Some people say the grave and hell are the same place. They make this mistake because two different Hebrew words have been translated “grave” in the Old Testament. Both words mean pit. But a study of how the words are used shows that they refer to two different kinds of pits.

The first word, ““Qeber”,” refers to a pit that is a grave, burying place, or sepulcher. The second word, “Sheol,” refers to a pit that is the underworld, subterranean world, or the world of the dead. Notice that “Qeber” and Sheol both mean “pit,” but keep in mind that they refer to different kinds of pits. The body of a lost person might be put in a “Qeber” (a pit called the grave). But the lost person’s soul and spirit will go to a “Sheol” (a pit called hell). There is a big difference.

ABODE OF THE BODY

A study of how the Hebrew word “Qeber” (pit, grave, burying place or sepulcher) is used in the Old Testament shows that:

1. People dug pits called “Qebers” (graves).

2. People touched pits called “Qebers” (graves).

3. People buried people in pits called “Qebers” (graves).

4. People put pits called “Qebers” (graves) on the face of the earth.

5. People don’t know things in pits called “Qebers” (graves).

ABODE OF THE LOST PERSON’S SOUL AND SPIRIT

A study of how the Hebrew word “Sheol” (pit, underworld, subterranean world, or world of the dead) is used in the Old Testament shows that:

1. People never dug a pit called “Sheol” (hell or the underworld).

2. People never touched a pit called “Sheol” (hell or the underworld).

3. People never buried anyone in a pit called “Sheol” (hell or the underworld).

4. People never put a pit called “Sheol” (hell or the underworld) on the face of the earth.

5. People know things in a pit called “Sheol” (hell or the subterranean world).

It is easy to see the difference between “Qebers” (graves or a pit for the body) and “Sheol” (hell or a pit for the lost person’s soul and spirit). But the Old Testament translators were inconsistent. They properly translated the Hebrew word “Sheol” to mean hell about half the time. But they improperly translated it to mean grave the other half of the time. When they improperly translated the word “Sheol” (hell) to mean grave they created a conflict with the Hebrew word “Qeber” (grave). Their improper translation has led to the false teaching that the pit called ”hell” and the pit called “grave” are the same place.

So if someone tells you the grave and hell are the same place, just remember that the confusion is caused by a translation problem.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:42-47).

Recently, a good friend asked me if the first Christians were Communists. He said, “The way they lived seems like Communism to me.”

If we only consider the fact that the first Christians had all things in common, we might think that true Christianity is like Communism. But that is not the case. And we would have to define the meaning of true Christianity.

Notice that the early Church continued stedfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship. Communism doesn’t follow the Apostles’ doctrine. The Apostles’ doctrine says Jesus was the Virgin Born Son of God, He died on a cross for the sins of the world, He is the only way to be saved, He is coming back to rule the world, and things like that. Communism doesn’t declare these things.

Notice that the early Church continued stedfastly in the breaking of bread and in prayers. Communism doesn’t do that. Many Communists are atheists and prayer is never part of their lifestyle or something that continue in stedfastly.

Notice that the early Church praised God and had favour with all the people.

Communism has a history of rejecting God and persecuting Christians and Jews.

Concerning the early Church and Christians having all things in common, it was something they chose to do. Communism forces its will on people. The early Christians said, “Everything I have belongs to God.” But Communism says, “Everything you have belongs to the government.” The early Christians believed in giving. But Communism believes in taking. The Christian doctrine of giving is tithes and offerings not everything we have taken away from us.

I understand why my good friend asked the question, but there is a big difference between Christianity and Communism.

Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck