You are writing a Gospel,

A chapter each day,

By deeds that you do,

By words that you say.   

Men read what you write,

Whether faithless or true,

Say! What is the Gospel

According to You?

Author Unknown

Beginning with a false premise renders further debate useless.  It doesn’t matter how much information a two plus two equals five guy throws out.  All his arguments are wrong, because they begin with a false premise.  A two plus two equals four guy can argue all day long with the two plus two equals five guy and they will never come to agreement on how many days there are in a month.

If you come across a two plus two equals five guy and he or she only wants to win the argument and in the process slander all the other two plus two equals four people, move on.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  Romans 16:17

Jesus is all the world to me,
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day,
Without him I would fall:
When I am sad, to him I go,
No other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, he makes me glad,
He’s my friend.

Jesus is all the world to me,
My friend in trials sore;
I go to him for blessings, and
He gives them o’er and o’er:
He sends the sunshine and the rain,
He sends the harvest’s golden grain:
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
He’s my friend.

 Jesus is all the world to me,
And true to him I’ll be;
Oh, how could I this friend deny,
When he’s so true to me?
Following him I know I’m right,
He watches o’er me day and night;
Following him bye day and night,
He’s my friend.

 Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better friend;
I trust him now, I’ll trust him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end:
Beautiful life with such a friend,
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my friend.

Will L. Thompson 1847 – 1909

Public Domain

Annihilation of the soul is the belief that the unregenerate or unbelieving are simply destroyed (annihilated) as opposed to suffering in hell for all eternity. Those that hold to this position do so because they can’t see how a loving God could put unbelievers into an eternal state of unending punishment and suffering.

Lets imagine for a moment that God is too loving to let unbelievers suffer for all eternity in hell in order to see if that position preserves the integrity of Scripture.

To support this teaching the annihilationists call Luke 16 a parable.  Why?  Because it is about a certain rich man who is in hell.  He has not ceased to exist.  He asks for Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water in order to cool his tongue because he is tormented in the flames.

The rich man is separated from God and is experiencing spiritual death in the flames of hell.  The rich man is not annihilated, he has conscious existence.  If the rich man and Lazarus account is a literal account, it shows that there is a conscious existence of the dead.  Although the unbelieving rich man is spiritually and physically dead, an identifiable (certain) rich man has conscious existence in hell, be it temporary or not.

The annihilators of the soul have no choice but to call this chapter a parable, because a literal account proves that there is a conscious existence of the unbelieving dead.  This man is dead, yet he exists in the flames.  A literal account destroys the annihilationist’s position.

How do we know Luke 16 is not a parable?  According to principles of interpretation, parables do not have named individuals and places in them.   Luke 16 contains proper names, a certain individual and a named place such as;  Abraham, Lazarus, Abraham’s bosom (heaven/paradise), a certain rich man and Moses.

Parables are stories composed with the intention of teaching or illustrating a certain truth.  Parables in the Bible are usually followed by an explanation of their meaning.   Luke 16 has no explanation and needs no explanation because as pointed out in the preceding paragraph, it is not a parable.  

If principles of interpretation can be so easily disregarded, what keeps anyone from labeling the death, burial and resurrection of Christ a parable?  Liberal theologians do this all the time when they cannot explain, do not understand, or simply don’t believe what the Scripture says about itself.  Disregard for the rules of interpretation, the doctrine of inspiration, and the final authority of Scripture  allows religious cults to continue their existence.

Some proponents of annihilationism may agree that Luke 16 is literal, but then argue that hell and/or Hades is actually temporary, because it will be eventually cast into the lake of fire where the annihilation will take place.  So a little torment is OK, but everlasting torment is not?  So a loving God is OK with temporary torment but not eternal torment?   If a loving God would not allow unbelievers to suffer for eternity in the lake of fire, why would a loving God allow any to suffer at all?  Why would He bother to resurrect the unbelieving dead?  Why not just annihilate them at the moment of physical death?  Wherever one places annihilation, it doesn’t make sense logically or expositionally. 

Postponing annihilation until the lake of fire doesn’t work.  In Revelation 19&20, the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire and the devil is confined to the bottomless pit at the conclusion of the Lord’s Second Coming, just before the Millennial Kingdom begins.  At the end of the Millennial Kingdom (1000 year rule of Christ on earth) Satan is released from the pit to deceive the nations  (Gog and Magog), whose number is as the sand of the sea, and who then surround Jerusalem.…..and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them (the nations).  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire..…where the beast and the false prophet are.

At the end of the Millennial Kingdom, the beast and the false prophet will have been in the lake of fire for one thousand years without being annihilated.  The lake of fire is described as a place of torment (day and night) which lasts forever and ever.  This should be self-explanatory.  Death and hell are cast into the lake of fire including everyone who was not found written in the book of life.

The only logical conclusion, that is true to Scripture, is that there is a conscious existence after death for both the believer and the unbeliever.  The conscious existence for the believer is that of eternal bliss in the presence of God.  For the unbeliever this conscious existence is eternal torment in the lake of fire.

Note: Eternity is simply a state of being in the absence of time.

