Hello.
Some years ago, I studied the topic of Hell (and Heaven and the New Creation). I remember reading the articles on Tektonics and Christian Thinktank and some Deeper Waters posts (as well as some other places). I ended up agreeing, and I continue to agree, with the "Hell as shame" view.
Now, one of the passages that caught my interest on the topic back then was Isaiah 33:14f. I know the context of the passage is about something different, namely God's judgement on Assyria if I'm not mistaken. However, this bit seemed very interesting:
In a context of (earthly) judgement, it speaks of sinners who fear "the everlasting fire", which from what I've read everyone understands to be God's holiness. The apparent answer to their question "Who will dwell with that!?" is, basically, the righteous -- and to them it says, "you'll see the King in his beauty".
This text, as I understand it, is not talking about Heaven/Hell; nonetheless, this theme or concept seemed very very similar to the idea of Hell as being ultimate fear/rejection of God's holiness and glory, and Heaven/New Creation as fellowship, blessing and "dwelling with" God in his holiness and glory.
So... what are your thoughts on any of this? Maybe someone has written something on the topic re this passage, I don't know. BTW, feel free to question any of the above :-)
Some years ago, I studied the topic of Hell (and Heaven and the New Creation). I remember reading the articles on Tektonics and Christian Thinktank and some Deeper Waters posts (as well as some other places). I ended up agreeing, and I continue to agree, with the "Hell as shame" view.
Now, one of the passages that caught my interest on the topic back then was Isaiah 33:14f. I know the context of the passage is about something different, namely God's judgement on Assyria if I'm not mistaken. However, this bit seemed very interesting:
In a context of (earthly) judgement, it speaks of sinners who fear "the everlasting fire", which from what I've read everyone understands to be God's holiness. The apparent answer to their question "Who will dwell with that!?" is, basically, the righteous -- and to them it says, "you'll see the King in his beauty".
This text, as I understand it, is not talking about Heaven/Hell; nonetheless, this theme or concept seemed very very similar to the idea of Hell as being ultimate fear/rejection of God's holiness and glory, and Heaven/New Creation as fellowship, blessing and "dwelling with" God in his holiness and glory.
So... what are your thoughts on any of this? Maybe someone has written something on the topic re this passage, I don't know. BTW, feel free to question any of the above :-)
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