Hell . . . The Bad News.

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Webers_Home

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When God is ignored too often; He ignores back

Prv 1:24-33 . . I called you so often, but you didn't come. I reached out
to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the
correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you
when disaster overtakes you-- when calamity overcomes you like a storm,
when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress
overwhelm you.

. . . I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously
search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose
not to fear The Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I
corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own
way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. For
they are simpletons who turn away from me-- to death. They are fools, and
their own complacency will destroy them. But all who listen to me will live in
peace and safety, unafraid of harm.

A good analogy is Mr. Esau.

"Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even
afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he
found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears." (Heb
12:16-17)

The koiné Greek word for "repentance" is metanoia (met-an'-oy-ah) which
essentially means to change one's mind; viz: to reconsider.

Esau was an okay guy, but he was secular to the bone. He "got religion"
right quick when he saw his way of life costing him the blessing; but alas,
the poor slob was a day late and a dollar short; so to speak.

Lesson to be learned: The time for people to start thinking about hell is not
after they get there, rather, before they get there.
_
 

Phoneman777

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so what you are saying and believing and would also have us accept is that the Saviour of the world is failing and has failed - exactly the opposite is the case imho - see Lk 12:32 - it seems you have a false love and have not yet realised that the majority are devils imho - twinc
"Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat...because strait is the gate and narrow is the was that leadeth unto life and few there be that find it."
 

Webers_Home

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The wrath of God is interesting. For example:

Isa 13:9 . . Behold, the day of The Lord comes-- cruel; with both wrath
and fierce anger

The Hebrew word for "wrath" in that statement is 'ebrah (eb-raw') which
indicates an outburst of passion. In other words: the wrath of God won't be
weeping big wet crocodile tears while it's slamming the dead at the Great
White Throne event depicted at Rev 20:11-15; no, they will be terminated
with extreme prejudice; viz: their judgment will be administered with choler.
(cf. Isa 63:1-6, Rev 19:15)

Webster's defines "fierce" as a behavior exhibited by humans and animals
that inspires terror because of the wild and menacing aspect of fury in
attack. Ferocity is an aspect commonly seen among roaring, snarling lions
savagely attacking prey. There's neither sportsmanship nor sympathy in
ferocity; only sheer terror, brutality, and blood lust.

"cruel" is defined as: disposed to inflict pain or suffering; viz: devoid of
humane feelings

Heb 10:27 . . A certain fearful expectation of . . . fiery indignation

"fiery indignation" is quite a bit more severe than ordinary indignation. It
speaks of someone who is seriously ticked off; and so angry that they're
actually red in the face.

There are people out there in pews all around the world who have been so
coddled by sappy versions of Christianity that they have no concept of the
magnitude of the lethal tsunami of rage and violence coming their way to
get them.

Another interesting aspect of the wrath of God is the person appointed to
administer it-- none other than the sweet little baby away in a manger.

John 5:22-23 . .The Father judges no one, but has committed all
judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the
Father.

Acts 17:31 . . For God has set a day when he will judge the world with
justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men
by raising him from the dead.

Rev 19:15 . . He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the
winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

You know all those horrors depicted in the book of Revelation? Jesus Christ
has been designated to supervise every one of them.

Rev 1:1 . .The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his
servants.
_
 

aspen

“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few
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Pretty sad when flipping a coin gives you better odds than some Christian’s view of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Some really seem to believe that God sacrificed His Son so that, either people He already created for Heaven could go to Heaven OR so that the smallest amount of true followers can be saved - everyone else is just up a creek.

How wimpy is that? Really? So human vaccines are many times more effective at fighting disease than Jesus’s sacrifice is for saving people?

Nah, the God I know is omnipotent
 
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Webers_Home

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Acts 9:1-6 . . Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats
against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for
letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who
belonged to The Way, whether men or women, he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem

. . . As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven
flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him:
Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, sir? Saul asked. I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting; he replied. Now get up and go into the
city, and you will be told what you must do.

Saul was very fortunate. With that obtuse Jewish attitude of his, he would
have been lost for sure had not Christ trespassed upon his privacy with a
close encounter of a third kind.

