God and Hell: Understanding Two Complex Concepts

God and Omniscience

Let's talk about two words that often don't seem to sit well together in my mind, although they're very popular within Christian parlance: God and Hell. Many people believe these two concepts align perfectly, but I've always struggled to understand how they connect. This confusion persisted until I began thinking more deeply about it and delving into Scripture.

Christians describe God as omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He knows everything, always has, and nothing surprises Him. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. God is said to have always existed, without a beginning. He created us, and before creating, He knew everything that would happen—everything we would do and the choices we would make. Even before creating a person, like Ted Bundy, God knew what actions they would take and chose to create them anyway.

The Concept of Hell

Hell is undoubtedly a biblical concept and a part of the Bible. It had its place in the Old Testament but was overcome by Jesus. When you think of God, who knows everything and still allows the idea that Hell exists and will forever exist, a problem arises. Could it be said that God, knowing everything, created most people to go to this Hell, to burn and scream in agony forever? This doesn't seem like the actions of a good God.

The Biblical Perspective

However, that's not truly what the Bible teaches. The Bible tells us Hell was a place in the Old Testament—a covered place where everyone went because sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. hadn't been dealt with yet. From Abraham to the worst sinner, all went to Hell or Sheol—separated from God. There was a paradise part of Sheol and a prison part, and all this continued until Jesus came.

God so loved the world that He sent His only human Son to overcome sin, deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., and Hell. The Bible clearly states that Hell gives up its dead, and this place called Hell is thrown into the lake of fire, becoming no more because of Jesus' victory. So, when people claim someone died and is burning in Hell forever, that's not accurate. While Hell is a biblical construct, it was an Old Testament one, resolved by Jesus.

The Role of Jesus

When you consider God and Hell, insert Jesus who overcame that part which was necessary because sin hadn't been taken care of yet. The just God, through His Son, dealt with Hell, and now it's no more. So, what remains? There is life with God and life without God, but Hell has nothing to do with that decision anymore.

Essentially, people choose to be with God after this life and in this life, or they choose not to. I believe God is constantly inviting us all to continue with Him, both in this life and beyond.

End of an Era

As we find ourselves at the conclusion of this journey, we reflect on its entirety.

Reflecting on the Experience

We anticipated this moment, knowing it would eventually come to an end. Throughout the experience, we captured memories and learning that will linger with us.

The Final Chapter

Although the journey has concluded, what remains are the cherished experiences and lessons learned along the way.