Priest explains why there is no hell

[timothyu]

to think God would torture people in a burning place for eternity is completely out of the character of God.

But sadly, some hope it is so, especially if they think they are above it. Loving all as self seems to get lost when it comes to punishment and pity turns to smugness. God's Will be completely done eventually, meaning adversity will be deleted, burnt up like tares.

 

[Clare73]

God declares, "As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live".

Taking no pleasure in executing justice does not negate his execution of justice.

If there is a "eternal burning place" then they are actually not dead (ie eternal tortureO ... to think God would torture people in a burning place for eternity is completely out of the character of God.

Correct. . .

Man's spirit is immortal, it does not die.

And it is Jesus who presents an eternal burning place (Mk 9:43-48).
You either believe him, or you don't. . .neither one negates the truth of eternal punishment revealed by Jesus.

 

[timothyu]

Man's spirit is immortal, it does not die.

If that is the case we would have chosen the tree of life, not death through the tree of knowledge. Yes there is resurrection, but judgement comes between that and eternal life so no guarantees until God's will be done.

 

[Clare73]

If that is the case we would have chosen the tree of life, not death through the tree of knowledge. Yes there is resurrection, but judgement comes between that and eternal life so no guarantees until God's will be done.

Man is spirit and body, both of which are subject to death.

Man is born spiritually dead and eventually succumbs to physical death.

 

[eleos1954]

Taking no pleasure in executing justice does not negate his execution of justice.

Correct. . .

Man's spirit is immortal, it does not die.

And it is Jesus who presents an eternal burning place (Mk 9:43-48).
You either believe him, or you don't. . .neither one negates the truth of eternal punishment revealed by Jesus.

There is nothing immortal about us until Jesus returns. Mortal means one is subject to death.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
states that believers who have "fallen asleep" (died) will be raised when Jesus returns. Those who are alive and remain will then be "caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air".

1 Corinthians 15:51-54:
This explains the transformation that will occur. "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality".

Mark 9:43-48

"unquenchable fire" and "undying worm"

Undying worm: This does not refer to an immortal soul being tormented. Instead, it describes a process that cannot be stopped. The destruction of the wicked will be final and complete, like worms consuming a corpse until nothing is left.

Unquenchable fire: This fire is "unquenchable" because no human can put it out, not because it burns forever. The fire will only go out after it has fully consumed the wicked, turning them to ashes. The end result is eternal, but the process itself is not.

Reference to Gehenna: The word "hell" in this passage comes from the Greek Gehenna, which was the name of the garbage dump outside Jerusalem. The constant fire and presence of maggots at this dump made it a powerful metaphor for utter destruction and judgment.

Ezekiel 33:11, which states God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires their repentance and life.

So God takes no pleasure in death ... but is OK with eternal torture? Non-sense!