The interesting thing about Saul was his spiritual condition. He wasn't an
Atheist or a Communist or an Islamic Fundamentalist; yet he hated
Christians just as passionately as if he were an Atheist or a Communist or an
Islamic Fundamentalist.

But if perchance you're one of those reading this, don't get your hopes up
expecting maybe you too will be converted by a close encounter with Christ
of a third kind. God had a special purpose in mind with Saul's conversion;
there's no logical basis for assuming He has a similar purpose in mind for
you.
_
 

Webers_Home

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According to Siddhartha Gautama, there is no personal "soul" that continues
to exist beyond the demise of one's organic body; ergo: one's original self
no longer exists after death.

So then in Buddhist rebirth; what is reborn if not the person? Answer:
Buddhist rebirth is not a resurrection; but rather; a rearrangement of the
karmic matter that was once a particular individual.

Simply put, karmic matter is like the pieces and parts that go into
assembling a chariot; which when dismantled, the pieces and parts can be
utilized to construct some other conveyance; with very possibly another
gender too; which means that if Steve Jobs is back on earth as rearranged
karma; then he/she just might be back as a sea urchin, or a termite, or a
fruit bat rather than a human being. He could even be kelp spore in the
Pacific ocean off the coast of San Diego, or even as E.coli 0157-H7 in the
belly of a cow being fattened up with genetically engineered grain in one of
Tyson's concentrated animal feeding operations, or as an Indonesian child
destined to work for peanuts in one of Nike's offshore sweat shops making
shoes and sports apparel selling for big bucks to Chinese consumers.

In addition: reincarnation doesn't usually stop with one event unless a
Buddhist manages to achieve nirvana on the first try; but typically
eventuates in the possibility of a Buddhist having to undergo six cycles of
birth, misery, and death called samsara.

Unlike reincarnation's potentially numerous cycles of birth, misery, and
death; Christianity allots but one resurrection per person (Dan 12:2, John
5:29, Rev 20:5-6). So then, those who undergo a second death in the
reservoir of molten sulfur depicted at Rev 20:10-15 won't be coming back in
another form because they will have used up their one allotted resurrection
in order to face justice at the Great White Throne event.
_
 

BARNEY BRIGHT

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According to Luke 13:22-24, Matt 7:13-14, and Matt 22:14 the majority has
not been making it to safety when they pass on.

/






We can best understand this interesting passage by considering its setting. Some six months before his death, Jesus was in Jerusalem during the anniversary of the rededication of the temple. He spoke of being the shepherd of God’s sheep but pointed out that the Jews in general were not among such sheep because they refused to listen. When he said that he was “one” with his Father, the Jews lifted up stones to stone him. He escaped to Perea beyond the Jordan.—John 10:1-40.

There a man asked: “Lord, are those who are being saved few?” (Luke 13:23) That was a fitting question for him to ask, since Jews of that time held that only a limited number would merit salvation. Given their attitude, it is not hard to imagine who they thought would constitute the few. How mistaken they were, as later developments would show!

For some two years, Jesus had been among them, teaching, performing miracles, and holding out the possibility of their becoming heirs of the heavenly Kingdom. With what result? They, and their leaders in particular, were proud of being descendants of Abraham and being entrusted with God’s Law. (Matthew 23:2; John 8:31-44) But they would not recognize and respond to the Fine Shepherd’s voice. There had been as if an open door before them, with membership in the Kingdom as the chief reward for going through it, but they refused. Only a relatively few, mainly from the lowly class, heard Jesus’ message of truth, responded, and stuck with him.—Luke 22:28-30; John 7:47-49.

On the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., it was the latter ones who were in line to be anointed with spirit. (Acts 2:1-38) They were not among the workers of unrighteousness mentioned by Jesus who would weep and gnash their teeth because of failing to take up the opportunity made available to them.—Luke 13:27, 28.

Consequently, in the first century the “many” were the Jews in general, and especially the religious leaders. These claimed to want God’s favor—but only according to their own standards and ways, not God’s. In contrast, the relatively “few” who responded out of a sincere interest in being part of the Kingdom became anointed members of the Christian congregation.

