(CLICK on the Q/A: for full question and answer)
Q/A:
How do I explain to my 6
year-old son that God isn’t dead? He
thinks that he is since he is in heaven.
Q/A:
I have a new and disturbing
twist on the question of hell. I
know there’s been much speculation and I believe there is a spiritual death or
separation from God. I began to
wonder if maybe “hell” is simply death and the alternative is eternal life.
John
Q/A:
I was browsing through your
Q&A site and someone asked you what is hell.
Your answer was that the best answer you could give was that hell is
separation from God. I couldn’t
believe it. Nowhere does the Bible
say that hell is separation from God. It
is the grave. I would say that
spiritual death is separation from God. I
strongly believe that you should study the scriptures to get truth from it and
not to put your opinions and ideas into it.
Q/A:
Something that’s been
very confusing to me: I think it was Lazarus who was asked by the rich man for a
few drops of water? If that is so,
and these two can see and talk to each other, then it contradicts the verse
saying, “the dead know nothing.” As
I understand it, when you’re dead, you’re dead and totally oblivious to
anything. It’s also passed through
my mind that death might be like going under anesthetics during an operation.
When the fluid hits the body, you’re out.
You are totally unaware of the hours of the operation and the next thing
you are aware of is waking up in the recovery room.
There is no knowledge of the passing of time.
If this holds true in death, then Abraham, Moses, both my parents and
friends will “wake” at the same time regardless of how long we’ve been
dead.
Q/A:
I am a Christian, and hope
you will answer this question for me. I
have researched and asked people, but cannot get a good answer.
Q/A:
Could you answer the
question, “what do the Catholics mean by Purgatory”?
I had a co-worker ask me this and my response was not as good as I
wanted.
Q/A: My nephew committed suicide a few years ago. My mother believes he is in hell for eternity. What happens to a Christian if they commit suicide? As Christians we are supposed to be ready with an answer. - Harold
Q/A:
Where is heaven and why
can’t we see it or find it?
Q/A:
I guess I’ve come to the
point where I believe in Jesus, but I am constantly coming up against a brick
wall with the thought of hell. Even
if I look around and see all this beauty and wonder (things that I look at to
try to compel myself into realizing the goodness of God), I always remember the
verse in Revelation about Jesus raising up the condemned dead and intentionally
casting them into flames. Why
couldn’t he just let them be dead? Are
they really hurting anyone anymore? I
really want to love God willingly, but with the thought of punishment in the
back of my mind, it’s really hard to know WHY I want to love God.
Q/A:
It seems obvious that Jesus
should be the greatest soul winner of all time.
However, if more souls end up in hell than in heaven, would it not then
make Satan the greater soul winner? If
God’s will is that all be saved and we are taught to pray “Thy will be
done”, then would it be acceptable to us for it to be so, even if such a
belief differs from that which we may have always been taught?
My question is, would it be ok with you if all were saved and ended up in
heaven?
Q/A:
I was listening to a Christian talk show.
As part of an answer that the host was giving to a caller, he said that
there were levels of rewards in heaven and levels of punishment in hell.
I have been under the impression that we are saved and nothing is more
glorious, or we are condemned, and nothing is more horrible.
Q/A:
I would like to know what
is the condition of the person when he dies?
Paul says absent from the body is present with the Lord. Others say you
are totally unconscious and know nothing until Jesus returns.
Also, what is your opinion of tongues?
When I was baptized years ago I came up out of the water speaking in
tongues—much to my own amazement. I
appreciate your time to answer.
Q/A:
My daughter attended a
funeral today. We were discussing it
and are confused about why the first thing the dead do is go to heaven.
Does the preacher mean that literally or what?
Does he mean that the person is actually in heaven?
Most of them say that, but then why should I believe in the Resurrection?