There are many other problems created by the annihilationist’s position.  This position, if considered correct, raises questions on: the Lord’s description of judgment in the gospels; the entire context of Scripture concerning judgment; the meaning of the word eternal or everlasting which is used to describe both life in Christ and God’s punishment of sin; the substitutionary death of Christ; the wrath of God against those who reject His provision of forgiveness through His Son; the character of a holy and sinless God; the meaning of biblical love; and other considerations concerning the attributes of God.

No suggested interpretation of a Bible passage can be correct if it is not also correct for every Bible passage on the same topic.*

  Annihilation of the soul casts doubt on core beliefs that have been established and defended historically by Bible believing scholars, preachers and teachers.  Peculiar teaching which has historically been on the fringe or outside of Bible believing Christianity and which causes division among Bible believing Christians is not of God and should be avoided.

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

*Larry

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.                 Joshua 24:15

But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.        Psalms 5:7

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.  Psalms 26:11

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.  Psalms 35:13

But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.  Psalms 69:13

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked……..Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.  Psalms 73:2, 3, 17-19

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.  Daniel 2:30

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

Many in professing Christendom believe in a cultural Jesus who is not the Lord of Scripture.  This Jesus is a god of love, but he is not the God of biblical love as described and illustrated in the Bible.  This is a god of love as defined by the culture.

I heard a song recently entitled Give Me Jesus*.  It was very moving and I have found myself singing it in my heart.  It is very simple and it sums up my life experiences with the Jesus of Scripture.  The lyrics speak of beginning the day with Him.  They speak of being alone with Him and they speak of ending life with Him.  The chorus speaks of rejecting all that the world offers and embracing Jesus.

The Jesus that I know, I know by way of Scripture.  Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  The Bible is the source of just about all the knowledge we have of Him.  The Bible tells us what we need to know about Him.  He is the Messiah, the Promised One of Israel.  

In rebuking the Pharisees, the Lord said to them; they (the Scriptures) are they which testify of me, and ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.  The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, but somehow they missed the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.

How will he who hears the words; give me Jesus, understand  who this is?  Will that individual know where to look for the true Jesus?  How will he know the difference between Messiah Jesus and a cultural Jesus?  

When referring to Jesus, I like to use His title (Messiah Jesus, Lord Jesus, Jesus Christ) along with His name.  The title used with His name tells everyone which Jesus is being referred to.  The New Testament disciples called Him Master or Lord,  and Christ is the Greek title for the Messiah of the Bible.

Most professing Christians today do not put much stock in Scripture and certainly do not recognize it as authoritative in their own lives.  Unbelievers in the church cherry pick Scripture to find a Jesus that makes them comfortable with themselves.  They are offended at the suggestion that they may not know Christ and are ignorant of the fact that many of their own declarations contradict His very words.

Messiah Jesus speaking: Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  John 5:39&40

…Give Me Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Scripture…

*Give Me Jesus by Fernando Ortega

Note:  This was written to encourage and challenge others to know the Christ of Scripture, and to promote discernment between truth and unbelief.  The Lord Himself said that many others would come in His name.  Be sure that you can tell the difference.  Study the Bible.

 …let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  Matthew 6:9-12

Forgive us.  Why?  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23.  Sin is the willful transgression of God’s law.  As sinners, we owe a debt.  For the wages (penalty) of sin is death; Romans 6:23a

Death is separation.  Physical death is separation from the body.  Spiritual death is separation from God.  Jesus Christ paid that debt for us on the cross.  He became sin for us, who knew no sin.  He died in our place.  

The primary meaning of the word forgive is to send forth or to send away.*  A forgiven debt as referred to in Matthew 6:12, is a completely cancelled debt.*   When we accept Jesus Christ as our substitute, we are accepting God’s provision for our sin. Our sin debt is cancelled and the righteousness of His Son is credited to our account.  We are forgiven.  This means we are delivered from sin’s penalty (separation from God) and the cause of the offense is removed (sent away).*  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12

• If certain conditions are met, there is no limit to Christ’s law of forgiveness.*

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.  Matthew 18:21-22

•  The conditions of forgiveness are repentance and confession.*

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  Acts 17:30&31

Repentance is a changing of the mind.  Genuine repentance results in a change of direction.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee (repents), thou hast gained thy brother.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church (no repentance), let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  Matthew 18:15-17 

Confessing our sins is acknowledging our sin (naming it and taking responsibility for it), agreeing with God against ourselves.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  I John 1:9

Forgive us……..as we forgive our debtors.

Mercy should beget mercy, but it doesn’t always.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.  And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.                 Matthew 18:23-35

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

*Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New and Old Testament Words; Thomas Nelson, Inc., Copyright 1986 1994.

If there were no conditions for forgiveness, then salvation would be universal. Everyone would be saved regardless of their status as a believer or unbeliever.

However, there are biblical conditions for forgiveness.  The biblical conditions for forgiveness are repentance (changing one’s mind) and confession of sin* (agreeing with God against ourselves).  Therefore, universal salvation (everyone is going to heaven) is a false teaching.

*Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Thomas Nelson, Inc., Copyright 1984, 1996.

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you: but ye are washed (cleansed), but ye are sanctified (set apart), but ye are justified (pronounced righteous) in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.  I Corinthians 6:9-11

What were you before you became a Christian?  According to the Scripture above, are you still what you were?

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen!              Jude 1:24-25

Hallelujah!

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…