Those who burn in the Lake of Fire, will burn in the presence of God.
Rev 14:9 ; Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Rev 14:10; he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Rev 14:11; "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."
People won't be "gnashing their teeth" because they are separated from God. God will be there watching them.
They will be gnashing their teeth because they will burning in agony.
Ok, I cant find our last discussion on this, but here is my stab.
1. Please acknowledge the fact that
nowhere in this passage is weeping and gnashing of teeth mentioned. It is not mentioned in Rev 14:9, It is not mentioned in Rev 14:10, it is not mentioned in Rev 14:11, it is not mentioned in Rev 14:12.
As such you are
adding to scripture your inserted assumption. Scripture where ''every'' word needs to be properly read. Scripture on hell is terribly important for Christians to 'get right'.
2. Read it properly. The ''full strength'' of the torment is the fire and brimstone. It does not say ''God's full strength of wrath is on them''. Key to understand this as your interpretation is a ''play'' on words.
3. Note the fact that God is ''
not'' hiding His punishment on the wicked from
anyone. Just as with Sodom, He welcomed Abraham's interrogation of His actions. Just as with Jews worshiping the golden calf, He welcomed Moses's thoughts on the matter of their punishment. Now what is key to grasp is the fact that both Abraham and Moses agreed with God's decision of wrath and the type of wrath. If God burnt the people of Sodom over three weeks and made the Jews eat small pieces of gold until they died from starvation, guess what BAC, Abraham and Moses would both be in agreement with God being a terrible God.
4. We learn an interesting fact from Jesus when He teaches us about Lazarus and the rich man. Namely that the rich man was burning in fire
before the great white throne judgement. As such, fire is more a
consequence of sin and not a direct punishment for sin. The rich man can also hold a conversation and asks for a drop of water, not a bucket load. So it is a literal fire, just either a different kind of literal or the wicked have bodies that can handle the fire a lot better.
5. When the demons are cast into pigs by Jesus, we learn three important facts. 1. Jesus honors their request, 2. They said casually ''why have you come to torment us before our time?''. They know what is coming. If it was as literal a fire as ours they would have said ''wicked and cruel God, why have you come to repay evil with insane evil before our time? and then why do you honor our request and cast us into pigs? are you mad and wicked?''. 3. the fallen angels that were cast out of heaven for being too wicked have endured absolutely no punishment outside of separation. God has given them time to socialize, enjoy wandering earth and what not else. If God was the height of wickedness, this is terribly nonsensical.
6. Grasp God's wording to Adam and Eve when they were cast out of Eden. ''Adam you will work hard and sweat, Eve you will have pain in child birth''. All of heaven watches how Adam sweat day after day. How Eve screamed and cried every-time she was in labor. It was / is terrifying and a strong reminder to the angels of God's wrath on those who disobey Him. Yet, Adam and Eve also enjoyed many, many, many pleasantries. Why does scripture not specify these? Why did God not tell Adam ''don't stress too much, I have given your body the ability to build muscles and make digging into soil easier over time'' or ''don't stress too much, you can still grow delicious fruit and take up surfing''.
God is the definition of the word ''Good''. God is the definition of the word ''Love''. God is ''righteous' in not one, or two or three ways, no He is righteous in ''
All'' His ways Psalm 145:17. As such pleasantries from God did not need to be mentioned in scripture as they were / should be known as a 'given'.
7. The only scripture that gives a direct reason for 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' is Luke 13:28 and it speaks to the wicked grasping their
separation.
