This is an interesting topic. I actually have talked to people that present that God will destroy sinners in the lake of fire out of love. Personally I believe scripture teaches differently. Is hellfire a strange act coming from God?




As we can see this is something way out of the ordinary for God to do. Why is it a strange act? God's character is mercy, compassion, long suffering. scripture shows us that in this act God exacts vengeance on the wicked out of anger. Let's first look at a verse at the start of the controversy here on earth.



I had read this verse countless times in the past, but the word enmity really caught my eye. I wondered exactly what enmity means. It is a very important word in this verse because it sets the stage for the whole controversy. It defines the relationship of Christ and satan and also our relationship with the world. Here is the definition from Strong's concordance.
This is pretty strong language. There is hatred between God and satan! I submit that once we have gotten to the point that the Holy Spirit leaves us completely, as Saul did, that we then become the enemy of God. I know many will not like the idea that God hates anyone, but scripture says it. These aren't my words. I actually had a hard time accepting that God was capable of hating. Then I thought of what has taken place in the great controversy. Satan turned 1/3 of the angels whom God created against Him. He caused war in a perfect universe, he was the root cause of the fall of an entire planet which God created, In the last 6,000 years satan has caused countless sufferings of both people and animals. All of which were Gods creations and all of which God loves with immeasurable love. To top it off satan killed God's own Son who came to save the world, in the most cruel manner available. True Christ says He laid down His life voluntarily, but the only requirement for a sacrifice is death. The cross was purely satans invention. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to cheapen what happened at the cross. But it angers me that Christ had to endure unnecessary torture at the hands of satan. Remember we are made in God's image. That means that we also have emotions like God does.

The Bible also tells us there is a time to hate. Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

I submit that the reason the wicked hide and cry for the rocks to fall on them is they are receiving the full wrath of God poured out without mercy or love. When we make the decision which every person makes at some point in thier lives, whether to do right or wrong, whether to follow God or satan we join one army or the other. If we join satans army we then become the enemy.

Let's look at some verse that really opened my eyes about judgment day.





Some pretty strong statements to say the least! What about the seven last plagues? Millions dying, men gnawing their tongues in pain. No water, no food. Tortured by various means. A bit harsh for love isn’t it? The Bible is very clear when we willfully and openly sin and reject God we become His ENEMY. God hates sin. When we openly rebel and reject God we BECOME sin therefore we are God’s enemies. Remember Christ became sin for us that we might be saved. If not for that we would BE sin. Remember the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 is telling us there is enmity between Christ and satan as well as between their followers. Satan’s followers show their enmity by hatred and persecution. Christ’s followers show their enmity by love, purity, self sacrifice and withdrawing themselves from pollution of satan and his followers associations. We are to leave the vengeance to God.

Men hate the sinner, while they love the sin. Christ hates the sin, but loves the sinner. This will be the spirit of all who follow Him. Christian love is slow to censure, quick to discern penitence, ready to forgive, to encourage, to set the wanderer in the path of holiness, and to stay his feet therein. {DA 462.4}

He who declares, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," also gives the invitation, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Revelation 2:10; Isaiah 55:7. God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. "I will heal their backsliding," He declares; "I will love them freely." Hosea 14:4. {PK 84.1}

He hates sin, but He loves the sinner, and He gave Himself in the person of Christ, that all who would might be saved and have eternal blessedness in the kingdom of glory. What stronger or more tender language could have been employed than He has chosen in which to express His love toward us? He declares, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." Isaiah 49:15. {SC 54.2}

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was on account of their great wickedness. They gave loose rein to their intemperate appetites, then to their corrupt passions, until they were so debased, and their sins were so abominable, that their cup of iniquity was full, and they were consumed with fire from heaven. {CD 60.2}

To sin, wherever found, "our God is a consuming fire." Heb. 12:29. In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them. . . But wherever men came before God while willfully cherishing evil, they were destroyed. At the second advent of Christ the wicked shall be consumed "with the Spirit of His mouth," and destroyed "with the brightness of His coming." 2 Thess. 2:8. The light of the glory of God, which imparts life to the righteous, will slay the wicked. {DA 107.4}{DA 107.4}

Then shall they that obey not the gospel be consumed with the spirit of His mouth and be destroyed with the brightness of His coming. 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Like Israel of old the wicked destroy themselves; they fall by their iniquity. By a life of sin, they have placed themselves so out of harmony with God, their natures have become so debased with evil, that the manifestation of His glory is to them a consuming fire. {GC 37.1}

Nadab and Abihu were priests of the sanctuary, and although it was not lawful to use common fire, these priests, when they went in before God, presumed to kindle their incense with unconsecrated fire. The priests had been indulging in the use of wine, and their moral sensibilities were benumbed; they did not discern the character of their actions, or realize what would be the fearful consequences of their sin. A fire blazed out from the holy of holies and consumed them. {Te 280.1}

The judgment which God brought upon the antediluvian world declared it incurable. The destruction of Sodom proclaimed the inhabitants of the most beautiful country in the world incorrigible in sin. The fire and brimstone from heaven consumed everything except Lot, his wife, and two daughters. The wife, looking back in disregard of God's command, became a pillar of salt. {TM 75.1}