When Did God Create Hell?

Mark Barnes said:

Joshua Lieder said:

Perhaps - "Only God Almighty knows" will be enough.

The emphasis throughout Scripture, and in the resources I read whilst researching your question, was that Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, rather than for people. I think that's good to remember. It may also suggest that hell was created after the fall of Satan, but before the fall of man. I don't think we can say any more than that.

Mark,

makes a good point here and actually has Scriptual backing- but it does not give us all the info our curious little minds want- so this is one of those in the end it will not matter situations, except maybe to those who find themselves there, not a good thing.

Josh said:

We first need to define the English word "hell". It is used to translate a multitude of Greek and Hebrew words - especially in the KJV. The context of the original question makes me believe that the eternal "Lake of Fire" mentioned in the book of Revelation is the place of concern in this thread.

Not to say that you are understanding this literally, but care must be taken to avoid taking almost any of the pictures in the Apocalypse as literal physical facts.  The author clearly states that the message was symbolized (ἑσήμανεν > σημαίνω) so that one must look beyond the symbol to that which is signified.

I understand this is an old thread, and has been resurrected a few times (though to be fair resurected may not be the right word since that is used only of Christ).

However my thinking is that if God made hell - as seems likely from John 1:1ff In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Then God made hell whenever he wanted to. Could have been before, during or after creation. It could be something in a constant state of creation (after all the worms never die, some regeneration would be necessary no?).

All I know is this: Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay, and not madly to destroy themselves.

C. H. Spurgeon, “The Wailing of Risca,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 7 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1861), 11.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Jn 1:1–3.

Both of which I found using Logos.

I'd like to take a moment to say that I'm so encouraged by the humility and respect on display in this forum post (barring one or two). It is very refreshing and, sadly, sorely needed on many a Christian forum.

JoshInRI said:

God bless those with divergent theological views in this matter, but I am asking please for replies that do not mention purgatory.  Thanks.

Respectfully,
Joshua

All the best to you in your quest for knowing. May the LORD lead you into all wisdom.

Blessings, Liam

Plus, the OP required the use of Logos5. That severely limits who can validly answer the question.

Reminds of Goldingay's Old Testament Theology 

2.1 God Thought

In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth. But what happened before creation, and why did God decide to create the world, and what led up to creation itself? Genesis begins with a Hebrew bet, which is open only forwards. That suggests to Genesis Rabbah 1:10 (on Gen 1:1) that we may inquire about subsequent events but not about preceding events nor about the world above or the world below. The traditional less polite response to the question “What was God doing before creating the world?” is, “Devising Hell for people who ask impertinent questions like that.”5 Admittedly that bet does not stop Jewish midrash from offering a strange anticipation of the “gap theory,” which translates Genesis 1:2 “and the earth became empty and desolate” and refers Genesis 1:3–31 to its subsequent re-creation. The midrash declares that God established the present world only after destroying a series of previous creations.

Goldingay, J. (2003). Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Gospel (Vol. 1, p. 43). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

You know I was just re-reading some of my posts and replies and re-reading what i quoted from Goldingay I in no way meant to insinuate, infer or imply that your question about Hell was a stupid, silly or impertinent.

I laughed when I first read this and simply thought it would be funny to some.

so once again, if this was taken as a slight, pls accept my apologies.

mm.

LOL. Yep Autumn is certainly here. Leaves and turning, squirrels are building nests high above the forest floor and the autumnal smells are deep and rich with decay and sadness. Got to put on a shell now that temps are hovering around 5 degrees celcius in the early mornings. We did have frost a couple of days ago. Even as I type I can hear the Geese coming down from the northern lakes and fields as they get ready to cross into the lands of our Southern friends.

No frozen milk yet, but give it a month and ppl will begin to put their coolers out. Beautiful time of year. Taking our new puppy, Jack a nine month old Golden Retriever for another walk in forest behind our home. We put Skeeter, our 16 yr old Golden down last Sept 5. Man that was the toughest thing I had ever done and experienced!! Sure miss him.

Anyway thanks for the reply hope all is great with you [:D]

mm.

Denise said:

Milkman, cold breezes are picking up, down here in AZ-land.  We always wonder about frozen milk up there.

I don't think an apology is needed. One must distinguish (as the OP requested) between the text, and guessing. Your quote underlined that.

Plus, I thought it was the protestants that chopped out inspired text (Joshua, Jeremiah, etc).

I wish they still sold general introduction to the Bible

Sorry about that. One of the resources keep smiling showed isn't sold by logos anymore. It is called a general introduction to the Bible by Geisler