Now consider the more extended application that takes place in our day. Countless individuals attending the churches of Christendom have been taught that they will go to heaven. This aspiration, however, is not based on the accurate teachings of the Scriptures. As with the Jews earlier, these want God’s favor only on their own terms.

There have been, though, a relatively few in our time who have humbly responded to the Kingdom message, dedicated themselves to Jehovah, and come in line for his favor. This has led to their becoming “sons of the kingdom.” (Matthew 13:38) Such anointed “sons” began to be invited at Pentecost 33 C.E. Jehovah’s Witnesses have long held that the evidence of God’s dealing with his people suggests that fundamentally the members of the heavenly class have been called. Hence, those who have learned Bible truth in recent years have understood that the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth is now being extended. These have come to outnumber the declining remnant of anointed Christians, who have the prospect of actually going to heaven. Luke 13:24 does not apply principally to those who do not expect to go to heaven, but it certainly contains wise advice for them.

By urging us to exert ourselves vigorously, Jesus was not saying that either he or his Father puts obstacles in our way to hinder us. But we understand from Luke 13:24 that God’s requirements are such as to exclude unworthy ones. “Exert yourselves vigorously” implies struggling, extending ourselves. We thus might ask ourselves, ‘Am I extending myself?’ Luke 13:24 might be paraphrased, ‘I need to exert myself vigorously to get in through the narrow door because many will seek to get in but will not be able. So am I truly exerting myself vigorously? Am I like an athlete in an ancient stadium who gives his all to win the prize? No such athlete would be halfhearted, taking it easy. Am I?’

Jesus’ words suggest that some might seek to ‘get through the door’ only at their own convenience, at an easy pace that they prefer. Such an attitude could affect individual Witnesses. Some might reason, ‘I know of devoted Christians who extended themselves for years, making many sacrifices; yet, by the time of their death, the end of this wicked system still had not come. So maybe I’d better slow down, live a more normal life.’

It is easy to think that way, but is it really wise? For example, did the apostles think that way? Definitely not. They gave true worship their all—right down till their death. Paul, for instance, could say: “[Christ] is the one we are publicizing . . . To this end I am indeed working hard, exerting myself in accordance with the operation of him and which is at work in me with power.” Later he wrote: “To this end we are working hard and exerting ourselves, because we have rested our hope on a living God, who is a Savior of all sorts of men, especially of faithful ones.”—Colossians 1:28, 29; 1 Timothy 4:10.

We know that Paul did the absolutely right thing in exerting himself. How content each of us would be to be able to say as Paul did: “I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) So in line with Jesus’ words recorded at Luke 13:24, each of us can ask, ‘Am I applying myself with diligence and industriousness? Yes, do I give ample, regular evidence that I take to heart Jesus’ admonition: “Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door”?’
 

Webers_Home

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Gen 1:31 . . And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it
was very good.

The Hebrew word for "good" in that passage is extremely ambiguous, which
Webster's defines as capable of being understood in two or more possible
senses. Well; in the case of towb (tobe) there's a catalogue of senses to
choose from. However; in context, towb simply means everything turned out
exactly as God planned; including, but not limited to, humanity's
susceptibility to sin and death. That is just a cold, hard fact of life so
everybody might just as well bite the bullet, and get used to it.
_
 

Nancy

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And who is criticizing it as a religion of fear?
Satan, that's where that comes from, and Christianity is not a "religion".

Last time I did a Bible search on "fear", more than 60 scriptures showed up telling us not to fear.

Spot on post.
 
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BARNEY BRIGHT

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Gen 1:31 . . And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it
was very good.

