Do people really go to hell that commit suicide?

[GoingThruTrials]

I have heard since I was a kid that people who committ suicidde goto hell. But a few years back I heard I think it was Billy Graham lecturing on the subject and he was saying that people who committed suicide beacause of mental and emotional pain were sick in the eyes of the Lord and therefore were immune to this punishment and would go to heaven if they were believers. Any thoughts???

 

[timf]

I have heard since I was a kid that people who commit suicide go to hell.

There is a place called Hades where people without faith remain until the last judgment. The first resurrection (Rev 20:5) occurs when Jesus returns to rule on earth for 1000 years. At the end of this time the rest of the dead are raised up and those not written in the Lamb's book of life are judged according to their works (Rev 20:15).

The way to not come under judgment is to trust in Jesus;

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

In regard to suicide, I would say that suicide can be classified in two ways, there are those who undergo painful and stressful circumstances as well as some who experience relational disconnection such that there seems no reason to go on. These people are most easily helped. Those who are mentally ill can often spend years seeing suicide as some magical and desirable solution. These people are less easily helped.

Our eternal destination is not dependent on our actions, it is dependent on our faith.

However, our life is a gift from God and if we chose to ignore God and take matters in our own hands, it may not demonstrate a faith that saves.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help. Be careful to get real Christian help. Seek out an older wiser Christian who clearly shows the light and love of Jesus in his life.

 

[Lyssah]

Our eternal destination is not dependent on our actions, it is dependent on our faith.

Bingo.

The way I see it is if we're saved by grace, and grace cannot be earned, then what could I possibly do to lose that free gift if I've accepted it?

Here are my thoughts on it... my cousin died of an accidental suicide. (whatever that means... thats just what it was ruled as.) He was definitely a Christian, and I believe he is in heaven. Nobody really knows what happened to him. It was a very suspicious accident, and I think he accidentally killed himself.

However, I do know that there are Christians who do suffer from depression and other ailments that can effect their decisions. It sounds like a contradiction to say there are 'depressed christians' but while we're here in this body, we're still in the flesh. This is spiritual warfare, and there's a battle going on for our minds, hearts, and souls. If I was a depressed Christian, and in a very very weak and lonely moment I decided to make a permanent decision to take my life, I would have to believe that it was in my faith, not my actions that determined my afterlife destination.

These are just some thoughts about it. I hope it helps! xoxoxox

 

[Phaedron]

They might spend some time on the unpleasant side of sheoul (Consider Jesus parable where the man who would not forgive had to repay every cent) but it's not a permanent thing. Please consider the following:

1) Paul said Christ died for the whole world, especially those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:10) This includes the people throughout the last 2000 years who haven't even heard of Jesus. Do you honestly believe in your heart they will go to an eternal hell for that? If we only get one shot at eternal heaven or hell then abortion would be justified, and it would be better to kill the children of unbelievers rather then risk their living in sin.

2) Jesus said in Mark 10:29-30 “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life."

3) In addition to the above, from Mark the oldest gospel (the later versions of which have been changed) He said in Luke 20 and Mark 12 (2012) the same scene where he rebukes the sadducees who asked if the woman who married seven brothers is married to any of them in the resurrection. Even Moses knew the dead rise, for he calls God the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob who to him are alive. He is the God of the living not of the Dead, therefore you do greatly error. The only way for the woman who married seven brothers to not belong to any of them would be if they became new people.

4) This understanding of multiple lifetimes was known and believed all throughout Judaism, it did not suddenly become untrue, especially when Christ himself said his servants would have hundreds of mothers, children, and homes in this age. It really is crystal clear, and Thomas 84 makes it even more so "When you see your reflection you rejoice, but when you see your images which neither die nor come into being how much you will have to bear."

5) In addition to the above, suicide really is pointless for the most part, since we eventually return here anyway. More importantly, those who kill themselves will likely find themselves in the same situation until they have made it right.

6) There are no scriptures which support the false doctrines of "dying and going to heaven" or "remaining in the grave until judgment day."

 

[tturt]

My Bibles don't say anything about multiples lifetimes such as "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb 9:27) I've posted this because it's the new Christians section but I don't mean to detail the thread.

