Does anyone here believe that we are already in Sheol/Hades/Hell.
The way I see it is that we were already dead and in "Hell" when Jesus came to Sheol to save us.
ANY THOUGHTS?
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.