Why does Hell have to exist?

[jahjahwarrior]

This is one thing I really struggle with. I often find it hard and even an oxymoron that God is a God of love but yet lets people suffer and burn in Hell for all of eternity. I've never burned alive before, but I have occasionally suffered minor burns from various different objects (hot exhaust pipes, stove burners and one time I accidentally burned part of my thumb with a blow torch), and the pain is unbelievably horrible and the after effects can last for days. Based on my few experiences of minor burns, I have come to the conclusion that burning alive is the worst pain any human could possibly ever experience, and I can imagine not many people will disagree with me on that. I can't even begin to fathom experiencing that kind of pain non-stop for all of eternity. I understand that God is holy and will not allow sin into Heaven, but why can't he just zap the unsaved out of existence? Why does he have to allow people to suffer like that for eternity? There are billions of people in the world and most of them don't know Christ as their savior. It's a horrific thought of living your life, working, making a living, getting married, having kids, etc. Then grow old and die and wake up in Hell. Why did God decide to create Hell?

 

[jasoncran]

the lake for fire, you mean not hell. there is a difference. remember that with this topic you will run into the teachings of men over the ages and not so much what the bible does say. see the thread sheol in the focus on scripture. sheol is translated as hell, the grave and also hades.

 

[Infinity]

This is one thing I really struggle with. I often find it hard and even an oxymoron that God is a God of love but yet lets people suffer and burn in Hell for all of eternity. I've never burned alive before, but I have occasionally suffered minor burns from various different objects (hot exhaust pipes, stove burners and one time I accidentally burned part of my thumb with a blow torch), and the pain is unbelievably horrible and the after effects can last for days. Based on my few experiences of minor burns, I have come to the conclusion that burning alive is the worst pain any human could possibly ever experience, and I can imagine not many people will disagree with me on that. I can't even begin to fathom experiencing that kind of pain non-stop for all of eternity. I understand that God is holy and will not allow sin into Heaven, but why can't he just zap the unsaved out of existence? Why does he have to allow people to suffer like that for eternity? There are billions of people in the world and most of them don't know Christ as their savior. It's a horrific thought of living your life, working, making a living, getting married, having kids, etc. Then grow old and die and wake up in Hell. Why did God decide to create Hell?

There are many interpretations of hell, but if you are talking about the one of a place of infinite torment, then that is just a good scare tactic, nothing more.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I do believe that if you have a good understanding of scripture, then hell's existence is undeniable. But I wonder the same thing. The best explanation I've heard, and it's not really satisfactory, is that the unsaved would not be happy in heaven with a God they detest anyway. But still, why?

 

[farouk]

I do believe that if you have a good understanding of scripture, then hell's existence is undeniable. But I wonder the same thing. The best explanation I've heard, and it's not really satisfactory, is that the unsaved would not be happy in heaven with a God they detest anyway. But still, why?

[MENTION=89910]questdriven[/MENTION]:

This is one of the manward angles. And even more so, the Godward angle is that God's holiness is inviolate. Revelation 22 speaks more of this. And the wonder is that God was prepared to send His sinless Son to be the perfect subtitute and sacrifice for sin, in order to redeem a people to Himself.

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I do believe that if you have a good understanding of scripture, then hell's existence is undeniable. But I wonder the same thing. The best explanation I've heard, and it's not really satisfactory, is that the unsaved would not be happy in heaven with a God they detest anyway. But still, why?

@questdriven :

This is one of the manward angles. And even more so, the Godward angle is that God's holiness is inviolate. Revelation 22 speaks more of this. And the wonder is that God was prepared to send His sinless Son to be the perfect subtitute and sacrifice for sin, in order to redeem a people to Himself.

Blessings.

I know. But the idea of the alternative of eternal punishment exists is still hard to understand. I'm sure we'll understand one day, but still. When speaking to unbelievers, this is one of the toughest questions to answer. And the answer that God knows best, better than our finite human understanding, while true, doesn't fly with them.

