A) Is Hell for an age (Hebrew Olam, Greek aion, aionios) or eternity?
B) Biblically is Reincarnation possible?
"Young's Literal Translation" tells us Hell will last "age during". "Age during" means for an age. As I
read through several other English translations of the Bible I found several places where the English
text said something would last forever but in other places or in actuality that was not true. I also
thought, God has a purpose for everything He does. What would be His purpose for torturing anyone
forever? On the other hand, in my own life and the life of others I have seen limited loving discipline
bring about a change in attitude and behavior. Some people seem to need more loving discipline or punishment
than others. I wondered if there was something about the Greek and Hebrew words our English Bibles often
translate eternal, eternity, forever, etc., that we misunderstood.
Fortunately, I found www.tentmaker.org and discovered my suspicions were correct.
I found out the Hebrew word olam means age not eternal. The Greek word aion and aionius likewise mean
age not eternity and not forever. An age has a beginning and an ending. An age may be a short period
of time or it may be a very long period of time. I also found out up into the fifth century most early
Christians and most early church fathers did not believe the unrepentant and unbelieving wicked would
be punished forever. However, around the fifth century the people in power began to aggressively promote
the idea of an eternal hell or punishment in the lake of fire. Following the theology of the day the
King James Translators often wrongly translated olam and aion as eternal or some such word instead of
age or a similar word. If you look at different Greek Dictionaries you will find some disagreement on
the meaning or meanings of the Greek words aion and aionius. Some Greek Dictionaries think aion means
both age or eternal. Other Greek Dictionaries believe aion and aionius only refers to an age that has
a beginning and an ending. I am convinced by the evidence at www.tentmaker.org that the Hebrew word
olam and the Greek words aion and aionius refer to an age or eon which has a beginning and an end
and is thus a limited period of time. So how long will people be in Hell? We are not told how long
people will suffer in Hell. Some could be there for a few years while others might be there for thousands
of years. Some might have to stay in Hell a lot longer than others. It seems there are different degrees
of suffering in Hell. I believe the purpose of Hell is to induce people to repent and change their behavior
and attitudes.
Here are some specific articles, books, and videos, at www.tentmaker.org that may shed more light
and understanding on this topic.
1) www.tentmaker.org/articles/EternityExplained.html
2) www.tentmaker.org/books/PowerOfLifeAndDeathInAGreekFourLetterWord.html
3) www.tentmaker.org/articles/unique_proof_for_universalism.html
4) Answers questions about the narrow gate.
5) An analytical study of words showing one's time in hell may be long but not eternal.
6) A book on the Lake of Fire.
7) Answers which is correct, Ages or Eternity.
8) A tract titled Does "forevers AND everS" Make Sense to You?
9) Quick links to information on Hell and Univeral Salvation (the eventual salvation of all mankind.
10) Explains meaning of OT word Sheol and NT words Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus, and aion.
Here are two articles at www.near-death.com that are also very informative on the length
of hell.
1) Appendix A The Salvation Conspiracy: How Hell Became Eternal
2) Appendix B Where Have All The Universalists Gone
I believe "Hell" or the "lake of fire" is a real place. You can go to U-Tube and type in
"life after death," and hear the accounts of many different people who died and went to
either heaven or hell. The u-tube video "Three atheists's died and went to Hell" is pretty informative.
Many of the other video accounts by people who have experienced hell that also come up when one types
in that phrase are also very sobering.
Here are some verses the KJV translates the Hebrewe words owlam or olam as
something never ending when it is clearly only for an age.
"...his throne shall be established for evermore." 1st Chronicals 17:14 concerning
how long the throne of Solomon would last.
"...and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him
for ever." Exodus 21:6 Concerns how long a servant shall serve this master.
"But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the
child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD,
and there abide for ever." 1st Samuel 1:22. Samuel would abide in the Tabernacle
for an age not for ever.
"...for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout
their generations." Exodus 40:15. The Aaronic priesthood is not everlasting.
It is no longer in existance. That priesthood was changed. Jesus is now our
High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 7:11-12, 24-26.
Here are some verses the KJV translates the Greek words anioios or aion
as something never ending when it is clearly only for an age.
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner,
giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh,
are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
Jude 1:7. Sodom and Gomorrha are still not burning.
"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into
everlasting habitations." Luke 16:9. No houses on this earth are
everlasting.
B) Biblically is Reincarnation Possible?
I am one of the very few Christians who believe that some people perhaps even most people have lived before.
Very few Christians believe in reincarnation. Most people who believe in reincarnation are not Christian.
