Part (1) What is the "GOOD NEWS" of the Gospel of Christ? (Re-examining the widely held belief of "eternal torment" in "Hellfire")
Aug 22, 2016 08:45:58 #
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "The Bible is for all Eternity," posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
………. What is the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ? ..........
(Re-examining the widely held belief of “eternal torment” in “Hellfire”)
I have been somewhat hesitant in writing this article. However, one evening this week, I sat down at my computer and opened up Word Document and keyed in the title of this article. At that point, I stopped. I was unsure if I really wanted to write this article. Within the hour, something took place that confirmed to me that the Lord was letting me know that I was to continue writing this article. The Lord confirmed this to me in such a way that the odds would have been astronomical that it was by chance.
It has been a few weeks since I wrote this article. I have decided to share what took place on the evening of 05/14/2014.
As I explained in the above paragraph, on 05/14/2014, I sat down at my computer and opened up Word Document and keyed in the title “What is the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ?” At that point, I stopped. I was unsure if I really wanted to write this article. I then went into the bedroom and began watching TV. Sometime within that hour, as I was clicking onto different channels, I clicked onto one of the Christian TV stations. At that “exact second,” the words “what is the Good News?” came forth from a Pastor’s mouth. Those were the very 1st words spoken at the “exact second” that I tuned in to that TV station. Those are the exact 1st five words in the title of my article. At that point, I thought to myself, “WOW, WOW, WOW, okay Lord, I will write the article.”
I have timed a number of times of how many seconds it takes to say “what is the Good News?” It takes 2 seconds. If I had just been 2 seconds later in clicking onto that TV station, I would have missed hearing those words. If I had been even 2 seconds earlier in clicking onto that TV station, I probably would have heard a couple of words spoken by that Pastor before he spoke the words “what is the Good News?”
I tuned in at the “exact second” that the words “what is the Good News?” came forth from this Pastor’s mouth.
The odds are astronomical that it would be by chance for the order of events to take place in the way in which they did that evening. That evening, the Lord was confirming to me to write this article. The Lord did this in such a way, that I was in total amazement at what transpired that evening. 6 weeks later, I am still amazed!
I was a Christian for 38 years before the Lord opened up my Spiritual understanding to see more clearly some Biblical truths that I had not properly understood in regards to the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
It is very likely that most Christians, including myself, have at some point and time in their innermost being have thought to themselves, “Is God, who created the human race for the purpose of having eternal fellowship with “Him,” really going to sentence the majority of the human race to suffer “eternal torment” in “Hellfire?” Well, I guess so, because that is what the Bible says!” Well, let us examine the “Scriptures” in the Bible very carefully and see if we are really being told that there really is going to be “eternal torment” in “Hellfire.”
In the 2nd chapter of Luke we are told that there were some shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, when suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said to them:“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you “Good News” of great joy, which is for (ALL) people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
There is a widespread belief in the Church today that the smaller portion of the human race will be saved and inherit eternal life with Christ, while the larger portion of the human race will be “condemned” to “eternal torment” and “eternal separation from God.”
If that is indeed the case, it is beyond all comprehension to me as to why the proclamation was made that the birth of Christ the Saviour is “Good News” of great joy for (ALL) people, if still even after the birth of Christ the Saviour and “His” sacrificial death on the Cross for the human race, that the larger portion of the human race is still going to be “condemned” to “eternal torment” and “eternal separation from God.” Does that sound like“Good News” for (ALL) people?
We need to examine much more carefully what the Written Word of God “declares” concerning the “Good News” of the Gospel of Christ and the finished work of Christ on the Cross. After all, there is “NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT” than “our eternal destination!”
The Church today claims to be proclaiming the ”Good News” of the Gospel of Christ, and yet, the most important part of the message of the “Good News” of the Gospel of Christ “is not being proclaimed today” by the Church, because today’s Church has not understood how PROFOUND the finished work of Christ on the Cross really is.
It seems that God had fellowship with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden quite frequently, maybe even on a daily basis before they sinned.“EACH” and “EVERY” human being has been created for the purpose of having fellowship with God for all eternity. This “has always” been the plan of God from even before the creation of all things. “His” plan “cannot be changed,” because God “PRE-DETERMINED” our fellowship with “Him” for all eternity from before the creation of all things. God “Himself” tells us that it “cannot be changed,” because “HE” tells us in Malachi 3:6 – “I am the Lord, I change not;”
It is IMPOSSIBLE for God’s “PRE-DETERMINED” plan for the entire human race to fail. “To attribute failure to God” is of the “highest insult” to our Creator!