The Hebrew word for "good" in that passage is extremely ambiguous, which
Webster's defines as capable of being understood in two or more possible
senses. Well; in the case of towb (tobe) there's a catalogue of senses to
choose from. However; in context, towb simply means everything turned out
exactly as God planned; including, but not limited to, humanity's
susceptibility to sin and death. That is just a cold, hard fact of life so
everybody might just as well bite the bullet, and get used to it.
_

I disagree with you using the word susceptibility as you are doing. Basically, you are saying that God created them in such a way that they were more likely to disobey rather than obey. I believe that if both Adam and Eve had progressed or kept growing in love with God they would have been obedient to him. Because they chose to be disobedient doesn't mean they couldn't choose to progress in that love. It is true love for God first and more is necessary to be obedient to him. If you don't truly love God first and more then yes you will most likely love something else or someone else more, but just because Adam and Eve chose to disobey doesn't mean God created them in such a way that they were more likely to be disobedient and would not grow or progress in love for God and obey him.
 

Webers_Home

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Rom 3:4 . .Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true. As the
Scriptures say, "He will be proved right in what He says, and He will win His
case in court."

Quite a number of Atheists that I encounter online are convinced that the
Bible's God doesn't know what He's talking about. Well; the day is coming
when they will do a face-to-face with their maker at which time both He and
they will be given an opportunity to debate their differences. When it's over,
God will have defended Himself to such a degree that even His opponents
will have to admit He was right all along.

That's interesting. It tells me that God doesn't insist He's right just because
He says so. It tells me His ways are logical, reasonable, and defensible. I
would really like to be a spectator at some of those face-offs. Should be very
entertaining.

Jude 14-16 . . See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of
his holy ones to judge everyone; and to convict all the ungodly of all the
impious acts they have done in an impious way, and of all the harsh words
that impious sinners have spoken against Him.
_
 

Webers_Home

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The tragedy of the second death is that there are no more lives after that
because according to Dan 12:2, John 5:29, and Rev 20:5-6 there is but one
resurrection allotted per person; which is very serious because according to
Rom 6:23, the wages of sin is death.

Let's say that somebody standing trial at the Great White Throne event
depicted at Rev 20:11-15 told something like 120 lies in their lifetime. Well;
according to the law of sin and death (Rom 6:23) they face capital
punishment for each count of lying, for a grand total of 120 executions.

Well; they won't have 120 lives with which to be executed 120 times; they'll
have just the one; leaving a balance of 119 lies for which the wages of sin is
death. So the reason nobody is coming back from the reservoir of flaming
sulfur is just simple arithmetic; viz: the reservoir can be thought of as a sort
of debtor's prison.

Matt 5:25-26 . . Come to terms with your adversary quickly, while you
are in the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the
judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have
paid the last penny.

Well, the wages of sin isn't pennies, or gold, or silver, or fiat currency, or
time behind bars: no; it's capital punishment, so that once people are
executed in the reservoir of brimstone that's where they'll stay because
they'll have no means at their disposal with which to pay their way out of
there.
_
 

Webers_Home

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Rev 14:6-7 . . And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having
the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, announcing with a loud
voice: Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is
come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the
fountains of waters.

The everlasting gospel is a bounce from the first chapter of Genesis. It's very
elementary; pretty much all it says is:

1• There's a supreme being.

2• He deserves respect.

3• There's a frightful reckoning looming on the horizon, and

4• The cosmos-- all of its forms of life, matter, and energy --is the product
of intelligent design.

Well; you can probably guess the fate of guys like Carl Sagan, Stephen
Hawking, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Even if they were totally unaware of a
Jesus and his gospel, they'd be taken down by the everlasting gospel.

Rom 1:19-20 . .What may be known about God is plain to them, because
God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's
invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature --have been clearly
seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without
excuse.
_
 

Harvest 1874

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Is the wages of sin death or is it eternal torment as some professed Christians attest?

I myself like many others come from a rather large family in which we all share various views on religion, personally I chose to take the Lord at his word on this matter that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23), however there are some within my family who believe that eternal torment is the wages of sin. My problem with this is that they also profess a belief in the teachings of our Lord, especially along the lines of LOVE; unfortunately I see very little evidence of this in the professions of their faith.

To avoid any misunderstandings I would like to make it abundantly clear that it is in regards to their faith, their professions, their beliefs we speak, NOT in regards to their lives.

