Mature Christians of all religions. What about hell?

Question

There is no scripture that supports hell as an place where people are tortured eternally.

1) The reward of believers in Jesus is eternal life. The punishment of non-believers is death. (Romans 6:23) If non-believers live forever in hell then they also have eternal life and that is not scriptural.

2) Revelations 20:10 says the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet were, and HE THE DEVIL will be tormented forever, not anyone else. If you go back to Revelations 19:20 when the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire, it doesn't say they will be tormented forever.

The concept of hell as an eternal place is ok because death is an eternal state. I have no problem with that. But the concept of hell being a place where people will be eternally tortured is not scriptural. It also does not fit with the character of God.

And to preach hell and brimstone to people you are trying to draw to the Lord is not what Jesus commanded us to do. He reached out to people in love with a hopeful message.

Vicsikix - He doesn't say that's eternal. They will not wander in outer darkness forever. The bible says that all things evil will be thrown into the lake of fire WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH. Notice that word "death" again.

Holy Holly - "eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" again the devil and his angels will be tortured forever, not people. It says they will be thrown into this eternal fire which is the lake of fire and that they will die the second death.

Wordoflife - Again "everlasting punishment". Death is an everlasting punishment. He doesn't say eternal torture.

TAKE NOTE - I never said there was no hell. The bible says the devil and his angels will be tortured forever, not people. Scripture says unsaved people will die the second DEATH in the lake of fire. Death means you cease to exist. That is scripture.

Matthew 10:28 - "but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." It is the lake of fire where God will DESTROY both body and soul of the unrighteous. Destroy means kill, cease to exist. Death not eternal torture for humans.

Answer 1

There is only one form of eternal life, & that is in Jesus Christ. Hell is not eternal Because after the milliennium hell will be cast into the lake of fire, Rev. 20:14. To be punished for a period of time, some may be punish a thousand yrs. & some a million years, But when all said & done The lake of fire will have served it's purpose & all wicked souls & bodies, will be destroyed, never to exist again.

Answer 2

Is the Lake of Fire eternal? Rev 20:10 at the end says < And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever > referring as you said to the devil, false prophet and the beast.

But in verse 15 of Rev 20 is says anyone not in the Book of Life will join them in the Lake of Fire. To me that implies forever and ever. That is one reference.

I would never use Hell as a way of drawing people. Today there is no fear of punishment, eternal or not, because people don't believe it. Jesus used it a lot in his teaching.

Answer 3

Read the book of Luke 16:20 -26 , Esp..Verse 23The rich man trusted his wealth more than God .At judgment day Matthew 25:41 . Romans 10:13 " For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved ". Saved from what ? Answer - The wrath of God for our sins ( Hell ).There must be a payment for our sins against God. What about weeping and gnashing of teeth ? Matthew 8:12 ,13:42 ,13:50 ,22;13 ,24:51 ,25:30 , Luke 13:28.. There will be many people their crying and gnashing their teeth in agony and torment " I was a good person , I didn't do anything wrong . How could God punish me like this ?!! ". That is why we must obey Gods command to spread the gospel ( Good News ) to all corners of the earth about his saving grace .

Answer 4

Revelation 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council and;and whoever says, "You fool!" will be liable to the hell of fire.
Luke 16:19-31 Read the story
Luke 16: 22-23 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
And, God did not make hell for these people perish, that's why God sent Jesus to die for all of our sins and all we have to do is repent..that's all. He made hell to put satan and his fallen angels there.. but since people get deceived, they ended up going there with satan.

Answer 5

I will post some scriptures for you to study:
Matt 5:22...Mark 9:43...Luke 12:5...2 Peter 2:4...Matt 5:29; 5:30...Matt 23:23. The teaching of hell is very scriptural. I only posted a few verses here, there are many others.
God Bless You....Peace.

Answer 6

Matthew 5:29 - If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Mark 9:43 - If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.

Psalm 9:17 - The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

So...the bible does mention hell. Even if those who don't go to heaven are just dead...what is better? Eternal life in heaven, or nothing?

Answer 7

Take note in those places in the New Testament where the question is asked "How much WORSE punishment are they worthy of who...."... then ask yourself- if death and the grave is the equal punishment for all... HOW can ANYONE get
-worse punishment- for their more grievous sins?

Do they get buried deeper than others? Eaten by bigger worms perhaps? You get the point. :)

May all who read take note and make every effort to cancel their reservation to the place where the fire is never quenched.

Answer 8

The unbelievers will rise to eternal death, that is, to shame and torment in hell forever.

Is. 66:24 Their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.

Matt. 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matt. 25:41 He will say to those on His left, "Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

Rev. 1:7 Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.

Answer 9

Pardon me but it is not stupid. I am 13 and by choice I am in a Youth Group. Children are by no means too young. They need to know about the Bible so when they are old enough they can choose if they want to be Saved or not. I recently been saved and my mind was not clouded. I did it by choice. Did you have some bad experiences as a child? I find being in the Youth Group very supportive. We pray for each other and I have found many friends. I think you just might be the one whose mind is clouded. L. Ashton PS please do not call my Youth Pastor stupid. You do not know him.

Answer 10

Take a look at this url, where it states the references to 'hell'.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p122a5p1.htm#p1

God created heaven and earth, not hell. Hell is a place where people choose to go - a choice of separation from God, and all that that would mean. Christianity is not the only faith that talks about 'hell' - Buddhism does, Islam does, Eastern Chinese traditions, those that evolved from Buddhism, does.

Yes, one must tell of the love that Jesus preached - not only tell, but also act out. It proceeds from this, and not from telling people about 'hell' first, of course.