Has anyone ever asked you how can a loving God send good people to hell to burn forever? I've been asked that question and back then all I could say was that they sent themselves for not obeying him. The non-believer would never accept that answer because it doesn't make sense. Honestly speaking, it didn't make sense to me either. How can he punish us eternally as people who are non-eternal. We are flesh and blood and eventually we die. You don't have to be a scientist to see that the punishment doesn't fit the crime.
What then is hell? Let's take a look at the first time it is mentioned in the Bible. Deuteronomy 32:22 "For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains." When we look up the translation it is from the hebrew word sheol which means hole in the ground or Strong's Concordance number H7585. According to the Law of First Mention we must then use that definition for that word the rest of the way unless there is obviously a different intent from the author.
Let's take a look at a few verses that mention hell.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works
Here we see hell mentioned with the word death.
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Here is our Messiah Yeshua speaking of the future but notice he mentions hell together with death.
Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Here is one where fire is mentioned but notice the word carcases. The only way someone can be a carcass is by being dead.
Mat 10:28 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.
Here Yeshua is warning us to not fear man because man cannot destroy our souls in hell.
What about the lake of fire and brimstone?
Rev. 19:20-21 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Well you can see it mentioned here but the only ones being thrown in there alive are the Beast and the False Prophet. The rest are SLAIN with the sword.
Why have we been taught that there is a hell where sinners burn for eternity? Maybe it's a way to control the masses. I don't know to be honest but I do know that biblically speaking that there is no such thing as eternal torment for the sinner. What kind of God let's good people burn in hell forever? Not mine. His name is YHWH and he is loving and just. It is because he is just that sinners won't enjoy everlasting life but at least they won't burn forever.
