Alternative Views of Hell

[Guest]

Will God's will be done?

2 Pet 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Todd

God's will will be done. He is not slack toward us (believers). He's waiting until we have all come to belief so that we may have our "rest" in our Lord and Savior.

To whom is the "us-ward" in that passage referring? In order to answer that, you need to recall basic English grammar and look further up in the text.

1 Tim 2:3-4
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

This is a similar passage and makes it clear that it is God's desire that ALL mankind be saved. So I ask again. Will God's will be done?

Todd

[Guest]

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son TO BE THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD." 1 John 4.14
Do you know of a verse anywhere in the Bible that says Jesus will FAIL at being THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.

"the works which the Father hath given ME TO FINISH the same works that I DO ,bear witness of ME." John 5.36

"ALL POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matt 28.18

"Be of good cheer , i have OVERCOME THE WORLD." John 16.33

"WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN to be saved." 1 Tim 2.4

[Guest]

Heb 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Every man?

Todd

[Guest]

Will God's will be done?

2 Pet 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Todd

God's will will be done. He is not slack toward us (believers). He's waiting until we have all come to belief so that we may have our "rest" in our Lord and Savior.

To whom is the "us-ward" in that passage referring? In order to answer that, you need to recall basic English grammar and look further up in the text.

1 Tim 2:3-4
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

This is a similar passage and makes it clear that it is God's desire that ALL mankind be saved. So I ask again. Will God's will be done?

Todd

Again, the verses before 3-4 are the lead-in to them. "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

What is it that God considers good? Praying for kings and all in high positions, so that we can lead peaceful lives.

Do you think that God wills that all people, individually, will be saved? All will come to the knowledge of the truth, maybe not in this life. I do not see anywhere in the bible that says ppl will be released from hell, or that hell is some kind of correctional facility.

How do universalists preach the gospel?

[Guest]

Err...I'm not a member of a church. I usually study with group of four people, not all of which get together every week.

Damon

That's interesting, Damon. Why are you not a member of a church, or why do you not regularly attend a church?

[Guest]

What about the rest of the posters? Do you attend a church regularly? Why or why not?

[Guest]

What about the rest of the posters? Do you attend a church regularly? Why or why not?

I have not heard hell taught in my church at all. Most churches I think these days avoid the subject and stay on the positive side of the equation.

Todd

[Guest]

Rom 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Isn't it possible that it is all just as simple as this? Those who die in Christ go to be with Christ while those who do not die and perish. This state lasts until the resurrection when corruption will put on incorruption for all.

Paul says that the wages of sin is death - not eternal torment. John 3:16 says that unbelievers will perish - not be punished forever.

1 Cor 15:25-26
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Christ will reign until all enemies are in subjection. Is an unrepentent heart an enemy to Christ? Is a rebellious spirit an enemy to Christ? The answer is yes. So Christ's reign will continue until all will come to him in faith. Then death will be destroyed and all will be made alive in Christ.

1 Cor 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

The same "all" that died in Adam will be made alive in Christ.

Todd

[Guest]

What about the rest of the posters? Do you attend a church regularly? Why or why not?

I have not heard hell taught in my church at all. Most churches I think these days avoid the subject and stay on the positive side of the equation.

Todd

That is an unfortunate thing these days. Prolly why so much indecision and unsuredness of hell abounds.

Tell me, what is the "positive side of the equation"? They're afraid of scaring ppl away? Is that what that means? If so, then why do they choose to ignore the elephant in the room? Most Americans have heard of hell and know it to be a Christian doctrine. I have had unbelievers tell me they would like to hear a sermon on hell to understand what is the traditional teaching on hell.

Kinda sad that pastors won't address the topic that unbelievers want to know more of because they're afraid of offending someone. Very PC and culturally correct of them. Jesus talked about hell......

I'm not pointing fingers at your pastor in particular, FofF. Just a sad state of affairs in modern Christendom. Maybe you should ask your pastor what is the church's stance on hell just for information's sake.

To anybody out there, how does a universalist present the gospel? I am very curious since universalism is at its core about salvation is it not?

[Guest]

Will God's will be done?

2 Pet 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Todd

God's will will be done. He is not slack toward us (believers). He's waiting until we have all come to belief so that we may have our "rest" in our Lord and Savior.

To whom is the "us-ward" in that passage referring? In order to answer that, you need to recall basic English grammar and look further up in the text.

1 Tim 2:3-4
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

This is a similar passage and makes it clear that it is God's desire that ALL mankind be saved. So I ask again. Will God's will be done?

Todd

Actually, Todd, I already answer your question. Yes, God's will is done.

Now, if you'd answer mine about who the us-ward is referring to? A pronoun must refer to a noun. Look up further in Timothy.