FOREVER?

Dinosaurs during early life on earth before God created Adam

PURPOSE: Helping Christians engage in intelligent conversations with doubters and unbelievers

Will people burn in hell FOREVER?

THIS IS

COMBINE INSIGHTS

Here's where we combine the five Insights to get an informed biblical answer

‍Fire burns forever, but not people

The verses in Insights 2, 3 and 4 show that, for people who reject God's forgiveness and offer of salvation for a life of unforgiven sin, there is a real hell but people are not tortured there forever.

This is affirmed in some of the best-known verses in the Bible:

'For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life' (Romans 6:23) – DEATH, not eternal life of torture.

‍'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not PERISH but have eternal life' (John 3:16) – PERISH not eternal life of torture.

Because the Bible teaches that justice is one of God's primary attributes, we can assume that after physical death, resurrection, and judgment, people who reject God's offer of salvation will eventually die (end of existence) in hell and that the degree and duration of punishment will be commensurate with personal sin as declared by God at the judgment.

Contrary to what most Christians have been taught through church tradition, but in accordance with what the Bible says, the duration could be very long, but not forever.

7 REASONS

for NOT BELIEVING that people burn in hell FOREVER

DEFINITION: The term 'people' as used here means all people alive now and all people who have ever lived. It means 'us,' today, and excludes people who will transgress in a future eschatological age.

✓ REASON 1. Jesus is full authority

Jesus said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' (Matthew 28:18). Jesus is full authority on truth. Not church, not tradition, not even Apostle John's dream. In seeking answer to the question of whether or not people will burn in hell forever, we need to give full authority to what Jesus said. To be true, statements from theologians must align with statements from Jesus.

✓ REASON 2. Dream is lesser authority

The verses people use to 'prove' that people will burn in hell forever are from the Apostle John's dream in the Book of Revelation. Recalling a vision has less authority than hearing a direct statement. John's vague dream must be subordinated to Jesus' clear statements. The dream verses (#17 to #21 in Insight 2) are the only verses in the Bible that might imply that hell is forever (though the verses don't say so). However, the common interpretation of the dream verses is contrary to Jesus' direct statements.

✓ REASON 3. Dream verses are not about us

Even though many parts of John's dream are difficult or impossible to interpret with clarity, it's clear that the people who will be burning in hell forever are NOT people alive now or people who have lived in the past. In #17 and #18 in Insight 3, John specifically identifies the people who, along with Satan and his demons, will burn FOREVER: the false prophet and those who worship the beast and its image. That's not us, but rather some people in a future age.

✓ REASON 4. Jesus did not say hell is forever

There is no verse anywhere in the Bible where Jesus says that hell is FOREVER for any person alive now or at any time in the past. This is so important that, if hell is FOREVER, Jesus certainly would have told us as part of his many statements about hell.

✓ REASON 5. Jesus gave clear examples

Jesus gave graphic examples (#23 to #32 in Insight 4) of what hell will be like: a tree thrown into the fire ... weeds thrown into the fire ... fish thrown into the fire, etc. And what happens to them in the fire? In Jesus' words: 'destroyed ... consumed ... burned up ... perish ... .'

✓ REASON 6. Fire burns forever, not people

Jesus said that in hell 'the fire never goes out.' But this is not the same as saying that people burn forever in the fire. Jesus says that the fire is forever, but people thrown into it are consumed and perish. After a time of punishment commensurate with their sin, people who reject God's offer of salvation will ultimately die in hell (the 'second death' discussed in #19 and #20 in Insight 3).

✓ REASON 7. God is just and merciful

Torturing people in hell forever is capricious and cruel beyond comprehension, not in character with the just and merciful God we meet in the New Testament. God now freely offers salvation through Jesus, but physical death seals the offer, either accepted or rejected. People who reject or ignore the offer will be punished justly in hell for their individual sins. Death (second death, final death) will be God's gift of mercy to people in hell. Eventually, for them, it's the end of existence. Those who accept God's offer will be totally forgiven – no hell and no final death – and will have eternal life in a new and exciting dimension beyond our imagination.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS

Thanks for your comments. Your thoughts are helpful to us. We are always learning.

You are anonymous, so no tracking, and we have no way to contact you.

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So far you make a lot of sense, I do believe in God.

I am eagerly awaiting more topics.

The problem with "science" today that too much of it is based on theory and not enough observation.

There are too many pastors and theologians who take the simplicity of God's Word and try to make it profound when they should be taking the profoundness of God's Word and making it simple.

Will this material be made available in print form for purchase?

