When most people think of hell, they think about the bodily pain one will have to endure in a lake of fire. However, I agree with Jonathan Edwards. He argues that the chief torment in hell will occur in the soul, just as the greatest amount of anguish occurred in the soul of Christ when he was upon the cross.
When one reads the bible, one notices what happens when God appears to men. They immediately see themselves for what they really are. God's presence in heaven will be a chief cause of joy to the believer because they will forever see themselves as united to His beloved Son, i.e., as forgiven sinners who are accepted in Him. On the other hand, God's presence in hell will be a chief cause of torment to the damned. They will forever see themselves as loathsome in the eyes of their creator. God will make them see themselves for what they really are, forever, and this is one of the ways in which his Holy presence will torment them.
Their minds will be made fully aware of their sins, even if they quickly forget their guilt while in this world. The innumerable amount of their sins will then appear in their consciences like the stars in the darkest night. They will not only remember all the sin they quickly put out of their consciences here and now, but they will feel in their souls the full weight of the guilt for all the sin, which they had never perceived before. They would much prefer extinction or annihilation (as opposed to consciously reflecting on their nature in light of God's nature), so it's no wonder that scripture speaks of some crying to the rocks and mountains to fall on them in order to hide them from the face of Him that sits upon the throne (Rev. 6:6).
Their minds will be made fully aware of their sins, even if they quickly forget their guilt while in this world. The innumerable amount of their sins will then appear in their consciences like the stars in the darkest night. They will not only remember all the sin they quickly put out of their consciences here and now, but they will feel in their souls the full weight of the guilt for all the sin, which they had never perceived before. They would much prefer extinction or annihilation (as opposed to consciously reflecting on their nature in light of God's nature), so it's no wonder that scripture speaks of some crying to the rocks and mountains to fall on them in order to hide them from the face of Him that sits upon the throne (Rev. 6:6).
Cursed are the impure in heart, for they too shall see God, and, consequently, themselves as well.
4 comments:
Tony.
Do you believe, as Edwards, that there will be literal flames in hell? I do...just wondering your thoughts on the subject
Hi Seth,
I'm inclined to agree with you, but I haven't studied alternative viewpoints. I have heard people bring up the issue of hell also being described as outer darkness. If it is dark there, then how could there be literal flames? I suppose this would be an argument for both terms (darkness and flames) being metaphorical. I had a roommate who mentioned that the hottest flames are invisible, and so that might be compatible with the notion that it is also a place of literal darkness.
Whatever the case may be (literal or metaphorical flames), I think the biblical images fall far short of describing the horrific reality. Edwards said the same thing. He also mentioned that if we were to catch a glimpse of hell here and now, we would immediately die from the sight of it. I would also add that he thought that God himself would be the consuming fire.
I completely agree. Is not everything in the Bible that is described greater than their description? God, Christ, Heaven, the cross, etc. We can only describe it but it will only be a small glimpse until we actually see its majesty.
I like how your roommate describes it...cause you are right, and I was thinking about this the other day...either both the flames and darkness are metaphorical, or they are both literal. The only way for them to be both literal is your roommates description...
interesting thoughts.
Your post on the subject is far greater and the better to understand compared to understanding the flames or darkness...
I find it strange that on every web page I see on this topic, people seem to think that Hell has to be lit up because fire is in it. Do we forget that God can do anything? Why is it impossible to think that God can't create a dark place with flames still burning in it? I mean, He worked against all logic when the donkey talked to Balaam in the old testament didn't He (Numbers 22:22)? Also, scientists have now discovered a fire that burns black so...
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