We are told in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is not willing that any should perish. In the Greek translation, the word “willing” means “intend.” (i.e. - The Lord “does not intend” for any to perish.) What a HUGE difference this makes in giving us a proper understanding of the actual meaning of this Passage of “Scripture.”
Lamentations 3:31 – “For the Lord will not cast off forever.” (i.e. reject, forsake, abandon) This verse is very clear in communicating to us God’s promise that NO ONE will be separated from “Him” for all eternity.
The Bible reveals to us the Father’s heart. The Cross reveals to us the Father’s “indescribable love” for us, “His” creation.
God did not create the human race, to then only wind up rejecting and abandoning the majority of the human race to total abandonment from “Him” for all eternity.
Philippians 2:10-11 is one of the most “PROFOUND” Passages of “Scripture” in the Bible. “That at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
There is absolutely nowhere in this Passage of “Scripture” that states or even suggests that every knee will be “FORCED” to bow the knee to the name of JESUS. In all religions, bowing the knee is a“voluntary” form of worship. As explained in the next several paragraphs, we will come to understand more clearly that Philippians 2:10-11 is revealing to us that bowing the knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, is not going to be forced upon (ALL), but that (ALL) will do so willingly. Throughout the Bible, we find that the “Scriptures” clearly state that GOD “only accepts a willing heart.”
A word study of “confess” (ἐξομολογήσεται) in the Greek language (in light of the way that this same verb is used in other New Testament “Scriptures”) reveals that this verb in the context of this Passage of “Scripture” is rendered “to thank.” That meaning growing out of the sense of open, joyful acknowledgement. The sense here is that of frank, open confession.
An individual cannot praise and joyously proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, “if one is being forced to do so,” Especially, if that individual knows that “eternal damnation” and “eternal separation from God” awaits them. It is just that simple!
The traditional teaching on this Passage of “Scripture” has been that even the enemies of the Cross will be forced to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This train of thought is in complete “contradiction” to the Written Word of God, because the Bible from Genesis to Revelation “clearly teaches” that the Lord “only accepts” praise and worship “from a willing heart.” “Forced praise and worship” DOES NOT bring Glory to God.
In Philippians 2:10-11, God “IS NOT” proclaiming that all those who have not known Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, “are going to be forced” to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
“ON THE CONTRARY,” God is proclaiming to us an “astonishing” & “profound” revelation, that because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross, that (ALL) will come to know Jesus Christ in such a way that (ALL) “will willingly” (not be forced) acknowledge openly with praise, and proclaim joyously that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The “true meaning” of Philippians 2:10-11 has been “greatly overlooked” by the Church today!
There can be little doubt that after the Millennial Kingdom reign of Christ and “His” Saints on earth, that Christ is going to give all enemies of the Cross, and “each” and “every person” who did not have the Gospel of Christ presented to them, a PROFOUND revelation of what “HE” did for them on the Cross which was done out of “His” indescribable love for them.
When the Bible speaks of “Hellfire,” it is just simply a “metaphorical expression.” “Hellfire” is not going to “produce physical suffering to the lost” (lost – those without Christ). Rather, the lost are going to experience a Spiritual suffering, which will indeed be agonizing, because of the refining FIRE of God’s Spirit. Malachi 3:2 – “The Lord is like a refiner’s fire.”
The “completion” of this mighty work of God is going to produce a PROFOUND revelation of what Christ did for them on the Cross. The results of this revelation to them will probably burn in them to such a degree, that it will probably produce an agony in them beyond comprehension, which will cause them to fall down to their knees, and with great joy and praise from the innermost part of their being, “proclaim openly” that Jesus Christ is Lord.
We are given another “PROFOUND” Passage of “Scripture” in Luke 3:6, which states: “AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.” The King James translation has every word in this Passage of “Scripture” in capital letters. This apparently is for the purpose of wanting the readers to take special notice of this Passage of “Scripture,” because it is proclaiming something that is quite PROFOUND.
