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This question is for all those of you who continually blast Christianity, for the teachings that one goes to Hell, if they are not saved.
It does seem to me, that there should be another category... Oblivion.
However, Gods word is the dividing line, and I do not want to lead anyone wrong on any subject, but, I did want to share this thought. As far as I know Christianity has never taught anything except Heaven or Hell.
For those who are good people, and not evil, but, have never accepted Christ as Savior.
I know that I am opening myself up to be considered as a heretic... and they were once burned at stake :( for stating things that others had not taught, or believed.
I do not wish to change theology, but, I am inclined to think the way some unbelievers think on this situation.
It would seem to me, that if a good person that has not accepted Christ, would not be sent to Hell... for the sin of unbelief, but, that they would fail to be able to enter Heaven, and to me, that is punishment enough.
To come to the end of ones life, and not have Jesus in their heart, to die, and see that they missed being able to spend eternity in heaven with Christ, to me, would be Hell, even without the flames.
Anyway, being faced with this continually online, I asked the Lord about this, and I feel that he led me to this scripture:
Luke 12:46-48 (New International Version)
46The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
~~~
This to me, indicates degrees of reward or punishment, according to the knowledge, or the light that one has.
~~~ Please keep replies civil.
Thanks.
Father God, I pray that you would forgive those who oppose themselves, and you, calling good -evil, and evil - good. Help them to see the truth, remove the blinders, and help them to find their way. Amen.
~~~ Bimjob... This post is for you, and all that think like you do. That are basically very good people, who live moral lives, and treat their fellowman with compassion, and do everything within their power to do good to others, however, fall short of the biblical mandate, to accept Christ as their Savior.
In posts, I have been seeing this come up, over and over again, and that is why I am addressing it.
I am trying to see if there is actually, a third choice.
God Bless..
~~~ imyselfandme - I think you are referring to a place called pergatory... That is a Catholic Belief, and is not something that I find in the Christian bible. If anyone knows of any scriptures that declare this to be a fact, please post them.
~~~ funadvise - God forgive you and have mercy on your soul.
~~~ toadaly - If you were aware of this fact, and believed it to be true, why had you not addressed it, with scripture?
~~~ rickd, not at all sure where you are coming from ??? Get lost in life... what does that mean? Forget about heaven... Why? Forget about Hell... Again, Why?
Those issues come up repeadly on this board, and I see no reason to address them, esp. since they seem to be keeping so many from coming to Christ. Sorry, it this bothers you, (have no reason to know why it would) but, It troubled me, stirred my spirit, so, I sought God on it. This is what came of that prayer. It is open for discussion.
Not at all sure what you are meaning, about being so spiritually minded as to be no earthly good...???
We are to be spiritually minded.
And addressing this issue, is def. of earthly good, if it sheds more light on an issue that is under fire, and hindering multitudes from coming to salvation.
Exactly how, is that supposed to be bad?
And how better could one have their feet on the ground???
I am not afraid of any issue, as I believe that My God, can stand the test.
ANYTHING THAT IS REAL>>> CAN STAND THE TEST>
The end time religion, is going to be a mish mash, of all the beliefs out there. Christians are and will come under fire, for believing the bible, and standing for what it teaches.
New Age thinking is seeping into every place it can gain a foothold.
As for me and my house, we will stick to the bible.
And as long as God gives me breath, I will defend it.
Laugh, mock or anything else that strikes your fancy...
Oh, and there is a Church of Humanity...
No Jesus.. No bible.. No heaven... No hell... Just man... in all his glory.
Oprah is pushing this big time, gaining millions of followers daily.
Again, this is where the rubber meets the road.
Will a Christian stand for the truth, or will he/she accept everything that comes down the pike?
Oh, and I too, say this in Love.
I love you enough, to tell you the truth.
So, did Jesus.
I don't believe in hell or heaven..I believe I will go to a place that suits me for what I've done and how I have lived my life here. because there are so many people that have "accepted" god...yet are mean as hell...and their souls are so...dirty. so I think if you take a look around the world, watch the news...this look a lot like hell for me. But there isn't much you can do to change the world, so I just try to change my own...for better. I believe that as long as you know and feel that possitive vibration tha god shouldn be fear but love...u will be alright. Anyways we don't know what there really is until we die right?...so just try to do thing right according to YOUR views and YOUR beliefs...not anyone elses...PLUR!
Well, rickd, you could have knocked me over with a feather...nice answer. When I think of a good and true christian...I believe they would feel the way you just described. That every act shouldn't be performed because of heaven. That we are on earth and are here to help each other and not because of heaven or hell. That christians should get "lost in life" and "love G-d" and "work on today". That is the type of sugar that catches more flies than vinegar. Because it was real and you were speaking from your heart. I might disagree with most of what you say, but on this I respect you...
Silverwings, I can respect you without accepting your beliefs. I am an Atheist, and I believe that when I die, I just totally cease to be, and the only existence that I will have will be the legacy carried in / on by my children and my deeds. To you it may seem like a desolate destiny, but to me it says that I need to be good in the here and now, Because THIS IS ALL I GET. No last minute chance at salvation. If I mess up I only have this life to get better in. Hopefully, the net effect of every one's philosophy is toward a better future. Good Luck!!
And Silverwings...One of the problems I have with the whole heaven and hell thing (besides the level of judgment it allows christians) is my family. My grandparents, great aunts and uncles, cousins (all jews) that died at the hands of the Nazis. I will NEVER believe in a religion whose followers believe they are in hell. Or in a religion that believes they don't deserve heaven or hell...just oblivion for eternity. The believed in G-d and died for that belief. What a god to send them to hell. Please read rickd's answer.
Thank you silverwings for slapping me back into reality. What was I thinking? How could I have been so gullible to think that it would be fine for a christian to focus on his life here, loving mankind, living the life that your god gave him, knowing that his faith and his god would handle eternity. Thanks for that... Thanks for bringing it all back to heaven OR hell and not to your "new age" oblivion... I knew that idea wouldn't last long. In retail it is called a "bait and switch"
Jesus never makes any reference to hell as a place of eternal punishment and torture in the Gospels. He refers to Gehenna as the place where fallen people will be anihilated at the final judgement. Gehenna was a physical location on the earth, in Judea, not some netherworld in which to put unworthy souls.
So I think your views on oblivion are closer to what the Bible actually says. The concept of hell as a place of eternal, conscious torture has no Biblical basis.
civil huh? I can be as uncivil as I want beotch. I am entitled to my own opinion. jesus IS gay. And your going to hell for spending all your time on the computer when you should be in church. DEMON! stop polluting my world with boring bible crap. the power of christ compels you. I wish god would make me blind so I didn't have to see these never ending paragraphs, but he's too busy taking it up the butt.
That would be neat if Jesus was gay! (Not the insult kind, actually homosexual) But anyway, technically there is a place in between (I forgot what it's called) I don't know if it's actually in the Christian religion but according to some people it does exist. Supposedly it's a place between life and heaven (or hell) where you wait. And (supposedly) people can wait there forever.
Rickd, I read just a few days ago, on Sid Roths newsletter, where 1000 Orthodox Jews have come to Christ, along with 70, I think it was, Orthodox Rabis... that is a mighty big number, I think, especially in a short time. Look forward to seeing what happens next.
*** It does seem to me, that there should be another category... Oblivion.
Well, maybe there's hope for you afterall. You at least recognize the possibility of what is actually real.
Silverwings, nice post and interesting idea.
Rickd, if we all behaved as if we'd be treated tomorrow the way we are treating each other today, wouldn't this be a great world?
he is actually gay, I saw him banging george clooney yesterday.
Praying for you heyjay !
