There are three words translated the same in the King James Version Bible: the first is hell (hádēs), the second is Tartarus (tártaros), & the third is Gehenna (géenna). These are all translated as “hell,” but they are not the same. According to the Church Fathers, hell is the abode of the dead, under, i.e. within, the earth. Before the Lord’s resurrection, all went here, but after, He opened the way to heaven. But Tartarus & Gehenna are the same; it is the place in hell where the unrepentant reside, & shall be filled with fire in the age to come, & those presently there foretaste it by anticipation.
Moses reveals that man is made after the image & likeness of God. The Church Fathers teach these are distinct. The image is the nature, the likeness, the qualities of that nature. The latter is losable, but the former is not losable. The image of God is indestructible. Therefore those cast into Gehenna cease not ever to exist, but are annihilated ad infinitum.
Old Testament
- Deuteronomy 4:24
- Psalms 82:14-16
God is called a consuming fire (cf. Heb. 12:29).
- Jeremias 17:27
- Esaias 66:15-16,24
- Daniel 7:9-10
God is said to come as an unquenchable fire & undying worm (cf. Ps. 21:7), His fire is said to be unquenchable (cf. Mt. 3;12; Mk. 9:44) & to proceed out of His throne.
- Malachias 3:19
Christ is said to come as a consuming fire (cf. Mt. 3:11; Lk. 12:49, 13:41-43).
- Psalms 21:7
Christ is called a worm (cf. Mk. 9:44).
New Testament
- Luke 16:22-26
Christ says those in hell are tormented by flames (cf. Ja. 3:6), & those there are unable to join Abraham.
Notably, the name of the man in hell is never given, as if it were erased, while the man with Abraham is remembered, Lazarus.
- Matthew 3:12; 13:41-43
Christ is said to burn the workers of iniquity with unquenchable fire (cf. Mal. 3:19).
- Matthew 25:41,46
Christ says the fire of hell is everlasting & the punishment of those cast into it eternal.
- Mark 9:43-44
Christ says the fire of hell is unquenchable & the worm is undying (cf. Jer. 17:27; Esa. 66:15-16,24; Dn. 7:9-10).
- Apocalypse 20:10,14-15
The lake of fire is said to be of fire & brimstone (cf. Gen. 19:24).
- Apocalypse 21:23
Christ is called the Light of the new Jerusalem (cf. Mal. 3:20).