Hell is a grisly subject to talk about, but is part of reality, nonetheless. So i thought i would bring these interesting points to light. The Bible, and also many old time preachers, spoke frequently about "fire and brimstone". Now, when we hear the word brimstone, many people think of God throwing random chunks of rock into the lake of fire as punishment for the evil doers. I use to think this too. But a wise God throwing boulders around doesn't make much sense, and doesn't seem like a very harsh punishment for eternity.Yeah, the brimstone exist alright, but in a different way. "Brimstone" is actually an older word for sulphur. The human skin is made up of a good bit of sulphur. So is our hair and nails. Also, there are probably various levels and tortures in hell. This idea doesn't just come from Dante's classic description of the 7 levels of hell, which may be part speculation. But it makes sense that hell is much more complicated than just a lake. Alot of the lost will end up in the lake of hell. So then, if the human skin is made of sulphur, the Lake of Fire is actually the result of billions of bodies of burning flesh. The humans help to create the Lake of Fire. Brimstone IS burning flesh.
By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued (came) out of their mouths. Revelation 9:18
The dead of this world are actually being punished in, thru, and around their own sinful bodies! And with their own sin! They are not so much punished WITH an outside element as they are being punished WITH their own bodies! There is no greater punishment than that, and helps explain the evil finality of hell. Revelation speaks of the smoke of THEIR torment, indicating that it is from within and not a separate entity.
"And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image"-Revelation 14:11
A good example of this is a picture i saw one time. I was browsing in a music store, and ran across an Ac/Dc album. There was a hellish scene, with 2 skeletons, and they each had a crown on their head. (the "crown of life" they always wanted, but being in hell it makes no difference).They were staring sorrowfully at what was apparently a "friend", now a block of yellow rock-sulphur. And here's an interesting thought-for a band like this who is supposedly non-christian, they have an even deeper understanding of the realities of hell than some Christians!
On that note, the knowledge of hell is everywhere. Representations of it are in so much artwork, video games, and the media. Scary movies about ghosts have always been a fascination. We see goths everywhere who are dressing like the dead-with pale faces and black as night clothes. How then, can these same people say, there is no hell and that they have no knowledge of it? Or is it just a myth to them? Even Ozzy Ozborne has christened himself (for a lack of better words) as "The Dark Lord of the Underworld". So why would the Dark Lord himself deny the knowledge of heaven and hell? Or does he know more than we think....?
(Also, if you've ever wondered why goths make their faces pale white, here it is-as we know, ashes, or soot, in its final form, are white. A white look represents the burned faces of the dead, the final destruction by fire)
Black Metal music is prime example. I once saw a channel for Metal, and the description read "Grinds that roar straight from the pit". How much more hell like can you get ?! Metal music contains gross and graphic descriptions of hell that not even the Bible describes! Not too mention horrifying monster-like sounds as a backdrop. Metal describes in blatant language the realities of the unsaved-mentioning stained souls ,"no hope", and other realities. And if that weren't enough, band names like "Cradle of Filth", "MegaDeath" and "Alice in Chains" all scream LOST. But the devout fans of Metal seem to think hell is nothing more than a concept to be toyed with-and Satan would love for them to believe the ultimate lie-that it is actually a COMFORT and a crutch for their dysfunctional lives-and many do. Also, many would argue that the gory Satanic images and lyrics of songs and Cd's are nothing more than drug derangement. But the depraved minds of the ungodly, whether high or sober, are already receptive to the images of Satan. Not having the blanket of God's protection around their hearts, their minds become a whore house for the devil's bidding at any random time.
Just like there are different levels of hell, there are also different levels of sinfulness among the ungodly. While all are ultimately lost, there are different ends of the spectrum. Some non-Christians lean towards an interest in Christianity and a strong sense of morality, and while their works won't save them, it is a good indication of their readiness to come to God-they sense the way that God has established the universe. On the other end of the spectrum, are the unabashed Satan worshippers, like the famous Madalyn Murray O'Hare, who become slaves to Satan and his ways. Just like the metal music writers that we talked about. These depraved minds have such a strong sense of the reality of Satan..that they worship him! Even Ozzy had a sense of the above verse when he named a CD "No Rest For the Wicked".
