Of the seven possible states of the soul, two belong to the realm of the dead —called “Hades” in the New Testament and “Sheol” in the Old. All souls go to Hades after physical death, but all souls are not in the same state. There are in fact two Hadean states, each quite opposite of the other. One is a state of doom. The other is a state of safety.

State of Hadean Doom

Lke 16:26 Jhn 5:28-29

An unchangeable state in world of the dead

TWO TRANSITIONS OR JOURNEYS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS STATE

• from Spiritual Death via Physical Death to Hadean Doom
• from Hadean Doom to Eternal Death via Judgment Day

State of Hadean Safety

Lke 23:43, Lke 16:19-31, Rev 14:13

An unchangeable state in world of the dead

THREE TRANSITIONS OR JOURNEYS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS STATE

• from Innocence via Physical Death to Hadean Safety
• from Spiritual Life via Physical death to Hadean Safety
• from Hadean Safety to Eternal Life via Judgment Day

STUDY POINTS

1. In Hades, many await the day of Judgment without any hope of heaven because they do not know Christ. This is the doomed state of all unbelieving and disobedient who have died physically (1Th 4:13, Lke 16:26, Jhn 5:28-29).

2. In Hades, many await Judgment day in the assurance that they have been counted righteous and worthy of heaven in Christ. This is the blessed state of those who have died in the Lord whether innocent or forgiven (Rev 14:13, Lke 23:43, Lke 16:19-31).

ALL SEVEN STATES... Innocence | Spiritual death | Spiritual life | Hadean doom | Hadean safety | Eternal death | Eternal life | DIAGRAM