‘Hades Sheol, Hell Gehenna, Purgatory’
‘Highways to Hell and False Doctrine’ Part 4
Our in depth 5 part series of ‘What Happens When We Die.’
Note: ‘Please persevere with this article. Yes, the subject is gnarly but true, and must be understood’
By Stephen Bennett 2026 - January 25th…April
In all religions, there are various versions of what happens when we die. Many are confusing, or seem illogical on a spiritual level, others just a fantasy tale or story like a movie, or a lustful false promise based on a place for earthly sex with virgins in a spiritual world. Some are just man made religious doctrines that are simply not true, and have no sound biblical or theological basis. Christianity over the centuries with its many various Church versions, has also contributed to this confusion and mystique of what is on the ‘other side.’ However, on the ‘dark side’ of what really happens when we die, there’s Bible places like Hades Sheol, and Hell Gehenna the Lake of Fire, that are definitely true, and should make you shudder if you don’t believe in God, or understand them!
Highway to Hell
“I’m on a highway to HELL!” Sang lead singer Bon Scott, on the release of Australian band AC/DC’s most iconic anthem in July of 1979. Seven months later in Feb 1980 Scott was found dead of acute alcohol poisoning; it was his final record. On the album cover ‘Highway to Hell,’ the guitarist, Angus Young, wore a pair of devil horns and Scott was laughing at him. I wonder if he is laughing now? They probably didn’t realise it, but musically declaring that you are on that demonic black road to hell, and encouraging millions to get on that dark highway too, is spiritually, a most profound and stupid colossal mistake for the eternity of people’s souls. They band makes a fortune$ from the song over the years, and world fame is theirs… but it came at a great cost…
Hell… yes! It can’t freeze over, but it’s real! It’s not a place you party; there’s no venues, Dj’s, music, food or alcohol, or do whatever you want forever. The earthly body is gone, dead; back to dust. The spiritual body you will receive for judgement, you will have to wait years for, and is given over to contempt, wrath, and eternal damnation (Revelation 20:11-15). Hell is the final place of extreme everlasting fire. Torment of excruciating anguish for unrighteous unbelievers; continually parched with unquenchable thirst, full of anxious regret for all of eternity! What!? Yes, shocking…(you’ll wish there was a party!). Nobody in their right mind would travel on that highway, to that destination, it’s absolutely crazy…
In the fourth part of this series, we will explore the reality of what happens when you die, and are not going to heaven’s paradise…
Highway to Heaven
There is always the true version of the highway: here it is. “A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean (unbeliever) shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others (believers). Whoever walks the road (in faith), although a fool, shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there (no danger). But the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return (go to heaven), and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:8-10).
This is the real highway you want to sing and proclaim about here on earth. For you will be singing on it when you go to be with the Lord when you die. It is the sanctified road of the righteous in God and those who believe in Jesus in Christ and are saved. It is a protected ‘freeway,’ safe, full of everlasting eternal joy, with no sorrow. It’s not a highway that leads to fire, torment, anguish, and an eternity full of anxious regret; that’s the ‘Low Way’ of the devil’s song version and proclamation! The right choice is painfully obvious.
The truth is, Jesus Christ IS OUR HIGHWAY, He is THE WAY, and nobody can come to the True God, Creator Father, except through the Saviour Jesus. ‘Jesus said to him, “I AM THE WAY the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”’ (John 14:6). This is an incredible absolute statement of truth! The Highway to Hell is traveling in the completely wrong direction, where the toll cost of destruction is way too expensive. The WAY of Jesus is FREE, a ‘freeway,’ accelerated with no speed limits. It’s God’s gift to humanity through faith in Him, so we can be with Him forever. The journey is not easy, but when you truly commit, the eternal rewards are incomparable!
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction (Highway to Hell), and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is THE WAY which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
The Bible tells us that many travel on the costly Highway to Hell, it is a broad way on earth with many spiritual options, and the ultimately destructive pleasures of this world. This destination will completely rob, steal, kill and destroy your eternal life. It will leave you languishing in Hell’s fire without the God you could have had; if only you humbled your heart, mind, soul and spirit… If only…
The Straight Highway
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness (John the Baptist): “Prepare the WAY of the Lord; make straight in the desert a HIGHWAY for our God” (Isaiah 40:3).
