Some Questions about Hell/Death/Rewards in heaven

PrettyboyAndy · #1 18th September 2009, 02:03 PM

I have been pondering some questions I had for a while.

1) A pastor told me. "God won't love you anymore if you fast for over 40 days." (Because at the time I just finished fasting 40 days, and asked him if I should continue out the fast)

But what about people who do missionary work, and pastors that help bring people to Christ, and that do baptisms, wouldn't God love them more?

2) Do you get rewarded accoring to your works?

3)When you die, do you immediatly go to heaven or hell? Or are we in a deep sleep, until Jesus' second coming?

4)Is hell enternal burning or is it a second and final death of the spirit as well?

5)Are we still under observance of the 10 commandments? If so why do we still work on the sabbath? It is the day God rested and we are also supposed to rest.

Thanks so much!
God bless
Andy

Miss Elly · #2 18th September 2009, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Andy Loves Jesus

I have been pondering some questions I had for a while.

1) A pastor told me. "God won't love you anymore if you fast for over 40 days." (Because at the time I just finished fasting 40 days, and asked him if I should continue out the fast)

But what about people who do missionary work, and pastors that help bring people to Christ, and that do baptisms, wouldn't God love them more?

2) Do you get rewarded accoring to your works?

3)When you die, do you immediatly go to heaven or hell? Or are we in a deep sleep, until Jesus' second coming?

4)Is hell enternal burning or is it a second and final death of the spirit as well?

5)Are we still under observance of the 10 commandments? If so why do we still work on the sabbath? It is the day God rested and we are also supposed to rest.

Thanks so much!
God bless
Andy

1) I don't think that God will love you any more if you fast 40 days (or 5 minutes), however, He does want us to obey him. Jesus fasted 40 days and nights and he was OBEDIENT to what the spirit of God asked of him. Don't fast in your own strength, make sure God is telling you.
No God does not love certain people more (missionaries or pastors) than anyone else. He puts callings upon their lives to do a work for him.
2) We will all be rewarded with eternal life if we are saved. Yet Jesus said that if we so much as give a cup of water to someone because they belong to Christ we would not lose our reward. So we will have rewards in heaven according to our godly works.
3) I believe when we die, we will be in the presence of Jesus Christ or in a devil's hell. If we are "asleep", then our first consious thought will be who we are spending eternity with.
4) Hell will be cast into the lake of fire, and the bible says the smoke of their torment will be forever. The resurrected body destined for destruction will never be burned up.
5) Yes, the 10 commandments are still in effect. We should all honor the sabbath and not work at a job. If you have to work on Sunday, that is between you and God, but I would ask him to help me find another job.

I hope this helps.

PrettyboyAndy · #3 18th September 2009, 10:23 PM

Thank you so much!(:

That helped clear a lot of confusion for me.

But about the 2nd commandment, with the graven-images/idolatry
Would it be okay for me to wear jewlery; saints braclet and a rosary bead, and also what about my computer wallpaper of an image of Jesus?

Thanks so much
God Bless
Andy

NatalieJan777 · #4 19th September 2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Andy Loves Jesus

Thank you so much!(:

That helped clear a lot of confusion for me.

But about the 2nd commandment, with the graven-images/idolatry
Would it be okay for me to wear jewlery; saints braclet and a rosary bead, and also what about my computer wallpaper of an image of Jesus?

Thanks so much
God Bless
Andy

I think each person who seeks to follow the commandments need to seek the advise of our heavenly Father. If you are placing anything (or anyone) above and more important than HIM, HE will point that out to you.

As far as fasting is concerned, I believe many do it for wrong reasons. It is an act of denying the desires of the flesh (humbleness) so that the power of GOD can work more effectively through you.

You seem to be knowledgable in the Lord from what little bit I've seen you post here on CF and I believe if you continue in HIM that HE will lead you to all truth.

May GOD BLESS YOU as you seek HIM

PrettyboyAndy · #5 20th September 2009, 12:04 AM

Aww! that was so sweet! thank you(:
I feel special now

NatalieJan777 · #6 20th September 2009, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Andy Loves Jesus

Aww! that was so sweet! thank you(:
I feel special now

You are special, we all are

If Jesus can say that GOD the Father knows the number of hairs we each have on our heads, I believe HE knows everything about us all.

I believe HE just wants us all to know HIM better, following HIS WORD with HIS guidance (HIS HOLY SPIRIT) is truly the way to do that.

May GOD BLESS!

DRMJBennell · #7 23rd September 2009, 08:03 AM

I'm afraid I can't honestly say I "love" Jesus. I don't see Him. I don't hear Him.

I've read about Him.

"Spiritually" speaking, I only want to be a Christian simply to avoid Hell.

To me, the stick is more of a threat than the carrot is a promise.

I've never been sure of my own salvation. Yes, I've prayed all the standard prayers.

I've prayed, begged, pleaded, reasoned, cursed and yelled. Though it is apparently

evil, I've looked for "signs" to indicate any sort of communication

or acknowledgement. Nothing.

According to my all my God-given senses, nothing has changed in me or my life.

It seems to me, God is an omnipotent, indifferent, monolithic being.

