Gehenna

[Tim B]

Does anybody have any really good articles on what was thought of Gehenna in Jesus' day? My friend was trying to suggest that Gehenna was metaphorical for Hell. I've heard it was simply thought to be a sort of "sign" for a terrible judgement, but I've also heard that certain Jews believed that after death certain people were tormented through purification in Gehenna for up to 12-months (although some Jews thought certain people were tormented for eternity rather than, assumably, purified). (I gathered this from bible-truths.com in which Ray made some comments on some Jewish beliefs.)

However, considering that Gehenna nor Sheol were thought of as an eternal place of torment in the OT, it seems reasonable that any Jews that thought of Gehenna as a place which existed after death must have been of pagan origin.

Any good articles or points on Gehenna would be appreciated! Thanks guys!

[Beloved Servant]

1. Kindgdom Bible Studies Savior of the World Series Part 6

How precise the type! Gehenna was the city dump of ... burned and consumed. The antitypical Gehenna to which our Lord alluded ... righteousness" (Mal. 3:1-3). Gehenna stands as a type of
www.kingdombiblestudies.org/savior/SOW6.htm




2. Kindgdom Bible Studies Looking for His Appearing Part 30

And note, too, the poor fellow is not cast into hellfire, hades, sheol, gehenna, the pit, or eternal damnation. "Outer darkness," is the word. Some may ask, What is the outer
www.kingdombiblestudies.org/Looking/Looking30.htm




3. Kindgdom Bible Studies Revelation Series

Gehenna comprising the lower, the region of the damned with its flames and torments; the upper being Paradise, the intermediate place of bliss and rest into which, at the time of
www.kingdombiblestudies.org/Revelation/rev36.htm

[Tim B]

Alright (looking at the 3rd link), so if the Jews, at least in the time of Jesus, believed Gehenna to be a place of torments, what in the world did Jesus mean by using the term??? It obviously sounds like the Jews borrowed lame pagan myths, but what did Jesus mean then? He couldn't have meant the same thing they did, less he teach eternal torments, which the idea of, more and more in my mind, is shaping itself into mere craziness.

[Beloved Servant]

Hi Tim,
just gave you some links.
You can always write to Preston.
He's very nice.

[sven]

as far as I know:

Gehenna does not appear in the apocrypha of the Septuagint (Sirach, Wisdom, Maccabees etc.), but in Joshua 18:16 as Greek transcription gaienna (gaienna) of Hebrew gehenom (or something like that), the valley of Hinnom as we all know.

it does neither appear in the 1. book of Enoch (though sometimes claimed, only "accursed valley there"), nor at Flavius Josephus and Philo as far as I know - which is remarkable, possibly they were unaware of this term, both were contemporary with Christ.

it seems to appear in the apocryphal 4th book of Esdras, but this book seems to be of later date, this book might teach, or at least imply eventual annihilation (didn't examined it) but rather everlasting torment, it's no book nice to read, worse than the book of Enoch.

it is said to appear in the apocryphal apocalypse of Baruch, I've never read this book and do not know which date it has, also about this book is said, that it implies final annihilation

it is also said to appear in the Sybilline oracles, this book teaches, that those in Gehenna will be restored after the righteous prayed for them.

the Talmud and other Jewish sources might be of later date, there are many opinions in the Talmud.

it seems Clemens of Alexandria, Origen and Justin the Martyr, had been the first christians writers who used the term, the first two were universalists, Justin believed in annihilation.

I also wondered about this subject, the scholars seem to vary in their opinions, I've never read of any Jewish source which is undisputable dated prior to Christ, in which Gehenna appears as place that fit to modern hell.


http://www.tentmaker.org/books/mercyandjudgment/mercy_and_judgment_ch8.html

contains some historical facts as well:

http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/books/immortality_resurrection/6.htm


I wonder if the term "Gehenna" is found in the Qumran writings

[Tim B]

I was thinking about something. Even if the Jews thought that Gehenna was in some way or another a place of ET, which is NOWHERE taught in the OT, then why should it be assumed that Jesus meant ET in the New Testament? I don't think it follows logically. Especially when we consider that the idea of ET seems to be borrowed from pagans, Jesus spoke of "age-lasting correction" rather than ET, and said to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees (which seemed to, at least in some instances, teach ET).

