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The Origin of Hell-Fire in Christian Teaching
The concept of a soul within us that cannot die first became a 'Christian' doctrine at the end of the second century AD. Hell had been taught in Greek philosophy long before the time of Jesus, with Plato (427-347 BC) as the important leader in this thinking.
The teaching of an everlasting place of punishment for the wicked is the natural consequence of a belief in an immortal soul. By the year AD 187, it was understood that life, once we have it, is compulsory; there is no end to it, either now or in a world to come. We have no choice as to its continuance, even if we were to commit suicide to end it.
At the end of the 2nd century Christianity had begun to blend Greek philosophy —human speculative reasoning, with the teachings of God's Word. Such words and phrases as 'continuance of being', 'perpetual existence', 'incapable of dissolution' and 'incorruptible' began to appear in so-called Christian writings. These had come straight from Plato, the Greek philosopher, all those years before Jesus. Other phrases used were 'the soul to remain by itself immortal', and 'an immortal nature'. It was taught that this is how God made us. But this idea derives from philosophy, not divine inspiration. There are no such words in the Bible. It was Athenagorus, a Christian, but whose teachings, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, were strongly tinged with Platonism, who had introduced the teaching of an immortal soul into Christianity. In this way, he paved the way for the logical introduction of eternal torment for immortal, but sinful, souls. This was a hundred years and more after the time of the apostles, and came straight from popular philosophy. The apostles had consistently taught that death is a sleep, to be followed by resurrection. The early church leaders – Clement, Ignatius, Hermas, Polycarp, and others who also believed that death is a sleep, taught that the wicked are destroyed forever by fire – their punishment was to be annihilation. These leaders did not teach of an immortal soul to be tortured by fire in hell for eternity.
About AD 240 Tertullian of Carthage took up the teaching of an immortal soul. It was he who added the further, but logical dimension. He taught the endless torment of the immortal soul of the wicked was parallel to the eternal blessedness of the saved, with no sleep of death after this life.
This came at a time when many Christians were being burned for their faith and it was natural for them to accept that their persecutors would at death be consigned to an ever-burning hell for the persecution they had inflicted on others while they went straight to eternal bliss.
From the third century the darkness of the infiltration of man-made beliefs into Christianity deepened until the Dark Ages had smothered almost all the light of God's Word. At the beginning of this time, the first attempts were made to create a systematic set of beliefs. It is not surprising that an ever-burning hell and the immortality of the soul were prominently included.
It is at this time that such beliefs, held by most Christians today, had their origin. An ever-burning hell has remained a commonly taught doctrine of the Christian religion to this day. It was not based on the Bible but on philosophy. Bible verses were later sought to uphold the ancient philosophies of the Greeks, and added to the teaching.
Eventually under the influence of Augustine, AD 430, the concept of endless conscious torment was brought into general acceptance by the Catholic Church in the Western world. He taught that all souls were deathless and consequently the lost would experience endless fires of punishment, immediately upon the end of this life.
Purgatory and places of purification.
Other pagan philosophers, along with some of the poets of the day, were repulsed by the immorality of this teaching, and developed the idea of a place where the fleshly body was purified by fire but, at the completion of purification, would find release. It was a middle way between heaven and hell. This concept had its origin in Persian teaching. From there it passed to certain Jewish groups, and later was taken into Christian thought and teaching.
It arose out of the Gnostic idea that the body, flesh and matter, is inherently evil and must be purified and purged by fire elsewhere. But we know bodies can be exhumed for examination, so it cannot be true that the flesh goes elsewhere.
A similar view was held in Egypt, with prayers and services for the dead and payments made to priests for them to intercede for the dead. The idea of a place like purgatory did not have its beginnings in the Christian church, but in ancient pagan religions. The foundations had been established by Augustine's teaching of eternal hell. Purgatory was added, and later fully confirmed by Pope Gregory the Great, about 582. Purgatory could not be supported by the standard canon of the Bible and it was the books of the Apocrypha that were used to justify this new idea.
A similar teaching appeared in Moslem and Jewish belief. The inhabitants of the world were seen as good, bad and 'middling'. It was believed that, if one died with curable offences, these would be purified by pain and torment as a preparation for heavenly bliss. By 1439 the teaching of purgatory, with services and prayers for the dead, to spare them years of this pain, was fully accepted in the Western Catholic world – Italy, Spain, England, France, and was ratified by Pope Eugenius IV. It was not known or taught in Eastern Christianity, which was not influenced by Rome.
It is sometimes taught that even the righteous go to such a place for a lesser time so that the stains of sin can be burned from them, and this can be greatly hastened if certain exercises are undertaken. At the end of this time any that are incorrigible are sent to hell forever and the righteous go to a place of eternal blessedness.
Heaven and hell are seen to be existing together side by side forever and ever. This means that Jesus the Saviour can never see an end of the sin and misery He came to die for. Any teaching of the eternal co-existence of evil and good is not in the Bible, but is a teaching from Greek philosophy.
The Waldenses who had fled to the mountains to remain free from the heresies that were developing in the Catholic Church and also to escape persecution, taught the sleep of death and instant destruction by fire at the resurrection of the wicked. Their persecuting inquisitors reported that they entirely rejected the teaching of purgatory. The Cathari and the Hussites also rejected hell, thus leading the way for the teachings of the later Reformers.
The Reformers
The Reformers strongly rejected hell and purgatory, because by this time the teaching had become heavily corrupted by the sale of indulgences. These were the payments made to the priests to reduce the years of purification spent in purgatory.
Wycliffe taught that death was an unconscious sleep, as did Tyndale and Luther, (although it has to be said that Luther was not always consistent in his beliefs.) They taught neither hell or purgatory. They taught that 'men are breath in bodies' and not 'souls in bodies'.
Calvin, however, taught that those who were sinners went to the eternal pains of hell at the time of their death and even denied a middle place or purgatory. The Reformed churches, like Calvin, have generally maintained a belief in an immortal soul and hell-fire, but do not teach purgatory
The Resurrection and Hell.
How do the concept of an ever-burning hell and the Bible teaching of resurrection fit together? Over the centuries there has been a blending of Bible teachings with the teachings of men. It was known that the Bible speaks of resurrection, and also of death by fire. The compromise view sees the body being resurrected and rejoining its soul again and then both being tormented together by fire.
Athenagorus taught that a person can never die or come to an end; life is ours for always. He taught that we have been made intelligent just for the purpose of continuing life - even if it be in Hell. He also taught that a body is given to the soul, and we are born into this world to pass through this life as two entities. These two are separated at death but, at the resurrection, the body rejoins the soul. He taught that punishment must be given for sins committed in this body and so the body needs to suffer punishment also. During the period of separation from its soul it is said, the body is in the grave. He argued consistently that God made us to live, and therefore we live eternally even though it is a living death in torment.
What is the fate of the wicked?
The theologian Origen of Alexandria developed another, different view of the fate of the wicked. He postulated that the wicked would be forgiven and restored by God and so in the end all would be saved. There would be universal salvation. Some of his followers believe that even Satan will be saved.
