Originally posted by lemondropTo be in an eternal Paradise with 75 virgins (who obviously wouldn't remain that way for too long) doesn't seem to bad. If you can fall in love with them and vice-versa, maybe eternity won't be so bad.
eternity is a long, long, long time
BORING
However, an eternity where all you do is feed the ego of a god that demands nonstop worship...that seems pretty dreadful.
-Removed-It's conditioning. Christians go to church where the purpose is to indoctrinate it's listeners to the point where their beliefs are absolute and unquestionable. It's not a matter of logic; as cliche as this word might be, it's actually true and fits better than any other: the fact remains, that religion is brainwashing.
"Faith" is just a more PC word for blind allegiance.
Originally posted by robbie carrobiegalveston75 once blurted out that only members of the JW organisation "go to heaven". I can't remember whether you endorsed his claim, whether you distanced yourself from the claim, or whether you just started attacking all the people who asked him about it, whilst ignoring the actual claim he'd made.
You understand that my paradise is essentially an earthly paradise and that I profess that relatively few people go to heaven?
-Removed-"to torture people for eternity"
To carry out an action 'for'.
Clearly an action and the word 'for' implies the passage of time.
To be consistent with your earlier usage, you should at least have said 'to torture people in eternity' or better yet 'to be tortured in eternity' or 'in a state of torture in eternity'.
Although one is still left wondering whether torture can be experienced without time.
The phrase "forever and ever" which presents no problems for any present physics I can think of.
Then of course in "a new heaven and new earth" God could conceivably create new physics to go along with that new universe.
"Forever and ever" is written in relation to
The duration of God's supremacy and kingdom:
- "Jehovah will reign forever and ever." (Exo. 15:18);
- "But the saints of the Most High will ... possess the kingdom forever, indeed, forever and ever." (Dan. 7:18)
- "He [the sinner] has said in his heart, I will not be shaken; I will be in no trouble forever." [lit. from generation to generation] (Psalm 10:6)
The throne and life of the Messiah -
- "Your throne of God, O God, is forever and ever. (Psalm 45:6) Compare Hebrews1:8 - "But to the Son, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever ..."
The perpetuity of God's works, warnings and precepts -
- " The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure: They are maintained forever and ever..." (Psa. 111:7,8a)
- "He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it cannot be moved forever and ever." (Psa. 104:5)
The duty to keep God's law
- "Thus I will keep your law continually, Forever and ever" (Psa. 119:44)
The praise due to God
- "I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the peoples will praise You forever and ever." (Psa. 45:17)
- "I will extol You, O my God and King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever." (Psa. 145:1,2)
- "All flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever." (v.21)
The phrase indicates everlastingness.
The duty and blessedness of trust in God is forever and ever - (Psa. 48:14; 52:8; Micah 4:5)
The reward for leading others to righteousness is forever and ever (Dan. 12:3)
In the millennial Psalm 9 the destruction of the wicked and blotting out of their name is forever and ever -
"You rebuked nations; You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever." (Psa. 9:5)
In the New Testament eis aionos ton aionos is written concerning the ascribing of glory, honour, praise, and dominion to God - (Gal. 5:1; Phil. 4:20; 1 Tim. 1:17; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet. 4:11; 5:11)
The expression is used eleven times in the book of Revelation - (1:6; 4:9; 10:5; 13:7,12; 10:6; 11:15; 15:7) and refers to the life, glory, sovereignty, and worship of God and the Lamb, and cannot mean anything except unlimited duration.
The saints reign forever and ever (Rev. 22:5)
The expression is used for the judgment of Babylon the great (Rev. 19:3) - " ... her smoke goes up forever and ever"
The Beast, the False Prophet, and Satan will be tormented "they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20:10)
In Rev. 14:10,11 it is threatened to the followers of Antichrist and. "And the smoke of their tormenting goes up forever and ever." (v.11) . It is the same phrase but without the article - "eis aionas aionon" .