There is a famous saying by Benjamin Franklin that goes, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." Although Mr. Franklin made the comment with tongue in cheek, his comparison of life's uncertainties to death is pretty accurate. We all will at some day in the future (unless Christ returns before) face death.
So death is certain, but what is not so certain, or at least often an issue of debate is a place called "Hell". The word is actually translated from the Hebrew word "Sheol" which more or less means "grave", and from the Greek words "Gehenna", "Tartarus" or "Hades" which referred to a place or state of death and/or misery. In the bible, Jesus also spoke of the existence of such a place where both the soul and the body can be destroyed. (Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4-5). So, hell is very real.
But now, even Evangelical scholars have begun to debate on the duration of hell. Some are arguing that it is unfair of a loving God to punish for eternity the sins committed in a finite time on earth. Therefore, they argue on the position of Annihilationism, where the soul just ceases to exist... a "poof" if you will.
However, we cannot ignore the part of God that is Holy and Just, and sins are committed against an eternal God, and as such require eternal punishment. We also cannot ignore the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:41, 46 that teach on the eternity of punishment of the sinners. Also found in Mark 9:48 is a description of what happens in Hell, where there is an 'undying worm' and an 'unquenchable' fire, both of which suggesting eternal punishment. The book of Revelations, in chapter 20:10 also describes the fates of the devil, the beast and the false prophet, where they shall be tormented in the lake of fire forever and ever.
So not only is Hell very real, it is an eternal punishment, forever and ever.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
20 comments:
dear donny, i agree with you that hell is real but find it diffcult with the term 'eternity' as also real because of what the scripture says' none should perish'. can you comment. GB.
Morally, the doctrine of eternal conscious torment is incompatible with the Biblical revelation of divine love and justice. The moral intuition God has implanted within our consciences cannot justify the insatiable cruelty of a God who subjects sinners to unending torments. Such a God is like a bloodthirsty monster and not like the loving Father revealed to us by Jesus Christ.
Judicially, the doctrine of eternal torment is inconsistent with the Biblical vision of justice, which requires the penalty inflicted to be commensurate with the evil done. The notion of unlimited retaliation is unknown to the Bible. Justice could never demand a penalty of eternal pain (infinite) for sins committed during a mere human lifetime (finite), especially since such punishment accomplishes no reformatory purpose.
You have said that "sins are committed against an eternal God, and as such require eternal punishment" but if a 12 years old kid commits a crime, will the court judged the person under the standard law for adults or under juvenile (below 21) law? Certainly, the court will judged the person under the juvenile law as the criminal is 12 years old. Thus, how can a sinner who sinned in the finite time be tormented for eternity just because He is infinite? As you have said, He is Just therefore such a cruel punishment isn’t consistent with His nature at all.
Can it be that during the end time, the wicked will be resurrected for the purpose of divine judgment which involve a permanent expulsion from God’s presence into a place where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. After a period of conscious suffering as individually required by divine justice, the wicked will be consumed with no hope of restoration or recovery. The ultimate restoration of believers and the extinction of sinners from this world will prove that Christ’s redemptive mission has been an unqualified victory. Christ’s victory means that "the former things have passed away" (Rev 21:4), and only light, love, peace, and harmony will prevail throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.
Another thought is that how could Heaven and hell, happiness and pain, good and evil, continue to exist forever alongside each other? It is impossible to reconcile this view with the prophetic vision of the new world in which there shall be no more "mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away" (Rev 21:4). How could crying and pain be forgotten if the agony and anguish of the lost were at sight distance, as in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)?
Therefore, the idea of annihilation can't be denied or ignored just to stick back to the traditional view of eternal torment in hell when the support for annihilation is strong.
I believe, it should be given serious thought on this before making a strong statement that hell IS eternal and no other alternative.
Do shed some light to my comment and corrected me soundly if you believe I'm wrong.
Thank you.
In my understanding, I regard the reality of the existence of hell and torments of those who are lost as true. Perhaps the concept of eternal punishment is the one which is harder for us to comprehend or accept. And I think we will never understand it fully while living in the realm of time. We just believe by faith it is true. Jesus said we had better fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell, rather than mortal men who can kill only the body. What a strange way that Jesus used to help us overcome cowardice and the fear of man...
Brother, How can the the punishment be eternal when it is stated in Rev. 20:14 "death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire!" Isn't the second death "annihilation"? although I am skeptical of anniilationism.
Hi Donny,
I agreed hell is there to serve a purpose. The scripture says God is love and also God is just. But what stuttered me, is that why wuold a loving God would allowed punishment of eternity as in a sense forever to torment the people who had not repented while livng just a short span of life on earth, possible the most 80 years (Psa.90:10) comparing to eternity?
Hi Donny, I'm totally agreed with your view upon hell and eternal punishment for those who didn't accept the savior (sinners alike).
But then how can we resolve the problem of some who argued that our God is loving, gracious and merciful in which he won't condemn us to hell.
Some even go extra mile in coding: "the just will live by faith", and carelessly live a lifestyle of sins without fear of eternal punishment.
Dear Brother, waiting for your reply. Furthermore, we are certain of death and that the believers will go straight to heaven immediately at physical death. We are not sure what actually happens to those unbelievers, Some say they go to a waiting place, others think that their souls will be annihilated. No conclusive evidence.
You said, "In the bible, Jesus also spoke of the existence of such a place where both the soul and the body can be destroyed. (Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4-5)." Does this mean annihilation?
An after thought.