Q/A: What happens to aborted
babies? I heard a preacher on the
radio say that they go to heaven and grow to adulthood and become the person
they should have been. If that is
so, abortionists apparently have been responsible for the salvation of more
people than most evangelists combined. Though
they meant it for harm, it turned out for good. If
most people go to hell, how can we complain if aborted babies bypass this life
of carnal sinful flesh and go directly to heaven, if this concept is true?
Q/A: What is hell anyway? - John
Q/A: I was wondering if you could tell me the verse(s) that say that aborted/stillborn babies automatically go to heaven. They have not had the chance to decide for or against Christ. - Jaime
Q/A: Please explain what you understand hell to be. - Jack
Q/A:
I
am 11 years old and sort of confused about Children’s Hell.
I heard that there are four hells and one of them is Children’s Limbo
or something like that. Could you
tell me if that is true and give me more information?
Thanks because I really want to know.
Q/A:
I was wondering if there is
anywhere in the Bible that says you (or someone else) would go to hell if you
don’t say the “sinners’ prayer” before you die?
If there is not, then why do many evangelical churches preach that this
is the case? What is the basis for
the argument that it is so important to evangelize so that your friends do not
go to hell?
Q/A:
I would like to know if we
Christians, after we die and go to heaven, remain in heaven for eternity or if
we return to earth to live in the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven as
explained in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Q/A:
I pray that God will lead
many through Christ through PTM.
Q/A: I have a few questions.
A couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my house the other day and
brought up some stuff I was not sure of.
Q/A: I have heard and read from
numerous sources that at the final judgment all our sins will be made known to
everyone. I don’t understand.
If we have confessed and repented of these sins, what is the purpose of
this revelation?
Q/A: When Jesus died, where did he go for the 3 days?
Did he go to hell or Hades or to the belly of the earth?
Q/A: Under the Salvation heading of questions you made
this statement: “The period of time of 1000 years, or the millennium, is
mentioned that specifically in one chapter of the Bible—Revelation 20—in a
book that is full of symbolism, numerology, metaphor, typology, etc.
Revelation is written in apocalyptic genre, not intended to be
interpreted literally.”
Q/A: ...My question is about the
final fate of the wicked. I’ve
been doing a lot of study on this lately and I’d love to have your input.
I have read most of “Four Views of Hell” and am currently reading
“Two Views of Hell”.
Q/A: As best as I am able to
research, there are generally 3 views of “final judgment”:
Q/A: I am rather confused. I
just read a statement in one of your answers about the Bible not being clear
about Hell. I need to know straight
answers, not in sound bites. Does
your ministry believe in eternal punishment and torment for the unsaved?
I think the Bible talks about this very vividly, even more than heaven.
Q/A: A Catholic friend insists that a purgatory exists through
which the saved are purified before coming into the presence of the Lord.
Your comment please.
Q/A: My
question is about what we know of God’s plan for those who reject him.
Many Christians hold the view that all unbelievers will suffer eternal
torment after God establishes his kingdom.
After reading the Gospels (Matthew-John) it seems that the only thing
Jesus said that can be interpreted this way is the parable of Lazarus and the
Rich Man in Luke.
Q/A: I
am having trouble with the concept of eternal rewards in Heaven being given.
What kind are they? Isn’t
the joy of salvation enough of a reward? (2
Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 3). Also,
regarding the concept of being judged for our deeds - both good and bad.
Surely this does not mean God will judge Christians who are under the
blood of Christ? In other words,
for things that I KNOW I have done sooooo wrong, and have sincerely asked
forgiveness for and repented of, surely God will not stand and judge me for
those things? I am under the
impression that God already judged sin, on the Cross!
Am I correct? I am also concerned about not everyone being equal in the
kingdom of God. . .because of these eternal rewards. . .
