Another thought I had on whether people “choose hell”. I agree with you that no one deliberately chooses hell. However, what they do is reject God in His true revealed form as Jesus Christ. And by this they automatically choose that which is not God — ultimately hell.

Whether the religious rejection where they try to earn that which can never be earned — God’s holiness; or the pagan rejection where they try to fill the hole in their soul with licentiousness and illicit sensuality; it is the rejection of the good news of God’s gift of Himself that ultimately chooses death and hell and their various lesser forms here on earth.

I won’t elongate this further and thank you for the opportunity to comment. May you walk well in God’s blessings.

This is not the biblical idea. Have you never read the requirements for “eternal life” that don’t include “believing in Jesus”? (Matt. 19:16-19; 25:31-40; Luke 18:18-22; 10:25-37; Rom. 2:6-7; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; John 4:36; 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12-13.)

The KJV translators had an agenda that twisted the truth often. Taking one Hebrew word (she’ol, H7585) and translating it half the time as “grave” and half the time as “hell” is deception in its highest form. In the OT, “hell” IS THE GRAVE.

However, in all of these discussions, it pains me that life vs death is so often ignored. Christ came to bring us His eternal Life (John 10:10) which results in us being “born again” and obtaining a share in His “divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). We are now one spirit with God (1 Corinthians 6:17): a new creation in Christ. Sin is only a problem because it’s wages = death — that is what makes it sin.

This ties directly into God’s nature and life. God’s nature defines holiness and that which is not God is by default unholy. His nature also defines life and everything else is death. We must then by the laws established by God’s very nature be gifted a share in His nature to truly be “holy” and avoid the wages of sin. This is the true message of the gospel. Christ’s finished work enabled God to gift us His life and a share in His nature if we receive it by faith.

As Paul and others allude to, while here on earth, God’s children see this glory of God’s life and love we have been given as if through a dull glass. Yes, the “treasure in an earth suit” can bring us an experience of Christ’s eternal life now if we let it (Romans 8:11); but it is only a glimpse of what experiencing the true life of God is. I believe that full experience is beyond comprehension — though I have already experienced much that already is. Yet, what is to come exceeds the imagination.

God is merciful and does not want any to perish. (2 Peter 3:9). Whatever He is holding back to prevent that is a mystery; but, it certainly suggests that He is. Thus, in the same way a believer’s experience of God’s life is currently muted, I believe the unbeliever’s experience of death is also muted. Goodness, looking around, it is bad enough. But nothing like unrestrained sin could and would be.

Thus, my point in this elongated comment, is that we ignore to our peril these considerations of the comparison of God’s life vs true final death. As Paul describes in Acts 17, God gives life and breath for every living thing. What happens when that stops for those who do not share in God’s nature as His family? Do they burst into flames and disinigrate in a massive conflagration? I don’t have a concept of what that looks like. Perhaps the New Testament authors were given a glimpse and have described it as they could and God allowed. I have more questions than answers.

What I do believe with all my heart is that whatever the result is, it is not God becoming emotionally angry and wrathful towards His enemies and seeking vengeance. God follows His own nature and the principles that flow from that better than we do. Perfectly in fact. When He says truly reflecting His love means loving your enemies, then we can take it to heart that He does this better than He expects us to. Christ demonstrated that in an inarguable way. I mean, we can argue about the Greek translations of wrath and vengeance but this is simply a comment section. Suffice it to say I have my reasons from scripture.

However, still, being an “enemy” of God has consequences. By definition, anyone who does not share God’s nature and life as a part of His family is an enemy. For now, the full consequences of that state of being are being held back in some way so more can choose to give up their dead life and come to God through Christ for His life. But again, if you don’t, then whether you realize it or not, you are choosing death.

And my main point is we simply don’t really know what final “death” of the spirit, soul, and body looks like. I just know I don’t want that to happen to me or anyone else. And thus I am grateful for the good news of the gift of Christ and His life. And I share with all who want to hear. In that at least, I hope we can agree. Thank you for this opportunity for discussion.

Here is my position at this point that I continue to test:
All human spirits (Imago Dei in humans) are inherently immortal and return to God per Ecclesiastes & Jesus on the cross
All souls will be judged: Believers’ souls will be covered in Jesus’ righteousness and receive the gift of immortality through the Tree of Life, unbelievers will be judged and held accountable for their sins for an unknown, but limited age/time, eventually ending in annhilation/second death/destruction/non existence.
All children under the age of accountability (mental age around 20) receive universal salvation, as they do not know right from wrong per Deut 1:39, are in ignorance as Apostle Paul was per 1 Tim 1:15
All demonic beings will be tormented in the Lake of Fire for an aion…

additional concepts I’m wrestling with… is the LAKE OF FIRE God’s consuming presence, as was manifest at Mt. Sinai?
are satan & demonic beings tormented with God’s holy fire bc they hate God and are in His holy presence forever, bowing to and confessing the Name of Jesus forever? I do not believe God would allow satan & demons the satisfaction of tormenting humans forever, frankly that’s a HELL NO for me, instead God would “torment” them with His Holy Presence and Jesus being exalted over all… what else? so every being on earth, above & below the earth will confess the Name of Jesus at some point. and eternal/aion life vs immortal life…