But there was yet another view, that of Irenaeus, who taught that the wicked would be destroyed. All trace of wickedness would be removed from the earth by a devouring fire.
No second chance.
The Bible is clear that our choice, for Him or against Him, is made in this world, here and now. There is no mention of a second chance in the Bible, or a time when all people will be changed and restored to the Lord. This view of universal salvation is also mythology that has crept into the Christian world. It gives a more comfortable picture than judgement and death, but a second chance is false hope. Its origin is in the thinking of Greek philosophy.
In Summary
* There is no ever-burning hell with an eternity of torture.
* There is no such place as purgatory.
* There is no universal restoration of all sinners.
(1 Timothy 4:10)
From 1 Cor 15:28 we also know, that "God will be All in all". Do you suggest, that after annihilation of the wicked God will be partially in some?
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8). Scripture makes clear that the Lake of Fire is the second death not the second chance. To say, "If the work on the cross didn't redeem all mankind then it was a failure and Jesus isn't the Savior of the World" is to use carnal reason to interpret Scripture. By that reasoning God is already a failure in that Adam fell or that only Noah and his family were saved in the flood or that Christ had to die on the cross in the first place. The term "savior of the world" does not have the same meaning as "all the world will be saved." In John 8:12 Jesus said He was "the light of the world." But then says "He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness." In other words being the light of the world does not mean that all the world will walk in the light. If we choose to not walk in the light it is not a failure on God's part but our own. Only an omniscient God can define victory or failure. To say that all men will be saved from death is to propagate the same lie that caused the fall in the beginning, "Thou shalt not surely die." The same lie in this day is "death is not really death" "perish does not really mean perish" "destroy does not really mean destroy" "destruction does not really mean destruction." Dr. Weymouth, one of the finest Greek scholars, says that his "mind fails to conceive a grosser misinterpretation of language than when the five or six strongest words which the Greek tongue possesses, signifying 'destroy,' or 'destruction,' are explained to mean maintaining an everlasting but wretched existence." To say that all these words ultimately mean redemption is an even grosser misinterpretation of language.
"Why didn't Paul warn the gentiles of the horrors of hell, he doesn't even mention such a place in any of his writings?"
Because Paul says that the "wages of sin is death" not eternal horror and torments. The punishment is death, and that death is eternal, i.e. eternal punishment.
"If God knew that even before he put man on earth that he would fall bringing all mankind to the darkness of hell, sin, and death then why would a loving God do such a thing, knowing that most of mankind would end up suffering in the torments of fire."
I think this would be a difficult question indeed if death actually meant the horrors of torment in fire for trillions and trillions of years which of course would only be the first second of eternity. However, if we interpret death by its plain meaning I believe the difficulty disappears.
"If God has the power to reverse this condemnation and doesn't then what kind of God do we worship?"
A just and holy God.
"If you think (Christains) that you don't have to experience the Lake of Fire then think again cause even the overcomer goes thru the Fire. Rev 2:11."
I believe you are misinterpreting Rev 2:11. To not be hurt by the second death means we will not experience it. The word hurt here means do harm or wrong to one (Robertsons). Christ will save all his faithful servants from this hurtful and destructive death. The second death shall have no power over them (Rev. 20:6).
"Why doesn't Christ do this for all mankind, for surely if he did, everyone would do as Paul did and say 'what wilt thou have me to do Lord'"?
God "has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?' But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Why have you made me like this?' Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" (Rom. 9:18-21)
God is under no obligation to save those who have rebelled against Him. He is perfectly just in condemning whomever he wills to condemn because all are deserving of death. Rather than ask why God doesn't save everyone, I think it more appropriate to ask why would God save anyone?
Now back to the question; Yes or No, Is Adam's work to condemn all mankind greater than Christ's work to save it?
This is a very important question that people should take some time to find the answer. When you do find it will bring blessings to your soul.
I see that you don't believe in a hell or lake of fire where humans are tortured for eternity and I don't believe that either, so the difference we have is parish or salvation for all. So I will not reply to statements about hell and suffering.
To respond to the question "If God has the power to reverse this condemnation and doesn't then what kind of God do we worship?" Well I'll let the people decide for themselves.
I would like to respond to what you said about Rev 2:11, I believe you are misinterpreting Rev 2:11. To not be hurt by the second death means we will not experience it. The word hurt here means do harm or wrong to one (Robertsons). Christ will save all his faithful servants from this hurtful and destructive death. The second death shall have no power over them (Rev. 20:6).
If you take a bible concordance and look up the word hurt you will see that this word is used the way it is in only 11 places in the new testament and 10 are in the book of Rev. and if you study all these 11 verses where the word is used, you do not come up with "do no harm or wrong".
Now to reply to the last statement you made when I wrote "Why doesn't Christ do this for all mankind, for surely if he did, everyone would do as Paul did and say 'what wilt thou have me to do Lord'"?
I have a real problem with putting the blame on our condition as if we chose to be in sin, Adam made that choice for us, any person who reads Romans chapter 5 verses 12-21 will see that thru Adam all were made sinners but thru Christ all were made righteous. Replace the word "many" with "all" because if "many" were made sinners (we know that all were made sinners) then the "many" which were made righteous is the same word used in this verse and the other verses in Rom 5:12-21.
I must close for now but will write some more later about the wonderful things God has done for his creation.
The word hurt in Rev. 2:11 is the Greek word adikeo (strongs 91). Englishman's Greek concordance lists it as being used 28 times.
Vincent's Word Studies
Revelation 2:11, Be hurt "adikeethee". Strictly, "wronged."
Robertson's Word Pictures
Revelation 2:11, Shall not be hurt ou mee adikeethee. Strong double negative with first aorist passive subjunctive of "adikeoo", an old verb, to act unjustly (from adikos), here to do harm or wrong to one, old usage as in Rev 6:6; 7:2f; 9:4,10; 11:5.
The The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology gives these definitions: to do wrong, to do hurt, to wrong someone, act wickedly towards him, to hurt, damage, harm.
"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."
It seems to me that this verse is saying that little Johnny as a Jew prior to Christ is very much like the little Johnny who grew up in a Christian home in your analogy and your Timmy of Harlem much like the description of the gentiles in the above verse. As I said previously God says In Romans 9, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." And in Exodus 33:19 "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." God is under no obligation to save anyone. The Lord gives life and He has every right to take that life. As Job says, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:20)
It says in Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned."
According to this verse sin entered through Adam, and in Adam all die. The verse says all die because all sinned in Adam. However, we will not be able to stand before God in Judgment, point to Adam and say "I am innocent, it's all Adam's fault" but rather "Because of Adam's fault I am just as guilty." It is true that we are born with a sin nature, but I see nowhere in Scripture that we will not be held personally responsible for our own choice to sin. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Wages are earned according to one's own labor and not the labor of another.
Notice in each of the following judgment passages that we are judged, not according to Adam's deeds, but according to what we have done whether good or evil. There is nothing implied in these passages that a man can blame anyone but himself for his evil deeds.