Back to suicides - I believe that Yahweh doesn't hold mental illnesses against people

 

[Peripatetic]

I doubt that your question comes down to a yes or no answer. God takes every circumstance and motivation into account because He knows all of them! But we'll never know the formula, which is why we rely on faith.

This is a common question, often asked by someone considering suicide themselves. In those cases, it is very important to seek help from a doctor or trained counselor. My father was rescued from suicide by an amazing coincidence (or small miracle, depending on how you view it). Since then, he's been a help to many who are suffering from despair. We are both profoundly glad that he has been able to continue God's plan.

The other reason why people often ask this question is when someone they know has already committed suicide. No matter what the circumstances of a person's life or death, we can never know the status of their salvation until we reach Heaven ourselves. I decided long ago to trust God in the matter of others' salvation, so I don't agonize over it.

 

[Phaedron]

My Bibles don't say anything about multiples lifetimes such as "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb 9:27) I've posted this because it's the new Christians section but I don't mean to detail the thread.

Back to suicides - I believe that Yahweh doesn't hold mental illnesses against people

What Bibles are you reading? In the Book of Job, Job wonders if he will live again after death:
"If a person dies will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come." (Job 14:14) There are hundreds more of these all throughout the Bible...

And who are you to Limit Gods judgment? Obviously it's not true since Jesus and those filled with the Holy Spirit can raise the dead. Miracles do happen, and greater things we can do. There are many modern day miracles and raising of the dead documented in the book Megashift. Everyone who is raised from the dead obviously has to die a second time.

Again I say: Mark 10:29-30 is absolutely irrefutable. It is clearly talking about the context of this age vs the age of eternal life. It is clearly promising Jesus' disciples multiple lifetimes here. There's no other way of interpreting it, unlike the verse you mentioned, which doesn't mean what you think it means. I will take Jesus' words which though heaven and earth pass away, will endure forever, over the stuff written by Apollos in the book of hebrews.

Here is the covenant of Hebrews 9 that quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 which is intended for the end times:

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
32 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them,”
declares the Lord.
33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”

Do you honestly think this has happened in the last 2000 years? Clearly we are still telling people about God, and the least to the greatest don't know him. Besides he will put HIS LAW into our minds and hearts.

(note: my alignment was messianic when I made this post. I have since changed it to Judaism after learning that the messianic statement of faith doesn't fit. I accept Yahshua Jesus as my messiah, but that is all we have common.)

 

[Conchobar]

I am a new christian, would the doctrine agree that a spirit is bound to its beliefs in life, after life, and all the way through judgement? Would this conclude that an individual that commits suicide on the notion that they are not good enough for this world, or that this world is not good enough for them, forever be bound to that belief due to his action of ending his own life? Is there an eternal binding that is inherent through eternity, before ascension to god occurs?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[GoingThruTrials]

I believe some people are not cut out for this world! I believe bad luck exists in the form of satan. And, some individuals are doomed to suffer on this planet for the duration. Others just may suffer for long periods of time until they prove themselves. I guess some people just as if suicide may end the suffering. And I may be wrong, but if you are leaving this world behind simply because you do not want to suffer at the hands or ruthless people, I would think the Lord would understand. This world can be unfair, frustrating, without any reason, and extremely gruesome! Im going through some major things myself, almost unbearable, but I think some people have lower threshholds for suffering, and there are some things that some individuals cannot take. I hope they go to Heaven. Maybe Billy Graham is right. Thanks for the replies, will remember you all in prayers, please do the same. Thanks

 

[PROPHECYKID]

I believe some people are not cut out for this world! I believe bad luck exists in the form of satan. And, some individuals are doomed to suffer on this planet for the duration. Others just may suffer for long periods of time until they prove themselves. I guess some people just as if suicide may end the suffering. And I may be wrong, but if you are leaving this world behind simply because you do not want to suffer at the hands or ruthless people, I would think the Lord would understand. This world can be unfair, frustrating, without any reason, and extremely gruesome! Im going through some major things myself, almost unbearable, but I think some people have lower threshholds for suffering, and there are some things that some individuals cannot take. I hope they go to Heaven. Maybe Billy Graham is right. Thanks for the replies, will remember you all in prayers, please do the same. Thanks

I disagree with the conclusion. Wouldn't ending your own life mean you are going to deal with your problems yourself rather than leaving it up to God? Judas was an emotional mess after he betrayed Jesus. He was overcome with guilt and killed himself. Judas isn't going to be saved. Thou shall not kill applies to even someone who commits suicide.

