14 Aug 05
Eternal life, or eternal death?
It scares me senseless to think about it. I can only hope that when it is my time to die, it either comes so quick that I don't know what happens, or I am so sick of life that I welcome death. What do you all think?
(this may be a better questions to ask atheists, because religious people have found a purpose in life, and may not fear death as much)
14 Aug 05
Originally posted by iamrootPersonally, I'd like some sort of happy medium. Unforrunately, that seems to be logically impossible.
Eternal life, or eternal death?
It scares me senseless to think about it. I can only hope that when it is my time to die, it either comes so quick that I don't know what happens, or I am so sick of life that I welcome death. What do you all think?
(this may be a better questions to ask atheists, because religious people have found a purpose in life, and may not fear death as much)
But take heart: when you die it'll presumably it'll be like before you were born (assuming no eternal life). And that didn't bother you too much then, did it? Given that you weren't around to complain?
14 Aug 05
Originally posted by PawnokeyholeI agree with you on that. When I argue with christians about the after life i tell them "Think back before you were born. That is what death is like. No heavenly gates, no reincarnation, nothing."
Personally, I'd like some sort of happy medium. Unforrunately, that seems to be logically impossible.
But take heart: when you die it'll presumably it'll be like before you were born (assuming no eternal life). And that didn't bother you too much then, did it? Given that you weren't around to complain?
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by iamrootDoes this mean you don't want a Christian response?
Eternal life, or eternal death?
It scares me senseless to think about it. I can only hope that when it is my time to die, it either comes so quick that I don't know what happens, or I am so sick of life that I welcome death. What do you all think?
(this may be a better questions to ask atheists, because religious people have found a purpose in life, and may not fear death as much)
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by iamrootAthiests fear death more? That's a laugh for sure... since it's the Thiests who seem to fear BURNING IN HELL'S FIRES FOR ETERNITY while the Athiest figures they are just dead and gone.
Eternal life, or eternal death?
It scares me senseless to think about it. I can only hope that when it is my time to die, it either comes so quick that I don't know what happens, or I am so sick of life that I welcome death. What do you all think?
(this may be a better questions to ask atheists, because religious people have found a purpose in life, and may not fear death as much)
P-
15 Aug 05
im christian, and its kinda sad for a christian to say they would rather jsut die and stop existing. but i kinda change my mind. what if there is heaven and hell but you get the choice to just stop existing like you were before you were born. if everyone you knew went ot heaven, and you just decide to stop existing, think of how it would make them feel. so i think i am actually more afraid to stop existing cause of how others would feel i guess.
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by FreaKinGeniusDon't worry, some Christians have said God will erase your memory so you don't have to worry about it. You'll even have a front row seat to watch the sinners burn in Hell.
im christian, and its kinda sad for a christian to say they would rather jsut die and stop existing. but i kinda change my mind. what if there is heaven and hell but you get the choice to just stop existing like you were before you were born. if everyone you knew went ot heaven, and you just decide to stop existing, think of how it would make them feel. so i think i am actually more afraid to stop existing cause of how others would feel i guess.
Sweeeeeet.
P-
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by FreaKinGeniusI don't thnk eternal life will be boring, since those things that cause
im not really afraid of anything. but like pawnokeyhole said, i kinda agree with it. i think eternal life sounds boreing, one day you would run out of things to do, so i would be more scared of eternal life than eternal death, eternal death isnt bad to me at all.
pain and suffering will be done away with. So life will be filled with
joy, peace, and love forever and ever.
Kelly
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by KellyJayno conflict. no drama. ever. just everyone getting along with everyone else. sounds pretty boring to me.
I don't thnk eternal life will be boring, since those things that cause
pain and suffering will be done away with. So life will be filled with
joy, peace, and love forever and ever.
Kelly
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by iamroot
Eternal life, or eternal death?
It scares me senseless to think about it. I can only hope that when it is my time to die, it either comes so quick that I don't know what happens, or I am so sick of life that I welcome death. What do you all think?
(this may be a better questions to ask atheists, because religious people have found a purpose in life, and may not fear death as much)
The Bible teaches that there is no eternal death. Once we are born (conceived?) we all will live forever. The question before us is where we will live forever. Of course, choosing to live forever without God being present, without all things Godly, without His influence registering at all in our environment and culture, is hell itself. This can be considered eternal death if you want, but it is not like being annihilated or not existing anymore.
Now if you are afraid of death, wouldn't you be better off to find out what those of us who are not afraid of death think, and why? We are all from the same stock, by the way, but those of us who believe have found hope! And we love to share it. We are not worried about the resouces of heaven being spread too thin, and we love others because 'Christ loved us'.
I found these verses which don't address heaven exactly, but refer to the nature of God's love for us. Being with Him forever will not be boring! (see verse 20 below!)
Ephesians 3: 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by iamrootIt depends on the quality of the eternal life. As it is now, I have no idea what the quality would be, so both are equivalent.
Eternal life, or eternal death?
It scares me senseless to think about it. I can only hope that when it is my time to die, it either comes so quick that I don't know what happens, or I am so sick of life that I welcome death. What do you all think?
(this may be a better questions to ask atheists, because religious people have found a purpose in life, and may not fear death as much)
15 Aug 05
Originally posted by chinking58I would have to disagree. The bible does not teach that we all live forever. What it does teach is that those who are "born again" or have accepted Jesus as Lord, will be in the ressurection to life and have eternal life. Those who rejected the Son will be cast in the lake of fire. A careful study will reveal that even this is not forever and ever. What kind of loving God would punish forever with eternal pain and suffering?
The Bible teaches that there is no eternal death. Once we are born (conceived?) we all will live forever. The question before us is [b]where we will live forever.
Those who are cast in the lake of fire will burn up, and exist no more. This is not even considered punishment, by my understanding of the scriptures. It is brought on by the unbelievers choice.
Salvation is free. The verses you quoted from Ephesians are incredible. This section of scripture tells us that paradise will be full of great joy beyond what we can now comprehend. And this will be forever and ever.