Also overlapping the physical realms are three levels of Hades. Again, the veils separating them from the physical realms are pretty thin, and easy for beings of spirit to step through (still following the rules, which neither angels nor demons can violate). “First Hades” is what I call the “Welcoming Park,” separated from the physical realms by the Curtain of Death. That’s where the recently deceased soul first meets Jesus face to face. I call that the “Bema Seat Judgment” (2 Cor 5:10. Rom 14:10), where each soul for the first time is permitted to evaluate the entire course of his life without any ignorance or deception clouding his view. At that, he or she is given a “final” choice, now in full knowledge and enlightenment, to either follow Jesus up the narrow path, or flee from Him down the broad path.

Both paths lead to “Second Hades,” the abode of the dead, though to different places in Hades. As I said, this is a many-splendored realm, and Second Hades has plenty of splendors. There is that narrow path, which is a hard path, along which all the “wood, hay, and stubble” of our worthless deeds are burned up in the pangs of conscience. That leads to Paradise, where Jesus promised the thief on the cross that He would feast with Him that very day. And beside Paradise, I am convinced there must be a “Nursery,” where those who died in infancy or ignorance can be taught about Jesus. For no one gets to the Father except through faith in Jesus!

The other path, that broad and easy path downward, leads to darker realms. Satan is right there cajoling, tempting all who choose his ways ever downward. For those who become violent (as the antediluvian world), there is Tartarus, what I call “the Dungeon.” And for those who fall for Satan’s lies and commit themselves to follow him, there is Gehenna, the place of torment, which I call “Third Hades.”

Again, there are rules. No one gets into the Highest Heaven without invitation from God and without some means of cleansing his or her sin. No one gets into Third Hades without Satan’s invitation / temptation, for he is lord there. Angels and demons may freely traverse the other five realms, where they can encourage / enlist / exhort / entice humans to follow them. But above all is Rule Number One: neither angels nor demons get to violate the free will of a human! Until Judgment Day, “where” we end up is always according to our own free-will choice. Yes, Satan can enslave people to do his bidding, but only if they first “invite” him in!

Page 4 of 6 All Pages