Originally Posted by Bro. Parrish
Hmmm, that would make sense if it was just a vision, but the book does not contend that the event was a vision at all.

The book contends that the man ACTUALLY DIED, and he WENT TO HELL.
This happens every day, perhaps every second. As I understand it approximately 146,357 people die each day (that's about 2 per second), I'm sure you would agree that a percentage of them are going to hell. This is REAL, that part we agree on. What you are having a problem with is that one of them could COME BACK and TELL OTHERS ABOUT IT. This is certainly not common, it is highly unusual, but I'm not ready to say it could never happen. It happened to Jonah, so it is not completely outside the realm of the Biblical record. God allowed Jairus’ Daughter to come back, as He did with Lazarus. Those events were all REAL. I think all of this you would agree with.

So what's left? You are assuming they did not remember anything about it, and you are assuming they never told anyone about what they experienced, but the Bible doesn't say that, that is only an assumption. Who am I to say it can never happen.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Christian

Good points there, and you're right that I am making assumptions about things that aren't crystal clear here.

Something else that crossed my mind...according to that book, did anyone actually face God when they died?

What do you believe about Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"? For years we've been preaching that when a man dies he immediately finds himself standing before God in judgment, then it's either to heaven or hell. If this isn't the case, and a person's soul goes straight to hell when they die in their sins, do you think that this judgment after death is a reference to the great white throne judgment that take place at least 1007+ years in the future?

Excellent question.
Yep, I figure it has to be the great white throne judgment in the future.
I don't think the confidence for believers in 2 Corinthians 5:8 applies to all men.
When the unrepentant die they are placed "on second death row" into a temporary holding place (prison) to suffer until they are judged down the road. Sadly, they have no advocate with the Father, only the accuser. The very name of Satan means "the accuser."

[chette777]

Originally Posted by Bro. Parrish

only the accuser. The very name of Satan means "the accuser."

where will Satan be accusing those who are in the temporary holding pin awaiting judgement?

Originally Posted by chette777

where will Satan be accusing those who are in the temporary holding pin awaiting judgement?

Rev. 12:10 will give a hint, but not necessarily the complete answer.
Like I said before, the "location" of these things is a bit cloudy.

[chette777]

Originally Posted by Bro. Parrish

Rev. 12:10 will give a hint, but not necessarily the complete answer.
Like I said before, the "location" of these things is a bit cloudy.

well if they are dead they are not the accused in Rev12:10. The context of Rev 12:10 the brethren is Israel on earth not lost men in hell. verse 11 lets us know that the loving not their lives was their requirement for salvation after Christ's blood and their Testimony. these are those that the souls under the altar are waiting for to be complete in Revelation 6.

Day and night would signify that it is taking place Now until Rev 20:2. and during the 7 year Great Tribulation. the woman mentioned at the beginning of this chapter and at the end is Israel. who is spoken of in Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

He most definitely could not be at the Great White throne Judgement accusing anyone.

[chette777]

If i put my money on it. I would say God is in charge of The lake of fire or eternal punishment.

Originally Posted by chette777

If i put my money on it. I would say God is in charge of The lake of fire or eternal punishment.

Of course He is brother, He created it...

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." - Psalm 139:7-10

[Kiwi Christian]

Originally Posted by Bro. Parrish

Yep, I figure it has to be the great white throne judgment in the future. I don't think the confidence for believers in 2 Corinthians 5:8 applies to all men. When the unrepentant die they are placed "on second death row" into a temporary holding place (prison) to suffer until they are judged down the road.

I agree that 2 Cori 5:8 is only for believers, being "present with the Lord" is a privileged position indeed, but I'm not convinced that the unsaved don't "meet" God immediately after death.

Amos 4:11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

When an unsaved man's soul leaves his body, surely God explains to him why he is sending him to hell, and that explanation in itself would be a judgment.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Christian

When an unsaved man's soul leaves his body, surely God explains to him why he is sending him to hell, and that explanation in itself would be a judgment.

I think that's certainly possible, or it could be an angel with the message, or some creature in charge of hell who greets them with the bad news. God uses messengers sometimes. Either way, it's an unpleasant thought for sure brother.

[Kiwi Christian]

Originally Posted by Bro. Parrish

...or some creature in charge of hell who greets them with the bad news.

And that creature wouldn't happen to be a talking invertebrate animal with a long, soft body and no legs by any chance, would it?

Originally Posted by Kiwi Christian

And that creature wouldn't happen to be a talking invertebrate animal with a long, soft body and no legs by any chance, would it?

LOL, Kiwi you are a rascal, brother....

Originally Posted by chette777
As we looked through the scriptures on hell not once did we see anyone in charge of hell.

Really? And here I was thinking that Rosie O'Donnell would take over the job eventually...