HELL, RESURRECTION,
FIRE, AND ETERNITY
5-5-2017
5-5-2017
I recently read a two part article by Josh de Keijer on
the hellochristian.com site. The first part was entitled “Six Reasons Why Hell Is Real” and the
second part entitled “Six Reasons Why Hell
Is Not Real”. The literalness of a
hellfire and the concept of universal reconciliation is interconnected. If there is no hell, (i.e. the lake of fire),
then universal reconciliation is entirely possible, otherwise lawbreakers will
be sent to a fiery hell of eternal torment.
The Word of God, called the Bible, appears to explain most
things that one might ponder, but the complete information of a subject is
never in one location or one particular book. Sometimes it requires a massive
knowledge of the entire Bible with the assistance of search engines to actually
gather the information to answer a specific question. One may occasionally believe
they have the answer to a certain problem, but another scripture passage will
refute it. Whether this is good or bad
is questionable. There certainly must be a reason that the complete information
needed to answer a question can be spread out over many sections of the
Scriptures. It would be much easier, for the average person, if complete
answers were available at one time and in one place, but that is not the case.
Mr. de Keijer does not state which side of the fence he rests on but it can be
surmised by his essay that he considers hell to be a real place and eternal
torture in hellfire is a reality.
His Reasons for
“Hell is Real”
His article claims that the New Testament talks about
hell quite a bit. He first brings up Matthew chapter 5 where Jesus speaks of
various sins with the consequences being the unlawful person’s “body will be cast into hell”. The
problem that is often overlooked is one of translation. The Greek word translated as hell in this
passage is actually the word for “Gehenna”. The Valley of Gehenna was actually
a garbage dump during both the first and second temples. In addition to garbage
the carcasses of dead animals and dead criminals were also thrown into this dump.
Prior to the Babylonian invasion, this was the place hosting the sacrifice of
children. A knowledge of Gehenna is a
good beginning but the basis of the problem lies in another part of scripture.
Jeremiah 7:31 KJV And they have built the high places of
Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and
their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into
my heart.
There was supposedly a constant stench from the burning
of the garbage and the maggots from the dead animals. Thus the comment “where
the worm never dies” applies to this area.
More information can be found in Jeremiah 19 where the
prophet states that Jerusalem and Judah will one day be destroyed and their
bodies will be stacked in the Valley of Gehenna which was also a place called
Topheth. Jerusalem has been destroyed
twice and always rebuilt as it is today, so this prophecy must ultimately apply
to a future event. It is most likely
that Jesus was referring to this prophecy which many of his listeners may well
have been aware of. It is most likely not referring to the hellfire abode of
sinners upon death or a place of eternal punishment but to the prophetic end of
all Judeans who did not desire to follow the kingdom of God. At the time of this pronouncement, the
audience of Jesus consisted of Judeans and not Christians.
More information on
Gehenna, Jerusalem, and the Clay Jar can be found at: Desolation
of Jerusalem Jerusalem
Destruction Gehenna
and Jerusalem
The next stated example is found in Matthew 7:13 where
Jesus says “enter into the strait gate
for wide and broad is the way that leads to destruction”. The author
misapplies the word “hell” in place of the word “destruction” which is
unfortunate. The Greek word translated
as destruction is apoleia which means
perdition or ruin, either physically or spiritually. This phrase may allude to
a fiery hell in some manner but it is doubtful as will be discussed later in
this article.
The third and most controversial example is the story of
Lazarus and the rich man, found in Luke 16:19-31. The author asserts there is
no indication nor is it mentioned at any time this story is a parable and his claim
may be a true statement. Some
commentators believe the story is a parable, although most parables have some
connection to the Kingdom of God. Others
claim that Jesus used an example of a Jewish type of myth as the basic for the
story.
This story, which he presumes is literal, has several
problems. The described place of
captivity (or place of rest for the righteous) is a dimensional zone consisting
of two areas. One for the unlawful and
the other called Abraham’s bosom which apparently holds the righteous dead. This brings up the question, do the unlawful
go to hell-fire immediately upon death and do the righteous go to Abraham’s
bosom upon death? If the lake of fire, spoken of in the Revelation, is eternal
hellfire, those placed in it are not resurrected for judgment until the end of
the millennial period which will be discussed in The Resurrection section.
Abraham’s bosom could be a place for the righteous to rest
or sleep until the resurrection. The
Bible appears to teach that all the dead, whether righteous or unrighteous, and
their souls sleep in some manner or form until a resurrection awakens them. Since all are asleep in some fashion, do the
unlawful have access to speak to Abraham or to any other soul?