Only when ignorance, in the name of science, tries to be wiser than what scripture say, is when Gods Word is twisted, unto their own destruction

I admit that I have some struggles with your interweaving of science and the Bible, but that will not stop me from reading and considering the material.

It's constructive that science keeps indefinitely improving with better observations and verifiable facts. Immutable good scriptures should simply keep itself relevant by subtle changes in its interpretation to complement and coexist with science. Good work!

These explanations make real sense.

This is such clarity I wish I could've given this argument earlier.

The reason the doctrine of original sin arose, was that Augustine couldn't read Greek and there was an inadequacy at certain points in the Latin translation, resulting in a misunderstanding.

This is fascinating! I stumbled across this site and have been questioning what I was taught. This is an answer to prayer!

You’re freaking idiots led by Satan! Change the Bible, go to hell! Hope you enjoy it!

Wrong all wrong

I have believed for many years what you have written here, but who among my friends and fellow-Christians will believe me? I stand alone. It took almost two hundred years before the church—or church members—believed that the earth was not the center of the universe. Will it take that long before Christians will believe that Adam and Eve were not the first humans created?

Thank you for your good work.

lov it

About time!

When are more topics coming?

Yes there were people before Adam, the cave Men and the ice Age.

I am looking forward to reading through the rest of the Thinkers website. Thanks for investing in this work. It’s so important! Especially in these times.

It's my first visit. Thanks for sharing.

Very informative. Keep up the good work. The world needs better understanding of God’s word.

Some scientists are open to intelligent design, the problem is some scientists think they are trying to bring church into the classroom.If some scientists find out that some believe in intelligent design they will lose funding.

By observing ruins etc firsthand, my personal opinion is that man existed before Adam. Adam was the first God breathed His Spirit into.

Your site is great for discussions and other questions about the bible. I hope that it continues.

I learned one key thing and that is to be very careful w/pastors speaking lots of stuff from their memory bank & not reading from the word of God to express truth. Recently, I heard a famous pastor out in Georgia saying that Adam was the 1st man and I automatically remembered how my friend asked then where did Cain's wife came from if it were only Adam & Eve plus their 2 sons, that provoked me to open up my bible and see for myself and went further to discover that Cain was even afraid that other people would kill him (key that other people existed).

Not bad, I'll have to check the Hebrew to double-triple check, for this kind of study the KJ is almost useless.

Just happened upon this site and wow! This is fabulous. I will be back. Thank you for putting this together and sharing it with us all. God bless you and your family.

Good points

This is utter nonsense in my opinion

Interesting and thought provoking.

I ran across your website this morning. At age 50, I lead a women's Bible Study in Florida. I am at a place where I am questioning so many things about what I have been taught - traditions handed down for generations. To continue teaching is becoming challenging. I have a daughter who is also a believer but wrestles aloud with questions concerning Adam and original sin, eternal hell with eternal suffering, etc. Honestly, I think her wrestling has led me to stop and think more. So now I am seeking…

Found this to be very helpful. Answered my questions.

Your are wrong

awesome info keep up this good work

This is a fantastic article , thank you

I now have Biblical support for my belief.

Very interesting, food for thought. I have often wondered about this and have had many questions Thanks

Yes

Great work! Keep up the war against the ignorant churchians, and supporting Christian enlightenment!

Very interesting. Verification of my own thoughts.

Does the bible really say humans will burn forever in hell or is it really more like thrown in the fire and destroyed? Ps I already know the answer!

Of course. If Adam and Eve were the only humans and had children, who did the children copulate with? If it was each other, then everyone would have mental defects. The Adam & Eve story is just the beginning of the Old Testament.

Excellent reading

Please let me know if it is available in a hardcover or paperback book.

Thank you for your wonderful website. I have linked to it from my own. I'm looking forward to your expanding list of subjects.

Interesting to read. Will research further.

This makes me better understand that you need to "dig deeper" in Bible study.

I recently discovered your bible studies website and I just want to thank you for your initiative in establishing this study resource.

Great Information. I've been teaching these studies for some time to hopefully help Christians have a true biblical world view and not just a churchy world view. Glad yall out there.

I wish to save this

Very good

This is heresy. I hope you repent and trust the Scriptures.

Humans were around a lot longer the 4000 bc. Thats not even as old as Sumer the first proven civilization. Evidence strongly supports that civilization may have existed long before Sumer.

No scripture to back up your words.

Very good and educational, explaining how it all connects and coincides with the Bible’s account.

I'm a pastor in NE Ohio. Good stuff!!

