Do those condemned to hell suffer forever?

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PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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Knowing He was going to spend only three days and three nights separated from His Father without a watch, was enough to terrify our Lord Jesus into sweating blood. If three days in hell was enough to pay for the world's sins, it hard to see how unbindividual believers would need to spend forever in torments to pay for theirs. For Christians who have begun to plumb the height, breadth and depth of God's love, the idea of even one day separated from experiencing the love of God should be terrifying.
Unbindividual believers should be individual unbelievers.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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Knowing He was going to spend only three days and three nights separated from His Father without a watch, was enough to terrify our Lord Jesus into sweating blood. If three days in hell was enough to pay for the world's sins, it hard to see how unbindividual believers would need to spend forever in torments to pay for theirs. For Christians who have begun to plumb the height, breadth and depth of God's love, the idea of even one day separated from experiencing the love of God should be terrifying.
The thing about the three days is that in the eyes of the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years as a day.

I never thought about the watch that you mentioned. That was a critical aspect of the whole ordeal. Without a watch or the observation of sunrise and sunsets Jesus would lose track of time. What he endured for our sakes probably seemed like an eternity.

I believe that the most horrible aspect of the crucifixion of Jesus is that when he took upon himself the sins of the world his heavenly Father turned his back on him. I agree with you that the prospect of enduring even one day separated from God is indeed terrifying.

Truly hell.
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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Has someone going alive into it and spending at least some time in it. How much time is what is debatable.
Are you serious? How long can the a human withstand being engulfed in a flame of fire? Now, go to those biblical references of being alive in hell and compare the time.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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Are you serious? How long can the a human withstand being engulfed in a flame of fire? Now, go to those biblical references of being alive in hell and compare the time.
LOL, that is human reasoning. FYI, Flesh and blood will not enter into the kingdom of GOD. This is a spiritual and eternal death. Just as in contrast to eternal life or sheep and goats. Hot or cold, Knowing you or not.

One who thinks the fires of hell are the same as a campfire is not reading what is happening in hell .
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
403
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Knowing He was going to spend only three days and three nights separated from His Father without a watch, was enough to terrify our Lord Jesus into sweating blood. If three days in hell was enough to pay for the world's sins, it hard to see how unbindividual believers would need to spend forever in torments to pay for theirs. For Christians who have begun to plumb the height, breadth and depth of God's love, the idea of even one day separated from experiencing the love of God should be terrifying.
The payment of sin IS NOT eternal damnation. The payment of sin is finite. A fixed amount of stripes for each sin.

Isaiah 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

Deuteronomy 25:2-3 And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
3 Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

The reason unbelievers have to spend an eternity in hell is because God chose never to wash them of their sins.

Remember, the sins of the elect are finite. The sins of the unsaved are infinite. Can one in the flesh stop sinning for a day?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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The payment of sin IS NOT eternal damnation. The payment of sin is finite. A fixed amount of stripes for each sin.

Isaiah 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

Deuteronomy 25:2-3 And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
3 Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

The reason unbelievers have to spend an eternity in hell is because God chose never to wash them of their sins.

Remember, the sins of the elect are finite. The sins of the unsaved are infinite. Can one in the flesh stop sinning for a day?
NO, the payment for sin is death and an eternal one. They must come to Christ's saving knowledge to receive what Jesus did on the Cross. FYI, people who have been healed still die. If your sins have not been forgiven, you go to the place that was not created for man..

Those who teach there is no eternal punishment are perverting the word of GOD and, most likely, unsaved.
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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LOL, that is human reasoning. FYI, Flesh and blood will not enter into the kingdom of GOD. This is a spiritual and eternal death. Just as in contrast to eternal life or sheep and goats. Hot or cold, Knowing you or not.

One who thinks the fires of hell are the same as a campfire is not reading what is happening in hell .
Haha, you're proving my point! It's eternal damnation btw.

How does someone die greater than the other in the lake of fire if all cease to exist?

Deference degrees of deaths? I know not.

Mark 12:40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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NO, the payment for sin is death and an eternal one. They must come to Christ's saving knowledge to receive what Jesus did on the Cross. FYI, people who have been healed still die. If your sins have not been forgiven, you go to the place that was not created for man..

Those who teach there is no eternal punishment are perverting the word of GOD and, most likely, unsaved.
I teach eternal punishment. I'm not teaching that the payment of sins is eternal punishment. I think you just glossed over what I typed.

If sins are paid by eternal punishment the man Jesus would still be in hell.
 

Ballaurena

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May 27, 2024
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I have been discussing with my friend if the suffering to those condemned to hell eventually ends, my views are that there is no end because the Book of Revelation explicity states that the devil, the false prophet and the beast are thrown alive into the lake of fire which means they are not even Judged, and they are tormented forever and ever. Then the wicked humanity are resurrected and condemned after judgment and they join the original three in hell. My friend holds the view that the fires of hell burn them and they perish eventually, which doctrine is true?
For me, I have done extensive study on the subject and found the Bible is more in line with your friend that is an annihilationist. This was later echoed through prophecy by someone at my fellowship. In fact it was noted there that the first lie in Genesis was that eating of the fruit wouldn't bring death, and the lie persists to this day. John 3:16 for example, says "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." Eternal life requires receiving Jesus as savior. While I can understand confusion on what kind of life is meant, Matthew 10:28 seems to clarify the finality of such perishing by saying "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

My two cents anyway, though actually I have noted many verses in passing over many years. It doesn't really matter all that much, though it does tint one's perspective on God.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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Haha, you're proving my point! It's eternal damnation btw.