Thanks for all the info everybody, btw!

[WhiteWings]

Hi Tim,

IMO ETs do not reject the teachings of Jesus.
They are just misled by "fire" and "everlasting" translations.
So the really think Jesus said 'tormented forever"

But how that big error crept in? Bad translation skills? A way to get the Gospel more quickly accepted by pagans? Political reasons?
I have my idea's but the problem is that evidence fades during history.
So we can only know for sure why the current generation of ETs believe what they believe. I think they are wrong. But not on purpose.

[chuckt]

out of all the geographical places in the bible why is gehenna translated ""hell""  :mshock:

The jews new exactly what Yeshua ment when he talked about the judgment of gehenna.

it goes back to what the fathers did in that valley, sacrificing the children in fire to Molech.

dispicable, yet churchanity says God is just to do far worse, its the delusion.

chuckt

[rosered]

out of all the geographical places in the bible why is gehenna translated ""hell""  :mshock:

The jews new exactly what Yeshua ment when he talked about the judgment of gehenna.

it goes back to what the fathers did in that valley, sacrificing the children in fire to Molech.

dispicable, yet churchanity says God is just to do far worse, its the delusion.

chuckt

Hi Chuck ,  :icon_flower:   I agree ,

  Gehenna  judgment ,  the castaway Paul speaks of maybe ?

  adokimos  96 greek   castaway/
1) not standing the test, not approved

a) properly used of metals and coins

2) that which does not prove itself such as it ought

a) unfit for, unproved, spurious, reprobate


   I love these verses  here , to me  having  Life in the Spirit and alive to God , means have a purpose  ,  and  us  being natural parents , knowing that role  of being a good parent  does not come easy and without sacrifices of self to boot !
  same servitude in Christ  Jesus we are to represent and demonstrate this same power /authority in Jesus Christ   within  ourselves , being made ready   by the the Lords  own Hand  and prepared  for this , to me it is being a willing vessel   cleaned out and  ready ,fit for the masters use ........ to fulfil that righteouesness in the Law of great grace and sure mercy towards sinners , as we once were or should i say personally  still being emptied out  :mblush:
  wel what Paul says here helps me alot  , knowing God judges me justly and perfectly  and deservingly .....     mercifully  even ,  shows me how much  love the Lord really has towards us , I fail the Lord never does  ,  and I can sure thank and  praise Him for this much  :HeartThrob:
What is my reward then? [Verily] that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 


1Cr 9:19 For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 


1Cr 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 


1Cr 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 


1Cr 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some. 

1Cr 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with [you]. 


1Cr 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 


1Cr 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 

1Cr 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 


1Cr 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

   the Lord sure does prune the extra junk off the tree  , making the root stronger and  bears good   filling fruit

  make the tree good and the fruit good  or make it corrupt  :mshock:  this verse always makes me wonder how much responsibility we do have to take on ourselves  with the Lord Spirit and help of course

and why   Paul showed such Godly fear / wisdom , knowing  that he could still be   a castaway , even after preaching this gospel/good news to others and  he would  be judged still unfit  by his labouring in love and example in this lifes work ?
hummmmmmmmm  :mshock:

Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit. 

[legoman]

I was thinking about something. Even if the Jews thought that Gehenna was in some way or another a place of ET, which is NOWHERE taught in the OT, then why should it be assumed that Jesus meant ET in the New Testament? I don't think it follows logically. Especially when we consider that the idea of ET seems to be borrowed from pagans, Jesus spoke of "age-lasting correction" rather than ET, and said to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees (which seemed to, at least in some instances, teach ET).

Thanks for all the info everybody, btw!

Hi Tim,

Some (ETers) would say that Gehenna had in fact come to mean a place of eternal torment.  This probably happened by the intertestamental period (the period between the OT and the NT).  You can check different history books/articles and see it may indeed be a possibility.  Essentially, Gehenna was slang for eternal hell.  But Gehenna also had the meaning of the physical location where things were burned up.

