Results 1 - 2 of 2
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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 | prodigalSon | 66867 | ||
As much as we are on one side or the other, and it seems like we are playing a game of teams this is an individual sport. You might not be held responsible for the sins your unbelieving friends and family members commit when you are judged before God (Rev 20:12). However, who is to say that you're not responsible for them now? Your life as a humble reflection of God's grace may be the only bit of God those people see. Like my screen name suggests I'm not perfect. Lately the truth of the idea that I may be the only dim reflection of God they see (Luke 11:33-36), the only bible they read, and the unwilling tool(2 Tim 2:20-21) God wants to use to bring them into His flock, has been revealed to my heart Yes people I say I care for now will be in hell. That is not unfortunate because it's fair. What is unfortunate is that I say I care for them greatly and yet I do little to prevent them from hell and experience God's joy. How selfish am I!? It's a constant struggle to stay upon the path, but undeniably the only way to live. |
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