“I would really like to believe this but unfortunately its just not what the Bible teaches. Also Jesus taught about hell more than any other teachers combined.”

I think the two on the road to Emmaus could relate to this comment if they could share with you their experience. I can just hear them conversing along the road before Jesus joined them, "Cleopas, I know we thought Jesus was the one, but his death, well that's just not what the Scriptures taught about the Messiah." It took a very long walk and Jesus retelling His story through the law and the prophets for them to begin to get "a burning in their hearts". Then their eyes were opened. It could be there is a God-induced conspiracy going on here in order to "hide things from the wise and learned" until their appointed time. The Bible is full of stories of people not seeing, not perceiving, dull of understanding, missing the point, going after the wrong "enemy", having a veil over their eyes...but you always find behind it all...God in control.

Yes, it can appear that this is not what the Bible teaches. But this is because the Scriptures need Jesus Himself to interpret them. And as we have seen from history the big picture of the Story of God is often missed. Also certain words in the Greek have been interpreted through traditions instead of truth. Please take the time here to study this "possibility".

Regarding the claim that Jesus taught hell more than any other teacher; please do a study on both the words "hell" and "eternal". Use an interlinear Bible (found online, a link provided on our book list). There will be resources for further study of this topic. For now consider that an eternal hell contradicts the main theme of redemption delineated by Christ and by Moses and the Prophets. Also when Jesus talked about "hell" it was always to the Pharisees using hyperbole. Other references to a supposed eternal hell were contained in parables in which if the other details were taken literally would pose major theological quandaries.

Also consider the mystifying words where Jesus said, "He looked on the crowd and had compassion on them because they were weary". This would appear to be the greatest understatement of all time, for these people desperately needed to be warned as they were inches from the eternal abyss.

How could Jesus have focused on their temporal weariness? And why is this seemingly insignificant sentiment by Jesus recorded and not among the "so many things he said and did that there isn't a room big enough to contain all the books"? I believe it is because He had them covered in this age and in the age to come. He was their eternal Father and had no hopeless plan of sending them to an eternal torture chamber. Instead He walked, talked, ate and partied with them. It didn't sound like He broke up parties to warn the sinners of an eternal hell. In fact He was labeled a drunkard among them. His behavior negates any notion that His message was about avoiding an eternal hell. Stern warnings about judgment and missing the Kingdom in the “age to come”? For sure, but not a message of a fearful, hopeless, loveless, eternal abandonment.

In addition doesn't it seem incongruous that Jesus who:

Is… "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"
Is… the one who said He will "draw all men unto Himself"
Is… the one who loves the world so much He died to save them
Bears… the name that means "Savior" or "Jehovah saves"
Is… the Light of the world
Is… the Bread of Life...either can't or is unwilling to save?

To create billions of people that you cannot or will not save and yet have the eternal name of "Savior" is incomprehensible.

You can read the Story of God through either the grid of judgment or through the lens of mercy. They are both themes in the Bible. You have a choice. But in light of “mercy triumphs over judgment” … “In Adam all died; in Christ will all be made alive” … “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” … “He is reconciling all things to Himself through the cross” and “I am the resurrection and the life” …which do you see as the likely outcome? Will death and sin trump life and righteousness? If God is love is His love going to win?