Chances of Hell?

[Qoeleth]

Jesus tells us that the path to life is found by few, but the road to perdition is trodden by many. He also says many are called, but few chosen. He says unless we renounce all, we cannot be his disciples. John of the Cross tells us that our damnation is more assured than our salvation.

It looks like the chances of getting into Heaven many not be that great. Well, this is a purely speculative question, and I am not asking anyone to evaluate their own chances of getting into Heaven, but, in an abstract sense, what are the chances of ending up in Hell?

More than 50/50?

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Jesus tells us that the path to life is found by few, but the road to perdition is trodden by many. He also says many are called, but few chosen. He says unless we renounce all, we cannot be his disciples. John of the Cross tells us that our damnation is more assured than our salvation.

It looks like the chances of getting into Heaven many not be that great. Well, this is a purely speculative question, and I am not asking anyone to evaluate their own chances of getting into Heaven, but, in an abstract sense, what are the chances of ending up in Hell?

More than 50/50?

I don’t think it’s really possible, or ultimately worthwhile, to speculate. We don’t know. The best we can do is try and live our lives in accordance with the Gospel and pray for forgiveness. That’s the job we were given, and if we do it, we’ll reach Heaven.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

Jesus tells us that the path to life is found by few, but the road to perdition is trodden by many. He also says many are called, but few chosen. He says unless we renounce all, we cannot be his disciples. John of the Cross tells us that our damnation is more assured than our salvation.

It looks like the chances of getting into Heaven many not be that great. Well, this is a purely speculative question, and I am not asking anyone to evaluate their own chances of getting into Heaven, but, in an abstract sense, what are the chances of ending up in Hell?

More than 50/50?

Taking Christ’s words at face value, I think it’s fairly obvious that more people are going to hell than heaven.

Our humanitarian instinct flies in the face of this of course. For a start we don’t think our family, friends and work mates are generally going to hell, and we don’t want them to. We might be aware of some of their bad points, but probably think “there but for the grace of God go I”. And they may be just as aware of our own bad points.

But Christ is God, and His words are eternal. So regardless of how much we might not like them, they carry weight.

In the end, it won’t be our opinion that decides. God is the judge. And He’s not soft either.

 

[MidnightSun12]

Jesus tells us that the path to life is found by few, but the road to perdition is trodden by many. He also says many are called, but few chosen. He says unless we renounce all, we cannot be his disciples. John of the Cross tells us that our damnation is more assured than our salvation.

It looks like the chances of getting into Heaven many not be that great. Well, this is a purely speculative question, and I am not asking anyone to evaluate their own chances of getting into Heaven, but, in an abstract sense, what are the chances of ending up in Hell?

More than 50/50?

Well the Saints have, with great confidence and great consensus, answered it for us. This link will answer your question, and will paint a sobering reality.

As a warning, this sermon can be quite scary for a first read. One thing I promise you, however, is that reading it will move you closer to sainthood.

olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

The truth that few will be saved is actually a powerful message that has propelled many Saints to great holiness. Don’t let this cause you to despair…if God can help a camel jump through the eye of a needle then He can most certainly help you get into heaven regardless of what your stastical probability is of making it. What we have to do as faithful Catholics, however, is to start trying to be Saints in this life and stop trying to justify our persistance in what we percieve to be “minor sins” or “imperfections”. Wearing make-up, downloading music, and watching movies that contain elements of the occult may seem insignificant by today’s standards but if we consider just how few actually make it, we should ask ourselves if a Saint would really do these sorts of activities?

 

[Christine85]

The diary of St Faustina emphasizes how we should always approach God through his mercy

From Diary entry (1396)
Today I heard a voice in my soul: “Oh if sinners knew My mercy , they would not perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me; speak to them of My great Mercy.”

(1182)
Today the Lord said to me, “My daughter, My pleasure and delight , nothing will stop Me from granting you graces. Your misery does not hinder My mercy. My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater it’s right to My mercy; urge all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. On the cross , the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls- no one have I excluded.”

 

[mikesoo]

Dear Fellow Catholics,

It is not easy to go to hell unless you fit in the reading Mt13:47-50. However, to go Heaven, you have to read Mt7:21-23. Most probably, most of us will spend awhile in purgatory before being able to reach Heaven.

So please, we need to spend some time to reflect on the way we are living our lives.

God bless

 

[Pitcharan]

J… I am not asking anyone to evaluate their own chances of getting into Heaven, but, in an abstract sense, what are the chances of ending up in Hell?

More than 50/50?

It is as difficult as if not more than, going to Heaven. One may end up there only by being persistently hell-bent and obstinate. God’s patience is infinite and we receive the longest rope of chances to realise and change course.