You are correct - nothing in the bible verifies that "Gehenna" has the meaning of this slang term.  In most cases it would have the meaning of a place of judgment, a place of torment, a place where children were burned (to Molech) etc - all references to the physical place as a symbol.

The "eternal" part of gehenna is only added in from outside biblical sources.

[legoman]

Hi Tim,

IMO ETs do not reject the teachings of Jesus.
They are just misled by "fire" and "everlasting" translations.
So the really think Jesus said 'tormented forever"

But how that big error crept in? Bad translation skills? A way to get the Gospel more quickly accepted by pagans? Political reasons?
I have my idea's but the problem is that evidence fades during history.
So we can only know for sure why the current generation of ETs believe what they believe. I think they are wrong. But not on purpose.

Hi WW,

Most ETers don't know about the mistranslations, so when confronted with a verse that says "eternal damnation", its pretty hard to disbelieve hell.

The problems start when you show them that "eternal" doesn't really mean "eternal".  Either they cling to their traditions, or God opens their eyes.

How the error crept in?  Political control.  The dark ages.  Put fear in the population so they don't overrun the elite (the church and royalty at that time).  Its all the same stuff that still happens today (just in a different way - economic crisis, global warming, terrorists, blah blah blah), so certain people can maintain their status and power.

Legoman

[chuckt]

I was thinking about something. Even if the Jews thought that Gehenna was in some way or another a place of ET, which is NOWHERE taught in the OT, then why should it be assumed that Jesus meant ET in the New Testament? I don't think it follows logically. Especially when we consider that the idea of ET seems to be borrowed from pagans, Jesus spoke of "age-lasting correction" rather than ET, and said to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees (which seemed to, at least in some instances, teach ET).

Thanks for all the info everybody, btw!

Hi Tim,

Some (ETers) would say that Gehenna had in fact come to mean a place of eternal torment.  This probably happened by the intertestamental period (the period between the OT and the NT).  You can check different history books/articles and see it may indeed be a possibility.  Essentially, Gehenna was slang for eternal hell.  But Gehenna also had the meaning of the physical location where things were burned up.

You are correct - nothing in the bible verifies that "Gehenna" has the meaning of this slang term.  In most cases it would have the meaning of a place of judgment, a place of torment, a place where children were burned (to Molech) etc - all references to the physical place as a symbol.

The "eternal" part of gehenna is only added in from outside biblical sources.

this is a good place to show them  how they mix scripture.

they use hades as the place of torment with the richman, there is no reason to mix gehenna and hades to prove ""hell""

using these verses you can prove not only is the richman and laz a parable, but also that Jesus didnt go to paradise THAT DAY.


chuckt

[sven]

Some (ETers) would say that Gehenna had in fact come to mean a place of eternal torment.  This probably happened by the intertestamental period (the period between the OT and the NT).  You can check different history books/articles and see it may indeed be a possibility.  Essentially, Gehenna was slang for eternal hell.  But Gehenna also had the meaning of the physical location where things were burned up.

are there any sources which writings?

1 Enoch, 1-4th Maccabees and the apocrypha found in the LXX don't have gehenna as far as I know, other writings might be of later date, Flavius Josephus and Philo of Alexandria didn't use that term either as far as I know.

many Jewish sources say gehenna lasts 12 months only, but they might me of later date as well.

[legoman]

A way to get the Gospel more quickly accepted by pagans? Political reasons?

Read this article, that Tim was pointed to in another thread:

http://www.tentmaker.org/books/EarlyChristianView.html

In it they talk about a "Doctrine of Reserve".  Essentially the more "advanced truths" (ie. universal salvation), were only reserved for those believers who were mature in the faith.  I guess they couldn't trust new believers to not sin if they knew everyone would be saved anyway.

Its kind of astonishing.  So the church leaders found it acceptable to hide the real truth, for the purpose of converting people to Christ.  But eventually the "Docrtine of Reserve" was forgotten, and more sinister men took control of the political/religious system, and found FEAR is a good control mechanism.

There must be more articles on this "Doctrine of Reserve" somewhere.

