fathernowisee: HELL KNOW

Monday, October 11, 2010

HELL KNOW

H E L L

An Open Letter By the Editor

MY DEAR BROTHER:

You say, "I must believe in an eternal hell, if I believe in an eternal heaven, which I do."

I suppose it has never occurred to you that, while heaven and hell are set in opposition to each other in theology, it is never done in the scriptures. Heaven and earth are often mentioned in the same breath, as in opposition to each other, but heaven and hell never.

You seem to believe that every time hell is mentioned in the Bible, it means the same place. And, the unbelief of Christendom is shown in its use of the phrase, "eternal hell"—a phrase never found, even in the King James Version of the scriptures. However, let me suppose, for the moment, that whenever hell is mentioned, it is proper to interpolate the word, "eternal," and see how you like it.

David spoke of the possibility of making his bed in eternal hell, and said if he did, he would find God there, Ps. 139:8. The soul of Christ went to eternal hell when He was crucified, and, contrary to your teaching, was brought out, Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:27. Jonah went to eternal hell, and prayed, and was brought out, also contrary to your teaching, Jonah 2:2. A man may call his brother a fool, and be in danger of eternal hell, Matt. 5:22. (By the way, didn't you say, once, that I had read the Bible so much that it had caused me to become a fool?) A man may escape eternal hell by a surgical operation, Mark 9:43-48. (I thought salvation to be by grace, not by surgery.)

How do you like this picture? You will know that, in the preceding paragraph, I am not stating my position. I am stating the conclusions that would be logical, if, every time hell is mentioned, it means "eternal hell."

It seems that you need a revised version of the Bible. You should have a version that reads, in Gen. 1:1, "In the beginning God created heaven and hell and earth." The version you have, and all versions, mention only the heavens and the earth. Yet, one would gather, from your words, that heaven is one planet, earth is another, and hell is another.

If that is not what you believe, then you must think hell is either on the earth, or else on one of the planets called the heavens. If it is a separate planet, why must it be eternal, in order for the heavens to be eternal? (You use the word, eternal, in the sense of endlessness.) Or, if it is on either the earth of one of the heavenly planets, would its discontinuance necessitate the annihilation of the heavenly planets? If a volcano on earth should burn out, would it cause the earth to be destroyed? When you make the eternity of heaven dependent on the continuance of hell, you remind me of the preacher who said in Augusta, Ga., in the course of a sermon, "When the fires of hell go out, heaven will be as dark as midnight." To this, the pastor of the church replied, "I never knew, before, that heaven is dependent on hell for its light!"

I have told you, many times, that three Greek words are translated "hell," in the King James Version. You could ascertain for yourself that this is true. "Hades, " which is the equivalent of the Hebrew word, "Sheol," means the Unseen. This is the hell in Ps. 139:8; 16:10; Acts 2:7; Jonah 2:2, and in many other passages. When I tell you that the soul of Christ went there, you should know it is not a place of punishment. It is never mentioned as such, except in a parable.

"Gehenna" is another word translated hell. The description of it in Mark 9:43-48, compared with the last few verses of Isaiah, shows us it is near Jerusalem, and is the place where worms will eat dead bodies while they are exposed to view, in the kingdom era. They will later be thrown into the fire. This is the hell in Matt. 5:22, and many other passage. "Tartarus," is the hell of II Pet. 2:4, and is for sinning messengers, (angels).

So hell is eternal, is it? I am reminded of a preacher in South Carolina, who had spent nearly an hour preaching on eternal hell, when a man in the audience arose and said, "Brother, turn to Revelation 20:14, and read where your eternal hell is to be burned up." The preacher said it was not true. "Turn and read it," the other dared him. He did so, and declared he would never again preach on eternal hell. The King James Version says hell is to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. But first it must give up all who are in it. It is an empty hell that is cast into the lake. Those of whom it empties itself, stand in the judgment, and go into the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death, and which is to be abolished at the end, I Cor. 15:22-28, King James Version. When it is abolished, all will be make alive in Christ. If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature, says the King James Version, in II Cor. 5:17. If you believe the Bible, you are compelled to believe that when all are made alive in Christ, they will be new creatures. And if you believe the Bible, you are compelled to believe that, as in Adam all die, even so, in Christ shall all be made alive. Therefore, all mankind are to become new creatures in Christ. This will be done long after all hells have become inoperative, and when death is destroyed, or abolished.

