Loved ones in Hell

[12volt_man]

Jesus Christ is the one that will decide who goes we havent gotton to the judgmant hall in heaven yet. that will be the worst day of Jesus CHRIST LIFE i AM GLAD I DONT HAVE THAT DECISION TO MAKEJesus christ hast to look in two books to decide who goes The BOOK OF LIFE tHE book of Deeds ]which is a record of your whole life from when you came
here as a babe till you die The angel that God has asigned to everyone will carry a record of your life along with you to the proper place.when you die

All this is found in the Holy Bible[/color]

If this is all found in the "Holy Bible", would you mind showing us where?

 

[Meche]

I love my wife very much - but in no way do I believe that I will forget her, or our love, in heaven. Rather I know God's gift of her to me on Earth will be made perfect by her also in heaven with the Lord.

I'm really happy for you and your wife, I hope everyone in the world find a love like you two.

But the thing is, not everyone finds someone else, some people pine for someone all of their lives, or are with someone and then that person leaves them for someone else.. there are millions of possibliltes. What about those people? There are so many instances where you would like to spend the rest of your existance with someone after you die, but they do not share this feeling.
I'm not claiming to know the answer.. it's just the best thing I could come up with with the knowledge I have.

What does the scripture say about anyone who loves anyone (or anything) (other than God) more than God?

I also didn't say I love anything more than God.. or was that not what you meant? I'm confused


Actually, I think I should try to find what it says about this in the Bible.. because the truth is I don't know.

 

[Justen]

[

 

[Edial]

I am participating in another thread, concerning Hell...and it made me think of a question to post on this thread.
Many, but not all, Christians believe in Hell...some believe in fire and brimstone, some believe it's more a spiritual torture of being separated from God.
For those of you that believe in Hell and believe it to be a miserable place, this question applies to you.
Let's say you are married to a very kind, loving person. You both die in a car wreck. You go to heaven, your spouse goes to hell.
How do you enjoy heaven, knowing your loved one is in hell? If you answer this by saying you wouldn't marry an unbeliever, then let's say it's a family member that you love deeply.
If your loved one is suffering, while you're enjoying talking to Jesus and having a mansion or golden crown, you know...all the goodies you get in heaven. You are in bliss because you are in the presence of God almighty. Afterlife is great, or is it? Does your brain conveniently forget about your spouse or loved one? Is it as if this person never existed in your mind? Is that a better alternative, even? What do you think happens, and what are your feelings if this hypothetical situation happened to you?
I know I'll get all kinds of answers. I promise to not criticize you, even if I don't like what you have to say. This isn't about debating who is right or wrong, as your own feelings on the subject is right, because they are your own...and that's what I want to know.
My responses will be questions to clarify if I don't understand something or to say "thanks" and encourage more people to respond.
Remember you have already witnessed to this person in everyway you know how...when both of you die, regardless of your efforts, this person died as an unbeliever. Keep that in mind.
Okay, discuss. Thanks in advance.

Boomygrrl

Good question! I have not yet seen a satisfactory answer to it because it presupposes certain things that are not there. Christians as well as non-Christians presuppose that often. Allow me to draft a layout of the afterlife.
1. English Bibles combine 2 Greek words in defining hell. Hades and Gehenna. These words are very different in their definitions.
2. Hades is similar to Sheol (in Hebrew) of the Old Testament. So, if we need to find out more about Hades, we also have Sheol to look up. Sheol is NOT synonymous with grave, as some say. There is another for grave in Hebrew (kevar). Sheol means "abode for the dead" - the spiritual underworld and not the physical grave. English bibles however translate it as grave sometimes. It is incorrect.
3. Gehenna is always associated with a place of extreme torture. It is the "Burning Lake" in the end of the Revelation. It's main role will play during the Great Judgement Day in the future. All these "weeping and gnashing of the teeth" instances are associated with Gehenna. But not with Sheol and/or Hades.
4. The only instance of flames in Hades are in Luke 16:19-31. The Greek word for "flame" indicates flames and not fire. The coherent dialogue that takes place does not indicate torture of the caliber of "weeping and gnashing". The fact that the rich man asked (in the coherent form of speach) for water in the Hades, indicates that the environment is simply very hot and no torture is taking place. The fact that the rich man calls this torture does not make it a torture. The rich man was spoiled all his life.
5. The Hades/Sheol in Luke 16 has a meaning of a great equalizer (v.25). The babies rest in there (as in Job) and the great sinners suffer there. People's deeds catch up with them in there. This underworld has cities (Lk.10:15 where depth in Gk. (niv) is Hades) and such. Conditions are bad and God is farther away. Sometimes the souls sleep in there and then they wake up and argue and quarrel and such (Isa.14:9-10). People live in this underworld until the Great Judgement, then all of them will be found quilty and thrown in the Gehenna (the burning lake) of the Revelation.

