The final fate of the righteous and the unrighteous

[unc4corners]

I don't mean to sound like a "know it all" and don't take me wrong but a couple of you really need to study the Bible and it's word.  Your theology is completely wrong concerning this according to what I've read.  I'd you can back up what you are saying then ok but there is no where in the Bible that supports your thinking on this.
I'm saying this because if you think you are a Christian yet believe this you could be in a huge shock one day when it's to late.

It's entirely possible, even probable, that your interpretation of the Bible is like completely jacked.

There's no interpretation on some things in the Bible. Being saved and entering into Heaven is one of those things.  Only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.  
I've asked those who say different to provide scripture and none have.

[Blinky]

Don'cha just hate it when people refuse to reply to your inquiry?

[Alabuckeye]

I don't mean to sound like a "know it all" and don't take me wrong but a couple of you really need to study the Bible and it's word.  Your theology is completely wrong concerning this according to what I've read.  I'd you can back up what you are saying then ok but there is no where in the Bible that supports your thinking on this.
I'm saying this because if you think you are a Christian yet believe this you could be in a huge shock one day when it's to late.

It's entirely possible, even probable, that your interpretation of the Bible is like completely jacked.

There's no interpretation on some things in the Bible. Being saved and entering into Heaven is one of those things.  Only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.  
I've asked those who say different to provide scripture and none have.

You are right UNC.....

[Blinky]

ECHO... Echo... echo...

[K9Buck]

I've seen innumerable near-death testimonies from atheists and non-Christians who say they met Jesus and that he was accepting and loving of them. I believe them.

What many Christians believe is that, when a non-believer dies, Jesus tells them "Nope. Too late. Off to Hell for you!"

I don't believe that Jesus operates that way. It's not logical. It's not loving. In fact, it's pointless.

Faith is a blessing that believers are fortunate to have. Some, like 3rd, might like to believe in a loving God and a heavenly here-after, but believe it's simply too good to be true. Many Christians believe 3rd and those like him will go to Hell. I do not.

The bible speaks of all sorts of people being condemned, but that doesn't mean that Jesus doesn't show mercy and grant them a pardon in the hereafter. You demand scriptural evidence that this is so, but you cannot provide scriptural evidence that it isn't so.

[K9Buck]

I don't mean to sound like a "know it all" and don't take me wrong but a couple of you really need to study the Bible and it's word.  Your theology is completely wrong concerning this according to what I've read.  I'd you can back up what you are saying then ok but there is no where in the Bible that supports your thinking on this.
I'm saying this because if you think you are a Christian yet believe this you could be in a huge shock one day when it's to late.

It's entirely possible, even probable, that your interpretation of the Bible is like completely jacked.

Only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.  

I don't dispute that.  I also believe that, when we die, we are judged.  Your belief is that, unless one comes to Christ in life, there is no chance for them thereafter.  No matter what, they are condemned to Hell.  I think that is an extreme belief and that there is no scriptural evidence to back up that belief.

[Beastdog]

I've seen innumerable near-death testimonies from atheists and non-Christians who say they met Jesus and that he was accepting and loving of them.  I believe them. 

What many Christians believe is that, when a non-believer dies, Jesus tells them "Nope.  Too late.  Off to Hell for you!" 

I don't believe that Jesus operates that way.  It's not logical.  It's not loving.  In fact, it's pointless. 

Faith is a blessing that believers are fortunate to have.  Some, like 3rd, might like to believe in a loving God and a heavenly here-after, but believe it's simply too good to be true.  Many Christians believe 3rd and those like him will go to Hell.  I do not. 

The bible speaks of all sorts of people being condemned, but that doesn't mean that Jesus doesn't show mercy and grant them a pardon in the hereafter.  You demand scriptural evidence that this is so, but you cannot provide scriptural evidence that it isn't so.

You're my kind of Christian k9. I think some of the best "Christians" I've known are "non-believers." Even though he's mean sometimes lol (maybe not quite as mean as me, though) 3rdgen seems like a good dude and is likely the "up" elevator when his time comes. He's probably a better "Christian" then some of the Bible thumpers on this board. My opinion, anyway.

[K9Buck]

Matthew 3:12

He. will gather his wheat into the. barn, but the chaff he will. burn up with unquenchable fire."

This is in line with what the OT teaches, which is that all the non-believers will be destroyed by God; not tortured for eternity.

I'm not convinced that a righteous, unbelieving person is abandoned by Jesus.

