This question arose: How many Christians believe in Heaven but don't believe in Hell?
I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a mainstream Christian church that actively discusses Hell these days. The Bible says, "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death." [Revelation 20:14]
As near as I can tell, Hades is not Hell - it is a place where our spirits go to await judgment. For those who are saved, it is a place of rest...Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." [Luke 23:43]. And for those who have not accepted Christ as their savior, well, I think Mr. Weise's book sums it up very succinctly.
It's not going to be pretty.
We all seem to love the books and stories that talk about Heaven and listen intently when people share their near-death experiences and how peaceful, etc. they were. And that's all well and good, but if we are to take God's word at face value - as the Truth - then we can't have Heaven without Hell.
If you'd like to know more, pick up a copy of Mr. Weise's book. Alternately, there are several videos of him floating around on YouTube.
If you're convinced that there is a Hell and that you don't want any part of it, well, read Romans 10:9 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Everyone has free will - you can pick where you spend eternity. To paraphrase the French Knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, "Choose wisely."
What do you think?
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I think that sometimes people 'whistle past the graveyard' and avoid thinking of the consequences of their decision, or indecision.
ReplyDeleteTerry, I think you're absolutely right. And I think our society has moved from one that applauds achievement to one that applauds existence.
ReplyDeleteEvery person on the planet is gambling with their eternal lives in the hopes that there will be no 'bad' place.
As much as I'd like to be wrong about Hell...
Thanks for stopping by.
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