What is the purpose of Hell?

Gukkor · Oct 12, 2007

I was hoping I could get some conservative Christians' opinions on this. I am assuming that most here would believe Hell to be eternal punishment of some sort. I would also like to add that I am merely trying to get opinions on this. I do not seek to debate or put down any of you, and I will not even bring up my own beliefs on the subject. I will also only ask further questions for the sake of clarification.

So with that, would anyone like to have at it?

GreenMunchkin · Oct 12, 2007

It doesn't have a "purpose"... it just is what it is. People often say hell "proves" that God is cruel. But it so doesn't. That He's given us a FREE PASS out of it shows how extraordinarily loving He is.

If someone goes to a doctor and they are prescribed medicine and they choose not to take it, they can't blame the doctor for getting sick.

If someone is lost and they check a map and they choose to wilfully disregard its directions, they can't blame the map when they get don't find their way.

Hell is where people *choose* to go - either actively or by ommission. There is more than enough evidence of the veracity of Christ's claims. Choosing to disregard them is free will.

As to what hell is: I personally have no reason to believe it's not as it's described in the Bible. But the most terrifying part of it would be knowing there is no second chance. Looking back and knowing you had an entire lifetime to choose a different eternity, but this is what was chosen and there's no going back. That feeling of regret would be eternal and indescribable.

Time2BCounted · Oct 12, 2007

Hi Good to see you here

The scripture imho, gives us a clear purpose for hell, and really only one as far as i can see.

It was prepared as a place to imprison satan and the fallen angels, which implies it didnt exist before the fall, though this second point is a point we cant be dogmatic on.

Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Mankind however, not only gave his dominion over satan and everything on earth TO satan, he also chose not to follow the command of God, subjecting himself to satan. By subjecting himself, he became satans subject. He became satan's posession. Therefore Hell, which was intended for satan and his angels, becomes the eternal abode of all who refuse God's way out.

I believe most here would agree this is the conservative biblical view.

ReformedChapin · Oct 12, 2007

Time2BCounted said:
Hi Good to see you here

The scripture imho, gives us a clear purpose for hell, and really only one as far as i can see.

It was prepared as a place to imprison satan and the fallen angels, which implies it didnt exist before the fall, though this second point is a point we cant be dogmatic on.

Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Mankind however, not only gave his dominion over satan and everything on earth TO satan, he also chose not to follow the command of God, subjecting himself to satan. By subjecting himself, he became satans subject. He became satan's posession. Therefore Hell, which was intended for satan and his angels, becomes the eternal abode of all who refuse God's way out.

I believe most here would agree this is the conservative biblical view.

Excellent exposition T2BC. Here is some more details about hell. It's a place of eternal suffering for those who don't choose God and continue to sin.

Mar 9:43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life crippled than to have 54 two hands and go into hell, 55 to the unquenchable fire.

Jude 1:7 So also 33 Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring towns, 34 since they indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire 35 in a way similar to 36 these angels, 37 are now displayed as an example by suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
http://net.bible.org/bible.php?book=Mat&chapter=10#n54

Jim47 · Oct 12, 2007

Hell is where all unbelievers will spend all eternity no matter whether they think they lived a good clesan life or not.

We have to first understand that God is holy, actually we will not be fully able to understand how Holy God is this side of heaven.

But becasue of His holiness and His intence hatred for wickedness and all followers of Satan He will send all these to eternal punishment. Why? Simply because they rejected Jesus as their only salvation and sought their own righteousness.

Gukkor · Oct 12, 2007

Interesting responses so far, thank you.

SpiritualAntiseptic · Oct 13, 2007

GreenMunchkin said:
It doesn't have a "purpose"... it just is what it is. People often say hell "proves" that God is cruel. But it so doesn't. That He's given us a FREE PASS out of it shows how extraordinarily loving He is.

If someone goes to a doctor and they are prescribed medicine and they choose not to take it, they can't blame the doctor for getting sick.

If someone is lost and they check a map and they choose to wilfully disregard its directions, they can't blame the map when they get don't find their way.

But the way to salvation is in uniting your will to God's.

What if a person wants to have their own free will and not give it up?

Time2BCounted · Oct 13, 2007

SpiritualAntiseptic said:
But the way to salvation is in uniting your will to God's.

What if a person wants to have their own free will and not give it up?

What scripture says unite your will to God's?

We are to humble ourselves bowing to His will, i see nothing about uniting wills lol. Do we too become God by uniting wills with God? Does God meet us halfway in this uniting or what?

I know what youre likely trying to say, its just said very poorly imho

Uniting wills with God doesnt save you... believing Christ and repenting saves you

SpiritualAntiseptic · Oct 13, 2007

Time2BCounted said:
What scripture says unite your will to God's?

