(no subject)
I did some reading online, which is the worst place to get your theology, and I am now questioning if hell will be forever. As in, will people stay in hell for eternity.
There are a few interpretations.
One is that yes, they will because it was said many times even by Jesus.
Two is that people will go to hell but it is a punishment that doesn't last forever, that everyone will go to heaven eventually.
Three is that hell only lasts until the final judgment comes, then it is completely wiped out of existence along with Satan and his demons.
I've been in the One camp all my life.
Regardless of the outcome of life, I believe that everyone should follow Jesus now because he is the only way to happiness NOW.
Doing the things that the maker of the universe designed for you to do only make sense, even if they are contrary to what people have thought of.
Living for God now and having a living interaction with Jesus everyday will determine whether God considers you alive or dead (spiritually). Abraham was a friend of God because of his continual trust in God and of course he went to heaven. Even though he lived before the time of Jesus. We will go to heaven because of what Jesus did and because we follow after him and love him with our lives. This is not to say that you can earn your way into heaven, it is to say that with a conversion toward Jesus there should be a corresponding change in the life of the converted. Matthew 7:16 "By their fruit you will recognize them."
The problem with trying to determine the outcome of people's eternal souls is that we lose the simplicity of the gospel. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:2 "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." So why go any further with the idea?
There are a few interpretations.
One is that yes, they will because it was said many times even by Jesus.
Two is that people will go to hell but it is a punishment that doesn't last forever, that everyone will go to heaven eventually.
Three is that hell only lasts until the final judgment comes, then it is completely wiped out of existence along with Satan and his demons.
I've been in the One camp all my life.
Regardless of the outcome of life, I believe that everyone should follow Jesus now because he is the only way to happiness NOW.
Doing the things that the maker of the universe designed for you to do only make sense, even if they are contrary to what people have thought of.
Living for God now and having a living interaction with Jesus everyday will determine whether God considers you alive or dead (spiritually). Abraham was a friend of God because of his continual trust in God and of course he went to heaven. Even though he lived before the time of Jesus. We will go to heaven because of what Jesus did and because we follow after him and love him with our lives. This is not to say that you can earn your way into heaven, it is to say that with a conversion toward Jesus there should be a corresponding change in the life of the converted. Matthew 7:16 "By their fruit you will recognize them."
The problem with trying to determine the outcome of people's eternal souls is that we lose the simplicity of the gospel. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:2 "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." So why go any further with the idea?