Isaiah prophesied of Jesus’s cousin John, coming in the future when Jesus the Saviour is to be revealed. John was preaching to the lost souls in the local desert for a long time before Jesus was baptised there. The call was, and still is; get ready for the WAY of the Lord, He is coming…
The call: make your lives straight, if you are in a wilderness of your own existence without the Lord. Come to God and walk your life out on His HIGHWAY, the Higher Way of Living; a journey that leads to an everlasting eternal life of peace, joy, love, no pain, no suffering, no devil to deal with, who just kept on comin’ back in black…
It’s a life where sin is washed clean and white, removed forever, by your faith in the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. It frees you of emotional restraints, making a clear way forward for you, a direct straight path in the wilderness of your life, to be free and at liberty; to receive God’s presence, grace, and salvation. To grow and change into what you are meant to be!
The prisons of pride, your weakness and emptiness, can be surrendered to God, creating a smooth path for God’s arrival in your heart and life. His Way prepares people to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour. Spiritual oppression, and blinding deceptions can be broken, as you let God move into your life. Jesus has already made you Holy by His death and resurrection. He gives you a free gift; accept it!!
The truth is; God will create a way in your wild sandy desert to guide you through life’s trials to live victorious in His strength. It means dedicating your heart and life to God, to consecrate and set yourself apart. Letting your actions be lovingly guided by His will through the Holy Spirit, not our own will (see prayer right at the end of this article).
The Better Song
It could be, “I’m on a Highway to Holiness!” You don’t need the headlights to drive in a toxic sulphuric red darkness, dodging the hot flames in a drunken stupor, for it is God Himself through Jesus the Son that lights your way. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
As we ponder the black and white truth of these thoughts, let us continue to shed light on the actual real spiritual places that people go to when they die. Purgatory is our first port of call; truth or a false doctrine lie? Let’s see…
Purgatory
The 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church was published in 2005, created to bring essential understanding about this ancient religion into the current world. Where priests wear ‘dresses’ and are bound by all manner of man made false doctrines and ideas. In the Catholic doctrine book is an explanation of one very false deceptive idea of what happens when you die, namely Purgatory; historically depicted as a place of literal fire (sounds more like hell!). It is a Roman Catholic teaching of the spiritual state of those who die in ‘God’s Catholic friendship,’ assured of their eternal salvation, BUT apparently still having need of purification to enter into the happiness of heaven. (DONG…! The ‘not true bell!’ Here’s the truth for the lie; you can only be made pure in this present life through faith in Jesus, not in the after life. Why? You are well and truly dead).
It is considered in the doctrine, the necessary temporary cleansing needed to achieve the holiness required to enter the joy of heaven (again an impossible gross lie! Why would you need ‘necessary temporary cleansing’? That completely negates the finished work of the cross of Jesus, who totally and completely cleansed us and made us FULLY holy IN HIM through the sacrifice of his blood and life). This doctrine is next level ridiculous!
Communion of Saints
Catholics are told, because of the communion of saints, ie: the ‘fellowship of Christians living and have with the dead!’ That faithful believers are able to ‘help dead souls in a false place called purgatory!’ It comes from the Latin word purgare, meaning, to cleanse or purify. It is the concept and idea of cleansing dead souls before they are entering heaven, directly linked to the act of purging their sins.
How? The Catholic way is to recite prayers for them (the dead); especially through the eucharistic sacrifice, where Catholics take the bread and wine in a church Mass, believing the emblems have become the actual literal Body and Blood of Jesus Christ!
This is called, Transubstantiation, a false doctrine where people believe the priest actually has the real power to morph the red bottle of vintage and the factory manufactured wafer biscuits (that you could eat with cheese) into a religious ‘sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,’ as the real body and blood of Jesus! What!
It is simply a deception (another false doctrine), as the living and the dead cannot have fellowship! If anything they are demon familiar spirits. Praying for, or communicating with the dead is a false occult idea. (See in depth blog in this series part 2 ‘Occult Dangers’)! Doctrines of demons creeping in… It gets worse!
The Church Money Thing!
