Seems harsh Ian … are yoyu suggesting i will simply forget about, or worse ignore, hugely important and much loved people in my life?

Where do you think people will go if they do not accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour? They will have to face God’s judgement. I used to work in the courtrooms and the court was a wonderful illustration of Judgement Day. That God is himself on the bench and before him in the dock is a person who has not accepted Jesus. The central question will be Did you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour What did you do about Jesus?

C S Lewis made the point that when we come to stand before the One of absolute Goodness, then judgement will be on ourselves.

But the advocate will be Jesus, He will be able to say that those who have accepted him know him and follow him. We Christians will not be found guilty but those who have not accepted Jesus as Saviour will be.

I do not agree with the universal view that all roads lead to heaven otherwise Jesus died for no reason

Those who have never hear, never had the chance to respond that is up to God to decide and that is the easy way out but quite understandable to take that view

Hello Chris. It seems to me that if this is literal and that people in heaven can see their loved ones in hell, then as it says in another place, all tears shall be wiped from their eyes — and inter alia we will be so focussed on worshipping God we will not have time to consider those who are not there.

Hi Ian — let me point you to views that are alternative to yours:
1. Luke 16 and the Lazarus account — is this literal or a parable? If its literal (as you suggest) then a) it seems strange that people “in heaven” can carry on a conversation with someone “in hell”, and if such conversations occur, how are those who are saved supposed to be in bliss when they can literally talk to their loved ones who are in constant torment? b) why is this conversation occurring with Abraham at all? c) even if it is literal there is nothing here to suggest it is permanent
2. Matthew 25 and the sheep and goats. I think the main point here is that the separation of sheep and goats, according to Jesus speaking in Matthew 25 is nothing to do with what people believe or whether they said a sinner’s prayer. The basis of separation is only concerned with whether or not we served people in need

Luke 16 Verses 19–31 Give a good illustration
The Rich man and Lazurus.

Vs 23 The Rich man was in torment in Hades — Note that he was in Torment. He was not at peace, having a good time with his mates.
Vs 24 He cried for help in his state
VS 26 We see that there is a great gulf between where the rich man is and where Abraham is.

So the rich man in Hades was alive,
He was aware of where he was, and He had regrets as to where he was. He did not want anyone else to come to the place. and as Abraham Said, if they would not listen to the prophets who were sent, then they would not listen to someone who had risen from the dead

I think that is conclusive. There is no change of heart after death. There may be regret and remorse but remorse is not repentance.

I do believe that there will be a day of Judgment and the Bible speaks of a great white Throne judgement where God will sit and judge each person for how they have lived their lives and the main question will be. Did you accept Jesus as your Saviour? Did you accept his offer of forgiveness on the cross? And I actually sometimes think that when we look at the face of absolute goodness the judgement will be upon ourselves — and we will know…

In another place, Jesus speaks about the sheep and the goats, some to the right and one to the left. John 14 Vs 6 Says I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. The case is quite strong for holding the view that this life is the time to receive Jesus as your Lord and come to the cross and ask for forgiveness.

So what about those who have never heard? Not had a chance to hear it. Then and I know I am taking the easy way out — I believe that is up to God to judge, not me. That is a question and situation that Heavenly Father is invited to address.

What about those who live to a good moral standard? Again, the benchmark is Have you come before the cross of Christ and sought forgiveness from sin?

If God were to let people into heaven without accepting Christ then Christ died for no reason. Then dying on the cross for our forgiveness is meaningless

It is very stark, it is very black and white I know, but my reading of Scripture indicates that there are only two ways. I think of Psalm 1 The righteous and the unrighteous. The wicked will not stand in the congregation of the righteous. When you read through the Old Testament, you see God continually seeking people to come back to him in repentance and God will be with us

I used to work in the court service and working in a court gives you a brilliant illustration of God’s judgement day. God is on the throne, the dias and you will need an advocate. Jesus is the advocate and he will say — yes I know this man. He received my forgiveness.

The converse is there. There will be those who have not received Jesus’ forgiveness and will be condemned

Have you come to the cross of Christ? Knowing that you have done many things wrong. The Bible uses the word sin. This needs to be forgiven by Jesus on the cross. Simply come and receive forgiveness and cleansing and live a new life. The past is behind us and forgiven. Remembered no more

Simply come

Yes, I think “hell supporters” have these 2 views. I don’t think I ever believed in the “eternal conscious torment” view. That makes God out to be a monster and he is not.
So then what about “Hell” as a place of annihilation? Gosh, how many books have been written on that!
(not very helpful — I know!)

Thanks for laying that out so succinctly Tina!
And there is at least one important variant: that God eventually saves all people who want to be saved through Christ. That view lies somewhere between your Inclusivist and Universalist So Steve Chalke for example speaks of the universal salvation of all people thru Christ. In fact, Karl Barth started this! … there’s a quote somewhere along the lines that Christ has already won the salvation of all people … but that’s different to “Universalism”
And completely agree .….….. we don’t know …

In Post Grad Studies at an now closed College I learned that there are three main groups holding views about the salvation of individuals. The Exclusivists hold a view which you mention about salvation being obtained whilst alive — all those who do not hear or refuse are lost in this view. Inclusivists hold that God has different methods of holding out Salvation to people according to the ‘light’ they may have obtained whilst alive.…ie those who ‘believe’ in God but know little about the plan of salvation. The third group — Universalists believe that eventually all will be saved from ultimate destruction. Take your pick!! In the end none of us know the details of God’s plans as none of the Jews were aware of when the Messiah would appear — neither did they recognise Him when he did appear. Who would presume to know ALL the truth — we await the Saviour’s reign on earth and leave the details to Him.

God bless Tina