RE: And We're Back ... Awe Hell
October 17, 2012 at 6:58 pm
(This post was last modified: October 17, 2012 at 7:10 pm by Undeceived.)
Thanks, catfish, for the verse.
2 Peter 2:4 "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment"
I believe some of my Christian brothers have been lead astray in saying God did not create hell. God created all realms. Here's he stance most theologians take on the matter: God created hell for Satan and his followers. People have a choice to join God or to join Satan. Notice that Satan and his fallen angels (demons) are being 'held for judgment.' They have not been judged; they are being allowed to roam free in the world, influencing people. Hell may or may not be a physical place, but it is at the very least a spiritual place (its hard to imagine Satan being held by a merely physical realm). Revelation 20 depicts the final judgements:
10 "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
15 "Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."
Satan will be thrown back in the place created for him, and so will unbelievers. They will be tormented both by Satan and in finding themselves separated from all love and happiness. Earth is a place of partial goodness, because of God's presence and hand in His creation, weighed against the effects of sin. But there is no presence of God in hell, meaning love and pleasure and all good things cease to exist for the judged unbeliever. In the absence of our Source and Creator there is only suffering, for nothing else exists to fill the void. Love God and He will treat you as a son. Hate Him and He will place you in a realm where there is no love, as you wish. But God desires all men to come to Him. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Peter 2:4 "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment"
I believe some of my Christian brothers have been lead astray in saying God did not create hell. God created all realms. Here's he stance most theologians take on the matter: God created hell for Satan and his followers. People have a choice to join God or to join Satan. Notice that Satan and his fallen angels (demons) are being 'held for judgment.' They have not been judged; they are being allowed to roam free in the world, influencing people. Hell may or may not be a physical place, but it is at the very least a spiritual place (its hard to imagine Satan being held by a merely physical realm). Revelation 20 depicts the final judgements:
10 "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
15 "Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."
Satan will be thrown back in the place created for him, and so will unbelievers. They will be tormented both by Satan and in finding themselves separated from all love and happiness. Earth is a place of partial goodness, because of God's presence and hand in His creation, weighed against the effects of sin. But there is no presence of God in hell, meaning love and pleasure and all good things cease to exist for the judged unbeliever. In the absence of our Source and Creator there is only suffering, for nothing else exists to fill the void. Love God and He will treat you as a son. Hate Him and He will place you in a realm where there is no love, as you wish. But God desires all men to come to Him. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