Gehenna, being the garbage place of the kingdom, will cease operation when the thousand years have passed, Rev. 20. Tartarus will be no longer needed after the judgment of the great day, for angels are confined there until then, Jude 6.

However, I don't even believe the present heaven is eternal. But the fact that hell is not eternal has nothing to do with it. Your Bible says heaven and earth shall pass away, Matt. 24:35, and other passages. You have read it, but I dare say, you have never preached it. You have often spoken of the end of the world, meaning the earth, but you have never said a word about heaven passing away. In the mind of a sectarian person, nothing in the Bible "registers," except what he already believes. Hundreds of times, you have read, "Heaven and earth shall pass away," but you always preach, "Earth shall pass away." Is it not so? Perhaps you are afraid it will upset your theory of eternal heaven. But if you would do a little more reading, you would discover that there are to be new heavens and a new earth, Rev. 21:1, and other passages. These will be permanent. But you will, perhaps, be terribly disappointed at your failure to find that there is to be a new hell. But it is even so. The empty one that is to be cast into the lake of fire, will be the last one, and it will disappear before the new heavens and new earth come into existence.

The disregard—shall I say, the contempt?—that Christendom has for the word of God, is appalling. For instance, it is a proper in practically all the churches, and in the mouth of nearly all preachers, that, "Those who do not go to heaven, go to hell." The scriptures, however, teach us that those who do not go to heaven, enter the new earth. Not in just those words, to be sure, but just as plainly as if that very expression were used.

What is known as the Old Testament, abounds in promises of an earthly kingdom for Israel. Not until we reach the epistles of Paul, do we find promise of anyone being taken to heaven. In the epistles we have assurance that members of the ecclesia, (church, if you like that term better), which is the body of Christ, are to be taken into the heavens. The "New Testament" writings, with the exception of Paul's epistles, reiterate the "Old Testament" promises of a kingdom for Israel. I qualify this statement by saying that in the last two chapters of Revelation, we find the promise of the new earth. While the Old and New Testament scriptures tell of an earthly kingdom for Israel, they also tell of gentiles who are to be on earth at the time, and under the rule and blessing of Israel. In the last two chapters of Revelation, we find that both, Israel and gentiles will be in the new earth. for some time after the new earth comes into existence, many of mankind are in the second death. but when they are made alive in Christ, the new earth is their home. If not—then where will they live? Why is the new earth made without any sea, if not to make room for all mankind?

The ecclesia which is the body of Christ is to be in the heavens, not only during the "millennium," but in the last eon, as well. Paul says we have a house there "eonian," II Cor. 5:1. Whether we shall remain there after the consummation of the eons, no one can say. If not, we will be in the new earth. The heavens are already populated, Eph. 3:10. We will be taken there to be a blessing to the inhabitants.

I would love to know just what is your reaction to Rom. 5:18. You admit that all are in condemnation because of the offense of Adam. I wonder if the rest of the passage has ever impressed you. Probably not. Neither will it ever impress you, until now learn that your creed is not superior to the word of God. The rest of the verse says that through the righteousness of One, "the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Verse 15 of the chapter tells us that by the offense of one, the many died, and I am sure you will admit that "the many" of that passage means all the human family. If it does not, what part of the human family was not effected by the offense of Adam? All right, if "the many" are all, then how do you know the next "many are not all? For we are told that the grace of God and the gift in grace, which is of the one, Man, Christ Jesus, abounds to the many. "Superabounds," would be a better word. Does the second "many" include the same number as the first? And in verse 18, is the second "all," the same as the first?

What is your reaction to I Tim.2:3-6? You say I should be non-fellowshipped, because I say, "God will have all men to be saved." You have no doubt that I am teaching that all mankind shall be saved. Do you doubt that the Bible means it, when it uses that identical language?

But I want you to be more careful about using the expression "eternal hell." You must find a hell after the white throne judgment, or else you will not find an eternal one. Can't you rejoice with me, that there will be new heavens, a new earth, but NO NEW HELL? God help you to do so.

