Is LITERAL Hellfire Torment A Bible Teaching?

[Alter2Ego]

ALTER2EGO -to- EVERYONE:
The teaching of literal hellfire torment is commonplace in Christendom and non-Christian religions. This teaching defames the Creator and portrays him as a sadist who tortures people in flames of fire for all eternity—as punishment for wrongdoing committed during the relatively brief human lifespan. The hellfire dogma was brought into Christianity by the Roman Catholics who copied it from pagan religions. (Pagans are those who do not worship the God of the Judeo-Christian Bible.)

The Bible makes it clear as to how God views the ritual burning of people. Jehovah ended up rejecting the ancient Israelites after they got involved with pagan worship, which included burning their children to death.

"And they [the Israelites/sons of Judah] have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, a thing that I had not commanded and that HAD NOT COME UP INTO MY HEART." (Jeremiah 7:31)


"{58} And they kept offending him with their high places, and with their graven images they kept inciting him to jealousy. {59} God heard and got to be furious, and he condemned Israel very much. {60} And he finally forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent in which he resided among earthling men." (Psalms 78:58-60)



The scriptures indicate that hell is nothing more than mankind’s common grave. Proof of this is provided by a verse of scripture in the Bible, which no hellfire-believing Christian can explain away. I’m referring to the scripture that says Jesus Christ--the epitome of a perfect, sinless, and obedient man--died and went to hell.

"{21} In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely. {22} He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth." (1 Peter 2:21-22)


"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that HIS SOUL WAS NOT LEFT IN HELL, neither his flesh did see corruption." (Acts 2:31--King James Version)



NOTE #1: The Bible uses the word "fire" symbolically to indicate cleansing OR permanent death OR permanent destruction. Literal death by burning, when used in the Bible, is never everlasting and is almost immediate. In other words, it takes the usual length of time that it normally takes a person to die in the world.



NOTE #2: the words "Hell" and "Hades" and "Sheol" and "Pit" are synonyms that mean THE GRAVE (of mankind).



NOTE #3: the words "Gehenna" and "the Lake of Fire" as used in the scriptures refers to permanent death from which there is no resurrection.




DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Are there scriptures in the Bible to support the teaching of literal hellfire torment? If so, quote up to four (4) scriptures and include Bible book, chapter, and verse. Then bold or italicize or colorize the words within the quotations that you are focusing on, and explain why you believe the scriptures you present are talking about literal hellfire torment.


2. According to Jeremiah 7:31, did Jehovah command the ancient Israelites to burn anyone in the fire?


3. According to Jeremiah 7:31, did the burning of people come to God's heart?



4. According to those who believe in literal hellfire torment, hell is a place for people who are wicked. So why did Jesus spend three days in hell, considering what's said at 1 Peter 2:22?


5. If hell is a place of literal torment, why is it that the word "hell" also means "Sheol" and "Hades" and "the grave"?


6. When people are being tortured in hellfire, wouldn't they have to KNOW or be conscious/aware of the fact that they are being burned? I mean to say, what's the point of punishing people in hell if they aren't even aware?


7. Does the Bible teach that humans have an immortal soul that survives the death of the person so that the soul can then be burned in eternal flames? If so, please present scriptures to this effect to prove it, and follow the steps indicated at Question #1.


8. Those who believe in literal eternal torment say that the person's soul is being burned forever. What is the soul? Are animals souls also or is this only for humans?

 

[starfield]

NOTE #1: The Bible uses the word "fire" symbolically to indicate cleansing OR permanent death OR permanent destruction. Literal death by burning, when used in the Bible, is never everlasting and is almost immediate. In other words, it takes the usual length of time that it normally takes a person to die in the world.
...

 

[nathan3]

Pretty good post Alter2Ego. Keep up the study into your Heavenly Fathers word. you'll be rewarded. Uses a Strongs concordance to help you out with the words some more.

This shows , like all the bible does, That hell is the death of the soul, where it applies, and you did bring out some of the meanings of the words .

Matthew 10:28

King James Version (KJV)

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.


Also hell does not come into existence until after the Lords day. written of in Revelation .


Here is a study to help you along some more :

[video=youtube;1iyvlCSNwLg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iyvlCSNwLg[/video]

Index - King James Bible with Strongs Dictionary - SpeedBible by johnhurt.com

 

[Agricola]

So this is same as people worried over Once Saved Always Saved, Does it really matter if Hell has fire or not? NO. Prison is Prison. an eternity without being in heaven is not going to be nice.. People who want Hell to be nice obviously have no confidence they will make Heaven, or do not want the prospect of knowing thier loved ones will be suffering in this way. Why do people want peace of mind over what happens in Hell? Or is this simply a theological point scoring exercise?

