Wednesday, January 9, 2013

(01/09/2013) Understanding Hell

      Hell as the place of the dead is topic, today, along with more on when gossip becomes sin. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Alex” (Level 4 with 4,588 points, a member since October 7, 2012) posted the following:



I do not understand. Do people go to hell until revelations?

Well in revelations it seems to me people die and their soul gets sent to hades/sheol or death not hell. Then people are judged and thrown into the lake of fire which is hell. So right now when people die they do not go to hell in christian theology?



THE BATTLE AXE: When Does Gossip Become Sin? (01/08/2013)—Guided by the Scriptures, Christian speech is recognized by hope and plainness (2nd Corinthians 3: 11, KJV); by its content of doctrine, knowledge, prophecy and revelation (1st Corinthians 14: 6, KJV); by its prophetic purposes (comfort, edification, and exhortation) 1st Corinthians 14: 1-4, KJV; and by its love (1st Corinthians 13: 8-13, KJV). In general, Christian speech is intended to share confession of faith, healing, instruction, personal testimony, spirit content (such as holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, righteousness and wrath against sin) as well as impartial witness. By contrast, gossip and slander are characterized by betrayal of trust; desire for distinction and personal power; exaggeration; exposing secrets; flattery, guile and trickery; pride; innuendo; seduction; and lack of concern for consequences and damage to others. (See Psalm 36: 2, Proverbs 13: 5, Proverbs 26: 17-28 and Proverbs 29: 10, KJV.) Truly Christian speech may include utterance by the Holy Spirit; and repeatedly encourages growth, life, praise, and giving thanks to GOD.



THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1st Corinthians 15: 50-58, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Place for Eternal Life? (01/06/2013); Therefore There Was Trust (01/07/2013); The Common Danger (01/02/2013); The Root of Jesse (01/03/2013); A Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); And This Was Good News (12/01/2012); A Partnership? (11/05/2012); Doom (09/20/2012); Contradictions? (09/21/2012); Visions of Heaven (03/22/2012); Does GOD Need Worship? (03/23/2012)



      Some of the most difficult teachings for Christian believers are those that speak of hell. In part this is true because hell is not a physical place, and the “remains” of the dead are not only their lifeless bodies of flesh. More often than not, the teaching we receive comes from other persons, has been made very simple, and cannot clearly convey the full spiritual truth. For example, we are often told that hell is the grave (the place of burying); however, all who died are not given a formal funeral, and are not buried in the earth or at sea. Even so, the deceased are all said to be in hell. When describing hell as the place of torment, the dead are repeatedly spoken of as if they have awareness, feeling, and sensation—that is, as if they are alive. Also, the witness of John, who was granted visions in heaven, reports the souls of them that were slain for the word of GOD, that cried out from beneath the altar. These were not fully restored and resurrected; yet, are not easily spoken of as being in hell (see Revelation 6: 8-10, KJV).

      The Spirit of GOD that now leads men in spiritual understanding of divine intent encourages us to focus more upon eternal life than upon the state of the dead, or the state of the damned. There are many things in the fullness of Creation, and the reality of a universe maintained by sovereign GOD, that will always be outside of experience and knowledge for created beings and living creatures (Deuteronomy 29: 29, KJV). What we are given centers in divine law, the Gospel, and judgment in accordance with law and the gospel.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, what you seem to call “the revelations” is the harvesting of the earth that others call Advent, the Second Coming, and the Rapture. This is not “the end of the world.” The events prophesied and described in Scripture that speak of the first and second death with judgment before the thrones of GOD—the raising of the dead, the final destruction of sinners—pertain to continuing Creation, and fulfillment of divine intent that there be eternal life.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

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