Has Hell Disappeared? - Page 8

Mr. Smith · #1 09-20-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAII

Someone on FB remarked ... that thousands ... including himself ... came to Christ through the "threat of hell"

And maybe he did. But I think that particular person's view of God would be very interesting to say the least. "Interesting" as in, nothing like the way we see the God of John 3:16.

Truthseeker · #2 09-21-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAII

Someone on FB remarked ... that thousands ... including himself ... came to Christ through the "threat of hell"

Some even came through prophecy teaching even though false. Amazing.

DAII · #3 09-20-2010, 08:26 PM

Adam Clarke's commentary on this passage ... including his quoting of the Syriac and Wesley's notes:

Quote:

Verse 22. And of some have compassion, making a difference] The general meaning of this exhortation is supposed to be, "Ye are not to deal alike with all those who have been seduced by false teachers; ye are to make a difference between those who have been led away by weakness and imprudence, and those who, in the pride and arrogance of their hearts, and their unwillingness to submit to wholesome discipline, have separated themselves from the Church, and become its inveterate enemies." Instead of kai ouv men eleeite diakrinomenoi, and of some have compassion, making a difference, many MSS., versions, and fathers have kai ouv men elegcete diakrinomenouv, and some rebuke, after having judged them; or, rebuke those that differ; or, some that are wavering convince; or whatever else the reader pleases: for this and the following verse are all confusion, both in the MSS. and versions; and it is extremely difficult to know what was the original text. Our own is as likely as any.

Verse 23. And others save with fear] "Some of them snatch from the fire: but when they repent, have mercy upon them in fear." - Syriac. "And some of them rebuke for their sins; and on others have mercy when they are convicted; and others save from the fire and deliver them." - Erpen's Arabic.

Mr. Wesley's note has probably hit the sense. "Meantime watch over others as well as yourselves; and give them such help as their various needs require. For instance,

1. Some that are wavering in judgment, staggered by others' or by their own evil reasoning, endeavour more deeply to convince of the truth as it is in Jesus.
2. Some snatch with a swift and strong hand out of the fire of sin and temptation.
3. On others show compassion, in a milder and gentler way; though still with a jealous fear, lest you yourselves be infected with the disease you endeavour to cure. See therefore that, while ye love the sinners, ye retain the utmost abhorrence of their sins, and of any, the least degree of or approach to them." Having even the garment spotted by the flesh.] Fleeing from all appearance of evil. Dictum sumptum, ut apparet, a mulieribus sanguine menstruo pollutis, quarum vestes etiam pollutae censebantur: or there may be an allusion to a case of leprosy, for that infected the garments of the afflicted person, and these garments were capable of conveying the contagion to others.

Verse 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling] Who alone can preserve you from the contagion of sin, and preserve you from falling into any kind of error that might be prejudicial to the interests of your souls; and thus to present you faultless, or, as many others read, aspilouv, without spot, alluding to the spotted garment mentioned above.

Before the presence of his glory] Where nothing can stand that does not resemble himself, with exceeding great joy, in finding yourselves eternally out of the reach of the possibility of falling, and for having now arrived at an eternity of happiness.

Cindy · #4 09-20-2010, 08:28 PM

Fear does not draw anyone to God. Love, however does.

DAII · #5 09-20-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

Fear does not draw anyone to God. Love, however does.

The father of Lies and Fear was cast out by the ultimate example of Love ... God's Son ...at the Cross ...

Quote:

30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

Jesus draws men unto Himself.

Praxeas · #6 09-20-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

Fear does not draw anyone to God. Love, however does.

Fear makes some people look at their lives and realize they need a savior. Love draws them to God

Cindy · #7 09-20-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Fear makes some people look at their lives and realize they need a savior. Love draws them to God

It does for some, Prax. But God's message is I love YOU so much, I sent MY son to die for YOUR sins. Out of His great love, He draws us to Him. That does not mean however, that we can sin without consequences. I don't think Hell as most believe it to be, was made to scare people to God. Fear is torment in and of itself. You can't live for God and live in that kind of fear.

Michael The Disciple · #8 09-20-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

It does for some, Prax. But God's message is I love YOU so much, I sent MY son to die for YOUR sins. Out of His great love, He draws us to Him. That does not mean however, that we can sin without consequences. I don't think Hell as most believe it to be, was made to scare people to God. Fear is torment in and of itself. You can't live for God and live in that kind of fear.

So wrong. Scripture speaks a lot about the fear of God. Most always in the sense of fright and alarm.

Mr. Smith · #9 09-20-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

So wrong. Scripture speaks a lot about the fear of God. Most always in the sense of fright and alarm.

....which almost always is speaking of "Respect". Surely you're aware of that.

geekette · #10 09-20-2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

So wrong. Scripture speaks a lot about the fear of God. Most always in the sense of fright and alarm.

Again, preachers assume that everyone before them is in reasonably good mental health. However: You don't tell a person who has chronic depression with recurrent major depressive episodes about the fear of God over and over and over. It will send that person over the edge.

I know this from personal experience.