No One Burns Forever
The belief that the unsaved burn forever is not an apostolic doctrine,
But rather, something that’s far from biblical, and purely of pagan origin.
Without a doubt, it’s a dreadful deception, a hoax — in other words, heresy,
Simply the work of a cunning devil who always loves to paint God monstrously.
And to be honest, God would be a monster if He let folk burn eternally,
A God who would put folk off, hence why Satan has perpetrated such, obviously.
And why Christians shouldn’t aid and abet Satan via preaching such wrong in God’s name,
For all who do, badly portray the God of love, and will clearly share in the blame.
Even an earthy judge realizes that punishment should not exceed the offence,
Hence why when we read Scripture, we need to think logically, apply common sense.
Were God — who is also our Judge — to act so unwisely, unjustly, unfairly,
His wisdom and judgment would be subject to question throughout all eternity.
If unsaved loved ones burned forever, it would reopen wounds continually,
Thus, the saved would hardly be at peace, and more likely beset by anxiety.
After all, could such a God truly be trusted given such a revengeful streak?
And what hypocrisy, given we’re not to harbor grudges, and should turn the other cheek.
Yes, there is a fire that destroys the unsaved, a coming fire — that is, post Christ’s return,
A “lake of fire,” according to Scripture, but not one that will continually burn.
It’s a fire that comes down from Heaven and forms a consuming lake, temporary hell,
Which will utterly and justifiably destroy all still under Satan’s spell.
“...The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:14,15, NIV).
The term “unquenchable fire” refers to the nature of the fire, not its duration,
It’ll only be extinguished after it has completed its fiery extermination.
The wicked will become stubble and ashes, we’re told, trodden under, effectively,
In other words, they’ll not exist in any form, they will completely cease to be.
An “unquenchable fire” befell Jerusalem too, we’re told — twice, BC and AD,
But are those fires still burning? No! “Unquenchable” is used metaphorically.
And, an “eternal fire” befell Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying them completely,
An “example” of what will happen to the unsaved, we’re told, incidentally.
And clearly, that fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah has stopped burning also,
Not literally an “unquenchable” or “eternal” fire — not even still aglow.
And nor will the fire that destroys the wicked remain aglow, nor burning furiously,
For it’s a fire that’s also described via words that are used metaphorically.
“Tormented day and night” is also metaphoric symbolism, and there’re more,
Which, at the end of the day, simply convey something God doesn’t want us to ignore.
That is, that He is coming back soon, very soon, and doesn’t want to see us lost,
For paradise, and, “Down, down, down in a burning ring of fire,” is what such could cost.
It is interesting that the verse preceding “Tormented day and night forever”
Says, “Fire came down from Heaven and consumed them,” thus, how could they burn forever?
Such creative speech is designed to convey a permanent result, finality,
And not a fire that literally continues forever, ridiculously.
Yes, it’s only the “lake of fire” that one could label hell — a coming End-time fire,
Not some currently burning fire, nor some place — no, that’s just heresy, or satire.
Satire? Yes, all those jokes one hears about some current hell, and those portrayals one sees,
Which misrepresent God, mock the consequences of rebellion, and Satan please.
The use of the word “hell” in Scripture hasn’t helped matters either, it must be said,
For where “hell” appears the translators could’ve inserted “grave” in its place instead.
But like those Hellenistic Jews influenced by the Greeks, translators have also erred,
And via their bias, it seems, have inserted “hell,” which God’s truth has distorted and blurred.
And more holes can be found in this hell-fire doctrine that has filled so many with fear,
A doctrine that does nothing for the Gospel, a lie God never intended we hear.
Yes, a doctrine that just doesn’t make sense, for God never acts sadistically,
But rather, when the sword must fall, so to speak, acts decisively, justly and swiftly.
Hence why certain passages or texts must be interpreted with the greatest of care,
Lest, as in this case, parishioners and potential converts falsehood get to hear.
After all, if the unsaved burn forever, they effectively live eternally,
Which is contrary to Scripture, for only the righteous receive eternity.
But tell me, why would God forever taint His universe with a wretched hell-fire,
Effectively immortalizing sin, sorrow and suffering, and pleasing the Liar?
