Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Won't heaven's joy be spoiled...? | Rom 1:18 | kalos | 46550 | ||
"There are no grounds for thinking that this or any other memory will be erased in heaven." "HELL'S FINAL ENIGMA by J.I. Packer "'Won't heaven's joy be spoiled by our awareness of unsaved loved ones in hell?' "First, I resonate with the question to the depths of my soul. Loved ones of my own, some living, some dead, have not shared my faith in Christ. That is painful. "Second, belief in the outright annihilation of nonbelievers after final judgment (as opposed to an eternal punishment) seems to me biblically illegitimate. I suspect some Christians whose loved ones die without accepting Christ are tempted to embrace the annihilationist view. Scripture, however, seems to show that one aspect of human dignity is that we are built to last. Whether for joy or for sorrow, our souls are eternal. "Third, Scripture and good biblical theology indicate that none will be in hell who did not effectively choose it by following in the footsteps of Adam and preferring their own way to God's. In some fashion, God reveals himself and his will to everyone, and everyone responds in one way or another (see Rom. 1:18-2:16). But nonbelievers universally make the anti- God choice, and hell is God giving people what they chose. That is reality-retributive reality-and an abiding consequence of following our heart and doing what we want to do; I wish I could persuade more people to face this seriously. "Now pose the question in its toughest form. Imagine a believing spouse or parent who loved, prayed for, and agonized over a dear one who resisted the gospel and died suddenly in an accident. There are no grounds for thinking that this or any other memory will be erased in heaven. So how can it not keep the bereaved one from heaven's total joy? "To read the rest of Dr. Packer's thoughts on this subject, visit: http://ChristianityToday.com/ct/2002/005/27.84.html "J.I. Packer is executive editor of CT and a professor of theology at Regent College in Vancouver." (Quoted from: C H R I S T I A N I T Y T O D A Y . C O M C O N N E C T I O N (The Weekly Newsletter of Christianity Today International) (http://ChristianityToday.com/)) |
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2 | Won't heaven's joy be spoiled...? | Rom 1:18 | Mommapbs | 46561 | ||
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10:37 Greetings Kalos! I too have struggled with these thoughts about those I love. By God's grace only am I able to love the Lord, more than others. . . and the more I learn to love the Lord, the more I understand about how He responds to those who reject Him. Ultimately, (meaning in eternity) how can we, as lovers of God, love those who have been judged for their rejection of Him, who loved them and gave Himself up for them? I guess this is where I have sought refuge from the reality of hell for those I know and love who will reject Jesus. Does this make sense to you? To me, when God wipes away my tears, these are not tears shed for others, but tears of remembrance of my own sin and denial of Jesus - for me, that will be the joy of heaven. And yes, I believe that remembrance of sin will be erased with regard to others as well. (Or our attitudes will finally be like Christ's) Until then, it is the joy of my salvation that keeps me going! Knowing that because of what Jesus did for me, sinner that I am, I have a home with Him in Heaven! I am saved from the wrath of God that will be poured out in judgment upon the unbelieving world. I know I am forgiven; I know that the shed blood of Christ has cleansed me, and though the Lord removes my sin and remembers it no more, I STILL remember the sin! The joy I look forward to is that the remembrance of my sin will finally be removed! Oh that will be glory for me! Just my thoughts. Thanks for sharing Packer's article! Mommapbs |
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3 | Won't heaven's joy be spoiled...? | Rom 1:18 | kalos | 46638 | ||
Mommapbs: Yes, it makes sense to me. Thank you for sharing your testimony. And you're welcome; it is my pleasure to share Packer's article. Grace to you, kalos :-) |
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