An Expose on Hell and the Resurrection
An Expose on Hell, and the Resurrection of the Soul at physical death (the departing of the breath, spirit)
Judgement, for the Unbeliever
The word 'Hell' when properly translated in Scripture simply means to be covered, hidden, concealed, it is also used as a word to mean the 'grave'. There are places where the word can mean several other things, but they are not important for us to define in this discussion. When someone dies who is not a believer in Jesus (Yahshua), that man/woman's body is put in the grave, the Spirit (breath) leaves, and he/she is dead. That one remains 'dead' until the time of their judgement as established by Yahweh. Those having sinned without the law, also perish without the law (Rom. 2:8-12) and those who sinned in the law, will be judged by the law, 'in the day' when Elohim (Yahweh) shall judge the secrets of men by Yahshua Messiah, (Rom. 2:16). The Scriptures do not tell us when that day of judgement is, nor do the Scriptures tell us of the disposition of children; however, we know Yahshua blesses the children (Mark 19:13-16). Scripture also tells us that Yahweh's judgement through Yahshua is just (Rom. 2).
Resurrection for the Believer:
When Yahshua was resurrected from the dead by Yahweh, he became the 'first fruit' of them that 'slept' or had died and were in the grave (1 Cor. 15:20). He received a new resurrected body, one different from us, a body which can never again die, one with flesh and bone, one that can eat, but one which also has qualities to move through solid objects (Matt. 24:36-43). Yahweh has also given Yahshua to have 'life in Himself', as Yahweh Himself has (Jn 5:26). Because Yahshua was obedient to Yahweh unto death, he was resurrected by Yahweh, and became 'the first born of the resurrection; he was made a 'life giving Spirit' (1 Cor. 15:45). He now gives eternal life, Spiritual 'breath' to those who believe in his name, (1 John 5:11-13). This 'Spiritual' breath gives age-lasting life to the believer whose physical body dies. He has also been given authority to execute judgement on the unbeliever by the Father, Yahweh (John 5:26-28).
Several Resurrections:
The Soul, is that part of the man/woman, the being, which is referred to as the 'rational being', the part of the inner self which makes one who he/she is, that part which identifies the personality. In the course of events, the 'natural' comes before the 'spiritual' (1 Cor. 16:45). In other words, the physical unites with the spirit (breath), to form the soul.
1. Under the Old Testament, the Saints, the righteous who believed Yahweh, (Rom. 4:3) who died in the faith looking for their coming Savior, the Messiah, are the ones called 'firstfruits' in (1 Cor. 15:23). They were the 'first' whose spirits were resurrected and given a resurrected body. They were released from being dead or 'sleeping' in the grave. Some of this occurred during the time of death of Yahshua on the cross, (before His resurrection). (Matt. 27:52).
2. There was another resurrection of those 'that are Messiah's at His coming' (1 Cor. 15:23). This refers to the resurrection of the Saints at the Second Coming of Messiah, in 70 AD when the Temple was destroyed. They are the ones who died during the 40 years of time between the physical resurrection of Yahshua and His second coming at 70 AD. This period of time was referred to as the 'end of the world' which was the Scriptural meaning of 'the end of the religious system of Judaism'.
3. Concerning our times and what concerns the believer today, there is the resurrection of the righteous who have died since the 'end of that world', that is, the 'end of the religious system of Judaism'. This resurrection is for all the believers in Yahshua. This is an 'on-going' resurrection and continues today for believers who die every day throughout the world (when the spirit, 'breath' leaves), each are resurrected 'each in their own order', at the sound of the last trumpet (their last trumpet), which is allegorical to the time of their physical death. They are instantly changed into a new being. The physical body dies and is 'planted', but the the 'rational being', the part which make a man/woman who he/she is, no longer dies, but receives eternal life, and is united with an incorruptible everlasting body like the one of Yahshua. These Saints are now living and reigning with Yahshua in a place prepared for them in the Heavens, their change from death to life occurred in a moment, when the spirit, the breath of physical life leaves. (1 Cor. 15:51).