If it were indeed true as many professed believers attest that the penalty of eternal torment awaits the sinner even ones very own loved ones who make no profession of faith, where’s the evidence of their love? If they truly believed what they professed to be true why do they not spend every waking moment in the endeavor to save those most closes and dearest to them from this supposed agony to come? If they truly loved their family as they profess they do would not the issue of one’s eternal destiny be the prime focus of every conversation superseding that of other issues of much lessor importance viz. politics, sports, jobs and etc., but alas silence, no mention is ever made of such.

Did not our Lord say that he who does not provide for his own (not merely in temporal goods, but more importantly in spiritual goods) is worse than a non-believer? What does this say of one’s faith, one’s character likeness to the Master when they care so little as to make sure beyond a doubt that their loved ones are made fully aware of this supposed eternal fate awaiting all sinners and non-believers?

The way I see it, if they do not truly believe what they profess then they are simply hanging on to this most blasphemous and God dishonoring doctrine out of fear, fear that they themselves might end up there.

This false doctrine, which had its beginnings in the Dark ages, was designed by the Apostate church in its endeavor to bring fear into its adherents, to force their compliance with the church’s dictates; unfortunately it is still tediously held onto by many who still live in fear of men. “The fear of man brings a snare: but he who puts his trust in the LORD (in his word, in the truth) shall be safe (freed from the errors and dictates of men).” Prov 29:25

My own views on this matter (and others), are not readily accepted by my family nor does this personally offend me. The Lord has clearly stated that a prophet is not generally accepted in his own country (or household) Luke 4:24 and therefore we should not expect all those close to us to accept what we believe. The Lord has promised, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall [set] you free” free from the lies and the deceptions of ages past.

“…God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment (Greek “kolasin” restraint, improperly rendered “torment”). He that fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18)

Those who have the "spirit of fear" are helped to counteract it by the "Spirit of truth," the "Spirit of love," if they receive it. Perfect love also casts out all servile fear of our Heavenly Father, for we learn to love and trust him. The best antidote for the fears taught by the precepts of men is love for God and an intimate acquaintance with him.
 
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Dcopymope

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Is the wages of sin death or is it eternal torment as some professed Christians attest?

I myself like many others come from a rather large family in which we all share various views on religion, personally I chose to take the Lord at his word on this matter that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23), however there are some within my family who believe that eternal torment is the wages of sin. My problem with this is that they also profess a belief in the teachings of our Lord, especially along the lines of LOVE; unfortunately I see very little evidence of this in the professions of their faith.

To avoid any misunderstandings I would like to make it abundantly clear that it is in regards to their faith, their professions, their beliefs we speak, NOT in regards to their lives.

If it were indeed true as many professed believers attest that the penalty of eternal torment awaits the sinner even ones very own loved ones who make no profession of faith, where’s the evidence of their love? If they truly believed what they professed to be true why do they not spend every waking moment in the endeavor to save those most closes and dearest to them from this supposed agony to come? If they truly loved their family as they profess they do would not the issue of one’s eternal destiny be the prime focus of every conversation superseding that of other issues of much lessor importance viz. politics, sports, jobs and etc., but alas silence, no mention is ever made of such.

Did not our Lord say that he who does not provide for his own (not merely in temporal goods, but more importantly in spiritual goods) is worse than a non-believer? What does this say of one’s faith, one’s character likeness to the Master when they care so little as to make sure beyond a doubt that their loved ones are made fully aware of this supposed eternal fate awaiting all sinners and non-believers?

The way I see it, if they do not truly believe what they profess then they are simply hanging on to this most blasphemous and God dishonoring doctrine out of fear, fear that they themselves might end up there.

This false doctrine, which had its beginnings in the Dark ages, was designed by the Apostate church in its endeavor to bring fear into its adherents, to force their compliance with the church’s dictates; unfortunately it is still tediously held onto by many who still live in fear of men. “The fear of man brings a snare: but he who puts his trust in the LORD (in his word, in the truth) shall be safe (freed from the errors and dictates of men).” Prov 29:25

My own views on this matter (and others), are not readily accepted by my family nor does this personally offend me. The Lord has clearly stated that a prophet is not generally accepted in his own country (or household) Luke 4:24 and therefore we should not expect all those close to us to accept what we believe. The Lord has promised, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall [set] you free” free from the lies and the deceptions of ages past.

