The fear of God is not about intelligence, just good common sense, otherwise you might think only the wise could understand they 'need' to be saved. I'm sure your only speaking of the 'length' of damnation and not the possibility of getting out of hell. It seems God thought His word could be understood by anyone with ears to hear. I don’t think God planned to leave us ‘all’ in the dark concerning how and who would inherit eternal life: behold He stands at the door, the doors were locked, and outside in the outer darkness there was weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 22:13). How 'long' they will be gnashing teeth would be the question, but as to whether those outside get back in the Bible leaves no alternative (apologies to 7150).Thanks for sharing, Brother. My conclusion is tentative. I believe that the traditional view has the least exegetical support of all the options. Which of the alternatives may prove true will be known when the Lord comes (or sooner, perhaps, by people more intelligent than myself) (Steve).
I don’t know what you mean by 'tentative' because your statement sounds like your mind is made up;
Not and never sound rather like you have made your mind up over what you believe. I really don’t know how you could make such a statement; it wasn’t the Buddha, Confucius or Krishna who spoke of Gehenna. The word Gehenna is in red letters a number of times in my Bible.“Probably because hell was not on their minds, and He never had the need to address it…” (Steve)
Yes, but salvation from what?? (Please - Steve, not Paidion) You know as well as I, Gehenna, death, punishment and destruction have been spoken of by ‘all’ the biblical prophets, and was well on the mind of those familiar with the pre-NT apocryphal books, Qumran sects and the like. True: death, judgment, the pit and destruction were not ‘news’ to those living in Palestine, or anyone who had ever even heard of Yahweh. The news was that there was hope and that a Savior was born. It was, and still is a message of salvation from damnation.… His message, like that of His apostles later, was a message of salvation, not of damnation (Steve)
This isn’t the first summary of salvation although, repent has been consistent with the promise of life (as well as death) and the promise of a Messiah has been consistent throughout also, yet there was always a condition, now the condition is to ‘believe’ in his Son.“The first summary of Jesus' teaching in scripture has Him saying, "Repent, and believe the good tidings!"
The message was given to all, but who has believed our message? Did all believe? (Romans)"good tidings of great joy that will be to all people"
Are you saying it is not necessary to be a Christian? I know God ‘may’ be charitable to some, but your tentative heart knowledge of scripture knows that this is walking on thin ice no matter what side of death your standing. I too have loved ones to who don't believe, but it is their decision, and their will, and it is God who said "unless you repent, you too will 'all' perish" (Luke 13:3), but I'm sure your book is unbiased and brings this up.*Some, I know, think this should be modified to read, "good tidings of great joy which will be to all people—except for those who have loved ones or know anyone who is not a Christian—for them, the news is actually pretty bad!" (Steve)