Questions about Hell

[Rob83]

Is there literal fire in hell? Or is the mention of it in scripture figurative?

[Hootmon]

Literal

[Christina]

Literal

[Robert]

Literal.


When Jesus spoke of Hell, it was never figurative.

[Christina]

Put it this way, Christ spoke more of Hell than He did of Heaven, I doubt He would spend so much time teaching on something and warning others of it if it was just figurative.

[WarriorOfGod]

Literal

[Robert]

Put it this way, Christ spoke more of Hell than He did of Heaven, I doubt He would spend so much time teaching on something and warning others of it if it was just figurative.

Exactly, Christina.

[Rob83]

If there is literal flames then how can it be a place of darkness?

And if you are an immaterial soul how can a soul burn? Everything about pain is caused by physical reactions in your body (nerves, neuro transmitters, etc).

And if your link it talked about hell being in the center of the earth. But Jesus talks about a place where the worm never dies.

Worms and maggots wouldn't last long in lava.

[Christina]

If there is literal flames then how can it be a place of darkness?

And if you are an immaterial soul how can a soul burn? Everything about pain is caused by physical reactions in your body (nerves, neuro transmitters, etc).

And if your link it talked about hell being in the center of the earth. But Jesus talks about a place where the worm never dies.

Worms and maggots wouldn't last long in lava.

Rob, you're thinking with the human brain wheras God is above our thoughts and ways. We won't understand everything this side of Heaven but you can bet that if the Lord said it, then it's true.

From my understanding Hell is a place where one will feel the pain of burning but the fire will never be quenched and the person will never die so in essence one will just feel the pain of burning forever, not a pretty thought at all.

[OnceWasLost]

If there is literal flames then how can it be a place of darkness?

And if you are an immaterial soul how can a soul burn? Everything about pain is caused by physical reactions in your body (nerves, neuro transmitters, etc).

And if your link it talked about hell being in the center of the earth. But Jesus talks about a place where the worm never dies.

Worms and maggots wouldn't last long in lava.

And you don't marvel at eternity?

[pinezoo]

I'd say literal as well, however we can't dismiss the figurative as well. Hell is described as a place where their worm does not die. I don't think there's real worms in hell. But think about this, if hell is separation from God, and it is, then what will it be like to never have any Good thing, eternally. nothing but pain and suffering, why because God isn't there, you've been separated. God is light, there's no light in hell either, because God isn't there. And no joy and no comfort and no life, just an existence of no-God, eternally. It's real, don't go there. Jesus has made the way of deliverance, and it's up to you.

[pinezoo]

If there is literal flames then how can it be a place of darkness?

And if you are an immaterial soul how can a soul burn? Everything about pain is caused by physical reactions in your body (nerves, neuro transmitters, etc).

And if your link it talked about hell being in the center of the earth. But Jesus talks about a place where the worm never dies.

Worms and maggots wouldn't last long in lava.

Everything about pain is not caused by the physical. there is such a thing as torment of your soul and it's very real, and very painful. And in regards to hell being in the center of the earth. You'll note that in Rev. 20, AFTER the 1000 yr reign of Jesus, that death and hell were thrown into the lake of fire. The hell that exists now is only the holding tank until the final judgement, when the final separation takes place. You could say that the temporary hell is for what you did, while the final hell is for what you did plus what you caused by what you did. pretty scary stuff!!

[Tall Timbers]

literal

[WarriorOfGod]

If there is literal flames then how can it be a place of darkness?

And if you are an immaterial soul how can a soul burn? Everything about pain is caused by physical reactions in your body (nerves, neuro transmitters, etc).

And if your link it talked about hell being in the center of the earth. But Jesus talks about a place where the worm never dies.

Worms and maggots wouldn't last long in lava.

Luke 16:19-25 say...
19) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Verses 23, 24 and 25 say that the rich man was tormented in the flames of hell, so it shows that he could feel the pain even after his death. I don't believe souls are disembodied or ghost like that cannot be touched or feel. These verses show that souls can feel....rich man was tormented and Lazarus was comforted.

