Ever lasting joy or ever lasting punishment ?

[shittim]

One of the key questions in order to understand christianity is the concept of afterlife. What will happen to us after death?

On these matters, christians disagree. Some christians claim that salvation is freely given to all people and that everyone will be saved in the end. Other christians claim that hell exists with eternal punishment, and that the only way to avoid this suffering is to be a christian and believe in Jesus. Yet other christians have a somewhat milder position; that the non-believers are not facing eternal punishment, but simply cease to exist.

I've even spoken with christians that do not believe in an afterlife at all.

This diversity of opinions might be confusing. What to believe ?
What do you believe ?

Doesn't matter what anyone believes, that is a sign of a person who is missing the mark.
What matters is our one on one relationship with the Father through Jesus, the only intercessor between we created and the Creator.
Holy Spirit will guide in all truth if we put on the big boys and girls and maintain the one on one relationship He requires of us.
Constantine did much harm with the RCC

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

One of the key questions in order to understand christianity is the concept of afterlife. What will happen to us after death?

On these matters, christians disagree. Some christians claim that salvation is freely given to all people and that everyone will be saved in the end. Other christians claim that hell exists with eternal punishment, and that the only way to avoid this suffering is to be a christian and believe in Jesus. Yet other christians have a somewhat milder position; that the non-believers are not facing eternal punishment, but simply cease to exist.

I've even spoken with christians that do not believe in an afterlife at all.

This diversity of opinions might be confusing. What to believe ?
What do you believe ?

Is there any reason to not take a few short minutes to possibly avoid forever in that horrible place?

 

[Karlon]

I asked you, not God. And a fair interpretation of your request is that you answer on behalf of yourself. Your opinion.

that is MY answer.

 

[shittim]

I asked you, not God. And a fair interpretation of your request is that you answer on behalf of yourself. Your opinion.

As a non Spirit filled believer you don't realize yet a true Christian does not have an "opinion", we have a position based on Scripture.
You have an "opinion" because you think it matters, it doesn't.
Since we are created beings our Creators view is ours, we are no longer our own as we are hidden in Him.
best wishes

 

[Lynx]

It’s a tough one , not gonna lie.
For example you yourself have bought all the leftist propagandas. I can tell this by the way you speak, but, and this is important, through your journey in life you may gain wisdom through experience and one day you may drop your programming that you have received from the left and this will allow you to make the best decisions for yourself without being influenced by ideologies and interpretations.
Same thing applies here in your question.
You will know how to forgive and most importantly you will know what rest in God means after you truly seek the answers of all existential and origin questions for which we will never have a clear answer and that’s where you will have to make a choice.
Cheers.

That raised an eyebrow. You are not usually one to come out swinging before I have even heard the bell.

So I checked a post history...

Yup. Come out swinging indeed.

See, things like this is the reason I avoid the bible discussion forum. There are many like this who come and go and I am blissfully ignorant of them because they never stray into this particular forum.

 

[Lynx]

One of the key questions in order to understand christianity is the concept of afterlife. What will happen to us after death?

On these matters, christians disagree. Some christians claim that salvation is freely given to all people and that everyone will be saved in the end. Other christians claim that hell exists with eternal punishment, and that the only way to avoid this suffering is to be a christian and believe in Jesus. Yet other christians have a somewhat milder position; that the non-believers are not facing eternal punishment, but simply cease to exist.

I've even spoken with christians that do not believe in an afterlife at all.

This diversity of opinions might be confusing. What to believe ?
What do you believe ?

Howdy and welcome to the forum.

I was initially surprised when Eli answered you so roughly. Then I checked your post history. A bit of a firestarter, aren't you...

If this is how you get your kicks, go ahead. But there are some pretty good Bible scholars on this forum, so you probably won't make much headway.

Just so you know.

 

[Eli1]

That raised an eyebrow. You are not usually one to come out swinging before I have even heard the bell.

So I checked a post history...

Yup. Come out swinging indeed.

See, things like this is the reason I avoid the bible discussion forum. There are many like this who come and go and I am blissfully ignorant of them because they never stray into this particular forum.

The Bible discussion forum is not for everyone.
I avoid the singles forum actually. As soon as i log in, i mark it as Read and move on.

 

[beccaa]

One of the key questions in order to understand christianity is the concept of afterlife. What will happen to us after death?

On these matters, christians disagree. Some christians claim that salvation is freely given to all people and that everyone will be saved in the end. Other christians claim that hell exists with eternal punishment, and that the only way to avoid this suffering is to be a christian and believe in Jesus. Yet other christians have a somewhat milder position; that the non-believers are not facing eternal punishment, but simply cease to exist.

I've even spoken with christians that do not believe in an afterlife at all.

This diversity of opinions might be confusing. What to believe ?
What do you believe ?

Personally, I believe Jesus offers eternal life to those who trust in Him, and that God is both just and incredibly merciful. Some things we won’t fully understand on this side of eternity, but I try to hold onto what He’s revealed clearly and trust His character with the rest.

 

[shittim]

Personally, I believe Jesus offers eternal life to those who trust in Him, and that God is both just and incredibly merciful. Some things we won’t fully understand on this side of eternity, but I try to hold onto what He’s revealed clearly and trust His character with the rest.

Ask Him for things, we have not because we ask not, we ask and receive not if we ask amiss.
blessings

 

[Ceph]

Doesn't matter what anyone believes, that is a sign of a person who is missing the mark.

