Can someone please explain John chapter 3 verse 16 to me ? If only those who believe in Jesus have eternal life , what state are those people who die and go to hell in ? Are they not alive also ? Also it says , whosoever believeth in him should not perish . Doesn't this imply that those who don't believe in Jesus will perish or die or be destroyed ? How can someone die but live for ever in hell ? I'm confused .
If we were to take out Apostle Paul's epistle out of the Bible, it would be very difficult to find Salvation today. Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel unto the Gentiles and Jews to spread his gospel inwhich Jesus Christ gave him through the revelation of the mystery.
Acts 22:3
Iamverily a man whichama Jew,bornin Tarsus, a cityin Cilicia, yet brought upin this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Apostle Paul is the least of the apostles, just like Jesus Christ said Elias is the least.
Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
1 Corinthians 15:9
ForIamtheleast oftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, becauseIpersecutedthechurchof God.
Even though Apostle Paul made others blasphemy, it was done ignorant back when he was a Pharisee.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Jesus Christ gave Apostle Paul a office to preach to the Gentiles Salvation.
Romans 11:13
ForIspeak to youGentiles,inasmuch asIamtheapostleoftheGentiles,Imagnify mineoffice:
Jesus Christ gave himself to Apostle Paul and us too.
Galatians 2:20
IamcrucifiedwithChrist: neverthelessIlive; yet notI, butChristlivethin me: and the life whichInow livein the fleshIlive by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is power in the gospel of Christ Jesus inwhich the Jews and the Gentiles are saved.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist: foritisthepowerofGod unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
Here is Apostle Paul's gospel inwhich we are saved. Jesus Christ is the author of this verse.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached un
Hi Fuji. There is some division in the Christian camp about the ultimate end of those who die rejecting Christ's Gospel, i.e. whether they simply go to the grave & are no more, or, that there will be a resurrection from the dead & under judgement to face God's Wrath. And like all doctrines & teachings we find throughout the Bible, we need to consider all references to the subject matter & not focus on a single verse or two to form a judgement.
Therefore, if we had only John 3:16 to understand the afterlife (whether it exists or not), then we could well believe that 'perish' clearly means a complete cessation of life, as in someone (the body) who perishes in a house fire or perishes by drowning. But in relation to the Scriptures, we know that God has given us a spirit & that spirit is identifies who we are, given life by God, with an outer covering (a body) to house it, yet the spirit can never perish (die). Genesis 2:7; Zechariah 12:1; Job 32:8; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Ecclesiastes 3:21; Ecclesiastes 12:7.
And then we have the Judgement of God upon all, where those who belong in God's family, living a life consecrated to Him, are eternally secure from damnation, whereas all unbelievers (and their spirits can never be destroyed), suffer under God's condemnation. If only death was our final punishment for rejecting Christ, then we all still have to die as those in sinful, corrupt bodies; none can escape. This is a defective Gospel as most would prefer to cease to exist without any punishment & live life to the full, not answerable to God. But Christ's Sacrifice was to redeem lost sinful souls, not from death, but from God's eternal Punishment. Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:8; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 13:49,50; Matthew 25:41,46; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9.
Just a few Scriptures to show the Truth of an Eternal suffering in Hell & not simply disappearing forever in the grave. Every spirit (of man) is accountable to God.
If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them;then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down,and to be beaten before his face,according to his fault, by a certain number. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed:lest,if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.
The Bible is God's Law Book. God will not and cannot violate His Law.
Eternal conscious existence and suffering under the wrath of God in a place called hell, that never ends for those whose sins have not been paid for is not taught in the Bible.
What the Bible does teach is that the wages of sin is death, both in body and soul. Unsaved man together with this sin cursed earth will be eternally destroyed,that is annihilated. This is what be Law of God requires,and what the Lord Jesus Christ,eternal God Himself,experienced and then rose to life again as the substitute for all of those whom God chose to save. And for whom God has obligated Himself to apply that salvation to their life by giving them a new resurrected soul at some point in their life. And then a new resurrected body which will occur at the Last Day.
It is still the day of salvation. And anyone concerned about their relationship with God may still cry out to God for mercy in the hope that God might save them.
Salvation is 100% the work of God.
Joel 2:12-14 Therefor,also now, saith the LORD,turn ye even to me with all your heart,and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent,and leave a blessing behind him;even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Thank you also for your reply to me . I must confess , I haven't found any clear concrete proof in the Bible , of an eternal existence in a hellish environment . My mind is open as I continue my studies . The truth of these things will be revealed to me eventually I'm sure . Thank you again .
Good evening Fuji- I saw your post about the Bible proof. Maybe these four thoughts will be helpful in your quest.
First, its not just one book but 66 books written by multiple authors over 1500 years so most authors didn't know each other. Why that is significant is the oldest books give prophesies that later came true. How did they possibly know these very specific future events would happen? Isaiah 7:14 talks about a coming Messiah through a miraculous virgin birth which later happened as documented in Matthew. Isaiah 9:6 gives names Jesus would later be called. Some say 2000 prophesies from the old testament were fulfilled and Jesus fulfilled 300 of them. Who else could know these things would happen other than God himself inspiring the authors.
Second- there are scientific facts revealed in the Bible that scientists didn't even discover until a couple thousand years later. Like paths in the sea, the earth is round, blood having special life properties- remember they used to do blood letting for many years.
Third- just look around at the Bible's profound impacts on civilization and culture, and individuals you meet who choose to follow its teachings. Many have turned their lives around and have been transformed once they start their journey. Some even do it very publicly, like Russell Brand, and you can see the fruit.
