Understanding Hell and Its Terminology

The concept of hell is complex, as it encompasses various meanings in biblical texts, each represented by different Greek terms. In Revelation 20, the term 'hell' refers to Hades, which signifies a temporary place of the dead, distinct from the permanent judgment location known as Gehenna or the Lake of Fire. These distinctions indicate that the biblical narrative does not treat hell solely as a place of eternal punishment, but rather as a temporary state for souls awaiting judgment, as illustrated by the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Therefore, the essence of hell includes a waiting period for both the righteous and the unrighteous until the final judgment occurs.