 

[ThatOrthodoxGuy]

Jesus tells us that the path to life is found by few, but the road to perdition is trodden by many. He also says many are called, but few chosen. He says unless we renounce all, we cannot be his disciples. John of the Cross tells us that our damnation is more assured than our salvation.

It looks like the chances of getting into Heaven many not be that great. Well, this is a purely speculative question, and I am not asking anyone to evaluate their own chances of getting into Heaven, but, in an abstract sense, what are the chances of ending up in Hell?

More than 50/50?

There is a really good hymn chanted during vespers

Thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? * For with Thee there is forgiveness.

For Thy name’s sake have I patiently waited for Thee, O Lord; my soul hath patiently waited for Thy word, * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch until night, from the morning watch * let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption; * and He shall redeem Israel out of all his iniquities.

God is full of mercy! All we need to do is ask and repent from our sins and we will be with him.

 

[VivoCristoRey]

As was said earlier it’s really not worth dwelling on, what is important is to turn to God with a contrite heart begging for his mercy. God’s mercy is boundless and as long as you still have breath in your lungs you have the opportunity to be forgiven. Whether 90% of people go to Heaven or 90% go to hell what is important is to strive for holiness, and like an earlier poster said don’t be accepting of even seemingly small sins, rather “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect”. Strive to eliminate all sins from your life and when you fail turn immediately to God for forgiveness first just between you and God in prayer and when you are able get your butt to confession for the graces and absolution. Ain’t it great to be a Catholic and have all this available to us?

 

[scameter18]

This has been a difficult topic for me - not regarding myself so much, as regarding others. I did not think about it as much until I talked to a Traditionalist a few months ago who told me that the majority of people will go to Hell. I found this deeply tragic and disheartening. I went through a period of doubt and despair, wondering how so many eternal souls could be damned to Hell for eternity. I understand Hell, and I believe in Hell. I think it’s existence is just and necessary. But I cannot believe that God will send the majority of people to Hell. Purgatory, yes. But His mercy and love are just too great. There are too many influences on people, too much that leads them astray, and there is too much mystery between us and the mind of another for us to make even the slightest judgment on them. This is particularly difficult because we cannot force other people to become Catholic. Often times the more stringent our efforts, the more they turn away, even our loved ones. So, it seems that we much focus on our own salvation, work as well as we can for others (especially through prayer, including for the dead), and ultimately trust in God. This is truly all we can do. God bless.

 

[system]

In addition to continually striving to obtain my own salvation, which is a daily struggle (and I consider myself a true practicing Catholic…), I worry and fear for family members and close friends who have no real interest in their faith or no deep concern about where they will end up after this life. These are kind, loving and generous people, just with no interest in “religion”.

I love these people dearly and want to find a way to at least save them from hell, even if it means a very lengthy stay in Purgatory!

It is possible that my prayers and sacrifices for them alone would be enough to save them from hell, even if they may not ever come to a spiritual awareness and realization themselves? Can my true love for them, as imperfect as I am, through my constant prayers and offerings for these loved ones actually make some kind of difference in their own salvation?

 

[Christine85]

Enroll people you care for in the Seraphic Mass Association only $5 per person to be included in prayers and daily Masses

 

[lakotak]

This has been a difficult topic for me - not regarding myself so much, as regarding others. I did not think about it as much until I talked to a Traditionalist a few months ago who told me that the majority of people will go to Hell. I found this deeply tragic and disheartening. I went through a period of doubt and despair, wondering how so many eternal souls could be damned to Hell for eternity. I understand Hell, and I believe in Hell. I think it’s existence is just and necessary. But I cannot believe that God will send the majority of people to Hell. Purgatory, yes. But His mercy and love are just too great. There are too many influences on people, too much that leads them astray, and there is too much mystery between us and the mind of another for us to make even the slightest judgment on them. This is particularly difficult because we cannot force other people to become Catholic. Often times the more stringent our efforts, the more they turn away, even our loved ones. So, it seems that we much focus on our own salvation, work as well as we can for others (especially through prayer, including for the dead), and ultimately trust in God. This is truly all we can do. God bless.

Keep in mind that God is only directing those of us who freely choose Hell to that eternal destination. If this is what we freely choose in this life, then God only acknowledges our wishes and directs us to the place (Hell) out of the presence that we chose not to be in in life.

 

[Porknpie]

Most probably, most of us will spend awhile in purgatory before being able to reach Heaven.

From where do you get this in scripture? And if not in scripture, in church tradition?

Keep in mind that God is only directing those of us who freely choose Hell to that eternal destination.