While a connection from the ungodly to hell is without doubt, the occurrence of near death experiences (NDE's) to hell are questionable. But considering the working of the universe, it's a good chance many were true. The supposed travelers report horrible findings-and while some are obviously anti-biblical, there is probably a lot of truth to hell's happenings. The most well-known example of an NDE is Aline Baxley's "I Walked In Hell", from the 1970's. I have read this account, and while she has probably fooled many people, this appears to only be a fundamentalist hype, and some of her description sound pseudo-Christian. She is probably in the line of the pentecostal church "prophets" popular for their time. Again, the living who are connected to Satan probably give the most accurate hints. I have read a history of carnivals and circuses, the word "carnival" comes from "carnivore" meaning flesh and violent. Very early circus-type attractions were much more primitive, and seemed to give a sneak peak into hell with their fire, evil looking clowns (who's faces are also ash-white, btw) and dangerous stunts. Early circuses were more like the chaos of Mardi Gra than the toned down fun of today. By this, and other indications, i tend to think there is a haunted carnival or circus in hell, where there are many tortures, but this may be more movie-myth than anything else.
| Click Here to Read More About Aline Baxley's Story |
There has been some concern in the last few years among some Christians-especially fundamentalists-who say celebrating Halloween is an evil devil worship. I think this is totally erroneous. Hallooween is good, clean fun and everybody enjoys a good scare, freaky costumes, and a spooky movie, Christians should especially enjoy this holiday because, ultimately, they have nothing to fear. The real concern should lie in the area of real life spooks-or the goth culture.For the minority of Halloween bashers, there seems to be an even bigger following of "Christian goth"-and this title does not set well. The goth culture came onto the scene in about 1979, and has gotten really popular as of late. Its followers are mostly younger, artsy types who are looking for an outlet to express their depressive outlook. While many see it as a harmless subculture with pink or black hair, it's actually the very beginnings of Satanism, whether it's participants intended to get in to it for that reason or not. Goth is not just a "trend", it's a mode of living, and Satan would have these young followers believe that depression was some kind of necessity or form of self expression. But who wants to follow a crowd that is chronically depressed?
Just as with the goth culture, Satanism (or at least sways in that direction) come disguised in many subtle ways, through various subcultures and fads-such as Wiccan, Paganism, and even out right Witchcraft. It can seem confusing to the casual observer-because many elements of paganistic followings have to do with nature and peaceful living-elements that a loving God already established for the universe. While these misguided folks are certainly looking in the right direction, there root belief system is not. Many anti-christian followings are under the guise of a softer cushion-such as Wiccan. While the claim has been STRONGLY protested and defended as a separate following, many Wiccans themselves will tell you that a Wiccan is nothing more than a Witch. And it's not hard to see why-the word "whicked" is practically in it! Many will defend that they are a "Pagan" but NOT a "Satanist", but how can this be? While some of the surface practices may be slightly different, they are ultimately worshipping one master-the dark lord himself, Satan. While many pagans claim to worship many dieities or even no god or ruler, it all leads back to Satan. Just as Christianity has many different aspects, so does involvement with the underworld, whether it is outright "devil" worship or not. Many do not know these followings to be associated with witchcraft when they take an interest in it, and many more only want to deny the truth. While Wiccanism may seem peaceful and humble, its end results are anything but. Satan would LOVE nothing more than to take an established element of Christianity-such as respect for nature and humanity-and ultimately lead an aimless soul down an unsuspecting fork-to him.
As talked about, Paganistic lines often relate to the things of God-this is beacause, that, ultimately, ALL PEOPLE, NO MATTER WHAT BELIEF, have a knowledge of the one, true God and want to be like him. While many non-christian teachings claim to be rebelling against God, or inventing their own ideas, many of their ways are adopted from the God who has exsisted Yesterday, Today, and Forever. Remember the old Kris Kristofferson song, "Jesus was a Hippy"? Well, its not JESUS who opted to be a peaceful brother, but the hippies adopted HIS teachings of peace and love!