The doctrine also says; living believers can also ‘help the dead’ by giving alms to the church (money), also paying even further money for ‘indulgences’ (to reduce the amount of punishment the dead saints have to experience in the purging of purgatory, having their sins forgiven) No! This is serious doctrinal BS; Jesus did all that on the cross! He destroyed sin! There is nothing to punish or purge when dead! (You don’t have to ‘further suffer’ or be ‘punished’ in the afterlife as it’s impossible. If you believe these false doctrines in such an ancient ingrained organisation, you and they are literally denying who Christ truly is and what He did. As a believer you cannot possibly subscribe to these lies and the many others that are in this religious system, if you do then sorry… you are deceived).
Think: Again, paying even more money for ‘works of penance.’ Meaning; to repair the spiritual damage of the regrets of the dead, and or their repentance for sins and wrong doings while they are dead! (Again THEY ARE DEAD, and cannot sin or do wrong things, it’s over for them). The living can do fasting, praying or acts of service… as if it works! This is religious nonsense; demonic man made doctrines of deception! Made up lies to get your money, and buy a new dress for the priest! Oh haven’t we seen that a million times over…
This is all a supposed cleansing process to remove temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven (venial sins, or attachment to sin). This is ‘supposed to be painful’ but necessary for their joy! Blah… Apostle Paul warned: “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent (devil) deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Again: The Truth; Jesus washed ALL our sins away past present and future on the cross, and through our faith in Him alone… we are thoroughly cleansed whiter than snow. Sin was DESTROYED on the cross, He suffered for it, so you don’t have to, now or ever. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow’ (Isaiah 1:18).
Demon Doctrines
Just so we are clear; these are all ‘doctrines of demons.’ ‘Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times (these days) some will depart from the faith (perhaps to another ‘faith’), giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons’ (1 Timothy 4:1). This is a biblical warning to us, not to follow deceiving spirits and religious teachings taught by demons through men in religious dresses! And there are loads of these teachings!
Look, it’s Ok, and intelligent to question things! These POV’s, are often spread by hypocritical liars and involve sometimes extreme asceticism (severe self-discipline avoiding all forms of earthly human indulgence for religious reasons, a self righteousness in human strength, not the righteousness Jesus gives by faith). For example: the vows of celibacy forever, that breeds disfunction and sexual immorality as history has already shown us.
The idea of Purgatory is not a second chance at salvation, but rather in the Catholic POV, the final stage of salvation for those who have already accepted salvation, but ‘still require a final, loving transformation’ (oh…sounds so… vom..) to be fully united with God - while they are dead! &$#@*!
It’s biblically ridiculous! Don’t believe it! End of purge…!
Listen: Salvation is a free gift BY YOUR FAITH in Jesus Christ while you are alive. In His salvation you are healed, delivered, set free, with all your sins totally cleansed and washed away whiter than snow, and not only that, your earthly death has been overcome through Christ, and you have been given eternal life through your faith. You cannot ADD ANYTHING to that truth! Purgatory as a concept, is enticing for the religious minded, but is a totally demonic doctrine, no matter how you dress it up! Let’s get abreast of some real truth…
Abraham’s Bosom
There has always been a separation of believers and unbelievers after death. Jesus told a Parable story that had 2 real spiritual holding places; Abraham’s Bosom and Hades. In the story, there was a fixed measured gulf between the two and no one could pass from one to the other.
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (Yew!) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” News Headlines: Rich Man Freaks out in a Hot Tizzy. ‘Treated beggars like dirt, less than human, now suffering forever; his money now useless'
“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead’ (Luke 16:19-31). Lazarus could not go to the Rich man’s family because he is dead!
Abraham’s Bosom is a place of comfort, honour, and intimate rest for the righteous dead and those who die in faith in Christ, awaiting their final resurrection at the end of time. Often interpreted as the waiting place of Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise.
It is referenced and symbolised as being held in the embrace of Abraham Himself, the father of all the faithful to God (a concept the Jewish priests understood in the day), where deep intimacy, protection and honour are for those placed next to Abraham. It is finally a place of joy after death; often referred to as the same place as paradise or heaven. They are all one and the same.
In Jesus’ story, Lazarus the beggar was finally comforted in Abraham’s Bosom, with what the rich man didn’t do for him whilst alive. Rich dad poor dad, ended up in the fiery flames of Hades; the waiting place of torment for the final judgement, and there was nothing he could do about it. He had his chance while he was still alive, and blew it!