Fourth- Dead sea scrolls validate the accuracy of the translation- more accurate than any other ancient text in world history. Countless copies everywhere to compare against. Fiction writings if trying to pass off as true would avoid details that can be easily fact checked, like people, names, places, events, times, but the Bible has all of it. It's scrutinized more than any other writing in history and is accurate to each time period. For example, when Jesus came there was a Roman occupation with Caesar ruling and gives specific names, events and all. Most of its critics today are from people who haven't even read it.
No Sir please don't misunderstand me , I was not ever questioning the validity of the Bible ! It is the Word of the Living God for sure I know this . My point was that I have not yet found in it concrete proof of an eternal afterlife in a hellish environment . That is not yet a conclusion that I have come to but , I am a committed Christian and diligent Bible student who will read my Bible every day in the hope of broadening my understanding . I apologise if my post was misleading .
Thank you for answering my question . I shall check out those references you gave me and keep your response in mind as I continue reading . I appreciate your time and response .
Acts 22:3
Iamverily a man whichama Jew,bornin Tarsus, a cityin Cilicia, yet brought upin this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Apostle Paul is the least of the apostles, just like Jesus Christ said Elias is the least.
Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
1 Corinthians 15:9
ForIamtheleast oftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, becauseIpersecutedthechurchof God.
Even though Apostle Paul made others blasphemy, it was done ignorant back when he was a Pharisee.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Jesus Christ gave Apostle Paul a office to preach to the Gentiles Salvation.
Romans 11:13
ForIspeak to youGentiles,inasmuch asIamtheapostleoftheGentiles,Imagnify mineoffice:
Jesus Christ gave himself to Apostle Paul and us too.
Galatians 2:20
IamcrucifiedwithChrist: neverthelessIlive; yet notI, butChristlivethin me: and the life whichInow livein the fleshIlive by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is power in the gospel of Christ Jesus inwhich the Jews and the Gentiles are saved.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist: foritisthepowerofGod unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
Here is Apostle Paul's gospel inwhich we are saved. Jesus Christ is the author of this verse.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached un
Therefore, if we had only John 3:16 to understand the afterlife (whether it exists or not), then we could well believe that 'perish' clearly means a complete cessation of life, as in someone (the body) who perishes in a house fire or perishes by drowning. But in relation to the Scriptures, we know that God has given us a spirit & that spirit is identifies who we are, given life by God, with an outer covering (a body) to house it, yet the spirit can never perish (die). Genesis 2:7; Zechariah 12:1; Job 32:8; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Ecclesiastes 3:21; Ecclesiastes 12:7.
And then we have the Judgement of God upon all, where those who belong in God's family, living a life consecrated to Him, are eternally secure from damnation, whereas all unbelievers (and their spirits can never be destroyed), suffer under God's condemnation. If only death was our final punishment for rejecting Christ, then we all still have to die as those in sinful, corrupt bodies; none can escape. This is a defective Gospel as most would prefer to cease to exist without any punishment & live life to the full, not answerable to God. But Christ's Sacrifice was to redeem lost sinful souls, not from death, but from God's eternal Punishment. Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:8; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 13:49,50; Matthew 25:41,46; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9.
Just a few Scriptures to show the Truth of an Eternal suffering in Hell & not simply disappearing forever in the grave. Every spirit (of man) is accountable to God.
If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them;then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down,and to be beaten before his face,according to his fault, by a certain number. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed:lest,if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.
The Bible is God's Law Book. God will not and cannot violate His Law.
Eternal conscious existence and suffering under the wrath of God in a place called hell, that never ends for those whose sins have not been paid for is not taught in the Bible.
What the Bible does teach is that the wages of sin is death, both in body and soul. Unsaved man together with this sin cursed earth will be eternally destroyed,that is annihilated. This is what be Law of God requires,and what the Lord Jesus Christ,eternal God Himself,experienced and then rose to life again as the substitute for all of those whom God chose to save. And for whom God has obligated Himself to apply that salvation to their life by giving them a new resurrected soul at some point in their life. And then a new resurrected body which will occur at the Last Day.
It is still the day of salvation. And anyone concerned about their relationship with God may still cry out to God for mercy in the hope that God might save them.
Salvation is 100% the work of God.
Joel 2:12-14 Therefor,also now, saith the LORD,turn ye even to me with all your heart,and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent,and leave a blessing behind him;even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
First, its not just one book but 66 books written by multiple authors over 1500 years so most authors didn't know each other. Why that is significant is the oldest books give prophesies that later came true. How did they possibly know these very specific future events would happen? Isaiah 7:14 talks about a coming Messiah through a miraculous virgin birth which later happened as documented in Matthew. Isaiah 9:6 gives names Jesus would later be called. Some say 2000 prophesies from the old testament were fulfilled and Jesus fulfilled 300 of them. Who else could know these things would happen other than God himself inspiring the authors.
Second- there are scientific facts revealed in the Bible that scientists didn't even discover until a couple thousand years later. Like paths in the sea, the earth is round, blood having special life properties- remember they used to do blood letting for many years.
Third- just look around at the Bible's profound impacts on civilization and culture, and individuals you meet who choose to follow its teachings. Many have turned their lives around and have been transformed once they start their journey. Some even do it very publicly, like Russell Brand, and you can see the fruit.
Fourth- Dead sea scrolls validate the accuracy of the translation- more accurate than any other ancient text in world history. Countless copies everywhere to compare against. Fiction writings if trying to pass off as true would avoid details that can be easily fact checked, like people, names, places, events, times, but the Bible has all of it. It's scrutinized more than any other writing in history and is accurate to each time period. For example, when Jesus came there was a Roman occupation with Caesar ruling and gives specific names, events and all. Most of its critics today are from people who haven't even read it.
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