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Should Christians rethink Hell?

Also, the breath God breathed into Adam was the spirit of Adam which God created by breathing it.

And so, you are essentially saying everyone will be saved by the way you interpret the following?

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (KJV)
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
 
This is why you cannot isolate verses in the scripture to build a doctrine. You must amalgamate the whole Bible to get the entire picture.
 
It would be helpful to post the reference verses for your statement above.
Okay.
annihilation of the soul
Psalm 6:4-5 (KJV)
4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Death of the body
Genesis 3:19 (KJV)
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Adam's nickname... Dusty. :woot2

disposition of the spirit

2 Corinthians 12:1-8 (KJV)
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 (KJV)
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

or for unbelievers this side of the cross:

Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Sheol.jpg

Revelation 20:11-15 (KJV)
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.​

The dead in Christ will return with him (Jude 14) when he comes to save Israel at Jerusalem as the world's armies come down upon them to annihilate them and as a last resort those few who survive cry out to Jesus (since nothing else has worked) Psalm 118:25-26. And as he returns the bodies of the dead in Christ rise (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) to be reunited with their disembodied spirits and those few who are on earth will be changed in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).

The condemned dead are raised to bow before the Lord Jesus and confess...

Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Then they will be cast into the lake of fire (apparently located at the center of the new heaven-earth):

Malachi 4:3 (KJV)
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Where the bodies of the dead are consumed and the souls cease to exist and the spirit lives on for all eternity to come.

Mark 9:41-48 (KJV)
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
 
The Greek word olethros (OL-eth-ross) which means “destruction” (Vine 165) is used by Paul to describe the eternal punishment of the second death:

2 THESSALONIANS 1:8-9 (KJV)
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction (olethros) from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

The first part of this text reveals that God will punish those who reject the gospel, and verse 9 reveals exactly what this punishment will be: everlasting destruction. This obviously refers to destruction that lasts forever and not to an endless process of destroying without ever quite destroying as supporters of eternal torment weakly argue. After all, to perpetually destroy without ever destroying isn’t really destruction because the destruction never actually takes place. It would be everlasting torment but not everlasting destruction.

Adherents of eternal torture also argue that if, in fact, “destruction” refers to complete extinction it would be unnecessary to describe it as “everlasting.” Yet the reason the destruction is described as everlasting is obvious: “Everlasting destruction” is a reference to the second death. The second death is different from the first death in that everyone is resurrected from the first death to face judgment. There is, however, no such resurrection from the second death; it is a death that lasts forever — an “everlasting destruction” — destruction that lasts forever.

The text goes on to reveal that this everlasting destruction shall proceed “from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” This is further proof that it is God Himself, the supreme authority and judge, who will execute the everlasting destruction of the second death.
 
MATTHEW 13:40
As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.”
Jesus is saying that just as weeds are burned in the fire in his story, so it will be with ungodly people — God’s enemies — at the end of this age on judgment day.

When literal weeds are burned, they are burned up. Was Jesus using a wrong example here or did he mean what he said? The obvious answer is that Jesus meant exactly what he said. When the ungodly are thrown into the lake of fire, they — like the weeds — will be burned up.

The above example of weeds is backed up by three similar examples used in the gospels. In Matthew 7:19 Jesus likened the ungodly to trees: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” In John 15:6 he likened those who reject him to branches: “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” Similarly, in Luke 3:17 John the Baptist likened evildoers to chaff: “His (Jesus’) winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will BURN UP the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

In all these cases, the “trees,” “branches” and “chaff” represent ungodly people – God’s enemies; and each of these combustible articles are to be “thrown (discarded) into the fire and burned.” Luke 3:17 even specifies that they will be “burned up.”

As is the case with the Parable of the Weeds above, the “fire” in all these examples is, of course, a reference to the lake of fire. When the ungodly are thrown into the lake of fire, they — like the trees, branches and chaff — will be burned up.

As you can see, Jesus makes the issue of human damnation so simple and clear that even a child can understand it.

http://www.hellhadesafterlife.com/hell
 
unquenchable fire
God's judgement.

burned
judged

destruction that lasts forever
Eternal undoing
 
But the fire of God is not ordinary fire.

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. {ran: Heb. went}
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. (1Ki 18:31-39 KJV)
So? Ever driven by an auto junk yard? All those cars have been destroyed. Yet, they are in existence.

Your self limiting use of the word "destroy" limits your understanding of Scripture.

There is nothing in Scripture of anyone ever ceasing to exist. And there are plenty of evidence that unbelievers will be punished eternally.
 
First-Yes I take that literally.....So ,question,where do you think the lake of fire will be?
I have no idea. Like everyone else.

Second-Nope,that happens during the millennium....

