Think of the bibical principle found in Isaiah 24:22 ESV and what it means:
They will be gathered together, As prisoners are gathered in the pit, And will be shut up in the prison; After many days they will be punished. NKJV
Where did this holding center come from, who made it, when?
All things in this universe came in existence through God's hands, thus God made the pit/prison/sheol when the covering cherub rebelled (Ezekiel 28:13-17) to contain and hold till a future date as Rev 20:12-15 indicates as Isaiah 24:22 points out all according to God's own attributes of being absolutely just to all way beyond what any mortal man or woman can fathom.
This pit/prison/sheol that now exist, exists as a holding center, or the same principle a county jail serves, to restrain and confine till the criminals future trial and sending to the big house at a future date and time (the lake of fire). God's justice demands an immediate hearing (a Judgment), then, the criminal is taken to the holding center (Pit), till the future trial date comes ((White Throne Judgment).
It is in fact very simple to understand that in order to face the hearing judgment of God, the judge, one is in their spiritual state and therefore reasonable that the pit/prison, and its cells are real in spiritual existence so there the criminal awaits the final verdict set for a future date and time to carry out the sentence in full.
This may come as a shock to some but the America criminal justice system is based upon this biblical model. A criminal is caught, booked at the county jail, has a speedy hearing before the Judge, trail date is set for a future date that can take a year or two to schedule in advance and during that time before trial, the criminal is held in the county Jail. After future Trial is over, appropriate and just punishment send the criminal to the big house (State Prison) to serve the sentence in full.
However, with God exposing the true nature of darkness within an unredeemed person at the initial hearing, is sent to pit/prison justly stewing in all the did, said, and thought in sheol. So that by the time of the final verdict there is no hope of being found innocent on a technically as the books will be open exposing what one really is like on the inside.
This is real, the bible says it real and Jesus says it is real - so why do we desire to deny it's reality?
And lastly Rick, the afterlife is real just as the physical world is real, just on a different level where you feel, you hear, you taste, you touch, you think, you experience life in a whole new degree. It is not about word semantics and play on words as you suggest and attempt to make out. One day you will experience it yourself so I am not worried. When we see each other in heaven we can meet and discuss further how real the spiritual world is... but for now, remain in New England Patriot bliss... You can't let the air out me
Blessings !!!
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