Does Hell exist?

[JesusChica1991]

The concept of what we call Hades/Hell does indeed exist and it is biblical. But the confusion comes as to what Hell is like. As true Christians, we shouldn't have to worry about that. I wouldn't lose sleep over it if you are indeed a TRUE and REPENTANT believer. But if you are a non-believer, I'd lose sleep over it. The Bible teaches that if you commit the unforgivable sin, you are indeed condemned eternally. Once you are passed that point, there is nothing you can do about it. You had your chance. It's over. Factually, the Bible gives more imagery associated with the spiritual death then Heaven itself.

 

[Meshullam]

If i'm not going to hell, so what. So I'm enlightened and i'm good to folk. Why not live like the devil cause where i'm going there isn't one. It's just common sense. Do you have children, if so how do you correct them. I'm thinking some form of punishment, if not then why would the child listen or obey. I know mommy said not to do it but, I'm gonna get a cookie anyway. So, why not.

That's one way of looking at it.

Here's a story about children;

Punishment is simply a form of scaring a child; giving them no choice but to obey from fear.

There are two types of children in this world; the type who are spanked and punished; and only stop doing things so far as their fear carries them. They don't obey for love, nor for respect; but for their fear of punishment.

Then there are the childre. whose parents understand their childish nature, their lack of knowledge of the world, their tendency to impulsive actions, and their needs as a developing little soldier; and they teach their children with gentle words and good example. They love their children in order to teach them. These are the children that love their parents in return; and listen out of respect.

 

[JesusChica1991]

That's one way of looking at it.

Here's a story about children;

Punishment is simply a form of scaring a child; giving them no choice but to obey from fear.

There are two types of children in this world; the type who are spanked and punished; and only stop doing things so far as their fear carries them. They don't obey for love, nor for respect; but for their fear of punishment.

Then there are the childre. whose parents understand their childish nature, their lack of knowledge of the world, their tendency to impulsive actions, and their needs as a developing little soldier; and they teach their children with gentle words and good example. They love their children in order to teach them. These are the children that love their parents in return; and listen out of respect.

Wrong. I was spanked and punished. I do not fear my parents. As a child, you learn to respect them. Gentle words do not work for every child because they can take it fore-granted (like me). Discipline is different for every child.

 

[jmlidea]

Then you do not believe the word of God?

I believe in WORD, that is the spirit within Jesus, because the WORD was GOD in the beginning and the WORD is God... the Bible is not the WORD of God, Jesus is.

 

[jmlidea]

I would say since there is no hell or no punishment for my actions. Then why would I adhere to the teachings of the bible. I'm going to heaven anyway.

Most Atheists know that to live your life the way that feels good to you from moment to moment, such as drinking all the alcohol the bar has to offer, will only result in misery for you and those around you. Nobody likes a violent drunk, not because they think he's going to heaven anyway, but because he's a vile reckless and dangerous person.
If you commit a crime, you are accountable to society. That is the common sense we hope our neighbors understand. If you cheat on your wife, you are accountable to your wife. Common sense. (I hope)

I feel dismay every time I hear a Christian say something like 'If I weren't a Christian, I'd be raping, stealing, murdering, drinking, and killing people!' In this regard, most atheists are far closer to the teachings of Jesus than many Christians.

 

[jmlidea]

I've been here for over a year, I think I can handle myself. Thanks.

I'm like you. Except I'm on the fence about God; yesterday I was an Atheist, today I'm an Universalist. I haven't read much of your words, but thank you for them! Christians need a good slap in the face sometimes! Honestly, I feel that Atheists are closer to the nature of God than most believers are. (At least the Atheists I know of) And I mean that like this: Atheists are good people, kind and generous, jut like Santa Claus!
Peace!

 

[almostatheist]

What is particularly historical about your interpretations? Seems more like you put your own opinion, or some sort of wishful thinking into the Bible.

what is religion but wishful thinking?

 

[jmlidea]

Discipline is different for every child.