OK. Having said this, let's address your question.

1. When "nice" people go to Hades/Sheol they get worse in that environment and the fact that God is farther away. The reason they get worse is because they will continue shying away from God while the Day of the Great Judgement approaches. (It is a predetermined Day, and only God knows its date). If you see them at the Great Judgement (if you become a Christian, that is) from the other side "of the aisle" you will be amazed how terrible that person would be, although he once was a "nice person" in this world. You will agree with God that he deserves Gehenna (or, Hell).
One might ask then; "But what about nice people that will die just before the Judgement? They will not have time to get worse." But the Bible states that people of the earth will be especially terrible just before the judgment. There will be no "nice" people. So, when they die they will be perfectly ready for Gehenna.
2. Can people be saved from that terrible underworld? Let's establish something here and then work from it - there is no Purgatory. However, the Bible does not provide any verses that prohibit salvation from Hades/Sheol. (Heb.9:27 does not prohibit salvation. It prohibits the possibility of reincarnation. In Lk 16, where it talks about an uncrossable chasm between the worlds, it is talking within the compartments of Hades itself, not Hades and heaven).
On the contrary, the Bible presents strong evidence that it is indeed possible to be saved while in Hades/Sheol.
a). In 1Pt.3:19 it talks about Christ going to prison during his death and resurrection and preaching there to the spirits. "Prison" is someplace in Hades and the Gk word "preach" means as in preaching the gospel. So we can conclude that the gospel is peachable in Hades, and if it is preachable it would also have a capacity of being productive to save.
b). God hears and sees everything that is happening in the Sheol/Hades (cannot find the verse at this moment).
c). Jonah cried out to God from Sheol NH 2:1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said:"In my distress I called to the LORD,and he answered me.From the depths of the grave I called for help,and you listened to my cry.
Here grave is Sheol in Hebrew and not kevar (which means "grave"). So it should be "From the depths of the Sheol I called for help". So, while Jonah was still alive he appears to have been unconscious and somehow traveled to Sheol and called from there. (We all heard of people who were pronounced dead yet somehow came back. Stopping of the heart does not mean death to a Hebrew, since "life is in the blood" Lev.11:17).

There are other reasons why one can be saved from the Hades. However, and this is a BIG however. One cannot be saved from the Hades if he knwingly and soberly REJECTS Christ in this world, or God in general. He will continue doing that even in Hades. I am not saying if he does not know or not sure, but rejects.
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

But thanks for the question.
Ed

 

[LegomasterJC]

This is very interesting. I have always known there are two deaths from the Bible talking about the second death being the lake of fire, but I never really thought of those being able to be saved from the first place. I also heard a testimony of a pastor somewhere in another country (than the US) who died, went to hell (obviously the first one) saw another pastor he knew, but was able to change is ways and come back to life. Now I don't know how true that is and if you think of hell as only one place without salvation being possible, it would be very difficult to believe. I am going to read 1 Peter to check this out further.
1Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom [through the holy spirit] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it [the ark] only a few people, eight in all, were saved trhough water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you...
the parts within the [] were inserted by me as I understand the pronouns to refer to.
4:6 For this reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Some people have taken this wrong and thought that they should preach to dead people but it is talking about when Jesus preached to the dead spirits not the deciples preaching to bodies in graves.

 

[jcright]

I am participating in another thread, concerning Hell...and it made me think of a question to post on this thread.
Many, but not all, Christians believe in Hell...some believe in fire and brimstone, some believe it's more a spiritual torture of being separated from God.
For those of you that believe in Hell and believe it to be a miserable place, this question applies to you.
Let's say you are married to a very kind, loving person. You both die in a car wreck. You go to heaven, your spouse goes to hell.
How do you enjoy heaven, knowing your loved one is in hell? If you answer this by saying you wouldn't marry an unbeliever, then let's say it's a family member that you love deeply.
If your loved one is suffering, while you're enjoying talking to Jesus and having a mansion or golden crown, you know...all the goodies you get in heaven. You are in bliss because you are in the presence of God almighty. Afterlife is great, or is it? Does your brain conveniently forget about your spouse or loved one? Is it as if this person never existed in your mind? Is that a better alternative, even? What do you think happens, and what are your feelings if this hypothetical situation happened to you?
I know I'll get all kinds of answers. I promise to not criticize you, even if I don't like what you have to say. This isn't about debating who is right or wrong, as your own feelings on the subject is right, because they are your own...and that's what I want to know.
My responses will be questions to clarify if I don't understand something or to say "thanks" and encourage more people to respond.
Remember you have already witnessed to this person in everyway you know how...when both of you die, regardless of your efforts, this person died as an unbeliever. Keep that in mind.
Okay, discuss. Thanks in advance.

