Biblical & Theological Studies
Heaven and Hell
Biblical Teaching in Its Ancient Jewish Context
Death, Judgment, and the World to Come
Scripture's teaching about Heaven and Hell unfolds across the biblical story. The Old Testament speaks of Sheol, death, resurrection, judgment, and the hope of restoration. During the Second Temple period, Jewish reflection on these themes became increasingly developed, providing an important historical setting for the language encountered in the teaching of Jesus and the New Testament.
This study follows that development while keeping Scripture primary—examining what the biblical text teaches about death, the intermediate state, resurrection, final judgment, eternal life, and the ultimate destiny of those who belong to Christ.
Questions This Study Explores
- 01
What happens after death, and how does Scripture describe the intermediate state?
- 02
How did Jewish understanding of resurrection, judgment, and the world to come develop during the Second Temple period?
- 03
What did Jesus mean when He spoke about Hades, Gehenna, Paradise, resurrection, and eternal life?
- 04
Is the believer's ultimate hope simply "going to Heaven," or does Scripture point toward resurrection and the new heavens and new earth?
The World of the Study
The biblical vocabulary surrounding death and the afterlife developed within a long historical and theological story. The Old Testament frequently speaks of Sheol, while later prophetic texts increasingly emphasize resurrection, judgment, and restoration. By the Second Temple period, Jewish writings contain considerably more developed descriptions of the fate of the righteous and wicked, resurrection, divine judgment, and the age to come.
That historical background helps illuminate the New Testament without being allowed to control it. Extra-biblical Jewish literature provides evidence of the ideas circulating around the time of Jesus, but Scripture remains the authority by which those ideas must be evaluated.
The New Testament ultimately directs attention beyond the intermediate state to something greater: resurrection. Christian Hope culminates not in an eternal disembodied existence but in bodily resurrection, final judgment, the defeat of Death, and life with God in the new creation.
Key Biblical Texts
- Daniel 12:1–3
- Matthew 10:28
- Matthew 25:31–46
- John 11:23–26
- Luke 16:19–31
- Luke 23:39–43
- 2 Corinthians 5:1–10
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
- John 5:28–29
- 1 Corinthians 15:20–28
- Revelation 20:11–15
- Revelation 21:1–5
Teaching Resource
Heaven and Hell
A Three-Part Discipleship Study
Designed for adult Bible study and discipleship settings, this three-session resource examines the biblical teaching concerning death, Heaven, Hell, resurrection, judgment, and the world to come. It also considers relevant Jewish and Second Temple literature to illuminate the historical setting in which Jesus and the New Testament spoke about these subjects.
Download the Study→