Doesn't it seem peculiar...?

Question

Doesn't it seem peculiar that before christianity, and the new testament, ... that is, in Judaism and the old testament, there is no mention of an eternal hell?

the 2 things in the old testament that are commonly translated as "hell" or equivalents, are "Gahenna" and "Sheol" neither of which are eternal, blatant punishments(none of this pit of fire stuff)
Sheol is literally "the grave" as in, ... the hole in the ground in which your corpse is placed after you are dead.
and Gahenna has a very limited "maximum sentence".

I've heard some christians say that jews rejected their messiah because they expected a physical salvation or whatever. ... well yeah, what else would it be? we already had spiritual/eternal/soul salvation, from god personally!

I am curious how many christians have actually looked into things from a logical, neutral stance, and considered the possibility that the reason the jews didn't accept jesus as the messiah, is because he did not fulfill the role.

edit, yes, in fact, I have considered that. and it still doesn't make sense to me.

something as important as that would have been mentioned previously. the difference between the old testament/Jewish-believed system, and the new testament/christian system, is a MASSIVE shift in the most fundamental things of the entire afterlife.

the whole human sacrifice, blood payment thing, and atoning for others simply does not hold up as a concept existing in the OT. the animal sacrifices were symbolic. the death/blood/sacrifice itself didn't DO anything. it was the intent and honest repentance that it stood for.

just like the idea of a christian beliving in jesus, to try to get out of his sins, then going on and doing more sins... if they don't MEAN it, the "payment" means nothing.

the difference is that in Judaism's system, there was already "grace" all you already had to do was honestly repent your sins, and god forgave you. no sacrifice needed.

>>"The Gospel of Matthew shows that Messiah,whom the prophets predicted in the Old Testament,has been fulfilled in Jesus ! "<<

if this were so, then it wouldn't need to be shown in that manner, because it would be self evident.

mistranslations, and quoting from non-OT sources, and misunderstanding of the original text, does not prove a thing.

Answer 1

I agree with you 99%, but Jews do not acknowledge that allot of the fire and brimstone stuff was prevalent in Jewish pop culture at the time of Jesus, even though it did not make it as part of the official branch of Judaism. Remember that a great deal of time passed between the year 0 and the end of the history recorded in the Hebrew Bible. Some of that stuff was bascially considered common knowledge of the day, just like kthe world was flat, under the earth was a fiery pit, probably had to do with volcanoes.

Answer 2

Psalm 55:15 Let death seize them,Let them go down alive into hell,For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.

Rev,20:10 The devil, who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet ARE. And they shall be tormented day and night forever.

Rev, 21;8 But,the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers,sexual immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Isaiah 7;14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,And shall call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN,Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be called Wonderful,Counselor,Mighty God,Everlasting Father,Prince Of Peace.......................
Isaiah11,32,,40,66,-42;1-4, Is. 49;1-6, 50;4-9, 52;13 Isaiah 53
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly,O daughter of Zion! , O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation,Lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt,the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 12;10 and I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced.

The Gospel of Matthew shows that Messiah,whom the prophets predicted in the Old Testament,has been fulfilled in Jesus !

Answer 3

My belief in God,Jesus and the work of the Holy spirit, has little to do with logic, it is a case of faith. I embrace it because I have been in the world and tasted what it had to offer and found it bitter. When one believes it is not a matter of the head knowledge, it is a heart matter. It is like being a new father. Why do you love that child? It can't do anything for you? It demands and needs attention. Does it make any sense that you love it anyway, logic would tell you that it is demanding and selfish and cares about itself. Still your heart (not your head) loves that child anyway and that is how God loves us.

Answer 4

The Jewish people do not believe in a hell, actually it is possible that the old testiment believed that hell was earth. It is where the "devil" roamed that tempted adam and eve. If "satan's" place is in hell, how did he come to earth?

Jews do not accept Jesus as their massiah because he did not do anything for them which would consider him good enough for the Torah. The whole thing is just stories which make people feel better about themselves and the people around them. Not necessarily true.

Answer 5

Have you ever thought that is because Jesus was not here during that time and when He came down He told of these things.