If I commit a mortal sin and die, by your & the Church definition I am freely choosing Hell? The Church teaches that if one dies after committing an unrepented mortal sin, heaven is not possible. This IS hard to understand although I accept it. St. Paul says to persevere. Perhaps that hardest thing for me to understand in life is how can anyone freely choose Hell, without ever truly understanding and experiencing it. I’m not sure that my rational human mind will ever comprehend this. :coffeeread:

 

[lakotak]

From where do you get this in scripture? And if not in scripture, in church tradition?

If I commit a mortal sin and die, by your & the Church definition I am freely choosing Hell? The Church teaches that if one dies after committing an unrepented mortal sin, heaven is not possible. This IS hard to understand although I accept it. St. Paul says to persevere. **Perhaps that hardest thing for me to understand in life is how can anyone freely choose Hell, without ever truly understanding and experiencing it. ** I’m not sure that my rational human mind will ever comprehend this. :coffeeread:

We freely choose Hell by setting aside the Word of God to us. The Bible is his Word and states very clearly how we should live our lives. If we choose not to and do not wish to live in fellowship with Him, then he has prepared the place for us where we will be out of his presence and fellowship. I think Christ, in the Scriptures, has made it very clear what Hell is like. However, it is our choice to say “no God I would rather go my way and live by my commandments and not your way”. This is how one freely chooses Hell. He gave us the Commandments as to how we could love him, be with him and one another, but he does not force us to abide by them. If God Himself, in Christ, tell me that Hell is a place to avoid and show me how, this is good enough for me because I don’t want to experience what He is telling me about that place. His Word is good enough for me without have experience it and it is my final destination.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

Nobody who chooses Hell really believes it is as bad as people say. They are making a trade-off-God for worldly goods. They believe the worldly good outweigh the goodness of God.

They are deluded.

 

[Qoeleth]

Keep in mind that God is only directing those of us who freely choose Hell to that eternal destination. If this is what we freely choose in this life, then God only acknowledges our wishes and directs us to the place (Hell) out of the presence that we chose not to be in in life.

Yes, but the choice is made during this life, is it not? And it is made by on the basis of our actions here? As per the last judgment (Matt 25), those who end up being condemned don’t even know why they were condemned until it is too late.

And there are all those who say “Lord, Lord, we ate with you, you know us.” But then the Lord casts them into outer darkness.

For myself, how do I know I am not one of those who will be deemed a goat for not doing enough, not one of those who will say “Lord, Lord”?

Have I really renounced everything, to qualify as a disciple? I think not.

The fear of Hell seems to have gone out of fashion. But why? Jesus had no problem with it.

 

[Giants]

Jesus tells us that the path to life is found by few, but the road to perdition is trodden by many. He also says many are called, but few chosen. He says unless we renounce all, we cannot be his disciples. John of the Cross tells us that our damnation is more assured than our salvation.

It looks like the chances of getting into Heaven many not be that great. Well, this is a purely speculative question, and I am not asking anyone to evaluate their own chances of getting into Heaven, but, in an abstract sense, what are the chances of ending up in Hell?

More than 50/50?

0%

 

[Porknpie]

Yes, but the choice is made during this life, is it not? And it is made by on the basis of our actions here? As per the last judgment (Matt 25), those who end up being condemned don’t even know why they were condemned until it is too late.

And there are all those who say “Lord, Lord, we ate with you, you know us.” But then the Lord casts them into outer darkness.

So we would say that they deceived themselves…?

But unlike the fallen Angels, can we say that they “chose hell”?

 

[Robertanthony]

This has been a difficult topic for me - not regarding myself so much, as regarding others. I did not think about it as much until I talked to a Traditionalist a few months ago who told me he thinks that the majority of people will go to Hell. I found this deeply tragic and disheartening. I went through a period of doubt and despair, wondering how so many eternal souls could be damned to Hell for eternity. I understand Hell, and I believe in Hell. I think it’s existence is just and necessary. But I cannot believe that God will send the majority of people to Hell. Purgatory, yes. But His mercy and love are just too great. There are too many influences on people, too much that leads them astray, and there is too much mystery between us and the mind of another for us to make even the slightest judgment on them. This is particularly difficult because we cannot force other people to become Catholic. Often times the more stringent our efforts, the more they turn away, even our loved ones. So, it seems that we much focus on our own salvation, work as well as we can for others (especially through prayer, including for the dead), and ultimately trust in God. This is truly all we can do. God bless.

There fixed it for you. The other day here on CAF I was perusing different threads, then one of the members had a link to their own blog. The 1st entry I came across in their blog was a description of the God knows how many circles of Hell, the first circle was for unbaptized children and aborted babies. Yeah right. The Church says we don’t know their eternal fate but we do know that God is love and mercy, therefore we entrust these little ones to God’s mercy. Some people (canonized people included) seem to speak with authority on some topics when they’re merely stating their own fallible (and sometimes worthless) opinion.