that the effect of hell-fire is everlasting death. It is the 'death' that is everlasting,
not the flames. The flames of hell will go out as soon as everything that can be burned is
totally consumed. We base our belief on the following Scriptures: Malachi 4: 1 For,
behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that
do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD
of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch…3: And ye shall tread down the
wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this,
saith the LORD of hosts. The phrases 'burn them up,' 'leave them neither root nor branch,
' 'they shall be like ashes under the soles of your feet' etc. are terms meaning
'eternal death, eternal destruction, total annihilation.' They cannot possibly mean: eternal life
in hell-fire! Why not? Because eternal life in eternal fire is still eternal life. It may not be
comfortable life, but it is still eternal life. It is not death. It is simply very painful life.
Will sinners burn for ever in hell-fire?
The answer is:
* No they will not. To be sure, after the Day of Judgement - they will be
cast into hell-fire and be burned to ashes. But they will not burn forever and ever
and ever and ever and ever. The effect of the flames (death) will be eternal; but no
one is going to twist and turn in hell-fire for endless ages. Thank God that is what
the Scriptures teach.
* There is no such place or condition as Purgatory. As Alexander Hislop wrote
at the beginning of this century:
"The doctrine of purgatory is a system of pure bare-faced Pagan imposture,
dishonouring to God, deluding men who live in sin with the hope of atoning for it
after death, and cheating them at once out of their property and their salvation."
2006-12-24
03:59:12
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5 answers
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asked by
cheechandchong1979
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Religion & Spirituality