Sunday, September 4, 2011

"Eternal Hell" and "Eternal Reign of Christ"

May I present to you an excerpt of the book "Heaven and Hell" by Markel Moen:

One point which is presented by supporters of a doctrine of "eternal hell" is as follows. Since the "eternal" nature of hell is couched in the same language as is the Christian's "eternal reign" with Christ, then it follows - say they - that since our life with Christ is to be "eternal", so similarly must we understand the "eternal" nature of suffering in "hell." This may sound plausible and be accepted when speaking to heads as empty as their own, yet the "argument" does not stand up to scrutiny in the light of Scripture analysis. And its disposition is simple:

Saint Paul (generally recognized by all Christians as an authority by virtue of inspiration), writing about this very "reign with Christ, said: "Then cometh THE END, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign TILL He hath put all enemies under His feet." --- 1 Cor. 15:24-25.

There you have it in language simple enough for any child to understand, that THE "REIGN" BY CHRIST is to be of LIMITED duration, COMING TO A TERMINATION at some future date when He shall have put down all rule, having "overcome the last enemy - which is death.

Wherefore, since in the plainest of language and indisputable terms we are told that Christ's "reign" is to be of LIMITED duration, then we are forced to admit that the selfsame "eternal" (eonian or age-lasting) extent of suffering in hell, is similarly LIMITED.

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