Question:
WHY
WOULD GOD TORMENT SOMEONE IN THE ETERNAL BURNING FLAMES OF HELL?
Question:
WHY
WOULD GOD TORMENT SOMEONE IN THE ETERNAL BURNING FLAMES OF HELL?
Answer: |
This question is generally asked by those who fail to understand the
incalculable and unimaginable cost to a pure, holy and sinless God. This cost involved
becoming a sinless man and shedding his blood on a cross for the sins of the
world. Furthermore, man fails to grasp the magnitude of God’s love, heaven, as
being equal and opposite to his wrath of eternal physical burnings in hell.
Simply put, if you don’t want his love in Jesus Christ, you can have his wrath.
Two inadequate human examples that would illustrate this truth, are given
as follows:
1. A judge, having sentenced a criminal to death, would then
choose to die in his place.
2. A parent that would willingly send their own precious and
lovely son or daughter, to die a torturous cross death, for the sins of others,
having been mercilessly whipped and wearing a crown of thorns.
However, this only scratches the surface, in that God himself “…manifest
in the flesh…” (1 Timothy 3:16) as the sinless Jesus Christ, was “…made … to be
sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the real price God had to pay.
Be under no illusion, it is the sinner who will choose to go to hell by
rejecting God’s offer of salvation, as God says “… I have no pleasure in the
death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…” (Ezekiel
33:11). He adds, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
In addition, it is not only the unimaginable pain of eternal burnings, but the
intense and mind numbing regret of refusing God’s salvation gift, in knowing
that you could have been in heaven, were it not for your stubborn pride. Oh,
the eternal agony that you let the opportunity go by!!!
You see, hell was only ever meant for the punishment of the devil and his
angels as God will “…say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me,
ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew
25:41). Hell is God’s wrath for those who reject the Saviour Jesus Christ.
To the reader who would say “I don’t believe God will torment me in hell fire
forever!” we say “Don’t be too hasty - one second after you die, you will
quickly change your mind!” Dear Friend, be encouraged to receive Jesus Christ
as your Saviour as “… God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Dear Reader, where will you spend eternity? In the eternal flames of hell or
with God in heaven? Indeed, the Lord GOD says “…despisest thou the riches of
his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness
of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
We would urge you to “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved…” (Acts 16:31). However, it’s your choice.
QUESTION:
“Why are you Christians so arrogant, that you think you’re the only ones
going to heaven and that we’re all going to hell?”
ANSWER:
We live in a world that now values the tolerance of all things above
God’s truth – where ALL opinions are considered valid and where there is no
absolute truth anymore. We have to tolerate everybody’s ideas about religion.
Now, in response to his desert temptations, Jesus chose to quote
the scriptures, thereby magnifying God’s truth above his own name and opinions
(Psalm 138:2). We shall do likewise.
If you agree that Jesus was a good man (at the very least), and
good men never lie, he therefore must have been telling the truth when he said “…
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).
But you do see, that with this one statement, Jesus showed an
absolute intolerance, and so called arrogance, of all other faiths, religions
and beliefs. If Jesus were to walk on the earth today, he would definitely be
called intolerant and arrogant.
Now, it is understandable that non-Christians may misinterpret the
Christians’ exclusive and sure belief of a home in heaven, as arrogance,
however as we would therefore urge the unsaved reader to “… Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved …” (Acts 16:31), that you
too, may also have the same assurance of your home in heaven.
For as the scriptures say “Neither is there salvation in any other (Jesus): for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
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