Good post, Daystar- well-developed and researched. I think you might do with an intro paragraph and a conclusion to summarize though, since this is basically an essay.
I really like your point about the Valley of Hinnon, and how it was just a symbol for the people of that time that really captures the idea of a truly horrible place. But that leaves me wondering, if the original biblical word was simply “sheol,” and meaning more or less a gathering place for the dead (forgive me for the comparison, but I cannot help remembering in the book “The Amber Spyglass” they spend a good amount of time in what seems to be described very well by sheol). Why then does Jesus in the bible compare it with Hinnon?
I was also interested when I read
In 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, describing the second coming of Christ, it is written that Jesus will take vengeance on those who do not know God, and they “shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (Th. 7-9). Does this simply mean that the wicked are just... destroyed, and never to resurrected? I find it interesting that “everlasting” is included, since that implies that it’s not simply instantaneous, and that the punishment lasts forever. Hell is, in this case I suppose, simply being separated from god forever. However, I’m not too sure how well this matches up with the idea that there are degrees of punishment. I’m talking about how knowingly doing wicked things earns you harder punishment than doing wickedness without knowing you are not supposed to (Luke: 47-48). There are no degrees of separation from God (one would think?) so they don’t mesh.
Whether or not it’s in eternal torment, it would seem that there at least some promise in the bible of fiery punishment, maybe on the day of judgement, but regardless I don’t think that “sinners” are simply destroyed and done with.
Most of my quotes here are from King James version, ‘cus that’s the one I’ve got.
... Take it away Daystar.
I really like your point about the Valley of Hinnon, and how it was just a symbol for the people of that time that really captures the idea of a truly horrible place. But that leaves me wondering, if the original biblical word was simply “sheol,” and meaning more or less a gathering place for the dead (forgive me for the comparison, but I cannot help remembering in the book “The Amber Spyglass” they spend a good amount of time in what seems to be described very well by sheol). Why then does Jesus in the bible compare it with Hinnon?
I was also interested when I read
Quote: “For the living know that they die, and the dead know not anything, and there is no more to them a reward, for their remembrance hath been forgotten”(Ecclesiastes 9:5, Young’s Literal Translation). I am a bit confused- is this saying there is no afterlife at all, or am I misreading?
In 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, describing the second coming of Christ, it is written that Jesus will take vengeance on those who do not know God, and they “shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (Th. 7-9). Does this simply mean that the wicked are just... destroyed, and never to resurrected? I find it interesting that “everlasting” is included, since that implies that it’s not simply instantaneous, and that the punishment lasts forever. Hell is, in this case I suppose, simply being separated from god forever. However, I’m not too sure how well this matches up with the idea that there are degrees of punishment. I’m talking about how knowingly doing wicked things earns you harder punishment than doing wickedness without knowing you are not supposed to (Luke: 47-48). There are no degrees of separation from God (one would think?) so they don’t mesh.
Whether or not it’s in eternal torment, it would seem that there at least some promise in the bible of fiery punishment, maybe on the day of judgement, but regardless I don’t think that “sinners” are simply destroyed and done with.
Most of my quotes here are from King James version, ‘cus that’s the one I’ve got.
... Take it away Daystar.
