Mankind has been killing one another since Cain murdered Abel. The grief that causes the victim’s family and friends is horrible. However, the murderer will also experience grief. His guilty conscience will plague him for the rest of his life. So, where does he go at death?
A murderer, as well as everybody who dies, goes into hell. The hell described in the Bible is the condition of death. Death is the opposite of life and No part of us continues to live. Our only hope for life is through the resurrection. So, what is death?
Death is a state of unconsciousness. When Lazarus died, Jesus told his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” (John 11:11) The Old Testament gives the same testimony. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV)
The word “grave” is the Hebrew word “sheol.” Sadly, the Bible translators have tried to hide the meaning of sheol. In the Bible, whenever a good man died, the translators wrote that he went into the grave (sheol). But whenever a bad man died, they translated sheol as hell. So, it seemed as though good and bad people had different destinies. However, the Hebrew proves that everyone went to sheol. Our hope for our release from death is in the promised resurrection.
Some believe we have an immortal soul. Again, the Bible does not teach that. In Ezekiel 18:20, we learn, “The soul who sins shall die.” Since we are all sinners, we will all surely die. What exactly is the soul? The soul is the body plus the breath of life. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) Adam didn’t receive a soul; he became a soul! So, when life departs from the body, the soul is dead.
In Christ’s kingdom, all will be resurrected. Then murderers will need to repent, give a deep, heartfelt apology to the victim, completely change their ways, and learn to love righteousness. At the end of Christ’s 1,000 year reign, any who do not embrace God’s law of love will die the second death. They will cease to exist - forever.
See also the question: “Did Cain go to hell?” You can find it in the category - “Hell, Death/Grave.” The question and a detailed answer is there.
Related Questions
August 23rd 2014 | 46841 views What does this mean: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; but their works follow with them?" Revelation 14:13. How can the dead continue their works when there is no consciousness, wisdom or knowledge in the grave? Ecclesiastes 9:10
July 30th 2014 | 39818 views Is there any difference between death and annihilation?
July 30th 2014 | 39519 views After death, are we trapped in the grave till Jesus returns and are then resurrected?
April 16th 2016 | 41194 views If the good and bad will go to the same place, then what is the comeuppance of evil doers? In Isaiah 14:15, God also told the devil: "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." Please explain this. (Nigeria)
March 16th 2020 | 103974 views I have a friend that believes that God uses the devil to kill Christians when it's their time to come to heaven. I told her no, God doesn't need to use the devil. Please clarify this for me and give me scriptures to prove it to her. Thank you!
December 05th 2018 | 39670 views Is last minute repentance at death acceptable to God?
January 16th 2019 | 42602 views I have just lost a dear little girl who never was baptized. I am about mad with grief and sorrow. Some people tell me that she is lost to all eternity and may possibly now be writhing in eternal torture. I have called in our minister and he only shakes his head in doubt. I have also talked with ministers of other denominations and can get no consolation.
July 30th 2014 | 39338 views