Eccl 12:13-14
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
Matt 13:49-50
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace.
Matt 16:27
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.
Matt 25:32-46
All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.' "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not 1 take care of You?' "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
John 5:28-29
Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
Rom 2:5-11
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.
2 Cor 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Rev 20:11-13
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.
Rev 20:12-15
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
* If hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, and is redemptive, does that mean the devil and his angels are included in God reconciling ALL things to himself through Christ?
� is hell redemptive for them too?
* If by being IN Adam (ie he was the first of all humans and therefore we are BORN IN Adam) meant death to all, then doesn�t it mean that for someone to appropriate the universal redemption of Christ they need to be BORN again, BORN INTO Jesus (a new racial head if you will)?
* What would happen to someone who, either in this life or next, still chooses not to believe in Jesus?
Thanks guys.
We do not believe that hell is redemptive. Hell is the punishment of eternal death.
Question: If by being IN Adam meant death to all, then doesn't it mean that for someone to appropriate the universal redemption of Christ they need to be BORN again, BORN INTO Jesus (a new racial head if you will)?
There is no universal redemption. Only those who repent and submit to the Lordship of Christ will receive eternal life. All others will perish.
Question: What would happen to someone who, either in this life or next, still chooses not to believe in Jesus?
There are no second chances. Those who reject Christ in this life (the unforgivable sin)will receive the wages of their sin which is the eternal punishment of death (i.e eternal death).
I can not fathom God the Father torturing people forever with burning flames. I have been taught that this is what we all deserve. Can you imagine billions of people screaming for eternity? How does this teaching co-exist with the love of God? And believe me conservative Christian theologians are so entrenched in this doctrine, that if you come against it, you are treated in the same manner that evolutionist treat you if you believe in intelligent design. There are huge gaps in evolution and there are huge gaps in the teaching of eternal hell fire. Paul the apostle never mentions hell fire once!. He only talks about life and death. I would have that Paul would have at least once warned us about something as unimaginable as the pain of burning flames for eternity. I remember on 9/11 those people who jump out the burning building and plunged to their death rather than facing being burned alive. Thank you for your insight on the early church fathers and their beliefs.
Dr. David Tacha
Eccl. 9:5 - "The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all...."
But also, people who have died have a hope of resurrection...
Acts 24:15 - "and I have hope toward God, which hope these men themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."
Unrighteous people will also be resurrected because perhaps they have never heard the truth about God. A loving, God of justice would make sure they had that opportunity. . .it would only be fair.
If Hell is real, why wasn't Cain warned about it, or Sodom and Gomorrah, or any of those who committed the earliest recorded "sins?"
If Hell is real why didn't Moses warn about this fate in the Ten Commandments or the Mosaic Covenant consisting of over 600 laws, ordinances, and warnings? The Mosaic Law simply stated blessings and cursings in this lifetime.
If Hell is real, why did God tell the Jews that burning their children alive in the fire to the false god Molech, (in the valley of Gehenna) was so detestable to Him? God said that such a thing "never even entered His mind" (Jer. 32:35). How could God say such a thing to Israel, if He has plans to burn alive a good majority of His own creation in everlasting fires?
The King James Bible erroneously translates the word "Sheol" as Hell a total of 31 times in the Old Testament, thus setting a foundation for that doctrine in the New Testament as well as the majority of Bible translations to follow the KJV.
If Hell is real, why were most of the warnings pertaining to punishment/Gehenna directed to Israel, particularly the Lord's own disciples as well as the Pharisees? The first great cluster of references to Gehenna, are found in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5:22, 29, 30), Jesus' great sermon to His disciples in which He warned that one was in danger of Gehenna for the likes of calling someone a fool. This is a far cry from our modern Evangelical interpretation that says not accepting Jesus as your Savior is what sends someone to Hell.
Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is plain and simple that after death we have paid for our sins, this is when Psalm 103:8-9 would come into work. God will judge the living and the dead according to his will. that is why there is resurrection of the dead. Now, if we have paid our sins in death what is the need for hell fire? would you suffer twice for your sins?
2 tim 3:16 makes us understand that the bible is inspired of God.
Men penned down God's thoughts as they were borne along by the holy spirit.
If you look at it clearly the bible is harmonious in its teaching.
Sad to say, it is the translation of the bible original manuscripts into other languages like English and misunderstanding of what it says that brings about discord.
If what every one has written so far is anything to go by, we've all established a common ground which is:
So why don't we focus on doing good?
If we do good just because we are afraid of hell fire, are we truly sincere?
Do not forget that God examines our heart and know our motives of serving him.
Some one asked if Adam's sin outweighs Jesus' sacrifice.
The answer is that Jesus' sacrifice equates Adam's sin.
On the basis of that sacrifice we can expect forgiveness of our sins if we have faith and are truly repentant.
It is true that we are prone to sin due to our imperfection but God knows that.
God sees beyond our actions. He sees who we are on the inside.
He knows why we do what we do.
So my dear friends let us serve God because we truly love him and love to do what is right.
That is the only way we will receive his eternal blessings.
All this i have been able to learn by studying MY BIBLE with Jehovah's Witnesses.
So take time to study your bible and not base your believes on hearsays or on few popular verses.
That way you will know the truth and it will set you free.
Daren, your creator would love you to know the truth about him says James 4:8.
Bible is clear that we are sinners by nature not by our deeds.
Bible is clear through Adam, we were all enslaved by sin itself.
Bible is clear you could not reject Adam's sinful nature by simply resisting it. To make it more simple to understand, you cannot say "I reject the nature of Adam in me."
Bible is clear that to the extent of how Adam screwed up, Christ made everything even better. Bible is not clear if that means universal salvation, though the Bible is clear that through Adam entered death to all men and through Christ entered life to all men.
Bible is clear that Christ died for all men.
Bible is also clear that those who reject the son are condemned already.
Bible is also clear that Christ has died for all men and all men has died with him.
Old t is clear that it does not teach "hell."
New t is clear it teaches "hell" or punishment.
Bible is clear there is a hell.
The bible is not clear if it is eternal or temporal.
Bible is clear hell is pretty darn horrible.
Bible is clear that the view of hell is not clear.
" 'All sinned' (v. 12), even those who, unlike Adam (v. 14), had no direct law to disobey (v. 13). Paul is not, however, denying personal responsibility for sin on the part of Adam's descendants. Jewish writers claimed that Adam brought sin and death into the world (4 Ezra 7:118; *2 Baruch 54:15), but they also believed that each of his descendants made his or her own choice to follow in Adam's footsteps (4 Ezra 7:118-126; 2 Baruch 54:15), becoming each "our own Adam" (2 Baruch 54:19)."
The Pulpit Commentary states,
"We must guard against confusion between the idea of man's natural liability to condemnation on the ground of transmitted sinfulness, and that of God's actual dealing with him. It is nowhere said or implied that the natural infection which they could not help will be visited on individuals in the final judgment."
It says in Ezek. 18:1-4, 'The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children's teeth are set on edge'? "As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore. Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die."
