What if Hell is the only way to reach someone?

[jgh7]

Let's say there's a person who pretty much dislikes the bible's notions for whatever reasons. One has tried showing them the importance of God and whatnot, but they don't care or they find it silly or what have you.

Then you (the Christian) warn them that if they are not saved they will go to Hell instead of Heaven. This worries them and they actually decide to give Christianity a chance.

If all else fails, is this an acceptable method to use? Or would one be better off never using this method and just leaving the skeptic be as they are? I believe Jesus warns of Hell in different parts throughout the Gospels.

This is a highly touchy topic which is why I bring it up. I'm interested in the views and reasoning.

[jgh7]

[Replying to post 16 by JehovahsWitness]

I would take it to mean they died.

So the words "to lose your life"/"to take a life" mean to die or in the case of take, kill. Why then does Jesus using the same expression cause you such confusion?

- If a newsreader said it, you'd understand.
- If I said it, you'd understand.

...but If Jesus it, using exactly the same words you're thrown into confusion?

The only reason I leave both options open biblically is because both appear to be suggested in different parts of the NT.

Both what? I'm looking at the expression, "to lose your life" what is the "both" you are refering to?

The "both" I'm referring to is what I said previously about what I consider to be the possibilities of Hell. One is nonexistence, the other is eternal torment of some sort. I'm thrown into confusion as you put it when Jesus uses the words "lose your life" because while it seems there that he's suggesting Hell to be nonexistence, elsewhere he uses words suggesting that Hell's punishment is eternal. When seperating humans on the final judgment, Jesus says this to the ones judged for Hell:

Matthew 25:41
Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

[JehovahsWitness]

I'm thrown into confusion as you put it when Jesus uses the words "lose your life" because while it seems there that he's suggesting Hell to be nonexistence, elsewhere he uses words suggesting that Hell's punishment is eternal.

Okay, now I understand. Basically (correct me if I'm wrong) you are saying the following:


MARK 8:36-38,uses the expression "to lose/forfeit one's life (soul)" and taken at face value the expression means to die. Therefore, it seems Jesus is here warning that non-existence (death/not being alive) is the ultimate punishment for the wicked. If this is the case however, how can this be harmonized with other scriptures in the bible that seem to indicate that eternal torture for the dead? Scriptures such as those below.

Matthew 25:41
Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Indeed, another person may well have simply asked: According to the bible, what is the condition of the dead? Does the bible support the idea of eternal torture of the dead?



Thank you for clarifying.


Best Regards,

JW



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FURTHER READING

HELL: The Lie That Made God Cruel
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/maga ... ruel-hell/