I was listening to my pastor's sermon on The Justice of Hell (if you would like to listen to it
HERE)
Now I am a firm believer in the doctrine and justice of hell. I find it very rational because of the magnitude of sin against a holy God. But a lot of those non-believers or those who don't believe in hell will find hell irrational. So analogies have to suffice to provide reason, to give a case for conviction in the doctrine (if the Father allows).
My example, and I would like to know if it works. This is not the doctrine but a process of why hell should be reasonable.
Hell is torment that goes on forever, Rev. 14:10,11 Quote:
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he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
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Now analogous, we live in a world that is continued torment from all things around us such as temptation to sin, the sins that we do commit, the pains from the sins we have, the infliction from others to us, injustice in all aspects of life, the innocent being killed and the greedy getting away with it, constant stress and things to do, etc... The point is is that this world is a constant threat and while we live we shall not escape persecution - believer or not.
Romans 1:18-23 Quote:
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18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
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Our LORD sees these things in His creation. These are the things of the world that give us torment. Men hold these things with pride and say in their heart "there is no God."
Then
Quote:
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26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due
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And then these people:
Quote:
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28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting
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God gave them over.
The desire of depraved man is not God, therefore the depraved man is an enemy to God and loves the things of the world. We cannot love God and love the world at the same time.
Because they love the world, upon judgment, God gives them over to WHAT they want, viz. the world, i.e. torment. Who would want to live the rest of his days on earth? There is no rest on earth - it is toiling so we have to love and obey that which is greater than us, the Living God and His Son Jesus Christ. If we do not want God and Christ while on earth, why would the LORD intend to put a man into what he does not love for eternity? Therefore, the logical result would be a place that is full of torment - where you came from (the earth) you are now going because your sin is reckoned, below the earth to Hell.
So God puts us away from Himself to allow us to satisfy our own desires as exampled on earth, in hell.
Is there anything wrong with this reasoning? Granted it will be far worse than hell but if a man has no hope but to stay on earth for eternity, there is no hope in that. Therefore, those who love God and believe and obey His Son, are taken away from this earth and the rest are given up to WHAT THEY WANT here on earth - viz., the sins. I guess entirely, sinners are given up and hell, in essence, is the desire of earthly man because he would not have to be subject to God at all. Unrepentant and unbelieving man is sent to his desire - hell.
Thank you.