Keil and Delitzsch write,
The meaning of the proverb is self-evident. The sour grapes which the fathers eat are the sins which they commit; the setting of the children's teeth on edge is the consequence thereof, i.e., the suffering which the children have to endure. The same proverb is quoted in Jer 31:29-30, and there also it is condemned as an error. The origin of such a proverb is easily to be accounted for from the inclination of the natural man to transfer to others the guilt which has brought suffering upon himself (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament)
In verse 20 of Ezekiel 18 God sums up His meaning as, "The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself."
So no soul then no hell. Also, before you just state this is rubbish please do some research into the original Hebrew and Greek as without this any criticism is merely idiotic.
No we are not Jehovah Witness. We are Protestant. You can read our statement of faith by clicking on the "about us" link at the top of this page.
God Bless
til we meet again, God bless!
Jesus is King Of Kings and Lord of Lords. The time of His rule is unknown to all but God. But the time will come when all will be completed according to the providential plan of the Almighty, when evil will have run it's course, when the nations have proven their ways were futile and doomed to failure, when kings, princes, presidents, courts, parliaments, congresses, and all other government forms will have been seen as tyrannical and oppressive, when the best of men and world leaders will be exposed for their covetous predilections, when the earth itself will mourn and groan because all in Adam have greatly and miserably failed to bring about lasting peace, tranquility, and the end of suffering, then and only then will the God of all creation send forth His glorious Son- The Lord Christ Jesus to redeem all the earth and her inhabitants. Much of the OT scriptures detail this glorious kingdom on earth and He who will rule with the rod of righteousness over the nations. Zion will be His capital, His throne of authority. The nations will bow down to His preimmenence and His authority. The 12 apostles will rule with Him quartered in the adjoining rooms (mansions). Where Christ is they will be and they will never be apart from Him. The earth will rejoice and give forth its abundance. All of nature will be at peace with each other and no harm or danger of prey and predator will be seen. The earth will know peace for the first time. Wars will be non-existent. The adversary will be confined to chains, his followers destroyed and burned. Man will be free to serve,love, and obey The Lord without the Adamic nature of sin. Man will be free to love his neighbor and not be burdened by the affects of sin.
I believe the purpose for the millennium is for God the Father to give His blessed Son the kingdom He always deserved and purposed for Him to have. All of restored nature in all of it's prodigious beauty and splendor along with the redeemed resurrected saints who believed and trusted in Him will be the Fathers gift to His most beloved and pleasing Son. We who have trusted in Him in this life will be gifted with immortality and the awesome opportunity to serve and worship our glorious God and Savior forever and ever!
God' blessings Kristine!
God's blessings,
http://ecclesia.org/truth/hell.html to see if the modern meaning of the English word hell should even be in our bibles. Most bibles today do not use the word once.
Opened my eyes.
Is it also unjust that the ransom makes salvation possible only for those exercising faith in it ? No, this certainly does not make God unjust and unfair. God created Adam perfect and he was to have perfect offsprings and live forever.
(Pls read Gen1:28) But God did not create him a robot, he was given free will to obey God and live forever or to disobey God and die. (Pls read Gen 2:16 and 17) But the Devil convinced Eve that they (and by extension their offsprings) would become like God knowing good and bad if she disobeyed God. Satan was in effect saying that man would live a better life being independent of God and setting his own standards, thereby being his own god. Satan was also accusing God of being a liar and challenging God's Sovereignty. (Pls read Gen 3:6, John 8:44) So Adam's offsprings (us) need to choose like Adam did. The ransom gives us the opportunity to be reconciled back to God out of our own free will (John 3:16). Making it atomatic would have meant not having a choice and this would have been unfair.
Because God wants us to see for ourselves that Satan's accusation was wrong he has given enough time for us to realise that., At the same time he has put the ransom arrangement in place for those who want to be reconciled back to God.
God wishes for none to perish but for men everywhere to repent
Calvinism is a twisted lie and doctrine of man
and so are all other isms
There is only one Truth The Whole Word of God
It takes the Holy Spirit to understand the Word of God
Carnal minds don't get it
John 3:17
I serve Christ who saved me from my dark sinful destructive wicked self
I can help but want to please Him with an actual living heart for Him
He does restore
and He is good, pure, and born again you will fall in love with Him
and begin to hate sin and your own sin
no longer will you feel comfortable in it
For most Christians today, there are only two inevitabilities for man upon death. One is eternal bliss with God in Heaven, for the righteous; and for the wicked is with the devil in Hell or Hell Fire, where they will be tormented in inextinguishable fire, for eternity. That is why it is common to hear preachers ask; �Where do you want to spend eternity: In Heaven or Hell Fire?�
As with all other doctrines, the Bible enjoins us to always search the scriptures deeply to prove the veracity, or otherwise, of any teaching which we have received from our spiritual leaders; whether minister, pastor, �man of God�, reverend father, etc. This would not only build us in our attempt to always worship God in �spirit and in truth�, but it would also help us in discerning which doctrine is in accordance with God�s word, especially in this age of false prophets and counterfeit churches.
To give authority to eternity in unquenchable fire, teachers of this doctrine quote the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Mark 9:47, 48; where Christ said, �And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.� What is obvious here is that our Master was emphasizing that in our race for salvation, we must be ready to sacrifice things that may be precious to us. But can the text be taken literally?
Was Christ saying that we should pluck out our eye anytime it becomes a hindrance or temptation to us? That means the left eye alone might make us lust, without the right eye; so we pluck out the left? Or was Christ saying that in God�s Kingdom, where man will be perfected, you will find God�s children with only one eye, or one arm, or leg? It will be sheer inanity for anyone to consider this text literally. Apparently, Christ, in His usual manner, was speaking figuratively.
In considering the doctrine of a Hell fire where the evil ones will be punished, some salient questions we should ask ourselves are:
- Has God�s original plan for man that He placed in the Garden of Eden changed?
- God said He made man to always praise Him. Of what satisfaction, whatsoever, will a �hell fire� where man is tortured for eternity be to God?
- When God punished Adam, the sentence was that he would die and return to the dust, from which he came. Why did God not make mention of a hell fire where Adam would be punished?
- Lastly, if the wages of sin is death, is it not then contradictory to say that the sinful and unrighteous will be punished, alive, in eternal fire, i.e. they will not actually die?
Let us now reference other parts of the scriptures that are relevant to this discourse.
If we search the whole of the Old Testament, we will not find the any reference to a �hell fire�. Rather, there are several portions where the word �hell� was mentioned. So, what is hell?
The word �Hell� comes from the German word "helan" or "hel" which the Hebrews call "Sheol" and the Greeks "Hades". These words mean the same thing, namely; grave, tomb, pit, heart of the earth and condition of the dead, i.e. of non-existence. - [Lexicon Universal Encyclopaedia volume 10, page 113.]
