Does Hell exist?

[Ian Gentles]

If it does, what is it?
OK old subject, but finding not an overwhelming Biblical evidence for hell!
Does God really send people to eternal torment, is this His way?
But then again, why did Jesus die to save us, save us from what?
OK i am still, i think, a modernist, and think hell, in whatever form exists. But would be happy if it didn't!
Any comments?

http://iangentles.livejournal.com

[Wilson L. Deaton]

But then again, why did Jesus die to save us, save us from what?

Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Wilson

[Ian Gentles]

Yes, "from their sins", ok kinda tongue in cheek here, but what does that mean?

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

Ian, your life the last few years, has been nothing, compared to what hell will be. You know that hell does exist. If it were nothing but your thoughts, regrets, and emotional problems, it would certainly be hell.

[Ian Gentles]

Oh Anne i agree trying to stimulate discussion. I most certaintly don't go with those who feel Hell is in our experiences on earth.

http://iangentles.livejournal.com

[Wilson L. Deaton]

... but what does that mean?

Right now, I happen to be reading a little book called, Mother Teresa: Her Essential Wisdom. I just read something she said that is relevant in this context: "When sin comes into our lives that is a personal obstacle between us and God."

With that concept in mind, we can say that Jesus came to save us from that which seperates us from God.

Wilson

[Ian Gentles]

Yes agree, hell is separation from God, but in what terms is it?

[Steve Walsh]

If it does, what is it?
OK old subject, but finding not an overwhelming Biblical evidence for hell!
... Any comments?

According to Wikipedia, Hell does exist. On its disambiguation page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_%28disambiguation%29), Hell is located in several places:
Hell, Michigan
Hell, Lanke, Norway
Hell, California, a place in Riverside County.
Hell, Grand Cayman, a place in the Cayman Islands

So now when people tell you to go there, it should be easy to find. According to wikipedia: "Hell, Michigan is an unincorporated community in Putnam Township of Livingston County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is near the border with Washtenaw County, about 20 miles northwest of Ann Arbor. The community is served by the Pinckney post office with ZIP Code 48169. The unofficial population is 266." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_Michigan) I am pleased that only 266 people live there. I also note that Hell has only frozen over once: "Because of Michigan's climate, people watch for Hell to "freeze over" every winter, a fact which provides amusement and yearly grist in various media. Hell residents, referred to as "Hellions", determine if Hell has frozen over by whether the water over the spillway of the dam between Screams Ice Cream and the Dam Site Inn had stopped flowing. This has happened only once in recorded history, on January 24, 2004."

For US left coasters, Hell is a locale located in Riverside County, California.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_California). I'm pleased to note that it was by-passed, abandoned and demolished - so no one goes there anymore. For many years Los Angeles weather reeaders would indicate that LA was "hotter than Hell."

For Hans and Ian, it might be more convenient to go to Hell in Norway. "Hell is a small village in Stjrdal, Norway with a population of 352. It has become a minor tourist attraction because of its name, since people like to take the train there to get photographed in front of the station sign. The name Hell stems from the Old Norse word hellir, which means "overhang", "cliff cave". The Norwegian word hell can also mean "luck". The Norwegian word for hell is helvete." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_Norway) I note there's only 352 people dwelling there. I'm sure Swedish people could have told you Hell was in Norway years ago.

I note also that there is no Hell in Australia. When you watch the following 30 second ad from the Australian Tourist Council, you know why:
http://www.wherethebloodyhellareyou.com/

[Genevieve Boller]

Yes agree, hell is separation from God, but in what terms is it?

Specifically - nobody truly knows (though that doesn't impede many from telling you exactly what hell is with their own absolute certainty)

Essentially - it doesn't really matter what terms. Distance from God is death. What creates that distance and what kind of death are pretty much trivial if you focus on the fact that God is the source of life, and any distance from him (in any form) causes you harm.

Hell, in whatever manifestation, is the sum of all that is harmful to you and me. If God is the source of life, and all truly good things, then to be distant from God is to experience
no laughter
no love
no peace
no hope
no joy
no passion
no satisfaction
no excitement
etc.

I am of the firm belief that Christ has saved us, and daily saves us, from a litany of evils that we're not even fully aware of.

