Hell doesn't really exist?

[graceforme]

I heard a news story today about a pastor who says that after careful study of Scripture, and "revelation" from God Himself, has decided that hell doesn't really exist and that the Bible is not really God-inspired, but was written by men who misinterpreted what God said.

His story will be profiled on 20/20 next Friday night. I'm going to be sure to watch it, as I missed the first part of the story, so I didn't get all the information. I did hear that he had a congregation of 6,000, but after announcing his new "findings", his congregation dropped to barely 300. I guess they aren't exactly seeing things the way he does?

Thought someone else might know something about it, and might have some comments to make.

[Ribbon Fat]

Hell as a big fiery pit doesn't exist.

[graceforme]

Do you have any real thoughts on that statement? Or Scripture to back it up? A discussion would be nice, not just a flat statement without any thought to it.

Thanks.

[graceforme]

Revelation talks about those who are not in the book of life being cast into the lake of fire. Any thoughts on that Scripture? I always thought the lake of fire is hell.

This pastor that I was talking about says that hell is here on earth. I can't find any Biblical backing of that statement. Any thoughts?

God Bless.

[lisa]

What Is The Lake Of Fire?


Scripture speaks of a final place of judgment known as the "lake of fire."

Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20).


And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. . . Then Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10,14,15).


But the cowardly, unbelieving abominable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).


The Scripture has the following to say concerning the lake of fire.

Second Death

The lake of fire is also known as the second death

Blessed and holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power (Revelation 20:6).


Observations

The judgment of the lake of fire is final, conscious, and bodily. From these passages we can make the following observations.

1. The second death is eternal death from which there is no hope. The lake of fire is the final destination of unbelievers. Those who had been kept in Hades will eventually be placed in this eternal judgment. The second death is equivalent to saying the last death.

2. Those suffering are conscious (Revelation 20:10). The suffering is eternal, the dead are not in a state of extinction.

3. The wicked are suffering in bodily form. There will be a resurrection of the unbelieving dead in some type of bodily form. Jesus said.

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28,29).


Paul wrote

I have a hope in God - a hope that they themselves also accept - that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. (Acts 24:15).


If the dead were merely annihilated, then there would be no reason for a resurrection. Furthermore if they were in their final place of judgment in Hades, there would not be a need for a resurrection.

4. The lake of fire is referred to as a burning lake. Four times fire and sulfur are mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 14:10: 19:20; 20:10 and 21:8) when referring to the lake of fire.

Summary

What is commonly known as hell, is what the Bible calls the "lake of fire." It is the final judgment of the wicked. Those in the lake of fire will suffer eternally, consciously, and bodily. It will be an awful place.

The above is from The Blue Letter Bible http://blueletterbible.org/faq/nbi/170.html
Here is another article about Gehenna (http://blueletterbible.org/faq/nbi/168.html), one of the Greek words for Hell.

[CHRISTinCheryl]

hmmm wonder who put him up to disclosing this lie? :devil
The Father of Lies :gaah
Ive heard of too many credible eyewitnesses and dying testimonies that the LORD has shown them glimpses of HELL....Remember Lazurus in hell???
I realize there are many naysayers here about folks writing books on hell.. but I for one believe Bill Weises testimony in his book "23 Minutes in hell"..I found him VERY credible..all the testimonies do line up with the Bible.. JESUS says theres a Hell...I believe HIM!!:nod...

p.s.. on the License plate frame on my car I have a frame that says' Got CHRIST? and below it says "its HELL without HIM"

[graceforme]

I totally agree - one lie after another from this guy. He's going to be on 20/20 this coming Friday night. I want to watch it, just to see where he gets this stuff from

GREAT POSTS, EVERYONE!

[watching4him]

I know that there is a hell, I had a great uncle that was given a glimpse of hell. I should add that he was a very strong Christian totally sold out to the Lord, at the same time he was also given a glimpse of heaven. But the best proof of hell being real is the Bible tells us that it is all to real. I caught a small part of the interview with this man on www.abcnews.com

[graceforme]

I learned on another message board that this pastor's name is Carlton Pearson, and is well-known for his far-out views.

I'll try to do a little research on him before the program on Friday.

[WhitemoonG]

OH GOODY!!!! Another "pastor" in a list of thousands who've concluded that the Holy Scriptures are just an interesting and kinda inspiring book, but nothing more, and that the authors didn't get it right as to what God really meant.


I can't wait to hear it FINALLY cleared up, courtesy of this latest narcissistic crackpot, what God REALLY meant!

I'll bet David Koresh, Jim Jones, Brian McLaren, and Rob Bell will pale in comparison to the clarity this guy's gonna bring!

And just think, with this guy getting the splash on 20/20 this time, what's gonna happen to Rick Warren's airtime?



SPARE ME PUULLLLEEEEEZE!!!