 

[john832]

So this is same as people worried over Once Saved Always Saved, Does it really matter if Hell has fire or not? NO. Prison is Prison. an eternity without being in heaven is not going to be nice.. People who want Hell to be nice obviously have no confidence they will make Heaven, or do not want the prospect of knowing thier loved ones will be suffering in this way. Why do people want peace of mind over what happens in Hell? Or is this simply a theological point scoring exercise?

Eternity without being in heaven is going to be wonderful. We NEVER go there...

Joh 13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

Christ comes here...

Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Joh 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Then after the Millenium and after the incorrigibly wicked are burned to death...

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Notice it does not say this is the second LIFE in hell. The word for death in verse 14 is...

G2288
θάνατος
thanatos
than'-at-os
From G2348; (properly an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively): - X deadly, (be . . .) death.

And the result is...

Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.


Then after the Millenium after the GWTJ and after the third resurrection for the incorrigibly wicked, the Father, Himself, comes to earth...

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

The idea of a God that would burn and torment and torture people forever in hell is a damnable heresy.

 

[john832]

ALTER2EGO -to- EVERYONE:
The teaching of literal hellfire torment is commonplace in Christendom and non-Christian religions. This teaching defames the Creator and portrays him as a sadist who tortures people in flames of fire for all eternity—as punishment for wrongdoing committed during the relatively brief human lifespan. The hellfire dogma was brought into Christianity by the Roman Catholics who copied it from pagan religions. (Pagans are those who do not worship the God of the Judeo-Christian Bible.)

The Bible makes it clear as to how God views the ritual burning of people. Jehovah ended up rejecting the ancient Israelites after they got involved with pagan worship, which included burning their children to death.

"And they [the Israelites/sons of Judah] have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, a thing that I had not commanded and that HAD NOT COME UP INTO MY HEART." (Jeremiah 7:31)


"{58} And they kept offending him with their high places, and with their graven images they kept inciting him to jealousy. {59} God heard and got to be furious, and he condemned Israel very much. {60} And he finally forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent in which he resided among earthling men." (Psalms 78:58-60)



The scriptures indicate that hell is nothing more than mankind’s common grave. Proof of this is provided by a verse of scripture in the Bible, which no hellfire-believing Christian can explain away. I’m referring to the scripture that says Jesus Christ--the epitome of a perfect, sinless, and obedient man--died and went to hell.

"{21} In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely. {22} He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth." (1 Peter 2:21-22)


"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that HIS SOUL WAS NOT LEFT IN HELL, neither his flesh did see corruption." (Acts 2:31--King James Version)



NOTE #1: The Bible uses the word "fire" symbolically to indicate cleansing OR permanent death OR permanent destruction. Literal death by burning, when used in the Bible, is never everlasting and is almost immediate. In other words, it takes the usual length of time that it normally takes a person to die in the world.



NOTE #2: the words "Hell" and "Hades" and "Sheol" and "Pit" are synonyms that mean THE GRAVE (of mankind).



NOTE #3: the words "Gehenna" and "the Lake of Fire" as used in the scriptures refers to permanent death from which there is no resurrection.




DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Are there scriptures in the Bible to support the teaching of literal hellfire torment? If so, quote up to four (4) scriptures and include Bible book, chapter, and verse. Then bold or italicize or colorize the words within the quotations that you are focusing on, and explain why you believe the scriptures you present are talking about literal hellfire torment.


2. According to Jeremiah 7:31, did Jehovah command the ancient Israelites to burn anyone in the fire?


3. According to Jeremiah 7:31, did the burning of people come to God's heart?



4. According to those who believe in literal hellfire torment, hell is a place for people who are wicked. So why did Jesus spend three days in hell, considering what's said at 1 Peter 2:22?


5. If hell is a place of literal torment, why is it that the word "hell" also means "Sheol" and "Hades" and "the grave"?


6. When people are being tortured in hellfire, wouldn't they have to KNOW or be conscious/aware of the fact that they are being burned? I mean to say, what's the point of punishing people in hell if they aren't even aware?


7. Does the Bible teach that humans have an immortal soul that survives the death of the person so that the soul can then be burned in eternal flames? If so, please present scriptures to this effect to prove it, and follow the steps indicated at Question #1.


8. Those who believe in literal eternal torment say that the person's soul is being burned forever. What is the soul? Are animals souls also or is this only for humans?

