If I read though all the above, I understand why Paul wrote in Titus "but avoid foolish questions and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and in vain.

If I were an unbeliever on this forum, I would have packed my bags by now. Wonder if other religions also differ like this among themselves?
Just to add the final bit of confusion: Paul says Phil. 1:23 that he longs to leave this life *and be with Christ*. And where is Christ?

The discussions are great and should continue, but let all of us remain humble and remember that we only know in part.

For my part, if on earth I am able to enter into God's glorious presence (as far as we can while in this body) where nothing else matters and time ceases to exist; I can't wait to get there and just be with Him!

The most sensible (I think) description I've ever had of hell, is of a guy called Isiaha Reed (see the link www.isaiahreed.com for the full story). In short, he was a drug dealer who was killed in a drug deal that went wrong. Doctor phoned his Mom while he was laying on autopsy table, cut open. Mom prays, God raises him up. In a recent sermon he repeatedly says: if you don't know God, don't die!
He uses the scripture that says whatever man sows, that will he reap. Says that when he died and was in hell / hades / wherever, he was without a body, but his soul was as alive as ever, and he craved sex, drugs, power and revenge as badly as ever, but could not satisfy any of those desires.
It made sense to me in that what could be a more just verdict that that? What you sow, you will reap. On the other hand, I've also seen a documentary of a pastor who had been dead for 3 days before the Lord raised him up, with a real horror story. (The Lazarus Phenomenon, it is called).

OK, now I've said a lot when initially I just wanted to leave a short comment.
Bottomline: let's stay humble. We don't know all.