[John Kennedy]

"For US left coasters, Hell is a locale located in Riverside County, California.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_California). I'm pleased to note that it was by-passed, abandoned and demolished - so no one goes there anymore. For many years Los Angeles weather reeaders would indicate that LA was "hotter than Hell."


It's interesting you cite Hell, CA. It was located west of Blythe, CA. East of Blythe there is a town in Arizona called Hope. When I moved to Blythe 40+ years ago for my first teaching job, the natives were fond of telling people, "Blythe is located between hope and hell - and they move it west in the summertime."

[Gary Swartzlander]

According to Wikipedia, Hell does exist. On its disambiguation page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_%28disambiguation%29), Hell is located in several places:
Hell, Michigan
Hell, Lanke, Norway
Hell, California, a place in Riverside County.
Hell, Grand Cayman, a place in the Cayman Islands

So now when people tell you to go there, it should be easy to find. According to wikipedia: "Hell, Michigan is an unincorporated community in Putnam Township of Livingston County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is near the border with Washtenaw County, about 20 miles northwest of Ann Arbor. The community is served by the Pinckney post office with ZIP Code 48169. The unofficial population is 266." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_Michigan) I am pleased that only 266 people live there. I also note that Hell has only frozen over once: "Because of Michigan's climate, people watch for Hell to "freeze over" every winter, a fact which provides amusement and yearly grist in various media. Hell residents, referred to as "Hellions", determine if Hell has frozen over by whether the water over the spillway of the dam between Screams Ice Cream and the Dam Site Inn had stopped flowing. This has happened only once in recorded history, on January 24, 2004."

For US left coasters, Hell is a locale located in Riverside County, California.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_California). I'm pleased to note that it was by-passed, abandoned and demolished - so no one goes there anymore. For many years Los Angeles weather reeaders would indicate that LA was "hotter than Hell."

For Hans and Ian, it might be more convenient to go to Hell in Norway. "Hell is a small village in Stjrdal, Norway with a population of 352. It has become a minor tourist attraction because of its name, since people like to take the train there to get photographed in front of the station sign. The name Hell stems from the Old Norse word hellir, which means "overhang", "cliff cave". The Norwegian word hell can also mean "luck". The Norwegian word for hell is helvete." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_Norway) I note there's only 352 people dwelling there. I'm sure Swedish people could have told you Hell was in Norway years ago.

I note also that there is no Hell in Australia. When you watch the following 30 second ad from the Australian Tourist Council, you know why:
http://www.wherethebloodyhellareyou.com/

I've driven through Hell, Michigan. Seems it was HOT that day.

[Steve Walsh]

I've driven through Hell, Michigan. Seems it was HOT that day.

Here's a google map link to show exactly where Hell, Michigan is:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.434722,-83.985&spn=0.1,0.1&q=42.434722,-83.985
I must say it looks rather pleasant, but I'm sure it would be different when Hell freezes over. I have attached a welcome sign

Here's Hell, California: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.690833,-115.272778&spn=0.3,0.3&q=33.690833,-115.272778 It looks more like the traditional locale for Hell. It would seem that I've driven through Hell when we drove Highway 10 in 1997 on the way from Anaheim, CA to San Antonio, TX for General Assembly.

Here's Hell, Norway: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.434722,-83.985&spn=0.1,0.1&q=42.434722,-83.985 It looks like it's starting to freeze over.

Finally, here's Hell in the Grand Cayman islands. I have attached photos welcoming you to hell and of the local post office.

[Terri Knoll]

and Hell does freeze over...most of Michigan does this time of year. I don't miss it. Hell or freezing weather lol

[Terri Knoll]

I know you are wanting discussion but I have none other than I am so in love with Jesus, that I want to be where He is. Not just when I die, but right now! And since I love Him that much and want others to experience that same love, I tell others about Him (sometimes it's salvific, sometimes not) and of course want them to know Him too. I shudder at the thought of someone NOT ever knowing the love of God, even worse being separated from that Love for eternity.
I never tell people they are going to hell or even that they have to be "saved". I tell them how much I am in love with Jesus and how much I want them to experience the love and life of that Love. Usually tho, when people see how happy and free you are they take notice and want that too. No one wants to go to hell, even if they don't know what that means specifically. They DO know they want Love. We have to be the ones to show them where that Love comes from.

love ya geeze :basic05

[Steve Walsh]

and Hell does freeze over...most of Michigan does this time of year. I don't miss it. Hell or freezing weather lol

While Jesus taught that there would be no marrying in heaven (Matthew 22:30, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”) (see Bible Study on Marriage in Heaven: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Bible-Studies-1654/marriage-heaven.htm), apparently you can get married in Hell (www.hell2u.com/wedding_chapel.htm). It only costs $66 to rent the chapel. The website reminds us: "Remember, a marriage that starts in Hell has nowhere to go but up!"

