Why would you want to escape Hell to spend time with God? Really? Rationally, why would you want to spend eternity, forever, with God if you really weren’t that interested in Him in the first part of your Life? Forever is a long time, together is permanent, without end, no escape or relief!
I appreciate the integrity of those who want nothing to do with God in the first phase of their life not wanting to be with Him in the second phase. It just makes sense to not want to ‘suffer’ eternity with Someone you ignored or simply spent a lifetime (first phase) avoiding getting to know. Doesn’t it follow that if He exists and you want nothing to do with Him when you might need Him the most, that you would want to continue to be your own person through second phase without Him?
When I was younger, I remember the “fire insurance” evangelism – you don’t want to spend eternity burning in Hell so why not ‘accept’ Jesus and avoid the fiery pit. Fire and brimstone were to be avoided even if it meant giving up your dignity and admitting you needed Someone beyond yourself!
This also should fit the criteria of those who really don’t want to get to know God during this life. Why would anyone want to spend eternity with Someone they don’t know in a relational way? If He isn’t worth knowing now why would you think you wanted to know Him then. What if this life is a preparatory time of relationship, of drawing near and getting to know Him before you ‘have to’ spend the rest of forever in His presence.
You should be aware that contrary to popular presumption, the first thing you are going to do when you enter the presence of God isn’t whatever you want to do. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 6:10 that our “want to’s” will not be priorities in His presence:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”1
There can be no doubt as to Who is Supreme, as to Who has His will done in heaven. There is no debate, no question, no challenge, no rhetorical “come let us reason together”, no shadow of turning, nothing that is not fully in conformity with the heart of God Himself. Part of what makes it heavenly is only that which agrees with His desire, His purpose, His will, His character will be there. Perfection, completion, fulfillment.
Why would anyone want to spend a lifetime disregarding God, not getting to know Him and relating to Him as the core of being, and then want the opposite for the rest of forever?
Really doesn’t make any sense. Cancel that fire insurance policy and go with your convictions. Forever. Embrace fully your desire to escape God. Forever. After all, Hell is that place without the mercies and graces of God. Forever. Just what you wanted. Be your own…, well, …
FOOTNOTE:
1 Matthew 6 (ESV) – Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/mat/6/10/s_935010
