It has been recorded as matter of illustration,
encounters with people in the afterlife. Examples of Lazarus and the Rich Man
(Luke 16:19-31), or the angels condemned already (Luke 8:26-33) but that refuse
to stay in their place of punishment.
In both cases, the conversation seems intelligent to
a high degree, even in the case of humans, like the Rich Man or prophet Samuel
at Endor (1Samuel 28:8-25), which makes you think if the spirits of the condemned,
are really in a place of torment.
From all stories told to us in the NT, we can gather
two places, as it says Luke 16. A place of punishment and a place of reward.
However, these places are not what we understand as Hell or Heaven as such.
The answer is that Hell, as the ultimate place of
punishment, does not exits yet, therefore, the people who lie in it at the
moment, do not experience the fulness of their punishment which will be accomplished
only after the Great White Throne of Judgement, in the last Day (Revelation
20:11-15).
This ability of more or less being in control of our
situation, is also a direct product of that condition. Condemned people are not
in a place of torment where they will be punished according to their own
sinfulness, but in a lesser state of suffering, that ends up being bearable
somehow until the Day of Judgement.
On the other hand, since demons still have a role to
fulfil on Earth until all creation is accomplished, they can also opt for leaving
out of their cells in darkness, and step into creation in order to increase
their condemnation by promoting others into disobedience to God Almighty
(Job
1:6-12; 2Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6).
Both ways are only an ante-Sala of what is to come
eventually.
Only in Eternal Punishment, all altercation between
humans and demonic entities, will be out of the question because it will be unbearable
to them.
Only in Eternal Bliss, will be the righteous saved, and
connect directly with God and each other, as God wants us to be.
Omar Flores.
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