RillyNiceGuy: I have come across a lot of people who are hurting because they believe a loved one is burning in hell. Good Bible believing people concerned and sad for another. I feel sorry for their hurting from wrong teachings.
First....a person dead is asleep! The general resurrection has not happen yet. The first resurrection is to be at the return of Christ (all eyes shall see him)(not hidden). So! They sleep until....when? The first resurrection is of those in Christ that are dead and those alive are changed. The second resurrection will be a general resurrection of who.....???
Do you think it is fair for a native who never had a chance to know about Christ to burn for all time. How about those lead astray by wrong teachings or those not called by God the Father at this time. Do you think it is fair for a person to live a short time (less than 120 years) and then to live burning for all time because they never found the better way. Of course not!
So! what is the truth? The second (general)resurrection! The Books (Bible) shall be opened....to who?
Read Revelation!
I am far from being a person to give knowledge by teaching. I have had much to learn by adversity and hardships. I got lost because of church people of man's churchs, the churchs that dominate the world of religion. But I do care deeply for others and it bothers me to know that some cry daily for lost ones that they believe are tortured in hell fire! I want to relieve that from them if I can. I do not presume to teach, but I will share information that will give them relief that they themselves will find and prove to and for themselves. I will not lead or guide, I will give you information only!
Would a God of love burn someone for ever for a few sins? Come on! If that is the case, then even the best Christian will burn in hell! Let me ask you this all you Christians who believe in hell fire: Would you hold the hand of your child over an open flame for taking a cookie without permission? "Of course not," you say, that would be cruel punishment. It is stealing. A sin against God. But this is the conduct you will accept from your God? The God of the Hewbrew scriptures was a God of war, hatred, and one who views women as second class citizens. This whole mess in the Middle East, ( if you believe the Bible ) was started thousands of years ago by the God of the Hewbrew scrips. If you really want to get to know the true God, pray.
I think he is best described in the letters of Paul. A kind, gentle God, who is ready to forgive and accept us all.