And when thy days be fulfilled,
and thou shalt sleep with thy
fathers….. (2 Samuel 7:12 KJV)
So man lieth down, and riseth
not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of
their sleep. (Job 14:12 KJV)
….Where is the promise of his
coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter
3:4 KJV)
Another argument presented is “justice demands punishment
for wrongdoings based on perceived theological reasons. For example – there is so much wrongdoing in
the world and so much evil that human beings perpetrate against God and fellow
human beings that some people deserve to be punished i.e. Hitler, rapists, drug
dealers, and those committing fraud.
It appears the individuals with this particular mindset
are positioning themselves as judge and jury in the place of the judgment of
God. It is also assuming that God has no
way to counteract this unlawfulness.
This attitude also connects with the author’s final argument that “a
Holy God cannot bear to co-exist with sin”.
Although “sin is sin”, one must admit that some acts of unlawfulness are
considered worse, at least, to the human senses, than other types of sin and
unlawfulness.
The
Resurrections
There will be two resurrections. The first one will occur just prior to the
Feast of Tabernacles, according to Dr. Stephen Jones, and will be the elect
overcomers which will include both the dead and living who agree with the laws
and mind of God. For additional
information see: Who
is an Overcomer
Quote from Stephen Jones: An
Overcomer is primarily a forgiver; one who lives the principle of the Jubilee.
He has allowed the work of Passover (the Cross) and the work of Pentecost (the
law written on one’s heart) to do their work. An Overcomer is one who is
growing up into Christ, one who is coming into a state of maturity in Him. An
Overcomer is putting on His Father’s mind and is coming to agree with what God
does in the earth and how He accomplishes those goals. He is learning to say
“Amen” to all that God does, bearing witness to Him in all things, and not
disagreeing with Him. An Overcomer is one who is coming to understand the
Father and His ways.
As stated by Paul, only those in Christ will be
resurrected: “and the dead in Christ shall
rise first”. First the dead and then
the living (who are in Christ).
1 Thessalonians 4:16 KJV For the Lord himself shall descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump
of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
The second resurrection takes place at the end of the
Millennial Kingdom or the end of the thousand years of the reign of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 20:5 KJV But the rest of the dead lived not again
until the thousand years were finished.
Revelation 20:12 KJV And I saw the dead, small and great,
stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which
is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works.
The “rest of the dead” will include the following groups: the nominal
righteous; the completely unrighteous; everyone in between; and the exponential
millions of people from the beginning of time who never heard of Jesus Christ,
the Lord God of Heaven, or anything pertaining to scripture and the laws of God.
This second resurrection is called the White Throne
Judgment. The laws of God pertaining to the
wrongdoer’s unlawful liability and repayment and recompense to the victims of
wrongdoing will be weighed and evaluated with punishment meted out in
accordance with these laws. The book of
life will be opened for the nominal righteous to be judged and the books of the
laws of God for the remainder of the resurrected who will be judged according
to their works. A more comprehensive explanation can be found at this link: God,
Law, & Fire
Luke 12:47-48 KJV And that servant, which knew his lord's
will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be
beaten with many stripes. (48) But he that knew not, and did commit
things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever
much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed
much, of him they will ask the more.
The Fire of God
Is the fire of God a literal combustion of some type or
is it something entirely different? God
appeared to Moses as a burning bush but the “bush was not consumed”. God
led the Israelites through the desert as “a
pillar of fire”, but no one is recorded as having to stand back due to the
excessive heat. God appeared to the
Israelites on Mt. Sinai as a “devouring
fire” but Moses was able to get near with no report of heat. The Israelites were invited to hear the word
of God as a devouring fire but they were fearful and refused the invitation.
Exodus
3:2 KJV And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire
out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with
fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Exodus
13:21 KJV And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to
lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go
by day and night:
Exodus
24:17 KJV And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire
on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy
4:11-12 KJV And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the
mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and
thick darkness. (12) And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst
of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye
heard a voice.
Deuteronomy
5:5 KJV (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the
word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up
into the mount;)
The Lord God is described as “a consuming fire” or “even a
jealous God”.
Deuteronomy
4:24 KJV For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
The tongue of God is described as a “devouring
fire”. There are many more examples that
could be presented.
Isaiah
30:27 KJV Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his
anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and
his tongue as a devouring fire:
Daniel receives a vision of the throne of God. It states “His throne was like (added) the
fiery flame, and His wheels as (added) burning
fire”. “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.”
