Dealing with the idea of Hell
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If I walked perfectly who would accuse me?
If I stumble, and get up and walk on, who would accuse me?
I am suprised at the depth of emotional expression about theology, not action, but belief. If I believe the universe rotates around the earth or the earth rotates around the sun, it makes no difference to life.
How much you believe and use this to paint another person evil or good, shows how far from reality you have become.
God has always been more focused on righteousness and love than anything else. If you forget this in your discussion then you have begun to walk away from the Lord.
Nothing of this kind of level is worth breaking fellowship over, yet people do. No matter what I think Gods judgement will fall, the realities of life and love will be made plain, and the fruit of your positions will come out.
If I stumble, and get up and walk on, who would accuse me?
I am suprised at the depth of emotional expression about theology, not action, but belief. If I believe the universe rotates around the earth or the earth rotates around the sun, it makes no difference to life.
How much you believe and use this to paint another person evil or good, shows how far from reality you have become.
God has always been more focused on righteousness and love than anything else. If you forget this in your discussion then you have begun to walk away from the Lord.
Nothing of this kind of level is worth breaking fellowship over, yet people do. No matter what I think Gods judgement will fall, the realities of life and love will be made plain, and the fruit of your positions will come out.
Hello Ella85,
Let's look at the verses you have quoted above, for a moment, Revelation 21:8, for example.
'But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,
and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers,
and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part
in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death.'
(Rev 21:8)
* This refers to 'the lake of fire' and 'the second death', doesn't it? Looking at (Rev 20:10 & 14), we read there, that not only are the devil, the beast and the false prophet cast into the lake of fire, but, 'death' and 'hell' also: so the lake of fire judgement, is something quite separate from 'hell', which is the place where the dead are 'hidden away', which is the true meaning of the word 'hell', (or 'the grave').
'And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
but the righteous into life eternal.'
(Mat 25:46)
* You highlight the words, 'everlasting punishment', here Ella: but the word 'everlasting' is translated from the Greek word, aionion, which means 'age long'. Also, in verses 31 and 32 we read that verse 46, (the one quoted), relates to the time when our Lord will come and sit on the throne of judgement, judging the nations, it has no relation to hell, or the state of the dead, but is a judgement carried out against the living, at that time.
'And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire.'
(Rev 20:15)
* The lake of fire, as we have already seen is a separate entity than that spoken of as 'hell'.
'And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,
where the beast and the false prophet [are],
andshall be tormented day and night
for ever and ever.'
(Rev. 20:10)
* This again is 'the lake of fire', and not 'hell': and those being tormented are the devil, the beast and the false prophet. This will take place at the end of the age.
'And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:
there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.'
(Matt. 13:50)
* In verse 49, Ella, we read that this takes place, again, at'the end of the age', and though reference is made to a 'furnace of fire', and may refer to 'the lake of fire', it certainly does not have any reference to 'hell'
Thank you for challenging my earlier response, and for giving me the opportunity to reply.
With love in Christ Jesus, Ella,
Chris
Let's look at the verses you have quoted above, for a moment, Revelation 21:8, for example.
'But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,
and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers,
and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part
in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death.'
(Rev 21:8)
* This refers to 'the lake of fire' and 'the second death', doesn't it? Looking at (Rev 20:10 & 14), we read there, that not only are the devil, the beast and the false prophet cast into the lake of fire, but, 'death' and 'hell' also: so the lake of fire judgement, is something quite separate from 'hell', which is the place where the dead are 'hidden away', which is the true meaning of the word 'hell', (or 'the grave').
'And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
but the righteous into life eternal.'
(Mat 25:46)
* You highlight the words, 'everlasting punishment', here Ella: but the word 'everlasting' is translated from the Greek word, aionion, which means 'age long'. Also, in verses 31 and 32 we read that verse 46, (the one quoted), relates to the time when our Lord will come and sit on the throne of judgement, judging the nations, it has no relation to hell, or the state of the dead, but is a judgement carried out against the living, at that time.
'And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire.'
(Rev 20:15)
* The lake of fire, as we have already seen is a separate entity than that spoken of as 'hell'.
'And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,
where the beast and the false prophet [are],
andshall be tormented day and night
for ever and ever.'
