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Why didn't God tell Adam and Eve about hell?
Why didn't Paul tell the idol worshipers in Athens about hell? Did Jesus ever say the word hell?
shouldn't He still be there? Do you "try" to love God because you feel you have to? Be honest... Are you afraid that someone you love will go to hell? Would you like to know that no one will spend eternity in hell? |
The Bible is where we get our traditional view of hell. With some study we find that it's original languages shed quite a different light on punishment and it's purpose. |
People from mainline denominations are coming to accept the fact that the salvation of all mankind can be Found in the scriptures. Some are in the middle on this issue but are at least admitting that there is a great likelihood that it is true. One minister in particular has written a book about it but because he is known as a mainline denominational leader, he wrote the book under a pseudonym. It is "The Evangelical Universalist" by Gregory Macdonald. Other than the fact that it makes a lot more sense than believing God created most of humanity to burn in Hell, believing it can drastically affect how we relate to people. Yes, I know the argument is that God created none to go to Hell, people go there of their own choice. I used to believe that too. That would mean that God is totally out of control, that someone else is more powerful then He is. If we are genuinely interested in finding out about what the Bible really says about Hell, we just have to set aside our present ideas and start to search. I know for me, I see God in a whole new light. I can see the heart of God. See Him in the woman who lost her coin and swept her house until she found it. See Him as the good shepherd who goes to find the one sheep that is lost. Granted, He may have to break the little thing's leg to keep him in the fold, if he is a wayward sheep, but He will do that. Wayward or not, He belongs to the shepherd. See Him as the merchant man who found in us a pearl of great price and gave everything He had, including His life, to purchase it. We were made FOR Him. For His own sake, He blots out our iniquities. That should comfort your heart! It has been said that we become like the "God" we serve. If we see Him as cruel and demanding we have a good chance of turning out like that ourselves. On the other hand, if He is viewed as a loving Savior willing to give His life for every man and not only willing but able to see to it that they all end up in His good graces, it actually makes it possible for us to learn to love people like He loves them. It's not about right rules and bylaws, right methods of baptism, right hairdos, right denominations, it's about love. It's about being conformed into the image of God's dear son. It's about change, and that is something we will all experience. It's about forgiveness. Feed my enemy, you say? How can that ever happen unless the fire of God burns the selfishness out of us? To use a well worn expression in the world of Christian Universalism which is a little on the light hearted side but should cause us to think, I ask..Would God tell us to love our enemies when He plans to fry His? Why I Believe No One Will Stay In Hell I am using the word "Hell" here strictly for the benefit of those of you who do still believe it is a literal place of fire, pain, and torture. When it comes right down to it, not only do I believe no one will stay in Hell, I believe no one will GO to Hell, because "that" Hell doesn't exist, nor has it ever existed. God defines Himself as “Love”. God is sovereign. There is no greater power. He gets what He wants. He will have ALL MEN to be saved. He instructs us to pray for ALL MEN. We were created FOR God Man nor devil can overthrow His plan. God planned the fall of man, in Adam. (Lamb was slain before foundation of the world) God created vessels of honor and dishonor(Judas, Pharaoh) for His plan. God created all of creation in corruption and futility. God created all of creation with the hope of being delivered from it. Our view of Hell does not come from the Bible. None of the 4 words translated “hell” indicate endlessness. The Lake of fire appears to be God, Himself. (see interesting words) If punishment of unbelievers is endless, some scriptures must be ignored. God commands all men everywhere to repent. Christ will reign until all are in submission to Him. Every knee will bow in worship and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord Jesus is the only way to God. No man comes except through Him. No man comes to God unless He is drawn by God’s spirit. Jesus said, if He was crucified that He would “draw” all men to Himself. The Greek word for “draw” literally means drag.(check it out yourself) Jesus tasted death for every man. God has concluded all in unbelief that He may show mercy to all. God's punishments are corrective. This is an excerpt from Ryan Healy's "The Greatest Love Story Never Told" Read whole article.
nearly a hundred years ago.
