Well, I'm sure that he rich man of Lazarus fame wished that the surface of the earth was figurative for Sheol/Hades. For then he wouldn't have been in torment in flame all this time.
The scriptures reveal that Sheol/Hades is down under the earth. Below is Strong's definition of Sheol/Hades and its characteristics:
Characteristics of:
• Is down under the earth - Gen.37:35, 42:38, 44:29, 44::31, Num.16:30, 16:33, Deut.32:22, 1 Sam.2:6, 2 kings 2:6, Job 11:7-8, 17:16, Ps.30:3, 86:13, Prov.9:18, 15:24, Isa.5:14, 14:9, 14:11, 14:15, Isa.38:18, Ezk.31:15-17, Ezk.32:21, Ezk.32:27, Mt.11:23, Lk.10:15,
• Has multiple levels - Deut.32:22, Job 11:7-8,
• Referred to as the pit - Job 17:13, Ps.30:3, Prov.1:12, Isa.14:15, Isa.38:18, Ezk.31:15-17
• Has Chambers - Prov.7:27
• Has Gates/Bars - Job 17:16, Isa.38:10, Mt.16:18
• A place of torment in fire – Lk.16:23-24
• Is a literal entity representing the same location – Rev.6:8, 20:14
Sheol (sheh-ole') The underworld (place to which the spirits of people descend at death) Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates -- grave, hell, pit.
Hades (hah'-dace) The unseen world:
hádēs (from 1 /A "not" and idein/eidō, "see") – properly, the "unseen place," referring to the (invisible) realm in which the unrighteous dead reside, i.e. the present dwelling place of all the departed (deceased); Hades.
The scriptures reveal that Sheol/Hades is down under the earth. Below is Strong's definition of Sheol/Hades and its characteristics:
Characteristics of:
• Is down under the earth - Gen.37:35, 42:38, 44:29, 44::31, Num.16:30, 16:33, Deut.32:22, 1 Sam.2:6, 2 kings 2:6, Job 11:7-8, 17:16, Ps.30:3, 86:13, Prov.9:18, 15:24, Isa.5:14, 14:9, 14:11, 14:15, Isa.38:18, Ezk.31:15-17, Ezk.32:21, Ezk.32:27, Mt.11:23, Lk.10:15,
• Has multiple levels - Deut.32:22, Job 11:7-8,
• Referred to as the pit - Job 17:13, Ps.30:3, Prov.1:12, Isa.14:15, Isa.38:18, Ezk.31:15-17
• Has Chambers - Prov.7:27
• Has Gates/Bars - Job 17:16, Isa.38:10, Mt.16:18
• A place of torment in fire – Lk.16:23-24
• Is a literal entity representing the same location – Rev.6:8, 20:14
Sheol (sheh-ole') The underworld (place to which the spirits of people descend at death) Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates -- grave, hell, pit.
Hades (hah'-dace) The unseen world:
hádēs (from 1 /A "not" and idein/eidō, "see") – properly, the "unseen place," referring to the (invisible) realm in which the unrighteous dead reside, i.e. the present dwelling place of all the departed (deceased); Hades.
Eccl 12v7 Then shall the dust return to the earth (meaning the body goes to the grave) and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it ( God does not reside in the underworld).