A reader thinks I was stating my position when I said, in the last issue, "It seems the scriptures constitute a puzzle," etc. I thought everyone would know I was stating what seems to be the position I was opposing. No, I do not believe the scripture is a puzzle. Its solution is not left to the "smartness" of man.

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The Touch Stone

Do You Believe ALL In The Bible?

by Gary Amirault

Most of us read our Bibles through thick glasses of church traditions, social conditioning, prejudices, and various other things which cloud our vision. There is more hatred and prejudice in our hearts than we usually care to acknowledge. this was the problem the Pharisees had when confronted with the object of the Scriptures they had been studying all their lives. When he came, they didn't recognize Who He was because of their traditions and cold hearts.

Would you like to test what is in your mind and heart today? You know that eventually all that is hidden will come to light. (1 Cor. 4:5) When Jesus told them, "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone?' Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.'"

An invitation is given to you today to fall on the Rock. It is much better to be broken to pieces, than to be crushed to powder. The first choice invites our participation, the second comes unannounced, at a time when we least expect it.

1 Peter 4:6:11 speaks of the "trial of your faith being more precious that gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire." The Scriptures often speak of fire in a spiritual manner rather than natural. Testing one's faith may produce much more heat than we often care to experience. but if we call on our Father, He will see us through the test.

"The God whom in your prayers you call Father does not arrive at his verdict on any man by favoritism; he judges each man by his actions. You are exiles of eternity, and you must therefore spend your time on this earth in reverent living, for you know well what it cost to liberate you from the slavery of that life of futility which you inherited from your fathers. The price did not consist of things which are doomed to decay, of silver or gold. The price was the precious life-blood of Christ, who was, as it were, the sacrificial lamb with no flaw or blemish. He was destined for this task before the creation of the world, and for your sakes he came for all men to see as time comes to its end. It was for the sake of you he came, for you who through him believe God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory. so then, your faith and your hope look to God. (1 Peter 1:17-21, William Barclay translation)

The Holy Spirit invites you today to test your faith and works to see what it is made of. There is an interesting rock used in Biblical days to test the quality of precious metals called a touchstone. It is quite unfortunate that most translations following the King James tradition have hidden the Biblical references to this stone from us. The King James Bible Concordances have also hidden its meaning. Using the Strong's or Young's Concordances, when looking up the English word "torment," we discover that the noun for one of these Greeks words is "basanos," Strong's number 931. Strong's number 928 "torture," and 929 "torment" are derivatives of this noun, "basanos," which Strong's Concordance says is a "touchstone." Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 5th Edition, tells us that a touchstone is "1. A black siliceous stone allied to flint;-used to test the purity of gold and silver by the streak left on the stone when rubbed by the metal. 2. Any test or criterion by which to try a thing's quality."

Will you strike your Christian life on this Rock and allow the results to be declared to you by your heavenly Father? Will you allow it to reveal to you areas of impurity such as a false image of God, prejudice, hate, unforgiveness, bitterness, following tradition instead of Scripture and the Holy Spirit, etc.

All these things and more will be dealt with one way or another. It is better to fall on the Rock yourself than to have the Rock fall on you in judgment.

Another ingredient used to test the quality of gold is nitric acid. The dictionary in Microsoft's Desktop program says of acid test "a decisive or critical test, as of worth or quality (from the testing of gold in nitric acid. As we begin to add these concepts to our minds, perhaps we can begin to see New Testament images in a purer way than we have been taught in the past. Perhaps we will begin to understand then, why the early teachers of Christianity called the "lake of fire" a place of "purifying fire," or "divine fire."

In the book of Revelation in the twentieth Chapter verse ten we see the devil, the beast, and the false prophet cast into a lake of fire and brimstone where they will be "tormented day and night 'forever and ever.'" Those of us who dig deep enough will discover why the early believers did not see the lake of fire as a place of "eternal torment." They knew that the wording in this passages referred to a place of divine testing and not a place of "eternal torment." The Greek word for "sulfur" is "theion" which is akin to "theos," which means god. Sulfur (brimstone) was used to purify temples in ancient days. It was also used for healing purposes. The fact that this passage of Scripture speaks of "day and night" proves that "aionas ton aionon" in this passage should not have been translated "forever and ever." Divine fire will test the works of men and angels.