How does someone die greater than the other in the lake of fire if all cease to exist?

Deference degrees of deaths? I know not.

Mark 12:40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
show me were the term " Cease to exist" is said in the context of hell?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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I teach eternal punishment. I'm not teaching that the payment of sins is eternal punishment. I think you just glossed over what I typed.

If sins are paid by eternal punishment the man Jesus would still be in hell.
that ridiculous. The payment of Christ and gift is eternal life in contrast to eternal torment. Jesus Power of HIS Blood and the work of the Cross is fully sufficient for all sin. As the word of God says in Romans 6:10


10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

" the man Jesus would still be in hell." Your logic is unbiblical
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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NO, the payment for sin is death and an eternal one. They must come to Christ's saving knowledge to receive what Jesus did on the Cross. FYI, people who have been healed still die. If your sins have not been forgiven, you go to the place that was not created for man..

Those who teach there is no eternal punishment are perverting the word of GOD and, most likely, unsaved.
Read it again: Isaiah 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

Jesus giving up the ghost didn't pay for sin. Jesus paid for the elect's sins by drinking the cup of the wrath of God which started in the garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:42 KJV
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

That same cup of wrath of God, the unsaved will have to drink. Which means they are alive when they drink it as Jesus was alive.

Revelation 14:10 KJV The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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.
According to Luke 12:42-48, there are degrees of retribution ranging from the
tolerable to the very severe. So . . .


"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be
afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." (Matt 10:28)


The human soul makes its first appearance in Gen 2:7 whereby Adam became a
sentient being as opposed to a vegetable, viz: soul is that portion of Adam's
existence that made him a conscious individual.


Now it appears to me that the beast and the false prophet, plus all who accept a
certain mark, will be forced to endure permanent consciousness in the lake of fire
per Rev 14:9-11 & Rev 20:10, but I'm not so sure everyone will share that fate
seeing as retribution varies in accord with responsibility.


In other words: it's possible that folks who deserve the lesser punishment per Luke
12:42-48 won't be forced to endure permanent consciousness in the lake but
instead, at some point their souls will be exterminated. It's my guess they'll maybe
do time in the lake-- some a lot of time, some a little time, and some scant time --
but not eternity.


* This is only a posit; so you militant pulpit pounders out there please resist the urge
to bury me with an avalanche of your favorite proof texts.
_
Lol, where are you getting this from? Surely not the Bible. "Souls will be exterminated"
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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that ridiculous. The payment of Christ and gift is eternal life in contrast to eternal torment. Jesus Power of HIS Blood and the work of the Cross is fully sufficient for all sin. As the word of God says in Romans 6:10


10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

" the man Jesus would still be in hell." Your logic is unbiblical
So you are just going to ignore Isaiah. Was Jesus Christ beaten with stripes? Yes or No.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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Read it again: Isaiah 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

Jesus giving up the ghost didn't pay for sin. Jesus paid for the elect's sins by drinking the cup of the wrath of God, which started in the garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:42 KJV
He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

The unsaved will have to drink that same cup of God's wrath, which means they are alive when they drink it, as Jesus was alive.

Revelation 14:10 KJV The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Isaiah is speaking from only partial revelation


Jesus said, "IT IS FINISHED." John `19:28-30. The context of the Cross was also fulfilled for the Jews. And no more sacrifices would be needed.

Jesus Paid for sin as HE said before Ge gave up the Ghost."

Finished is a statement that the account has been paid in full. All Past debt, Present Debtand future Debt have been paid BY what Christ did.

You are allegorizing the text of Isaiah and others.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
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So you are just going to ignore Isaiah. Was Jesus Christ beaten with stripes? Yes or No.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
I already answered John 19 : 28-30

You are incorrect.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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I will just say this, we know He said we will never die have ever lasting life. Well there is no time and space where God is. So that fire we're talking about is not based in time.
Where did you learn that there is no time or space where God is?
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
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No.

Hell means grave.

Death is forever for those not saved.

Death is forever but the state of the dead is what determines if hell is a literal place of suffering or not.

Rev 20:13-15
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. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Hell is destroyed with death.

Ecc 9:5-6
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

The result is forever, the second death is forever.

But hell is not forever.
 

Hakawaka

Active member
Jul 1, 2021
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God is not unjust.
The punishment is not suffering in pain forever. It's effects are forever. People need to understand that we are not immortal and that God will not purposely keep us alive to suffer eternally.
Just will be served and a just God does not cause people to suffer eternally when their sin was for a single lifetime.
How do you get around Revelation 14:11

And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

As to your suggestion that hell/hades/sheol/etc means "the grave" i would contest that. When Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus, clearly they were able to think, feel, even talk. That is sheol in the hebrew view, they did not cease to exist. Why would anyone be afraid of ceasing to exist?
 

NilsForChrist

Active member
Jan 31, 2023
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Judgement is God's
God is just and true.
God does not enjoy seeing anyone suffer.
We should not enjoy seeing people suffer.

After the second resurrection and judgement has been served. Everyone that has not been forgiven will suffer and die. They will perish after judgement has been served.

TRUE JUSTICE ⚖️
I don't enjoy anyone suffer either. But it still will be the case. Death in that case refers to eternal one, not cessation of the soul