Daniel 7:9-10 KJV I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and
the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of
his head like the pure wool: his throne was like
the fiery flame, and his wheels as
burning fire. (10) A fiery stream issued and came forth from before
him: …..
Did Daniel actual see a literal throne of fire, with
wheels of fire, and the stream of fire pouring forth, or is this metaphorical
language? Daniel most likely envisioned the
same metaphoric fire flowing from God’s throne as the apostle John envisioned
as a lake filled with the fire of God.
The Lake of
Fire
The lake of Fire is another display or type of the fire
of God. Some refuse to understand or
even listen to an argument that it is not a place of eternal punishment. Rather, it represents, or is metaphorical, of
the judgment and divine justice of God.
The unlawful will be “sold as a
slave”, so to speak, to a glorified overcomer where they will be taught and
nurtured in the laws and ways of God.
The length of servitude will most likely depend on the crime(s)
committed or the mental attitude (perdition) of the unjust.
Taken from The
Lake of Fire
The recorded words of Jesus in
John 5:29 refer to the second resurrection where the sheep and goats are
separated. Those unrighteous individuals
who have done evil (i.e. foul or wicked deeds) will go to judgment, condemnation,
or punishment for a period of time until they learn that Jesus is the King of
the Kingdom and the Lord of salvation.
They will not be raised to immortal life but rather to a judgmental
learning process.
John 5:29 KJV And shall come
forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil (foul; wicked) , unto the resurrection of damnation (judgment;
condemnation; punishment).
Thayer Definition: krisis translated as “damnation”
1) a separating, sundering,
separation
1a) a trial, contest
2) selection
3) judgment
3a) opinion or decision given
concerning anything
3a1) especially concerning
justice and injustice, right or wrong
3b) sentence of condemnation,
damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment
On the other hand (which is not a reference to the title
of a Country song) it has been surmised there actually may be a fiery hell type
of punishment for some categories of perdition criminals such as Satan, the sea
beast, the false prophet, Hitler, and murderers. They may have to undergo the terror,
humiliation, and torture that was afflicted on their victims until they truly repent
of their past deeds prior to the beginning of their teaching concerning the law
begins. In the Old Covenant laws,
murderers, rapists, and terror mongers (any others) were to be executed so that
God could deal with them in His own manner, at a later time (later for us
humans, anyway). Therefore it is
possible a hell of fire may exist in the future to deal with some types of unlawfulness,
but not every person who is not considered to be “saved” (i.e. an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth). This could also provide evidence of the hell
presented in the rich man and Lazarus story.
The above statement is just a thought and not necessarily a fact.
Universal
Reconciliation
Universal reconciliation means that all (i.e. every
living person ever born or aborted), will eventually be redeemed, understand
the laws and ways of God, and desire to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God,
even Adolph Hitler and Charles Manson.
Some speculate the time of servitude or teaching may last a thousand years
or thousands of years. It has even been
postulated that a Jubilee of all Jubilees will occur at the end of fifty
thousand years.
The overcomers, of the first resurrection, will have
glorified bodies and a full anointing of the Holy Spirit rather than just a
token of the Spirit as some have received in the past and present. They will have positions consisting of
teachers, priests, and sub-rulers under the authority of Jesus Christ. They will eventually operate the world system
for a thousand years. Daniel chapter 2 describes
the Kingdom as a stone make without hands striking the feet of the Beast
Kingdom statue and spreading over the face of the earth, perhaps in a steady
pattern.
Every knee will bow.
This does not mean they will bow and then be thrown into the fiery pit
of some hell for eternity. It means they
will bow because they come to agree with the laws and the mind of God.
Thayer Definition: pas translated as “every”
1) individually 1a) each, every, any, all, the
whole, everyone, all things, everything
Romans 14:11 KJV For it is written, As I live, saith the
Lord, every (pas) knee shall bow to
me, and every (pas) tongue shall
confess to God.
Paul is quoting Isaiah
45:23. The quote also appears in
Phillipians 2:10.
The word “all” signifies every individual
person without any exceptions.
Postscript
There are a host of questions which remain scripturally
unanswered concerning the aftereffects of resurrection: i.e. is there corrective punishment after the
judgment? If so, what method is
employed? ; are people given stripes as the Old Testament law designates? ; what
is the time length of punishment?
It can even be said
that the majority of the content written above is misunderstood by me or even
completely wrong. It is much easier to
debunk another person's doctrine than strengthen one’s own concepts.
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