[legoman]

Some (ETers) would say that Gehenna had in fact come to mean a place of eternal torment.  This probably happened by the intertestamental period (the period between the OT and the NT).  You can check different history books/articles and see it may indeed be a possibility.  Essentially, Gehenna was slang for eternal hell.  But Gehenna also had the meaning of the physical location where things were burned up.

are there any sources which writings?

1 Enoch, 1-4th Maccabees and the apocrypha found in the LXX don't have gehenna as far as I know, other writings might be of later date, Flavius Josephus and Philo of Alexandria didn't use that term either as far as I know.

many Jewish sources say gehenna lasts 12 months only, but they might me of later date as well.

I'm not too sure Sven.  This is what ETers have told me though (I realize that is not a very trusted source).  But I think some documents here on tentmaker might cover this?  Anyone know?

[WhiteWings]

A way to get the Gospel more quickly accepted by pagans? Political reasons?

Its kind of astonishing.  So the church leaders found it acceptable to hide the real truth, for the purpose of converting people to Christ.  But eventually the "Docrtine of Reserve" was forgotten, and more sinister men took control of the political/religious system, and found FEAR is a good control mechanism.

Can't say I'm suprised by it.
I've read an article that gives an other reason why paganism slipped in. Perhaps (a little related) to the doctrine or reserve.
The aim was to convert as many as quickly as possible to Christianity. People get converted more easily when the differences are not to big. Or if they find overlaps in the old and new religion.  For example the Bible speaks about fire. Pagan religions speak about fire too. Purposely the churchleaders didn't explain the difference. They just withheld a bit of truth.

[sven]

as I said the scholars seem to disagree about Gehenna, please correct me, if me I'm wrong, but as far as I know

Gehenna is not found:

in the LXX*
the writings of Josephus and Philo, both contemporary to Christ
1 Enoch (though accursed valley there, Chapter 27 I think)

Gehenna is found in:

4 Ezra (sometimes called 2nd Ezra/Esdras) (might have a later date)
the Targumim (might have a later date, and Gehenna there probably a place of annihilation)
the Talmud (most probably of later date, Rabbi Akiva says Gehenna is 12 months at least for Jewish sinners)
the Sybilline oracles (teaches universalism, maybe later date)
apocryphal apocalypses of Baruch (I know nothing about this books)
the later books of Enoch (but of later date)
maybe an apocryphal apocalypse/gospel of Peter (is said to teach universalism in some versions)

the writings of
Clemens of Alexandria (an universalist)
Origen (an universalist)
Justin the Martyr (said to have been an annihilationist)


I'm very interested, if it was known among the Qumran sect, any sources?

* Gaienna appears in Joshua 18:16 in the Septuagint, meaning the literal valley of Hinnom there

[Tim B]

I was thinking about something. Even if the Jews thought that Gehenna was in some way or another a place of ET, which is NOWHERE taught in the OT, then why should it be assumed that Jesus meant ET in the New Testament? I don't think it follows logically. Especially when we consider that the idea of ET seems to be borrowed from pagans, Jesus spoke of "age-lasting correction" rather than ET, and said to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees (which seemed to, at least in some instances, teach ET).

Thanks for all the info everybody, btw!

Hi Tim,

Some (ETers) would say that Gehenna had in fact come to mean a place of eternal torment.  This probably happened by the intertestamental period (the period between the OT and the NT).  You can check different history books/articles and see it may indeed be a possibility.  Essentially, Gehenna was slang for eternal hell.  But Gehenna also had the meaning of the physical location where things were burned up.

You are correct - nothing in the bible verifies that "Gehenna" has the meaning of this slang term.  In most cases it would have the meaning of a place of judgment, a place of torment, a place where children were burned (to Molech) etc - all references to the physical place as a symbol.

The "eternal" part of gehenna is only added in from outside biblical sources.

So it's possible, and perhaps, quite reasonable, based on Jesus words to "beware of the teachings of the Pharisees," to assume that when Jesus spoke of Gehenna he simply meant the dump outside of Jerusalem (even if it was meant metaphorically as a judgement, but not eternal torment)? Would it also be reasonable to assume that Jesus could have used the word Gehenna without confusing the Jews into assuming he meant eternal torment? I mean, I suppose it doesn't necessarily matter what the Jews thought Jesus meant, as most of the time they (or at least the Pharisees) seemed quite confused by his teachings anyway, but I feel it is important for me to come to a solid conclusion on just what Jesus meant. Otherwise it becomes a bit more difficult to defend the idea that Jesus did not support ET. (I'm not convinced by any means that he did, but when speaking to others, it seems important to be able to convey the fact that Jesus could speak of Gehenna without reflecting thoughts of ET.)

