Anonymous wrote:There are 5 threads about hell on page 1 of this forum.

That right there could be someone’s version of hell ...

Ungodly society (3:1-4:1)

Isaiah now gives a picture of the end of a society characterized by human self-sufficiency and self-centredness. The government collapses, resulting in a shortage of basic necessities such as food and water. Judah had previously depended for leadership on a variety of people, good and bad - statesmen, soldiers, judges, prophets, magicians - but now no one can be found to lead the country (3:1-3). Power falls into the hands of immature youths, and lawlessness results. People show no respect for former social values, but seize every opportunity to advance themselves and exploit their fellows (4-5).
In a time when food and clothing are so scarce, anyone who appears a little better off than others will be invited to take over the leadership in an effort to restore order in the chaotic city. But he will quickly make excuses and refuse the invitation, for no one will want to be leader in such a troubled time (6-7).
The people arrogantly declare themselves to be independent of God. They boast of their new-found moral freedom and are proud of their immoral acts (8-9). All the wrongdoers will suffer a fitting punishment, but the righteous will escape (10-11). The nation is almost without leadership, because the former leaders have either fled or been overthrown. Their corruption is the reason for the present crisis. They used their positions entirely for their own benefit, and now the nation has come to ruin (12-15).
These leaders oppressed and robbed the poor so that their wives could dress themselves lavishly. But women who once enjoyed the luxury of the upper classes now suffer humiliation (16-17). Their extravagance is replaced by poverty, their vanity by shame (18-24).



"Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts." (Isaiah 3:16–17 KJV)


After commanding all Christians to submit to every human authority, including emperors, kings, and governors, Peter specifically says the same to Christian servants (or slaves) about their masters. The word used here is not the Greek douli, the classic term for "slaves." Rather, it is oiketai, probably best translated as "servants." That being said, the line between servants and slaves was blurry in Peter's time. Slavery had little to do with race, as modern readers often process the idea, and more to do with economics and social class.

Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and equitable but also to those who are perverse." (1 Peter 2:18)



The Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the Earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.' " (Job 2:3 New Revised Standard Bible)


When our obedience to him doesn’t immediately turn into blessing for us, we need to consider that God has a host of wise reasons for that being the case. What is he working behind the scenes through our suffering that we have no idea about?

And that’s what was happening with Job in chapter 1. He had no clue that Satan had challenged God. Satan asserted that the only reason that Job worshipped God is because – basically – God bribed him with those blessings.

So Job remained faithful and upright even though he wasn’t receiving “blessings” from God. A true testimony to his character. It’s easy to be a Christian and love God when things are going your way. When times are hard and you still love God- you show your faithfulness.

Anonymous wrote: His work, not ours (Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21).

"The Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the Earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason.' " (Job 2:3 New Revised Standard Bible)

"Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts." (Isaiah 3:16–17 KJV)

"Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and equitable but also to those who are perverse." (1 Peter 2:18)

The only way to break the cycle and stop sinning is to accept the fact that we cannot stop sinning. This may seem contradictory, but if a person does not stop trying to save himself, he will never rest in the knowledge that God has saved him. The joy of salvation comes from accepting the fact that God’s grace covers us, that He will change us and conform us to the image of Christ, and that it is His work, not ours (Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21). Once this reality is truly grasped, sin loses its power. We no longer feel the impulse to turn to sin as a means of temporary relief from anxiety, because the anxiety and pressure has been relieved once for all by Christ (Hebrews 10:10, 14). Then, the good works we accomplish in faith are done because of love and joy rather than out of fear or duty.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why people who preach about hell sin anyway. It's almost as if they don't really believe in what they are preaching, or they wouldn't sin if God is really watching and holding them accountable.

Or do they believe they will be forgiven in the end, if they repent, so why not have fun sinning before that point?

Maybe they can't help but sin. It's such a human thing to do and It feels so good!

I wonder why people who preach about hell sin anyway. It's almost as if they don't really believe in what they are preaching, or they wouldn't sin if God is really watching and holding them accountable.

Or do they believe they will be forgiven in the end, if they repent, so why not have fun sinning before that point?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they only really care about themselves.

That's not true of the people who I know, though, which is why I'm asking. They seem to genuinely care about other people who are suffering today--but not people who could be suffering forever, which they believe will happen.

They are not hung up on it the way your are. Maybe they don't really believe in it. Maybe they figure they're good, so won't go there. Maybe they're too busy with everyday life to think about something that is pretty horrible and probably doesn't exist.

I'm not. I'm just curious about why it doesn't seem to bother them, and they are quite religious and seem to genuinely believe. All of them believe that they are safe. My question is about why they don't seem to be concerned about it happening to others, given that they think that it will happen.

My guess is that the idea of eternal damnation is pretty far-fetched to a lot of people, so they don't think about it much, and think instead of making their current lives more pleasant. Perhaps they find it easier and more pleasant to think of heaven -- also a far-fetched idea -- than to focus on the negative of eternal damnation -- for others as well as for themselves.

Anonymous wrote:This is simple and silly question OP. We are Americans. No Americans can possibly end up in hell. We are the most God loving people on the planet. We will all go to Heaven... It will be like living in America.

This.

I feel really sorry for anyone who believes in hell. I wish I knew a way to convert them all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they only really care about themselves.

That's not true of the people who I know, though, which is why I'm asking. They seem to genuinely care about other people who are suffering today--but not people who could be suffering forever, which they believe will happen.

They are not hung up on it the way your are. Maybe they don't really believe in it. Maybe they figure they're good, so won't go there. Maybe they're too busy with everyday life to think about something that is pretty horrible and probably doesn't exist.

I'm not. I'm just curious about why it doesn't seem to bother them, and they are quite religious and seem to genuinely believe. All of them believe that they are safe. My question is about why they don't seem to be concerned about it happening to others, given that they think that it will happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they only really care about themselves.

That's not true of the people who I know, though, which is why I'm asking. They seem to genuinely care about other people who are suffering today--but not people who could be suffering forever, which they believe will happen.

They are not hung up on it the way your are. Maybe they don't really believe in it. Maybe they figure they're good, so won't go there. Maybe they're too busy with everyday life to think about something that is pretty horrible and probably doesn't exist.

Anonymous wrote:Because they instinctively know there really isn't one?

The people who I mentioned seem to genuinely believe in it.

Anonymous wrote:Because they only really care about themselves.

That's not true of the people who I know, though, which is why I'm asking. They seem to genuinely care about other people who are suffering today--but not people who could be suffering forever, which they believe will happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they instinctively know there really isn't one?

or they are sure they're not going to it - because they are good people

No, they think they’re good people but really they just think that sitting in church for an hour a week makes them better than everyone else.

Anonymous wrote:Because they instinctively know there really isn't one?

or they are sure they're not going to it - because they are good people