 

[farouk]

I do believe that if you have a good understanding of scripture, then hell's existence is undeniable. But I wonder the same thing. The best explanation I've heard, and it's not really satisfactory, is that the unsaved would not be happy in heaven with a God they detest anyway. But still, why?

@questdriven :

This is one of the manward angles. And even more so, the Godward angle is that God's holiness is inviolate. Revelation 22 speaks more of this. And the wonder is that God was prepared to send His sinless Son to be the perfect subtitute and sacrifice for sin, in order to redeem a people to Himself.

Blessings.

I know. But the idea of the alternative of eternal punishment exists is still hard to understand. I'm sure we'll understand one day, but still. When speaking to unbelievers, this is one of the toughest questions to answer. And the answer that God knows best, better than our finite human understanding, while true, doesn't fly with them.

@questdriven :

The point is, too, that they desperately need the Savior, but 'the God of this world hath blinded the eyes of them which believe not' (2 Corinthians 4.4).

(This is why a good rock concert with challenging lyrics such as Disciple's Battle Lines can make people wake up and think. And above all, a good message preached faithfully from the Bible, whether at a local church, or wherever.)

Blessings.

 

[jasoncran]

a good scare tactic? the jews believed and still believe that sheol still has a place of torment.

so did the ancient greeks with their version of hades.

 

[farouk]

I think we are on dangerous ground if we give the impression that indulging in sin will end, if not in salvation, in some supposed kind of eternal, semi-comfortable absence of being.

 

[Pizzaguy]

I think we are on dangerous ground if we give the impression that indulging in sin will end, if not in salvation, in some supposed kind of eternal, semi-comfortable absence of being.

Well, if you are gonna put it THAT way, you have cleverly just put the burden on those of us here charged with "spreading the word"! Thanks a PANTLOAD for that -you about made Hell my responsibility!
Seriously, your's is about the heaviest post on this topic I've ever read.

But, apart from that, I simply don't buy the "forever burning in torment and torture of Hell". And it is NOT why I believe in Jesus, anyway. I don't NEED to be scared into believing. Seems like terrorizing me with the idea of Hell (true or not) is not the way to reach people. And I don't see the God of the Bible using such a technique, either. He does not want robots "worshipping" Him just so they don't burn in an eternal, agonizing fire - I am SURE of that.
Forced worship is not worship at all.

In the end, it matters little to me. I rely on Christ's act on the Cross to keep me "safe", and as I read the Bible, it looks like I can't do much to be "safe" on my own, anyway.

But, the ways of God are a mystery to us... maybe He DOES want us to scare people into believing.
I really don't know....

 

[farouk]

I think we are on dangerous ground if we give the impression that indulging in sin will end, if not in salvation, in some supposed kind of eternal, semi-comfortable absence of being.

Well, if you are gonna put it THAT way, you have cleverly just put the burden on those of us here charged with "spreading the word"! Thanks a PANTLOAD for that -you about made Hell my responsibility!
Seriously, your's is about the heaviest post on this topic I've ever read.

But, apart from that, I simply don't buy the "forever burning in torment and torture of Hell". And it is NOT why I believe in Jesus, anyway. I don't NEED to be scared into believing. Seems like terrorizing me with the idea of Hell (true or not) is not the way to reach people. And I don't see the God of the Bible using such a technique, either. He does not want robots "worshipping" Him just so they don't burn in an eternal, agonizing fire - I am SURE of that.
Forced worship is not worship at all.

In the end, it matters little to me. I rely on Christ's act on the Cross to keep me "safe", and as I read the Bible, it looks like I can't do much to be "safe" on my own, anyway.

But, the ways of God are a mystery to us... maybe He DOES want us to scare people into believing.
I really don't know....

Why then does the Lord Jesus Himself speak in the New Testament a lot more about hell than heaven?

 

[turnorburn]

Says here hell wasn't intended for man it was intended for the devil and his angels.. choosing to follow the devil is a choice it always has been. So the devil "the accuser" accuses God of being unloving mean and uncaring, give me a break with that sympathy for the devil garbage. The Rolling Stones made the devil famous even titled an album after him..

Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

tob

 

[Potluck]

but yet lets people suffer and burn in Hell for all of eternity.

Heaven is a place with God. Hell is a place without God.
People let themselves be without God, without Christ. Do you think God should force them to be with Him for eternity if they don't want to be with Him in the first place?

 

[Infinity]

And heck, consider this. Our bodies are apparently only shells that our soul resides in. When we hurt ourselves, only the body fells the pain not the soul (I don't know the verse but it is in the bible) . So even if hell is some pit with fire, you wont fell anything, but even if we get there with our bodies, the nerves will be destroyed because of the intense fire. So the only thing you should worry about now is the chance that god designed hell so our bodies will constantly regenerate themselves so we can fell pain. And that borders on sadistic, which I think isn't what you belive about your god.

 

[Randy]

I think we are on dangerous ground if we give the impression that indulging in sin will end, if not in salvation, in some supposed kind of eternal, semi-comfortable absence of being.

Well, if you are gonna put it THAT way, you have cleverly just put the burden on those of us here charged with "spreading the word"! Thanks a PANTLOAD for that -you about made Hell my responsibility!
Seriously, your's is about the heaviest post on this topic I've ever read.

But, apart from that, I simply don't buy the "forever burning in torment and torture of Hell". And it is NOT why I believe in Jesus, anyway. I don't NEED to be scared into believing. Seems like terrorizing me with the idea of Hell (true or not) is not the way to reach people. And I don't see the God of the Bible using such a technique, either. He does not want robots "worshipping" Him just so they don't burn in an eternal, agonizing fire - I am SURE of that.
Forced worship is not worship at all.

In the end, it matters little to me. I rely on Christ's act on the Cross to keep me "safe", and as I read the Bible, it looks like I can't do much to be "safe" on my own, anyway.

But, the ways of God are a mystery to us... maybe He DOES want us to scare people into believing.
I really don't know....

A loving God warns and warns as rebukes are given to the living for our good as in "choose life". Jesus wasn't sent to punish but to bring Gods salvation. The good Shepard loves the sheep and lays down His life for the sheep. (The greatest Love) Some people might argue that God doesn't need to punish sin (not meaning you) but scripture is clear in that God does punish sin. But all have a way of escape from their sin. "Jesus". A sign of true salvation Luke 19:8-9

I think that the 2nd death is truth as we read in Rev for those that choose that path. (freewill)

Gods statement
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.†Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.†6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless,[e] the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.â€

 

[Guest]

Good OP. My question is, why fire? Why isn't the absence of God enough punishment. Why is the fire punishment have to be added.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Burning and gnashing of teeth.
Does separation from God for all eternity in utter darkness cause us to burn and gnash our teeth?

I've often used this analogy (as weak as it is);

Here's the winning lottery ticket, it's yours free!
No thanks, I don't believe it, there must be a catch, I don't want no favors from you, I never did care about you.
The next day that ticket wins.
That person starts burning and gnashing his teeth for the rest of his life.

 

[stovebolts]

test post.

 

[farouk]

There is the question of unpunished sin.

God is holy. He has lovingly provided a Savior. (The question thus rightly arises: Savior from what?)

Revelation says about God presence in heaven that 'nothing that defiles shall enter'.

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

A loving God warns and warns as rebukes are given to the living for our good as in "choose life".

O that all men of all times were afforded this opportunity to "choose." Billions have likely lived and died throughout the ages that never had the 'priviledge' of know of or about God and God's commands. This lack of knowledge stood between them and their ability to make the choice you spoke of. That's not even mentioning the millions that have been mentally handicapped, died as children, etc.

Jesus wasn't sent to punish but to bring Gods salvation.

Jesus was apparently sent to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God, to collect those that would have a part in that Kingdom, to live and die as to become worthy of being the King of God's Kingdom, and to conquer death so mankind could have the hope of age-lasting life under the reign of the Kingdom.