So is it then true that God's Judgement should be different for every sinner?
Wouldn't God love all of his children? Any sane person could tell you that no child deserves to die for their temper-tantrums. I don't believe God punishes those who deserve it with an eternal hellfire. It's bad parenting.

 

[jmlidea]

what is religion but wishful thinking?

lol!
religion, though, has bake sales!!

 

[savedNblessed]

IS GOD GOOD? DOES HELL EXIST?

Dear jmlidea,
Are you genuinely trying to find answers to those questions or just trying to justify your own beliefs?

 

[Meshullam]

Wrong. I was spanked and punished. I do not fear my parents. As a child, you learn to respect them. Gentle words do not work for every child because they can take it fore-granted (like me). Discipline is different for every child.

Clearly mine and your definition of 'respect' are different.

 

[Charlamane]

Just want to add some personal experiences. Hell is super real. When my grandmother, a staunch atheist, was about to die, she was being grabbed by a bunch of demons. She screamed in terror. I thought she was hallucinating. Now I know otherwise. Before I was saved, God rescued me from a spiritual battle with a demon. It was incredibly real. I have absolutely no doubt that hell is real. But I also know that God is loving and merciful. Therefore Hitler, if he cried out to God before his death, is in heaven.

You're talking about demons, not hell. The question is this: is hell eternal torment? I say no. I do, however, believe in the hell fire which will destroy/cleanse the entire earth after the last judgement, and I believe Satan, his demons, and all those not written in the Lambs book of life will be thrown in that fire. Yes, there will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth on that great and terrible day, but then they will burn up. It will be over. Then the enemies of God will LITERALLY be ashes beneath our feet.

 

[wordhelpsme]

I found this interesting website that talks about Hades.

Honest Questions and Answers about Hell

 

[tribesman]

I found this interesting website that talks about Hades.

Honest Questions and Answers about Hell

From the link:

Who are we? Tentmaker Ministries and Publications is a Christian ministry committed to sharing as best to our ability our understanding of God's plan for the ages to reconcile all things to Himself through Jesus Christ. (This view is also known as Ultimate reconciliation or Christian universalism, which is a very different thing than Unitarian Universalism). We believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, the only way to the Father, the only begotten Son of God, and that there is no other way to everlasting, "aionian" life but through Him. We believe He is king of the universe, and owner of all Creation, and that His purpose is to bring all things under His government and reconciled with Himself.

Not sure what the big difference is between "christian" universalism and unitarian universalism. Universalism however is unscriptural and damnable heresy. Be it "honestly" perpetrated or not.

Gary Amirault Universalism Tentmaker Universal Salvation NO HELL <-link

 

[ChristReconcilesAll]

I believe that it does not.
I must believe that even the most wicked, the most hated, the most hateful, the most vile and corrupt, murderous, satanic, and SINFUL are forgiven of their sins when they die and will see God and God will welcome them home.
I believe that Hitler is in heaven, with my grandpa who fought in the war.

I posted another thread 'is God good?' and got a ton of feedback. Here's where I'm at on that topic: No matter what God does or doesn't do in THIS life, it doesn't compare to what he will do in the next. God is GOOD, but that doesn't mean he does good things for us in this life, in fact, he may even do some pretty horrid things to us, like kill thousands, murder children, curse or bring grief, or things of that nature. I must interpret the bible as a History book, not as literal truth. People may have said 'God granted us victory' but I'm sure God wasn't cheering for the fallen armies.

Some of you will disagree, and that's fine. I didn't mean to sound so argumentative in my other post, but I am angry, so it's hard not to sound that way.

So, what do you think? How far will you go to accept God's love? Can you believe that Hitler is in heaven too? I urge you to begin thinking this way!!

Peace!

