I previously did a post where I put a link to an audio book explaining why the concept of eternal hell is unbiblical. Some one wrote back with a question asking about Luke 16:19-31 which seems to mention hell. I wrote a reply to this individual but I thought I should also take what I had typed and make it a post on its own. This is because I went over a couple of good verses and I want some more people to see it.
Firstly here is the verse he posted
Luke 16:19-31 NIV "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. {20} At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores {21} and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. {22} "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. {23} In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. {24} So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' {25} "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. {26} And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' {27} "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, {28} for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' {29} "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' {30} "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' {31} "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Here is my response
I did not say there was no hell but said its not eternal. All will eventually get to heaven. There are many verses saying that all men will be saved such as the following
- 1 Timothy 2:3-4 3 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Also in John 17:2, it says "Thou hast given him power over ALL flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him" This verse says that God gave all sentient beings to Jesus. Thats every one. It also says that he did this so that all that God has given Jesus shall have eternal life
Matthew 6:10 says "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven". This means that Gods will shall always be done. So if God gave all to Jesus that everyone person may be saved, then it has to happen. There cannot be some people who burn forever and others that live. That conflicts with the will of God that will be fulfilled no matter what.
If you still have any doubts, check out John 6:37 that says "ALL that the Father giveth me, SHALL COME TO ME, and him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out". This means all will eventually turn to Christ conciousness. If you download a software called e-sword, you will see many of the verses that seem to mention hell being forever is a miss translation. Original greek is something more like aeons which just means a long period of time.
Heaven is also a misconception. Its not a place you go to when you die but an internal state of enlightenment we can access on earth or in spirit after death. It is written in Luke 17:20-21 "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU"
This verse clearly states that the kingdom of God will not be something you can see when it says "Will not come with observation". They will also not say look its here or there so it has no place. It then nicely finishes by saying its within you.This makes even more sense when you think about those verses that says God will build his kingdom on earth or that we as people are the church
Lastly think about the philosophical aspect eternal hell fire. Would an all loving and powerful god really allow his people to burn forever. Even if they were sinners, he could prepare a separate place for them somewhere else that does not include suffering. Why does he not give them a second chance after death? What if some one did not believe Jesus existed and then goes to hell because of it. It is completely unfair. No the truth is far more beautiful and I wish to share it with people. One little bit at a time but first a lot of misconceptions need to be removed. I have had some profound experiences with the divine and it has really touched me deeply. I hope this has helped. I don't have enough time to explain all verses but check that link to the audio book. Im pretty sure it will answer all questions but if not, send me another comment after listening