Ever better than having a chance, they'll be forgiven. Therefore they repent. See Mk.3:28; Mt.12:31-32, etc, as already posted in this thread & never refuted.
In many places Jesus says you must believe to receive forgiveness.
In Hebrews 4 it says the Gospel was preached to the Israelites, but it did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith. Your interpretation of those verses is refuted. Even if you don't accept it.
How many Christians do you know who've taken their eyes out. Hellfire is a mistranslation - should be Gehenna.
Jesus said it would be better to do those things than to go into hellfire. I would say He was pretty serious about hell fire.
Hell Strong's No.: G1067
Greek: γέεννα
Transliteration: geenna
Pronunciation:
gheh'-en-nah
Definition:Of Hebrew origin ([
H1516] and [
H2011]);
valley of (the son of)
Hinnom;
gehenna (or
Ge-Hinnom) a valley of Jerusalem used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting
punishment: - hell.
Strong's No.: G4442
Greek: πῦρ
Transliteration: pur
Pronunciation:
poor
Definition: A primary word; fire (literally or figuratively specifically
lightning): - fiery fire.
Ok, whatever. Gehenna, hell fire,
Or you'll not enter His millennial age eon kingdom & be in outer darkness. Which doesn't rule out afterdeath repenance or salvation.
Yes it does. He says "Today", there may not be a chance tomorrow.
To save them from a "day of wrath" (Rom.2:5). Not an eternity of sadism by a monster some people call god.
"What kind of God would call billions of people into being, knowing that was the unimaginably horrible outcome? The words callous, selfish, and unloving came to mind for me.
Speaking of love..."
The "Day of wrath" is sentencing day.
If a person commits a crime and are found guilty, they are given a day when they will find out what there sentence is. Depending on the severity of the crime, it could be a short time in jail or a fine or life in prison.
When a person rejects God, God has declared the sentence to be everlasting punishment.
Who says it will be that easy for those who willfully sinned against the light given them, as you slyly try to make it sound. Is that all you did to be saved in this life? Just "make a decision"? And then, what, live any way you please for the rest of your life?
You sound like the brother of the prodigal son who was angry because his brother who had lived in sin got saved.
After what Paul, the murderer & Inquisitor of Christians (men & women) did, & the degree of grace given to Him, with joy unspeakable & full of glory, why shouldn't he suffer what he called momentary light afflictions?
I would be extremely happy to find out you were right and I was wrong about eternal damnation.
Why do you minimize "a decision for Christ"? Making a decision for Christ can turn your world upside down.
Any amount of time, no matter how long will seem like a fleeting moment when compared to eternity.
So why wouldn't people wait till after death to make a decision?
Obviously there are people who rebel against God. What else is new. Do you suppose God's love expires, or His Omnipotence is too weak to reach anyone in any condition? Or He hadn't figured this all out before He made man?
In Revelation 16 it says these people will still reject God and they will not repent.
If they can get saved, then they CAN choose life! Scripture nowhere denies it, but affirms they can.
When the Israelites got the report from the 12 spies, they rejected Caleb and Joshua's report and accepted the report of the other 10. Then God said in His wrath that they would not enter the Promised land because of there unbelief. Then the people tried to enter the Promised Land anyway.
According to your doctrine, God should have let them in.
They tried to enter in and died.
The Promised Land is a shadow of Heaven.
If you have unbelief in this life, that's it, you don't get a chance to repent in the next life.
If I were you I would take His warning seriously.