How convenient is it to say it is too late for the souls in hell?

Question

I Peter 3:19 says "By which also he [Jesus} went and preached unto the spirits in prison"

Obviously, it is -not- too late.

So what moral cowardice are christians showing when they refuse to minister to the souls in Hell by claiming it is impossible or pointless? Where is their compassion and loving willingness to commit themselves to this task when they so easily talk themselves out of it with non-scriptural claims that it is too late and pointless?

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."
Matthew 10:38

Since Jesus went to hell to preach to the lost souls, why are christians so unwilling to take up their cross and follow his example? Why are they afraid of the idea of trying? Why do they not express their compassion and love for the souls in hell?

Or shall we agree that this poor stupid ant has more compassion for the souls of humanity trapped in hell than they?

Ah, another christian who -routinely- ignores Matthew 5:22. Enjoy the "hell fire", bub.

Answer 1

I agree. Your a poor stupid ant.

I would have used different words myself. But...You ask me too agree.

.

Answer 2

Fist of all, praying for the dead is unbiblical. If we read a little further in 1 Peter 3:19-20 we read "by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water". God isn't talking about Hell in 1 Peter 3:19 He is speaking about the state of our souls before we become saved. When God brought the great flood he destroyed the human race except for 8 people. This is a picture of damnation for the unbelievers

As far as praying for souls in Hell. God has not brought Judgment Day yet, so Hell won't exist untill he does and it will be far too late to pray for unblievers. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

As we read Matthew 10:37-38 we learn more "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me."

Jesus did not go into Hell to preach to the unsaved. The 3 days he was in Hell (after the Crufixition) He was paying for the sins of the believers, not for the unbelivers.

The truth is God hates the unblievers. When he burned Sodom and Gomora it was a picture of what will happen to the unsaved when they are Judged. They are the followers of Satan and after Judgment day the will burn in Hell for eternity.

Answer 3

I sense some anger for a specific personal reason. Jesus was able to preach to the lost souls, because he is Jesus. Only God can decide where are souls go. It also says in the Bible about a man in Hell being allowed to talk to his friend to warn him about Hell and the path his path that he was on was leading him there also. Christians can take up the cross, by trying to preach to the living so they may find peace and eternal life. I don't believe that as Christians we have the right to say we know who went to Heaven as who will or has gone to Hell. If you truly want answers or to debate find a friend or someone else you respect to discuss what they believe and why.

Answer 4

Once you are in hell, you are there for eternity. When Jesus preached to the souls in prison it was (for lack of better words) a slap in the face for them. He was proving to them all, that He is the Son of God and the Saviour.

I do give the gospel to all people. I do not know whether they are lost or saved until I knock on their door. If they tell me they are unsure, I tell them how they can be sure. If they tell me they don't want to hear it, I simply apologize for taking their time and walk away. I do grieve for lost souls that are in hell. As a compassionate Christian it hurts my heart to know that so many people could avoid this if they would only do something as simple as accept Christ as their Saviour. So, I do whatever I can to make sure that I tell people about salvation so they do not end up there. But I cannot force them to accept this.

Answer 5

There are many theories on this. One is that it was not Jesus who was preaching. It was Noah. God gave Noah 120 years to build the ark and to save those who would be saved. Noah and his family are the eight people that were saved, and the preaching did not take place after they had died.

btw, the word used for prison is "phulake" - a prison or place of refuge - not "hades" or hell.

As humans living in "time" and not in "eternity" it is really only possible for us to do as Noah, who by the way is a "type of Christ", and to preach to those around us to try and save them as God has asked us.

Answer 6

Hell is not death!
Some (not all) may have a last chance in the second Resurrection!

The lake of fire is Death, fade to black!

All must be tested!
Those of the second Resurrection will also be tested, by Satan one last time, Most will not make it!
And those who do not will face judgment and Death!

Answer 7

Well....Jesus was kinda a special case you know. Son of God and all that stuff. Maybe he had a special dispensation. On the other hand, it would sure get rid of a lot of Christians and make the world a nicer place....

Answer 8

Because they are self-serving hypocrites for the most part. By the way, there is no boogeyman and no hell either.

Answer 9

Very convenient.