That is, they are not trusting in Jesus to save them from the bad consequences (bad karma) of their sins (bad
thoughts, acts, words). Christians believe Jesus took our sins (bad karma) and the punishment for our sins
(bad karma penalty) upon himself when he died on the cross in our place, as our substitute. When we accept
Jesus as our savior and master he takes our sins (bad karma) away from us and gives us his righteousness
(good karma). He also fills us with his Holy Spirit to help complete the change in us. By the way, this section on
reincarnation copyrighted 2010-2020 by Wayne Mckellips. Last updated 8/20/2020.
What Biblical evidence is there that reincarnation might be possible? The disciples asked Jesus, Who sinned,
this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? John 9:2. How could the blind man have sinned before he was
born unless it was in a previous life? Luke chapter 9 records where Jesus asked his disciples who were the
people saying he was. Matthew 16:13-14 records some thought Jesus might be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah,
or some other prophet. Apparently these people believed people who had died could come back again in a
different body. It is interesting that Jesus didn't affirm or deny this belief.
Some in the early church, like Origen, Clement, Justin Martyr, etc., believed in reincarnation.
Click here for more evidence that many early Jews and Christians believed in reincarnation.
Why would any Christian today believe that some people have lived before? I think it is probably the best
explanation for why some young children have astounding knowledge about the details of a deceased person s
life they say they used to be. "Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation" by Dr. Ian Stevenson is one book
that details 20 examples of this. On Youtube you can search for and hear about many testimonies of children
who described their past lifes in detail. Reincarnation - why? Certainly not to get it right. Only Jesus
ever lived a sinless life. One could live a thousand lives but they would always sin many times and in many
ways, falling short of God s perfection. As we trust in Jesus for our salvation from our sins and allow God
the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts God is able to change us producing in and through us the gifts of the
Holy Spirit. Namely love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.
Galatians 5:22-23. Again the question is asked, reincarnation - why? One can be taught about these fruits
of the Holy Spirit in class but one can only really learn them and incorporate them into oneself as they
are produced in real life. Love is the most important fruit of the Holy Spirit. 1st Corinthians chapter 13.
We need to learn to really love everyone, including God, ourselves, nice people and mean people. Matthew 22:
37-39. 1st John 4:20. Of course, forgiveness, kindness, patience, etc., are also important for us to learn.
I can teach you the meaning of patience but you will only incorporate it into your life if and as you chose
to wait patiently for something you earnestly desire. Yes, when our life in this body is over, we will die
and experience a judgment or life review. Hebrews 9:27. Our destiny or future will be determined by that
judgment. Will we go to be with God or will we go to a place of punishment called hell? I believe there
are many degrees of heaven and hell. The one who knows more and sins will receive more stripes or punishment
then the one with limited knowledge. Luke 12:48. It is our duty and privilege to share the gospel of Jesus,
his atoning death for our sins and his physical resurrection with all people on earth. John 3:16. 1st Peter
2:24. Romans 5:8. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins. 1st John 1:7,9. Hebrews 10:4,11-14. Only
Jesus can unite us with God the Father. John 14:6. 1st Timothy 2:5,6. After a person s judgment or life review
I think God gives some people, perhaps due to their circumstances, limited knowledge or time on earth,
the opportunity to live again in a physical body should they want to. I think some accept the offer and
others decline the offer. I don t think the offer is made to everyone. Learning to love God and all
others is the most important thing we can learn and do according to Jesus. Matthew 22:37-39 and 1st
Corinthians chapter 13. Everything else flows out of loving God and others. Romans 13:8-10 and Galatians
5:14. Several people who died and came back have reported that God asked them, "What did you learn?" or
"Did you learn how to love?" On the other side we seem to know all kinds of math, science, history, etc.,
but learning to love God and others is or should be our main goal here. By the way, I believe God in his
mercy, and love sends some people to hell that they might learn to repent of their wickedness. The Greek
words "aion" and "aionius" often translated eternal when attached to Hell actually means "Age During"
and is so translated in Robert Young's Literal translation of the Bible. How long is an age or how long
is one in Hell? It probably varies with the person. Hell is a terrible place and no sane person would
want to be in it for a second, let alone years. We read the Beast and false prophet will be in
the lake of fire for over a thousand years. Revelation 19:20-21:10.
If God wanted everyone to believe in reincarnation I believe everyone would remember any past lives they
had lived, also the Bible would be quite clear over and over again that reincarnation was a reality. So
why did I mention that I believe at least some people have lived before? Because I care about the salvation
of the people who remember their past life or lives. Also God is truthful and truth. So I must be truthful
in what I believe even though it may cause many good Christians to be against me. "Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you:
but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the
Spirit of our God." 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV
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