[Steve Walsh]

and Hell does freeze over...most of Michigan does this time of year. I don't miss it. Hell or freezing weather lol

Then you can use this sticker:

[Terri Knoll]

foflol too funny

thanx for the tickle

[Gina Stevenson]

John, are you still in Blythe (before I mention that it seemed a bit odd when giong through-stopping there a few times traveling between CA and AZ). :basic05

"For US left coasters, Hell is a locale located in Riverside County,

California.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_California). I'm pleased to note that it was by-passed, abandoned and demolished - so no one goes there anymore. For many years Los Angeles weather reeaders would indicate that LA was "hotter than Hell."


It's interesting you cite Hell, CA. It was located west of Blythe, CA. East of Blythe there is a town in Arizona called Hope. When I moved to Blythe 40+ years ago for my first teaching job, the natives were fond of telling people, "Blythe is located between hope and hell - and they move it west in the summertime."

and Hell does freeze over...most of Michigan does this time of year. I don't miss it. Hell or freezing weather lol

[Mike Wooldridge]

"For US left coasters, Hell is a locale located in Riverside County, California.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%2C_California). I'm pleased to note that it was by-passed, abandoned and demolished - so no one goes there anymore. For many years Los Angeles weather reeaders would indicate that LA was "hotter than Hell."


It's interesting you cite Hell, CA. It was located west of Blythe, CA. East of Blythe there is a town in Arizona called Hope. When I moved to Blythe 40+ years ago for my first teaching job, the natives were fond of telling people, "Blythe is located between hope and hell - and they move it west in the summertime."

There's no Hell in Texas although we do have the Hotter 'N Hell 100 (http://www.hh100.org/) bicycle race. There is Eden (http://www.edentexas.com/page.php?kei=7), Paradise (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise,_Texas) and Utopia (http://www.utopiatexas.com/). :q)

[Jill Mickelson]

I have been reading The New Living Translation Bible. It seems like Hell just jumps off the pages in this translation! Seems like Hell was sort of hidden in other translations.

The Lord has led me to learn about Heaven and Hell from the Bible. It's not a new topic to me at all! One day Chuck Swindoll taught about Heaven on the radio. I learned a lot that day from Chuck Swindoll. I even copied notes while driving down the highway. I just HAD to get this information.

Then I started sharing what I had been learning from Chuck Swindoll. People began telling me their near death experiences. WOW! I sure didn't expect that to happen. But I shouldn't have been surprised because early in my walk with the Lord, He brought a book into my life about a lady who went to Heaven, came back and shared what she learned. Also a man shared with me about his near death experience. None of what I was hearing was contrary to Scripture. Also in my early walk with Jesus, a TV program came on. It was about people who died and went to Hell. They were part of a recovery group, who were struggling with what they experienced. As I listened to their stories, I began to wonder if I was saved. I was feeling extremely anxious. It was a horrible thing to hear.

Since then, I have read 90 minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. Also I heard the testimony "23 minutes in Hell". You can listen to his testimony on the Internet. Since hearing his testimony (and others) when I come across Scripture about Hell, it has become more and more real to me.

YES! I do believe there is a Hell. After these experiences, I am often praying for loved ones to get saved. I walk in stores and pray that people will get saved so they won't have to live in Hell forever and ever.

[Ian Gentles]

Reading McLarens "The Last Word and the word after that" a book that certainly questions our understanding of Hell. Have any others read it, would welcome your thoughts on what he says!


http://iangentles.livejournal.com

[Hans Deventer]

Reading McLarens "The Last Word and the word after that" a book that certainly questions our understanding of Hell. Have any others read it, would welcome your thoughts on what he says!


Yes I've read it. I agree with his statement about the purpose of why Jesus used the image of hell. I myself still believe that hell exists, but I think it is most closely related to Jesus' main word for it: gehenna, Jerusalem's ever burning garbage dump, a place of destruction.