What is Hell?
Friday, March 05 2004 @ 07:11 PM PST
This is one of the most important questions anyone can ask. How we understand the final judgment inevitably leads us to worship God out of love or out of fear. The majority of the Christian world believes that God has stated “You either love Me, or I’ll torture you in sulfurous flames for all eternity!”
There is no doubt that The Bible plainly states that the wicked are destroyed by fire. Before we jump to conclusions, let’s first identify what this fire is:
"The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel." (Exodus 24:17) "I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:9,10) |
Our God is hot stuff! His glory is portrayed as fire, and throughout The Bible, the prophets who see visions of God almost always describe Him with the appearance of fire. Is it possible that when God comes back, the fire that consumes the wicked is actually God Himself? Where did Lucifer live before he rebelled against God?
"You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones." (Ezekiel 28:14-16) |
Lucifer lived in the very presence of God. Ezekiel describes him as walking in the midst of the fiery stones. When we meet God face-to-face, we will be in the very presence of fire. His love and kindness is such goodness, it’s an actual energy source! Look at what happened to Moses when he had the opportunity to witness God’s glory. Read Exodus 33:18-23, and notice how God states that no man can see His glory and live. God puts Moses behind a rock, and passes by with all His goodness. What was the result? Read Exodus 34:29-35 and notice how Moses’ face reflected the glory of God. The real question is why were the people afraid? Does this give us insight into how the wicked are destroyed in the end? Is it possible that being afraid of God, and not trusting Him does something to us that inhibits us from living in the very presence of God?
"The sinners in Zion are afraid; Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:" (Isaiah 33:14,15) |
Look closely at this last passage. Sinners are afraid. They are afraid of God. They don’t know Him, and because they don’t know Him, they don’t trust Him. The question is asked, “Who is going to live in the eternal fire?” According to traditional Christianity, the place reserved for sinners is Hell, but Isaiah makes it quite clear who lives in the eternal flames! It’s the righteous! Those that trust God, and love His character will dwell in the everlasting burnings. Is it possible that hell and heaven are the same place depending on who you are? If you are afraid of God, and don’t know Him, His very presence will consume you. But this same fire, which is destruction to the wicked, is life giving to God’s friends. We should hope the fire never goes out since we are going to live in it!
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