In the Jewish writings of Jesus day, they often expressed the righteous dead being received into Abraham’s embrace. Jesus used this parable and His own original saying, the Bosom of Abraham, against the religious priests who were extremely hard hearted toward Him. Jesus likened them to the rich man and where the priests would likely end up going; Hades and torment!
In truth Abraham was in the bosom of the Father (paradise, heaven), and Lazarus was taken there by angels (in the bosom of Abraham which as said, the priests would have understood). Just the same as the criminal next to Jesus who went to paradise for his simple moment of faith (Luke 23:43).
According to Jesus’ parable in Luke 16:19-31, the righteous have always gone to paradise and the wicked to hell. Right now, both Paradise Third Heaven Abraham’s Bosom, and Hades Sheol, are the two temporary holding places until Jesus Christ comes back to judge the world based on whether people have believed in Him or not.
The first end-time resurrection are believers who will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ in the 1000 year ‘marriage supper of the Lamb’ millennium. They receive rewards based on their love and service to the Lord. The second resurrection is the unbelievers at the end of the millennium, who stand before God in the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
If their names are not in the book of life, all will be sent to eternal damnation in Gehenna Hell, The Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). The righteous believers are resurrected to eternal life with God, and will be in a new heaven and earth living with God himself.
Sheol Hades
The Old Testament parallel or precursor to Hades is Sheol, meaning: the grave or the depths. Known as a dark, listless, miserable state, but not torment, or a conscious realm for both righteous and unrighteous souls. The Old Testament concept of that in-between place is often vague. The New Testament Hades is said to clarify for the place of Sheol.
Hades in the Bible:‘Hades,’ is Greek, meaning; intermediate, subterranean realm of the dead, a temporary holding place between physical death, resurrection, and the final judgment (Revelation 20:13–14). Again, it is the New Testament version of the Old Testament Hebrew term, Sheol.
The term ‘Hades’ comes from Greek mythology, god of the underworld, as well as the place of the dead, where all people go when they die. Jesus said to Apostle Peter, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
The four horsemen of the apocalypse in Revelation 6:1–8, in the fourth judgement seal; the fourth horse comes as a pair: “Behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades FOLLOWED with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.”
Death and Hades are depicted as ‘him,’ horse riders, but an apocalypse horse is not mentioned for rider Hades.
Jesus told the impenitent people of Capernaum, who had no feeling of shame or regret about their attitudes and actions, ‘will be brought DOWN to Hades’ (Matthew 11:23). And Jesus said in heaven, after His resurrection,“I have the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18). He won total victory and control over death and the temporary Hades. Prior to that the devil had it because of what he did in the Garden of Eden.
Other scriptures present Hades as a place or a state of being. Jesus’ story of Abraham’s Bosom said, Lazarus was with Abraham and the rich man is in Hades (not Hell, as that is Eternal Gehenna The Lake of Eternal Fire, Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus never called it a parable, but spoke truth of what He knew. For the rich man, Hades is a place of fire and torment. In the Lord’s story, it is interesting a great specific measured gulf was between them, and they could talk between Hades and Abraham’s Bosom / Heaven. But there is no communication for the dead in Hades or anywhere else on earth.
We see in Revelation 20:13–14, after Death and Hades give up their dead, those constructs are both thrown into the Lake of Fire, Gehenna, which is the eternal Hell. Jesus in his story gave us a glimpse into the afterlife. The spiritual world is not materially bound, but has its own kind of tormenting bondage, especially Hades, and it is clear from Revelation it is just a temporal place of the waiting dead, and it has a definitive end!
Down into the Pit Hades
“But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive INTO THE PIT, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord. Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly” (Numbers 16:30-33). The earth has a big mouth and can swallow you up and spit you out in Hades; The Pit!
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”- what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:4-9).
After Jesus’ death, he descended to Hades (Not Hell as that is Ghenna and is the Lake of Fire).“For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One (Jesus) to see corruption” (Acts 2:27). He went there after death on the cross to liberate the righteous souls and in some interpretations, move Paradise to heaven (the third heaven Paul went to). Hades as a place of torment, was then left for the unrighteous until now. ‘For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that HE MIGHT BRING US TO GOD, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison (Hades), who formerly were disobedient’ (1 Peter 3:18-20). Amazing!