“…God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment (Greek “kolasin” restraint, improperly rendered “torment”). He that fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18)

Those who have the "spirit of fear" are helped to counteract it by the "Spirit of truth," the "Spirit of love," if they receive it. Perfect love also casts out all servile fear of our Heavenly Father, for we learn to love and trust him. The best antidote for the fears taught by the precepts of men is love for God and an intimate acquaintance with him.

default_hmm.gif
I recall Jesus referring to the lake of fire as an everlasting punishment where there will be lots of crying and gnashing of teeth. But I also recall Jesus stating that hell was prepared specifically for Satan and his angel gang. So I've always had the view that if someone gets tossed in the fire, then they truly earned it. Who goes there will be entirely up to Jesus when it comes down to it. For all you know, the names of your unbelieving 'loved ones' might make it into the book of life. Do you believe that every single soul that ever lived will get tossed in the fire on the sole account of their unbelief even though they may never have heard of Jesus or even so much as the name "yahweh"?

Do you believe they get sent just because they aren't believers as is traditionally taught even though it is made plainly clear throughout the Bible that the judgement will be based primarily on their works? I think this is the real issue you are having with the idea of eternal torment. Its not so much it being a place of torment, but in who ends up getting sent there. The one thing I haven't been able to reconcile is the lake of fire being called the "second death", while at the same time its called an "everlasting fire". "Death" entails a finality, "everlasting" entails the exact opposite..So which one is it?? Its the eternality of hell that many, some who call themselves 'annihilationists' have an issue with.
 
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Harvest 1874

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I recall Jesus referring to the lake of fire as an everlasting punishment where there will be lots of crying and gnashing of teeth. But I also recall Jesus stating that hell was prepared specifically for Satan and his angel gang. So I've always had the view that if someone gets tossed in the fire, then they truly earned it. Who goes there will be entirely up to Jesus when it comes down to it. For all you know, the names of your unbelieving 'loved ones' might make it into the book of life. Do you believe that every single soul that ever lived will get tossed in the fire on the sole account of their unbelief even though they may never have heard of Jesus or even so much as the name "yahweh"?

Do you believe they get sent just because they aren't believers as is traditionally taught even though it is made plainly clear throughout the Bible that the judgement will be based primarily on their works? I think this is the real issue you are having with the idea of eternal torment. Its not so much it being a place of torment, but in who ends up getting sent there. The one thing I haven't been able to reconcile is the lake of fire being called the "second death", while at the same time its called an "everlasting fire". "Death" entails a finality, "everlasting" entails the exact opposite..So which one is it?? Its the eternality of hell that many, some who call themselves 'annihilationists' have an issue with.

You state: I recall Jesus referring to the lake of fire as an everlasting punishment where there will be lots of crying and gnashing of teeth. But I also recall Jesus stating that hell was prepared specifically for Satan and his angel gang. So I've always had the view that if someone gets tossed in the fire, then they truly earned it. Who goes there will be entirely up to Jesus when it comes down to it.

In Reply, it should likewise be recalled that when our Lord spoke in general, to the public he spoke in parables and dark sayings utilizing many metaphors and symbolism's in his messages that seeing they see not and hearing they hear not, nor do they understand (Matt 13:13). Only to his disciples did he fully explain what he truly meant to be understood, the rest would be brought to their attention and understanding following Pentecost and their receiving of the Holy Spirit.

As it is written, “…it has been given to you (the true Church) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (both the world and the professing Church, nominal Christians) it has not been given.”

You state: For all you know, the names of your unbelieving 'loved ones' might make it into the book of life. Do you believe that every single soul that ever lived will get tossed in the fire on the sole account of their unbelief even though they may never have heard of Jesus or even so much as the name "yahweh"?

In Reply, first of all as stated in my first reply I believe as the scriptures so teach, the “wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23) “By one man sin entered into the world and DEATH by (as a consequence) of sin.” (Rom 5:12) As for the idea that any should be eternally consigned to death merely because they felled to believe (due mostly to the confusion coming out of Babylon, the professing Church) and/or that they were never even made acquainted with the one name under the heavens by which they might be saved we whole heartily disagree.