That is, the old serpent, who would’ve achieved some sort of victory,
The smoke of torment rising twenty four seven, the unsaved screaming in agony.
No, no one burns forever, and nor is there some currently burning hell, believe me,
Such is nonsensical, dreadful and macabre, and it doesn’t gel biblically.
And were it true, why would God’s Word speak of a coming day of judgment, warningly,
Given that many unsaved ones are already burning in hell, supposedly?
The doctrine of an eternally burning hell is a demonic invention,
One that most likely inspired past burnings at the stake, I feel compelled to mention.
And who knows what else it has inspired, often in the name of God, undoubtedly,
For the influence of such a doctrine must surely be far reaching, even subtly.
Why would a God who respects our freedom to chose which path we’ll take, rightly or wrongly,
Punish us via an eternal burning, simply because we chose incorrectly?
And tell me, why did the Mosaic law forbid unlimited retaliation,
(Which is more in keeping with the God I know, than the devil’s hell-fire creation)?
Yes, the God I know, is gracious, longsuffering, slow to anger, compassionate,
And when it comes to fallen humanity, His concern is deep and passionate.
Such He proved on Calvary where He bore our sins, shed His blood, suffering terribly,
That we might be saved, freed from Satan’s grip, and via the Spirit’s power gain the victory.
Yes, amazing grace, grace that is even displayed in the slowness of His return,
For it’s His desire that even more be saved, never His desire that any burn.
Yes, He is love itself — boundless, unconditional, unsurpassed love — love I trust,
Hence why I’ll never believe in an eternal burning hell, for my God is JUST.
By Lance Landall
You might also like to read my poems "The Lake Of Fire" and "It's Simply A Parable".
2. It Doesn't Make Sense
If the unsaved burned forever, the universe would still be tainted by sin,
Paradise having an ugly spot, and as for the saved, deep heartache within.
Yes, they knowing that their missing loved one was being tortured every day,
Screams and howls continually coming from some corner as God made them pay.
The universe hardly perfect, the unsaved still living, ridiculously,
Burning but alive, men, women and children, the scene absolutely ghastly.
Yes, they living forever too, confusingly, despite God’s Word saying no,
Given the brightness of Christ’s coming, the spoken of second death — oh, oh, oh.
All why we compare Scripture with Scripture, minding figurative speech as well,
’Cause if the unsaved will be ashes under our feet, as we’re told, there’s no Hell.
Ashes being the result of a fire that’s done its job, the results eternal,
Thus God no Jekyll and Hyde, loving yet sadistic, which Satan loves to sell.
Why would such a gracious, loving and merciful Saviour, who suffered for us,
Then turn around and burn many forever? — no, believe me, that’s not Jesus.
On the one hand unbelievably compassionate, and on the other hand
Unbelievably monstrous, over the top, someone no one would understand.
Yes, it doesn’t make sense
By Lance Landall
This poem also appears in my secular section.
3. There's No Eternally Burning Hell
The biggest lie and monstrous claim ever perpetrated, and oft in God’s name,
Is that there’s an eternally burning Hell, some cruel place that’s always aflame.
And that there, those whom God has deemed unworthy of eternal life, are burning,
And for evermore — yes, an evil claim that every person should be spurning.
Why? Because firstly, any God who claims to be the God of love, and is so,
Wouldn’t act so barbarically, for such the very opposite would show.
Yes, such being the act of a callous being, one lacking in wisdom and mercy,
For who’d punish any forever whose lifespan-cum-wrong passes so quickly?
Talk about a miscarriage of justice, and bear in mind the following too,
That those who were spared such a Hell, would hardly be at peace given that gross view.
In other words, they not only knowing that a loved one was always burning,
But such able to see, and thus no doubt why they would be tossing and turning.
All why we don’t lock folk up for life who break the speed limit, nor torture them,
For there’d soon be a hue and cry, and thus we quick to such perverseness condemn.
And why a God who’s far more intelligent than us wouldn’t act so badly,
So over the top, but rather, carefully balance punishment with mercy.
Secondly, the belief that the unworthy burn in some Hell eternally,
Came about as a result of Greek influence distorting things terribly.