If you're taking about accepting ideas contrary to established doctrine, that's a very dangerous (condemning) way of thinking.

 

[shittim]

If you're taking about accepting ideas contrary to established doctrine, that's a very dangerous (condemning) way of thinking.

No according to the indwelling Spirit.
YMMV?

 

[Ceph]

No according to the indwelling Spirit.
YMMV?

The Holy Spirit wrote what's written, and the Holy Spirit won't change his mind.

 

[Ouch]

One of the key questions in order to understand christianity is the concept of afterlife. What will happen to us after death?

On these matters, christians disagree. Some christians claim that salvation is freely given to all people and that everyone will be saved in the end. Other christians claim that hell exists with eternal punishment, and that the only way to avoid this suffering is to be a christian and believe in Jesus. Yet other christians have a somewhat milder position; that the non-believers are not facing eternal punishment, but simply cease to exist.

I've even spoken with christians that do not believe in an afterlife at all.

This diversity of opinions might be confusing. What to believe ?
What do you believe ?

I Just chose to follow what JESUS says.

Where is Heaven? UP!!

Psalm 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?


Where is HELL? DOWN.

Numbers 16:33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

Isaiah 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.


Hell will be torment.

Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Hell is everlasting fire.

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:

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Revelation 20:7,
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

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

How to go to Heaven? Believe, repent, get baptized in JESUS name and pray for him to fill you with HIMSELF the Holy Ghost. Then we have to work for him. John 3:5, Acts 2:38

There is ONLY one gospel.

 

[shittim]

If you're taking about accepting ideas contrary to established doctrine, that's a very dangerous (condemning) way of thinking.

I'm "talking" of seeking first the Kingdom of God.

 

[shittim]

I Just chose to follow what JESUS says.

Where is Heaven? UP!!

Psalm 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?


Where is HELL? DOWN.

Numbers 16:33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

Isaiah 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.


Hell will be torment.

Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Hell is everlasting fire.

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:

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Revelation 20:7,
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

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

How to go to Heaven? Believe, repent, get baptized in JESUS name and pray for him to fill you with HIMSELF the Holy Ghost. Then we have to work for him. John 3:5, Acts 2:38

There is ONLY one gospel.

A friend got wound up about the Creation saying it was not possible for all to be made in 6 days, I reminded him the original text was not written in English, the word for Created in the original text can also be interpreted as "revealed".

 

[Eli1]

A friend got wound up about the Creation saying it was not possible for all to be made in 6 days, I reminded him the original text was not written in English, the word for Created in the original text can also be interpreted as "revealed".

Love that.
If only they'd print it like that it would help the perception of many Christians during evangelizing.

 

[shittim]

Love that.
If only they'd print it like that it would help the perception of many Christians during evangelizing.

Amen, like evangelizing, we need to spread this, it can be a help to moving a person from their wrong, carnal, view.
blessings

 

[PennEd]

One of the key questions in order to understand christianity is the concept of afterlife. What will happen to us after death?

On these matters, christians disagree. Some christians claim that salvation is freely given to all people and that everyone will be saved in the end. Other christians claim that hell exists with eternal punishment, and that the only way to avoid this suffering is to be a christian and believe in Jesus. Yet other christians have a somewhat milder position; that the non-believers are not facing eternal punishment, but simply cease to exist.

I've even spoken with christians that do not believe in an afterlife at all.

This diversity of opinions might be confusing. What to believe ?
What do you believe ?

We cannot give you spiritual answers that the Bible says you are INCAPABLE of understanding, until you hear the Gospel, believe it, and are born again.


1 Corinthians 2:14
New International Version
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

So with that in mind, here is THE ONLY Gospel unto Salvation:

God wrapped Himself in human flesh in the form of His Son, Jesus the Messiah. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin.
He suffered, was crucified, and died to pay OUR sin debt. He was raised to life from the grave to prove He had defeated death.

If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that His Father resurrected Him to Life on the 3rd day, you WILL be saved. You will be filled, and sealed with the Holy Spirit, who will empower ALL to turn from their sins. The sins of lying, stealing, adultery, homosexuality, gossiping, murder, hatred, addiction, disobeying parents, complaining, sins of omission, etc...

And most importantly the sin of DEAD works, or a moral life in an attempt to EARN Salvation.
He will also equip you to love like He did and do good works for HIS Glory.

 

[Karlon]

We cannot give you spiritual answers that the Bible says you are INCAPABLE of understanding, until you hear the Gospel, believe it, and are born again.


1 Corinthians 2:14
New International Version
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

So with that in mind, here is THE ONLY Gospel unto Salvation:

God wrapped Himself in human flesh in the form of His Son, Jesus the Messiah. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin.
He suffered, was crucified, and died to pay OUR sin debt. He was raised to life from the grave to prove He had defeated death.

If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that His Father resurrected Him to Life on the 3rd day, you WILL be saved. You will be filled, and sealed with the Holy Spirit, who will empower ALL to turn from their sins. The sins of lying, stealing, adultery, homosexuality, gossiping, murder, hatred, addiction, disobeying parents, complaining, sins of omission, etc...

And most importantly the sin of DEAD works, or a moral life in an attempt to EARN Salvation.
He will also equip you to love like He did and do good works for HIS Glory.

simply stated in the nutshell!