There are many references in the Bible to the fact that most people will Not be saved

and, in fact, will burn forever in Hell.

Now I'm wondering, if I'm just NOT one of the pre-selected humans destined to be

included in His Heaven.

Yes, God is good, but maybe what is "good" to me and what is good to Him are two

different things. We are told that

ALL things work towards the glory of God. Maybe my eternal suffering in Hell is just

part of a bigger plan that I can't understand and wouldn't appreciate.

The O.S.A.S. school of thought seems to be not much more than self deception.

Even the elect can and will be fooled.

I'm certain that Jesus/God exists.

But what good does it do Him to make so many people/souls burn in Hell forever and

ever?(You'd think a few days or years would prove His point, then after that He could just poof them out of existence)

I believe Heaven is a great place, but's it's not gonna be for everybody.

This is not meant to be irreverent, just plain talk about the questions and worries of

many, including some clergy.

PrettyboyAndy · #8 23rd September 2009, 10:12 AM

I used to feel that way. I used to smoke weed every day, and go clubbing, have sex with no condom with as many girls as possible. Steal, lie, cheat, I was bad, but I didn't stop, it wasn't enough. I think I realised I was lost, when I found Jesus.

It says he is at your door all you have to do is open it. I think you need to realise your lost, and have no sence of direction,(talkng about faith) in order to be saved. I pray to Jesus non stop like nearly all day, cried, prayed, didn't stop until I actually felt different. Everyday since then I have been more close with God, i haven't gone our, drank, used drugs, and really barely even hung out with girls.

There is a God, Jesus does exisit, he saved me. Msg me your info, we can chat..

iamjcs · #9 23rd September 2009, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Andy Loves Jesus

I have been pondering some questions I had for a while.

Originally Posted by Andy Loves Jesus

1) A pastor told me. "God won't love you anymore if you fast for over 40 days." (Because at the time I just finished fasting 40 days, and asked him if I should continue out the fast)

But what about people who do missionary work, and pastors that help bring people to Christ, and that do baptisms, wouldn't God love them more?

2) Do you get rewarded accoring to your works?

3)When you die, do you immediatly go to heaven or hell? Or are we in a deep sleep, until Jesus' second coming?

4)Is hell enternal burning or is it a second and final death of the spirit as well?

5)Are we still under observance of the 10 commandments? If so why do we still work on the sabbath? It is the day God rested and we are also supposed to rest.

Thanks so much!
God bless
Andy

1) God will always love you, for His love is agape/unconditonal.

On the other hand, I'm not sure our human bodies could handle fasting for over 40 days & a Christian's body is the temple of God, so we must do what we can to preserve it.

Jesus had just finished fasting 40 days, when Satan started trying to tempt Him.
Thus 40 days is probably okay for us to, if we go in prepared for a spiritual fight afterward.

God loves all equally though those that obey Him whole-heartedly are more pleasing.

2) God does reward one's works, as long as they are done for the right reasons - sometimes on earth, but always in heaven.

3)When someone died before Christ's sacrifial death their spirit went into a holding room / sheol.
After Christ's sacrifial death, whoever dies, their spirit goes immediatly to heaven or hell.
Christian's bodies are waiting to be transformed upon Jesus' second coming.

4) Need to research to better answer.

5) We are still under observance of the top 2 commandments.
Matthew 22:36-40 (KJV) Read This Chapter 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

DRMJBennell · #10 23rd September 2009, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by DRMJBennell

I'm afraid I can't honestly say I "love" Jesus. I don't see Him. I don't hear Him.

I've read about Him.

"Spiritually" speaking, I only want to be a Christian simply to avoid Hell.

To me, the stick is more of a threat than the carrot is a promise.

I've never been sure of my own salvation. Yes, I've prayed all the standard prayers.

I've prayed, begged, pleaded, reasoned, cursed and yelled. Though it is apparently

evil, I've looked for "signs" to indicate any sort of communication

or acknowledgement. Nothing.

According to my all my God-given senses, nothing has changed in me or my life.

It seems to me, God is an omnipotent, indifferent, monolithic being.

There are many references in the Bible to the fact that most people will Not be saved

and, in fact, will burn forever in Hell.

Now I'm wondering, if I'm just NOT one of the pre-selected humans destined to be

included in His Heaven.

Yes, God is good, but maybe what is "good" to me and what is good to Him are two

different things. We are told that

ALL things work towards the glory of God. Maybe my eternal suffering in Hell is just

part of a bigger plan that I can't understand and wouldn't appreciate.

The O.S.A.S. school of thought seems to be not much more than self deception.

Even the elect can and will be fooled.

I'm certain that Jesus/God exists.

But what good does it do Him to make so many people/souls burn in Hell forever and

ever?(You'd think a few days or years would prove His point, then after that He could just poof them out of existence)

I believe Heaven is a great place, but's it's not gonna be for everybody.

This is not meant to be irreverent, just plain talk about the questions and worries of

many, including some clergy.

I don't "smoke weed" or go "clubbing"...

It has nothing to do with all that.

I'm just getting old, fast, with a lot of unanswered questions and doubts.

I'd like to hear something from a learned apologist.