(Rev. 20:10)
* This again is 'the lake of fire', and not 'hell': and those being tormented are the devil, the beast and the false prophet. This will take place at the end of the age.
'And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:
there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.'
(Matt. 13:50)
* In verse 49, Ella, we read that this takes place, again, at'the end of the age', and though reference is made to a 'furnace of fire', and may refer to 'the lake of fire', it certainly does not have any reference to 'hell'
Thank you for challenging my earlier response, and for giving me the opportunity to reply.
With love in Christ Jesus, Ella,
Chris
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Hello Tankman131,
If you believe Scripture is being twisted, by me, why don't you bring those portions of Scripture forward, so that we can discuss them together: in stead of using my entry to hit out at someone else; who must speak for himself, as I must.
Thank you,
In Christ Jesus
Chris
If you believe Scripture is being twisted, by me, why don't you bring those portions of Scripture forward, so that we can discuss them together: in stead of using my entry to hit out at someone else; who must speak for himself, as I must.
Thank you,
In Christ Jesus
Chris
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How do you deal with Hell?
Hi, Jruiz,
This is such a controversial subject, one which will always be debated and contested.
The only way to be absolutely sure of our ground on this, as with all subjects related to Scripture, and the doctrines held by those who profess to know and understand them: is to search and see for ourselves. Only by doing so can we stand sure and steadfast upon the Word of God, and be free of the doctrine of men, no matter how learned or well thought of they may be.
1) First of all determine what the original meaning of the word, 'Hell' was when the translators first used it; before it was corrupted by subsequent usage, Greek philosophy and other influences.
2) Get a concordance like 'Strongs', and look up the various references to 'Hell', and read them in the light of the initial meaning of the word.
3) Find out through the concordance, also, which Hebrew or Greek word is being translated in each case, and make a note of it, until you have a list of each usage and where it is to be found.
4) Consider the context in which each reference comes, and note similarities and differences observable in each reference.
5) Difficult passages leave to one side until the end of the study, until there is enough basic overall knowledge of the use that the Holy Spirit has made of the word, 'Hell': then we will be more able to make right judgments concerning them.
By doing this we will be equipped and in possession of the testimony of ALL Scripture, and not reliant upon isolated references, separated from their context, to establish the truth of any subject.
By God's grace.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Praise His Holy Name!
Hi, Jruiz,
This is such a controversial subject, one which will always be debated and contested.
The only way to be absolutely sure of our ground on this, as with all subjects related to Scripture, and the doctrines held by those who profess to know and understand them: is to search and see for ourselves. Only by doing so can we stand sure and steadfast upon the Word of God, and be free of the doctrine of men, no matter how learned or well thought of they may be.
1) First of all determine what the original meaning of the word, 'Hell' was when the translators first used it; before it was corrupted by subsequent usage, Greek philosophy and other influences.
2) Get a concordance like 'Strongs', and look up the various references to 'Hell', and read them in the light of the initial meaning of the word.
3) Find out through the concordance, also, which Hebrew or Greek word is being translated in each case, and make a note of it, until you have a list of each usage and where it is to be found.
4) Consider the context in which each reference comes, and note similarities and differences observable in each reference.
5) Difficult passages leave to one side until the end of the study, until there is enough basic overall knowledge of the use that the Holy Spirit has made of the word, 'Hell': then we will be more able to make right judgments concerning them.
By doing this we will be equipped and in possession of the testimony of ALL Scripture, and not reliant upon isolated references, separated from their context, to establish the truth of any subject.
By God's grace.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Praise His Holy Name!
Last edited:
How do you deal with Hell?
Hi, Jruiz,
This is such a controversial subject, one which will always be debated and contested.
The only way to be absolutely sure of our ground on this, as with all subjects related to Scripture, and the doctrines held by those who profess to know and understand them: is to search and see for ourselves. Only by doing so can we stand sure and steadfast upon the Word of God, and be free of the doctrine of men, no matter how learned or well thought of they may be.
1) First of all determine what the original meaning of the word, 'Hell' was when the translators first used it; before it was corrupted by subsequent usage, Greek philosophy and other influences.
2) Get a concordance like 'Strongs', and look up the various references to 'Hell', and read them in the light of the initial meaning of the word.
