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Fear is one of the - if not THE - greatest tactic known in which to to control the masses. Christianity has used - and still uses - this method of control most effectively.
By the way, one of the most well-known verses in the Bible is John 3:16. We're told in this scripture that those who believe in Jesus Christ will not perish but have everlasting life. The term 'perish' strongly suggests 'annihilation', does it not? The scripture also makes the distinction between those that believe (everlasting life) and those that don't believe (everlasting death).
This is what we believe. My Bible-translator sister included. "Perish" is just that. Annihilation.
Lake of fire is not literal, nor is the story of Lazarus/Abraham, in our view. Parables, that Jesus used so often. And it doesn't jibe with a God of love.
"Everlasting death" is a final consequence, not a duration.
This is what we believe. My Bible-translator sister included. "Perish" is just that. Annihilation.
Lake of fire is not literal, nor is the story of Lazarus/Abraham, in our view. Parables, that Jesus used so often. And it doesn't jibe with a God of love.
"Everlasting death" is a final consequence, not a duration.
If “everlasting death” is a final consequence and not a duration, then the same must be said of “everlasting life.” It too would be a final consequence and not a duration.
Matthew 25:46
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The same Greek word is used in both cases: ETERNAL punishment, ETERNAL life.
◄ 166. aiónios ►
Strong's Concordance
aiónios: agelong, eternal
Original Word: αἰώνιος, ία, ιον
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aiónios
Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-o'-nee-os)
Definition: agelong, eternal
Usage: age-long, and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting.
It seems many people I've recently conversed with believe the Lake of Fire is real physical fire.
Just curious, what do people here think it is - real physical fire? Spiritual fire (representing something else)? No idea?
Now that is so sad to read that false clergy have people still thinking the lake is a real fire or a real physical fire.
The Bible defines the Lake of Fire defined as 'second death' at Revelation 20:13-14
'What is death but a sleep' as Jesus and the OT both teach that the dead know noting. No pain in death.
- Psalm 6:5; Psalm 13:3; Psalm 115:17; Isaiah 38:18; John 11:11-14 besides Ecclesiastes 9:5
I wonder if those recently spoken to people are just taught by those performing TV preachers.
Just using scare tactics (fire) in order to get the public to part with their money.
If “everlasting death” is a final consequence and not a duration, then the same must be said of “everlasting life.” It too would be a final consequence and not a duration.
Matthew 25:46
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The same Greek word is used in both cases: ETERNAL punishment, ETERNAL life.
◄ 166. aiónios ►
Strong's Concordance
aiónios: agelong, eternal
Original Word: αἰώνιος, ία, ιον
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aiónios
Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-o'-nee-os)
Definition: agelong, eternal
Usage: age-long, and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting.
I think that they have very different sources so can not be directly compared with each other
The life has a spiritual source and is not time based
Any age is of underdetermined length and it is relative to its own source and parameters
That is why we are told the kingdom, and the church, is not of this world/age/time, it’s source is from above and is sustained from there and not here - even though it is formed and has existence here, it’s allegiance is to be in its own source
Joh 1:1**In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2**The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3**All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4**In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5**And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Joh 1:6**There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:10**He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11**He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
....................That is why we are told the kingdom, and the church, is not of this world/age/time, it’s source is from above and is sustained from there and not here - even though it is formed and has existence here, it’s allegiance is to be in its own source ..............................
Yes, God's kingdom is and always will be a heavenly kingdom or government. ( Rev. 2:10; 5:9-10; 20:6 )
Jesus instructed to pray for God's kingdom to come..... thus, it's source is in Heaven.
Come so that God's will, His purpose be done one Earth as it is done in -> Heaven.
So, we are asking for those same good heavenly conditions to come and also exist right here on Earth.
We don't pray ' take me away to the kingdom...' nor pray 'take me up to the kingdom..."
So, by praying for God's kingdom to come we are also asking God for Jesus to come ! - Rev. 22:20
Come and bring ' healing ' for earth's nations - Rev. 22:2
Healing to the point that Earth and its people will be happy and healthy as described in Isaiah 35th chapter.
With all due respect, one must caution against assuming allegory is an actual description of a realm that is beyond the material.
FWIW - if you can feel pain in a dream, you can feel pain in the other realm. If you cannot, then pain only exists within the physical body.
IMHO - If Like attracts Like (in that realm), those whose inner nature is contrary / repugnant to the supreme being, cannot approach Him. And that self imposed exile could be interpreted as eternal torment, if one desperately desires to approach Him.
Good advice - try to be the kind of person you'd like to spend eternity with - kind, compassionate, forgiving, etc. Otherwise, you're going to have a h*ll of a time.
....IMHO - If Like attracts Like (in that realm), those whose inner nature is contrary / repugnant to the supreme being, cannot approach Him. And that self imposed exile could be interpreted as eternal torment, if one desperately desires to approach Him.
Good advice - try to be the kind of person you'd like to spend eternity with - kind, compassionate, forgiving, etc. Otherwise, you're going to have a h*ll of a time.
Since the wicked are 'destroyed forever ' - Psalms 92:7; 104:35; Proverbs 2:21-22 - then there is Not eternal burning.
Good one about a ' h*ll of a time ' however remember the Bible's hell has No flames.
Biblical hell is just mankind's temporary stone-cold grave for the sleeping dead ( No pain in death )
Jesus was well educated in the OT and both teach: the dead are Not conscious just sleeping.
- Psalm 6:5; Psalm 13:3; Psalm 115:17; Isaiah 38:18; Ecclesiastes 9:5 and Jesus' words at John 11;11-14
Not necessarily. The English word 'perish' translates the Greek word apollumi. Like most words apollumi has a range of meaning. While it can refer to utter destruction the word is also used for something that is lost such as the lost coin in the parable in Luke 15, or to the lost people who Jesus came to save in Luke 19:10. Both the coin and those who are lost are still in existence. Apollumi is also used for the wineskin that has been ruined/destroyed in Luke 5:37. The wineskin still exists but it is in a ruined/destroyed condition which renders it useless. The same meaning could apply to John 3:16.
Reading the Bible in English can at times be misleading.
The explanation may not have been lost on everyone though ………..
People just go on believing their particular beliefs. The facts be damned. In this case, they see the English word 'destroyed' and to them that means annihilation. Never mind the Greek word behind the translation. Too much trouble to think.
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