"Hell" is an Old English word translated from the Greek "hades," literally meaning "unseen," which refers to the "unseen" state of a dead soul, but the meaning of "hell" has been distorted by intentional mistranslation of "Gehenna" as "hell" in common bibles. Those who support the corrupt translations say Christ was speaking figuratively of "Gehenna" as a place where unbelievers are tortured in fire forever after they die. "Gehenna" is actually the ravine of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, used by the ancient Jews to sacrifice their children in fire to Moloch, an Ammonite god, and later used to burn the corpses of criminals condemned to death as it will be in the coming eon (Isaiah 66:23,24). Mistranslation of "Gehenna" as "hell" has propagated the myth of "hell fire."

Hitler is dead. The dead are dead, not alive in heaven or hell. Only Christ has been immortalized and is in heaven. (1 Timothy 6:16)

Dead believers will be roused and go to heaven when Christ returns while dead unbelievers await judgment before the great white throne.

 

[FORHISGLORY]

Hell is a truth learned too late !

 

[danschance]

I found this interesting website that talks about Hades.

Honest Questions and Answers about Hell

I just had the best laugh I've had today. In your link it says:

Popular myth : Hell is an established Biblical doctrine that is in the Bible from start to finish.

LOL, exactly what is popular about hell or any doctrine about hell?

Hell is a place of torment as the bible describes. Who in would call it that popular??

LM_O

 

[danschance]

That site (Honest Questions and Answers about Hell) is filled with distortions, half truths and outright lies. Here is a few examples:

Did you know that there is a solid scriptural case to be made against the idea of Hell?

Lie #1 They claim the concept of Hell is not scriptural.
1) "Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will awake – some to everlasting life, and others toshame and everlasting abhorrence." Daniel 12:2

2) " And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Mathew 25:46

3) "If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:15

4) "And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment" Hebrews 9:27

5) "The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him." John 3:36

6) "“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels!" Mathew 25:41

7) “furnace of fire…weeping and gnashing of teeth” Mathew 13:50

8) " “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched”" Mark 9:48

9) “he will be tormented with fire and brimstone” Revelation 14:10

10) “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever and they have no rest day and night” Revelation 14:11

Lie #2 "If Hell is real, why are its roots in paganism, rather than the Bible?"
See scriptures above for proof this is a biblical concept and has nothing to do with paganism.

Lie #3 "If Hell is real, why did God tell the Jews that burning their children alive in the fire to the false god Molech, (in the valley of Gehenna ) was so detestable to Him?

Child sacrifice to a demon is detestable. God said nothing about fire or hell in this verse. This lie is nothing more than a red herring that proves nothing.

I could go on, but why waste my time on this pig slop?

 

[Snakecharmer]

Therefore Hitler, if he cried out to God before his death, is in heaven.

I don't understand where morality exists If this statement is true. It seems it doesn't matter what awful things you do in your life it what atrocious acts you commit you can still go to heaven if you accept god at the end?

Someone like Joseph Fritzels daughter who suffered for 25 years being raped and abused in front of her children received no help from god during that awful time and would no doubt come out of that experience as an atheist cos the all loving god watched on and did nothing.. But she will go to hell for not believing.

Whereas Hitler could go to heaven?

 

[danschance]

I don't understand where morality exists If this statement is true. It seems it doesn't matter what awful things you do in your life it what atrocious acts you commit you can still go to heaven if you accept god at the end?

Someone like Joseph Fritzels daughter who suffered for 25 years being raped and abused in front of her children received no help from god during that awful time and would no doubt come out of that experience as an atheist cos the all loving god watched on and did nothing.. But she will go to hell for not believing.

Whereas Hitler could go to heaven?

Careful how you word things or one could get banned. You might want to read the rules.

http://christianchat.com/rules.php

Some people do not understand how a law abiding librarian can go to hell even while someone like Hitler could go to Heaven. The answer is simple for those who wish to understand. Hell is a place where all of us deserve to go for our sins. It doesn't matter if my sins are not too bad and your sins are insignificant according to the opinions of men.

The bible says all have sinned and all have fallen short of God's expectation. The antidote is Jesus. His death provided amnesty for all humanity as long as we are willing to accept it. Those who reject it go to Hell. In the end it is not about anything else.