I stumbled on your website recently, and was impressed by the scope of it and the balance evident in it.

this page can go to hell the bible is the truth idiots science is what a man created not GOD!

Yes to have a intelligence conversation is of most importance.

Thank you for your studies. I find them fascinating. And I will read more of your articles.

I do not believe in a Supreme Being who created us in his image and likeness as quoted in the bible

praying Gods direction, provision, and anointing on this site and everyone, like me, blessed enough to have been led to it .

THANK YOU. You are helping me to understand so much more! I have always questioned, and for the first time, feel I am getting answers, or at least more of an insight to my own feelings and beliefs.

I am a Christian, and I have always been a “young earth” proponent. My son, also a Christian, is an “old earth” proponent, and we have debated this topic. After reading the content of this website thoroughly, I am willing to reconsider my position.

awesome info keep up this good work

Bwahahahahaha!!! Religion, please go away and die.

Just came across your website, want to commend you on believing the Bible can and should be read as the Truth. I have always believed that if I cannot make sense out of the scriptures, it is my deficiently not the Bibles. God Bless.

Really enjoyed

I am a person that right now I don't practice any religion whatsoever. Very interesting, thank you

I found this to be extremely informative. I'd always had doubts about the "original sin" and being punished for my ancestors sins, but this explained why "original sin" doesn't really exist in a way that resonated with me. Thank you. I will definitely check this site more often.

Not sure what to think of this bible study. If nothing else it compels you to really dig deep and think,read and pray for understanding which I think is a good thing.

Amazing! I have been studying this subject and drafting a book for about 5 years. I discovered your web site today. In those 5 years, I have come to many of the same concepts as you. Good job folks.

Fascinating to think about. Here is something also to absorb. Let Us make man in Our image. Who is Us? Why not let Me make man in my image. Sounds plural to me. Thank you for the compelling argument Adam is not the first man:)

You have answered so many questions for me! Thank you!

I like your site. Good to see others believe as I do.

Don't know, don't need to know. It'll all be revealed by & by.

Loved it. Been saying it for years but nobody listened.

Thank you for this.It helps me understand my youngest grandchild(age 31). Also this affirms my teaching as a science teacher and pastor.

Much of what you share are things that have been revealed to me by the Spirit of God. Finally your site is out and does not counter Biblical script and does not hinder the Christian witness. Thank God.

Since your website is new and still in the making, it leaves me excited yet hungry for more understanding. Thank you so much for putting your website together to help those of us asking questions about traditional lines of thinking. I look forward to reading more!

I'm preparing to teach my first Religious Instruction lesson for the year in a public Australian school tomorrow and we'll launch straight in to the creation story from the Bible. So thank you!! I feel confident now to answer any questions the kids might raise.

I am excited to have found this site when I was seeking the truth about Bible timelines. I have been forced to justify my beliefs by a pastor who has a very fundamental belief in God's seven days of creation.

I agree there had to have been other people before Adam. The sons had children, with whom? Certainly not with their own mother or the gene pool would have died out.

2nd law of thermodynamics disproves big bang & evolution.

FInally someone uses their brain instead of emotions to explain what I have thought and tried to say for sooo long. Thank you!

Thank you for a good read on this subject: the indisputable existence of humanoids and civilizations before Adam.

Thank you for this most interesting discussion of genealogy re: the timing of the first man as relates to both the Bible as well as archaeology!!!

This is a very interesting read and I'm going to be reading it again.

All present dating methods are based on assumptions that cannot be proven. The methods do not meet scientific requirements of being observable, repeatable, and testable. They can reliable determine chemical compositions, but they CANNOT reliably give age..

Scientists lie to us. They lie about the age of the earth.

Thanks for the analysis

Thank you so much for confirming what I had always thought!!! Our Father makes wonderous wonders!!!

I’m learning so much. Thank you.

Wish I could remember all this.

Pure sophistry for the purpose of setting aside the claims of God upon us.

Would like to keep you on my site for further study. You made me think.

Great information, it is worth further studies. Kept up the good work, all of us need to read and study the bible more including me. We need to remember Christ is the Only Way to eternal life.

I don't think I believe this

Close comments

Will people burn in hell FOREVER?

‍Fire burns forever, but not people

for NOT BELIEVING that people burn in hell FOREVER

Thinkers Bible Studies / Topic 3.4.1

HEAVEN AND HELL

Will people burn in hell FOREVER?

Why time in hell matters

What the Old Testament says

What the New Testament says

What Jesus said about burning in hell

Tradition vs. Bible

Here's where we combine five Insights to get an informed biblical answer: Will people burn in hell FOREVER?