First, let’s see exactly WHO will be cast into the lake of fire:

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 21:8)

The word “fearful” in some versions is translated as “cowardly” or “timid.” So here we have timid or cowardly people lumped in with murderers and adulterers. The same is true of all liars. That’s ALL liars, Ron. So someone who steals a candy bar in a drug store and lies about it will be cast into the lake of fire along with Hitler, Stalin, and the like. So I see a big problem with your argument about degrees of punishment in hell, in that it will be “more tolerable” for those who have done lesser crimes. Besides, the word “everlasting” as it erroneously appears in most modern versions of the Bible implies that their punishment is just that: NEVER-ending. So what’s the difference?

The truth of the matter, Ron, is that Jesus never taught that there would be varying degrees of punishment in “hell.” However, He DID teach that there would be varying degrees of corrective discipline. Can you guess for which group of people it will be LESS tolerable?

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:46,47)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.” (Matt 23:14)

Now I ask, which group of people most fits the above description?

a) murderers
b) adulterers
c) unbelievers
d) televangelists

I encourage you to seek honest answers to questions 1 & 2, which you conveniently ignored. Maybe then will you begin to understand what the scriptures really teach.

http://www.tentmaker.org/books/Aion_lim.html
http://www.savior-of-all.com/An%20Analytical%20Study%20of%20Words.pdf
http://thetencommandmentsministry.us/ministry/free_bible/whence_eternity
http://www.tentmaker.org/books/BibleThreateningsExplained.html

“In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.” — Bertrand Russell

Peace

REGARDING QUESTION 3 – The Bible teaches that there are degrees of punishment in hell, according to our works. (Certainly a moral person who rejects Christ wouldn’t face the same punishment as, say, a Hitler who killed 6 million Jews. Justice demands that there be a difference.) Here are some Scriptures:

Luke 12:47-48 – “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with MANY stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with FEW stripes.”

Heb. 10:29 – “Of how much SORER punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy…”

In light of that, certainly it would be “more tolerable” for some, than for others.

REGARDING QUESTION 4 – He’s clearly talking about two different groups of people. The ones who rejected the gospel have a “forever” weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Revelation passage is talking about the saved who will never again experience things that would cause weeping and crying.

REGARDING QUESTION 5 – Same concept as above. The second death is defined in Revelation as being cast into the lake of fire. Not only will individuals who have rejected God’s remedy for sin be cast there, but death and hell are also cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation chapter 20). But, for the Christian, death will be no more.

Nope. Didn’t have to seriously compromise my belief system.