This definition is consistent with the Old Testament usage of Hell. We may consider 2nd Samuel 22:6; Psalms 18:5; Proverbs 9:18; and Isaiah 28:15. King David, in Psalms 16:10 also said: �For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption�, prophesying that he will be resurrected from the grave by God, as Christ also whose body God will not allow to decay in the tomb. David, by this text did not in any way mean that he will be initially placed in a �hell fire� before God rescues him.
In the Encyclopaedia of Religion and Religions, E. Royston Pike explains: "The Hebrews of old certainly had no belief in an eternity of punishment for evil doers: that conception seems to have had its rise between the Jewish exile and the beginning of the Christian era... this idea was carried over into Christianity."
Coming to Christ�s statement in Mark 9:47, 48; it is understood that He was using the imagery drawn from the valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), a site in the outskirts of Jerusalem which in the days of Kings Ahaz, and Manasseh, was notorious for idolatrous practices, especially the terrible crime of infant sacrifice to the god Molech. (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6; 2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6 etc)
However, Josiah's reformation ended this vile practice (2 Kings 23:10) and the valley was subsequently used for burning of refuse and dead bodies of animals and criminals; thereby a place where undesirables were incinerated.
According to Alfred Barnes "the extreme loathsomeness of the place, the filth and putrefaction, the corruption of the atmosphere, the lurid fires blazing by day and night, made it one of the most appalling and loathsome objects with which a Jew was acquainted. It was called the Gehenna of fire and was the image which the saviour often employed..." (Barnes notes [Isaiah] page 444) writing on Gehenna as highlighted in (Matthew 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6)
Several authorities confirm that worms always abounded at the valley to feed on decaying flesh stuck at the sides of the rocks. And the fire at the bottom of the valley was always kept burning to consume decaying substances and thus prevent a plague. It was because of this Christ used Gehenna to illustrate the suffering, restlessness and shame, �weeping and gnashing of teeth�, which the wicked shall suffer while alive, before they are destroyed everlastingly (Matthew 18:8, 9; Mark 9:43; Revelations 6:15, 16; 9:6).
The teaching that God will torment the wicked in fire eternally is false. Jehovah not only decried the practice of the Jews, but declared that He "never commanded" it nor did it ever come to His mind. - Jeremiah 7:30, 31; 19:4-6.
God�s final punishment for the wicked, as with the Devil, cannot and has not changed (Malachi 3:6; 2nd Timothy 2:13). This is not eternal torture in a literal place burning with fire and brimstone; but after facing judgment and due punishment, they will be eternally destroyed, will perish and be forever removed from God�s sight. This is what hell fire symbolizes; second and final death. (Matthew 10:28; Romans 2:5, 6, 8, 9; 6:23; Revelations 21:8)
So, while Hell is the place or condition of death, imminent for all of mankind, and after which comes resurrection and judgment; Hell fire symbolizes the final destruction that will befall the wicked. (John 5:28, 29; Romans 5:12; Hebrews 9:27; Revelations 20:10, 13, 14)
In both cases, the state of the dead is not in question. When man dies, he ceases to exist, loses all his faculties, and is completely powerless. (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20; 9: 5, 6, 10; Psalms 146:3, 4)
To show that the fire associated with hell is not literal, David the prophet, speaking of God's punishment on the wicked declared: "As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; so persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. Fill their faces with shame that may seek thy name, O LORD. Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: That men may know that thou whose name alone is JEHOVAH art the most high over all the earth. - Psalm 83:15-18
The doctrine of �Eternity in unquenchable fire� called hell fire, where the wicked will be punished �forever and ever� is erroneous and unfounded according to the Bible. When God passed a judgment on Adam in the Garden of Eden, it was that he, Adam would surely die; not that he would continue to live in eternal torment. Such a notion would indeed question God�s perfect judgment and mercy towards mankind. Rather, after Christ has reigned for a thousand years, destroying all that answers to evil and unrighteousness, including the devil, death also will be destroyed, and all shall be subject to Christ. At this point, Christ, having restored everything to perfection, will hand over the kingdom to God Almighty; that He, JEHOVAH, may be all in all. (Hosea 13:14; 1st Corinthians 15:25-28)
From the New King James Version:
12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up�if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
The Last Enemy Destroyed
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ�s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For �He has put all things under His feet.�[a] But when He says �all things are put under Him,� it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
CHRIST died for all including satan ---ALL--- of creation. CHRIST Created all things by HIM and for HIM;
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
the book of Job tells clearly reveals to us who controls satan;
Job 1:12 And "the LORD" said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
here Paul tells us what CHRIST uses satan for;
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
satan was created for the destruction of our flesh but he can only destroy what CHRIST allows him to destroy. satan is not some loose cannon he follows strict orders.
CHRIST is not surprised by our actions HE wrote every one of our steps before there were any;
American Standard Version
Psalm 139:16 "Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me , When as yet there was ---none--- of them."
here is why we were put on this earth;
Concordant Literal Version
Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity "to humble" them by it.
to humble us. because once we are humbled than we are teachable. a prideful man can not be taught.
1 Corinthians 13 tells us what we should be praying for.
The Priority of Love
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have ---NOT LOVE, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have ---NOT LOVE, it profits me nothing.
GOD IS LOVE and that is the image we are being made into if HE has poured HIS LOVE IN you.
Romans 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God�s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
GOD IS ETERNAL AND GOD IS LOVE so though we are not told what we will be doing in the next life we are given the hint that LOVE will be essential in our eternal lives.
is why we are told so much about love including loving our enemies but how can that be possible? because if we believe THE WORD OF GOD which is CHRIST where HE tells us that all things were created by HIM and for HIM than we need to get to the point where we see CHRIST in everyone and in every situation in our lives.
The duration of the reign of Christ and the kingdom
One would think an answer of ETERNITY would be right but let me go to some verses that can make a difference. Be patient because this is not an easy study. What can be learned here will filter out much of the harm of traditional teachings.
Simply voicing something, or even putting it into print, does not make the information a true fact. Neither does popular opinion necessarily. We used to say, and believe it to be a true fact, the world was flat but Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin proved it was not flat.
We know that to truly believe what we do about the facts in the Bible, and be sure we are correct, we must obtain our answers straight from the text of the Bible itself. However, we must be using a Bible which is honestly translated from early manuscripts. Only the Autographs are inspired and totally correct but they are lost. Only God can guide us to select the existing manuscripts which may be the closest to the originals.
The problem is worse knowing that the manuscripts we do have come from drowsy monks with quill and ink. Also, because of John 3:27 and Isa 26:12, only God can give anyone the �straight dope.� With all this in mind, let�s continue our study�
1. Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever 165 AGE or EON; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. KJV
33 His father, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for the eons. And of His kingdom there shall be no consummation." CV
The word EVER in this verse is the same Greek word as the last word in Heb 1:2. It is not WORLDS, as in KJV�s Heb 1:2, but is talking about a limited duration of time; an age or ages (eon or eons). Now I know many may say that "everyone" knows that when considering the context of this verse, the idea has to be that the reign of Christ is to be endless. This is called �reading more into the verse than is there� used by people with a personal agenda.
