[Ping-Pong]

Rev 20:12-13 : 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.

Maybe Ping can help me with this, but it seems to me that everyone going into this judgment was already doomed. Therefore, we can reasonably ask what the purpose was for the judgment. One answer would be to discern different punishments in hell, over and above just being there. If both are in hell, it would seem very odd to me if Ghandi and Hitler are going through the same experience. :)

I can tell you what I believe the scriptures tell us. There are two judgments. The first, at the beginning of the millennium, is to decide on which side of the gulf you go. If you are "of the first resurrection" you reign with Christ during the millennium. If you are considered one of the "dead" it means you are spiritually dead and your soul is at risk of not living eternally. Those go to the other side and they still have a "mortal" soul. So...I don't think they are "doomed" yet but if they don't make the judgment at the end of the millennium they will be. There they will be judged on their works as it would require no faith to believe in a God that can be seen.

Those will be taught, without the influence of Satan, during the millennium. Remember that at the beginning of the millennium "every knee shall bow", because everyone will KNOW that God is very real, that God is God, not Allah or a Buddah or a stick, etc. but GOD.

Then you have the Ghandi vs. Hitler problem. Are there different levels on that side, as in Paradise Lost? I don't know. I don't believe that side will be filled with torment, at least as we think of it, but rather, the torment of knowing who God is and that He is real but to be separated from Him (as in Lazarus and the rich man). To those that are good but have been misled that would be torture. To the truly evil ones - who knows if they would even care.

They {Jews} deny Christ just like Ghandi did. Therefore, they're out.

At the time of the end, before the 2nd Advent, 144,000 of the tribes of the children of Israel will be sealed (Rev.7:4), with the Word of God. Taking part in that is the destiny of God's elect. Many will accept Christ.

[Forest Keeper]

I can tell you what I believe the scriptures tell us. There are two judgments. The first, at the beginning of the millennium, is to decide on which side of the gulf you go. If you are "of the first resurrection" you reign with Christ during the millennium. If you are considered one of the "dead" it means you are spiritually dead and your soul is at risk of not living eternally.

Thanks, Ping. Now I remember your saying either exactly this, or something very close to it, earlier in another conversation.

To those that are good but have been misled that would be torture. To the truly evil ones - who knows if they would even care.

That sounds like a total rip for all the Ghandis. :) But who knows, maybe everything is upside down in hell.