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 | Hank | 122088 | ||
Rowdy, concerning your "Parable of the Ants," not only does the analgoy fail but so does the slant on the ant. It is man whom Scripture tells to learn the ways of the ant, not the ant the ways of man. __Go the the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise__ [Proverbs 6:6]. --Hank | ||||||
3 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Rowdy | 122109 | ||
You seem to have conveniently forgotten about another passage in Psalms. This is just an excerpt: Ps 22:3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them. 5 To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people. It's not a totally new concept to see oneself as being humble to the creator of the universe but I'll readily admit it's no longer fashionable in this world. I do hope you're learning to read my posts with an open mind. But regardless, God bless. --Rowdy |
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4 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Hank | 122138 | ||
Rowdy, it has been my considerable experience that it makes no difference to him who reads with an open mind or a closed one when that which he reads contains nothing of substance with which to fill it. --Hank | ||||||
5 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Rowdy | 122213 | ||
Thanks be to God, the Forum is participated on by a very large team of people who truly are devoted to God and His Word with an open mind. I'm hoping you're one of them. It's good to see your responses to my posts again. I do hope God blesses you for all your days. --Rowdy |
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