What is the purpose of Hell?

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by Aquila

We don't know that. It's important to note that while the conscious mind may be willing to conform, actually eradicating the rebellious nature in a soul may take some time.

I think it's important to note that the lake of fire is also called, "the lake of fire and brimstone." What is "brimstone"? Strong's defines it as...

2303 // yeion // theion // thi'-on //

probably of 2304 (in its original sense of flashing); TDNT - 3:122,*; n n

AV - brimstone 7; 7

1) brimstone
1a) divine incense, because burning brimstone was regarded as having
power to purify, and to ward off disease

Perhaps the soul's purification takes longer than it does to convince the conscious mind to repent.

Universalism?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by DerechHashem

Sounds a little worse the way you put it, but yes heaven will be heaven even with the destruction of the wicked.

How could you rejoice knowing that God was unable, or unwilling, to redeem the vast majority of mankind... including many that you love?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by DerechHashem

Universalism?

Yup.

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I believe the Bible tells us why Jesus died on the cross....

John 12:32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth (be crucified), will draw all men unto me.

I Timothy 2: 1-6. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Colossians 1: 16 and 20. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

I John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Christ died to save the entire world from being separated from God for ever and ever.

For those who do not refuse him.

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by Aquila

This text has always been problematic to me. Here it is in the ESV...

I Peter 3:18-20 (ESV)
18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

Here's another interesting text...

I Peter 4:6 (ESV)
6For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

I Peter 3:18-20:

Spiritually dead, in bondage to sin, not the physically dead.

The gospel was preached during the time of Noah but the spiritually dead did not listen, they died.

I Peter 4:6:

Again, Spiritually dead, in bondage to sin, not the physically dead.

1Peter 4:1-5 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of Unregistered: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Ephesians 2:3-5 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

Titus 3:3-7 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Revelation 4:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by DerechHashem

For those who do not refuse him.

At the end of it all... none refuse him.

Philippians 2: 10-11. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 22:27. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Colossians 1: 16 and 20. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Acts 3: 20 and 21 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

I John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

John 12:47. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world

John 4:42. Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Hebrews 7:25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

First Corinthians 15: 22 and 26. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Romans 11:32 and 36. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen

Psalms 90: 3. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

Lamentations 3: 31-32. For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

Isaiah 2: 2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Psalms 86: 9. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Derek... do you believe that those who are vaporized by God will exist in a state of death forever?

Yup.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by DerechHashem

I Peter 3:18-20:

Spiritually dead, in bondage to sin, not the physically dead.

The gospel was preached during the time of Noah but the spiritually dead did not listen, they died.

Two problems with this interpretation,

First, the Gospel wasn't preached in the time of Noah... the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and is appropriated among the living through repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Noah didn't teach this message.

Second, it states that "he" (Jesus) did the preaching... not Noah.

The truth is that Jesus preached the Gospel to disobedient souls during his three days in Hell.

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by easter

Not to dispute you any but in 1 Peter I was taught and believe that the spirits that Jesus went and preached to were the old testament saints.Now before the blood of the lamb the Jewish people made atonement for sins by the sacrifice of an animal.Before Jesus the saints(who died) were seperated from God.They went down in the heart of the earth.Jesus paid the price in full and went into the heart of the earth and preached the gospel(God's Word) and released them.Jesus now holds those keys.This place in 1 Peter is not the same place where eternal punishment will be exacted.

Grace was very much alive in the OT!

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by DerechHashem

Yup.

Ah, but it is written,

I Corinthians 15: 22 and 26. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

If a single solitary soul remains in a state of death, death is very much still existing. The only way for death to be destroyed is for the very state of death to be vanquished. This implies that all are eventually brought into a state of life. Hence the clear statement, "...in Christ shall all be made alive."

Your proposal would have death everlasting, and in fact the vast majority of human beings who have ever lived held forever in the cold clutches of death's bone riddled hands.