I do have a question. If people do not turn to god for repentence, and they "suffer the consequences in the afterlife," where do they go?
If they don't go to heaven or purgatory, then I'd assume they go to hell?
If they go to hell, was hell already set up for them to go there are did god created hell?
(It will take me a bit to read your post.)
The closest thing in the bible to the popular idea of hell is this.... but it is a story -it does not describe something which has happened, or exactly what will happen -but is used to make a point.
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence
The point of the story being that those who will eventually experience unpleasantness will not be turned by anything else. In the rest of the story, the rich man wants to send someone to warn his family, but is told that it would do no good.
Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead
This story does not actually mean we go to hell when we die and are in the grave -it is simply used to make the point that some will not be persuaded by more gentle things. Elsewhere, things are written which are not a story -but specify how and when things will happen. It is explained that few are actually cast into the lake of fire -whatever that may actually be -until after they are resurrected. The first to be cast into the lake of fire are the beast and false prophet -then Satan a thousand years later -and only after the thousand years -when the rest of the dead are raised to the judgment -will any others have their part in the lake of fire. Not everyone raised to the judgment will have their part in the lake of fire. Some will have worked good, but were not among those called to the first resurrection. However, the lake of fire is for the benefit of even those who do have their part in the lake of fire. As it is written, they will be saved -yet so as by fire.
One important thing to consider about the story above is that the rich man then regretted his decisions during his life. He was only then persuaded. The evil are separated from those who will do good -but this is not to say they will not eventually choose to do good. The lake of fire -whatever it may actually be (though apparently unpleasant) is FOR repentance. It is an ultimatum. It is God saying that evil will proceed no further -and the evildoer will proceed no further unless they choose to do good.
If they ultimately refuse, the
potential exists that they can be destroyed. The
potential also exists that they experience unpleasantness as long as is necessary -forever and ever if necessary -to change their will. However, that is not to say that any will
actually be completely destroyed -or that any will actually be tormented forever even though they may be
potentially. Seeing their state -and the wonderful thing they are separated from -will be what it takes for some to repent. However, they will not be given the same station, reward, authority, etc. as those who did more good during their lives.
The main point is that while some may be tormented indefinitely -forever and ever -this will not necessarily be the case. Though the fire may be eternal, people's experience of it will not necessarily be so. The purpose of the fire is to refine. Tormenting some literally forever -without end -to no good end -is not what will happen.
"Hell" -the lake of fire -is one of the more confusing subjects -but it helps to read all scriptures about it. The bible was not written in such a manner as to be understood without in-depth study. In fact, God purposefully made it so -and has actually hidden understanding of it at various times and for various reasons.
Isa 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
