Abstract:
Any conversation on ‘heaven and hell’ is nothing else but a conversation
about ‘life after death’. To understand the concept of heaven, earth and hell as described in
the biblical context and surrounding cultures, it is important to understand their concept of
the cosmos and creation. Different perspectives of the universe lead to different ideas about
life after death. Apocalyptic thoughts brought new perspectives to the understanding of life
after death. All these different views can only be understood within the context in which they
developed. Due to scientific results, the perception of the cosmos changed, urging us today to
interpret ancient models metaphorically.