We should be more diligent and continue to look at the other words in this verse. Look at the phrase at the end of the verse "and of his kingdom there shall be no end." This is the way the Bible text expresses the meaning of endlessness. (By the way, the KJV seems to never capitalize the pronouns for deity; e.g. the uncreated Being and His Son.)
2. Isa 9:7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever 5957 OLAM. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. KJV
7 To the increase of the chieftainship, and to the welfare shall be no end. On the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to prepare it, and to brace it with judgment and with justice, henceforth and in the future eon. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this. CV
Again, the phrase �there shall be no end� is the way endlessness is expressed precisely and correctly in the Bible text. The kingdom will be endless but Christ�s reign will come to an end when there is no longer a need for the reign. All of God�s purpose for the ages is completed at the consummation.
This verse is the seceond of the only two in the KJV with the phrase �there shall be no end.� In this verse it is talking about the duration of the kingdom which is indeed endless. Some stretch this verse to include the duration of the reign of Christ but I don�t see the word �reign� or the word �Christ� in the verse. Certainly God would have a hand in assuring the endless duration of the kingdom.
In Dan 3:9, the expression, �O king, live for ever� 5957 OLAM cannot mean that the word ever is endless because Nebuchadnezzar did not live endlessly. It is the Hebrew word transliterated into English as OLAM, Strong�s number H5957
�Judgment and with justice� is of a limited duration� only needed until the end of the ages.
3. Mic 4: 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever 5957 OLAM. KJV
7 And I make her that is limping a remnant, and her that is beyond the border a staunch nation. And Yahweh shall reign over them in mount Zion, henceforth and unto the eon. CV
In Dan 3:9, the expression, �O king, live for ever� 5957 OLAM cannot mean that the word ever is endless because Nebuchadnezzar did not live endlessly. It is the Hebrew word transliterated into English as OLAM, Strong�s number H5957
4. Psa 146:10 The LORD shall reign for ever 5957 OLAM, [even] thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD. KJV
10 Yahweh shall reign for the eon, Your Elohim, O Zion, for generation after generation. Praise Yah. CV
In Dan 3:9, the expression, �O king, live for ever� 5957 OLAM cannot mean that the word ever is endless because Nebuchadnezzar did not live endlessly. It is the Hebrew word transliterated into English as OLAM, Strong�s number H5957
5. Rev 11 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever 165 AGES or EONS and ever 165 AGES or EONS. KJV
15 And the seventh messenger trumpets. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of this world became our Lord's and His Christ's, and He shall be reigning for the eons of the eons! Amen!" CV
�For ever and ever.� KJV, an expression many have incorrectly learned in seminary and by tradition to mean endlessness.
�For ever and ever� if you think about it makes no sense. How many �evers� can there be? It makes as much sense to say �for the eternity of the eternity.� The KJV obscures the fact that God made five long ages in which to frame His plan for His creation. When the plan of the ages is complete there is no need for Christ to reign anymore. If you can grasp the fact that God has this plan of the ages, then you will be able to see further into the future with more clarity and see the true love our Father in heaven has for all of His creation.
There are a number of similar issues like this in the KJV Bible with the phrase �for ever and ever.� It is referring to segments of time of great but limited duration. It is the duration of time of the last two eons in God�s plan for the eons or ages.
6. Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. KJV
6 Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. CV
The duration of this portion of Christ�s reign is pretty well defined here. This is the EONIAN life of the elect commonly expressed in our popular Bibles as �eternal� life.
The second death and the lake of fire are the same thing. And there is an important verse which says that �hell� is thrown into the lake of fire so the lake of fire cannot be the pagan myth of �hell.� But I digress.
7. Rev 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever 165 AGES or EONS and ever 165 AGES or EONS. KJV
5 And night shall be no more, and they have no need of lamplight and sunlight, for the Lord God shall be illuminating them. And they shall be reigning for the eons of the eons. CV
Same situation and comment as item five above.
| first eon | second | current | 1000 years | end eon |
These five eons are commonly believed to be �eternity� or �for ever.�
Remember, all thses things transpire within the framework of the AGES or EONS.
This same issue, �for ever and ever,� shows up several times in the KJV continuing to obscure the fact that God has created TIME in the form of five long ages in which He is to complete His EONIAN purpose. Eonian 166 is the adjective of the word eon 165.
8. 1 Cor 11: 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. KJV
26 For as often as you are eating this bread and drinking this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until He should be coming. CV
In this verse of item eight, there is the English word �till� which we need to understand carefully. It is the same as the preposition �until� and has a time limiting meaning. In the verse above the sacrament is to be actively observed until the time the Lord returns and then the observance need not continue and does not continue.
9. 1 Cor 15:24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death. KJV
24 thereafter the consummation, whenever He may be giving up the kingdom to His God and Father, whenever He should be nullifying all sovereignty and all authority and power. 25 For He must be reigning until He should be placing all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy is being abolished: death. CV
Christ reigns only "till he hath put all enemies under his feet." This section of the Bible takes us further into the future than does the book of Revelation. This chapter takes us to the �end�as seen in this verse. In Revelation death is still active.
When death is no longer present in God�s creation, all the graves will be empty, all persons will be made immortal, and Christ will terminate His reign. What was voiced by our Saviour on the cross, �It is finished,� will be truly finished at the end of the ages.
Now, what about the kingdom? In these verses Christ has already "delivered up the kingdom to God." So this means that the kingdom is endless but the reign of Christ is not endless. The reign of Christ is only needed until its purpose has been totally accomplished; God�s Eonian Purpose. This is the time when Jesus' words on the cross, "It is finished,� truly are finished. This is the �end of time� as we understand time or the end of the ages or eons when God becomes All in all.
So Luke 1:33 says the kingdom is endless and so does 1 Cor 15:25. The rest of the verses in this study show that the kingdom is endless and that the reign of Christ does come to an end.
Dan 7:14 to Him is granted jurisdiction and esteem and a kingdom, and all the peoples and leagues and language-groups shall serve Him; His jurisdiction, as an eonian 5957 OLAM jurisdiction, will not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be confined. CV
Luke 1:33 should be understood in light of Daniel 7:14. In other words, "of His kingdom it shall have world-wide dominance. It will be world-wide."
Tradition has those unrepentant �souls�, unbelievers, Goats, trot down through the wide gate to a conscious eternal punishment in a burning hell the moment they die. And the ones who have accepted Christ, the Sheep, having taken part in saving themselves you know by making the altar call, float up through the narrow gate into heaven to rest at the feet of Jesus the moment they die. It is not that simple as we study into God�s plan of His ages.
Blessings and keep up the study on these truths because they have a glorious message missed by popular teachings, beliefs, and tradition,
Bob Todd
Email email@example.com
it doesn't say they will be forever tormented Jesus said about Lazarus that he was asleep in death not tormented also the bible says "GOD IS LOVE" what kind of a loving god would torture his people forever.
