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   Are you afraid of hellfire? Many people are. Are you afraid of the   
   tooth fairy? Hellfire is equal to the toothfairy. In that they both   
   are non-existent. But doesn't the Bible describe people burning in a   
   fire? Yes it does. However, the Bible is symbolic in many, many   
   places.   
      
   We should follow the apostle Paul and REASON on those Scriptures to   
   see if they are literal or not. (Acts 17:2,3) But first, let's see   
   what God thinks of burning people alive:   
      
   -- Revised Standard   
   Jeremiah 7:31  And they have built the high place of Topheth, which is   
   in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their   
   daughters in the fire; which I did not command, nor did it come into   
   my mind.   
      
   If God created a hellfire place for His disobedient ones, such a   
   thought would have to have come into His mind. But it didn't.   
      
   First let's look at the highly symbolic book of Revelation with its   
   Lake of Fire. It is important to find out if that thing is real or   
   not. Notice:   
      
   - Revised Standard   
   Revelation 20:14  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of   
   fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire;   
      
   Can "death" be picked up and cast somewhere? Also the NT word "hades"   
    means "hell". That would mean there are two hells. Would tossing one   
   hell into another one accomplish anything? No, the Lake of Fire is   
   SYMBOLIC, not literal. And Rev 20:14 tells us what it represents: "The   
   second death." (death not life)   
      
   Another one is the rich man and Lazarus. This one is rather simple. It   
   is a parable. At first, that is basically the only way Jesus spoke. So   
   what is a parable? Can it be a real happening? Notice:   
      
   "Parable Definition & Meaning   
   Merriam-Webster   
   https://www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › para...   
   The meaning of PARABLE is a usually short fictitious story that   
   illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle;"   
   (https://www.google.com/search?q=define+parable&sa=Google+Search)   
      
   Thus notice it "is usually short fictitious story". That is true in   
   this case by analyzing it. This parable shows hellfire is within   
   calling distance of Heaven. Those in Heaven would never get any peace.   
      
   Also, what is Abraham doing out of his grave. He is supposed to remain   
   there until the resurrection of Acts 24:15. He couldn't be in Heaven   
   because Jesus said no one made it up to Heaven until then:   
      
   -- Revised Standard   
   John 3:13  No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from   
   heaven, the Son of man.   
      
   Thus all the characters in the OT, none ever went to Heaven.   
      
   Also, if one is in solid flames burning your flesh etc, would a drop   
   of water on you tongue give you relief from the pain and agony?   
      
   But guess who wants to dishonor God every chance he gets. So he makes   
   God out to be a sadist. Yes, he is Satan the Devil. Somehow he has   
   DECEIVED Christendom into believing God tortures His disobedient   
   children. But his cleaver trickery has not fooled the true religion.   
   We are aware of his designs. (2 Cor 2:11)   
      
   Sincerely James   
   Goto jw.org   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)