We are to humble ourselves bowing to His will, i see nothing about uniting wills lol. Do we too become God by uniting wills with God? Does God meet us halfway in this uniting or what?

I know what youre likely trying to say, its just said very poorly imho

Uniting wills with God doesnt save you... believing Christ and repenting saves you

It's not said poorly.

But let's have fun with this.

Believing in Christ in terms of what saves you?

Time2BCounted · Oct 13, 2007

SpiritualAntiseptic said:
It's not said poorly.

But let's have fun with this.

Believing in Christ in terms of what saves you?

Actually i would like to clarify what you are trying to tell GM first.

i would like to know more about this merging of the wills... Does God bend His will toward us or what exactly happens?

SpiritualAntiseptic · Oct 13, 2007

Time2BCounted said:
Actually i would like to clarify what you are trying to tell GM first.

i would like to know more about this merging of the wills... Does God bend His will toward us or what exactly happens?

I'm asking you.

Time2BCounted · Oct 13, 2007

SpiritualAntiseptic said:
I'm asking you.

thats what i thought

making statements that are groundless, having no scriptural foundation, seemingly only to instigate, and then not willing to back them when called on it. Do me a favor and dont try to pick fights with GM or anyone else here. You know this is not an area for debate, we would all appreciate you regarding our rules.

Make a thread in the debate forum, respecting our rules, and youll have the chance to explain yourself and sack us if you can

SpiritualAntiseptic · Oct 13, 2007

Time2BCounted said:
thats what i thought

making statements that are groundless, having no scriptural foundation, seemingly only to instigate, and then not willing to back them when called on it. Do me a favor and dont try to pick fights with GM or anyone else here. You know this is not an area for debate, we would all appreciate you regarding our rules.

Make a thread in the debate forum, respecting our rules, and youll have the chance to explain yourself and sack us if you can

Dude, you asserted beliefs without citing scripture.

I called you out and you were unable to respond. Go ahead and assert your doctrine- I'll enjoy running circles around you.

Now, I asked you a question:
Believing in Christ in terms of what saves you?

Answer it.

Time2BCounted · Oct 13, 2007

You may call me Mr. Jewell, in the debate forum

Dont target my sisters

Nadiine · Oct 13, 2007

Time2BCounted said:
What scripture says unite your will to God's?

We are to humble ourselves bowing to His will, i see nothing about uniting wills lol. Do we too become God by uniting wills with God? Does God meet us halfway in this uniting or what?

I know what youre likely trying to say, its just said very poorly imho

Uniting wills with God doesnt save you... believing Christ and repenting saves you

Yes, the bible tells us that it's GOD who even gives us the WILL to do and serve Him.
Our NATURAL will is selfish rebellion - only upon regeneration, does God then put the WILL into us to love, obey and serve Him

Phil. 2:13
for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Nadiine · Oct 13, 2007

There is more than one purpose of hell -- but the bible teaches hell [and death] is thrown into the Lake of Fire...

The main purpose of eternal condemnation is to CONTAIN EVIL eternally and keep it from being allowed to corrupt the new heaven and earth that God creates when He restores His creation to it's rightful position.

Satan, his servants and all people who have rejected God and lived in rebellion to His truth (and personal revelation He's given them upon calling them to Himself) will be put there - unpaid sin doesn't get "removed", it eternally exists.
ONLY sins covered by Jesus' Blood are literally "removed". So the sin of the lost remains eternally, and is contained eternally and kept away from His restored creation.

--and it is also the just punishment for the sin of those who refused to repent and turn from sin.

edie19 · Oct 13, 2007

Nadiine said:
. . . .and it is also the just punishment for the sin of those who refused to repent and turn from sin.

AMEN

LivingLifeHisWay · Oct 13, 2007

Hell is the place we all deserve to go because of our sinfulness but if we repent from our sins (turn away from them) and place our faith & trust in Jesus Christ we will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

GratiaCorpusChristi · Oct 13, 2007

The purpose of hell is to confine and punish those who lead and follow in the kingdom of darkness.

It was created, as such, in order to confine and punish the Evil One and his demonic minions. It is the greatest tragedy in the whole universe of being that men and women, forged in the image of God, have chosen to ally with that kingdom and so walk into that terrible place as well.

GreenMunchkin · Oct 13, 2007

SpiritualAntiseptic said:
But the way to salvation is in uniting your will to God's.

What if a person wants to have their own free will and not give it up?

[BIBLE]Matthew 19:16-28[/BIBLE]

What is the purpose of Hell?

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