An Instructive Moment about Death
Man, the one day I don't get my home work done early and everyone shows up for the party!
Okay, I haven't read all the other posts yet and I don't have my book with me and man, am I frazzled from work (I HATE Fridays!) but here goes...
I don't care who you are - if you can walk by a dying man and not give a fig - whether you know him or NOT - you are more dead than he is!
Okay, heaven and hell...
Do I believe in heaven and hell? Yes, I do.
Do I believe that there are different "levels" to hell? Yes, I really do. I think there is a hell for those who don't come to know God before they die but who were, otherwise, wonderful, beautiful people. I think there is another hell for those who turn their backs on other people; who commit genocide and infanticide and so on and so forth. And I think there is another level of hell for those who dabble in the occult and give Satan room to come into this earth and do His damage. Those people I think are the ones who are going to get the full meaning of "gnashing of teeth."
As for heaven. I take the bible literally but I don't think any human can begin to describe what heaven will be or will look like. I think it is going to be so much more than we can emotionally or physically imagine that is almost silly to even try to describe it. What's funny is the way we think the streets will be lined with gold and the sun will be out all the time, etc. Like we'll notice ANY of that? I have a suspicion the only thing we'll see is HIM.
Okay! That's going to have to do for today!
Okay, I haven't read all the other posts yet and I don't have my book with me and man, am I frazzled from work (I HATE Fridays!) but here goes...
I don't care who you are - if you can walk by a dying man and not give a fig - whether you know him or NOT - you are more dead than he is!
Okay, heaven and hell...
Do I believe in heaven and hell? Yes, I do.
Do I believe that there are different "levels" to hell? Yes, I really do. I think there is a hell for those who don't come to know God before they die but who were, otherwise, wonderful, beautiful people. I think there is another hell for those who turn their backs on other people; who commit genocide and infanticide and so on and so forth. And I think there is another level of hell for those who dabble in the occult and give Satan room to come into this earth and do His damage. Those people I think are the ones who are going to get the full meaning of "gnashing of teeth."
As for heaven. I take the bible literally but I don't think any human can begin to describe what heaven will be or will look like. I think it is going to be so much more than we can emotionally or physically imagine that is almost silly to even try to describe it. What's funny is the way we think the streets will be lined with gold and the sun will be out all the time, etc. Like we'll notice ANY of that? I have a suspicion the only thing we'll see is HIM.
Okay! That's going to have to do for today!
posted by HeyJules at
9:12 AM
10 Comments:
I agree with you Jules on the levels of hell. I think the Bible talks about the different degrees...I think of it as a lake with the center being the deepest worst and then moving from there to the shore it gets less deep...still hell but not quite the degree that the center is.
By
Pilot Mom, at 12:12 PM
you kind of confused me there for a minute not posting in blue - I was wondering what CJ was doing... he he
so do you believe that sins are not equal? also why different degrees for hell and not heaven? just wondering thoughts on this....
By
dangermama, at 12:14 PM
I believe that all sin is equal but that the damage it does to your soul or spirit is different.
If you live life in a compassionate way but don't give your soul and life to God, then I don't believe that you will be tortured in the same way that the person who was outrightly evil will be. I also think that someone who is beaten and trashed by their parents to the point of brokeness will have a different hell than the one who was raised in a great home who CHOSE to run from God and do evil things. I think God sees the man and the man's heart and THEN judges him - just like he will do for the Christians who follow Him. Did you go to church but never grow in your faith? Then are your rewards going to be the same as Mother Theresa's? I don't really think so. I do think we'll get rewards but not all to the same degree.
And by rewards, I think that means how open our hearts are allowed to open in His presence. If you opened your heart to man some, God I think, will open your heart to Him just as much and that will be the level of joy you will experience in his presence.
If, however, you opened your whole life to God, then I think He will open your heart to Him to that degree and Yousa, do I want to be standing in THAT line!!!
By
HeyJules, at 1:03 PM
good thoughts, Jules...
personally, I dont believe all sin is equal, but I do believe all sin makes us guilty... make sense?
By
dangermama, at 1:58 PM
The only problem I have with your thinking is the parable of the "dawn workers" (as I call them). Some laborers signed on in the morning and some later in the day, and finally some one hour before closing time. Each got paid the same. I think God is like that. It doesn't seem fair to us by human standards, but God's ways are different.
By
Claire Joy, at 2:02 PM
yes, I think CJ is right on that one.... although I do think we will recieve different rewards/crowns in heaven, and then we will lay those at God's feet (seems like a contradiction, almost, doesnt it?)
By
dangermama, at 2:22 PM
I agree ALL sin makes us guilty whether it's a "fib" or Hitler killer someone. There are different degrees.
And, Jules, the rewards will be different for us...the thief on the cross will have different ones than you and I. Martyrs will get a different crown...you should do a study on the different crowns and who gets them...fascinating!
And, CJ, I wonder if that story (I haven't looked at it...no time right now) isn't saying that all are rewarded the same in that they each get to go to heaven? Heaven, in this case, is the reward. Then they will be judged on what they have done for the Lord which will then result in more rewards or loss of some rewards (those not awarded because one didn't do them). Just musing on my part.
By
Pilot Mom, at 2:23 PM
I think both Addie and Jules have it right as in who cares about the rewards? Just being in the presence would be plenty for me. I cannot seeing anyone in heaven getting into a "my crown is bigger than your crown" match... just won't happen.
By
Claire Joy, at 2:41 PM
Jules, a thought for you to consider...
There is nothing wrong with listening to others opinions or ideas etc. My caution would be to do what the Berean did in Acts 17:11 "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, [that's you :)] examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." That's what you need to do...when you hear these ideas and thoughts from others...even myself...don't make them your belief until you have proved it by God's Word. Because it really doesn't matter a whit what Addie, CJ or myself, or even your pastor says if it goes against God's Word. That should be your final authority. Otherwise, false doctrine gets imbedded in our thinking which can screw up everything! That's how other "cults" get started, other religions, like in my area...they add to what the Bible says, which contradicts what God has already said. If God is outside of time, which He is, then there is no need for Him to contradict Himself. What He said 3000 yrs ago will be the same wisdom He wants us to follow today.
By
Pilot Mom, at 2:46 PM
Oh I AGREE TOTALLY, CJ! I just meant that it's fascinating to read about, for example, the martyrs because when you think and read about what they have gone through for Him...oh man!!! Yes, they should get a beautiful "something" whatever... I'm certainly not in it for the "rewards" but to be with Him!!!
By
Pilot Mom, at 2:48 PM
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