I have a general observation/question for posters in this topic, if I may? I understand before asking it that answers may vary, depending upon which denomination you are from. But it has ocurred to me that maybe we are missing something here? I would agree with that…
All of us would agree that there definitely is a hell; ahhhhhhh… apparently not. There is a poster who just identified - more like a news flash - there there was no hell! This caught me by surprise… and they did not say if they believed in heaven, either! So, the best I can come up with is that MOST OF US would agree on their being these two places for the eternal reward or punishment of the soul.
just as we would that heaven is real. While our various denominations would not agree on the specific nature of the two; we do agree that both exist. Right?
Now, obviously, God gives many warnings in Scripture re hell and hell fire. He doesn’t want us to end up there, right? Therefore, shouldn’t there be a way to determine if we will end up in one or the other? Actually, you will be delighted to know that there are several ways, P101. Here is a simple test - go to Matt 5:1-12 - the section where Christ taught the Beatitudes. Christ repeats the phrase, “Blessed are…” now, that would indicate that if you are doing these identified things, you will be rewarded in Heaven. This greatly simplifies things - because, you can not be doing these things and breaking the 10 Commandments at the same time…
Remember, I said this was a simple test - not an EASY one! As you probably guessed, it does not end there. For example:
Christ clearly says that Baptism is necessary for salvation - (John 3) - so are you baptized?
Christ clearly says that we are to confess our sins to the men He has appointed if we are to be forgiven - (John 20) - so do you confess your sins to a priest?
Christ clearly says we are to eat His Flesh and Drink His Blood if we are to have eternal life - (John 6) - so do you take the Eucharist as Christ commanded?
I think the key here is that if you do what Christ has told you do - and all of this is right there in your (abridged) Bible - then you should be rewarded with eternal life!
Does God leave us wondering all our lives? I really think these items I gave you will prove helpful. But, remember, we can do nothing without His Grace - and you know that God wills the salvation of all men.
Why do we have such a hard time figuring this out and having assurance of our salvation in Christ alone? But, you know, even doing all this does NOT give us an ASSURANCE!

Paul tells that, “… we are work our salvation in fear and trembling” (Phili 2:12). And, while you are at it … take a look at Matt 25:2 - the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins. I won’t boar you with the story … just the ending. Here are these five women pounding on the door to be let in with their newly oiled lamps. Notice, the Lord of the House does NOT say, “Well, you were pretty good girls …come on in!” No. Not even close. They were probably ‘pretty good girls’ but, for whatever reason - they blew it at the end!And, it cost them dearly.
To say only God knows if we will go to hell, is to say only He can know if we are going to heaven too. God is ALL KNOWING!
So where is the assurance of salvation if “we cannot know?” You know, Faith is not like a warranty card on your car! Just take a look at little children - they do not ask for ASSURANCE - they believe and are obedient. If we are to accept the Kingdom of God as a little child (Mark 10:13) then we will be following what Christ told us to do. Remember, little children lovinging run into the arms of their parents - they do not go “This is step 1 and this is stept 2…” it really is a process that they have incorporated into their selves. Now, go back to the beginning of the post - incorporate what I said previously and I think you will be on your way to accepting God’s Love in His Church (and, that would be the Church Christ founded on Peter).
Surely God is not into this kind of guessing game? Salvation by charades? You know, Calvin was plagued throughout his life with his misguided view of predestination. His is not the example to follow!
I am particularly looking forward to benedictus2’s answers and thoughts on this!

Well, you’re stuck with me…

I hope you find this helpful. Who knows, maybe Benedictus2 will visit … let’s hope she does not put a lump of coal in your stocking for your ‘charades’ comment!
God bless