So, let me get this straight... souls are in hell, idk, Hitler, Stalin.. whatever, ok, some kids that died at age 14, 16.. whatever. So they are suffering?.. then they are lifted out to be judged, so God can say, um.. go back for eternity?.. This idea came out of the dark ages, one of fear and anxiety to help build the vatican.. I grew up catholic, I know these things. Scripture, Jesus, says they will be rewarded according to their works. So, according to their works?.. Hitler has the same punishment as some kid at 17 who took his own life on drugs? No, the enemy wants us to think this, the wicked will be burned up.. eventually, cease to exist. Malachi ch 3, the wicked will be ashes under the soles of your feet. You ever have to put a dog down?.. a horse?.. let me tell you, it's misery, God doesn't delight in the death of the wicked. Death WILL end, not go on for eternity in some torture without end. Will it be eternal?.. yes, no coming back, is the fire unquenchable? yes, the fire of God cannot be extinguished except by the one who prepared it. Revelation 20:13.. and every man was judged according to his works.
I'm sorry Rainwalker, the belief in a literal Hell & a literal eternal torment for those who have rejected God & His Christ is not an idea from the dark ages nor from the Vatican - this is Scripture & plenty of them to support it. It's how one chooses to read, understand & accept the teachings from the Word that is in question - the Word does not change.
Look at Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 18:9; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Jude 1:7; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10,14,15. These do not speak of an annihilation, but of torment. And what were "their works"? Works of sinful lives, of self-glorification, of being God-haters & Christ-rejecters. If we remove the eternal suffering of Hell, we've lost a great part of our Gospel message, i.e. we not only won't have a Gospel to preach, we won't even need to preach the Gospel. Jude 1:23, "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
If the preacher hasn't got the awful image before him of souls for whom Christ died, going into an eternity of torment, then that preacher is preaching a watered down Gospel, one that tickles the mind but doesn't wrench the heart - a Gospel that only requires a glib acceptance of a lowly Jesus but not weeping in sorrow for sin's wretchedness before an Holy God. Christ didn't give up His Life only to bring sinners into Heaven, but to save them from His Father's Judgement sending them to an eternity of suffering. This is why the cost of Salvation had to be so great - it took the Son of God to come between an Holy God & a hell-deserved, hell-bound sinner. We all have to die one day - but through Christ, not all have to be consigned to Hell.
There certainly is a literal "hell", and the punishment will be eternal. When you are eventually burned up and cease to exist there will be no coming back. Mal 4:1,3. How else will there be "degrees" of punishment? Matthew 10:15, Matthew 11:22. It says in Ezekiel, the soul that sins shall die.
Look at Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 18:9; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Jude 1:7; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10,14,15. These do not speak of an annihilation, but of torment. And what were "their works"? Works of sinful lives, of self-glorification, of being God-haters & Christ-rejecters. If we remove the eternal suffering of Hell, we've lost a great part of our Gospel message, i.e. we not only won't have a Gospel to preach, we won't even need to preach the Gospel. Jude 1:23, "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
If the preacher hasn't got the awful image before him of souls for whom Christ died, going into an eternity of torment, then that preacher is preaching a watered down Gospel, one that tickles the mind but doesn't wrench the heart - a Gospel that only requires a glib acceptance of a lowly Jesus but not weeping in sorrow for sin's wretchedness before an Holy God. Christ didn't give up His Life only to bring sinners into Heaven, but to save them from His Father's Judgement sending them to an eternity of suffering. This is why the cost of Salvation had to be so great - it took the Son of God to come between an Holy God & a hell-deserved, hell-bound sinner. We all have to die one day - but through Christ, not all have to be consigned to Hell.
Well spoken, There's to many scripture one would have to ignore to say a literal hell as a place of torment doesn't exist.
God bless you and all you do Brother.
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