The dead are conscious of nothing at all (Ecclesiastes 9: 5,10 ; Psalm 146: 4 ; Job 14:.21,22). The soul does not survive the death of the body ; "the soul that sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18: 4). "He who has died has been acquitted from his sin" (Romans 6:7) and can't be subjected to further punishment.
(Body) + (God's Spirit) = (Soul) (Genesis 2: 7; Numbers 31:28 ; 1 Peter 3:20).
The "hell" mentioned in the Bible is mankind's common grave. "The wicked shall be turned into hell"( Psalm 9: 17) but Job also asked God to hide him in hell till His anger passes (Job 14: 13). Jesus was also in hell for some time; "you will not leave my soul in hell, or allow your loyal one to see corruption" (Acts 2: 24-27). Death and Hell will deliver up the dead in them before they (Death and Hell) are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20: 13). HELL = THE GRAVE = SHEOL (IN HEBREW) = HADES (IN GREEK).
What about "Gehenna"? It is the Greek name for the Valley of Hinnom, where filth and dead bodies (of animals and criminals) were burnt (Jeremiah 7: 31-32 ; 19: 6). Jesus reveals that God will throw the wicked into Gehenna after killing them (Luke 12:5). See also Revelation 20: 14- 15 (where Death, Hell and the wicked are to be hurled into the lake of fire). Gehenna = the lake of fire = eternal destruction = 2nd death (Revelation 21: 8).
Burning living people in fire has never been God's plan (Jeremiah 7: 31). The lake of fire will destroy the wicked , leading to their second death (Revelation 21: 8), from which there will be no resurrection. They will be unconscious forever (Ecclesiastes 9: 5, 10). Sodom and its neighbouring cities (Deuteronomy 29: 23), who suffered "the vengeance of eternal fire" ( Jude : 7) earlier, were destroyed forever, never to be rebuilt (Jeremiah 50: 40 ; Luke 17: 29 ; 2 Peter 2: 6). The Devil's being "tormented forever and ever" in the "lake of fire and brimstone"( Revelation 20: 10), which means "the second death" (Revelation 21: 8), means he will be held under restraint forever in eternal death. "Tormentors" is an old word for "jailers" in Matthew 18: 34 (Jesus' parable of the unforgiving slave). The Devil himself will be destroyed, instead of being used to torment the wicked who are not as bad as he is. He is not God's agent.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus does not teach the torment of the wicked after death (Luke 16: 19-31). Abraham's bosom cannot contain all righteous people. A mere drop of water cannot bring relief to someone being burnt in fire. The Bible cannot contradict itself. The "rich man" represented the arrogant, money-loving Pharisees, etc who refused to repent and looked down on the common people (Luke 18:11 ; John 7:49 ; Matthew 21: 28-32), "Lazarus". Those who repented will enjoy divine favour like "Lazarus", the tax collector (Luke 18:10-14), etc . "Everyone who exalts himself will be humiliated, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14). We all need to repent and have faith in Jesus (Ecclesiastes 7:20 ; Romans 7: 14- 25 ; Psalm 130: 3 ; John 3: 16). Will you be like the arrogant Pharisee or the humble tax-collector? (Luke 18: 10-14). The choice is yours.
Even Adam and Eve (who brought sin and death on all mankind) (1 Corinthians 15: 21,22) were told, "Dust you are and to dust you will return" (Genesis 3: 19- 22). " The wages sin pays is death" (Romans 6: 23). The righteous will be resurrected (Job 14: 13 -15 ; John 5: 28,29) and enjoy eternal life either in heaven or on earth (2 Peter 3: 13). "The wicked will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be" (Psalm 37: 10,11). "The wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the treacherous will be torn away from it"( Proverbs 2: 21-22).
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