 

[Salmon89]

I disagree with the conclusion. Wouldn't ending your own life mean you are going to deal with your problems yourself rather than leaving it up to God? Judas was an emotional mess after he betrayed Jesus. He was overcome with guilt and killed himself. Judas isn't going to be saved. Thou shall not kill applies to even someone who commits suicide.

I do believe if you kill your self or others you are in danger of hells fire for murder. In danger still means there is still a chance whoever it may be that committed suicide according to their righteous deeds of Love while they were yet alive

In conclusion God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy as it is written even Moses killed a man and Jonah
committed suicide by jumping off the boat to escape God

 

[dogs4thewin]

I do not know, but I think it depends (on more than if they were saved before). If someone thinks that it is the only way out say they are mentally ill then I do not believe they go to Hell or if someone thinks people will be better without them (thus THINKING they are helping people they will not go to Hell. HOWEVER, if someone is just doing it because say they lost a lot of money in the stock market and they just want the finer things in life and do it ONLY because they know they can no longer have them then I think they may go to Hell. We all know that in the end it is up to God and we just trust Him with it. I do not believe you should tell someone who just lost someone to suicide their loved one is Hell. The reason is that that is just not right and will likely make them feel worse.

 

[Eishiba]

Coming from someone who deals with depression and used to deal with suicidal thoughts and self mutilation, I don't really want to find out if Ill go to heaven or hell by committing suicide, so I just won't try. That way I don't have to risk it one way or another. I have better things to live for. This life won't last long anyways compared to whats ahead so why not suffer though this life now and then when its over, rejoice!

 

[GwG]

I disagree with the conclusion. Wouldn't ending your own life mean you are going to deal with your problems yourself rather than leaving it up to God? Judas was an emotional mess after he betrayed Jesus. He was overcome with guilt and killed himself. Judas isn't going to be saved. Thou shall not kill applies to even someone who commits suicide.

Then by your theology, didn't Jesus commit suicide? I think we all believe he knew what was to come, and went through with it, meaning he faced death with the option to turn the other cheek but did not. So did Jesus technically commit suicide? even if not by his hand? I think if I knew I had a killer waiting for me in a room, and walked in regardless, that would still be suicide.

 

[asiyreh]

Guys this is a very dangerous topic. Not only is the topic itself dangerous but some of the ideas being passed around in it, have a flavor not in agreement with scripture or the holy spirit.

Guys
Most importantly the final judgement on you, me and everyone else in this world that is, has been, or is yet to come is Christ's and Christ's alone!

Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mat 7:1-2

I cannot stress enough the possible dangerous of this topic if it's a matter of judgement leave it alone.

I think I'm going to stay around this forum for a while guys if you don't mind. There's theological debates that's one thing but there's something else entirely going on here at times.

Gwg what I've said above here is not specifically aimed at you but I would like to address what you've just said.

Christ did not commit suicide! He fulfilled prophesy so you might know who he was. God prophesied his own coming. He said he would come, exactly to the day when he said he would. Where he would come to, and he said when I come I'm going to do this and this and this and this n this n this n this this this... so you'll know who I am; and so you might know that "I am."

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Is 46:10

Christ here was specifically following the prophesy of the suffering servant:-

Isaiah 53
King James Version (KJV)
53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

And here's the important part:-

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Now how anybody can read that, written some 800 years BC and still be an atheist is beyond me. In fact they probably have more faith than I do. However speaking of atheists , they actually have one of the highest suicide rates on the planet; and as a brother of mines once said because of this fact:- friends don't let friends stay atheist.

 

[GwG]

Gwg what I've said above here is not specifically aimed at you but I would like to address what you've just said.

Christ did not commit suicide! He fulfilled prophesy so you might know who he was. God prophesied his own coming. He said he would come, exactly to the day when he said he would. Where he would come to, and he said when I come I'm going to do this and this and this and this n this n this n this this this... so you'll know who I am; and so you might know that "I am."

.

I understand that, just shedding some light on how things can be interpreted differently. I would never influence someone to end their life, but Jesus did say he would be betrayed and allowed it to happen to make a point, in a way right? Meaning he did nothing to stop it. It would be like falling intentionally onto a blade and blaming gravity. Just an alternate perspective, dangerous or not. I wouldn't say Jesus commited suicide, for the record. I just like to see all perspectives that can be somewhat logical.