Hades is in the lower parts of the earth, ‘down into the Pit,’ that swallowed up those who rejected the Lord (Numbers 16:30-33). Jesus’ story of Abraham’s Bosom (Luke 16:19–31), shows Hades has two separate places divided by a vast measured space that could not be crossed. Abraham’s Bosom aka Paradise: The place of peace, comfort, rest, for the believing righteous and those in Christ, Lazarus was carried there by angels (Luke 16:22). Hades: A place of torment, anguish and fire for the unrighteous (Luke 16:23–24).
Unlike Sheol ‘the grave,’ Hades is a place where souls can be conscious, feel pain, and with forms of communication. “Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you; all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. They all shall speak and say to you: “Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us?’ (Isaiah 14:9–10). This refers to Lucifer when he is brought down to Hell.
Hezekiah King of Judah; “I said,“In the prime of my life I shall go to the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the remainder of my years.” He made Sheol / Hades sound like a prison with gates, and bars, somewhere you could not escape from once you were there (Isaiah 38:10).
Job said a similar thing: “Will they go down to the gates of Sheol? Shall we have rest together in the dust?” (Job 17:16).
The ‘Highway to Hell’ travels past these dark ghoulish places, Sheol and Hades… and there are no fancy rest stops on the way for snacks and coffee! For the journey to the real Hell is Gehenna, The Lake of Fire; that is, the final stop on the black Highway! It is the final awaiting destination for unbelieving mankind and the fallen angels, in this dispensation of earth’s history, now over 6000 years!
Hell Gehenna, The Lake of Fire
Is the heavy bad place of the final eternal end. It is a greater and much larger spiritual construct, for Hades and much more of all history are cast into it. Like Gehenna, Hades has fire and torment but Gehenna is way worse, and not somewhere people with any modicum of intelligence would logically want to go or end up being there…
The place of final judgement, the second death, the eternal Lake of Fire, was originally prepared by God, for the fallen Archangel Lucifer (now the devil, satan), and his rebellion angels; not originally for humans, but as Jesus says, describing the time of white throne judgement, the rebellious un-believing humans will go there too as cursed ones; “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
The fire was created for satan and his demon, fallen angel followers. It happened way before the original garden of Eden where satan manifested as a serpent and deceived the newly created humans Adam and Eve. Satan was already at war with God back then to take God’s throne from Him, and the place of fire was prepared for the devil even before the human fall of sin. Even though the lake of Fire was prepared for angels, any people who have aligned themselves with the devil’s angelic rebellion over all history and rejected the true God of heaven will ultimately go into the fire with satan, along with the end-time beast anti-christ, the false prophet, and the millions of non-believers not found in the Book of Life at the time of the Great White throne judgement (Revelation 20:11-15). Phew! Heavy…
Understand: In Revelation, it seems the eternal Lake of Fire, is a fire created with brimstone, an old term meaning burning stone, describing the stench of the yellow chemical sulfur. It is a sharp, disgusting pungent smell, bitter, and very unpleasant. It comes with horrible chemical smoke, harsh and caustic, that bites with a sting. A ‘yellow fog, that burns your throat!’ Like when a chemical factory has a leak, or a big truck on the highway crashes and spills, and it stinks, like the smell of burning rubber! Like Hell!
The biblical phrase is the ‘fire and brimstone’ of hellish intense destruction, the torment of fiery punishment and total separation from God forever; the term is the second death, which is the final irreversible eternal state of being (Revelation 14:10, 20:10-15, 21:8). People thrown into the Lake of Fire are ‘tormented day and night forever and ever’ (Revelation 20:10). Imagine being alive in Hell, experiencing a conscious divine wrath of God forever; no relenting without a break whatsoever! Sounds… exhausting… It also seems not fair? Would a God of love do this? He is also the God of righteousness and justice, and He set in motion aeons ago, the consequences for freewill choice in not believing in God.
Bible Warnings
Yes! This is all true, you can’t say, ‘Oh the devil doesn’t exist, there is no hell, why would the God of love do that?’ You also can’t just cherry pick the good bits of the Bible either, that suit your lifestyle, success or religiosity; that’s even worse than being a total unbeliever! Be warned… Jesus spoke of it all!
‘And will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth’ (Matthew 13:42).
‘To go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched’ (Matthew 9:43). ‘Into the everlasting fire…’ (Matthew 25:41). Serious pain and anxiety!
“But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.” (Psalm 11:5-6). God’s wrath prophesied.