Now, everybody at some point or the other, has asked the question-Why would a loving God punish people in a horrible fate that knows no end? Well, it's not that simple. For one thing, he doesn't punish at random. Babies, young children, and anybody who has NEVER had the knowledge of God (although it's apparent that everybody, Christian or non, has a knowledge of God in their hearts). can not enter hell. It's just not in the nature of God's plan. He also mentions that, concerning children "The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these". So, anyone who is beyond the point of reasoning-miscarried or aborted babies, young,living babies, the severely mentally disabled, and the like, will enter Heaven. We can rest assured in that knowledge if we know loved ones who have died young or disabled. God says he does not make himself "hard to find", he would not intentionally keep the knowledge of his kingdom from certain people by punishing them with a disease or state or existence that would make Him unattainable to them. He is far more loving than that. But if He is so loving, than why do masses end up in hell? Anyone who has the ability to reason, even people with retardation and other metal ills, can accept him-IF THEY CHOOSE. God turns NO ONE away, except those who choose to reject him. He is always there, ready with open arms-and he makes himself known to all in such an infinite number of ways that it is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to say they have never heard of him or seen His love in some form. Here's a good example-suppose you were in relationship and deeply in love. (God loves us deeply, too)Suppose you kept trying and trying to win the other's person's love-but to no avail. In most instences, wouldn't the one person in love give up after so many years, to leave the other person to their own choice? You can't force somebody to love you! And neither can God! But in the end, it is not our Loving Father who creates hell-but people themselves.Hell, in every aspect, and on every level, is the end result of all sin, torment, torture, disease, and every other kind of evil. And that end result is the absence of GOD. Let's look at it this way-there is SO much evil and suffering in our earthly world, that most of us can not stand up under its weight. Even if we do not suffer terrible things ourselves, just seeing others suffer senselessly is more than we can bear. But the suffering of this world is only a SCRATCH compared to what hell is like. But there are many good things in our earthly world too-much love, comfort, peace and joy and a concern for humanity. But these comforts that we want SO badly would never EVER exist if God did not exist in our world. If you took away God, the earth would run in chaos-and eventually become a literal hell. And hell itself is very literal. When we hear the lost speaking about hell being only a state of mind or an atmosphere of suffering, they are wrong of course, but they are also VERY close to the truth. Of those who have chosen to cast aside God's love, they are on the road that they thought they wanted to be on...but of course didn't. Where else could all the sin, torture, and demonic activity come together-except in a literal hell. Not only is hell a punishment when passed thru its gates, it is just a plain fact of the structure of the universe, a haven of existence where all manner of evil come together, once and for all. Hell is what results when chaos has no bounds-and God's love is no where to be found. And here's the saddest thought that could possibly exsist-when all is said and done, in the very end of things, ALL PEOPLE WILL BE CHRISTIANS. That's just the way God's universe works, in His good pleasure. Huh? That's right! I can't imagine a single person in hell who has not said "now i believe." A non-christian is only for a little while, but a LOST person is forever.
How do kidney stones tie in with this discussion? Like we learned in the website, cystine stones are made up of a good bit of sulphur. Rock is hard and sulphur burns VERY EASILY! You have a literal hell in your kidneys!!!Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
So kids, remember, so no to hell! Because..well..for the kidney stone people...you have a piece of the action already.
While i have just described some graphic things on this page, i do want to make a distinction. I probably sound like a typical so called "fanatic", who says that everybody is destined for hell at the drop of a hat. But that's not my intent. I am not afraid to talk about hell, because hell is a reality of our universe, just like life, war, love, and death. If something has such a (possibly) weighty bearing on our existence then why not talk about it, at least for a short time? But this is the distinction i want to make-Christians should not come off as righteous fanatics who accuse everybody who crosses their path as lost. Everybody is a sinner-and Christians sin too, big time. Christianity is not an "elitist" group reserved for a few super-humans, as some would view it. And with reason-some Christians give off this appearance. Christianity is for ALL, and as the Bible states, "Many will come to know and love Christ". In fact, the New Testament states that people from every "tribe, and language, and people and nation" will be in Heaven! It would be un-godly of our God to leave ANYONE out! On this note, Christians should treat people of every line of thought in a loving fashion. Many want to, and will come to Christ, Don't chase them away with a self-righteous attitude!
To all the Christians and those wishing to become Christians reading this page, please don't be too afraid by the graphic descriptions that are here. You will rest in the arms of the Lord forever. To anyone considering becoming a Christian, please remember this: salvation is not a game of one upmanship to see who can perform the most righteous deeds. It is a GIFT. Who has ever rejected a free gift? The only price you have to pay is by ACCEPTING. You have to want to be a child of God and live for him. That is all.
~Some Comforting Words~
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4
