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Oh don't get me wrong...i am quick to accept fact. But the link you gave me refers to the literal fire of Gehenna. The Jews definitely knew about Gehenna.
There is no evidence that Christ taught that there was a literal burning fire that the wicked could anticipate. Eternal 'cutting off' is mentioned -death w/ no hope of resurrection or life. Instead, doesnt it state that a man's thoughts when he dies 'go back to the ground' and 'perish'? How could this be if they were suffering eternally in hellfire?
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
'Hell is more accurately translated as 'Gehenna' here. Jesus used this literal location as a metaphor for eternal destruction. After all,, the things thrown into Gehenna didnt burn forever. They were obliterated, just like anything else that is burned up.
In the wikipedia link it says that Ghenna could destroy body and soul.
Quote:
In the synoptic gospels Jesus uses the word Gehenna 12 times to describe the opposite to the life during the promised kingdom [1]. It is a place where both soul and body could be destroyed (Matthew 10:28) in "unquenchable fire" (Mark 9:43).
I never understood how anything could be tormented in fire forever. We burned mounds and mounds of brush and all that was left was about 2 inches of ash. Fire destroys things. Even the "soul".
I agree with Alicenevada, that it is a figurative to show eternal nonexistance.
Last edited by beeveenh; 10-13-2008 at 11:48 AM..
Reason: addition
This might be very touchy but does the bible speak on..
What happens to someone if they commit suicide?
Does the crime fit the punishment if someone has a horrible life..
And ends it to spent eternity in hell?
Why are you asking about suicide?
This subject makes me very uncomfortable. It's a well known fact that people who talk about suicide may be contemplating suicide.
Has anyone asked if you're o.k.?
Depression can be like a totally consuming, crippling darkness where people can't see any hope. IMHO, a person who is so depressed that they are contemplating suicide doesn't really care what the Bible says about it by that point.
It seems to me that we christians should be more concerned about pouring in the oil than discussing the ramifications.
If you are thinking about suicide, please talk to someone.
Please, get help.
This subject makes me very uncomfortable. It's a well known fact that people who talk about suicide may be contemplating suicide.
Has anyone asked if you're o.k.?
Depression can be like a totally consuming, crippling darkness where people can't see any hope. IMHO, a person who is so depressed that they are contemplating suicide doesn't really care what the Bible says about it by that point.
It seems to me that we christians should be more concerned about pouring in the oil than discussing the ramifications.
If you are thinking about suicide, please talk to someone.
Please, get help.
I totally agree with World Citizen!!! And even if somebody in our lives is talking in this manner, we should encourage this person and try to get one too help of some kind... and not take lightly of one who is asking such kind of questions!!!
I hope I don't sound insensitive, but I believe suicide is the ultimate act of selfishness and self centeredness.
I hear this statement a lot but I think that is way too sweeping of a statement. If a person believes the world is better off without them and is willing to injure themselves unto death (for whatever reason) then they are obviously in need of help but it is not necessarily a selfish act, although it could possibly be a very confused act.
An "ultimate act of selfishness and self centeredness" would need to have (at it's roots) sociopathic behavior where others would be harmed without conscience. If the suicide is committed solely to injure others then it could qualify for your statement.
I do believe that selfishness is at the root of most emotional anguish (and all sin for that matter) but I judge that to be a symptom of the flawed human state.
Then you have cases where the death wish is simple matter of physical illness which can drive some beyond the point willingness to continue.
There's no point than to argue with someone that doesnt view the word of God as literal.
People love to pick and choose of how they think God is (according to the bible), and almost all the times I have seen this is because of their lifestyle.
This is a touchy subject, and most people dont like to think their deceased 'love ones' are in hell. Then they makeup stuff and believe blindly in what they want to believe.
The bible is was and is still taught today as literal and not 'figuratively' speaking. To believe it 'figuratively' is 'hoping' to something of your own opinion. To believe it that way and be wrong can cost you your eternal salvation.
If I'm wrong about it's literal sense, then I'm sure I'll be corrected by God when I die.
If I'm right then there will be a lot of so called Christians burning for eternity.
You can't die in your sins if you're a Christian.
You're covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Does this mean 'once saved always saved'. No.
Does this mean 'you can't lose your salvation'. Yes and No.
One doesnt 'lose' salvation as it is a free gift given to us when we accept it.
Some people preach 'once saved always saved' because we can't lose salvation.
Once saved always saved isn't wrong because we can't lose salvation...it's wrong because we can reject salvation even after we have accepted it.
God gives us free choice. To say we are now chained to salvation is against what free choice is.
Either we accept Him and His teachings
or we deny Him with our actions.
The New Testament doesn't teach that we should love in words...it says we need to love BY ACTIONS.
By our ACTIONS we refuse/reject the free gift that was offered to us.
This is why we SHALL be saved. It is a fight to the end.
Committing suicide is giving up.
There is one last thing we will overcome just as Jesus did.
That is Death.
Will we go through the Second Death or live everlasting with God?
Renriq,
Just an observation, I believe that our actions in themselves is not loving it needs to come from the heart - hypocrisy is where you say and/or do something but there is the opposite in your heart it makes your actions an act.
God will be judging by everyones deeds and he will be judging by the intentions of the heart. Everyone will be judged through Christ (this is why As in adam all die so in Christ all will be made alive (nothing will be outside of Christ -but first everything needs to be a) fully obedient - and that is not just saying Lord, lord it is believing from the heart and b) purified, no sin will enter and none will be just covered over - the judgement is for and against for everyone.
Also Jesus says for all who labor and are heavy laden to come to him and he will give rest.
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I hope you're o.k....
