I know the ultimate answer: God causes them not to see. God makes them blind. But how does he blind them?
I think back to how my eyes were opened. It was a combination of things, not just this website, but a couple of other relate web-sites, and much soul searching. It didn't happen in an instant, but it almost seems like that. Eventually after doing a lot of study I realized Ray had the most in-depth study, and most scripturally based study.
Anyway, why did my eyes become open? (Aside from the obvious cause that God opened them)
1. I was willing to accept the possibility that eternal hell didn't make sense. Even as a kid I would wonder how could God be so mean and keep people in hell? I would think "maybe, just maybe, if I plead with God, he will let some or all people out of hell". I mean everyone says God is Love and God is merciful, except when it comes to hell. But then I wouldn't think about it anymore. I would just rationalize it away. Only the really bad people would go to hell. Only those that deserve it. But who would really deserve eternal punishment?
2. I had never actually noticed all the "savior of the world" & "savior of all men" verses before. And in particular no one had explained to me that eternal really means "to the ages" and comes from the word aionios, which comes from aion, etc. After doing that study it was starting to make sense.
Now this is what boggles my mind. If I can see these things, why don't other people? Part of the problem is people just never knew these things (like I didn't before).
But when you explain it to them and they don't see the light, I have to wonder why. Here are my ideas.
1. They don't believe you about aion/aionios. They look in strong's and see that aion can mean both age & eternal, so they assume that is true. Basically they stay with their preconceived ideas because that is what they have been taught and it is safe for them.
2. They actually like the idea of having hell. How can someone like the idea of having hell around? I mean even if you are not going there, you shouldn't want to send your worst enemy there. But some people are happy too. I can even admit to that myself before I knew the truth. With hell around, its easy to write off people that you don't like or are jerks to you. That guy is such a jerk - he will get his in hell. Gee that is so loving.
3. This one really boggles my mind. You explain that we have no free will. They then say that "makes God a torturer and murderer because he would be in control of everything - that's not a God of Love". Yet - YET - they still believe in hell? God "allows" people to go to hell. No, even though he is a God of Love, apparently he just stands by as everyone burns. Yet that doesn't make God a torturer. There's some pretty twisted double think going on there. And yet everyone of us also believed it at some point.
So when you give people an out "hey do you know hell isn't eternal?" Its amazing to me people aren't sincerely interested.
Sorry for the rant... again I appreciate any encouraging words you can provide. I sometimes wonder if its a gift or curse to know these truths... anyone feel like they are in the movie "The matrix"?
Kevin