Hell
Well, to start off, I didn't think it appropriate to put a picture up that went along with a blog about hell. But, I feel compelled to write this blog in lieu of someone else's blog that I read. After commenting back and forth with this person, I have come to the conclusion that hell, in this person's mind, is no more than an inconvenience.
Now, I don't even know if this person considers themself a Christian, but I would assume so. As Christians, a poor view of hell develops out of a poor view of the sacrifice of Christ. I know that within the conservative Christian community there are different views on hell, but I am telling you that the view from this particular individual was completely unbibilical. I do not argue for the sake of arguing, but I do stand upon the Word of God when it is being compromised.
Hell, according to this person, is not separate from God. In fact, hell is being in the presence of God but hating it. Hell is actually being in the presence of so much perfection that one's own imperfection in contrast to that perfection brings about torment. According to this person, God would not make a place for evildoers as His ultimate goal is to redeem people. Over time (eternity), even those imperfect people experiencing torment will change and then all will be well and God will have succeeded in bringing all to repentence.
I laugh at this argument because it is so starkly contrasted to Scripture. God's worth (though I hate to put it that way) is not contingent upon us (Isaiah 48:11). He loves, above all else, His own holiness and the communion that He has within the Trinity. Different interpretations of Scripture differ on whether or not physical pain is incorporated into hell, but it still remains that there is separation of wicked from the righteous. I believe that there is physical torment as well as separation from the presence of the Lord, however, this liberal view of hell is just a feel-good, heretical view. It is absolutely rediculous!
If God's still has to do more work with sinners to get them to repent when they all went to heaven, then Christ did not fulfill what He was supposed to. Thus, a mockery is made out of the cross. He failed! Wait, God failed???? I think not!
Another thing, if this view of hell is accepted, then our actions on this earth mean nothing. I could murder or lie or rape, it does not matter. I will eventually get into heaven after a few millenia of being in "hell-like" heaven. He...ck, even satan could be in heaven. He might just take a few more millenia.
If God does not punish, He is not just and He is not God. However, God does punish, He does judge ( Isaiah 11:4 // Psalm 94:23) and He will be claimed by all as King at the same moment (Romans 14:10-11).
There is separation from God in hell (Matthew 25:31-46// 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 // Revelation 20). I just cannot fathom where this view of hell came from other than 2 Timothy 4:3. No one wants to hear that hell exists and that God would punish the sin because it goes contrary to what we naturally (and sinfully) desire. However, putting aside the things of the flesh and picking up our cross is contrary to our sinful desires as well, but it is the truth. Eternal destiny is not swayed or changed by how we feel about it. It is a fact that all people will either go to eternal presence with the Lord (God be praised for His mercy!) or to eternal separation from the Lord (God be praised for His justice!).
Hell is hell. Hell is real. God wishes that none would perish (2 Peter 3:9 // Ezekial 18: 23 & 32), but He is not intimidated by our sin. He will not be made the fool by allowing those to enter heaven who did not repent and believe on His ultimate expression of mercy, His son Jesus Christ.
You will either spend eternity in heaven or hell. There does not exist any other choice. If you do not choose the One way to heaven, you have already chosen the other. It's the default setting for our total depravity.
Truth is uncomfortable, isn't it?
Now, I don't even know if this person considers themself a Christian, but I would assume so. As Christians, a poor view of hell develops out of a poor view of the sacrifice of Christ. I know that within the conservative Christian community there are different views on hell, but I am telling you that the view from this particular individual was completely unbibilical. I do not argue for the sake of arguing, but I do stand upon the Word of God when it is being compromised.
Hell, according to this person, is not separate from God. In fact, hell is being in the presence of God but hating it. Hell is actually being in the presence of so much perfection that one's own imperfection in contrast to that perfection brings about torment. According to this person, God would not make a place for evildoers as His ultimate goal is to redeem people. Over time (eternity), even those imperfect people experiencing torment will change and then all will be well and God will have succeeded in bringing all to repentence.
I laugh at this argument because it is so starkly contrasted to Scripture. God's worth (though I hate to put it that way) is not contingent upon us (Isaiah 48:11). He loves, above all else, His own holiness and the communion that He has within the Trinity. Different interpretations of Scripture differ on whether or not physical pain is incorporated into hell, but it still remains that there is separation of wicked from the righteous. I believe that there is physical torment as well as separation from the presence of the Lord, however, this liberal view of hell is just a feel-good, heretical view. It is absolutely rediculous!
If God's still has to do more work with sinners to get them to repent when they all went to heaven, then Christ did not fulfill what He was supposed to. Thus, a mockery is made out of the cross. He failed! Wait, God failed???? I think not!
Another thing, if this view of hell is accepted, then our actions on this earth mean nothing. I could murder or lie or rape, it does not matter. I will eventually get into heaven after a few millenia of being in "hell-like" heaven. He...ck, even satan could be in heaven. He might just take a few more millenia.
If God does not punish, He is not just and He is not God. However, God does punish, He does judge ( Isaiah 11:4 // Psalm 94:23) and He will be claimed by all as King at the same moment (Romans 14:10-11).
There is separation from God in hell (Matthew 25:31-46// 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 // Revelation 20). I just cannot fathom where this view of hell came from other than 2 Timothy 4:3. No one wants to hear that hell exists and that God would punish the sin because it goes contrary to what we naturally (and sinfully) desire. However, putting aside the things of the flesh and picking up our cross is contrary to our sinful desires as well, but it is the truth. Eternal destiny is not swayed or changed by how we feel about it. It is a fact that all people will either go to eternal presence with the Lord (God be praised for His mercy!) or to eternal separation from the Lord (God be praised for His justice!).
Hell is hell. Hell is real. God wishes that none would perish (2 Peter 3:9 // Ezekial 18: 23 & 32), but He is not intimidated by our sin. He will not be made the fool by allowing those to enter heaven who did not repent and believe on His ultimate expression of mercy, His son Jesus Christ.
You will either spend eternity in heaven or hell. There does not exist any other choice. If you do not choose the One way to heaven, you have already chosen the other. It's the default setting for our total depravity.
Truth is uncomfortable, isn't it?
posted by jitzig at 11:54 AM
3 Comments:
Just wanted you to know that it's pretty clear that Mathew 25 is talking about the fall of Rome. Read Josephus' historical book on the event. It will describe exactly what Jesus was talking about.
sure
Let's just take a moment to realize what the argument in the blog was. Then we will evaluate the present idea of attacking an argument.
The argument in the blog was obviously and intentionally refuting the fact that Heaven and hell are separate and that the justified go to heaven and the unrepentent go to hell.
Now, if you want to attack something else, then go find a blog that talks about predestination and who Christ died for. That is a totally different issue. This blog was not about limited atonement.
Your eschatology would change how you interpret Matthew 25. I am a pre-trib, premillennial dispensationalist and so I do not take matthew 24 to be referring to Rome but to the time just before reign of Christ on earth upon His second return which has not occurred yet. But, that is not even the point of the blog.
So, next time you want to take a stab, just attack the true argument with valid information (Scripture?) and try to stick to the jist of the blog.
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