Boomygrrl

Here's my two cents worth:

Matthew 22
23That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24"Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27Finally, the woman died. 28Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

I think these are two important verse when considering what will happen. It's my thought that the wiping away of the tear is not wiping away our memories, but helping us to understand his plan. Also, I think we'll be so God centered that we won't notice those around us or those that are not around us.

 

[LegomasterJC]

I agree.

 

[Hisbygrace]

I am participating in another thread, concerning Hell...and it made me think of a question to post on this thread.
Many, but not all, Christians believe in Hell...some believe in fire and brimstone, some believe it's more a spiritual torture of being separated from God.
For those of you that believe in Hell and believe it to be a miserable place, this question applies to you.
Let's say you are married to a very kind, loving person. You both die in a car wreck. You go to heaven, your spouse goes to hell.
How do you enjoy heaven, knowing your loved one is in hell? If you answer this by saying you wouldn't marry an unbeliever, then let's say it's a family member that you love deeply.
If your loved one is suffering, while you're enjoying talking to Jesus and having a mansion or golden crown, you know...all the goodies you get in heaven. You are in bliss because you are in the presence of God almighty. Afterlife is great, or is it? Does your brain conveniently forget about your spouse or loved one? Is it as if this person never existed in your mind? Is that a better alternative, even? What do you think happens, and what are your feelings if this hypothetical situation happened to you?
I know I'll get all kinds of answers. I promise to not criticize you, even if I don't like what you have to say. This isn't about debating who is right or wrong, as your own feelings on the subject is right, because they are your own...and that's what I want to know.
My responses will be questions to clarify if I don't understand something or to say "thanks" and encourage more people to respond.
Remember you have already witnessed to this person in everyway you know how...when both of you die, regardless of your efforts, this person died as an unbeliever. Keep that in mind.
Okay, discuss. Thanks in advance.

Boomygrrl

Boomygrrl,
It breaks my heart to think that any of my loved ones or anyone else for that matter would go to hell. But, like someone said before, we are not the judges in this matter. If we have said and done everything that we possibly can according to the leading of the Holy Spirit ( for we are only vessels, mouth, hands and feet for Him) then there is nothing left to do but pray. I believe in God's word and His word says that He will dry every tear. How He will change our memories I do not know, but I know that He will give us peace in all things.

 

[Boomygrrl]

Hello all! Thanks for all of you who have responded so far. Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you all. I've been busy and sick lately. I wanted to check in real quickly and at least give some kind of response before I go catch some Z's.
Anyone else who cares to respond will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again!
Boomygrrl

 

[adthrash]

I believe that God will wipe away every tear. When we are judged and in heaven I believe we will be aware that someone we love will be in hell. But I also believe that we cannot fathom the unsurpassed peace and love that we will be experiencing in heaven. And like others who have stated this..Jesus knew that we would feel this way and has already taken care of it.

 

[Whyzdom]

The point it comes down to is what are your feelings going to be when you go to Heaven and your relative goes to hell. God gave us Free Will to make our own choices. He wants for your relative to make the right choice, as do you. He has patience, love, compassion, understanding, and so on so forth. However, there will come a time when his patience will end. He will judge the non-believers hoping them come to Him. Fear is not a good motive however, but Love is. Continue to show your relative His Love and how His love defeats all. Keep praying for her, and even pray for her with her right there with you. I would hate to not be in heaven without your relative, because I want everybody to go... because of their love for God.

Bless you and Praise God.. continue to witness to her.

 

[cmulkey]

just as way of clarification it does't say we will forget these loved ones as previously said that we will have no memory. the verse does say he will wipe away every tear from our eye. I think we will know the person we wont forget our loved ones, but....please don't even think the love and comfort of God cannot ease our pain in our time of loss mourning for our friends and family.

 

[1GODALONE]

Nothing on this earth will longer matter to us. We will be with God, every relationship on earth is nothing compared to what you have with God. Being immersed in the complete glory of God's presence, no one would think of anything but Him. I have already seen a couple of my relatives die without accepting Jesus, it is sad to me that they can now never again have the chance to be with God. But that just encourages me more to try to tell people that they no longer have to live without hope of forever with God. G.b.

