Geenna

The other word translated "hell” is geenna. This word occurs 12 times was а in the New Testament and is used by four authors-Matthew, Mark, Luke and James. Geenna occurs seven times in Matthew (5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33), three times in Mark (9:43,45,47), once in Luke (12:5), and once in James (3:6). 

Six of the 12 references to geenna mention fire as one of its characteristics. Eleven of the 12 references are in the Gospels and are the recorded words of the Lord Jesus Christ. But where did the word geenna come from? 

Southeast of Jerusalem valley known as the “valley of the son of Hinnom” (Josh. 15:8). It was also referred to as “Gehenna,” from the Hebrew word ge-hinnom, which means "valley of Hinnom." During Old Testament times children were offered to Moloch in this valley (II Chron. 33:1-6; Jer. 7:31). Later, after such heathen practices were stopped, the Jews used the valley to dispose of their rubbish, as well as the bodies of dead animals and unburied criminals. To consume all of this, a fire known as the “Gehenna of fire" burned continuously. To be in the "gehenna of fire” would be the most excruciating torment that the human mind could imagine; thus, Christ used this known place with its gnawing worms and burning fires to teach truths about the unknown place the final abode of those who reject Him as Saviour. 

Another key passage on geenna is Mark 9:42-48: "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell [geenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell [geenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell [geenna] fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” 

Christ emphasized that it would be better to lose the most precious things in this life and avoid hell than it would be to retain all that this life holds dear and be "cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (v. 48). 

Geenna is also referred to as the lake of fire: "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). This passage (vv. 11-15) tells about the Great White Throne Judgment: “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell [hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

In these verses we see that "death" (where the material part of man has gone) and hades (where the immaterial part of man has gone) will give up the dead that are in them. The resurrected unbelievers will then stand before the Great White Throne to be judged according to their works. This judgment will not be for salvation, because that will already have been decided. Because these have rejected Christ they will stand before the Great White Throne. Apparently this judgment will determine the degree of punishment for the unbelievers' never-ending state of existence. After the judgment, the unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the place Christ had referred to as geenna.