In reply to:
[color:"blue"]Please, I just don’t get it, I cannot worship such a being. Please, I'm begging you, help me understand this, do your really believe that God Almighty will do such as thing?

Why is it that I cannot openly and easily accept that your "begging" is sincere? I mean no offense, but really.. if you are at least 60 years old and have wrestled or contemplated these things for a good portion of your life, would it not be likely that you have posed these questions to a myriad other people who profess Christianity? And assuming that this is true, in all likelihood, you have heard basically the same answers which have been given to you here and will be forthcoming. Nevertheless, you have asked the question(s) and I do believe you are entitled to a BIBLICAL answer. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin[/img]

Let's clear up one thing straight away, shall we? Nowhere in all of God's written Word can it be found that God is going to TORTURE human beings and/or their souls. What the Scripture teaches is that the wicked are going to suffer by virtue of justice being done for who they are and for what evil they have thought, said and done against God and their fellow men. Now, you may then find it difficult to comprehend how a human being, even "Pharaoh, Nero and Hitler" could be so wicked as to deserve eternal punishment. You have basically questioned this aspect of justice, calling into question even the use of the term, "justice" to describe biblical eternal punishment. May I suggest that the problem is that you lack in a proper and biblical understanding of the doctrine of God? [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/wink.gif" alt="wink" title="wink[/img] If you had even an inkling of who this God is, Who has revealed Himself to mankind in the Scriptures, the difficulty you are currently expressing would be a moot point. Risking that my next statement will be woefully inadequate, let me say that it is quite simple to see. For the true and living God is INFINITELY HOLY, and thus to rebel against Him and to transgress His law is INFINITELY OFFENSIVE and the only just punishment that could be expected would be INFINITE in scope and duration. You know..... equal - equal? In short, eternal punishment of the wicked does not transcend the crime committed. It is equitable. Secondly, if you had even an inkling of the depth of depravity which all men possess at conception, this issue of eternal punishment would be a moot issue. To be quite honest, personally I sometimes think that eternal punishment is actually far less than what is deserved and that it is actually less than just from God's perspective. But, knowing also that God is just (Gen 18:25), I accept that eternal punishment of the wicked is equitable. Thirdly, the punishment which Christ endured was exactly that which the elect should have and would have had to endure if they were to have to give an account before the court of God. Thus, God Himself, underwent and suffered no less than any single individual who has been, is now or ever will be saved. But, we must also remember, that the punishment which the Lord Christ endured upon the cross was exponentially more severe than any single human being will be given. For He took upon Himself the punishment due to the ENTIRE COMPANY of the elect. Thus, there can be no charge of injustice launched against God. For He Himself, being innocent of any transgression, has suffered far beyond what anyone shall suffer and justly for their sins.

In reply to:
[color:"blue"]Satan has brought suffering and death to the whole human race, but it is nothing like what awaits them after they die.

It was not "Satan" who brought suffering and death to the whole human race, but man himself who is guilty of doing so. Satan simply tempted Eve and consequently Adam, who was the Federal Head of the human race to transgress God's direct command. Thus all the sorrow, pain, suffering, physical death and eventual eternal death belongs to man, not Satan. Mankind has itself to blame for all that is evil. Yet, "While were yet sinners, Christ died for us!. If it were not for the love, mercy and grace of God, not ONE single human being would be exempt from the wrath of God and being cast into eternal torment. Justice has been rendered for those whom God has taken pity upon in the Redeemer, Christ Jesus. And justice will be rendered to all those who are not found clothed in garments of righteousness of Christ Jesus. The overtures of grace are proclaimed to all. Yet, left to themselves, no man can or ever will repent of their sins and trust in Christ so as to be declared righteous, to receive the remission of sins, to be reconciled to God and adopted as sons of the Most High God. Whatever punishment men may receive at the Judgment, know this... it is most deserved.

In His Grace,


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simul iustus et peccator

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