Q/A: How did the thief on the cross go to paradise with Jesus on that same day when Jesus himself did not ascend to heaven until a few days later? Jesus told Mary not to touch him for he had not ascended to his father. You need to dig a little deeper in the word. - Sheldon
Q/A: Then how do you explain this verse? "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man" (John 3:13). - Mary
Q/A: ...Is today the only day of salvation for everyone? I find this hard to believe since the majority of people past and present have not heard of Christ. And those who have heard of him don’t really understand who he is and what he did for us. Does God make an attempt to reach everyone in his or her lifetime? And if they don’t accept Christ before they died, they are banished to hell forever? - Darren
Q/A: Is hell a reality or just fiction? Is it true that Jesus spoke more about hell than heaven? - Jener
Q/A: Please explain Isaiah 66:24. Who is looking upon the dead bodies and when? Explain the worms that die not. Also, explain the fire will not be quenched. - Donald
Q/A: My question is – Are we as humans created eternal as we are now? Many believe that we were created with eternal spirits. Does the Bible show that we were created with eternal spirits? - Liz
Q/A: Can you explain what the Bible says about all those who have died not knowing Christ? Do they get a chance? What about those who may have been told about Jesus who just didn’t get it or understand it for whatever reason? Since becoming a Christian, I have eagerly waited to be re-united with loved ones who have died hoping they would accept Christ at that time. Frankly, the thought of people being tormented forever in hell just seems contrary to what I know about our loving Father. - Joe
Q/A: ...Seeing God cast a person in hell after death, for the person who never heard of Jesus, seems to me to be incongruous with God’s great love for mankind.... I believe that C.S. Lewis held that God must have a good plan for the unsaved. Can you elaborate on this issue? And/or point me to other authors who may believe like me – that a loving God cannot have a swift trip to hell for the unsaved? - Randy
Q/A: First of all, are Herbert Armstrong’s views on heaven and hell correct? Secondly, my church, New Covenant Fellowship, is doing a play called Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames." Many different scenarios are shown when people die and they either end up in heaven or in hell. The ones that go to hell are shown being carried off by the devil screaming into hell and ones that go to heaven are shown being welcomed into the arms of Jesus. Obviously, there are a few things in this play that are incorrect but many people are lead to Christ through this play. Is my church doing the correct thing by doing this play? - Taryn
Q/A: I was having a conversation with someone and they were saying that they believe something about "crowns" one will receive for good works and about different levels of Hell. I have never heard of either thing. My understanding was more as found in Ephesians, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast." Out of our love for the Lord we do good works because we WANT to honor and show our respect to him in that way – but not because we HAVE to.... - Sheila
Q/A: What do you suppose we will do in the eternal state? Do you think that we would be able to travel back in time to get all the facts concerning dinosaurs, etc? With bodies made of spirit that would be responsive to our spirit and with God’s holy divine nature we will be able to accomplish much? - Tim
Q/A: What is your belief about hell and eternal punishment? Do you feel that all those who do not accept Christ in this life are doomed to eternal death in the lake of fire? In particular, people who have not rejected Christ but have not made a commitment at this time. Have they lost their only chance of salvation? - Ann
Q/A: Do Christians go directly to heaven upon their death? If so, why does the Bible talk about the good and bad being raised and judged on the last day when Jesus returns? Thank you! - John
Q/A: I would just like to know why everybody thinks that we go to heaven when we die. No one really knows what happens but isn’t the most used explanation in the Bible the resurrection? 1 Corinthians 15 comes to mind. I would just like to know more about this subject. I hope I’m not taking too much of your time. - Edward
Q/A: Are heretics saved? Do Arius, Pelagius, et all have the hope of salvation? Or are they condemned to hell? - Nick
Q/A:
I really appreciated the
article, “The Battle Over Hell” in the September/October 2001 Plain Truth.
However, I have a question concerning the statement that the subject of
hell is “not a core doctrine.” Even
after reading the article, I would not know how to explain this to someone.
Would you be able to help me with this?
Q/A:
I
believe that there is one God, and only one.
I believe that there is a deity, but can the Holy Spirit be a person?
Is the Holy Spirit a person? I
also have a question about hell. You
say that it is a separation from God. How
can you explain the Rich Man and Lazarus? I
thought hell was the grave.