A most excellent post. You have great understanding of the knowledge of the truth.

 

[Alter2Ego]

Pretty good post Alter2Ego. Keep up the study into your Heavenly Fathers word. you'll be rewarded. Uses a Strongs concordance to help you out with the words some more.

This shows , like all the bible does, That hell is the death of the soul, where it applies, and you did bring out some of the meanings of the words .

ALTER2EGO -to- NATHAN3:
I realize you are well-meaning, but I really must disagree. The word "hell," as used in the Bible, literally refers to "the grave". As stated in my OP, the word "hell" also means "Sheol" and "Hades" and all of those expressions are with reference to mankind's common grave.

 

[Alter2Ego]

Matthew 10:28

King James Version (KJV)

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.


Also hell does not come into existence until after the Lords day. written of in Revelation .

ALTER2EGO -to- NATHAN3:
Please explain the point you are making by your reference to Matthew 10:28. Another question: What is your understanding of what the "soul" is?

 

[Alter2Ego]

So this is same as people worried over Once Saved Always Saved, Does it really matter if Hell has fire or not? NO. Prison is Prison. an eternity without being in heaven is not going to be nice.. People who want Hell to be nice obviously have no confidence they will make Heaven, or do not want the prospect of knowing thier loved ones will be suffering in this way. Why do people want peace of mind over what happens in Hell? Or is this simply a theological point scoring exercise?

ALTER2EGO -to- AGRICOLA:
Yes. It matters whether or not hell has fire. Obviously, you ignored the points I made in my OP:

1. That ritual burning of people is offensive to Jehovah (Jeremiah 7:31 and Psalms 78:58-60); and

2. If hell were a literal place of fiery torment, righteous and perfect and sinless Jesus Christ would not have spent the entire three days in hell after his sacrificial death (1 Peter 2:21-22 and Acts 2:31).


You are too busy announcing that you are confident you are going to heaven, and so you fail to appreciate that the dogma of literal hellfire torment attacks the credibility of Almighty God, for several reasons. Below are just two:


1. The doctrine of literal hellfire torment makes Jehovah out to be a sadist who torments people needlessly. This is a direct contradiction of who God his, as follows, and keep your eyes on the words that are bolded within the scriptural quotation.

"He that does not love has not come to know God, because GOD IS LOVE." (1 John 4:8)



2. Literal hellfire torment makes Jehovah out to be unjust for literally torturing people for eternity. Here's why: because the wrongdoings committed by people occurred during the relatively brief human life span. According to the false teaching of literal hellfire torment, wicked people and unrepentant sinner are supposedly being burned and tormented for eternity. In other words, the punishment does not fit the crime. Therefore, the idea of literal hellfire torment contradicts the Bible, which declares that Jehovah is a God of justice. Again, keep your eyes on the bolded words within the scriptural quotation.

"The Rock, perfect is his activity, for all his ways are JUSTICE. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; righteous and upright is he." (Deuteronomy 32:4)



It should come as no surprise that there are no verses in God's inspired word, the Judeo-Christian Bible, where the teaching of literal hellfire torment is presented. Christendom is simply parading its version of Dante's fictional hell and claiming it is Bible-based.


What an insult to our loving and just God, to smear his reputation with such a false teaching.

 

[starfield]

ALTER2EGO -to- NATHAN3:
I realize you are well-meaning, but I really must disagree. The word "hell," as used in the Bible, literally refers to "the grave". As stated in my OP, the word "hell" also means "Sheol" and "Hades" and all of those expressions are with reference to mankind's common grave.

Psalms 9:17 says "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God". But the righteous do die and go to the grave so does this mean that both the righteous and the wicked will be turned into hell if hell refers to grave?

Matthew 5:30 says "And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell". Hell being common grave renders that verse meaningless because going to the grave (death) is inevitable so why would there be the need to take drastic measures (i.e. cutting off your right hand, figuratively) to avoid going there? Thus it couldn't be referring to mankind's common grave but a place of torment for the wicked.

Furthermore...
Mark 9:47-48 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
How could hell refer to common grave when it speaks of an unquenchable fire there? I mean there is no fire in mankind's common grave.

 

[starfield]

1. That ritual burning of people is offensive to Jehovah (Jeremiah 7:31 and Psalms 78:58-60); and

You are obviously clueless to the meaning of those passages.

This is the fate of the wicked:
Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

1. The doctrine of literal hellfire torment makes Jehovah out to be a sadist who torments people needlessly. This is a direct contradiction of who God his, as follows, and keep your eyes on the words that are bolded within the scriptural quotation.