[WhiteWings]

Mark 9:44 and 9:46 is missing in several translations. Verse number differ too.
IIRC it's not in the original sources.
"The Bible in basic English" is such a translation.
Only in verse 48 we see "the worm"
But also read the next two verses....

Mark 9:48-50
48 Where their worm is ever living and the fire is not put out. 
49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 
50 Salt is good; but if the taste goes from it, how will you make it salt again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.

Everyone includes the saints. (49)
And it seems even to be good. (50)

Personal note:
"not put out" means noone can/will stop the fire. But fire without fuel stops automaticly.

[WhiteWings]

Not

3756 ouv ou {oo} also (before a vowel) ouvk ouk {ook} and (before an aspirate) ouvc ouch {ookh}
Meaning:  1) no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer
Origin:  a primary word, the absolute negative [cf 3361] adverb;; particle
Usage:  AV - not 1214, no 136, cannot + 1410 55, misc 48; 1453
Misc:  Wigram's frequency count is 1535 not 1453.

Could we read it as:
Mark 9:48  Where their worm dieth not?, and the fire is not? quenched.

It's a reference to Isaiah 66:24. I have yet to figure out if it was referenced with a reason.

[sven]

when Jesus spoke in Aramaic/Hebrew, He didn't say Gehenna, but valley of Hinnom (in Aramaic), now when a Jew heard valley of Hinnom - came a place of everlasting torment in his mind? - I can hardly imagine that; btw. is it possible, that Jesus always threatened the Jerusalamite Jews with Gehenna? Josephus wrote about the belief of the Pharisees, but Gehenna is not found in his writings, as far as I know.

"Origen, one of the few Fathers who studied Hebrew for the express purpose of interpreting Scripture, tells us that he had found by inquiry what the Jews really meant by Gehenna; and that Celsus and others (like most men now) talked of it with no knowledge of its real significance. Besides its primary meaning of the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, it had come, he said, to acquire the secondary meaning of a purificatory punishment. There he stops short with a mysterious remark that "he does not think it wise to dwell any further on his discoveries." It is impossible to doubt that he had discovered that normally the Jews did not apply the word to an endless but to a terminable punishment – terminable partly by deliverance from it, partly by extinction of sentient life. It was in accordance with Origen's avowed use of "oeconomy" in treating of the subject, that in a popular book he should have kept his discovery in the background. Then, as now, there were men who regarded popular misconceptions as too useful to correct." *

*Orig. c. Cels. vi. 25.

http://www.tentmaker.org/books/mercyandjudgment/mercy_and_judgment_ch13.html

the question is, when did that happen, that Gehenna became the name of hell or purgatory? - I've never saw any quotation from a writing prior to the New Testament that supports this view.

48 Where their worm is ever living and the fire is not put out.

literally it would be maybe: where their worm does not come to an end (in the sense of not perish or something like that) and their fire is not quenched.

however even unquenchable fire burns only as long as it has food and also worms that not perish do not life everlastingly.

[Tim B]

Sven,

Wow, that's some nice information! Thank you for providing it! Both parts, about Gehenna being referenced as the valley of Hinnom, as opposed to simply Gehenna, and also on Origen: I found that particularly significant! A purification process in Gehenna? Is it not, perhaps, ironic that nowadays it's taught that Gehenna is just the opposite, that is, it's Hell - a place of eternal, inescapable torment.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: The state of the tongue, is that which has worms in it. It is what will eventually speak us into walking in the outer court realm PERMANENTLY (as in not a firstfruits of this dispensation, but raised up later), where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, seeing what we could have had, if only we had not loved our own lives/ways more than His, ie. if you are lukewarm I will spit you out of My mouth.

