KingJ -- that which concerns me about you -- your squewed concept of God. Do you accept the sovereighty of God? That He Is in control of Everything -- Scripture says that 'every hair on our heads are numbered". The convicting power of the Holy Spirit is God going after each person for their personal salvation. And, yes , God Does know who will end up in hell and or heaven.
In the New Testament -- Saul of Tarsus -- he was going around grabbing Christians and bringing them to the authorities for punishment / torture. That was his reputation. Pretty bad. But God reached down to him, on that road to Emaus ? He acknowledged God there on that road and eventually Paul was chosen to author the Prison Epistles -- Lots of the New Testament.
You seem to Not accept free will for what it truly is. God does NOT have to give up part of Himself in order for us to have free will. God Is God -- steadfast and Not changeable. Jesus Christ, as the 2nd person of the Trinity Did come to this earth as a baby -- He took on Our nature. Though He could not sin. He was tempted in all ways, but without sin. While here on earth, He was showing 'us' the Father in heaven.
He does Not force Himself on anyone. That is correct. But we are also Not puppets. He Does know everything we will do. He knows whether or not we will brush our teeth today and that we might be in an accident in two weeks or be raptured up and out tonight. And He also knows when / if we choose to be rebellious in spirit. And what it will take to bring us back to Himself.
You commented that when we've accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, that there's Nothing He won't do for us. That He spoils us. Well -- somewhat -- If as a believer we want to go out and drink because our friends want us to. Does He stop us? He will talk to our conscious through the Holy Spirit. But does He stop us from taking that drink? Not especially -- does He stop us from getting into a car with friends who are drunk? Not especially -- will the Holy Spirit be trying to tell us Not to? yes. Do we always follow the leading Of the Holy Spirit, not especially. Do we end up suffering negative consequences -- yes.
God knows the difference between our Wants and our Needs. He Wants a close relationship to Him. He Won't be spoiling us with Our desires especially -- because our Human desires aren't always good for us. He Will 'spoil' us with Spiritual blessings. With inner peace. Assurance of His forgiveness.
As for those who go to hell. That God can do little of nothing for them. Well -- He's Done Everything For them. He's provided their way to Avoid hell. They've had their life-time to accept God's gift Of salvation. However long that life-time ends up being. God Also knows That about us. How long we Will live. And He gives Every person a chance to hear and accept.
And your concept of the 'poor' people in this world. Being 'poor' is largely a matter of perspective. A Rich person would consider 'middle-class' as being 'poor'. The middle-class think of the poor as being poor. Do you realize that in some parts of This country -- some of the 'poor' people don't consider themselves as 'poor' at All. They can see themselves as 'rich' in their relationships, their love of God. God's goodness to them in ways that We wouldn't understand.
And there are Also lots of people who are 'poor' because of poor money management. some people Are lazy. They Won't work.. they are conditioned to think that Society owes them a living.
There are countries that are poor due to their countries' leaders Wanting them that way. Some people are Powerful and power corrupts.
God is Also in control of animals. For instance, the lions' den when Daniel was put in the lions' den -- the person who put him in it figured he'd be dead within minutes or over-night. But God closed the mouths of those lions. Daniel was alive and pulled out. Anyone Else would have been gobbled up quickly.
During the 1,000 reign of Christ on earth. the lions will lay down with the lamb / little child and not be harmed. Natural preditors / enemies will be at peace with each other. Because 'we' will be living under God's authority / peace / perfect judgement.
God's description of hell / lake of fire and brimstone is Not being sugar-coated. God knows how We experience fire Now. And He is letting Us know that That temporary fire hurting us Now will be continually burning. We Also hear about - maybe experienced burns ourselves. Both minor or major. I've accidentally touched the hot stove trying to remove a pan. That HURT. But after a bit, the pain Does go away. Major burn victums -- Much different. That is much Worse. Lots of people Die from severe burns.
We tend too want to sugar-coat it -- you certainly do.
You said that hell is going to be Awful in comparison to the wondrous environment in Heaven. Well -- of Course it will be. But 'awful' doesn't even Begin to describe a lake of fire and brimstone. And, yes it will be Real and Forever. Not torture -- just reality of what God has in store for satan, the beast and the false prophet. WE don't Have to end up there.
If a believer intentionally gets drunk --maybe even at home -- is warned - at home - by people who care about him -- to NOT get on his motorcycle or in his car and drive. He and they know the risks involved in doing that. But, he goes out Anyway. He's drunk -- has the accident - maybe just a broken leg and arrested and spends some time in jail OR he's in an accident -- someone is Killed as a result -- he has even gone part way through his car's windshield and lives but is a Mess. Goes to prison. OR he is Killed. Enters eternity and since he Is a born-again believer, he is immediately in the presence of the Lord. Now - hopefully - as a result of spending time in jail / prison --the guy will get straightened out -- stops the drinking and can still be used by God to lead other's to Christ.
Maybe a Non-believer -- same set of circumstances. He has the accident. Maybe looses an arm or leg -- permanent injuries - maybe jail / prison time -- BUT he crosses paths with a Believer --maybe through prison / jail - ministry -- but he hears the Gospel unto salvation and accepts Christ as his personal Savior. So - instead of dying -- and ending up in hell for eternity -- God sees fit to have that accident bring him into contact with that Gospel witness and he accepts.
