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Current Opinion? Merely Curious…
Shawn,
Years ago, during a Q&A after an excellent verse by verse teaching you gave on Revelation 2:8-11 part one, at the 58:50 minute mark, a guy named Nathan asked this question: “…what is your opinion on what happens to the non-believers that died in modern times?”.
Your answer: “My opinion, from my understanding of scripture, is they will immediately be resurrected to a resurrection of damnation whatever that means; they will go to the lake of fire where they will, in the presence of Christ and His angels, be purged of all the backpack that’s on their camels back, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, and they will crawl through into the kingdom…as what, I don’t know. They will not be sons and daughters, they won’t be saved from the second death, but I do believe they will be reconciled to GOD.
Nathan: “What do you define the second death as?
Shawn: “The lake of fire. A trip to the lake of fire, which no one wants. That’s how I would see it.
1) Is that still your opinion?
2) Have you developed any changes to that understanding or maybe have anything to add or take away from that earlier opinion?
3) Have you developed any new insights/opinions regarding the lake of fire?
4) Also, and at the risk of being redundant, taking part in the lake of fire is for all unbelievers and not only for the unrepentant Jews of that age, right?
A simple yes or know where appropriate is absolutely fine but if you have further comment I would be glad to know it.
Thanks as always…
~TL
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5 Replies
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Great questions Todd. I’ve wondered the same lately. Would it work for you if we speak in next weeks (not this week because of holiday) call in hour about it? I will try and get some answers to write in here beforehand as well.
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No expectations and would be glad to read/hear whatever might be offered whenever/wherever. Thanks for considering.
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Epic question, keen to hear the response!
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Not sure whether Shawn still holds this view, but the theologian George MacDonald wrote a remarkable essay on the subject titled Justice. I highly recommend it.
MacDonald argues that the fires of hell are purifying rather than punitive. Their purpose is to burn away sin and ultimately restore those in hell to a right relationship with God.
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I think he does think something close to this! His thoughts have expanded a lot on what could happen in the afterlife, always preceded by “this is his own opinion/conjecture”…
I do think he thinks that where we go (as a result of our own choice) has some sort of proximal relationship – like the darker it is, the closer it is to God, in a way. I.e. getting closer to the fire of God, which purifies rather than punishes. But not sure exactly how that relates to the lake of fire. I also know he speculates on peoples souls being nearer or further from this material/earthly realm – those who don’t want to leave it might not have to.
I’m excited to discuss! And as always, feel free to call in as wells
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