Suppose for a moment I get saved and believe in Jesus and eventually die and go to heaven...
I imagine myself having a conversation with God:
God, I'm here but I don't think I could ever be happy.
Why? says God
Because my I know my Mother, Father and Sisters are in Hell because they remained athiests and agnostics 'till their deaths.
They were all wonderful people who helped humanity all through their lives. They were kind and loving people, but were never convinced there was any evidence to believe in you (they did not know).
Ah!, says God, I am too Holy to have non-believers in my presence. That is why it must be this way.
Are you not God?, I say, why did you create things so? Why did you chose to create things this way?
Why didn't you just NOT create those souls, knowing that they would suffer?
I am not sure who will be in more pain... my family, or I - knowing that they will suffer forever.
2006-12-05 06:43:24 · 18 answers · asked by skeptic 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
James: I was only sure of that because it's what Christianity and the Bible seem to teach. I guess you are saying that YOU know better than those two sources.
2006-12-05 07:33:43 · update #1
And God's response would be "Worry not, dear son....I love everyone so much that your family deserves to rot in Hell!"
2006-12-05 06:49:19 · answer #1 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 1⤊ 5⤋
saved skeptic: God, I'm here but I don't think I could ever be happy.
God: Why?
saved skeptic: Because I know my Mother, Father and Sisters are in Hell because they remained athiests and agnostics 'till their deaths.
They were all wonderful people who helped humanity all through their lives. They were kind and loving people, but were never convinced there was any evidence to believe in you, they did not know.
God: Ah! I am too Holy to have non-believers in my presence. That is why it must be this way.
saved skeptic: Are you not God?, I say, why did you create things so? Why did you chose to create things this way?
Why didn't you just NOT create those souls, knowing that they would suffer?
I am not sure who will be in more pain... my family, or I - knowing that they will suffer forever.
GOD: "Let me ask you some questions."
SAVED SKEPTIC: "shoot"
God: "Are you sure that they remained atheists & agnostics?"
"Are you sure that there wasn't a time in their lives that they believed in me & believed in Jesus?"
"Are you sure that I would punish people who did not believe in my Son because nobody told them?"
"Aren't you oozing with thanksgiving right now, because you know you lived a wicked life... denying Me, blasphemying Me & my Son, convincing others to do the same ... but because you repented & saw the wickeness of your ways, you believed & then all your transgressions were wiped out clean & you are here today?"
"Don't you see how loving a God I am to do that, to extend my grace to you by rewarding you entry into my heaven not because of anything good that you did & to extend my mercy towards you by not sending to you the other place, which should have been the place reserved for the devil, for all the evil that you have done?"
2006-12-05 15:12:02 · answer #2 · answered by 4x4 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is for this reason that Christians are (or should be) zealous in witnessing to the lost. Since we know that the unsaved are doomed to an eternity of torment, we should be begging and pleading with them to hear our testimony.
Peter was this way when he first began preaching salvation. "Be saved from this corrupt generation!" (Acts 2:31)
As to our being "unhappy" in Heaven, that is not likely. We cannot even begin to grasp how wonderful being in the presence of the Lord is all the time. The things of this world pale in comparison, even our families, and whatever other joys we experience here. They cannot even begin to compare with what awaits the believer.
We just don't have a concept of what Heaven will be like. As it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." (I Corinthians 2:9)
2006-12-05 14:50:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You should say thank you that God gave you the freedom of choice. Everyone has to make a choice in their life to believe or not to believe. I will have loved ones in hell as well and you should pray for those who are still here so that they might join you in heaven. Be a soul winner for christ.
2006-12-05 14:49:23 · answer #4 · answered by heaven o 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you die, you don't go right to heaven or hell or purgatory. You don't go anywhere according to the Bible. Check this out...
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Your-Next-Experience-Immediately-After-Death:-What-Really-Happens-After-You-Die-&id=338240
God has given us the power and freedom to make choices. Our choices determine the kind of person we become. Our choices determine the type of character that we develop.
The qualification for entrance into heaven is a beautiful Christlike character developed by God's grace not merely good human deeds.
In order to enjoy heaven and in order to be safely trusted with eternal life in heaven, a person must develop with God's help, a beautiful Christlike character. You can understand why this would be necessary when you have a better understanding of what heaven is going to be like...
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?WHAT-WILL-HEAVEN-BE-LIKE-?-A-Description-That-Could-Change-Your-Life&id=351178
God saves no one against their will or without their cooperation.
Show N Tell
2006-12-05 14:49:05 · answer #5 · answered by ccttct l 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
With this ideal of suffering in heaven as you claim, you won't have to worry about going to heaven Because your heart is with your family in hell.
2006-12-05 14:49:40 · answer #6 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are truly a born of God Christian, I would guess that you are already praying for your family & friends and their salvation? You are already talking to God.
Not all my family, friends & neighbors (loved ones) are born of God yet. But I have prayed for them. God has poured His Spirit on me in worship service, and I have seen visions of family, etc... God has assured me in my spirit, that all will come to salvation and none will be lost. Even the most stuborn ones.
If a loved one died & went to hell, that would be terrible, but God hears our prayers today. I do know of extended family that have died, who were mormons. I have prayed for them and do not get assurance in my spirit they are in heaven with the Lord. I don't know where they are. One Grandpa rejected Christ, but it hadn't been presented to him correctly. The Lord has assured me that he is in a place of rest & not hell though. Another Grandpa, was saved shortly before he died. I remember praying for him & demanding death not have him till he was right with God. I believe God answered my prayer, because I have assurance in my spirit that this Grandpa is in heaven with the Lord.
2006-12-05 15:55:29 · answer #7 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOur question shows you have no understanding of The True Christian Faith. If you have a question concerning the basics of The True Christian Faith you may email me. 1 honest question receives 1 honest answer to the best of my ability.
2006-12-05 14:48:43 · answer #8 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Read Job 38
Blame Men for their faults, not God. He gave us free will.
Listen to "I can only Imagine" from Mercy Me.
2006-12-05 14:47:58 · answer #9 · answered by Cister 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, not an answer to your Q, but, in heaven, supposedly we do not worry. We know the answer to all things, for it is all revealed to us. The reason, the plan......
2006-12-05 14:49:12 · answer #10 · answered by TCFKAYM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this scenario took place (you went to heaven) you would not remember your family members that did not make it with you.
2006-12-05 14:48:01 · answer #11 · answered by dadknows 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