3) Find out through the concordance, also, which Hebrew or Greek word is being translated in each case, and make a note of it, until you have a list of each usage and where it is to be found.
4) Consider the context in which each reference comes, and note similarities and differences observable in each reference.
5) Difficult passages leave to one side until the end of the study, until there is enough basic overall knowledge of the use that the Holy Spirit has made of the word, 'Hell': then we will be more able to make right judgments concerning them.
By doing this we will be equipped and in possession of the testimony of ALL Scripture, and not reliant upon isolated references, separated from their context, to establish the truth of any subject.
By God's grace.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Praise His Holy Name!
Hi, Jruiz,
This is such a controversial subject, one which will always be debated and contested.
The only way to be absolutely sure of our ground on this, as with all subjects related to Scripture, and the doctrines held by those who profess to know and understand them: is to search and see for ourselves. Only by doing so can we stand sure and steadfast upon the Word of God, and be free of the doctrine of men, no matter how learned or well thought of they may be.
1) First of all determine what the original meaning of the word, 'Hell' was when the translators first used it; before it was corrupted by subsequent usage, Greek philosophy and other influences.
2) Get a concordance like 'Strongs', and look up the various references to 'Hell', and read them in the light of the initial meaning of the word.
3) Find out through the concordance, also, which Hebrew or Greek word is being translated in each case, and make a note of it, until you have a list of each usage and where it is to be found.
4) Consider the context in which each reference comes, and note similarities and differences observable in each reference.
5) Difficult passages leave to one side until the end of the study, until there is enough basic overall knowledge of the use that the Holy Spirit has made of the word, 'Hell': then we will be more able to make right judgments concerning them.
By doing this we will be equipped and in possession of the testimony of ALL Scripture, and not reliant upon isolated references, separated from their context, to establish the truth of any subject.
By God's grace.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Praise His Holy Name!
Just one point, in relation to (3) [above], it is good to find out how those Greek and Hebrew words are translated elsewhere too: for their various usages, will furnish us with yet more evidence as to how the Holy Spirit intends the word, 'Hell,' to be understood.
Within the love of Christ our Saviour,
Now wonderfully, risen and glorified,
And sat at God's right hand.
Chris
There is a problem when sincere people from both sides disagree and feel it is some spiritual issue.
Jesus talks about doing good, good works, loving each other, not being judgemental but trying to understand anothers point of view. It may not be our own, or formed from our experience, but it is a valid expression of their lives.
If you cannot meet them in this place of honest and integrity, then it is you who have a problem, because it is in this place we find the Lord. He did not judge the woman caught in adultery, or the sinners he had meals with, he met them where they were.
Now for those who change how we act day to day, how we pray and believe in things that effect all of us, there is a difference. Saying one is actually perfect, or all non experienced people are living under the enemy, that is a point of division because it denies the reality and message of the gospel. But most of us who question the nature of hell and want to explore, then I say amen, let us talk and see in Gods grace how we can work it through.
Jesus talks about doing good, good works, loving each other, not being judgemental but trying to understand anothers point of view. It may not be our own, or formed from our experience, but it is a valid expression of their lives.
If you cannot meet them in this place of honest and integrity, then it is you who have a problem, because it is in this place we find the Lord. He did not judge the woman caught in adultery, or the sinners he had meals with, he met them where they were.
Now for those who change how we act day to day, how we pray and believe in things that effect all of us, there is a difference. Saying one is actually perfect, or all non experienced people are living under the enemy, that is a point of division because it denies the reality and message of the gospel. But most of us who question the nature of hell and want to explore, then I say amen, let us talk and see in Gods grace how we can work it through.
A
I don't sit well with the idea that people are tortured for ever in a literal hell. As pointed out, its one of the things that put me off Christianity.
However, as a non believer it also doesn't sit well with me that some people are NOT tortured forever in a literal hell.
So I guess I'm all for it when it comes to the scumbags of the world, but strongly against it when it comes to me personally going to hell lol.
However, as a non believer it also doesn't sit well with me that some people are NOT tortured forever in a literal hell.
So I guess I'm all for it when it comes to the scumbags of the world, but strongly against it when it comes to me personally going to hell lol.