Third-He will cease to exist forever along with all other's who are thrown in there........[/QUOTE]
How can one "cease to exist forever" equal eternal punishment. If one isn't there, there can be NO punishment.
 
FreeGrace

Do you think man already has an immortal soul?If yes why does scripture call it a gift ,given only to those in Christ?
I believe that all souls are immortal. Believers have eternal life and will live with God eternally. Unbelievers will exist in the second death eternally.

The gift is eternal life; God's life. Unbelievers have rejected that gift. Immortality and eternal life aren't the same thing, as it seems you suppose.

Just because the soul of the unbeliever will exist in the lake of fire doesn't equate with "life". They are separated from God, which is spiritual death.

Paul told the Ephesian believers thay they WERE "dead in sins". What kind of death did he mean? Spiritual death.

Those who never receive the free gift of eternal life remain in spiritual death and end up in the second death. Conscious of their position. Forever. And ever.
 
Okay.
annihilation of the soul
Psalm 6:4-5 (KJV)
4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Where in this verse do you see annihilation?
 
The Greek word olethros (OL-eth-ross) which means “destruction” (Vine 165) is used by Paul to describe the eternal punishment of the second death:

2 THESSALONIANS 1:8-9 (KJV)
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction (olethros) from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

The first part of this text reveals that God will punish those who reject the gospel, and verse 9 reveals exactly what this punishment will be: everlasting destruction. This obviously refers to destruction that lasts forever and not to an endless process of destroying without ever quite destroying as supporters of eternal torment weakly argue. After all, to perpetually destroy without ever destroying isn’t really destruction because the destruction never actually takes place. It would be everlasting torment but not everlasting destruction.
But…when considers Matt 25:46 which speaks of eternal punishment, you have a problem. One cannot be punished is they don't exist. There is no punishment to the comatose or to those who don't exist.

Punishment is a conscious event. Has to be. Go ahead and spank a person in a coma. Did you punish them? Not even close.

Adherents of eternal torture also argue that if, in fact, “destruction” refers to complete extinction it would be unnecessary to describe it as “everlasting.” Yet the reason the destruction is described as everlasting is obvious: “Everlasting destruction” is a reference to the second death. The second death is different from the first death in that everyone is resurrected from the first death to face judgment. There is, however, no such resurrection from the second death; it is a death that lasts forever — an “everlasting destruction” — destruction that lasts forever.
Nope. The destruction of the lake of fire can be compared to autos that go to the junk yard. They have been destroyed in an accident and aren't useful for anything. They remain in the junk yard.

The word 'destruction' doesn't necessarily mean extinction or ceasing to exist. That's the problem of those who reject ECT.

The text goes on to reveal that this everlasting destruction shall proceed “from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” This is further proof that it is God Himself, the supreme authority and judge, who will execute the everlasting destruction of the second death.
This in no way suggests extinction of existence. Yes, God does execute the judgment; He casts all unbelievers into the lake of fire, where there will be "torment night and day forever and ever". Rev 20:10
 
I don't know how you can claim that.
Psalm 37:10 says clearly "A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found."
Uh, really? How about this: think of someone you know who has died. They are "no more; though you look for them, they will not be found". See? That verse has NOTHING to do with ceasing to exist.

Also, the phrase "a little while" should have been a clue. The lake of fire occurs far into the future from the perspective of the Psalmist.
 
Uh, really? How about this: think of someone you know who has died. They are "no more; though you look for them, they will not be found". See? That verse has NOTHING to do with ceasing to exist.

Also, the phrase "a little while" should have been a clue. The lake of fire occurs far into the future from the perspective of the Psalmist.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8

Your claim was that there is nothing in scripture about anyone ceasing to exist. Psalm 37:10 specifically says the wicked will be no more.
 
Your claim was that there is nothing in scripture about anyone ceasing to exist. Psalm 37:10 specifically says the wicked will be no more.
And I explained that verse. As always, one is free to accept or reject it.

If unbelievers will cease to exist, then the Bible is contradictory. I will never accept that.
 
And I explained that verse. As always, one is free to accept or reject it.

If unbelievers will cease to exist, then the Bible is contradictory. I will never accept that.
I see. So you didn't mean to say that there is nothing in scripture about anyone ceasing to exist. Did you mean to say that you can't accept the Bible verses that say that the wicked will be no more? I mean, the Bible clearly states that the wicked will be no more, one is free to accept that or reject it.
 
Psalm 37:10-11 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

This goes with

Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Be no more......where God dwells.
 
In short the doctrine of annihilation eliminates the need for salvation that's what this argument boils down to. no need of salvation no need of Jesus..

tob
 
Psalm 37:10-11 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

This goes with

Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Be no more......where God dwells.
Thanks, I agree.

There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain. This would not be the case if over half of the people were in hell crying out in pain, would it?
 
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