GATEWAY

There may be a stairway to heaven, but there is a gateway to hell. Most ancient people around the globe believed in an underworld or hell. After a person died, their spirit or soul would have to traverse that underworld to be judged by gods or demons.

So universal was that notion, that key elements of the gateway to the underworld emerged:

1. Ancient cultures believed that erupting volcanoes were the openings to the underworld. this brought about the fire and brimstone picture of that place.

2. Ancient people believed that there were several gateways around the world, mostly on remote islands, including Helka north of Iceland.

3. Islands are created by the volcanic eruption and cooling of molten lava above the ocean's surface. Hawaii is the most famous U.S. volcanic island chain. It's native people had great respect for their fire god, Pele.

4. Volcanoes and their associated caves were found to sacred places by many ancient peoples.  Some believed that the caves were closer to their dead ancestors, who may have needed their prayers or offerings in order to escape the punishment of hell.

5. Volcanoes, because of their violent explosive and destructive nature, were feared by natives. And this fear associated with an afterlife under ground in a pit of fire was enough to start the basis of all modern religions. What you did in life on earth would have consequences in the after life.

LOST's setting had many of these aspects. The main story is set on a Pacific volcanic island. Early in the story, Jack found a cave with fresh water (life) and death (Adam & Eve). The frozen donkey wheel was deep underground which had in hieroglyphs the words "Earth gates."  The island rumbled like an earthquake or volcanic eruption during the time travel sequences. All of the candidates were put through tests to be judged as successor guardian.  Everyone on the island feared some form of retribution or punishment for their past behavior. Michael ended up trapped on the island as a whisper (spirit) because he killed Ana Lucia and Libby. The island contained supernatural elements, including the element of movement and stealth.

The ancients believed that these gates were the nexus point between various dimensions. It is a place where humans could actually traverse to hell while still being alive. Likewise, the demons who controlled hell could leave and make it into the human world. Recall, MIB called Jacob "the Devil." Likewise, MIB/Flocke was called an evil incarnate. They could have been demons who foraged into the human world to purge, test and judge souls.

In The End, it is inferred that the island was some sort of gateway for the main characters to find their way into the sideways world (after life).