Do we know of anybody who is in Hell?

I know we are not supposed to judge, but simply common sense tells us that its a pretty safe bet that the following are in Hell:
Hitler
Attila the Hun
Mohammed
Joseph Smith (the father of Mormonism)
Charles Taze Russell (father of Jehovah's Witnesses)
Mary Baker Eddy (mother of Christian Science)

Whoever the nutcase was the wrote the Urantia Book (I forgot)
Alister Crowley (father of the modern Satanic movement and also the modern "Magick"Movement)
Israel Regardie (same as Alister)

there are more, but I think you get my opinion on the matter...I think that the Holy Fathes were right: hell was not created for US, but for the demons who deceive us, and for the humans who help them...

Suzannah said:

I know we are not supposed to judge, but simply common sense tells us that its a pretty safe bet that the following are in Hell:
Hitler
Attila the Hun
Mohammed
Joseph Smith (the father of Mormonism)
Charles Taze Russell (father of Jehovah's Witnesses)
Mary Baker Eddy (mother of Christian Science)

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and what about their followers?

I dunno!

We cannot judge ... for we know not what happens during the process of dying when a person might be able to repent at the last moment.

At the retreat yesterday, we were discussing this. According to Constantine Zalalas who has spoken with many holy priests and monks of Mount Athos and Greece, the Church does believe that even those in Hades can be released on two conditions:

(1) If during the end of their live, they began to repent - even just a beginning prayer with uttered with sincerity such as, "Lord have mercy on me a sinner."

(2) If people pray for them and implore God to have mercy on their souls. Note: On the four Saturdays of the Soul, the Holy Orthodox and Catholic Church commemorates all those who have died at sea, etc., and who have no one to pray for them. These prayers are highly effective.

Whenever we visit a new Orthodox Church, monastery or shrine, we should submit lists of the living and the dead. Those who have been released from Hades, will pray for us in turn, but time is running out. We are in the end times.

Note: Catholics believe in purgatory as a state of purification for the dead; Orthodox have not defined a state or place called purgatory ... but we do believe that our bodies sleep while our soul goes to the particular state of judgment ... what happens to those not quite ready for heaven? I believe, and the Holy Fathers teach that they go to Hades until they are released by the prayers of the Church and the faithful, but not everyone is released from Hades. We cannot take for granted that a little repentance will save us. We must make the effort to really strive toward theosis so that others will be saved by our good example.

Please forgive me a sinner.

Andreas said:

Other than Satan, of course?

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Julian the Apostate.

He and those like him are sort of the reverse of a saint; with saints we feel we have good cause to say this person is probably in heaven, with apostates it's good cause to say this person is in hell.

Andreas said:

Other than Satan, of course?

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Karl Marx

Suzannah said:

Alister Crowley (father of the modern Satanic movement and also the modern "Magick"Movement)

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Don't forget Anton LaVey. :shudder:

Also, Josef Stalin killed something like 600 Russian Orthodox bishops and 40,000 Russian Orthodox priests.

Suzannah said:

...its a pretty safe bet that the following are in Hell...

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It's a pretty safe bet that none of us deserve to be in Heaven since all of us have sinned. Therefore, I'd hate to speculate on someone else's chances at attaining heaven when I know my own chances hang by the most perilous of threads.

nyj said:

It's a pretty safe bet that none of us deserve to be in Heaven since all of us have sinned. Therefore, I'd hate to speculate on someone else's chances at attaining heaven when I know my own chances hang by the most perilous of threads.

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A very Catholic and Orthodox statement!

I agree, nyj!

Lord have mercy on us and save us!

Andreas said:

Other than Satan, of course?

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huh? Did I miss the Final Judgment?

Cyber Sponge

CyberSponge said:

huh? Did I miss the Final Judgment?

Cyber Sponge

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[c]

[/c]

Yup.

It was Feb 15

Sunday of the Last Judgement

Kontakion in tone 1

When You, O God, shall come to earth with glory,
all things shall tremble
and the river of fire shall flow before Your judgment seat;
the books shall be opened and the hidden things disclosed!
Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire,
and make me worthy to stand at Your right hand, righteous Judge!

The question seems perverse as we enter Lent. The only one who deserves hell is myself. How dare I to presume that someone is in hell when they are more righteous than myself, the chief of sinners? It is a question that places us like the pharisee in the parable, "I thank God, that I am not like that sinner over there!" Rather we need to be like the publican and just hope for mercy otherwise we will indeed be rotting and burning in hell.
Jeff the Finn

Andreas said:

Other than Satan, of course?

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I don't believe that Satan is in hell nor ever will be. Hell and Death will be cast into the lake of fire which is his final destination according to scripture.

May I ask what makes you think he is in hell? Hell is for those who have died. Satan is not in that catagory.

Many are in Hell right now in this life just as many are already in the Kingdom of Heaven now in this life. However, as God does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from he wickedness and live, so too should we pray for the salvation of all including our worst enemies, including those who have commited the most henious crimes against humanity. Until we willingly desire their repentance and salvation, we are still far from having the heart and mind of God.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

I think Scripture is silent on this subject because we are not to judge our brethren as the Prayer to St. Ephraim instructs.

Oblio said:

Yup.

It was Feb 15

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Man, I miss the FINAL judgement EVERY time. I'd expect someone to be considerate enough to tell me.

Zayit said:

I don't believe that Satan is in hell nor ever will be. Hell and Death will be cast into the lake of fire which is his final destination according to scripture.

May I ask what makes you think he is in hell? Hell is for those who have died. Satan is not in that catagory.

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There is the presence of the Evil One -- Satan. I have experienced Satan and was set free by prayers from the Holy Orthodox Church.

Satan does roam about the world like a lion seeking those whom he may devour.

Christ our God did talk about Hell in the Gospel on the Last Judgment. Who will go to Hell? Those who did not feed Him, or give him drink, or visit Him in prison.... Not everyone who cries Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We must be watchful for Christ will come like a thief in the night. Let us be found repentant and ready to enter with the Saints into Heaven.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

Hope this helps.