Oh yes, some point to the Bible itself, but where the Bible speaks of some Hell,
It’s the grave (not even the quick, complete destruction of those Christ will farewell).
Though the Bible appears to speak of an eternal torment, such isn’t so,
It oft using metaphoric language, and this fact other Bible texts show.
For on the other hand it speaks of those who’re consumed by fire as being no more,
Just ashes that are trodden on, and thus why one should always further explore.
Yes, justice will indeed have its day (because it must), and this Earth will soon end,
But those who don’t ascend on Christ’s return, eternity in some Hell won't spend.
No, such is as off-track as that belief that God hates Gay folk, when it’s their acts,
And why all should exchange any myths and heresies for true biblical facts.
The truth is, that God hates no one, but only any wrong-cum-evil they do,
For He’s a Holy, righteous God, a God of goodness who’s faithful, kind and true.
Not one who’d torture folk eternally, and why He hates any kind of wrong,
He calling such sin and rebellion, such so typical of us, Earth’s fallen throng.
God’s Word tells us that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by "eternal" fire,
But are they still burning? No! And therefore, Hell the invention of a liar.
In other words, it a satanic invention, both pagan and untruthful,
One that misinterprets the Bible’s figurative speech — it not biblical —
Yes, a false belief that has made God look like a monster, a sadistic one,
Rather than a loving God who died that we might live, and who said, “Cruelty shun.”
For cruelty’s purely the work of a devil who’s behind a fallen world, and
Thus has nothing to do with a Saviour who has nail prints in each foot and hand.
Eternal fire refers to the fact that it won’t stop until it’s done its job,
And that being, to consume the wicked via a short-lived lake of fire 'cross Earth’s sod.
And hence those ashes that are spoken of, for endless torture isn’t God’s style,
And why misinterpreted figurative expressions just make Satan smile.
“Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire,” God’s Word says — figuratively —
But meaning: Death and the abode of the dead won’t figure again, quite clearly,
For death’s the result of a fallen world that’s about to end, and hence no graves,
Nor that devil who midst maligning Christ via promoting an eternal Hell,
Rants and raves.
By Lance Landall
“For the Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the Valley of Gibeon,
that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange
act [it’s foreign to His nature to destroy]” (Isaiah 28:21, KJV).
“...‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live..." (Ezekiel 33:11, NIV).
" 'Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,' says the Lord Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them.
But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with
healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released
from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the Lord Almighty" ( Mal 4:1-3, NIV).
Note:
The following words and phrases are simply figurative expressions, metaphoric language:
"Unquenchable"
Is refering to the nature of the fire, not its duration.
In
Jeremiah, history records a fiery destruction, unquenchable (Jer
17:27), that befell Jerusalem, not once but twice, by the Babylonians
in 586 BC and by the Romans in AD 70. But are the unquenchable fires
still burning? NO!
"Eternal fire"
Is
refering to the fact that the destruction of the wicked is eternal in
the sense that the results are permanent. The punishment is only
eternal in the sense that the sentence will never be commuted or
changed. The judgment is for all time with no reprieve. The punishment
is DEATH, and all why Romans 6:23 says: "The wages of sin is death."
Continuing to burn in Hell is hardly death, and all why Ezekiel 18:20 (KJV) says: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die…”
In
Jude 7 we read of Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by eternal fire yet the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah perished many centuries before Jude wrote
his letter (Gen 19:23-28). And all why we're told in John 3:16 that the
wicked will perish, and this includes Satan and his angels too.
“Tormented day and night forever” (Rev 20:10)
This denotes
complete destruction. The verse that's immediately before this one
says, “Fire came down from heaven and consumed them.” That means that
nothing is left, they can’t be kept burning or tormented forever. The
length of forever is determined by the way it is applied, and the
nature of the subject to which it is applied.
In Isaiah 34:10
referring to the city of Bozrah, an Edomite town about 20 miles south
east of the dead sea, Isaiah declared that its land would become
burning pitch, its fire not quenched, the smoke rising forever. The
smoke did not rise forever as the fires burned out long ago.