We (that is speaking as a Bible Student) have already made our position clear on this issue, see Post # 81 under “What Makes a Bible Version a Paraphrase?

You asked: Do you believe they get sent just because they aren't believers as is traditionally taught even though it is made plainly clear throughout the Bible that the judgement will be based primarily on their works?

In Reply, Presently (and this applies only to the Church, NOT to mankind in general, the non-believing world) we are being judged according to our faith, of course works in conjunction with faith (Not any works to secure our salvation mind you, that has already been fully taken care of), but works in respects to doing good to all men, but especially those of the household of faith are acceptable through Christ Jesus our Lord and prerequisite of all those who aspire to have a share in the kingdom of God.

In the next age however when the knowledge of the Lord covers the earth even as the waters cover the sea, faith will not be as necessary as it is now, instead the world will be judged according to their works. (Rev 20:12) This is explained more thoroughly in our blog post entitled, “The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

You state: I think this is the real issue you are having with the idea of eternal torment. It’s not so much it being a place of torment, but in who ends up getting sent there.

In Reply, Actually we have no issue with the doctrine of “eternal torment” except that it continues to be a plague upon the professing church, but this is as the Lord stated it would be, they (the professing church) have chosen to believe the “lie”, the lie of the Adversary that “thou shall not surely die”, and so one lie being built upon the next they concoct another false doctrine to lend support to the previous one, in this instance the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, this in turn supports the next lie, that of eternal torment as the wages of sin. Since the soul as they imagine is immortal they believe that the sinner or non-believer cannot die and therefore a place (the Hell of their imaginations) must be created to contain all these lost souls that they might suffer there eternally for their sins.

Poor deluded souls truly as the Lord has stated, “the fear (imaginings, the torment) of man brings a snare.”

You state: The one thing I haven't been able to reconcile is the lake of fire being called the "second death", while at the same time it’s called an "everlasting fire". "Death" entails finality; "everlasting" entails the exact opposite. So which one is it?? It’s the eternality of hell that many, some who call themselves 'annihilationist' have an issue with.

In Reply, This is rather simple to understand when rightly understood. The reward of those who pass the final test at the end of the next age during the “little season” is said to be everlasting life, for those who fell this test it is the exact opposite everlasting death.

The Lake of fire well symbolizes the second death from which there is to be no future possibility of a resurrection; it represents well the complete destruction of all that is casts into it. Symbolically it is an everlasting fire, one which is not quenched until it shall have accomplished its purpose of complete destruction.

That which is completely destroyed no longer exists. Have you ever heard of a persevering fire? I think not, because there is no such thing.

Death is the end or cessation of life; it’s being called everlasting simply implies the length of that death is eternal, everlasting death, a death that will last through all eternity, a lasting or perpetual destruction, an everlasting extinction of being, of existence.

Understand its not the state of dying that last forever its the death of the individual that is to last forever.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God [the pronounced penalty for sin, the curse, the sentence, death] abides on him." "The soul that sins it shall die." "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."--John 3:36; Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:12.
 
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Human life is fragile; so much so that even something as thin as the air can
snuff it out.

Isa 40:6-7 . . All flesh is grass, and all its kindness is like the blossom of
the field. The grass shall dry out, the blossom shall wilt, for a wind from the
Lord has blown upon it; behold the people is grass.

According to a report released on March 25, 2014 by the World Health
Organization; air pollution kills, on average, seven million people per
annum; and is linked to one in eight deaths (12½%) world-wide. Think of it.
That percentage represents 935,593,471 deaths linked to air pollution per
annum out of a currently estimated 7,484,747,770 people.

An estimated 4.3 million people died in 2012 as a result of indoor air
pollution, mostly from cooking inside with coal or wood stoves in developing
countries, according to a report by the public health agency of the United
Nations.

Air pollution is so lethal because it exacerbates other conditions like cardio
vascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Were people with those
conditions permitted to breathe clean, fresh air free of hazardous chemicals
and toxic particulates, they would live longer.
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