A word study of “see” in the Greek language “reveals” that one of the definitions of “see” can mean “to experience; to become a partaker of.” Because of the way that this Passage of “Scripture” was constructed, it is very reasonable to believe that this is the true meaning of “see” in this Passage of “Scripture.”
A better rendering of this Passage of “Scripture” would read: “AND ALL FLESH SHALL EXPERIENCE AND BECOME PARTAKERS OF GOD’S SALVATION.”
NOTE: At some point and time in the future, the above Passage of “Scripture” will be fulfilled. This will all be worked out in God’s ETERNAL plan for man.
The “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ is the “RECONCILIATION” of (ALL) things back to God through the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
Colossians 1:20 – And God was pleased for Christ to make peace by sacrificing “His” blood on the Cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.
Colossians 1:26 – This is the “mystery” which has been hidden from ages past and from generations, but now has been revealed to “His” Saints.
I Corinthians 15:22 tells us “For as in Adam (ALL) die, even so in Christ shall (ALL) be made alive.” Once again, take special note that (ALL) shall be made alive in Christ. What is important to understand is that God has a purpose and plan for (ALL). At the 2nd coming of Christ, the Millennium Kingdom Age of Christ will begin in which “He” and the Saints who have overcome (overcoming Saints – 2nd & 3rd Chapters of Revelation) will rule and reign here on earth.
At some point and time after the 1000 year rule and reign of Christ and the Saints here on earth, “everyone else” through the “refining fire” of God’s Spirit, will be reconciled back to God because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. This was the plan of God from the very beginning of creation. This is what the”GOOD NEWS” of the gospel of Christ is all about.
I Corinthians 15:26 tells us “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (i.e.- the last enemy to be destroyed is separation from God.) (ALL) will be “reconciled” back to God. Yes, even the fallen angels. God did not create multitude upon multitude of angels and then think to “Himself,” “I did not use good judgment in my creation of angels, because a large number of them have rebelled against ME.”
Also, God did not create man in “His” own image and then think to “Himself,” “Once again, I did not use good judgment when I created the human race, because the human race has rebelled against me to the point that I have no choice but to “condemn” the majority of the human race to “everlasting torment” and “everlasting separation” from ME.”
………. What is the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ? ..........
(Re-examining the widely held belief of “eternal torment” in “Hellfire”)
I have been somewhat hesitant in writing this article. However, one evening this week, I sat down at my computer and opened up Word Document and keyed in the title of this article. At that point, I stopped. I was unsure if I really wanted to write this article. Within the hour, something took place that confirmed to me that the Lord was letting me know that I was to continue writing this article. The Lord confirmed this to me in such a way that the odds would have been astronomical that it was by chance.
It has been a few weeks since I wrote this article. I have decided to share what took place on the evening of 05/14/2014.
As I explained in the above paragraph, on 05/14/2014, I sat down at my computer and opened up Word Document and keyed in the title “What is the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ?” At that point, I stopped. I was unsure if I really wanted to write this article. I then went into the bedroom and began watching TV. Sometime within that hour, as I was clicking onto different channels, I clicked onto one of the Christian TV stations. At that “exact second,” the words “what is the Good News?” came forth from a Pastor’s mouth. Those were the very 1st words spoken at the “exact second” that I tuned in to that TV station. Those are the exact 1st five words in the title of my article. At that point, I thought to myself, “WOW, WOW, WOW, okay Lord, I will write the article.”
I have timed a number of times of how many seconds it takes to say “what is the Good News?” It takes 2 seconds. If I had just been 2 seconds later in clicking onto that TV station, I would have missed hearing those words. If I had been even 2 seconds earlier in clicking onto that TV station, I probably would have heard a couple of words spoken by that Pastor before he spoke the words “what is the Good News?”
I tuned in at the “exact second” that the words “what is the Good News?” came forth from this Pastor’s mouth.
The odds are astronomical that it would be by chance for the order of events to take place in the way in which they did that evening. That evening, the Lord was confirming to me to write this article. The Lord did this in such a way, that I was in total amazement at what transpired that evening. 6 weeks later, I am still amazed!
