Many years ago I began to examine my doctrinal positions. In doing so I had to face squarely a question that I had avoided - Is it really God’s WILL to separate Himself from unbelievers, keeping them alive eternally to punish and torment them in hell?
When the people of Israel begin to burn their children in the fire as an offering to Baal Jeremiah was told by God...
"They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal - something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind." (Jeremiah 19:5)
When the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to punish those who had refused to worship him, he had them thrown into a furnace of fire...
“But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” (Daniel 3:6)
When two of the disciples of Jesus wanted to reign down fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans Jesus told them…
"You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56)
I am now certain that the doctrine of eternal conscience torment is not of God - it is a false teaching.
"They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal - something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind." (Jeremiah 19:5)
When the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to punish those who had refused to worship him, he had them thrown into a furnace of fire...
“But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” (Daniel 3:6)
When two of the disciples of Jesus wanted to reign down fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans Jesus told them…
"You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56)
I am now certain that the doctrine of eternal conscience torment is not of God - it is a false teaching.
Paul told Timothy...
"...instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths..." (1 Timothy 1:3-4)
This is a quote from one of the Saints of the Catholic church from the middle ages...
"The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them." - Saint Thomas Aquinas
And the following is a quote from two sermons of Jonathan Edwards, a Protestant preacher whose sermons are still delivered by misguided Christians in our modern era.
“The sight of hell's torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. . .Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell. . . I tell you, yea!"
"...instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths..." (1 Timothy 1:3-4)
This is a quote from one of the Saints of the Catholic church from the middle ages...
"The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them." - Saint Thomas Aquinas
And the following is a quote from two sermons of Jonathan Edwards, a Protestant preacher whose sermons are still delivered by misguided Christians in our modern era.
“The sight of hell's torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. . .Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell. . . I tell you, yea!"
We are warned by Paul to avoid such insane teachers...
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
The Apostle Paul told Timothy what to teach…
"...this is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…" (1 Timothy 1:15)
"God our Savior wills all humans to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who have Himself a ransom for ALL..." (1 Timothy 2:3-6)
"...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and TEACH these things.” (1 Timothy 4:10)
Paul warned Timothy two thousand years ago that...
The plan of God is to reconcile all to Himself through the blood of His Son Jesus. It is the demonstration of His love, grace and mercy.
"God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone." (Romans 11:320
“...through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20)
"...that God may be All in All.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)
Every teacher will give account to God of what they taught about Him, and their false teaching will fuel the fire.
"For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)