The Current Teaching Of The Watchtower Society:
The Society teaches that Hell is the grave, that man experiences ANNIHILATION [he ceases to exist] there. It is not a place of everlasting punishment. The New World Translation translates the word SHEOL as grave, pit and hell.
What the Bible Says about HELL And Related Terms:
1. Sheol:
| In the Old Testament it usually means place of the departed spirits | Psa 16:10 |
2. Hades:
| Usually means place of the departed spirits in NT | Act 2:27 |
3. Tartarus:
| The deepest abyss of Hades prepared for the Devil and his angels | Mat 25:41-46 |
4. Grave [QUEBER In Hebrew]:
| "he was buried in the grave of his father" | 2Sa 17:23 |
NOTES: SHEOL and HADES occasionally can be translated "grave" but not always. QUEBER always means "grave" where the body goes. Sheol, Iiades, and Queber are not used interchangeably.
5. Hell As Described In The Bible:
| Everlasting fire | Mat 25:41 |
| Eternal punishment | Mat 25:46 |
| Outer darkness | Mat 8:12 |
| Everlasting destruction | 2Th 1:9 |
| Lake of fire | Rev 19:20 |
6. The Purpose For Hell:
| For the devil and his angels | Mat 25:41 |
| For the wicked | Rev 21:8 |
| For the disobedient | Rev 2:8, 9 |
| For the fallen angels | 2Pe 2:4 |
| For the beast and the false prophets | Rev 19:20 |
| For the worshipers of the beast | Rev 14:9 |
| For the rejectors of the Gospel | Mat 13:41-42 |
7. The Nature Of The Punishment Experienced By The Residents Of Hell:
| Bodily | Mat 5:29, 30 |
| In the soul | Mat 10:28 |
| With degrees | Mat 23:14 |
| Unchangeable | Luk 16:22-31 |
8. Surprises For The Inhabitants Of Hell:
| They possess memory | Luk 16:23, 25 |
| They cry for release | Luk 16:24 |
| They cannot escape from God | Psa 139:8 |
NOTE: As Bible students examine the passages on the subject "Hell" they soon discover that the Lord Jesus had more to say about this subject than anyone.
Cite This Page:
Grieshaber, Erich, and Jean Grieshaber. "Hell," Redi-Answers on Jehovah's Witness Doctrine. Blue Letter Bible. 1 Jul 2002. 21 Nov 2009.
<http://blueletterbible.org/study/cults/rajwd/rajwd18.cfm>.