"Forever and ever” (Rev 14:10,11)
This is
a Greek translation of three Greek words that read literally ‘in the
age’ or ‘in the ages’. The full Greek phrase is, ‘in the age of the
ages.’ The Bible writers viewed time as a series of ages, the final age
beginning when the messiah would set up his kingdom that would last
forever. This final age, was simply called ‘the age’. That is what is
being referred to here. Not how long the torment will last, but in what
period of history it will take place.
And so on it goes.
Sources available.
4. Hell? No
“I will love you with all my heart, treat you like a queen, do what you want me to do.
But should you leave me, I will make your life hell, hound you every single day,
Get people to harass and stalk you — in other words, I’ll really make you pay.
Yes, I will shower you with treasures, build a palace, treat you amazingly,
But should you leave me, I will be your worst nightmare, a treacherous enemy.
So just remember that, Sweetheart, because I really mean what I am telling you,
You thus suffering as long as you live, and the cruellest of things I would do.”
Yes, I’m sure you’d recoil, aghast at the man wanting you to marry him, and
Thinking, “What sort of a relationship would that be?”, and who’d not understand?
Yet many think that the God of love who promises us everything too,
Would torture and burn us forever, if on Him, we were to turn our backs too.
Oh, what a sadistic character He'd have, such love but terribly askew.
Yes, God will judge alright, and destroy the wicked, but there’s no eternal Hell,
Ghastly flames that torture forever, ’cause that kind of God’s sick and horrible.
And what I’m saying being absolutely true, ’cause in the Bible we’re told
Two unquenchable fires befell Jerusalem that aren’t still burning, but cold.
"...and it shall not be quenched" (Jer 18:27, NKJV).
And the smoke of another ancient fire continuing forever, we’re told,
But should you visit that place today — Bozrah — not a puff of smoke you’ll behold.
And so, likewise regarding that fire that destroys the wicked (of which we're told),
It all just figurative speech conveying complete destruction, and therefore,
A fire that won’t stop ’till it’s done its job, Christ quickly silencing its fierce roar.
Such being His strange act, we’re also told, because Christ would rather save — yes, all —
But wickedness must end, and those who indulge in it, and hence God’s warning call.
Such hearts and minds not fit for Heaven, and God being a God of justice too,
Love knowing that there can come a time when what’s unpleasant one must simply do.
Yes, both Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by eternal fire too, but hey,
Are those old cities still burning? No, but while the sun shines, the devil makes hay.
God’s old adversary having always sought to paint Him as a monster, when
It’s just Satan who’s a monster, conveying monstrous lies to women and men.
The wicked will be ashes under the feet of the saved, the Good Word conveys,
And hence why one needs to study, study, study, despite what anyone says.
Fire comes down from Heaven and consumes them, the Good Word conveys again, and this
Before having said, “Tormented day and night forever” — oh, the things some miss.
Yes, the destruction of the wicked is eternal in the sense that the results
Are permanent; they no longer living — but oh, those continuing assaults —
Many Christians still speaking of an eternally burning Hell, such not true,
Hell nothing more than the grave, but Greek influence having seen things go askew.
Oh, so much more could be said,
One thief on Calvary going to Heaven the same day, but lets use our head,
’Cause Christ remained on Earth for forty days after He had died, and so, instead,
That text should read, “I say to you today,...” not, “I say to you, today…” as read,
"You will be with Me in Paradise,"
The translator’s bias getting in the way, we told of a resurrection day,
Lazarus hardly brought back from Heaven, but waiting too, a much fairer way.
Hence why we’re told that many haven’t got what was promised, but at Christ’s return,
’Cause He’s bringing His reward with Him, and of this, in the Bible we can learn.
Greek influence having once again crept into things, the saved dead still with us,
’Till that time when (as prophesied) many will witness the return of Jesus.
If the wicked burned forever, they’d be immortal too, and that cannot be,
’Cause only the saved will receive immortality, live for eternity.
Oh, how wrong beliefs are perpetuated, and thereby, God painted badly,
And He hardly happy about that, and hey, what might He do with the guilty?
Yes, many put off Christianity by that Hell fire thing, cruel and scary,
And often used as a club, it just as askew as Darwin’s hairy theory.
The Creator God no torturer, but dying on our behalf — oh, such love,
He delaying His return that more might be saved, and waits patiently above.
