I hope this or universal reconciliation are true.no it doesn't. you are factoring out the possibility that people may never want the mercy that God offers. so God does not keep them in hell, it is their will that is set against Him, and not the other way around.
we often think that the sinners in hell realize how bad it sucks, and they want out, and God says no. when in fact, it is God who asks if they have had enough, and they are the ones who say no.
no it doesn't. you are factoring out the possibility that people may never want the mercy that God offers. so God does not keep them in hell, it is their will that is set against Him, and not the other way around.
we often think that the sinners in hell realize how bad it sucks, and they want out, and God says no. when in fact, it is God who asks if they have had enough, and they are the ones who say no.
no it doesn't. you are factoring out the possibility that people may never want the mercy that God offers. so God does not keep them in hell, it is their will that is set against Him, and not the other way around.
we often think that the sinners in hell realize how bad it sucks, and they want out, and God says no. when in fact, it is God who asks if they have had enough, and they are the ones who say no.
That's the way that I was told to view it when it comes to the Church Fathers and the Scriptures - God is love and the most loving thing He can do for those who reject Him is to let them have their way outside of Him .....them choosing to stay away. But at the end of the day, it is a blessing that the Eastern view that exalts the triumph of the fact that God is truly Love - and His love caused Him to die for the world (even though all the other religions of the world asked their followers to alone die for their gods) and give hope for all - even those who may have died rejecting Him..you are factoring out the possibility that people may never want the mercy that God offers. so God does not keep them in hell, it is their will that is set against Him, and not the other way around.
we often think that the sinners in hell realize how bad it sucks, and they want out, and God says no. when in fact, it is God who asks if they have had enough, and they are the ones who say no.
"To those who reject the immortality of the soul, the end of time, the future judgment, and eternal reward for virtue and condemnation for sin, Anathema!"
I hope this or universal reconciliation are true.
This is so hard for me to understand, but I have in fact spoken to people who hate God so much (or claim to) that they willing CHOOSE eternal torment rather than to be reconciled with Him.
I really, really cannot understand that, and before I met people who proclaimed exactly that, I would have assumed everyone would want to be saved once they understood the reality and the options.
Just as I cannot understand willful apostasy. I can see how a person can lose faith, but how they can go from loving God to still believing in Him but actively hating Him - I just cannot fathom.
There seems to be a strong demonic influence in such cases. Which is the only way it begins to make any sense at all. I can imagine the demons hate God, so perhaps they can spread that to humans.
How our hearts are will alter what our perception and thus choices will be..I think you are looking at it from the wrong perspective. God isn't punishing anyone. People make the choice in their lives to love God and follow Him or they reject Him (which is another subject that is more detailed than just that one comment). When we depart this earth, we are in His presence because He is everywhere and in all things, so therefore, one cannot escape the feeling of His Love and Light, which, as others have said, feels different depending on one's heart's disposition of God.
well, I think we should certainly pray and hope for universal restoration and the salvation of all.
as far as not seeing it, I would point out Adam and Eve had every joy in the Garden, but when God confronted them they refused to repent. the Israelites had just come through the Red Sea, watched the Egyptians drown, saw the glory of God on the Mountain, and still worshipped the golden calf. the Apostles were with Christ through every miracle, and yet they all abandoned Him, Peter denied Him, and Judas betrayed Him.
human history is full of willful apostasy.
I wonder if Adam and Eve could have repented.
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