[Robert]

If there is literal flames then how can it be a place of darkness?

And if you are an immaterial soul how can a soul burn? Everything about pain is caused by physical reactions in your body (nerves, neuro transmitters, etc).

And if your link it talked about hell being in the center of the earth. But Jesus talks about a place where the worm never dies.

Worms and maggots wouldn't last long in lava.

1) In a fire, smoke produced can obscure vision and even hide flames.

2) the dead are resurrected to physical form before they are judged:

"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29, KJV)

3) Giant tube worms live near hot volcanic vents in the ocean, and actually feed off of the sulfur that comes from these vents. Giant Tube Worm So the Lord can make worms that can actually THRIVE in this environment.

4) This is God we are talking about; he can pretty much do as he pleases.

[Christina]

4) This is God we are talking about; he can pretty much do as he pleases.

If God said it, that settles it!, it's called faith!

Amen Robert!

[Rob83]

Ok, so my next question would be :

What's the point?

Sure they choose to reject Jesus and live separately from God. And thus should be separated. But what is the point of having them on fire forever?

[JesusIsLord]

Ok, so my next question would be :

What's the point?

Sure they choose to reject Jesus and live separately from God. And thus should be separated. But what is the point of having them on fire forever?

Payment for their sins.

Someone must pay the price for your sin (and mine, and everyone else). And there are only 2 choices:

1) You pay for your sins
2) Jesus paid for your sins

Sin is painful, it is ugly, it is separation from God. Why does Hell have fire? Because it was made for the angels who sinned, so that their imperfection would be eternally separated from God. The fire is punishment. It is probably there to make you regret every sinful second and regret not letting Jesus pay for your sins. However, Hell and the Lake of Fire was never reserved or intended for people, for we were originally created in a sinless environment. But when sin entered man through deception from the devil, the curse was also passed on to us. Hence, people who do not accept God's One and Only Way (faith in Jesus Christ) will also go to the same place as the fallen angels, because of their sin.

Jesus said, "It is finished" on the cross, then he gave up His soul and died. The finishing work He did on the cross was payment for every persons sins; past, present and future for all eternity. Whether you choose to have His Blood atone (cover) for your sins is up to you. Everyone else must make this same decision.

You see, our God is a JUST God. Justice will be served to everyone. In the end, God's love for us does not override His absolute Justice. His love gave us a way to be counted as righteous, and that was through the death of His only Son, Jesus Christ. So justice will be served: Either you pay for your sins, or Jesus paid for your sins.

I love the old hymm:

Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin has left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Im sorry.....I'm probably not explaining any of this very well, but it makes sense in my head

God bless,
- JIL

[Steve53]

If there is literal flames then how can it be a place of darkness?

And if you are an immaterial soul how can a soul burn? Everything about pain is caused by physical reactions in your body (nerves, neuro transmitters, etc).

And if your link it talked about hell being in the center of the earth. But Jesus talks about a place where the worm never dies.

Worms and maggots wouldn't last long in lava.

Everyone will be resurrected in full bodily form - some to spend eternity with Jesus - some to spend eternity in damnation.
Revelation 20:13
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

The link posted above was removed.

The worm never dying is a metaphor for anguish (among other things).

Ok, so my next question would be :

What's the point?

Sure they choose to reject Jesus and live separately from God. And thus should be separated. But what is the point of having them on fire forever?

Hell and all who inhabit it will be cast into the Lake of Fire -
Revelation 20:14
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

How about you Rob? Is Jesus a part of your life? Has your name been written in the book of Life?

Revelation 20:15
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

[Hootmon]

Verses 23, 24 and 25 say that the rich man was tormented in the flames of hell,...

Be careful to keep the various 'hells' seperated. The Rich Man was not in the Lake or Fire (aka Gehenna). He was in the 'torments' compartment of hades/sheol.