Belief in the name of Yahshua, 'and receiving Him' gives one the authority to become children of Elohim (Yahweh) (Jn 1:12). "he who hears my word and believes in Him (Yahweh) who sent me possesses everlasting life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24), so that anyone who believes in him should not perish but possess everlasting life ( Jn 3:16). See also 1 John 5:11:13). But this does not mean that we will not physically die, because all must physically die. The body, the flesh and blood body, cannot inherit the kingdom of Elohim (Yahweh). (1 Cor. 15:50). But for 'the believer', death is now simply a 'change' from the physical temporary life into a Spiritual Eternal life, with a new body like that of Yahshua. This change happens to the believer 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye', (1 Cor. 15:52). The body, the corruptible must put on incorruption, and the mortal must put on immortality (1 Cor. 15:53).
There are no more ages of 'sleeping' in death as it was for the believers of the Old Testament who were looking forward 'toward' the promised Savior, the Messiah, and victory over the grave (death). Now Yahshua, Messiah has come, and he has destroyed the grip of 'death' for the believer by his resurrection. Believers now come under the New Testament promise; the price for their redemption has been paid (Heb. 9:11-12). And so, the reward for the believer is now received at the moment he is received by Yahshua, at physical death, and into a resurrection of age-lasting (everlasting) life, and a new incorruptible everlasting body like the one of Yahshua (1 Cor. 15:45). Yahshua has been given the power to give life. The believer does not come before judgement at the judgement day like the unbeliever (Jn 5:24). The portion of the believer, the part of what make the believer who he/she is, the rational being, this portion of the believer no longer dies 'sleeps' in the grave like it did prior to the coming of the Savior, prior to the victory of Messiah over death (1 Cor. 2:9).
Resurrection for the unbelievers:
The wicked, and unbelievers who die without Messiah, are buried at the time of their death. They do not receive age-lasting (everlasting) life (at the time of their death), or a new body. They remain in the grave until the Judgement day appointed for Yahshua, by Yahweh. Yahshua has been given the authority to judge on behalf of Yahweh, (Rom. 2:16). They will be resurrected for their Judgement of works, for the good, and also for the bad they have done (1 Cor. 3:13-15). Some may have few or no reward remaining from their works. Others, the wicked, are burned up in the lake of fire (allegorically) at the end of that appointed time for 'age lasting' destruction (Rev. 21:8) this is for their punishment, and will result in purification and refinement, and until they acknowledge the King of Kings, (but it is not for their eternal destruction. Scripture does not teach 'eternal torment or destruction' where the wicked go to burn forever. This would violate Yahshua's victory over death. This idea was an evil invention by the Roman Catholic Church in order to get money from people so 'Catholic Priests' would paid to get their loved ones out of purgatory, or 'hell' for a price. Evil Spirits, Devils, and Spirits, who have rejected Yahweh as Elohim, receive 'age lasting torment' in the lake of fire. Since they are Spirits, they do not die and are not destroyed. (Rev. 20:10).
Those who do not have the knowledge of Yahshua or of Yahweh, or those who have died not knowing about the 'Gospel', or Salvation, are Judged as a 'law to themselves' (Rom. 2:14). Yahshua judges them 'at the day of Judgement' in accordance with the 'The Law of Nature' as they have been given (Rom. 2:8-15). There is no such thing as automatic destruction for those who die without the knowledge of Yahshua. Some may be given age-lasting life, according to their judgement, we do not know, but whatever their state, their judgement will be righteous. (Rom. 2:10-11; Deut. 11:17-19). Yahshua judges them for the knowledge that they had been given, for the good and the bad. Because of this there is no excuse. Yahweh will have mercy on whom He will.
There is also the complete reconciliation of 'all things'; there will come a time when Yahweh will restore all His Creation to Himself through Yahshua the Son. "because of Him, and through Him, and to Him" (Rom. 11:36). And again, "Because in Him were created all that are in the heavens and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or rulerships or principalities or authorities- all have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all, and in Him all hold together. Because in Him all the completeness was pleased to dwell, and through him to completely restore to favor all unto Himself, whether on earth or in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his stake." (Col. 1:16-20) And again, for a triple confirmation, "for us there is one Elohim, the Father, from whom all came and for whom we live, and one Master Yahshua, through whom all came, and through whom we live." (1 Cor. 8:6)
This is a summary of our understanding of what the Scripture teaches about Hell, and the resurrection of the Soul.
For aletheia, the Assembly of Yahweh, Cascade