Erasing Hell: Making Progress

As we've been progressing through the book Erasing Hell we've taken a look at what a) the Jews of Jesus' day believed b) what Jesus himself believed and c) what Jesus' followers believed. And we've reached some startling conclusions:

1. Hell is a place of punishment after judgment.
2. Hell is described in imagery of fire and darkness, where people lament
3. Hell is a place of annihilation or never-ending punishment.

These are not necessarily things we wanted to believe. Nevertheless, we can not deny the words of Scripture. If we are not going to question what God means when He says that as believers we will reign with Him "forever and ever" (Rev 22:5), then we cannot question He also means what He says when He uses the same "forever and ever" when He speaks about hell. 

Chan encourages us to stop trying to fit our view of justice on top of God's word. We must trust that our omnipotent, omniscient God knows what He's doing.

"I really belive it's time for some of us to stop apologizing for God and start apologizing to Him for being embarrassed by the way He has chosen to reveal Himself."

Another thing we must take from what we learn is that we are not just reciting facts, we are dealing with peoples souls and the power of God's word. The Lord calls us to "tremble" at His word (Isaiah 66:2), which never goes from Him without accomplishing its purpose (Isaiah 55:11). If He has said it, we can trust Him to do it. No matter how beautiful or terrible it may seem to us.

"For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;
if we endure, we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
if we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself"
(2 Timothy 2:11-13)

This week we will be talking about what all of this has to do with those of us who already call ourselves "Christians". Hell doesnt just threaten murderers and blasphemers, but also the racists, those who call their brothers and sisters names, and those who lead others astray (Matt 8, 5 and James 3). 

It is time to decide if we are ready to let eternity permeate every aspect of our lives. And if we are,
It is time to change.