Dear Donny,
Are all sinner destine to hell? How about the Christian who have sinned and suddenly died in car accident before he can ask for forgiveness. Do they to go to hell?
Hi Joe!
Thanks for leaving your comment, although I don't fully understand what you find difficult about that statement. Can you please clarify? Thanks!
Donny
Thanks for your explanation on hell and punishment. I am convinced that the punishment of hell is eternal. however the statement made by learner: "the idea of annihilation can't be denied or ignored just to stick back to the traditional view of eternal torment in hell" is true also. we cannot simply keep to a set of tradition view and merely ignore all their arguments. we have to have our stand on the teaching of hell just as what you have written in your blog.
Dear learner(d), you certainly left a mouthful! Haha! But let me try and summarise the gist of your comments. It sounds to me that you are arguing against the stand of eternal punishment because judicially, it is inconsistent with Biblical teaching of justice, and also that such a cruel punishment is inconsistent with God's nature.
I like what you said, "such punishment accomplishes no reformatory purpose" because it indicates that we both agree that God is a loving God who seeks to redeem and restore the fallen sinner. However, you argued against my case for eternal recompense by comparing to an earthly judicial system. I feel this is not appropriate as we cannot assume that a fallen human judicial system is even close to represent God's perfect court. I also happen to believe that even a "low-level sin" against God is far, far worse than an eternity of suffering. Based on that then, commensurate punishment is unmet, but to God's deficit. Therefore, I am in favour of the Traditionalist view that only a holy and just God can determine the consequences of sin; perhaps something our moral, intuitive conscious cannot comprehend?
The passage you used (Rev 21:4) refers to a new heaven and a new earth; a new Jerusalem that is coming down out of heaven from God. However, the chapter before it speaks of a lake of fire which is the second death (Rev 20:14). There is no mention of this ever fading away, but rather that there “will be torment day and night for ever and ever.” (Rev 20:10). You also mentioned the existence of heaven and hell side by side. Are you basing this on the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man? Then I wish to point out that the parable refers to the intermediate rather than the final state. Ultimately, even hell itself is thrown into the lake of fire. There is no evidence then that this new Jerusalem and lake of fire is at sight distance.
Having said that though, I cannot resolve how crying and pain would be forgotten even at the thought of loved ones who would suffer for eternity *shudder*. The best I can offer is perhaps due to the overshadowing and overwhelming joy of being in the presence of the Lord. In the end, I might be willing to accept the idea of Annihilation, for one because it is a more pleasant thought. But unless there is stronger biblical conviction, I cannot simply embrace it for the sake of making me feel better.
Always open for input, we're all learners. God bless!
Thx lots, the explanation of your stand show depth of thought and understanding of this doctrine. Though you may not have answered my points with strong facts and convincing arguments to say otherwise, I understand your conviction and our limited understanding of God.
Agree that Annihilation is indeed more pleasant in a way that we know our relatives and friends wont be in torment for eternity without any hope for relief. Never thought of it this way.
Guess we could never really comprehend and be certain how God works. Theology may just be our best guess of understanding God and sometimes the truth might be too much for us to bear.
He is Sovereign therefore we cant really argue how things should work. Whether it is eternal torment or annihilation, God wills and it shall be done. Clay can never argue with the Potter.
Dear Donny,
You may have correctly pointedly out that the punishment of hell is eternal and not for a certain duration of time.But can you explain what Peter in I Peter 3:19-20 mentions about Jesus going into hell and preaching to the spirits in prison to save them,because they did not have the oppurtunity to hear the gospel of Noah.
Hi Donny,
Thanks for the informations both you and the learner presented. I can imagine a never ending arguments between the issue on Annihilationism and 'Eternal Torment'. All depends on which theological perspective one holds; to the teachings on God's atributes and the scriptures unfolded truth. My personal stand is similar to the learner 'clay could not say to the potter'. There are many secrets only God knows unless He choose to reveal to us - Deut. 29:29.
Hi Brother Jonathan!
Sorry if you're still waiting for a response. About the lake of fire, no I don't think that is Annihilation because in Rev 20:10, we are told that the torment will be for ever and ever.
Thanks to both Mun Chung and Learner, indeed both your comments have helped me to be more conscious of the Annihilationism argument.
I am also aware of several other beliefs regarding Hell and torment, altho I don't know enough about them to leave a comment. I definitely agree with you though that ultimately God is Sovereign, and we can't argue with Him. Haha!
God bless you loads!
Hi Eunice,
Actually, the bible says that ALL have sinned, and since the penalty of sin is death, therefore all deserve to be sent to hell.
But the wonderful side of the story, is that if a person were to believe in Jesus and accept Him as a personal saviour, then the penalty is paid on the person's behalf.
Yay! How wonderful! It's like a problem we couldn't solve, therefore God gave us the solution instead! I love it! And regarding your concern about the Christian who dies, don't worry. Jesus died once and for all our sins, past, present and future. He's forgiven us!!!
I feel like taking time right now to thank Him! Join me? Hahaha!
Hi Raymond!
The verse you are referring to is subject to many interpretations, and I suppose it would take a pretty lengthy exegesis to properly grasp its meaning.
Let me suggest then that your interpretation is slightly off, but yet still in line with one of the arguments. Meanwhile, there is no Gospel of Noah. Heh.
Dear Donny,
Thanks for the answer. i believe that many Christians out there need more solid teaching on hell. As the way christians are sinning as if there is no hell. As long as they have their passport to heaven they are save, this is the mentality that can be seen now.
Post a Comment