 

[asiyreh]

G I hear you man, you're a good soul, I see that.
Now you're of course correct; in a very simplistic sense, Christ knew before the beginning of time that he was going to die for man. I mean it's predicted all throughout the old testament.

Jesus and Genesis - YouTube

Interesting?

Yes

Anyways. But when you're breaking down logic it's not as simple as it may first appear:

Consider the dictionary definition of suicide:

1. The act or an instance of intentionally killing oneself.

Now this is a very simplistic explanation, and given this simplistic definition it could be reasonably argued that your statement is therefore true.

It's debatable but logically reasonable.

However the logical statement you've made is:-
Christ committed suicide.

In this statement the only logical argument you've really conferred is the word "suicide"
G, it's a word; and what's worse for your argument is; it's a word in the English language.
It's not really a statement; which carriers it's own explanation, it's a word which carriers a whole baggage load of intentions with it.

Now I've just done a quick search for the reasons people commit suicide, and placed some of the medical explanations after the statements, as defined by the researches, to convey their explanation.

Here are the top six reasons for suicide:

1. They're depressed. This is without question the most common reason people commit suicide. Severe depression is always accompanied by a pervasive sense of suffering as well as the belief that escape from it is hopeless. The pain of existence often becomes too much for severely depressed people to bear...


2. They're psychotic. Malevolent inner voices often command self-destruction for unintelligible reasons. Psychosis is much harder to mask than depression, and is arguably even more tragic. The worldwide incidence of schizophrenia is 1% and often strikes otherwise healthy, high-performing individuals, whose lives, though manageable with medication, never fulfill their original promise.

3. They're impulsive. Often related to drugs and alcohol, some people become maudlin and impulsively attempt to end their own lives. Once sobered and calmed, these people usually feel emphatically ashamed.

4. They're crying out for help

5. They have a philosophical desire to die. The decision to commit suicide for some is based on a reasoned decision, often motivated by the presence of a painful terminal illness from which little to no hope of reprieve exists. These people aren't depressed, psychotic, maudlin, or crying out for help.

6. They've made a mistake.

Is it logical to assume that Christ's willing death meets any of those given explanations?

Now do you think if I trawled through the top 100 reasons for suicide, that it is reasonable that I might find one of those explanations would be the biblical explanation given for Christs willing death?

Let's have a look a that:-

For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

No it's not reasonable to assume we would ever find a case meeting this criteria.

Therefore we must logically conclude that:

Christ does not meet the typical explanations given for a person commiting suicide and therefore does not necessarily subscribe to our typical understanding of a person who commits suicide.

Now Christ willingly met his Death for us. This much is true; however it is his reasons and intentions that make his willing death singularly unique.

Also it was the Romans who ultimately chose to have him hanged upon the cross. It is reasonable to argue that they could have chosen a different outcome, is it not?

Free will. It's a killer.

 

[mandelduke]

You go to hell for one reason, rejecting Jesus. Although suicide is a tragic act, both for the one who commits the act and for the ones left behind. It is not something that will send you to hell.

 

[asiyreh]

You go to hell for one reason, rejecting Jesus. Although suicide is a tragic act, both for the one who commits the act and for the ones left behind. It is not something that will send you to hell.

Judgement call!

Guys do you see why this topic is very dangerous?

Mand has unknowingly just made himself the judge...

Again I'll say it; if it concerns judgement leave it alone...

Never mind the suicide judgement that Mand's unknowingly made. Even concerning the rejecting Christ statement, Christ specifically made a point in saying:

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mat 7:22

That verse Mat 7, even begins with the judge not lest ye be judged statement!

Now guys we are justified through Christ this much is true. But tread softly here, many will claim to accept Christ with there mouths and not with their hearts.

Guys really, I can't emphasis this enough. This is a very dangerous topic. Leave it alone. This is a forum for new Christians, this is way in over the head stuff!

 

[mandelduke]

What some may call judging I call knowledge? I know the word of God but more important I have had a good relationship with God for decades. Let me ask a question, if you had a child that loved you but committed suicide, would you send your child to hell? We are evil and we would spare our children. Do you think that a holy and just God would kill his children?