Needlessly, eh? And this is people who rejected the precious sacrifice of His only begotten Son?

"He that does not love has not come to know God, because GOD IS LOVE." (1 John 4:8)

Yes, God is love but that isn't His sole nature. He is also vengeful and a consuming fire, so fear Him.

2. Literal hellfire torment makes Jehovah out to be unjust for literally torturing people for eternity. Here's why: because the wrongdoings committed by people occurred during the relatively brief human life span. According to the false teaching of literal hellfire torment, wicked people and unrepentant sinner are supposedly being burned and tormented for eternity. In other words, the punishment does not fit the crime.

Yet you cannot dictate to God how He should execute His judgment. Just face the fact that sin against an eternal God deserves eternal punishment as per scripture.

It should come as no surprise that there are no verses in God's inspired word, the Judeo-Christian Bible, where the teaching of literal hellfire torment is presented.

This shows that you do not believe in the bible.

What an insult to our loving and just God, to smear his reputation with such a false teaching.

Your doctrine basically camouflages and dilutes the consequence of sin as an attempt to defame God's character.

 

[Shiloah]

So this is same as people worried over Once Saved Always Saved, Does it really matter if Hell has fire or not? NO. Prison is Prison. an eternity without being in heaven is not going to be nice.. People who want Hell to be nice obviously have no confidence they will make Heaven, or do not want the prospect of knowing thier loved ones will be suffering in this way. Why do people want peace of mind over what happens in Hell? Or is this simply a theological point scoring exercise?

Yeah, it sounds really nice to me to stand before God, be judged, know I've lost my chance to live with Him forever, and then to be thrown into the flames which are consuming all evil. That sounds so attractive to me I'm often tempted to give up my salvation in Christ so I can get thrown in that fire.

I mean, it just ain't punishment unless you get to be tortured for an unending length of time.

 

[Shiloah]

Pretty good post Alter2Ego. Keep up the study into your Heavenly Fathers word. you'll be rewarded. Uses a Strongs concordance to help you out with the words some more.

This shows , like all the bible does, That hell is the death of the soul, where it applies, and you did bring out some of the meanings of the words .

Matthew 10:28

King James Version (KJV)

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.


Also hell does not come into existence until after the Lords day. written of in Revelation .


Here is a study to help you along some more :

[video=youtube;1iyvlCSNwLg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iyvlCSNwLg[/video]

Index - King James Bible with Strongs Dictionary - SpeedBible by johnhurt.com

This is one super duper video Nathan3. Thanks for posting it again!

 

[nathan3]

ALTER2EGO -to- NATHAN3:
Please explain the point you are making by your reference to Matthew 10:28. Another question: What is your understanding of what the "soul" is?

It shows that the soul can be killed. It also says that the soul is destroyed , in hell. That is all. The Soul , is you..

 

[Shiloah]

ALTER2EGO -to- NATHAN3:
Please explain the point you are making by your reference to Matthew 10:28. Another question: What is your understanding of what the "soul" is?

I believe the soul is a living being, Alter2ego. That's actually what many translations call it in Genesis 2:7. Here's a few examples. Note: only the KJV uses the word "soul" in this verse among these translations. The others call the soul a living being, a living person, or a living creature.

New International Version (©2011)
Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
New Living Translation (©2007)
Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.
English Standard Version (©2001)
then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

 

[Shiloah]

ALTER2EGO -to- NATHAN3:
I realize you are well-meaning, but I really must disagree. The word "hell," as used in the Bible, literally refers to "the grave". As stated in my OP, the word "hell" also means "Sheol" and "Hades" and all of those expressions are with reference to mankind's common grave.

Well it still means the death of the soul. "The soul that sins shall die." That verse does not say, "the soul that sins will descend into never ending torture."

 

[Shiloah]

You are obviously clueless to the meaning of those passages.

This is the fate of the wicked:
Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.



Needlessly, eh? And this is people who rejected the precious sacrifice of His only begotten Son?


Yes, God is love but that isn't His sole nature. He is also vengeful and a consuming fire, so fear Him.



Yet you cannot dictate to God how He should execute His judgment. Just face the fact that sin against an eternal God deserves eternal punishment as per scripture.


This shows that you do not believe in the bible.


Your doctrine basically camouflages and dilutes the consequence of sin as an attempt to defame God's character.

I can't believe you said this. Defame God's character? There's nothing more defaming of God's character then to claim He takes people that don't choose Him and puts them in an everlasting torture chamber where they will exist in conscious torment for a never-ending period of time. That's not just defamation of character, that's making God out to be more of a sadistic monster than any man that ever lived on this earth.