 

[ph4tlewtz]

i think it will be similar to the Matrix - after you die and get "unplugged" from this realm it won't really matter anymore. If they felt that there was some thing beyond this realm worth trying to seek out, then Morpheus would have unplugged them too. Sorry if i got a little carried away with the analogy. Love that movie

 

[GodFlute2]

I don't know. I'v never died & gone to heaven. I'v heard that you forget your physical life completely. People, places, events, etc. But I can't prove it.

 

[LegomasterJC]

You don't forget, you just come to a peace with it. That annalogy with the matrix can only go so far. With the matrix, some got out but were miserable in the real world and wanted to go back. With Heaven, we will be truely so full of joy and content, we would have no reason to go back. But there are times when people come back after a short visit to witness to others and bring them to Christ.

 

[jehovahway]

Greetings Reformationist if you are a Christion with the holy spirit God
can and will show deep truths to you.
The only problem with most Christians is they dont spend enought time with God.
If you operate in the Gifts of the Spirit God can show you things you will
never know with your human unstanding.
i have Gift 7 of the 9 gifts of the spirit.i can see satans angels on people
and also Gods Angels on people.
if you have the son the holy bible teaches you also have the Father,If you
have the Father and the Son you also have the Holy Spirit
the Holy Spirit repeats every thing the Father and son says.
IF you are not receiving the deeper things of God you need more prayer time with him.
If you dont turn off the world you will never receive every thing the Lord God
will show you. satan does a good job of keeping things away from Gods people.
I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TO HEAVEN AND I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TO HELL.
Have a blessed day in Jesus holy name.

 

[jehovahway]

Greetings 12volt_man ,I see from your profile you have been a Christian for
15 years and i see you in music
There are three things a christians need ,saved ,the holy spirit,and to know
what their holy bible says.
not enought time with God and not knowing where something is at in
the bible tells me you not spending enought time with God.
you can set in a church all your life and know very little about the things
of God.
I operate in gift 7 of the nine gifts of the spirit i see satans angels and also
Gods angels.
also i know people that have been to heaven ,and i also know people that have
been to hell also.
Going to church 2 hour on wed and 2 hours on sunday and maby saturday.
is not spending enought time with God.
It takes getting serious with God before he will reveil deep truths to you
by his Holy Spirit.
Remain blessed also Jesus Christ told me to tell his people he is coming.
and to prepair yourself for what is getting ready to come on America.

 

[jehovahway]

just as way of clarification it does't say we will forget these loved ones as previously said that we will have no memory. the verse does say he will wipe away every tear from our eye. I think we will know the person we wont forget our loved ones, but....please don't even think the love and comfort of God cannot ease our pain in our time of loss mourning for our friends and family.

Just because it doesant say something doesant mean it wont be ,May i
also remind you before you came to the body that your parents created
for you to live in you had no memorie that you came from heaven
and was placed in the body you parents made for you.

To be absent from the body is to be presant with Christ if you are a Christian.

 

[Asar'el]

I love my wife very much - but in no way do I believe that I will forget her, or our love, in heaven. Rather I know God's gift of her to me on Earth will be made perfect by her also in heaven with the Lord.

I'm really happy for you and your wife, I hope everyone in the world find a love like you two.

But the thing is, not everyone finds someone else, some people pine for someone all of their lives, or are with someone and then that person leaves them for someone else.. there are millions of possibliltes. What about those people? There are so many instances where you would like to spend the rest of your existance with someone after you die, but they do not share this feeling.
I'm not claiming to know the answer.. it's just the best thing I could come up with with the knowledge I have.

What I meant is that I know 'all things work together for good to them that love the Lord' - I am certain, therefore, of God's ability to satisfy ANY human longing - and I am just as certain that anyone that cannot be satisfied with the Lord will not BE with the Lord. Even on Earth we have the presence of the Comforter (one of the names of the Holy Ghost). How much more able will we be, when in Heaven with Him, to have our sorrows conforted away? I don't believe there is ANY sorrow that can abide in us when we are in the presence of God - the only lasting sorrow will belong to those God sets aside...

What does the scripture say about anyone who loves anyone (or anything) (other than God) more than God?

I also didn't say I love anything more than God.. or was that not what you meant? I'm confused

It's not what is said that is most important, but the spirit, the intent, the heart (as God knows the heart). You don't need to say 'I love anything more than God' in so many words - that is what the question implies/indicates/asks about; a sorrow that would be greater than the love for God.

Actually, I think I should try to find what it says about this in the Bible.. because the truth is I don't know.

Always a great idea!