And how He bleeds over all the suffering, wanting to end it all, quickly,
But He having to wait ’till that final showdown of the great controversy,
That battle between Him and Satan, a devil who’s seeking your heart and mine,
’Cause we were made in God’s image, and why monkeys who weren’t, suit the devil fine.
And thus “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust” being true, no separate soul,
The breath of life returning when at Christ’s soon coming we’re once again made whole.
Our blueprints safe in His hands, He who knows the number of hairs on any head,
And who Himself, after having rested a day in His tomb, rose from the dead.
Finally,
Death and Hell were thrown into the lake of fire, God’s Word goes on, figuratively
(Yet prophetically, Revelation talking apocalyptically),
That fire having kind of pooled after coming down from Heaven, but fleetingly.
In other words, Death and graves no longer, they too having gone for good, you see,
Nothing ever marring the happiness of the saved who’ll live eternally.
They living in those mansions Christ said He’d build and then come back to get them for,
The saved dead rising from their graves at Christ’s return (and He almost at the door).
Yes, they rising first, and then the saved who’re still living, both meeting in the air,
No one getting to Heaven sooner, nor watching their loved ones still struggling here.
By Lance Landall
This poem was added to on 7 September 2020.
5. Love Wouldn't
A son drives a Beamer, his sister a Peugeot (well, at the time of writing),And some folk no doubt thinking they’re rich, but over such, one not bothered fighting.
However, for a case in point here, that son was given the Beamer for free,
And that has-helped-so-many-people-out sister came by her Peugeot cheaply.
And so it is with God that people think this or that, and often wrongly so,
His justified End-time consuming fire over in a flash, not cruelly slow.
And so, eternal fire mere figurative speech, and Hell imaginary,
Naught but a pagan belief that wrongly entered the church, and is heresy.
Hence God now seen as a cruel monster, understandably so, but wrongly so,
Because He isn’t, and He having warned evildoers, who better should know,
Their end quick and certain, a sharply pulled curtain,
And look at this: Both Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by “eternal fire,”
And ancient Jerusalem (not just once but twice) by an “unquenchable fire,”
But are they still burning? No!
Such simply referring to the permanence of the result, it swift and dire.
If evildoers become ashes, as Scripture says, they won’t burn forever,
And a God who did burn folk forever would hardly be loving or clever.
And Christ’s a Saviour, the destruction of evildoers His “strange” act, we’re told,
Because such is foreign to Him, He having wanted all saved, all in His fold.
Yes, it’s that sad Beamer or Peugeot syndrome, aided by this or that, sadly,
And in this case, Greek nonsense that made its way into the Church, unbelievably.
But all the same, “eternal fire” merely metaphoric language, poetic speech,
Figurative expression, and the proof of such clear to see, right within reach.
And hey,
Nor do mortals have an immortal soul, go to Heaven or Hell at death, which
Is more Hellenistic nonsense, heresy that every Christian should ditch.
For the Bible speaks of a resurrection day, hence why Christ is returning,
His reward or penalty coming with Him — yes, time folk were more discerning.
No, love wouldn’t burn folk forever; nor take folk to Heaven before others,
For where’s the fairness in that? Oh, those poor left behind fellow sisters and brothers!
All why the Bible says all will have to wait until Christ’s return, which makes sense,
And not those misinterpretations that many Christians use in their defence.
Well, I mean to say,
When Christ brought Lazarus back to life (who had been dead four days), where had he been,
Heaven or Hell? If in Hell, that’s crazy, if in Heaven, that’s cruel. Get what I mean?
Hence why folk need to delve further, for on the one hand the Bible says this, and
On the other says that, and why, only via deep study will we understand.
By Lance Landall
“Beamer” — BMW
This poem was penned on 4th September 2016.
“And all these [faithful Bible heroes of all the ages], though commended through their faith, did not receive what was
promised [eternal life, immortality], since God had provided something better [much fairer] for us, that apart from
us they should not be made perfect [immortal. They will have to wait]” (Heb 11:39,40, ESV).
“ ‘In My Father's house [in Heaven] are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare
a place for you [referring to when Christ ascended to Heaven after the cross]? And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back [Christ's Second Coming] and [then] take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am ’ ”
(John 14:2,3, NIV).
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thess 4:16, KJV).