I was a Christian for 38 years before the Lord opened up my Spiritual understanding to see more clearly some Biblical truths that I had not properly understood in regards to the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
It is very likely that most Christians, including myself, have at some point and time in their innermost being have thought to themselves, “Is God, who created the human race for the purpose of having eternal fellowship with “Him,” really going to sentence the majority of the human race to suffer “eternal torment” in “Hellfire?” Well, I guess so, because that is what the Bible says!” Well, let us examine the “Scriptures” in the Bible very carefully and see if we are really being told that there really is going to be “eternal torment” in “Hellfire.”
In the 2nd chapter of Luke we are told that there were some shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, when suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said to them:“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you “Good News” of great joy, which is for (ALL) people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
There is a widespread belief in the Church today that the smaller portion of the human race will be saved and inherit eternal life with Christ, while the larger portion of the human race will be “condemned” to “eternal torment” and “eternal separation from God.”
If that is indeed the case, it is beyond all comprehension to me as to why the proclamation was made that the birth of Christ the Saviour is “Good News” of great joy for (ALL) people, if still even after the birth of Christ the Saviour and “His” sacrificial death on the Cross for the human race, that the larger portion of the human race is still going to be “condemned” to “eternal torment” and “eternal separation from God.” Does that sound like“Good News” for (ALL) people?
We need to examine much more carefully what the Written Word of God “declares” concerning the “Good News” of the Gospel of Christ and the finished work of Christ on the Cross. After all, there is “NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT” than “our eternal destination!”
The Church today claims to be proclaiming the ”Good News” of the Gospel of Christ, and yet, the most important part of the message of the “Good News” of the Gospel of Christ “is not being proclaimed today” by the Church, because today’s Church has not understood how PROFOUND the finished work of Christ on the Cross really is.
It seems that God had fellowship with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden quite frequently, maybe even on a daily basis before they sinned.“EACH” and “EVERY” human being has been created for the purpose of having fellowship with God for all eternity. This “has always” been the plan of God from even before the creation of all things. “His” plan “cannot be changed,” because God “PRE-DETERMINED” our fellowship with “Him” for all eternity from before the creation of all things. God “Himself” tells us that it “cannot be changed,” because “HE” tells us in Malachi 3:6 – “I am the Lord, I change not;”
It is IMPOSSIBLE for God’s “PRE-DETERMINED” plan for the entire human race to fail. “To attribute failure to God” is of the “highest insult” to our Creator!
We are told in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is not willing that any should perish. In the Greek translation, the word “willing” means “intend.” (i.e. - The Lord “does not intend” for any to perish.) What a HUGE difference this makes in giving us a proper understanding of the actual meaning of this Passage of “Scripture.”
Lamentations 3:31 – “For the Lord will not cast off forever.” (i.e. reject, forsake, abandon) This verse is very clear in communicating to us God’s promise that NO ONE will be separated from “Him” for all eternity.
The Bible reveals to us the Father’s heart. The Cross reveals to us the Father’s “indescribable love” for us, “His” creation.
God did not create the human race, to then only wind up rejecting and abandoning the majority of the human race to total abandonment from “Him” for all eternity.
Philippians 2:10-11 is one of the most “PROFOUND” Passages of “Scripture” in the Bible. “That at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
There is absolutely nowhere in this Passage of “Scripture” that states or even suggests that every knee will be “FORCED” to bow the knee to the name of JESUS. In all religions, bowing the knee is a“voluntary” form of worship. As explained in the next several paragraphs, we will come to understand more clearly that Philippians 2:10-11 is revealing to us that bowing the knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, is not going to be forced upon (ALL), but that (ALL) will do so willingly. Throughout the Bible, we find that the “Scriptures” clearly state that GOD “only accepts a willing heart.”
A word study of “confess” (ἐξομολογήσεται) in the Greek language (in light of the way that this same verb is used in other New Testament “Scriptures”) reveals that this verb in the context of this Passage of “Scripture” is rendered “to thank.” That meaning growing out of the sense of open, joyful acknowledgement. The sense here is that of frank, open confession.
An individual cannot praise and joyously proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, “if one is being forced to do so,” Especially, if that individual knows that “eternal damnation” and “eternal separation from God” awaits them. It is just that simple!
