What becomes of those who refuse God’s redemption?
Discussion question for July 2, 2010.
Last week we talked about the eternal part of our identity. What about those that reject God? What are the consequences for their choice? Where do we get our concepts of heaven and hell? How do you solve the conundrum of a loving God that is also perfectly just?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
Most of the teaching about hell comes from Jesus during His ministry on earth. We recognize that much of His teaching was done through parables and word pictures. For that reason, we should not automatically assign literal meaning to the descriptions such as “hell fire”. Similarly, the prophetic works of Daniel and Revelation depict a place of punishment for those that reject God and use imagery to convey meaning.
We agree that anyone that chooses to reject God will be banished from His presence, without which there will be suffering. Philippians 2 states that everything in heaven and earth will confess that Jesus is Lord. The truth will be known to everyone, even though some will reject Him as Savior.
God knows the heart of each person, and understands their permanent condition (Revelation 19:2). Those that will be condemned to hell are guilty of opposing God, and will not change their position though given all eternity to do so. We cannot currently imagine the suffering that comes from being separated from God, because He is the one that holds back death and destruction all around us right now.
The part of the person that is eternal is the soul: mind, will, and emotions. The redeemed will retain their thoughts, desires and feelings in a way that continues to bring glory to God. The unredeemed will have their thoughts, desires and feelings but their own glory will not be satisfied ever, forever.
God is perfectly just and trustworthy in accurately knowing those that belong in His eternal presence. The Israelites provide a long historical demonstration of God’s loving kindness, mercy and compassion. God describes Himself in that way, and has provided all the necessary things so that we can be redeemed. There are also examples of His justice being meted against those that oppose Him, such as Sodom and Gomorrah. His fury and righteous anger destroyed those people. We are created in His image and share the desire to see truth and justice win the day. It appropriate that we want sin and evil to be punished in equal measure to the rewards given to righteousness and holiness.
Many religions have presented an image of God (or goodness) wrapped in fear. This has been used to motivate certain behaviors, such as pious living and sacrifice. The key ingredient has been the threat of pain and loss. On the other hand, God calls people to Himself with love and grace. When an unbeliever rejects a picture of God as capricious or vindictive, it is appropriate to agree with them; but also to show them the true picture of God in contrast to that distorted image they’ve been handed.
Does the soul of the Antichrist continue in eternity, or is it annihilated? We didn’t settle this question with absolute certainty, but we trust God with the answer. But those that are opposed to God would not accept His grace under any circumstances forever, but rather rely on themselves.