Hell glorifies God
By Eric Landstrom
The argument against a God of Love concerning hell is that a loving God would not torment his creation forever. Thus the reasoning goes that a loving God will not do so as God loves us as sinful creatures in a benevolent way. And the argument that if God is really loving; there would be no hell.
Those whom run they're theology along these lines make the error that forgets or de-emphasizes that first and foremost God is a righteous and just God.
This then begs the question; what is the object of God's love? The answer is: to be set apart from sin. As a parent disciplines a child, so God disciplines us to set us apart from sin. God does this to His glory because He is set apart from sin. God desires us to be holy because He is holy.
Does a just and righteous judge leave evil alone? Does a good judge refuse to dispense justice? God would not be good if he didn't punish the wicked.
In Romans chapter two Paul is explaining judgment.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of
God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such
things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment
of God?
Paul is asking a question; do you think if your a sinner you will escape judgment?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Do you deny God's judgment will lead you to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Do you deny that your unrepented sins are not storing up there measure of God's wrath?
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
For God will dispense justice.
7 To them who by patient continuance in
well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal
life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
And here we see the two groups separated out. You may want to look at Matthew 27:51-53 1 Corinthians 15:23 and Daniel 12:2 two see that in this general resurrection all are indeed raised in their order. First the firstfruits after Christ for the coming general harvest and then the general resurrection.
This all occurs on the last day at the second coming of Christ; the day of Judgement.
There are no other judgments! There is only one! After judgment there is no escape from the lake of fire. For those whom think Jonah 2:2 is an example of one escaping hell, you are in error. That is a Hebrew colloquialism.
People are looking over in Revelations 22:11 when fate has been sealed were it is written, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."
There is no escape from the judgement of God.