thought of before, but had never been able to Biblically support. Here is what Knoch says... The grand truth concerning the eonian times, now recovered from Scriptures, will relieve the minds of many noble men. So said a trained theologian, after having spent seventy years of his life without ever hearing it mentioned. No normal human being desires to believe in everlasting torment, even for his worst enemy. Some of its strongest and noblest advocates have expressed their profound sorrow that they were compelled to teach it, and declared that God Himself would have it otherwise, were it in His power. Those who gloat in it and enjoy preaching it, expose the baseness of their own hearts. The fact that the Bible teaches it may demand acquiescence, but it cannot command heartfelt accord. The fact that everlasting torment is contrary to God's revealed character and clashes with every human instinct does not disprove it. If God's Word teaches it, it's true. But the fact that it is repugnant, not merely to the nature we have by creation, but especially to the spirit we receive as a seal of God's salvation, should lead us to investigate the grounds on which it rests. The original Scriptures are infallible, but the Bible we have is only a translation, into which a measure of human fallibility is mixed. Does the Original teach endless punishment? |
| We believe what we believe about hell because of the way our Bibles read. As traditional church goers, probably, very few of us have been encouraged to voice our fears and questions when it comes to hell. As much as I didn't understand the whole concept of hell, I felt I had no choice but to believe it because of what the Bible says. Well, in the last few years, I started to see some of the other things the Bible says. One of them is .."Come, let us reason together..." I knew that verse existed, I just never did what it said. I guess I didn't know I could "reason" where Hell was concerned. Why are we uncomfortable with reasoning when it comes to hell? Perhaps we just feel inadequate to even speculate. Are we afraid that God will send us to hell if we question it? Jesus didn't say, "whosoever believeth in hell shall have everlasting life." He said, "for God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." We are encouraged from the scriptures to search them, to rightly divide them, to study like the Bereans to see if what we have been taught is true. God is the perfect father. He disciplines His children as any father would, but, His punishment is for our good, not for our endless torture. Who would benefit by eternal torment? Seriously...think about it... For me, finding out that the doctrine of hell is not as "set in stone" as I thought it was has been too good to be true, but I believe it is. Jesus said, "fear not" way too many times for us to be afraid to enjoy life to the fullest. Enjoying life became an impossiblity for me, believing so many people would burn in hell forever, especially, some of my family. |
mistaken hears the truth, he will
either quit being mistaken, or cease
to be honest....
Think About it.....
| So, you say you believe sinners will be cast into hell forever? How many people have you tried to keep from going today? |
Click to read about
Websites
You know, if you really believe in an endless Hell,
you should have yourself sterilized so you won't
bring more humans into existence and risk their
going there forever.....
Read this testimony of a man that did just that.
Personally, I think it's the only sensible thing to do.
Debbie
you should have yourself sterilized so you won't
bring more humans into existence and risk their
going there forever.....
Read this testimony of a man that did just that.
Personally, I think it's the only sensible thing to do.
Debbie
A Few Last Minute Thoughts On Hell |
The Bible is mostly written to God's People, not the heathen. The Old Testament is a lot of history and prophecy and just
everyday common sense and wisdom that could benefit anyone, but if one is not concerned with God in some way, he
would probably not be interested in reading it. It is written by men, chosen of God, to give instruction, history, correction,
warning, and consolation, to HIS people. I really think the idea was/is for those people to take the message to the rest of
the world. And that, not so much in word only, but , to be done by exemplifying the true nature of Christ in us. What is that
nature? Doing what He did. Laying down our lives to reach people. Not too motivating is it? Unless you are one of God's
people, then it becomes your prayer to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to do it.
Now, think about the New Testament. How do many of the books start? By addressing CHURCHES, right? The Bible is a
collection of books about God to people who were chosen by God to be a special people to Himself, to people concerned
with or seeking God, and to those of us who are believers.
Jesus even said that He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Yes, He came as the savior of the whole world but
He also came as a teacher to His people. Savior to the whole world because He made the whole world. What was He to do
create millions of people, only to choose out a few for His elect, then wadd up the rest and toss 'em in the garbage can?
No, they are all valuable to Him. God so loved the WORLD.....
Many of the Hell scriptures are addressed to the people who were supposed to be God's chosen people, They were being
warned of the regret they would experience if they chose their own way over giving up their preconceived ideas of who
the Messiah was. The message to them was "repent". Or, change your ideas about the Messiah and the kingdom.
everyday common sense and wisdom that could benefit anyone, but if one is not concerned with God in some way, he
would probably not be interested in reading it. It is written by men, chosen of God, to give instruction, history, correction,
warning, and consolation, to HIS people. I really think the idea was/is for those people to take the message to the rest of
the world. And that, not so much in word only, but , to be done by exemplifying the true nature of Christ in us. What is that
nature? Doing what He did. Laying down our lives to reach people. Not too motivating is it? Unless you are one of God's
people, then it becomes your prayer to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to do it.
Now, think about the New Testament. How do many of the books start? By addressing CHURCHES, right? The Bible is a
collection of books about God to people who were chosen by God to be a special people to Himself, to people concerned
with or seeking God, and to those of us who are believers.
Jesus even said that He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Yes, He came as the savior of the whole world but
He also came as a teacher to His people. Savior to the whole world because He made the whole world. What was He to do
create millions of people, only to choose out a few for His elect, then wadd up the rest and toss 'em in the garbage can?
No, they are all valuable to Him. God so loved the WORLD.....
Many of the Hell scriptures are addressed to the people who were supposed to be God's chosen people, They were being
warned of the regret they would experience if they chose their own way over giving up their preconceived ideas of who
the Messiah was. The message to them was "repent". Or, change your ideas about the Messiah and the kingdom.
We know we are all born condemned because of John 3...But what does that mean? It seems we just naturally assume it
Means we go to Hell at death if we have not believed. But what if "condemned" simply means that, like Paul said in Roman
7, we have a sin making machine in us(my version) and sooner or later it is going to get us into loads of trouble. Perhaps
THAT is why we need saving. NOT saving from Hell.
Looking at the "Hell" words in the Bible, it seems that we are missing something. I guess it is just a human thing to bolster
what we already believe instead of seeing what the Bible really says. The Hell words in the OT are Sheol and Tophet, or,
the valley of Hinnom, Sheol is where everybody went when they died...good or bad. It is just the place of the dead, period. It
is called Sheol, the grave and the pit. Tophet is the valley of Israel's demise when they are totally defeated because of
their disobedience. In the New Testament it is translated Hell.
Daniel 12:2 is the only other reference in the Old Testament that people interpret as a "Hell" scripture. He only mentions
that some will be raised to shame and everlasting contempt....no mention of endless torture. And if Daniel is writing about
the people of God, then he is not writing about rank sinners..he is writing about the PEOPLE OF GOD, which also happen to
be the recipients of the Hell warnings (ref: Gehenna NT,Tophet, valley of Hinnom in OT) in the New Testament.
It seems logical to me that only those who were given the oracles of God would be the ones raised to everlasting shame
when they find out they were doing their own thing instead of God's thing, which is what they were supposed to do.(except
for the fact that some of them were blinded by God for a time, for a purpose)
(side note... Now, those of us who think we are pleasing God by tallying up all that we do for Him, may one day find that we
have been pleasing our own ego instead. That could have a good bit of shame with it...so, check your motives Christian.
Why do you do what you do? If we learn to judge ourselves, we won't be judged. Will WE hear..depart, I never knew you?
I don't think the Hell Christianity knows about was ever God's Hell in the first place. And, I believe that "Hell" is the "glitch"
in our theology I also believe the "Hell" that God did allow is for the purpose of correction.
What did Jesus tell the "children of Hell" in Matthew 23 ? (Use reason...based on what He said, could Hell be endless?)
You won't see me again UNTIL you say.."Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
This is what I call repentance!!
Means we go to Hell at death if we have not believed. But what if "condemned" simply means that, like Paul said in Roman
7, we have a sin making machine in us(my version) and sooner or later it is going to get us into loads of trouble. Perhaps
THAT is why we need saving. NOT saving from Hell.
Looking at the "Hell" words in the Bible, it seems that we are missing something. I guess it is just a human thing to bolster
what we already believe instead of seeing what the Bible really says. The Hell words in the OT are Sheol and Tophet, or,
the valley of Hinnom, Sheol is where everybody went when they died...good or bad. It is just the place of the dead, period. It
is called Sheol, the grave and the pit. Tophet is the valley of Israel's demise when they are totally defeated because of
their disobedience. In the New Testament it is translated Hell.
Daniel 12:2 is the only other reference in the Old Testament that people interpret as a "Hell" scripture. He only mentions
that some will be raised to shame and everlasting contempt....no mention of endless torture. And if Daniel is writing about
the people of God, then he is not writing about rank sinners..he is writing about the PEOPLE OF GOD, which also happen to
be the recipients of the Hell warnings (ref: Gehenna NT,Tophet, valley of Hinnom in OT) in the New Testament.
It seems logical to me that only those who were given the oracles of God would be the ones raised to everlasting shame
when they find out they were doing their own thing instead of God's thing, which is what they were supposed to do.(except
for the fact that some of them were blinded by God for a time, for a purpose)
(side note... Now, those of us who think we are pleasing God by tallying up all that we do for Him, may one day find that we
have been pleasing our own ego instead. That could have a good bit of shame with it...so, check your motives Christian.
Why do you do what you do? If we learn to judge ourselves, we won't be judged. Will WE hear..depart, I never knew you?
I don't think the Hell Christianity knows about was ever God's Hell in the first place. And, I believe that "Hell" is the "glitch"
in our theology I also believe the "Hell" that God did allow is for the purpose of correction.
What did Jesus tell the "children of Hell" in Matthew 23 ? (Use reason...based on what He said, could Hell be endless?)
You won't see me again UNTIL you say.."Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
This is what I call repentance!!
Scared Of Hell ?
How many times have you looked at that little tract called "The Roman Road To Salvation"? And read the
scripture that it uses to convince sinners that they need saving?
We know it uses Romans 6:23 ,,,For the wages of sin is eternity in Hell; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
scripture that it uses to convince sinners that they need saving?
We know it uses Romans 6:23 ,,,For the wages of sin is eternity in Hell; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Oops! I quoted it wrong didn't I? It doesn't say the wages of
sin is Hell, it says death, just as plain as the nose on your
face.....
Go figure...I didn't see it myself until about 7 years ago.
"Abandoned Houses On The Roman Road"
(excellent short article)
sin is Hell, it says death, just as plain as the nose on your
face.....
Go figure...I didn't see it myself until about 7 years ago.
"Abandoned Houses On The Roman Road"
(excellent short article)
| Here are some quotes from people who believe in a literal, burning Hell. After finding the real meaning of the "Hell words", it is so hard to understand how one can be so hard and calloused as the people who made these comments. Click Here to Read the Comments. You know, reading some of those comments, I get the feeling that the "commenters" are coming up with the best explanations they can to make some sense out of a rediculously, unbelievable, situation. Think about it.....what kind of parent could look at their child suffering horribly and not have one bit of compassion? I am so thankful that I was allowed to find what the original languages of the Bible say about God's judgment and the purpose for it. It makes so much more sense..... God Is Reasonable! Religion is not. |
"BLESSED ARE THE
CRACKED,FOR THEY ARE
THE ONES WHO LET IN THE
LIGHT!"
Maxine :-)
CRACKED,FOR THEY ARE
THE ONES WHO LET IN THE
LIGHT!"
Maxine :-)
You could be thinking that
one who believes all will be
saved does not fear the
judgments of God. Let me
tell you, that couldn't be
further from the truth. Since
I learned about God's plan
to redeem all of His
creation I have more respect
and actual fear of His
judgments that ever before.
The idea of eternal torture is
so unbelievable it causes
many to just blow off the
notion of judgment
altogether if they consider
themselves a Christian.
God is still a God of justice.
But let me ask you this
question.
How just is it for God to
lose most of His creation
to the devil?
Give that question some
real thought..ok?
one who believes all will be
saved does not fear the
judgments of God. Let me
tell you, that couldn't be
further from the truth. Since
I learned about God's plan
to redeem all of His
creation I have more respect
and actual fear of His
judgments that ever before.
The idea of eternal torture is
so unbelievable it causes
many to just blow off the
notion of judgment
altogether if they consider
themselves a Christian.
God is still a God of justice.
But let me ask you this
question.
How just is it for God to
lose most of His creation
to the devil?
Give that question some
real thought..ok?
Listen to this awesome song about God's love for
His creation. Think of God as the love of your life.
Your relationship with Him WILL start to change.
How HE Loves Us
His creation. Think of God as the love of your life.
Your relationship with Him WILL start to change.
How HE Loves Us
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
but the righteous into life eternal.
Matthew 25:46
but the righteous into life eternal.
Matthew 25:46
This is the big Hell scripture of Christendom. Its amazing how simple it isn't!
Do you believe that we are saved by our works?
Let's see what this Hell passage really says.
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon
the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one
from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his
right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me
meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed
me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or
thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed
thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on
the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye
visited me not.
44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger,
or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Hum... We see what He didnt say.
He didn't say to those on His left...depart from me, ye cursed, nto everlasting fire, prepared for the devil
and his angels: For you never accepted Me as your savior....
Just something to think about.....
Do you believe that we are saved by our works?
Let's see what this Hell passage really says.
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon
the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one
from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his
right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me
meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed
me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or
thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed
thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on
the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye
visited me not.
44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger,
or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Hum... We see what He didnt say.
He didn't say to those on His left...depart from me, ye cursed, nto everlasting fire, prepared for the devil
and his angels: For you never accepted Me as your savior....
Just something to think about.....
How Many People Have You warned about Hell today?
God Of The Ages is a simple to understand
site for believers down South where I live. :)
site for believers down South where I live. :)
Which is
easier?
Warning
someone to get
their flu shot OR
warning them
about going to
Hell?
easier?
Warning
someone to get
their flu shot OR
warning them
about going to
Hell?
Do you realize
that God,
through Paul,
said He
commands ALL
men
EVERYWHERE
to repent?
that God,
through Paul,
said He
commands ALL
men
EVERYWHERE
to repent?
Love Me, OR,
I'll burn you in
Hell forever,
Is that the
extent of our
relationship
with God ?
Think about it
I'll burn you in
Hell forever,
Is that the
extent of our
relationship
with God ?
Think about it
If some are
damned forever in
Hell, how can all
be drawn to
Christ?
If the lake of fire
is the 2nd death
and death is the
last enemy of God
to be destroyed,
How can it be
endless?
damned forever in
Hell, how can all
be drawn to
Christ?
If the lake of fire
is the 2nd death
and death is the
last enemy of God
to be destroyed,
How can it be
endless?
Food For Thought.....
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.....
Read online:
"Is Hell
Eternal? Or,
Will God's Plan
Fail?"
Click Here
"Is Hell
Eternal? Or,
Will God's Plan
Fail?"
Click Here
I found it is OK to
come out of the
box. When I got
out of one box, I
found I was in
another, then,
another, until I
finally realized
God owns all the
boxes!
come out of the
box. When I got
out of one box, I
found I was in
another, then,
another, until I
finally realized
God owns all the
boxes!
Many people know the Bible says death and Hell will be cast into the lake of fire, so, probably, whatever we believe Hell to be, most believe it is the lake of fire, spoken of in Revelation. Because we see this as the grand finale of God's plan for the wicked and unbelievers, we don't think about it much. We just accept it. Like it or not... Who can change it? Who would argue with God about His plan? But, what we may not think about is ..What if the lake of fire is not the grand finale? Is that possible? Can we do that without questioning God? As our new President elect, says, "Yes We Can". One thing that may be helpful is to ask yourself..why fire? Well, our God seems to be all about fire and that could be because He is an all consuming fire, Himself. Also, keep in mind that it is not just the one's who are cast into the lake of fire that experience the fire of God. Moses saw God as a bush on fire. Fire protected and guided God's people through the wilderness and at the same time held back their enemies. Fire baptized the early believers when they were filled with the Holy Ghost and Fire. We are told to think it not strange concerning the "fiery trials" that will try us. God must think fire is important huh? As believers, we experience God's fire every time we are convicted of sin in our lives. Think about the lake of fire with these things in mind. Here is an excerpt from a book I want to show you. It explains it pretty well, in my opinion.... “Salted With Fire – A Gift for the Body of Christ” Author....John Van Tuyl To order the book go to http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=45166 It is also available online at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon, and Borders. |
| The Lake The Burns With Fire And Brimstone |
"I have come to see that the reason the Lake of Fire has no
effect upon the overcomers is because these individuals
have become completely one with Holy Fire. Fire has no
discernible effect on fire. One flame simply commingles with
the other. The select body of people that are referred to as
the overcomers is actually the very same substance that
constitutes the body of this lake---just as it is common for us
to refer to the greater body of people in the world as “the
sea of humanity”.
effect upon the overcomers is because these individuals
have become completely one with Holy Fire. Fire has no
discernible effect on fire. One flame simply commingles with
the other. The select body of people that are referred to as
the overcomers is actually the very same substance that
constitutes the body of this lake---just as it is common for us
to refer to the greater body of people in the world as “the
sea of humanity”.