Who Do You Want To Go To Hell?
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Who would you send to hell if you had the power to do so? Most Christians hold strong opinions on who should and who shouldn’t go to hell. Throughout Christian history, theologians have debated the topic of hell. Some contend that it will be nearly empty while others believe it will be full to the brim. Rather than entering directly into that debate, I hope to take us in a slightly different direction with this question. Who do you want to go to hell? Please read more.
It seems to me that Christians are encamped in two separate, distinct, and opposing armies of thought. Both armies are well fortified with their selectively chosen Bible verses to support their position. One group points to Bible verses that suggest that only a few will make it through the narrow gate to Heaven leaving the majority of people destined to suffer eternal damnation in hell. The other army of thought believes that most, if not all, people will be saved. I have no doubt that you have your opinion on this too.
Before getting to my main point today, allow me to clearly state my beliefs. I believe the Bible is explicitly clear that hell exists! However, I also know that not one single person alive, nor one single church leader, nor the greatest Christian theologians know how many people are in hell. Entering into a debate over who is or isn’t in hell seems like a fruitless exercise. God alone decides that issue.
Therefore, it is not my intent to debate the existence of hell nor to quibble over who is or isn’t there. My purpose is quite different. I want to focus exclusively on my opening question which was, Who do you want to go to hell?
Before you answer that question, allow me to pose one other question that must be answered first. Would you agree with me, that as Christians, we should, in all things, want what God wants? I hope we are all in agreement on the answer to my second question. I tend to believe, however, that there might be some disparity when it comes to answering my primary question.
Before you answer the primary question, let’s take a look at what the Bible tells us God wants. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 states, “This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.”
Let me restate that. I believe the Bible is clear that God desires for everyone to be saved! He longs for every person to be with Him in eternity. God loves every person. He desires what is best for every person. The sad reality, however, is that not every person loves God in return and not every person longs to be with Him. Some flat out reject Him. But to be clear, God never stops loving them and He never stops calling them back. He is relentless in His pursuit of all of us.
Okay, with all of that as our foundation, we are finally ready to tackle the primary question. When you think of all of the people you know in the world, when you think of all of the members of the various religions of the world, when you think of all of the agnostics, and atheists in the world and when you think of all of the murderers and rapists and terrorists in the world, which of them do you want to go to hell? Think long and hard on your answer.
God wills everyone to be saved. That is His desire, and that should be our desire too! Love is willing the good of another. We should not desire to see any person go to hell. We are called to love others, yes, even our enemies. We should hope, desire, and pray, that all will be saved. More importantly we should take action to help bring about the salvation of all people, even those who are different from us and those we dislike the most.
We have the good news of Jesus Christ to share with them. We have a choice. We can share the good news with the tone, “believe this or you are going to go to hell”, or instead, we can share that good news with the tone, “believe this and you can find your way out of hell.” Which of these do you think will work better?
God is hoping that all people will choose to be saved. I am hoping for that too. I cringe at the thought that any human being will suffer eternal damnation and perpetual separation from God.
So, I will close with the provocative question that I started with. Who do you want to go to hell?
Heavenly Father, your mercy and forgiveness exceed my comprehension. I know that you created all people in the hope that they would one day return to be with you in paradise. It must grieve you deeply when some reject your love. I know you are relentless in your pursuit of the lost. Help me to pray ceaselessly for the conversion and salvation of all people. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
AMDG
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How do I stop wanting someone to go to hell? For the first time in my life, I truly want someone to go to hell and to suffer the way that they’ve made others suffer. I know that is so wrong and I hate myself for wanting that, but I don’t know how not to want that. Obviously I’m praying about it, but beyond that, what can I do to not want that man to go to hell? What can I do to make myself long for his repentance like I have for literally every other person I know, both personally and in history? I don’t know what to do.
Deanna
You have asked a deep and profound question that probably every Christian has wrestled with at some time in their life. Forgiveness is not an easy thing to do. Your answer really requires me to write an entire essay, but for now in this short space let me just say, be careful what you wish for. In the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In this prayer we are asking God to dole out forgiveness to us as we dole it out to others. Clearly the New Testament calls us to have a forgiving heart. All of us our sinners, and all of us deserve condemnation. We should pray for the salvation of everyone. We should hope that everyone will turn to Jesus Christ. I am sure this response makes it seem to easy. Take your concern to God, and pray for a forgiving heart.
Brian
Thanks a lot
First thought: no one, I want no one to go there. Love the article. Gods mercy is so much that even with our last exhale, He extends His Mercy. Unfortunately (word not strong enough), there are souls who do reject Him. I pray on Divine Mercy chaplet that He will extend the Grace of perfect contrition to all who will enter eternity. As well that they will accept the Grace.
Well stated! Amen.
Brian
Thank you so much…you have given me much to think and pray about.. I’m ashamed to say I often comment “they will roast in hell for what they did”…..a comment I made without thought of the unfailing love of God or the fact that I …a sinner…have no right to judge others. I pray I will now think before I speak..God bless you
Sheila
Thank you for your wonderful post.
Brian
I thought this was a trick question at first. I worked in a pizza kitchen with four or five ovens when I was young. On a busy Saturday night it was miserable if you worked the ovens. It was then that the fear of hell became real to me. The thought of being constantly in a much hotter situation for all eternally scared me to death. Later, I learned a better reason to not go to hell. It was the love of God for me was better than anything else I could imagine. Now, to answer your question. I want NO One to go to hell. I wish everyone would come to love the Lord and know what it is to be loved by Him.
Michael
Beautifully said! Thanks for your post.
Brian
Good post today, we all needed this especially with the crisis in our world today. Thank you for this excellent reading. Blessings to everyone, we need prayers and each other during these difficult times.??❤️
Susan
Amen! Thank you for your post!
Brian
When a question like this arises I remember the oft quoted saying “Judge not lest ye be judged”. I cannot quote its origin but believe it is from the Bible. I found this 4th Day letter a good reminder of where we all sit as we move on our Christian journey.
Gordon
Thanks for your post. Blessings to you.
CWT