kiss Satan's A$$. You are pretty good at it.

Answer 20

These are from the Old Testament, This is what the Jews Followed 4000 years before Jesus...Read and you would know this.



De 32:22 -

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.



2Sa 22:6 -

The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;



Job 11:8 -

It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?



Job 26:6 -

Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.



Ps 9:17 -

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.



Ps 16:10 -

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.



Ps 18:5 -

The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.



Ps 55:15 -

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.



Ps 86:13 -

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.



Ps 116:3 -

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.



Ps 139:8 -

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.



Pr 5:5 -

Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.



Pr 7:27 -

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.



Pr 9:18 -

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.



Pr 15:11 -

Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?



Pr 15:24 -

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.



Pr 23:14 -

Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.



Pr 27:20 -

Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.



Isa 5:14 -

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.



Isa 14:9 -

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.







I could keep going but you get the point I hope?

Answer 21

hell is not a fire "hell" place as people say.



It states in revelations that the christians who are "dead in christ" will be judged and following will be christians that are alive in christ.



Hell is separation from God period. It's not a fire brimstone "place". when you die you die. you're dead - period. you have no knowledge of yourself.

One will not be tormented for eternity because they refused God and his Jesus's salvation.



He just won't inherit the earth the way God has intended and originally intended it to be. Earth will be returned to the state of Adam and Eve.

Answer 22

excuse me, but what bible are u reading? the OT is full of references to hades, and hell. U can see it in job an a few other books so ur pretty wrong there hun.. lol... go back and study please.. besides i just taught this a few weeks back for someone that said the same thing in error.. rofl.. i had to show him many many scriptures. do u need exact ones, cause i can look em up for u?

Answer 23

Not true... the concept of hell existed in ancient Egyptian religions.



Which goes to show that Christianity copied those ancient pagan religions...

Answer 24

there is no hell. its the lake of fire. it has existed before jesus came. hades is where deceased person wait for judgement day. Then either people become overcomers who go to the feast, regretters who gnash their teeth outside the kingdom, and those who will burn in the lake of fire. There is no hell. Its just punishment. It has always been punishment for sin is death. After jesus died for us, we are redeemed from only the punishment of death, since sin is punishible by death. Bascially jesus took all of our places for everything. However, that doesnt mean if we can sin all we want.

Answer 25

There was no concept of hell in the jewish religion because there is also no concept of heaven, they usually go together.

Answer 26

Correction: Judaism didn't. The ancient greeks, for instance, did (well, sort of. They had Hades). What they lacked was the concept of "heaven".

Answer 27

Hell was added to convert more frightened people.

Answer 28

Why would I be annoyed? I am not going there.

Answer 29

But he's all-loving, remember?

Answer 30

Are you a little mad at Darwin?

Answer 31

Please read:



Isaiah 66:22-24

Malachi 3-4

Daniel 12

Psalm 140