Heaven only knows if this is correct but it makes a lot of sense to me.

I do not want to be accused of being a heretic.  I am simply stating my belief; I am NOT saying that it is "gospel".  I may be 100% wrong.  Perhaps my fellow Christians are correct and that, every day, Jesus sends thousands to suffer for eternity in the depths of Hell.

[K9Buck]

Most Christians believe that they'll die and then find themselves sipping wine and eating bonbons next to the almight. I don't think it works that way. Forgiven Christians are still spiritually unclean and they must, I believe, go through a "purging" process (purgatory) wherein they continue their spiritual growth with the ultimate goal of being as close to God as is possible, which is its own reward and the ULTIMATE reward.

The good news, I believe, is that through purgatory we will NOT be surrounded by evil, as we are here on Earth. As the bible clearly states, many times, this world is under the control of Satan and the numbers of demons that inhabit this planet are probably in the trillions. We will not be under their temptation in purgatory. Additionally, we will not be driven by things such as lust, hunger, power, the need for material things, etc., as those things are all of the physical realm and not the spiritual realm.

Eventually, we unlearn the many evils that we learned here on Earth. We gradually lose our sinful nature and become holy and then, and only then, does Jesus take us to the father in Heaven.

Again, that is my belief. I may very well be mistaken.

[3rdgensooner]

I've seen innumerable near-death testimonies from atheists and non-Christians who say they met Jesus and that he was accepting and loving of them.  I believe them. 

What many Christians believe is that, when a non-believer dies, Jesus tells them "Nope.  Too late.  Off to Hell for you!" 

I don't believe that Jesus operates that way.  It's not logical.  It's not loving.  In fact, it's pointless. 

Faith is a blessing that believers are fortunate to have.  Some, like 3rd, might like to believe in a loving God and a heavenly here-after, but believe it's simply too good to be true.  Many Christians believe 3rd and those like him will go to Hell.  I do not. 

The bible speaks of all sorts of people being condemned, but that doesn't mean that Jesus doesn't show mercy and grant them a pardon in the hereafter.  You demand scriptural evidence that this is so, but you cannot provide scriptural evidence that it isn't so.

You're my kind of Christian k9. I think some of the best "Christians" I've known are "non-believers." Even though he's mean sometimes lol (maybe not quite as mean as me, though) 3rdgen seems like a good dude and is likely the "up" elevator when his time comes. He's probably a better "Christian" then some of the Bible thumpers on this board. My opinion, anyway.

Oh probably not. Most people are decent within a pretty narrow range. There are some outliers of really good and really bad people. I don't think being a Christian really has much impact there. I'm just very wary of those who make a point of it as if I'm supposed to assume they're good because they're Christians. Like "Honest" Bob's Car sales it makes me wonder why they have to tell me.

[K9Buck]

I think, by and large, most Christians behave pretty much the same way as non-Christians. I can be a "good" guy and then I can be a prick, as many of you know.

[Blinky]

  

I don't believe that Jesus operates that way.  It's not logical.  It's not loving.  In fact, it's pointless.

What's the justification?

Since all men are descendants of Noah, the Nations that have fallen away are viewed unfavorably?

[K9Buck]

  

I don't believe that Jesus operates that way.  It's not logical.  It's not loving.  In fact, it's pointless.

What's the justification?

Since all men are descendants of Noah, the Nations that have fallen away are viewed unfavorably?

We are God's children and are meant to be with him, not destroyed in Hell.  But I do believe that we have free will and, I suppose, if someone does NOT want to be with God, he will grant them their wish.  With that said, I find it difficult to believe that anyone would, upon meeting Jesus, reject him.  

I think it's possible that everyone goes to purgatory and remains there until they become pure.  Someone like Mother Theresa probably starts at a much further point in the purging process than say someone like Joseph Stalin, LOL.  

However, souls that die and meet Jesus and remain unrepentant may very well be sent to Hell.  I just have a hard time envisioning anyone meeting Jesus and rejecting him, but I suppose it's entirely possible.

[Alabuckeye]

I guess if we discard what the Bible says, we can believe pretty much anything.

[K9Buck]

I guess if we discard what the Bible says, we can believe pretty much anything.

Christians will take a verse such as Matthew 7:13-14 and interpret that to mean that the vast majority of people are going to Hell.  The problem is, the verse doesn't explicitly say that.  It's assumed that Jesus sends them all to Hell.  Is that what you believe?  And where is the scripture that explicitly says so?