God’s Wrath
The eternal fiery lake is God’s final righteous wrath against satanic evil and human unbelief. Yes, He has wrath, lots of it! But it has a purpose for ultimate good. It is defined as intense, violent anger, rage, or fury, with a desire for vengeance or punishment. It is extreme indignant resentment.
This is how God feels with the unfathomable damage the fallen lucifer/satan profoundly caused to all of God’s creation, including Adam and Eve and the rest of future humanity. That is why He is so furious, and has righteous wrath that needs to be expressed in judgement! As we know, God’s righteous wrath is poured out against satan and what his rebellion has done since his fall in heaven losing his job music job. In the historic process, humans who align and side with evil, attract that same wrath and judgement on themselves and will share his final outcome. Not a good position to be in! Believers do not attract that wrath, as we are covered and protected through the shed blood of the Lord, and our faith in Christ.
‘Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast (satan incarnate within the anti-christ beast) and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb’ (Revelation 14:9-10). FYI: DON’T WORSHIP THE BEAST or TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST, so you can buy and sell! Or your will end up in Hell!
‘These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power’ (2 Thessalonians 1:9). It is total eternal exclusion from being with God…imagine! Terrible…
‘As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire’ (Jude 1:7). The result of city wide corporate sexual sin of all types!
The Valley of Hinnom - Gehenna
While the lake of fire is mainly mentioned in Revelation, it is linked to earlier teachings on Hell; the Valley of Hinnom, derived from Gey Hinnom or Valley of Hinnom; meaning Gehenna, Hell. It is a deep, narrow valley forming the natural western and southern boundaries of biblical old Jerusalem city; today, a peaceful green recreation area! But its history… gosh!
In Bible times it was a burning garbage dump for the city! It was also known in the Old Testament as Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, a shockingly notorious place for the worship of false gods, like Molech, where child sacrifice by fire was practiced, during the time of the kings of Judah Ahaz and Manasseh in the late 8th–7th century BC. It was called, The Valley of Slaughter!
Due to these sins and pagan horrors, Jeremiah prophesied God would turn it into a place of slaughter, where bodies were dumped because no room was left for burial (Jeremiah 19:6). The valley showed people that idolatry and child sacrifice brought God’s severe judgment. In Jesus time, the constant fire burning, city garbage dump, symbolised the ultimate disposal of wicked and evil people; literally a metaphor for Hell (Gehenna), the ultimate place to come, of destruction and judgment.
Jesus used this history of burning garbage and dead bodies in the valley, as a metaphor for hell, its unquenchable fire, and God’s judgment. He made clear the consequences of sin in this life and in the next after death, bringing divine punishment. Beyond the final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), the valley speaks a warning of the complete ruin and defilement sin brings, in turning away from the True God. It’s a dramatic example to the people of Jerusalem and Israel of the consequence of disobedience and the destructive things that are desirable in this life but ultimately sinful and evil.
Jesus warned that both soul and body could be destroyed in Hell. ‘And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him (God)who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna)’ (Matthew 10:28). ‘But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.’ (Matthew 5:22).
Yes, Jesus even warned that calling a brother a fool could put you in danger of hell! And even letting your eyes or hands causing sin in your life can also put you in danger of the fires of hell (Gehenna) (Matthew 5:29-30). Jesus said repeatedly it is a place of unquenchable fire! ‘To Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched’ (Mark 9:43,45,47). This is how adamant God’s righteous judgement is. He’s going to let it burn forever…
Jesus spoke hard-core uncompromising language to the Pharisee priests of the day, calling them ‘serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell (Gehenna)?’ (Matthew 23:33). Read the whole chapter what He thought of them and their hypocrisy. He’d get kicked out of church for speaking that way if it was now! Jesus said to His disciples to fear and reverence God above all else, for ‘He (God) has power to cast into hell’ (Luke 12:5).
Listen: This is all real! It makes the Highway to Hell look like the most dumbest choice ever!
Life and Judgement are Through the Son Jesus Christ
Jesus’ absolute affirmation. When He says ‘Most assuredly’ He REALLY MEANS IT so listen! Let this speak…
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I (Jesus) can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.’ (John 5:24:30) Profound verses!
Summing Up
Important: Hades is not the final eternal place you go as an unbeliever when you die; it’s an in-between place of waiting.Why? Hades and Death will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (the final, permanent Hell), after the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:14).