Revelation 20:12 tells us that the dead were judged "according to their works," not whether they "decided to follow Jesus." We know salvation is "by grace, through faith, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Eph. 2:9) We have made a serious mistake heaping dozens of different judgment Scriptures under the "Great White Throne judgment." Throughout the Bible, we find all kinds of judgments occurring throughout all ages. Many of these have been assigned to the final judgment. This has caused serious error. There are judgments of unholy angels, of Satan, of Israel, of cities, of nations, of sin, of death, of the believer, of servants, of sons, of unbelievers, etc., etc. Each takes place at different times, in different places, and with different outcomes. Our mind-set about Biblical judgment has been severely warped. We must disentangle this confusion, but it will take a great deal of study, something many Christians have neglected.

How few Christians realize that Death and Hades (Hell) will be emptied and thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is called in Revelation the "second death." Since "death and hell" are thrown into it, one might say it is the death of death. Our entire teaching about people going a eternal hell clearing contradicts the plain teachings of the Bible that Hell, whatever we might think it is, will ultimately be emptied! There is not a single passage of Scripture which tells us that Hell and the "lake of divine fire" is the same thing.

The very first verse in the Book of Revelation says this book is full of symbols. Its message was sent from God by an angel who "sign-ified it" to His servant John. If one does not understand that the "signs," that is, symbols need to be interpreted, one will never understand this book. The definition of the symbols are contained in the Old Testament. Stars in a hand are not physical stars; frogs out of a prophet's mouth are not physical frogs, candlesticks are not really candlesticks. Do you really think there is a dead lamb laying on a throne in heaven? If one understands these things are "signs," then understand that the Book of Revelation is full of hundreds of "signs." The carnal mind, especially the religious carnal mind will only twist the words in Revelation into a pile of distorted confusion. I will conclude this paragraph by saying that there will be far more "works" which will be cast into the "lake of fire" coming from "orthodox" ministers who speak like a dragon while claiming to represent the slain lamb than many care to acknowledge. Clerical collars and ordination papers are no guarantee that one is hearing the "Spirit of God."

You, who are reading this book right now are you willing to test your faith? Are you willing to strike it against the Rock, the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to be poured out on that "gold" to see what quality your gold (faith) is made of? Your Father will judge it "without partiality." He will not take your years of being faithful to your denomination, your financial contributions, your devoted service to the organization into consideration. Your faith will be struck against a slain lamb on a throne. The results may be absolutely shocking to you very painful when our works are compared with the lamb's works, but it must be done. His judgments are mixed with mercy, and when we ask Him to judge us, He also will empower us to conform to His Word, His Will, His Ways. So often people judge us in areas we know we need to improve in, but their comments are not helpful because we seem to be incapable of changing those areas in our lives. But the Holy Spirit will not only reveal those areas we fall short in, He also gives power to change in those very areas.

As you go to the Rock, the Lamb, the Word of God, and the Scriptures listed below, invite the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, Who the Scriptures declare will lead you into all Truth, to reveal to you the fullness of the nature of our Father. Remember, He has many attributes; omnipotence (all-powerful), omnipresence (all-present), omniscience (all-knowing), and justice. These are His characteristics, but His nature is Love, for God is Love!

As you strike your doctrines, church traditions, your very life against the Word these Scriptures allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word through the eyes of Love. Then, and only then, will all the Word conform perfectly with all the characteristics of our Father. His Love is the Key. Ask for it! Since we want to see if all the characteristics of God are in harmony with all of the Bible so that we may be able to conform our lives to it, concentrate on the word all. As you study them, keep all the characteristics of our Father in mind.

Before beginning the test, please pray that your Father and mine will allow you to read the Scriptures with His eyes and not through man-made glasses clouded with church traditions, cultural prejudices, or personal emotions. Then, after having prayed for this in sincerity in your own words, slowly read the Scriptures listed in Appendix Three and allow the Spirit of Truth to lead you into allTruth. (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13) I pray that your joy may be made full.

An Analytical Study of Words - Table of Contents

Monday, October 11, 2010

HELL KNOW

H E L L

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Do You Believe ALL In The Bible?