The traditional teaching on this Passage of “Scripture” has been that even the enemies of the Cross will be forced to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This train of thought is in complete “contradiction” to the Written Word of God, because the Bible from Genesis to Revelation “clearly teaches” that the Lord “only accepts” praise and worship “from a willing heart.” “Forced praise and worship” DOES NOT bring Glory to God.
In Philippians 2:10-11, God “IS NOT” proclaiming that all those who have not known Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, “are going to be forced” to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
“ON THE CONTRARY,” God is proclaiming to us an “astonishing” & “profound” revelation, that because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross, that (ALL) will come to know Jesus Christ in such a way that (ALL) “will willingly” (not be forced) acknowledge openly with praise, and proclaim joyously that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The “true meaning” of Philippians 2:10-11 has been “greatly overlooked” by the Church today!
There can be little doubt that after the Millennial Kingdom reign of Christ and “His” Saints on earth, that Christ is going to give all enemies of the Cross, and “each” and “every person” who did not have the Gospel of Christ presented to them, a PROFOUND revelation of what “HE” did for them on the Cross which was done out of “His” indescribable love for them.
When the Bible speaks of “Hellfire,” it is just simply a “metaphorical expression.” “Hellfire” is not going to “produce physical suffering to the lost” (lost – those without Christ). Rather, the lost are going to experience a Spiritual suffering, which will indeed be agonizing, because of the refining FIRE of God’s Spirit. Malachi 3:2 – “The Lord is like a refiner’s fire.”
The “completion” of this mighty work of God is going to produce a PROFOUND revelation of what Christ did for them on the Cross. The results of this revelation to them will probably burn in them to such a degree, that it will probably produce an agony in them beyond comprehension, which will cause them to fall down to their knees, and with great joy and praise from the innermost part of their being, “proclaim openly” that Jesus Christ is Lord.
We are given another “PROFOUND” Passage of “Scripture” in Luke 3:6, which states: “AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.” The King James translation has every word in this Passage of “Scripture” in capital letters. This apparently is for the purpose of wanting the readers to take special notice of this Passage of “Scripture,” because it is proclaiming something that is quite PROFOUND.
A word study of “see” in the Greek language “reveals” that one of the definitions of “see” can mean “to experience; to become a partaker of.” Because of the way that this Passage of “Scripture” was constructed, it is very reasonable to believe that this is the true meaning of “see” in this Passage of “Scripture.”
A better rendering of this Passage of “Scripture” would read: “AND ALL FLESH SHALL EXPERIENCE AND BECOME PARTAKERS OF GOD’S SALVATION.”
NOTE: At some point and time in the future, the above Passage of “Scripture” will be fulfilled. This will all be worked out in God’s ETERNAL plan for man.
The “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ is the “RECONCILIATION” of (ALL) things back to God through the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
Colossians 1:20 – And God was pleased for Christ to make peace by sacrificing “His” blood on the Cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.
Colossians 1:26 – This is the “mystery” which has been hidden from ages past and from generations, but now has been revealed to “His” Saints.
I Corinthians 15:22 tells us “For as in Adam (ALL) die, even so in Christ shall (ALL) be made alive.” Once again, take special note that (ALL) shall be made alive in Christ. What is important to understand is that God has a purpose and plan for (ALL). At the 2nd coming of Christ, the Millennium Kingdom Age of Christ will begin in which “He” and the Saints who have overcome (overcoming Saints – 2nd & 3rd Chapters of Revelation) will rule and reign here on earth.
At some point and time after the 1000 year rule and reign of Christ and the Saints here on earth, “everyone else” through the “refining fire” of God’s Spirit, will be reconciled back to God because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. This was the plan of God from the very beginning of creation. This is what the”GOOD NEWS” of the gospel of Christ is all about.
I Corinthians 15:26 tells us “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (i.e.- the last enemy to be destroyed is separation from God.) (ALL) will be “reconciled” back to God. Yes, even the fallen angels. God did not create multitude upon multitude of angels and then think to “Himself,” “I did not use good judgment in my creation of angels, because a large number of them have rebelled against ME.”
Also, God did not create man in “His” own image and then think to “Himself,” “Once again, I did not use good judgment when I created the human race, because the human race has rebelled against me to the point that I have no choice but to “condemn” the majority of the human race to “everlasting torment” and “everlasting separation” from ME.”
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