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No Literal Hell, Only Literal Judgement

In the book I justify that the language of Revelation is of abstraction and allegory, often made in word pictures. "Torment" is made in the sense that non-abelian groups are torment to imagine, as opposed to a "simple" group like the Klein four group.

In that sense I do not justify a literal hell, but a literal judgement, so that all the unsaved get what they must reckon for individually. They are judged according to their works and not for any lack of faith, condemning all equally to "torments" as is supposed.

What is the one verse to justify this?

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (KJV)

And I note, if every soul were simply judged on whether they were saved or not they would only require to check the lamb's book of life, and not every individual "book" to see them judged for their wrongs.

Then in every case there is an individual judgement, and damnation is not so cut and dried.

The next verse mentions:

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (KJV)

And it follows that this is not necessarily the opening of the books of the saved, as the saved do not dwell in the "sea" or in "death" or "hell". It follows that the saved are judged simply on faith, as to whether they are in the Lamb's book of life; receiving their reward in Christ alone, for John elsewhere stated:

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (KJV)

This verse means (in context) that Christ's rewards given His servants are the opportunities for those works themselves. All the saved will continue to serve Christ, and they are given the rewards of that service forever. Just as the least has a small but "miraculous strength" (a crown of life) I expect such a "crown" to be given all the saved so they will do great works in eternity with them, as from the least on up.

So, I am justified in not believing in a literal hell of fiery burning sulphurous torment for all the unsaved, for the same reason I can be justified in believing in a just and literal judgement over all from the seat of Christ. In one of these two the more perfect God is at work, I expect it to be in agreement to my own reason, that God is far more perfect for showing mercy.


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