Hell is Gehenna, the Lake of Fire. The ‘hell’ of Hades is temporary, and Gehenna is the eternal Hell. Hades (Sheol), is the intermediate state. No one is in the final hell right now. The lost unsaved unbelieving dead are in Hades, as in the story of Abraham’s Bosom (Luke 16:23). Gehenna Hell Lake of Fire, is the final, eternal permanent place of punishment for the unbeliever (no looking back or second chance), the wicked, satan, the fallen angels, antichrist, false prophet (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:15).
This is the destination, where the ‘Highway to Hell’ will take you in your pimped up car of an unbelieving sinful life… seriously, why go there when it’s so easy not to go there. Turn your heart, mind, body and soul to Jesus Christ. The Highway of His Holiness is by far the wiser road to travel!
The Great Southland of the Holy Spirit
The Australian hard rock band AC/DC (‘Acca Dacca’), is from a country known in history as The Great Southland of the Holy Spirit. This country was named that, 182 years before it was founded on January 26, 1788, by Captain Arthur Phillip. He commanded the First Fleet, and established the first British penal colony at Sydney Cove. Australia was born; a derivative of the country name, Austria, and Terra Australis.
The Great Southland of the Holy Spirit, originated from a Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernandes de Queirós in a May 1606 expedition. Queirós sailed from Peru intending to find Terra Australis. He discovered a large island in Vanuatu believing it to be part of the great southern continent. He named the land in Spanish Austrialia del Espiritu Santo, which translates,’The Austrian Land of the Holy Spirit, or the Southern Land of the Holy Spirit.’ He never made it to the Australian continent, but honoured the House of Austria (the ruling Hapsburg family in Spain at the time) and also the Holy Spirit. Our country later became just Australia.
Christian believers use this historical naming, to describe the belief of a great end-time spiritual destiny of Australia and the surrounding Pacific Islands, to this world. We have seen that in many ways in the past decades, where Australian believers have touched and changed the world, especially through music, in the gift of Christian worship and the bold prophetic declaration statements of God in music. The song ‘Highway to Hell’ somehow tapped into this national gift, but on the wrong side of the road!
What is Your Highway?
AC/DC in their Aussie pub rock and roll lifestyle, unknowingly hijacked a truth about spiritual highways and destinies, and proclaimed and declared in a song chorus, stating the highway they were riding on, and going to the destination of, is HELL! They obviously were not aware, or sadly didn’t know… what eternal hell is actually like…
Think: Millions of people all over the world have been singing this proclamation anthem for over four decades. It’s apparently the most popular song to send off dad’s at funerals! I do wonder about the millions and… how many of them will end up there in the eternal flames of extreme torment and pain… oh the power of music… and doesn’t the devil know it!
It would be important to ask yourself right now… what Highway are you cruising on? Better still, in this day and age, cruisin’ is not such a good idea…
We live in a time where you actually need to know where you are truly going in your eternal future… don’t leave it to chance. Apply intelligent intentional understanding. Why? “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because YOU have rejected knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6)
This is an absolute choice YOU MAKE, not a flippant one, cruisin’ on the Highway, with one hand on the steering wheel and a leather booted foot hoisted up on the dash board trying to impress someone…!
I implore and compel you… figure out the song you need to sing, and get yer boots off the dash!
Written by Stephen Bennett January 25 - March - April 2026
Founder / Author / Musician / Creative
ETW Music Collective
Cover Photo by pexels-michael-noel-3068524-4820990.jpg
Please read Stephen’s book Prophet Musician - As I have Called You. Chapter 7 for a ‘movie’ journey style and study of what True Worship is all about (See ETW Store).
Final Thoughts for today…
None of us have been in the end of the end-times before, with all the invasion of technology we experience on every level of life.
We read about the end-times in the Bible, but now we are actually here, our journey is to understand and learn to navigate it all, know where we need to be with Jesus, to be True Worshippers in a darkening world.
We must be ready as TRUE worshippers, to be true sons and daughters of God, ‘led by the Spirit’ (Romans 8:14). One day soon we may not be able to play the games of church religious protocols as we have known. How will we stand?
Global societal shifts and changes are accelerating at exponential rates in this world. We all need understanding how to navigate the chaotic and pressured times now and ahead of us as worshipping believers of Jesus Christ.
