Bible Discussion Thread

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalm 37:10,11

But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. Psalm 37:20

For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen ... For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. Obadiah 1:15,16

If you compare the above Scriptures you will find out that there is a reassuring theme here. These verses clearly show that the wicked will not burn for ever and ever, but that they will "be no more" or they will "perish" or "consume away" In Malachi 4:1 we read the same idea that the wicked will be destroyed rather than burn for ever, it says they will be "stubble" the fire will "burn them up" The verse says: "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Malachi 4:3 puts it this way: "...for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet..."

historical evidence shows that the idea of eternal hell fire goes back to paganism and not Christianity. How can a loving God like burn sinners for ever and ever? Will Jesus bur a man for stealing a chewing gum and Hitler for killing 6,000,000 Jews for the same duration of time? Jesus said: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Of satan in Ezekiel 28; 18,19 we read: "...therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee ... and never shalt thou be any more." God bless!

Hello Shahin. If I might come straight to the point: why do you think that Christ's apostles (and of course, many many others so burdened & called) went out preaching the Gospel to all - to save sinners? As you know, not only the apostles, but also believers since those early days, have suffered much & were killed for the sake of the Gospel. Acts 21:10-13 is a good example by Paul. Why should he, and others, be willing to suffer and die so that others might hear the Good News and be saved?

I have shared Christ many times, both in my country and other lands while in ministry. If all the Bible told me was that unbelievers after death would simply perish in the earth, or even suffer for a time & disappear, then I would have no reason at all to warn others or share the Gospel. Is it because that these unfortunate ones would simply be annihilated and not have a part in Christ's Kingdom that is concerning you, or should it be of concern that the Gospel message is preached to save people from an eternal hell because of their sins?

As well, it would be wrong to think that "the idea of eternal hell fire goes back to paganism and not Christianity". Not at all, or else it could said that Jesus was also influenced by pagan beliefs. Rather, consider Matthew 13:40-42; Matthew 25:41,46; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:22-25. These were Jesus' Words and He as the Son of God would not pander to earthly thought or wisdom. If eternal hell is not preached as a necessary part of our Gospel message, we have failed to give out the pure Gospel of Christ. If eternal hell is not a reality, then there is no reason at all to share the message of Love & Hope that can only be found in the Son of God - for if man will simply die and disappear, we may as well stay smug & indifferent in our homes, caring not for the lost; after all they just die & suffer no consequence for their sins.

Hi Shahin,

I agree that the doctrine of the lost people burning forever in hell or the lake of fire, as you mentioned, originates from Platonism, along with the concept of the immortal soul. So, if the soul is eternal, then it will burn forever. Scripture says only the saved get the gift of eternal life, the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23. With the verses you listed, and there are more, Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Those not found written in the book of life will have their part/portion, my understanding is that their punishment, the length of time will match their sins against God before their second death, they will perish, gone forever, not burn forever.

God bless,

RLW

Matthew 25:41

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"

Revelation 14:11

"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."

Revelation 20:10

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

Jude 1:7

"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."

Blessings