The tongue is an unruly member and no man can tame it. We eat of the fruit of our own lips; we are judged by our own wickedness. Out of the abundance (harvest term) of the heart, the mouth speaks. This is how it works.

Evil spirit = a breath. It speaks as a thought to us, which is why the first article of our armor is the HELMET of salvation. If we take that thought/breath it "FALLS" from our "heaven/mind", ie. turns into a seed in our flesh/heart/soul. This is why we are told to take every THOUGHT into captivity of the mind of Christ.

Our soul is as a woman's womb; it will reproduce whatever seed is planted in it. If we continue to water that seed (give it life for expression) it will grow, and produce fruit in our lives, eventually. This is why hate is as the sin of murder; hate is the seed, but murder is the fruit. That which is not visible and inward, becomes visible and an outward manifestation/murder.

When the Lord said He beheld Satan (as a collective of evil, that which is in opposition to the mind of Christ) fall from heaven as lightning; He was saying Satan appeared in our heavens (minds) as revelation appears ie. like lightning, but as carnal knowledge (= our ways), and "he" fell to the earth/our wombs, as seed, as we accepted his thoughts.

Seed time and harvest is an unbreakable principle of the Kingdom, whether or not someone is aware of it or not, does not matter; sowing and reaping continue. The good news is, as we seek His face/nature with our whole heart, it is counted as entering into His rest, though we may not "live" there yet, in full experience. And in the 7th year (day) no field was to be planted, ie. it RESTED.

What that means is, in the 7th day (day is like a THOUSAND YEARS), there was a "crop failure", ordained by God. So as we press in to receive more and more of our true Sabbath which is Christ, that seed that was planted by the enemy, will also have a "crop failure" ordained by God, until those that are seeking His face, will say; the prince of this world (prince of the powers of the AIR/breath) cometh, but he hath nothing in me.

And the last enemy to be overcome is DEATH = glorified body that had a "crop failure", where the tares are concerned. Sin, when it hath conceived, bringeth forth death. But sin, is destined to have a "crop failure", as the mind of Christ, our REST/Sabbath, claims what is His, and shall appear suddenly in His temple, whose temple we are. That which is not visible/Christ in us the hope of glory, becomes visible, ie. the glory manifested outwardly = a HARVEST.

This principle is why the serpent has grown to be a dragon by the end of times/days, ie. he was fed by the imaginations of men's minds/hearts, which God said only devises wickedness continually. How much of the fire of God (Gehenna) do we need to burn up that which we have had planted by agreement/covenant with the enemy of our souls? :mshock: Blessings....

[Doug]

I suggest, that when Jesus referred to Gehenna, his comments were not based on Jewish popular beliefs and traditions, but rather, those statements of Jesus need to be considered in the context of the long and detailed history of Gehenna recorded in the Old Testament, and on what the prophets had written.

Jerusalem, in the New Testament, is the type of the church, the holy city, which Jesus called "the city of the Great King." The church the heavenly Jerusalem and the bride of Christ. Gehenna was the garbage dump of the earthly city. Thus in the statements of Jesus that refer to Gehenna, it was typical of the status of the things and the individuals who are rejected as unfit for the kingdom. Thus it has its significance for the church, rather than for the world.

For more details see:

http://vinyl2.sentex.ca/~tcc/OP/About_Gehenna.html

Doug

[Tim B]

I suggest, that when Jesus referred to Gehenna, his comments were not based on Jewish popular beliefs and traditions, but rather, those statements of Jesus need to be considered in the context of the long and detailed history of Gehenna recorded in the Old Testament, and on what the prophets had written.

Jerusalem, in the New Testament, is the type of the church, the holy city, which Jesus called "the city of the Great King." The church the heavenly Jerusalem and the bride of Christ. Gehenna was the garbage dump of the earthly city. Thus in the statements of Jesus that refer to Gehenna, it was typical of the status of the things and the individuals who are rejected as unfit for the kingdom. Thus it has its significance for the church, rather than for the world.

For more details see:

http://vinyl2.sentex.ca/~tcc/OP/About_Gehenna.html

Doug

Thanks for the article Doug, I found it very informative and uplifting. The more I read about Gehenna the more obvious it appears that Jesus in no way meant ET.