There is a compartment inside the earth that a persons spirit goes to after they die. Sheol is the Hebrew Old Testament word for Hades; Gehenna is the Greek New Testament word. Hades is the Greek term equal to Sheol. It is used 64 times throughout the Old Testament.  It is used for both the righteous and unrighteous after they die. In the Old Testament, both righteous and wicked when they died descended to sheol. Sheol or Hades was divided into two sections, one for the saved called Abraham's bosom -Paradise (Lk.24:22-23), and the other for the unsaved which was a place of torment. These two places were separated by a great gulf so that one could not pass from one to the other (Lk.16). The New Testament confirms the Old Testament teaching as Christ gives more revelation on this subject.

Jesus constantly warned of going there, if it was not a real place of punishment there would be nothing to warn about. Heaven is a real place and so is hell, both are eternal habitations after our life on earth is over. Here is what Jesus said on hell:

Mark 9:43-44 explains this further “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched--“where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” THEIR worm, not a worm, whatever this means it's not good.

2 Peter 2:4-5: “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world. ”

Angels are spirit beings without bodies, man after death has no body but continues to exist. Notice both the spirits (angels) and those in the ancient world have the same punishment.

Ps. 9:17: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Lest we think it is only the grave. Ps. 55:15 “Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell.” Jonah was fully conscious as he prayed to God from sheol (Jonah 2:2), the only way to get there is to die.

In Matthew 13:42, Jesus says: “And shall cast them into a FURNACE OF FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." In Matthew 25:41, Jesus says: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting FIRE. . .” “eternal fire” (Jude 7), and “fire and brimstone” (Rev. 14:10; 20:10; 21:8). Hell is always described in terms of fire and torment that can be felt, though one does not have a physical body.

Revelation 20:15 says, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE.” The rich man in Luke 16:23-25 said it was" torment “place of torment" cried:. . .I am tormented in this FLAME.” He was described by Jesus as conscious and feeling pain and able to speak.

Jesus said, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him”

The consequence of refusing to accept God's solution for ones sinful condition is more serious than refusing a doctors cure for a disease.

The majority of references to Hades or Gehenna (15 out of 23) come from the lips of Christ. (except for James Jam. 3:6) Jesus was the only one to use the word Gehenna. Which makes it more important to determine its meaning. Hell is the place of the future punishment call “Gehenna.” The valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem was called “Gehenna” where the filth, refuse and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; as Jesus often used various illustrations they were familiar with, it was used as a visual symbol of the wicked and their future destination if they do not repent.

Some people make Gehenna the grave, (even though there is another word for this) but if this were so then a number of statements would not have the weight Jesus gave in warning. Hebrews 9:27 states that judgment immediately follows death. Heb.9:27: “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” After what? His death he is judged, that is a hard thing to do if he does not exist anymore.And the judgment will bring him either to heaven or separated from the good that God does in all peoples lives- Hell.

In Luke 12:4-5 Jesus spoke: “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” This is after one dies. There would be nothing to fear if we don’t exist? There would be nothing to fear if there is no hell but only heaven. Notice it says after your dead. If it was only the grave then there would be nothing to fear since everyone both believers and unbelievers bodies are put there, so this is referring to the Spirit of man.

In Matthew 13:30 Jesus in a parable said, “Let both [tares and wheat] grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.” Here unbelievers and are spoken of as tares, believers as wheat. Two classes of people are separated in the judgment of Mt.25- one goes into his barn as a harvest of good, the other to be burned.

In the end, everyone will acknowledge Jesus is truly the Lord God, this will not bring salvation for those who have died in an unbelieving state. Paul said in Phil 2:9-11: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

It is best to take God's word today and repent than gamble you only possession you own- your own soul.