Christadelphians believe: Many people believe that heaven and hell are places where human “souls” go after death. In our previous article titled “What Do Christadelphians Believe About the Soul?”, we explained that Christadelphians believe the Bible does not support the idea of the soul separating from the body, but rather views death as the end of life for both body and soul, unless there is hope of resurrection.
Given that there is no need for a place to collect “immortal souls,” what does the Bible say about heaven and hell?
The Hebrew word for heaven is “shamayim.” This word, created by God, often refers in the Bible to the sky, where birds fly, clouds form, and the sun, moon, and stars are located. It is also used to refer to the dwelling place of God and belongs exclusively to Him, even though it is said that the heavens cannot contain Him.
Obviously, although humans have explored the heavens with spacecraft and telescopes, no one can precisely identify God’s dwelling place, as He is spirit and is present everywhere. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalms 139:7-10)
In the Gospel of Matthew, there are many references to the “kingdom of heaven.” This is equivalent to the “kingdom of God,” a term used throughout the rest of the New Testament. Christadelphians believe this refers to God’s rule on earth, as Daniel says: “And in the days of these kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” (Daniel 2:44) And Jesus tells us to pray for this: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
In older translations of the Bible (such as the King James Version), the Hebrew word “Sheol” in the Old Testament is often translated as “hell,” but just as often as “the grave.” This word simply refers to the place of the dead. Newer translations of the Bible, like the NIV, consistently translate it as “the grave,” or like the ESV, render it as “Sheol.”
What do Christadelphians believe about heaven and hell?
Many believe that the concept of hell as a place of torment is taught in the New Testament. The Greek word “gehenna” is translated as hell and is often associated with fire. Interestingly, this word originally has a Hebrew root and refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a place in Israel’s history where horrific child sacrifices by fire were made to idols (Jeremiah 7:31).
It is important to note that fire in many parts of the Bible is used as a symbol of judgment, not endless torture. Fire completely consumes what is being judged. For example, Ezekiel 22:31 says: “Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God.”
Additionally, another Greek word, “Hades,” is used, which in older translations of the Bible is also rendered as hell. This word is similar to the Hebrew “Sheol” and actually refers to the place of the dead, not a place of eternal torment.
Read more: What are the Christadelphians belief about the kingdom and power of God?
Christadelphians believe the grave is a place of sleep and unconsciousness, and this is true for all humans. We eagerly await the resurrection of the body, as the Bible says in Daniel 12:2: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” The kingdom of heaven is the renewed earth, and eternal life is a gift given to those who have chosen God’s ways. When the earth truly becomes the kingdom of God, death and the grave will no longer exist.
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-26)
