I am trying to figure that out. Who holds the key? Only Jesus holds the keys to death and hell...“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18).https://www.christianity.com/wiki/heaven-and-hell/did-jesus-fight-satan-for-the-keys-to-death-and-hell.html So I guess I don't understand the statement about the gates of Hell being locked from the inside. I guess I need to read it in its context to understand his point. Good food for thought.
Basically, God in His love for us, has given us the freedom to do as we wish. We are not robots pre-programmed by Him. We can do good in life or bad. We can even deny the very existence of God. We can defy Him stubbornly. We can also encourage others to believe there is no God and we can do this convincingly and with defiant impunity. Have you ever met a doubtful atheist, who is not sure whether God exists?
The phrase by C S Lewis means that there are those amongst us, that even up to and including the point of death, still will not accept that God exists and that Christ is His only Son personified on earth to redeem us. It is this obstinate attitude that voluntarily locks people into hell.
As Lewis also put it "There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.' "
All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.
Thank you, Victor, for your explanation. That makes sense, and I was feeling that, but couldn't put it into words. You did it very succinctly! Thank you.
I think because people put them selves in hell but refusing to believe in Jesus when they had the chance. Once in hell it is too late and you can't get out.
when i do sin i create hell inside me which i suppose to carry within until i die and i myself enter the hell what a justice by Kind God we are free to choose any path ,our desires become wishes which we sustain with will power nobody can done us harm until we do
It is horrifying. I don't like that I believe in it, but I do think it is real. People can choose to reject God. It is horrible to really consider what it means.
I hadn't seen that particular C.S. Lewis quote before. I'd like to read it in context, because Lewis is a very lucid. I'm guessing he means that we land in hell because of the choices we have made or didn't make. I don't believe in a literal hell as it has been depicted. I think hell is being separated from God, just as I believe heaven is becoming one with God.
Aren't we all destined for Hell until we let the Savior in? I am reminded of Revelation 3:20. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, but we must be the ones who open the door to let him in.
Once a person enters there, there will be no getting out!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of poor Lazarus and the Rich man wanting God to send Lazarus to go and warn his five brothers...
ReplyDeleteInteresting way of looking at it.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to figure that out. Who holds the key? Only Jesus holds the keys to death and hell...“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18).https://www.christianity.com/wiki/heaven-and-hell/did-jesus-fight-satan-for-the-keys-to-death-and-hell.html So I guess I don't understand the statement about the gates of Hell being locked from the inside. I guess I need to read it in its context to understand his point. Good food for thought.
ReplyDeleteHopefully!!
ReplyDeleteWhat does this sentence mean?
ReplyDeleteBasically, God in His love for us, has given us the freedom to do as we wish. We are not robots pre-programmed by Him. We can do good in life or bad. We can even deny the very existence of God. We can defy Him stubbornly. We can also encourage others to believe there is no God and we can do this convincingly and with defiant impunity. Have you ever met a doubtful atheist, who is not sure whether God exists?
The phrase by C S Lewis means that there are those amongst us, that even up to and including the point of death, still will not accept that God exists and that Christ is His only Son personified on earth to redeem us. It is this obstinate attitude that voluntarily locks people into hell.
As Lewis also put it "There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.' "
All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.
God bless.
Thank you, Victor, for your explanation. That makes sense, and I was feeling that, but couldn't put it into words. You did it very succinctly! Thank you.
DeleteMany thanx, Pamela. God bless.
DeleteThanks for inspiring this post, Victor. As you may have guessed, I got the quote from your blog!
DeleteI'm not sure ...
ReplyDeleteSomething to think about.
All the best Jan
Sounds good, that's how it should be.
ReplyDeleteOf course don't want certain people leaving
ReplyDeleteI think because people put them selves in hell but refusing to believe in Jesus when they had the chance. Once in hell it is too late and you can't get out.
ReplyDeleteA man closes himself in hell... when he does terrible things...
ReplyDeleteIrena, can I send you an email?
DeleteOf course you can.
Deletewhen i do sin i create hell inside me which i suppose to carry within until i die and i myself enter the hell what a justice by Kind God
ReplyDeletewe are free to choose any path ,our desires become wishes which we sustain with will power nobody can done us harm until we do
It is horrifying. I don't like that I believe in it, but I do think it is real. People can choose to reject God. It is horrible to really consider what it means.
DeleteThat's true, Sandi. Hell is inside of a sinner.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandi, as for 'what I think' I would agree more or less with what Pamela M Steiner has written.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense.
DeleteThe quote is a bit controversial.
...and with all that, many go towards them.
ReplyDeleteInexplicably.
DeleteWhen we sin, hell is inside us until we repent.
ReplyDelete"...until we repent."
DeleteThose are life-giving words, Bill!
I hadn't seen that particular C.S. Lewis quote before. I'd like to read it in context, because Lewis is a very lucid. I'm guessing he means that we land in hell because of the choices we have made or didn't make. I don't believe in a literal hell as it has been depicted. I think hell is being separated from God, just as I believe heaven is becoming one with God.
ReplyDeleteI do need to read more about the quote. I am sure Lewis explained it.
DeleteI also believe Hell is separation from God. We can choose that if we want.
Aren't we all destined for Hell until we let the Savior in? I am reminded of Revelation 3:20. Jesus stands at the door and knocks, but we must be the ones who open the door to let him in.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a deep thought.
ReplyDelete