As far as the doctrine of eternal conscious torment for the wicked goes- I like Ryan find it appalling that the God of the bible who is Love, Just, and Merciful, would condemn a human being to everlasting and age abiding suffering. This does trouble me greatly and I do find relief in the notion of annihilation of the wicked. Not that I would ever desire that any perish but that if they are found guilty at the just judgment of our Lord, then it seems the merciful and yet totally just thing would be for God to destroy the wicked rather than prolong their misery and this seems to align well with the scriptures. Traditional teaching regarding "hell" I have rejected. Not because it is a difficult doctrine to accept-which it is, but because of the copious number of scriptural texts that disprove it and argue just the opposite. I agree with Bob that we have a faulty conception of the English word eternal and of everlasting. I think Bob is correct in that time is divided out into ages or dispensations. I believe that since God had created time, that there might always be time. These times or ages being long and substantial. We need to be careful how we line up these ages and what order we see them in. Matthew 25 pointing to the conclusion of one of these ages but not the end of all ages as is commonly and erroneously done by most sincere believers. Peter speaks of an age or world prior to this one we now live in. Paul in Ephesians to a time before time in chapter 1. It is complex. Much more that I once thought. What I do know is that there is a God who is a living God. A God that is good and righteous. A God that is a genius and creative. A God that loves and is pleased with His creation of His universe and all that exists in it. A God who knows everything, including our struggles, our cares, our sins, our hopes, our dreams. A God that has a Son, whom He loves and is very pleased with. A God that sacrificed His Son on a horrible cross because He loved sinful humanity. A God who will stop at nothing to win lost souls(people) to Himself. A God who hates sin but loves the sinner. A God who had demonstrated His love for all of us by sending His only Son to die in our place so that we might live in righteousness with Him some day! A God who understands every temptation we have ever had. A God who will accomplish every last purpose He has determined for His good pleasure and will. A God who has defeated every foe, every enemy, and will one day be recognized by every creature, seen and unseen as the the glorious great God that He is. His name is none other than The Lord and God Jesus Christ. This I know.


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Ok that is a bit tongue in cheek – Alexa data has always had some use for sites that are not gamed, and within similar niches, and it is always nice to see.
To save me writing more about it, you can head over to Meg's Blogpond report on new Alexa data.
There is a good reason I am sending you to Meg's blog – she lives in Australia, and runs sites for an Aussie audience – the country data shows one of her sites is rated 176 in Australia – you would never tell that looking at the normal Alexa rating of around 25k
If you look at my own Alexa data, you will notice I am not gaming my results too much though I am using search status while editing, saving etc which has a small effect. 5% Polish traffic is likely at least 50% me, though I do have a few Polish readers.
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Nice blend of flavors with the curry & tomato juice. I like to put some mushrooms and maybe a cherry tomato or two on the skewers.
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A mother to 5 amazing babies who are my everything the most amazing partner ever @mrgsjkay! For all enquiries contact TM Media 027 437 0474 07710 740468 mark xx


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BARGAINS UNDER $200: AMVETS Aux #1 Holiday Bazaar Nov. 22-23 (9-4), 5717 S. Tyler, Tac. Handmade crafts, jewelry, baked goods & seasonal decor. Lunch Avail.More info Email a friend
WOODSTOVES & FIREWOOD: NICE CUT AND SPLIT CLEAN FIREWOOD.. THIS FIREWOOD IS TOP QAULITY FIR CUT 15" AND SPLIT WELL FOR USE. CALL 253-279-5273 FOR QUICK DELIVERY..More info Email a friend
FARM & RANCH & GARDEN: Free dewatered dairy manure. Pay for hauling only. Great for the garden. Compost for spring. 206-271-6490More info Email a friend
CAMPING/MOTORHOMES: 1995 Bounder 33' GM running gear new tires, low miles, good shape! $6,000 firm 253-820-9655More info Email a friend
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES: C PAP Machine & Mask, used very little, make offer. 253-537-3680More info Email a friend
FIREARMS: Firearm Chinese SKS rifle, 560 rds of ammo, 5 extra clips, sling, cleaning kit, spare stock & ammo pouch, $400 536-4838 .More info Email a friend
ARTS & CRAFTS: Free Admission! Holiday Bazaar at The Village Senior Living. Friday, Nov 21 and Saturday, Nov 22 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm daily.More info Email a friend
WOODSTOVES & FIREWOOD: DRY Seasoned firewood, split & delivered,½cord $125, full cord $230, Puyallup & Sumner area at this price. 360-492-5121More info Email a friend
BARGAINS UNDER $200: HOLIDAY BAZAAR SAT 11/22 9am-3pm Homemade Crafts & Gifts. At Brookdale Greens. 13702 20th Ave E, Tac 98445More info Email a friend
BARGAINS UNDER $200: HOLIDAY BAZAAR sponsored by Agnew Guild/Mary Bridge Brigade Nov. 22, Sat. 9am-1pm West Campus 11107 44th Ave E, Tacoma, 98446 Our Savior Lutheran Church crafts, baked goods, wreaths, & much more! Benefits Mary Bridge Children's Hospital & Health CenterMore info Email a friend


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Thanks to all our supporters!.....Sponsors, Advertisers, Fans, Media, City of Cambridge staff, City of Kitchener staff, University of Guelph staff.
We look forward to working with all of you next season!
The Tri-City Outlaws defeated the visiting Sudbury Spartans by a score of 20 – 7 in NFC quarter-final action Saturday night. With this win the Outlaws advance to a semi-final matchup next Saturday in Sault Ste Marie against the hometown Steelers.
The Outlaws had to come from behind as the Spartans started the game with a strong first-quarter and took a 7 point lead into the second. The Outlaws' running game kicked in at that point with the offensive line opening nice holes for Dan Seymour (25 carries, 173 yards) and Jermaine DeCosta (7 carries, 77 yards). Cambridge Minor grad Devin McMullin had a strong game on defense making 4 tackles including 1 for a loss. John Boonstra, Osmon Sokolovic, and Deryl Kelly made interceptions.
Shawn Ashe was a key performer on both sides of the ball making 3 receptions for 66 yards including 2 touchdowns and making 3 tackles on defense; helping his long-time coach and friend Head Coach Chris Newsome win the final home game of his 7 year Outlaws coaching career.
The Outlaws will host the Sudbury Spartans in their quarter-final matchup Saturday August 2, 7:00pm at Rogers Field (Riverside Park) Cambridge. Come on out and enjoy some great football!
The Outlaws will be in a giving mood!....We will have Dairy Queen coupons to give away and multiple prizes for the 50/50 draw: gift certificates from All-Star Ribs & Wings and a coupon for a one-night stay at the Homewood Suites (Cambridge).


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N7602B-R7Z Basic GSM/EDGE for 16800/16900/N5343A, Fixed Perpetual License
|Product Status:
|To Be Discontinued
|Order Before:
|30 November 2014
No replacement found for this product.
