A young man who
identifies as a Christian had written:
·
It seems that the majority of people will go to
hell. Since God created everything and set up the system we live in and is all
powerful and omniscient, he knew this would happen and bears responsibility.
People always say the devil loses in the end as he is thrown in the lake of
fire. If the overarching battle between God and the devil is for souls and most
people go to hell doesn't the devil really win? And isn’t God unjust?
To answer this question, we must understand what hell--eternal
punishment—is. This is not easy for many reasons:
1. Eternal punishment (EP) is described in different ways—lake of fire, outer darkness, and even destruction, which is probably the most common designation.
1. Eternal punishment (EP) is described in different ways—lake of fire, outer darkness, and even destruction, which is probably the most common designation.
2. EP is different for different people depending on what
they deserve:
·
Luke 12:47–48 “And that servant who knew his
master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive
a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a
beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him
much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will
demand the more.”
·
Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more
bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
3. It seems that EP is primarily self-chosen. We get what we
want. If we hate Christ in this life, we certainly will in the next and flee from
the presence of Christ, even to a place of torment:
·
John 3:17–20 “For God did not send his Son into
the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved
through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not
believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the
only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world,
and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were
evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to
the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (All these quotes come from
Jesus.)
In the end, God will be seen as love and justice by those
who remain: Every knee will bow and every tongue confess:
·
Isaiah 45:23–24 “To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear allegiance. ‘Only in the LORD,’ it shall be said of
me, ‘are righteousness and strength;’ to him shall come and be ashamed all who
were incensed against him.”
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