Despite everything; be intelligent, wise, critical thinkers, and continue living out your faith on earth while we can, because it will all end one day. Yes, we all die, but humans were deigned to be eternal; and we can with Jesus Christ. May you now emerge and find truth!
If you’re in struggle street of any kind, God has a family / church / company of people / tribe / a place where you’ll fit; ask God and he will show you.
(Feedback, questions, please email… info@endtimewriters.com or DM @etwcollective instagram / Stephen Bennett FBook).
It’s a New Era of History
In 2021, I wrote a prophetic blog stating; ‘we have now transitioned in this time of immense change, into a New Era of History, both in the world at large, and in the Church.’
Things have never been the same since the plan-demic, and will not be ever again. These are the last of the last days…
‘ANew Awakening’ has emerged in the world now, and the TRUTH of the gospel is being preached everywhere like never before. Jesus is exposing falsity in religion and the Body of Christ. Now, March 2026, everything is moving forward rapidly. Not just in spiritual awareness, but millions of people are well informed and awakened to the lies, deceptions and agendas of this world, and false religion parades the streets, that were, and still are being enforced upon humanity, as wars increase in the Middle East and we inch closer to the end. (read the blog at the following link)
(https://www.endtimewriters.com/blog/a-new-era-of-history-begins)
Book to Read
Please read Stephen’s book Revelation - The Terrible and the Good. Be clear for yourself about the days we live. (Written in a creative, movie style, in the first person of Apostle John) (See ETW Store).
Resourceful Details
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers”1 Peter 4:7.
Jesus said; ‘For the things concerning Me have an end’ (Luke 22:37b).
‘He (Jesus) who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”’Rev 22:20.
A few songs from the ETWMC
Our epic cinematic song from the ETW Music Collective
‘RAIN’
Click the Sound Cloud link below – it’s free.
We pray it stirs and excites your spirit!
‘Play loud, headset or speakers!’ Sound Cloud - (click RAIN icon and play!)
Now click this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qggEoRnDLQ
for the song Ariel By Stephen Bennett blog author
Now click this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DrwH0L-oEg
for the song Future Dreams By Stephen Bennett blog author
Now click this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnoetmLcz6U
for the song In the Fire By Stephen Bennett blog author
Now click this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxtB4jKGZ5w
for the new music video version of ‘Hear the Sound’ by Stephen Bennett, blog author).
Author Books
The Arts Series
(Buy on our Australian website or from our publisher in the USA at the links below in USD)
Author Stephen Bennett - Prophet Musician - As I have Called You
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prophet-Musician
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Divine-Artist
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Poetry-Packages.
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prepare-and-Arise
@etwcollective - Instagram. Or @endtimewriters
ETW Music Collective TV – youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0fL_f6LRQz4mroRwN8PRQ
awesomecitytv - youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@AwesomeCityTV
E: info@endtimewriters.com
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PRAYER OF FAITH: The Call to give your life to Jesus Christ!
No matter where you are in your Christian walk, Jesus is with you; in your triumphs and trials, to the end! If you have never known God; know this;
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world (ages)” Amen’Matthew 28:20. ‘
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’Matthew 24:13-14.
Pray this prayer from your heart and your spirit will come alive to God, for with him there is hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
“My Father in heaven, I give you my life, I repent of all my sin, recreate me brand new. I give you my heart. Fill me Lord Jesus Christ with Your Holy Spirit. I believe You died for me on the cross, and by Your shed blood, you washed away my sins once and for all. Raise me from my deadness of my life to live a new life, just like you Jesus, when you were raised from the dead; I believe you did that. Make my spirit reborn, and let me come alive too, filled with Your Holy Spirit.”
“I believe I belong to you Lord. Help me to know you well, teach me Your ways, that I become all that I am meant to be. Help me to love and find love. I thank you Lord that you will always be with me, Amen.”
If you have genuinely prayed this prayer to Jesus Christ, in your seeking of God, or you’re coming back to Him, DM Instagram or FB or email info@endtimewriters.com. Talk to other Christians you may know, and seek to find a solid believing Church where you can grow.
(Click-link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHZiIah2glY for the song 23by Stephen Bennett, blog author. From Psalm 23 to minister peace and hope to you… ‘The Lord is my shepherd / I shall not want).
Best and Blessings – ETW / ETWMC Team
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