Eschatology: The Destiny of the Unsaved Essay

In answering Steves comment just about the destiny of the unsaved certain definitions need to be dealt with a foresightful with lengthiness made available to us and I have just what we need. Steve I understand what you have read and the comment was made from the tie-up of the author Clark Pinnock. However, if you allow anyow me to answer your questions in delineate interchanges such as Hades, Gehenna, Sheol, never-failing penalty, Annihilationism, Universalism, perdition and Apokatastasis. You in addition asked the difference between Hades and Sheol.Since we argon dealing with Sotereology, Eschatology and Ecclesiology it is only fair that we linkence the Word of God. Our definitions bequeath come from Elwell Evangelical Dictionary of theological system and some citing from Towns, Theology for Today. In defining Sheol, Elwell (2001, 1099) notes, A place where men experience rewards, or punishments that will come to them in final concept and a place whose power cannot w ithstand the church. Hades is noted as A grave or the place of bodily decay a place of punishment for the wicked, (p. 1099).Gehenna, according to Elwell (2001, 480), is defined in this musical mode A place that shares some common ground with Hades/Sheol however, both good and bad souls after(prenominal) death prior to judgment, while Gehenna is the final and ever stand firming place of punishment for the wicked following the last judgment. In answering Steves question of the difference, if any, among Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna and the concepts that best corresponds to the traditional soul of the everlasting abode of the condescending? Sheol and Hades best corresponds to the traditional understanding of the eternal abode of the wicked.Contrary to popular belief wickedness is explained in the Bible as a final place for the wicked, this will be brought out march on in our discussion. As we continue on in our definitions, Elwell (2001, 395 Eternal punishment as One existence cas t into a lake of fire where the fire never goes out. (Mark 943 cf. Luke 317). He referred to stone, where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Elwell (2001, 64), further defines Annihilationism as expressing the position of those that hold that some, if not all, kind souls will cease to exist after death.Our next word is Universalism, Elwell (2001, 1232), defines the word as That doctrine which asserts that all men will eventually be reconciled to God. Universalist believes that the efficiency of the At hotshotment is not restrict and therefore extends to all. Furthermore, Elwell, (p. 548) states Universalist also believe that all will eventually go to heaven. Elwell, (2001, 547) further defines Hell in a general sense, he notes Hell is used in Scripture to describe or refer to a place of future punishment for the wicked. As we have elaborated on the more perverting states of eschatology there is another state that is quite attractive to the theologian and me dia evangelist.This state is better known as the Intermediate State, Elwell, (2001, 608 609), defines this as The period between death as an individual phenomenon and the final judgment and consummation. If Christian thought held to not final state of affairs for all creation, then perhaps ones final function could be conceived as being settled at death. Elwell further include the theory of Purgatory you will not be lost, yet God will be just.At the present time, with much awareness of invigoration as a process or evolution, purgatory has also allowed for speculation about continued development of the soul. As such, it continues to be attractive for some in a greatly modified form. Lastly, Elwell, (2001, 81), defines the Apokatastasis, he state that savior must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through his holy prophets. Further, Elwell states that most evangelicals, while insisting on an eschatological restoration by C hrist, deny the corollary assertion of the ultimate salvation of all humans. Now that we have defined the terms necessary, allow me give you my understanding of the destiny of the unsaved from a biblical stand point as well.My understanding is that Gehenna or the Lake of Fire is prepared for the Devil and his angels, consequently the Wicked, or Unsaved after the Great clean-living Throne Judgment will be cast into hell where they will spend eternal punishment. (Matthew 2541, 46 Revelation 2012-15). Towns (2008, 795) notes All those who are judged at the Great White Throne are consigned to hell because they have rejected God. Hence, The Great White Throne Judgment will determine the phase of punishment the rejecters will endure, based upon the nature of their evil work. Furthermore, in my research the most common remonstration comes from many sources, however the objections used for an our example is that of the Universalist. Elwell (2001, 1232), notes Universalism is that doct rine which asserts that all men will eventually be reconciled to God. A Universalist believes that the efficiency of the Atonement is not limited and therefore extends to all. Furthermore, Elwell, (p. 548) notes, Universalist also believe that all will eventually go to heaven. The Scriptures biases for this belief are as follows (1 John 22 Philippians 210-13 2 Peter 39 Romans 1132 2 herds grass 24). Now Steve, there are many that may not share my point of situation and thats common in religious society. However, In responding to objections one has to point out that when Christ returns it will be for a church without a spot or a wrinkle, (Holy Bible, Ephesians 527). This does not look upon that God does not love everyone, it simply means that He will save those who have answered his shriek to salvation (Holy Bible, John 316-21). All of this can be summed up in one word Atonement.Elwell notes (2001, 114), This truth is repeated, and enlarged upon in the NT, where it is made clear that all are sinners (Romans 323) and that hell awaits them (Mark 943 Luke 125). But it is just as clear that God wills to bring salvation and that He has brought it in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of His Son. The love of God is the mainspring (John 316 Romans 58). We are not to designate of a loving Son wringing salvation from a just notwithstanding stern become. It is the will of the Father that all be saved, and salvation is accomplished not with a wave of the hand, so to speak but by what God has done in Christ.In reconciling the idea of hell and eternal punishment one has to understand the offer that Christ made to all mankind, (Holy Bible, John 316 Romans 109-17 Ephesians 21-22). Not only did God make the offer, but he also gave the consequence if one did not except Christ. God does not make our decisions for us however, He has made a bureau of escape from sin to eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. What is the impact that my view of hell has on ev angelism/missions? The impact that my view has on hell and getting the word out to all that will hear is to know that we all have a decision to make as for as our eternal destination.We can choose heaven or hell the choice is ours as individuals. The impact that I would care to make from this point on is to paint a picture such as explained in Towns, Theology for Today (2008, 802), The Millennium will fulfill all the biblical desires that have been expressed towards it (Hebrew 1110). That which brings delight and fulfillment to life will be included in the kingdom. Those things which produce sorrow or temper in life will be excluded from the kingdom of God.