RSS Feed

Tag Archives: Hades

The Power of Death

The origin of Hades dates back to ancient Greece. Hades is the god of the dead and ruler of the underworld. However, one New Testament book applies a spiritual element to the myth of Hades. According to the author of Hebrews, the power of death is held by the Devil. Behind the scenes in the supernatural realm, the ruler of the air, Ephesus 2:2, is searching for his next victim, 1 Peter 5:8.

I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [b]overflows). 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep, John 10:9-11.

Using the analogy of a shepherd protecting his sheep from wolves, Jesus reveals the schemes of the Devil. Jesus suggests that there is a door to avoid the power of death from consuming you with fear. Yet, if you begin to listen to foreign voices like Eve in the Garden of Eden, a spiritual thief will enter your life through an open door, Ephesians 4:26-27. The power of death results in anxieties, insecurities and worries.

Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—15 And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives, Hebrews 2:14-15.

Whenever any individual gives the Devil a foothold, the power of death intensifies. Jesus explains this as a three step process where the Devil seeks to steal your dreams, kill any glimpse of hope before lives are destroyed. The author of Hebrews compares the power of death to a spiritual bondage that sucks the joy out of your life. Until you experience the deliverance of Jesus, Romans 10:9-11, the power of death will remain a reckless force that consumes troubled souls. The next time the power of death arrives at your door, cry out to Jesus in prayer before complete destruction arrives.

by Jay Mankus

Advertisement

Going Through Hell

From time to time, I will receive heart breaking news. A car accident ends the life of a teenager, cancer takes another victim or an unforeseen illness takes away a loved one before you have a chance to say goodbye. Anyone who experiences these trials might compare their pain to “going through hell” on earth. Yet, is this an accurate comparison based upon the description of hell in the Bible?

For if we go on deliberately and willingly sinning after once acquiring the knowledge of the Truth, there is no longer any sacrifice left to atone for [our] sins [no further offering to which to look forward], Hebrews 10:26.

The word hell is used 54 times in the original King James Bible. If you dig deeper, there are 4 distinct words in the Bible used to describe aspects of hell: Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, and Tartaroo. Sheol has two different meanings depending on the context, the grave or pit. Hades refers to the physical location of hell, the abode of the spirits of the dead or the underworld. The final two terms focus on the eternal consequences of hell.

[There is nothing left for us then] but a kind of awful and fearful prospect and expectation of divine judgment and the fury of burning wrath and indignation which will consume those who put themselves in opposition [to God], Hebrews 10:27.

Gehenna is a small valley in Jerusalem where some of the kings of Judah in the Old Testament sacrificed their children by fire. A first century doctor uses Gehenna in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus to describe hell as a place of burning, torment, and misery. Meanwhile, Tartaroo refers to the deepest abyss in hell where the wicked suffer eternal punishment for their wicked deeds committed on earth. Upon further review, may the anguish that you suffer on earth draw you into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-11, so that you current pain is only temporary and not eternal.

by Jay Mankus

%d bloggers like this: