What is the Biblical view of hell?

[otseng]

The concept of Hell is one of the many unmarketable, embarrassingly unbelievable religious concepts that has been recently swept under the altar in the severely diluted quasi-belief system that passes for Christianity in certain circles.

In fact, I think this is why Christianity invented eternal punishment in hell. They started to realize that just plain dying wouldn't be compelling. So instead they invented the concept of "Everlasting Punishment" for those who refuse to comply.

Questions for debate:
What is the Biblical view of hell?
What concepts do we have of hell that are not in the Bible?

[PinSeeker]

Untold billions burning alive in hellfire for eternity is definitely not good news.

No one literally burns alive in any literal fire for eternity. But hell is a "fire" in that it's all-consuming and inescapable and, figuratively, a torment, internally speaking, to those whose eternal abode is this "outer darkness" called hell. They are eternally separated from where they want to be, but they are without excuse and have no one to blame but themselves, and this is their "worm" that will not die.

Thus the Bible prophesies that the Church will fail in it's great commission of spreading the good news to all the nations!

And what Scripture would you point to as proof text of this, myth-one? Because among other passages we could talk about, Jesus prophesies to Peter (and us) that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against (the Church)."

Grace and peace to you.

[myth-one.com]

Untold billions burning alive in hellfire for eternity is definitely not good news.

No one literally burns alive in any literal fire for eternity. But hell is a "fire" in that it's all-consuming and inescapable and, figuratively, a torment, internally speaking, to those whose eternal abode is this "outer darkness" called hell. They are eternally separated from where they want to be, but they are without excuse and have no one to blame but themselves, and this is their "worm" that will not die.

The scriptures repeatedly state that nonbelievers perish!

The only being said to be tormented day and night for ever and ever in the Bible is the devil.

Thus the Bible prophesies that the Church will fail in it's great commission of spreading the good news to all the nations!

And what Scripture would you point to as proof text of this, myth-one? Because among other passages we could talk about, Jesus prophesies to Peter (and us) that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against (the Church)."

One event prophesied to occur before the end of time is that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)

The "great commission" commands Christians to spread the gospel among all nations:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

However, even with satellites, television, and the internet, the Church will fail in this effort.

We can know this because God has to send an angel to fulfill this prophecy before the end of this age can occur:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Revelation 14:6)

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If the gospel must be preached to all the world before the end can occur; and the church is commanded to accomplish this act; but God has to send an angel to fulfill this prophesy; then the Church failed to fulfill this prophesy.

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You need to ask yourself why the Church is prophesied to fail in spreading the good news of the gospel to all the world.

Here's a hint -- is everlasting torment good news?

[PinSeeker]

The scriptures repeatedly state that nonbelievers perish!

They do indeed. This should tell you that "perishing" in the Bible means something quite different than how you understand it. Yes, I know: "BUT ECCLESIASTES 9:5 says...!" Yes, I know what it says -- something very different from what you think it to say. As I have said, the whole of Ecclesiastes is about "life under the sun"... this life. There are many dead walking around among us, and they know nothing of their need for Christ and God's great salvation.

The only being said to be tormented day and night for ever and ever in the Bible is the devil.

As I've said before, the dead referred to in Revelation 20 follow the devil after the Judgment into "the lake of fire and sulfur" and as such are also "tormented day and night for ever and ever."

The "great commission" commands Christians to spread the gospel among all nations... However, even with satellites, television, and the internet, the Church will fail in this effort.

Though the Church carries out Jesus's great commission, it's only effectual for God's elect. Our purposes as men/women may indeed "fail" in our own eyes. But God's purposes cannot be thwarted, and in this sense -- which is the only one that matters, really -- the Church does not and will not fail, just as Jesus said. God will see to that.

You need to ask yourself why the Church is prophesied to fail in spreading the good news of the gospel to all the world. Here's a hint -- is everlasting torment good news?

LOL! I don't "need" to do anything, myth-one. At any rate, no "hints" necessary. The Church is in no way "prophesied to fail" in spreading the good news. There are those who are elect of God, and those who are ot; Paul is very clear about this in Romans 9. What we do know is that God's Word never returns to Him empty/void; it always accomplishes that for which it is sent (Isaiah 55:11).

Grace and peace to you.

[myth-one.com]

The scriptures repeatedly state that nonbelievers perish!

They do indeed. This should tell you that "perishing" in the Bible means something quite different than how you understand it.

Why should I believe that perishing in the Bible should mean something other than perishing?

I understand it to mean "perish."

The good news of the gospel can be summarized in one verse:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

And Christians can quote that verse backwards and forwards -- but like you, they simply do not believe it.

Here is my understanding of how you believe the verse should be interpreted:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not suffer everlasting torment in the fires of hell, but have everlasting life. (PinSeeker 3:16)

Please modify that, if I got it wrong.

Anyways, if you were to preach PinSeeker 3:16 to every human on the earth in all nations, the Great Commission would still not be fulfilled, because that is not the good news.

But on the other hand, you would be fulfilling Bible prophesy.

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The Church is in no way "prophesied to fail" in spreading the good news.

Well, God thinks He will have to send an angel to fulfill the Great Commission and it's right before the Second Coming:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Revelation 14:6)

That fulfills the Great Commission!

Now the end can come.

[PinSeeker]

Why should I believe that perishing in the Bible should mean something other than perishing?

That's not what I said, myth-one. Like you misunderstand. The Bible, and now me. Grace and peace to you.

[William]

[myth-one.com]

Why should I believe that perishing in the Bible should mean something other than perishing?

That's not what I said, myth-one. Like you misunderstand. The Bible, and now me. Grace and peace to you.

Here is what was written:

The scriptures repeatedly state that nonbelievers perish!

They do indeed. This should tell you that "perishing" in the Bible means something quite different than how you understand it.

[PinSeeker]

Why should I believe that perishing in the Bible should mean something other than perishing?

That's not what I said, myth-one. Like you misunderstand. The Bible, and now me. Grace and peace to you.

Here is what was written:

The scriptures repeatedly state that nonbelievers perish!

They do indeed. This should tell you that "perishing" in the Bible means something quite different than how you understand it.

LOL! Wow. You know, this is a microcosm of just about every "conversation" -- exchange, I guess -- you and I have ever had on this board. Thank you for posting it. Grace and peace to you, myth-one.

[William]

[myth-one.com]

The scriptures repeatedly state that nonbelievers perish!

They do indeed. This should tell you that "perishing" in the Bible means something quite different than how you understand it.

What should tell me that: "perishing" in the Bible means something quite different than how I understand it?


Are you posting in "tongues" again?