What is the purpose of Hell?

[*AQuietPlace*]

What is God's purpose in punishing them for a long time? About one second in a burning fire is pretty much enough for anybody.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Hell is Religions revenge upon those who disagree. It is, and has been used to strike fear into the hearts of the rebellious, or those who backslide or reject our Doctrine.

If Hell, or Eternal torment in flame for the wicked, is in fact real, the Old Testament would have warned man about this place since the beginning.

Why does Hell suddenly appear in the New Testament?? Because MAN got his little sticky fingers upon the PEN, knowing the ignorance of the common people and their slant towards superstition.

Hell gives Religions Hierarchy power. It keeps people in fear. It causes Mankind to perceive the Creator as ruthless, heartless, and unable to stop treachery.

Remember, Hell is in other Faiths besides Christianity. This place where none of us has ever been (we talk like we've been there), contradicts a God who has mercy and compassion upon people who don't stand a chance or struggle to understand.

My question to others about this place is; If 99+% of people on Planet Earth (Apostolics believe, only those Born Again will make it) are going to burn for Eternity, don't you think God would have put a stop to this mess?? Why would God allow us to populate millineum after millineum, so He can then hurl almost every human being ever born into this unfothamable torture??

This makes no sense....

Truly this post is that of one who abhors the New Testament we have been given. Apart from it we are left to merely speculate the things of Elohim. One should be so glad we do have it that we may know the way to life. First off the doctrine of the punishment of the wicked is most certainly found in the OT.

1: For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3: And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 4:1-3

This is indeed the same judgment that John the Baptist, then Yeshua, then the apostles preached about.

10: And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matt. 3:10 John Baptist

28: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in gehenna. Matt. 10:28 Yeshua Messiah

This punishment is eternal only in that once the souls of the wicked die thats it. They are dead for all of it.

Some must think YHWH approves of sin against his will. He warns very clearly all throgh his word the soul that sinneth it shall die. Ezekiel 18:4

[easter]

If Hell was not a real place(IF MAN MADE UP THE EXSITENCES OF HELL)
or if souls burn up and die away then what was the reason Jesus died on the cross?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

What is God's purpose in punishing them for a long time? About one second in a burning fire is pretty much enough for anybody.

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.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by easter

If Hell was not a real place(IF MAN MADE UP THE EXSITENCES OF HELL)
or if souls burn up and die away then what was the reason Jesus died on the cross?

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.

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I’ve yet to hear a logical answer concerning the purpose of Hell. Coming from the perspective of eternal torment, what purpose does eternal torment in Hell serve? After billions, and billions, and billions, and billions of untold billions of eons… what will be accomplished with the majority of souls who have ever lived continuing to cry, scream, plead, and slash in agony?

Or could even Hell perhaps serve another purpose in God’s ultimate plan for all creation?

Hell is a Platonic Mythological Story devised to frighten women and children into christian submission.

If I was allowed to transliterate the scriptures from Hebrew to Greel I could have made it alot scarier!

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Judaism teaches a Hell of refinement and eternal correction (punishment) for the wicked. They don't burn or suffer forever, it is believed that they will be purified.

I find it interesting that when Jesus died he decended into Hell and preached to the spirits in prison who were sometimes disobedient from the time of Noah. Here he took captivity captive and set them free. This would indicate that at least for these souls there was a second chance after death. If God is no respector of persons... could a soul conceivably repent and be set free after being sufficiently punished?

Bro. Chris, can you give me a brief explanation of how each posistion explains 1 Peter 3 (Jesus preaching to souls in prison)?

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by easter

If Hell was not a real place(IF MAN MADE UP THE EXSITENCES OF HELL)
or if souls burn up and die away then what was the reason Jesus died on the cross?

To be the SACRIFICIAL LAMB.

To save SOULS (NEPHESH/LIVES). To save your SOUL (LIFE).

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

the same as the purpose of prison

Prison is for those that are alive in spiritul prison chained in their own bonds of sin.

[DerechHashem]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

The purpose of the lake of fire is to destroy the souls of the wicked.

28: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. 10:28

This clears the Earth of evil making possible the complete victory of Christ over sin and its effects. In the ages that follow mankind will live in peace and love with Yeshua and the saints reigning and judging the nations.

Sweet and to the point!