is that why so many monotheists talk about how we'll see when we die? is that a smirk i sense in their words? is it funny?
2007-10-18 04:04:39 · 12 answers · asked by 1foolN6billion 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would rephrase your question and turn it into, 'Do you want me in hell?' The answer to both is an emphatic 'No!' The element of burning has little to do with it. That's just a device Jesus used to shock people into realising how horrendous hell is (along with the worm that does not die etc). He alluded to the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem's walls, where the city's rubbish was tipped. It had constant flames and, on the edges, maggots that thrived on the decay. There is no language strong enough to warn of the horrors of hell. That is no reason to fall into caricaturing hell.
I recommend a book written by an atheist, Howard Storm, who had a near-death, out-of-the-body experience quite recently. It's called 'My Descent Into Death' published by Clairview. Then go read Jesus' many warnings in the gospels.
2007-10-18 05:54:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dude, I don't.
Really, I don't. I'd rather suffer the rest of my life than to see ANYONE damned. And if it would keep you from damnation, I would do it.
But here's the thing. Think of Heaven and Hell as being like an island and an ocean. It's an oversimplification, but bear with me. If you aren't on the island, there really isn't any other place to be except in the water.
Heaven is being in the presence of God. Just like the island metaphor (according to Protestant teaching), there are only two choices for your existence after your physical life is over. And if you reject the option of being in the presence of God, then there really isn't anywhere else you could be except Hell.
Some would say that a compassionate God wouldn't send people to Hell, that they would just cease to be instead. I would ask what kind of person would rather have a God that destroys people that don't believe in Him instead of a God that just lets you make the call on where you will continue to exist?
2007-10-18 04:15:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't want you to burn in hell. And you don't have to. But the reason you hear from Christians that one day you will see, is because it's true. It lays it out in the bible, and one day you WILL see. I only hope it's not too late.
It's your attitude toward us that senses a smirk. We grieve at the thought of anyone going to hell. There's no smirk here.
2007-10-18 04:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by Teresa 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think its funny and neither does God. The wicked will see Jesus coming in the clouds and when they are dead they will know nothing and will be burned up...so you won't ''see when you die'' as they say, you willl see before you die and realize God wanted the best for you all along but by then it is too late. I hope to see you in heaven.
2007-10-18 05:48:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I do not want you to burn in hell. God wants to have a personal relationship with you here on earth and use you for His purposes. You are made to last. He would like you to choose heaven, but if you do not, He will let you to go to hell. Free will.
2007-10-19 23:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by Nina, BaC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can only speak for myself and share with you the Word of God: "God is not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance." He has made a provision for you that will allow you to obtain forgiveness and thus not see Hell at all. "The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ..." He sent the only sacrifice that COULD atone for all sin for all time for all men, His only begotten son, Jesus. Jesus put aside His divine nature and lived as a normal human being, tempted in every way a man can be tempted to sin as a human being, yet never sinned. Because of His obedience, and through His sacrifice as a perfect lamb (substituted for us even as God provided a lamb to Abraham when he had been told to offer Issac as a sacrifice) we have available to us redemption from our sins. We have the right to claim Jesus' obedience as our own, but if we don't, we have to pay the price for our sins ourselves.
Think of it this way: if I put $1 million in the bank in your name, and even though I never met you come up to you and tell you it's there and give you the account number, that money does you no good if you don't believe it's there and never use it. For it to benefit you, you have to believe that it's there, that it's yours, and you have to want it or need it. It's the same with Jesus' sacrifice: He paid the price for your sin, but you get no benefit from that payment if you don't believe it, and then you have to pay yourself.
2007-10-18 04:15:56 · answer #6 · answered by Steve 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's interesting that Jonah is talked about being in hell in the belly of a big fish. No fire here!
2007-10-18 04:19:25 · answer #7 · answered by Wisdom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course I dnt want u 2 burn in hell, I dnt honestly believe hell is real, bt heaven definitly does n god is all forgiving. He wldnt let u burn in hell :)
2007-10-18 04:07:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i don't want you to burn in hell, but that is not my choice to make for you.....Have a good day
2007-10-18 04:09:04 · answer #9 · answered by Celtickarma 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You people just don't want to get. We here to try to help not to condemn.
2007-10-18 04:08:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