 

[Kerry]

I can't believe you said this. Defame God's character? There's nothing more defaming of God's character then to claim He takes people that don't choose Him and puts them in an everlasting torture chamber where they will exist in conscious torment for a never-ending period of time. That's not just defamation of character, that's making God out to be more of a sadistic monster than any man that ever lived on this earth.

Perhaps you are trusting in the wrong God. God is a jealous God and say's so himself. Anyone that does not act the faith he gave them to trust in Him will endure hell fire forever. That is the bible and it is a fact, whether people believe it or not. People love the fact that God is love, yet they refuse to believe that he has anger and wrath. when the bible portrays it over and over. We are given a choice, accept Him or spend eternity in hell. Find a church that preaches the word and not psychology.

 

[Elizabeth619]

The teaching that there is an eternal hell in which hordes of mankind will suffer eternal punishment can be a difficult doctrine to accept. We hear so much about God's infinite love and how He desires that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). However, those who develop their theologies based upon the "gentle" side of God do so with an incomplete picture. Not only is God loving (1 John 4:8-10), gracious (Exo. 33:19; 1 Pet. 2:3), and merciful (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 67:1; James 5:11), but He is also holy (Isaiah 6:3; Rev. 4:8), just (Neh. 9:32-33; 2 Thess. 1:6), and hates sin (Psalm 5:5-6; Hab. 1:13). God punishes the sinner (Jer. 50:31; Ezk. 44:12; Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:9; Heb. 10:29).

The Bible teaches that there is a fiery hell, a place that Jesus warned people about.

"And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the eternal fire," (Matt. 18:8).1

Eternal fire is real. Jesus said it was. In fact, Jesus spoke a great deal about hell. It is what Jesus came here to save us from.

There will be a Day of Judgment when all people will face God. Those who are not covered by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross will be cast out into hell where they will undergo eternal punishment. "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. 25:46). In this verse, the same word "eternal" is used to describe the punishment of the wicked as well as the eternal life of the believer. The punishment is endless as is the eternal life of the believer. That is why the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4) is so important, because it saves people from eternal damnation:

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life," (John 5:24).

Following are a few verses that show the eternality of the hell and punishment. God uses different phrases to describe the same thing.

"And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," (2 Thess. 1:9).

"Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire" (Jude 7).

These men are those who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever," (Jude12-13).

Is "forever and ever" without end?

The phrase "forever and ever" is used both of describing God's eternal worth and the duration of eternal damnation. The exact same Greek phrase is used in each of the verses.

Carm.org

(I'm too sick to type so I'll paste articles.)

 

[vic1980]

The teaching that there is an eternal hell in which hordes of mankind will suffer eternal punishment can be a difficult doctrine to accept. We hear so much about God's infinite love and how He desires that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). However, those who develop their theologies based upon the "gentle" side of God do so with an incomplete picture. Not only is God loving (1 John 4:8-10), gracious (Exo. 33:19; 1 Pet. 2:3), and merciful (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 67:1; James 5:11), but He is also holy (Isaiah 6:3; Rev. 4:8), just (Neh. 9:32-33; 2 Thess. 1:6), and hates sin (Psalm 5:5-6; Hab. 1:13). God punishes the sinner (Jer. 50:31; Ezk. 44:12; Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:9; Heb. 10:29).

The Bible teaches that there is a fiery hell, a place that Jesus warned people about.

"And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the eternal fire," (Matt. 18:8).1

Eternal fire is real. Jesus said it was. In fact, Jesus spoke a great deal about hell. It is what Jesus came here to save us from.

There will be a Day of Judgment when all people will face God. Those who are not covered by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross will be cast out into hell where they will undergo eternal punishment. "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. 25:46). In this verse, the same word "eternal" is used to describe the punishment of the wicked as well as the eternal life of the believer. The punishment is endless as is the eternal life of the believer. That is why the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4) is so important, because it saves people from eternal damnation:

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life," (John 5:24).

Following are a few verses that show the eternality of the hell and punishment. God uses different phrases to describe the same thing.

"And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," (2 Thess. 1:9).

"Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire" (Jude 7).

These men are those who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever," (Jude12-13).

Is "forever and ever" without end?

The phrase "forever and ever" is used both of describing God's eternal worth and the duration of eternal damnation. The exact same Greek phrase is used in each of the verses.

Carm.org

(I'm too sick to type so I'll paste articles.)

Someone is listening very well John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: