Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Rowdy | 122077 | ||
Imagine for a moment that you would like to communicate to a member of the insect world. You may have created an ant farm and you have a family or a whole entire "clan" of ants living in it. You'd like to tell them about their world and what they're all about. You'd like to see them improve their lot and maybe even mature into such a state so as to come join you in your world. Now you begin to see the difficulty our God has in communicating with us, His creation. He created us, the whole universe and everything in it. He loves His creation just as any parent loves his child. Parents have aspirations and goals for which they wish their child(ren) might accomplish in their lives. Parents also have fears about the harshness and cruelty of this world for their kids. Speaking as parents, I know my wife and I have these concerns as do all good and loving parents. Now there are a few scriptures that depict Heaven and a few more that describe Hell. Most of those descriptions are made up of hard, physical items. We see scenes like streets of gold or mansions of pearl and jewels for Heaven and for Hell we see fire and gnashing of teeth. But also we know that these ultimate places for our souls after Judgment Day, take place after the destruction of this universe as revealed by Peter in his 2nd epistle, Chapter 3:10. So it is a perfectly good valid reason to conclude that this language describing Heaven and Hell is figurative or symbolic. Now back to your question: "Is Hell a literal place?" I don't really know for certain. I think we can be assured that they really do exist as God has already stated Hell has already been prepared, as stated in Matt 25:41. In other verses, God tells Heaven has been prepared for those of us who obey and are faithful to Him. Please don't misunderstand. I believe very strongly in Heaven and Hell as I've been a christian for most of my life and grew up as a child in a christian home. My main point with this post is that we as God's children need to study His Word with an open mind and an open heart. We need to be receptive and completely willing to accept whatever Home in Heaven He's got prepared for us. Whatever the details about Heaven, we can be assured that it will be great as God will make certain it is. He knows us better than we know ourselves. So Heaven will be far better than all the descriptions in the Bible combined. On the other hand, I'm convinced Hell will be just the opposite, that is it will be far worse than all the combined descriptions from God's Word. So we all should be very much motivated to avoid Hell at all costs. Christ emphasized this point so very much in Matt 5:29 and for what it's worth, in my opinion, He meant those words very literally. I do sincerely hope these words help in your understanding but the important thing is that you and all Bible students need to study His Word and come to your own conclusion. God bless. --Rowdy |
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2 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | srbaegon | 122079 | ||
Hello Rowdy, Do you realize how contradictory your post sounds? In one paragraph you say: "Now back to your question: 'Is Hell a literal place?' I don't really know for certain. I think we can be assured that they really do exist as God has already stated Hell has already been prepared, as stated in Matt 25:41. In other verses, God tells Heaven has been prepared for those of us who obey and are faithful to Him." If you don't know for certain hell is a literal place, how can you say for certain that you believe in it? The Lord Jesus believed in a literal hell enough to describe it. Steve |
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3 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Rowdy | 122108 | ||
I just posted this same note to Hank. Take a look. Quoted from Paul, probably the wisest human this side of the cross. 1 Cor 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 20Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. I could also quote the last few chapters of Job with all the unanswerable questions from God. I'd be interested in seeing your answers to that quiz. Care to try? If you'll consider my statement a little more carefully, maybe with an open mind, you may discover another meaning between "I don't really know for certain and I think...they really do exist." Hint: God is spiritual. Please re-consider these thoughts and get back to me. God bless. --Rowdy |
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4 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | srbaegon | 122140 | ||
Hello Rowdy, I asked a straightforward question and expected an answer in kind. Will you give one, or will you rather reply with nonsensical abstractions? Steve |
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5 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | BradK | 122141 | ||
Rowdy, For the sake of the Forum, I'm going to side with Steve on this. Your post hardly warrants a response in my mind- and I'm being nice:-) You answer off-the-cuff, without any certainty, and most of the time, I can't honestly discern what on earth you're talking about or where you're coming from. I'm not alone on this either! Brother, no one- least of all myself- wants to limit your right to post on the Forum. However, I have to honestly wonder, when you've had so many different individuals trying to tell you that you're not making sense, it seems reasonable to me that one would heed the advice. I for one, do not know everything- far from it. But, I also don't just jump out there, flinging answers willy-nilly! Take care to post what you know tempered with reason and due diligence. Others are coming on this Forum looking for answers. We all have a responsibility to post sound, biblically based responses, citing sources to support what we say. We should refrain from haphazard guess-work as it is not becoming of any serious student of scripture- myself included! We only learn if we listen and if we sincerely consider and apply what other more learned men of God have to say. There are a number of such individuals on this Forum currently. Seek them out my friend:-) Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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