Quote Hi david,Do you not yet know that Hades is not the Lake of fire? Hades is a place of waiting for judgement, a place of remand for the unsaved. Hades is eventually destroyed in the Lake of fire as there is no need for it after the judgement. The second death is that which men should fear as it is the everlasting lake of fire. The beast and…[Read more]

Quote Thanks for the invite, but since I do not believe that the soul continues after death as the scriptures plainly teach there is no purpose in getting into a debate about the existence of hell.Does Bastain think that I believe that the soul continues after death?I don't believe in the immortal soul Bastain.

Hey Kenrch,There is a hell (hades/sheol) in the Bible, but nowhere is hellfire to be found as taught by many Greek philosophically minded people.I'm sure that's what you meant when you said: “there is no hell.” I just often get annoyed when I'm accused of not believing in hell, when really, I don't believe God eternally tortures people in fire…[Read more]

Anyway, we're kind of getting off topic. I was wondering why Nick believes no one goes to heaven. (I know he will say 'because it's not taught in scripture.') So then I'm wondering what exactly he believes with regard to heaven and earth.Secondly, for everyone else, I'm wondering who believes that men go to heaven and where scripture teaches…

Be careful of what?Paul wrote, ‘I ask then, Did God reject his people? By no means!’ (Rom. 11:1; NIV.)” Let's look at the rest of that verse: “For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.” What did Paul mean by this?Paul could not have believed that the Israelites as a nation still had a special place with God,…[Read more]

Hey Bastain, if you go to the “Forum Jump” and check under “Biblical discussions,” in the thread called “Hades/hell” Nick and I have been having a very lengthy discussion on hellfire, particularly on the parable in Luke 16, the rich man and lazarus.If you go there, you will find I agree with most of what you say. I think you would be interested…[Read more]

Hi Nick. Just one more thought. New Jerusalem is not the fleshly nation of Israel founded on the 12 sons of Jacob. It is the spiritual Israel, founded on “the apostles and prophets.”—Ephesians 2:20.EPHESIANS 2:20“and YOU have been built up upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, while Christ Jesus himself is the foundation cornerstone.”

For this reason, it was quite proper for James to address his pastoral letter “to the twelve tribes that are scattered about,” that is, to the worldwide congregation of anointed Christians that in time would number 144,000. —James 1:1.

The Christian congregation is “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9) Replacing natural Israel as God’s nation, it becomes a new Israel that is “really ‘Israel.’” (Romans 9:6-8; Matthew 21:43)ROMANS 9:6-8“However, it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who from Israel are really “Israel.” Neith…[Read more]

The view that here Christians of Jewish stock are being distinguished from Gentile Christians runs counter to the apostle Paul’s inspired statement that fleshly distinctions are of no consideration in the Christian congregation, its members being all one in union with Christ Jesus. (Ro 10:12; Ga 3:28) Jehovah, having ‘fully reconciled both peo…[Read more]

Interestingly, while it is said that people would be “sealed out of every tribe,” the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are not mentioned. So what do you make of this?

I know this really doesn't quite fit here, but I think it's a cute story:Some scientists wanted to challenge God, saying that they can create a man. God said: “OK, let's see.” So they set up their labratory, steralized the equipment and prepared everything, and were ready to begin their experiment to create a man. Then they went out to get some…[Read more]

I don't know. Perhaps that question could be discussed in the “pagan holidays” section.I'm really wondering what others think of birthdays. It just seems such a common thing to me, something most everyone does without thinking about it. Does no one have any thoughts on birthdays?

Hi Nick, Nick, you state that in your opinion, the 144,000 are “only those saved from the Jewish people,” (meaning natural Jews and not spiritual ones.)But is this possible? Given the tribes listed, does that make sense?Rev. 7:4-8: “I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the s…[Read more]

Yes, I know. I've been having this conversation with Nick for a month in the hades/hell thread.

Quote I totally agree.The truth is what matters and anything else is either the word of man or a doctrine of demons.If the bible repeatedly talks about 'destruction' of the wicked and repeatedly uses the word 'perish', then who are we to argue with that.I know that the Roman Catholic Church used the doctrine of being tortured forever as a fear…[Read more]

Hey Nick. I came in contact with a book of Morman a couple weeks ago. I flipped through the index to see if God's name was in there. They used the name “Jehovah” once in the middle somewhere and it was also used in the very last verse. I was wondering why you seldom use God's name unless that is the topic we are discussing.

Quote Given the overwhelming scriptures that support the destruction of the wicked. I have decided to preach it on the rooftops.t8 stated this on Nov 26,2002, in the thread: 'hell'I have only begun to read this other thread on 'hell' but was wondering if t8 thinks that the scritpures support the “destruction” of the wicked, rather than the…[Read more]

Quote the scriptures are clear; Hell is the temporary abode of the wicked, but the Lake of Fire will destroy Hell, the Universe and all that belong to this current order.t8 wrote the above in a permanent article about hell. I'm wondering why you say that the lake of fire will destroy “the Universe.”

To again repeat my question: What do others think. Nick thinks no one ever goes to heaven. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there holds to this.