Ok - when I came to this conclusion for the first time, I cried. And that's saying a lot, because other than that time, the last time I cried was almost five years ago.
**Bear in mind that I have taken no theology courses, I am not a pastor, and I have come to these conclusions merely based on the bible knowledge that I have and how I applied that knowledge in my thinking. Don't take my thoughts as fact. It is merely something that I thing should be thought about.**
I'll begin by giving my view of eternity. Most people define eternity as forever. In fact, eternity is not the same as forever. Forever, while it may be a very long time, still is in relation to that one word: time. Eternity exists with God: outside of time. God has existed, yes forever, but more, before forever started, for eternity. If you are a little bit confused, that's good. I know I am. We will never be able to comprehend eternity as we dwell on this earth. Time is something that we have always known; to imagine something completely outside of time is impossible for us. This is one of the reasons that we cannot comprehend God.
That, though interesting, is not what made me cry. That is merely one of the two facts that made me come to my conclusion. Here is the second:
Think about this: What is the punishment for one sin? One tiny, miniscule sin? Say, you deliberately stay out an hour past your curfew. What is the punishment for this dishonor to your parents? Eternity in hell. Do you know what eternal punishment will be like? I don't claim to have any idea, but I know that it will be pain beyond anything we have or will ever experienced in this life. It may not be physical pain, but it will hurt. For arguement's sake, I'll try to define a punishment that will give some idea of what hell will be like. Let's say you burn your finger. This isn't touch a stove, pull finger away quickly. Let's say you deliberately press your finger against a hot stove for 2 seconds. That would hurt a lot, right? Now imagine that pain over your entire body. Now multiply that by 100. This is what Hell will be like. Except that it won't last 2 seconds; it will last for eternity. there will be no end.
Now to my conclusion. I have no way of supporting this, and because eternity always is, was, and will be, I never will. For one sin, the punishment is eternal damnation. What is the punishment for two sins? For us, it is the same: even our spirit cannot exist in multiple eternities. But is it the same for Jesus? He paid for our sins: Every. Single. One. He didn't simply die on the cross, and that was that. He actually took our punishment. All of it. My conclusion is this: For every sin we commit, Jesus spends another eternity in Hell.
Good reason to stop sinning, isn't it?
Bruce, I know you read this, and you have much more theological knowledge than I do, so I'd love to hear any input you might have.
1 comment:
John, thanks for your thoughts. Here are a few of mine.
If we do not go to heaven, it will be for only ONE reason--we did not accept Jesus as our Forgiver and Leader. I am sure you would agree that we ALL are sinners (Romans 3:23 and 6:23). And the wages of sin is DEATH, so that means we are all given the death sentence (meaning, ultimately, separation from God).
But the gift of God is eternal life, and that life is through his son, Jesus. We can escape the death penatly if we are covered by Jesus' sacrifice, because he paid the price for each of us. So, we deserve death, but we are given LIFE in Jesus.
God is a holy God, and he therefore MUST punish sin or He would not be just and holy. That brings a dilemma....how can I forgive John and Bruce, and yet the penalty must be paid? He placed the penalty on Jesus, and Jesus paid the price.
Suppose I had a brand new sports car, and you borrowed my car. You went riding around and wrecked it. You feel really bad, and you bring me back my wrecked car and you beg for forgiveness. I say, "Sure, I will forgive you, but who is going to pay for the wrecked car?" So either John has to pay, or Bruce (the owner) has to pay. That is the position God finds Himself in when he forgives us, and Jesus had to pay.
So yes, Jesus paid for our sins. I cannot speculate on your last paragraph, as to Jesus paying an eternity for each sin we commit. How can you have more than one eternity stacked up on top of each other. Rather, I think it means that Jesus payed the price of being separated from His father in heaven, something he had never before experienced. And in that moment, because He is God and outside of time, for those 3 hours on the cross he was able to pay for every single sin.
But what sins was he paying for? It is not my SINS which will send me to hell, but my refusal to accept Jesus as the substitute. So my payment is to be separated from God, who is holy, and I am a sinner. Every person who goes to heaven will be a sinner, but we have received the payment, the substitute, the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
Anyway, just some thoughts to add to yours. Way to go! Keep thinking deep thoughts....
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