Key Features & Specifications
Signal Creation
- Configure Single- and multi-carrier arbitrary waveform GSM/EDGE test signals
- Adjust crest factor of multi-carrier signals with pre- or post-FIR filter clipping
- Partially coded signals for component test
- Adjustable timeslot parameters: power level, 8 burst types (GSM or EDGE), data offsets, and multi-slot feature to maintain power
Use Case
- Characterize modulation and power behavior and performance of transmitter components with digital interface
- Fixed, perpetual license (Option R7Z)
- Also available as a floating license (Option R8Z)
The last date to order is 30-Nov-2014. Orders must be booked by 30-Nov-2014.
Option R7Z simplifies the creation of physical layer coded signals ideally suited for baseband IC testing. Easily generate GSM/EDGE-compliant waveforms using parameters and controls that are optimized for testing baseband in both the base transceiver station (BTS) and mobile station (MS).
This option can be added as a product upgrade.
Related Industries & Technologies
GSM, GPRS, EGPRS & EDGE/Evo
GSM, GPRS, EGPRS & EDGE/Evo
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EGRPS) and Evolved Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) testing resources from Keysight


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Be Entertained
Find the perfect way to entertain your senses while at Resorts Casino Hotel. Whether its seeing the latest performances by top name acts, catching a Broadway revue show or having a few laughs, there's always something to enhance your Resorts experience.
Get tickets to upcoming entertainment by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or booking online today!
Disco Lady Str. Maxine Nightingale
Saturday, Mar 29, 2014
Superstar Theater
The Disco Lady Maxine Nightingale has produced an exclusive revue show for Resorts Casino Hotel running Febraury 10 through April 27 on various dates in the Superstar Theater. The legendary songstress will perform some of her hits as well as disco's flashiest tracks. Tickets are priced at $25 and are available at Ticketmaster.com and Resorts' Box Office.


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Back in January, Riverfront Times published "Meltdown in Venice," a feature story detailing the many troubles of Venice, a tiny, rundown industry town just across the river from St. Louis in southern Illinois. Hundreds of people there -- almost all of whom are poor and black -- suffer from ... More >>
Tyrone Echols recently talked with RFT writer Keegan Hamilton about radioactive material in the soil of Venice, Illinois. Echols, the longtime mayor of the town just east of St. Louis on Illinois Route 3, has more to say in this week's feature story, "Meltdown in Venice."
The McKinley Bridge is broke structurally and financially and everyone wants it fixed. Trouble is, Mayor Tyrone Echols of Venice isn't about to give away the city's bridge. But he could be talked into trading it.


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Click Here for Articles About Rihanna
VIDEO: First Look - Premiere of RIHANNA's New Single 'Stay'
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|Related: Rihanna
It's been a great week for fans of Rihanna's Unapologetic ballad "Stay." The singer performed the song at Sunday night's 2013 Grammy Awards, and yesterday, rocker Adam Lambert released own "Stay" cover video. Rihanna has just unveiled the official video for the single featuring Mikky Ekko. Check it out below!
Rihanna goes nude a bathtub in the uncut video for her new single "Stay"!
The 24-year-old singer's new track, serves as the second official single off her seventh studio album Unapologetic, out in stores now.The music video was directed by famed Sophie Muller.
Rihanna recently tweeted on the video posting, "Got a couple treats for you today before the #STAY #WORLDPREMIERE tonight at 7 pm on E! News #staytuned."
About Author
- Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan-Led THE LAST FIVE YEARS Movie to Hit Theaters, VOD on Feb 13
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The news waits for no one -- at least that's what we read somewhere -- so it's perfectly understandable that you, the reader, might have missed out on a musical tidbit, breaking news about your favorite venue, or one of our rants. So enjoy this digest-style sampling of some of our biggest stories f ... More >>
Rush does its own thing. Resolutely, absolutely, completely. The "Holy Triumvirate's" fierce individualism can be viewed as a tribute to one of its heroes, Ayn Rand, but it's okay if you're not into the Objectivist thing; you can appreciate Rush for exactly what it is: a power trio that's enjoyed ... More >>
Photos by Maria VassettRush at US Airways Center Rush US Airways Center Thursday, June 16 It's always exciting when a band pays tribute to their most successful album by playing it from beginning to end. It was no surprise that US Airways Center was nearly sold out last night, packed with thous ... More >>
WOW! RUSH WAS, LIKE, SO AWESOME! GEDDY LEE WAS PROBABLY THE BEST BASS PLAYER EVER! AND NEIL PEART WAS AMAZING! IT WAS SO COOL! AND THEN THEY PLAYED 'TOM SAWYER' AND IT WAS AWESOME! BEST SHOW EVER! THEY HAD PYROTECHNICS AND LASERS AND EVEN A REALLY HOT GIRL WHO CAME OUT AND BASTED THEIR CH ... More >>
My Favorite Headache (Atlantic)


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See the most recent Webcasts below.
BI tools have changed dramatically in recent years as users demand easier ways to get to their data and share insights. While power users have been the initial adopters of BI tools, new capabilities that emphasize ease of use are appealing to new classes of users. Business users want the simplicity of the Google interface (think "Top 10 Customer Sales") to build a new query or to find a report amid potentially thousands. The convergence of business intelligence with enterprise search is a new concept that makes this simplicity possible. This webinar covers the concepts and provides a demonstration of how one vendor is delivering the capabilities.
Sponsored By EasyAsk, a division of Progress Software Corporation
For the last 3 decades we have seen an intensive growth of technologies that enable businesses to make meaningful decisions based on performance. Data warehousing and Business Intelligence have become an indispensable part of this process with most organizations. We have also seen a steady integration of data in the data warehouse from CRM, ERP, SCM and other systems to gain more insight into the business workflow. Along with all of these pieces of information, we now see the need to bring in Unstructured data into the data warehouse.
Sponsored By Hummingbird
Regain Your Competitive Differentiation by Integrating Business Intelligence with Next Generation Rich Internet Applications (RIAs)
Sponsored By Actuate Corporation
Most of the burden for ensuring the success of governance falls on business users of information. They must learn to be stewards, owners, and change agents while still accomplishing their day-to-day responsibilities. Many information management and governance initiatives originate in business areas, but the mechanics and realities of "post governance design" need to be fully understood before real change occurs. A solid business case, on going measures, and a change management based sustaining strategy is called for. This presentation will cover the basic concepts and steps for business participants to understand how to make governance a successful business project.
Sponsored By Informatica Corporation
Webinar covering how to prepare for dynamic data warehousing, plus related practices, like operational BI and on demand data integration
Sponsored By IBM
This Webinar will provide tips for how to improve the analytics IQ of your organization and upgrade your BI infrastructure to support ad hoc, complex queries against large volumes of data without bogging down performance.
Sponsored By Aster Data Systems
This Webinar reviews components and capabilities needed to develop an MDM solution that can mature along with the needs of the client enterprise applications with which it is integrated.
Sponsored By Business Objects
Governance, metadata and compliance are all words that are highly used today, but what do they mean? This expert will take attendee's through an in-depth look into Governance Models, best-practices metadata usage and compliance support and how to establish a rules-based approach. We will examine artifacts including those developed using the new model-driven development paradigm and toolsets.
Sponsored By Trillium Software
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