What do you suggest as a response to the following?

I wrote this: When we die, we go to Hades, which is a realm above the evil-doers, and it consists of Paradise and Torment. Good, Christ-loving spirits are in Paradise; evil ones go to Torment.

He wrote this: When we die, we go to the Judgment Seat, unbelievers as well.

I wrote this: Heaven is yet another realm above Hades where God and Jesus are with the angels.

He responded with: Hades is hell, and heaven is heaven.

My question is, I thought Hades was where paradise and torment are. Also, I didn't think we'd immediately be before God upon death?

Sincerely,
Habeas Corpus

Dear Habeas Corpus,

The easiest way to prove that Hades is not the same as hell is to compare two verses concerning Jesus:

1. It was prophesied that Jesus would go to Hades, but not remain there (Acts 2:25-32)
2. Jesus said that after He died at the crucifixion, He would be in Paradise (Lk 23:43)

The only way to reconcile these two verses is if Paradise is a place in Hades.  The other thing to consider is that Hades (which means 'the unseen place' in Greek) is the Greek word for 'Sheol' (Sheol is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament).  In fact, when the Greeks translated the Old Testament into the Greek language (The Greek Old Testament is called the Septuagint, and even Jesus quoted from it), they used the word ‘Hades’ in place of the word ‘Sheol’.  The reason this is important is because it is VERY clear that ‘Sheol’ means ‘the place of the dead’.  Jacob said he would go to Sheol as he mourned the loss of his son (Gen. 37:35).  Jacob was a godly man, and it wouldn't make sense for him to say that he would go to hell in mourning.  ‘Sheol’ just means 'the place of the dead' - exactly like 'Hades'.

We will go to Paradise or torments directly at death, but there we, and even the angels, will wait for the great Day of Judgment (Jude 6).

Concerning your post "Should the Hip Hop Stop?" : is it scripturally wrong then to play hymns on musical instruments, such as Amazing Grace on bagpipes or violin without singing along? What about listening to Elvis' gospel album as a form of entertainment/personal enjoyment (I think he had a beautiful voice and like the songs)?

Sincerely, Graceland Groupie

Dear Graceland Groupie,

With or without vocal accompaniment, the rules are the same. Please make sure to read “Should the Hip Hop Stop?” for our full explanation of this subject. If instrumental religious music is performed as worship, it is wrong. If it is played simply for entertainment, it is perfectly permissible (as long as it follows the guidelines we outlined in the previous post). God asks for our worship to be acappella (Eph 5:19). Incidentally, the word ‘acappella’ means ‘as the church’ because the early church never used instruments in their worship. Instruments weren’t introduced into worship services until the sixth century. The church of the first century understood that when God asked for them to sing – that meant they shoul only sing. If we begin to add to God’s worship service, we are adding to God’s commands and teachings (Deu 12:32, Rev 22:18).

As far as the question about Elvis’ gospel album – the same rules would apply to him as any other religious musician. He may have been the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, but the “King of Kings” still has more authority (1 Tim 6:15).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

My son and his "girlfriend" are coming to our house for a four-day visit. They have been living together for eight years and are not married.  Neither one is living a godly life.  My question: how do we handle the sleeping arrangements? And what do we tell them? They are arriving in a couple of days, and we need to handle this matter gently in order to keep our relationship. They have not spent an overnight at our house and limit their visits, and I'm sure this is the reason.

Sincerely, Empty Nester

Dear Empty Nester,

You cannot aid them in a sinful relationship. Their eight-year relationship is sinful and tragic. It is understandable that you want to keep a working relationship with them, but you can’t keep that relationship by compromising your morals. If you wish to live a godly life, you can’t yoke yourself to ungodly behavior (2 Cor 6:14). If your son were involved with the sin of murder, would you harbor him from the law? Though more socially acceptable, what they are doing is just as sinful.

Your relationship with them is strained because you choose a path of morality that makes them uncomfortable (Jhn 3:20). You can remove the strain from the relationship simply by ceasing to care about godliness. Of course, that would remove the value of your influence in their lives. You are indeed the salt of their life that constantly reminds them of their responsibility to their Creator (Matt 5:13). Make your stand and speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). Regardless of what they choose, you can sleep with a clear conscience knowing that you obeyed God rather than men (Act 5:29).