If God knows everything, then wouldn't he know at the instant of conception that you are going to hell?

Question

Most are going to hell. Doesn't this seem like a cruel joke?

I'm a Christian asking more tough questions. Please don't be rude in responses (most are decent), but some things just bug me.

An athiest made this comment to me some time ago

Not all that many good answers so far

Answer 1

Your question shows intelligence, objectivity, & sincere curiosity. If you don't mind I'll take some time to make candid explanations.

God is omniscient, meaning He knows ALL from the beginning to the end. Religions of edited scriptures portray God in the contrary. Ask a typical christian why God created Satan, he would tell you God created Lucipher not Satan. Then an intelligent person like you will follow with the question "Didn't God know Lucipher would turn against Him & become Satan?"

The pictures the religions paint about Satan also betray the Omnipotence quality of God. Satan has & will continue to deceive & destroy God's creations (and even lead them to an eternal hell) while God watches helplessly hoping His creations will use their ‘Will Power’. God created Satan who He can no longer control. ALL TRASH!

I was born a muslim, turned a christian at 9 through my dad's conversion. My earth-shaking questions about the bible made the pastors & my parents wonder if I was crazy. I was a born-again Xtian genuinely studying the word of God & wanted answers to critical questions. The ministers had no answers. I started praying & fasting earnestly, asking God to give me spiritual undertanding. Then, miraculously I discovered Eckankar after 12 years of Xtianity.

Read the Book of Job (& note the friendly conversation/deal between God & Satan) to understand my explanations below:

God created souls & sent them to the universes so they may learn & become tried & tested souls, & then be of service to the ever expanding world of creations. Of course He created Satan (The Negative Force) to be the principal of this great school (the universe). The Positive Force is generally considered God Himself. Satan enforces spiritual laws – Cause & Effects, Karma & Re-incarnations, Sow & Reap, etc.
Everything in existence is polarized for purpose of learning: we only know things in comparison to the opposite - God & Satan, Left & Right, Beautiful & Ugly, Black & White, etc.

There is no eternal hell for any soul. For what you may not know, this earth itself is a hell. You'll get to understand this if, for once, you experience some of the heavens via Soul Travel. You don’t have to die before experiencing heavens.

Note: There are few Xtians that have Soul Travel Experiences sometimes due to spiritual devotion.

I pray God may give you better understanding & show you the path you have earned..
I also hope my answer gives you some light.

Answer 2

Calvinism is a church teaching that basically says what you say.. that God knows from the moment of conception, even at the beginning of time whether or not you are going to Hell. Which, to me is a very sad theory. I however believe in free will. God chooses not to know, for whatever reason, what choices you will make in life. Maybe it is that it is not available TO know until the decision is made. God has free will also. If He can rest when He doesnt get tired, if He can choose not to be in the presence of evil and still be able to be everywhere at one time. If He can create everything and chooses NOT to create everything that can be created, then If He does not want to know beforehand everyone who will reject or accept Him, than He can do that as well. Certainly would make Him a more loving Father.

Answer 3

Interesting question. Look at it this way. If someone can travel in time. Goes to the future. Sees you breaking a rule. And comes back. Does that affect your free will in any way?

And this might not be the explanation, it might be something even more incomprehensible, but fair nonetheless.

I suggest you study religion deeper and also look into other religions. I am a Muslim. Consider Islam and learn more about it. You might find all your answers. Here is something you can start off with.

http://www.muhammad.net/quran/amazingQuran.htm

Answer 4

Many people don't believe in hell. I am not sure about it myself and I am a Christian. I do know that God is good and He can be trusted. If there is one , I'm not going there. He may see the "panoramic" view of a life. That would mean that He knows what our choices will be. They are still my choices. He presents all that is good and pure and lovely and of a good report. We have the choice to accept it or reject it.

Answer 5

Yes, God sees from eternity everything at once. We only see in a linear way each moment as it comes. But sometimes, even tho you know what someone is going to do, you let them do it anyway. Remember Star Trek and the rule they had about interfering with beings and the future and the past?

It's kind of like when you are a parent, and you have to let your child make some mistakes and learn from them. We have free will.

Sometimes I think it is like when I put my baby in a playpen, how God puts us in the world. I put him in the play pen with some things, and he could do what he wants in there with what he had,, but I did have some control, too.

Nobody goes to hell except those who choose it. It is chosen by rejecting Jesus and what he teaches. He teaches merciful Love. People who reject being merciful and Love reject Jesus. In turning their backs on Jesus and His Love they create their own hell. Jesus lets them.

Answer 6

I am wondering who created Satan. Did God did it, so that people can go to hell? If they exist at the same time, then who create both of them? And who created the creator of God? I bet no one have an anwer. Just like science, what is the world like before the big bang.

Answer 7

He'd know at the instant of conception, and beforehand. He doesn't just foresee the future... he makes it.

God as an omnipotent and omniscient entity just doesn't work, unless you accept god as a really really evil guy. That's why I'm not Christian (I'm agnositc though, so eh).

Answer 8

If you are seeing this clearly on your own you are probably ready for a graduate course in reality and human relations.

I suggest that you get a book called the course in miracles. It somewhat exhaustively explains many of the ideas you are talking about in great detail.

It’s well worth the effort.

Love and blessings

Answer 9

This is actually a very difficult question, and that is why the responses you've gotten are so poor. The fact remains that nobody knows anything about what exactly happens after we die, theists or non-theists.

Answer 10

Yes he does know, but you dont. So your job is to share your faith. And no it isnt a cruel joke. Just because He knows the descision doesnt mean He is the one who made the descision