THE GOD FAMILY VISION (1)

I have heard many preachers preached about the subject of 'The Word' in John 1:1-5. Frankly, I never get to fully understand what they were talking about then, but now I do. Before Jesus Christ became the only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, He was the Word. Which means to say, God the Father and the Word (Jesus Christ) were the two God Beings (Elohim) ruling the vast universe. The Word was the Spokesman (Messenger who brought the Gospel from the Father to mankind) for God the Father, and all things in heavens and earth were created by God the Father through the Word (John 1:3).

The Gospel Jesus proclaimed (The Kingdom of God) revolves around The God Family Vision as God's supreme plan is to expand His ruling Family with man as His sons. Satan is not happy with this plan as he and his angels were never offered this privilege and thus inspire the trinity doctrine which is not in the bible. In fact, the idea came from the worship of Nimrod and his family ( Nimrod, his wife and son). The Holy Spirit is God's power and agent to get the Work of God accomplished on earth, and not a separate God Being like Jesus Christ. That is why in the prayer of Jesus Christ to God the Father in John 17, there is no mention of the Holy Spirit. In the opening epistles of the Apostle Paul, he greets both God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ but not the Holy Spirit. In our prayers, we pray to God the Father through Jesus Christ, and no mention of the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 51:11 David asked the Lord not to take away His Holy Spirit away from him instead of pleading with the Spirit of God directly as he would if the Holy Spirit is a separate God Being. At this juncture, I would like to clarify that the Holy Spirit is from God (Spirit of God) but that the Spirit is NOT A SEPARATE GOD BEING. Just like the spirit of Adrian is one and the same person being with me. When Simon the sorcerer tried to use money to buy the power of God's Spirit, Peter rejected it (Acts 8:18-20). The Holy Spirit is always represented as water, oil, wind and dove - a kind of power and agent of the Living God. That is why man is created in the image of God - male and female - two separate beings representing two separate God Beings. If the Holy Spirit is a a member of the God Head and lives in us, all Christians would die physically the moment they sin, period. The Trinitarians failed to understand the person of God and destroyed God's Vision of an open and expanding Family!

When Adam and Eve fell, God activated plan B to beget the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus Christ divested Himself of His glory He shared with God to be begotten as a Man. After Jesus Christ's begettal, God became His Father. The God Family Vision was born! All true disciples can become members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19). Marriage becomes the channel through which God can accomplish His Vision. If we can fully grasp this Vision, all marriage problems can be easily resolved. Chapter 5 of Ephesians makes this relationships clear.

The Hebrew word for 'God' is Elohim - a plural word which can mean 'Family, Church'. The word 'son' is used over 420 times and the word 'Father' over 350 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected from the dead to become the Son of God (Romans 1:4) and indeed,' the firstborn (Son) among many brethren' (Rom 8:29; Colossians 1:15). Christ was first and many brethren will follow after Him. All true disciples of Jesus Christ who are overcomers like the Philadelphians (Rev 3:7-12) will be resurrected as spirit beings to become sons in the Family of God to rule in the Kingdom of God, beginning with the earth in the Millennial Age and then the universe into eternity!

Genesis 1:25 tells us that God made animals after their kind, then He made man in His image - basically the God-kind. We are like 'God', for 1 John 3:2 says when Christ is revealed (Second Coming), 'we shall be like Him'. Since the Lord Jesus told Philip that 'He who has seen Me has seen the Father' (John 14:9), we look like God, waiting to be born into His Family (overcomers who passed the tests of trials and tribulations) at the time of resurrection. In this life, the Holy Spirit is God's Seed in us as a deposit for our inheritance until redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22 writes about the God Family (household of God) which is built on the 'foundation of the apostles and the prophets'. He went on to write about ' Jesus as the chief cornerstone and the whole building grows into a holy temple in the Lord' (verse 20-21). This is consistent with Ezekiel's temple vision in chapter 40-48 (more about that in later blogs) and John's vision in Rev 11:1-2. Going on in Ephesians chapter 3, Paul reveals this mystery which was hidden from the beginning of the ages before it was made known to him (obviously by the Lord Jesus Christ) of 'whom the WHOLE FAMILY in heaven and earth is named ' (3:15). As Paul had to undergo great trials to preach this message, all the true disciples of Jesus Christ who obey His commission to do likewise can expect the same.

The question is, 'Are you willing to pay the price to complete the Work of God in these last days?' Do not let Satan deceive you of the truth and keep you in limbo. I can say with confidence from the bottom of my heart, 'I am willing'. For when you truly grasp God's Family Vision for mankind in general and for you in particular, nothing else matters. Amen.

YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY (3)

Salvation through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is central to the gospel message. The primary reason why He came to die, to be buried and resurrected is to save us from condemnation for breaking God's laws and commandments so that we could inherit everlasting life in the Kingdom of God (John 3:16). Without the privilege of ENTERING the Kingdom of God, there is NO SALVATION! That is why the Lord Jesus commanded us to 'seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness' (Matt 6:33) above all else in this life.

The Apostle Paul reveals that ALL (of mankind) will be made alive (1 Cor 15:22). But each one in his own order (verse 23) - meaning to say such resurrection will occur in stages. This is confirmed in Acts 24:15 when it records that there will be a resurrection of the just and the unjust (unbelievers). Christ is the firstfruits, to be followed by all those who are His true followers. This will happen in the FIRST RESURRECTION at His Second Coming for all the saints who are sleeping (dead) and also those who are alive at His Return (1 Cor 15:51; 1 Thess 4:13-17). They will be transformed into immortal spirit beings as sons and daughters of God's ruling family in the Kingdom of God (John 3:5-8). Their reign with Christ will commence from His Second Coming in His Millennial Kingdom and into eternity (Matt 13:43; 1 Cor 15:24-26). All of mankind who had ever lived since the the time of Adam and Eve but who failed to qualify for the First Resurrection will be resurrected as flesh and blood physical bodies (Matt 12:41-42; Acts 24:15; Ezekiel 37) in the Second Resurrection to occur at the end of the Millennial Age (Rev 20:4-6).

The immortal life in the Kingdom of God is made possible through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ' who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). Such revelation is confirmed in Hebrews 2:10-12 for it is Christ 'who brings many sons to glory' and those who are made holy are of the same family of God, whom Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren (brothers), for whom He will declare God's name to His brethren. The Apostle Peter shares that those who enter the Kingdom of God (2 Peter 1:11) will even share God's divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Such is the awesome future to be part of God's family whom He has predestined for all those who would believe and obey Him. Romans 8:19 tells us that 'the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God' - which will happen at the First Resurrection upon the Second Coming of Christ. Then the kingdoms of this world - which are currently ruled or influenced by Satan - will become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever (Rev 11:15; 2 Tim 2:12). All the saints who are overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne (Rev 3:21). That incredible future is what Christ's message of the Kingdom of God is all about!

How then can we attain the goal of entering the Kingdom of God? First and foremost, we must repent of our sins for violating God's law and commandments (1 John 3:4). Then we must believe the good news of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15). The Lord warned of several obstacles that can prevent our entrance into the Kingdom of God. Self-righteousness (Matt 5:20), riches (Matt 19:23-26), greed and lust (Mark 9:47), pride (Luke 18:17), disobedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5) among many others. Simply put, to enter the Kingdom of God one has to be humble, teachable, adopt a childlike attitude with real repentance, baptism and receiving of God's Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Lord reminded us to keep the Kingdom of God in focus (Matt 6:33) and pray (Matt 6:10) in order to overcome these difficulties. When we do so, our outlook in life will be like those of the patriarchs of old as recorded in Hebrews 11. Their lives are centred on the coming Kingdom and not on their present physical well-being as they considered themselves as 'strangers and pilgrims' in the brevity of their mortal lives. Though they all 'died in faith', not having received their promises (of eternal lives) as yet till the First Resurrection (Hebrews 11:13, 39). For the patriarchs were dead and still 'sleeping' in their graves (Acts 2:29-30;2:34; 13:36) which God will reward them abundantly (Hebrews 11:6) in due time.

The Lord Jesus told us that the 'gospel of the Kingdom of God will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come' (Matt 24:14). God's festivals and Holy Days are special observances (Leviticus 23: 2,4) for His people to help us understand Christ's part in the plan of salvation and the eventual establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Those who fail to do so are in clear and present danger of losing the inheritance of the Kingdom which God is glad to give it to those who will believe and obey the message of the Kingdom whom Christ was sent to preach (Luke 12:32; 4:43). For one must be diligent to enter that rest (Hebrews 4:11) - meaning that the seventh millennium (The Millennial Kingdom) is God's plan for mankind to reclaim all that was lost to Satan (Acts 3:21) who will be bound for one thousand years (Rev 20:2-3)during the reign of Christ, but one must work to enter it (Acts 14:22b). The choice is yours - but my advice is to be diligent to bear fruits (John 15:8-9) to be among the chosen and enter the Kingdom of God. For there is no other higher purpose and goal for man in the whole of the universe!

YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY (2)

Throughout the centuries, man has devised all kinds of nuances on the gospel about Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing on the gospel of Christ (the message of the good news of the Kingdom of God) which He was sent by the Heavenly Father to preach to mortal man, beginning with the Israelites (Mark 1:14; Luke 4:43), many believers including well-intentioned bible scholars have mistakenly interpreted the Kingdom of God to be the church, or some kind of spiritual experience that is 'in your heart', 'in your soul' or 'in your mind'. But my previous blogs have already explained that this just do not square with the Holy Scriptures! The Person of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God are two separate matters, albeit they are related, because the Lord Jesus Christ will return at His Second Coming to rule and reign the earth in a physical,corporeal Kingdom for one thousand years as the King of kings and Lord of lords. That is why we (Christians) are told to pray 'Thy Kingdom come' (Matt 6:10).

The Kingdom of God is a ruling body of God Beings (the firstfruits of the resurrected believers to be sons and daughters of God) who will consist of true disciples of Jesus Christ awaken in the first resurrection at the last trumpet call - or if they are still alive at His Return, transformed into spirit beings. These are the chosen and predestined ones who will rule and reign with Christ come the Millennial Age.

Let us look briefly at why Jesus came to earth some 2,000 years ago. While it is true that He came to save mankind from their sins so that they can be reconciled back to God the Father, there are more. Jesus Christ came as the 'second Adam' to qualify to rule in the coming Millennial Age where the 'first Adam' had failed due to disobedience and deception from Satan. That was why He was tested three times in the desert by the evil one. We all know that He passed the test with flying colours (Matt 4:1-11), hence making Him qualify to rule in the coming Kingdom. Following that he preached, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is at hand" (Matt 4:17). He came to announce the 'good news' of the coming Kingdom of God and establish the church to train disciples to rule with Him in the SuperGovernment of God. Jesus did not come to dethrone Satan's world who was, and still is the ruler of this age (2 Cor 4:4). He will come again to save the whole world with His saints who have qualified (overcomers) to rule and reign with Him as He did at His first advent. That is why the church is currently being 'judged' to be so qualified (1 Peter 4:17). Meanwhile, the world will continue with its problems while Satan is still on the throne. But the good news is this - it will not be much longer. This is the hope and future of all mankind which will materialise in the soon coming Millennial Age with the Lord Jesus Christ on the throne!

During the time of the Roman Empire when Jesus walked the earth, the Jews and Pharisees were looking for the Messiah to rescue them from the oppression of their pagan masters - the Roman Government. Many of the Pharisees, including Nicodemus knew who Jesus was (John 3:1-2). However, they were civil servants of the Roman Government called to do their master's bidding. They were afraid that Jesus would be installed King of the Jews and threaten their positions, power and prestige. But they failed to understand that Jesus was not coming as King of kings and Lords of lord then, but probably two millennia later. They thought He was a subversive out to set up a kingdom by the use of force, and they be found guilty of subversion. Though they understood the message of the Kingdom, they misunderstood the nature and timing of it, just like modern theologians. That is why even right up to the time of His ascent to heaven, some of His disciples are still asking Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). His reply - "It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority". For if the Kingdom of God is the church, then this statement is superfluous as the church will be born at Pentecost ten days hence!

The Pharisees knew Jesus was the Messiah, but they failed to understand that there are TWO Messianic appearances - the second to appear some two millennia later. That was why Jesus told Nicodemius that the Kingdom of God will only come after the spiritual rebirth upon resurrection. That was why Jesus made plain to Nicodemius in John 3:5-6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit". Sadly, many theologians spiritualised away as 'that which is in your spirit, in your soul, in your mind' kind of explanation. The Pharisees were familiar with water baptism as they had used it to baptise gentile proselytes converted to Judaism. Continuing from there, Jesus went on to explain about the wind, meaning to say that those born again in the Spirit into the Kingdom of God are invisible and immortal spirit beings (1 Cor 15:53-54). That is why flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50), only spirit beings (born again of God's Spirit) can. And this will only occur to the true disciples in the first resurrection (firstfruits), which is yet in the future (Rev 3:20-21). Hence, the teaching that the church is the Kingdom of God cannot be true.

Folks, do not be deceived by false teachings orchestrated by Satan himself (Rev 12:9). For he does not want you to know the truth or else you be set free (John 8:32)...free from his influence and control over your lives. It is absolutely important to get the truth right from Scriptures firsthand as your eternity destiny and crown (reward) are in clear and present danger (2 John 8)!

YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY (1)

Do you ever wonder why you were born into this world or why you exist in the first place? What is the main purpose of you being here on planet earth, or what is the ultimate goal of your life? I certainly have had my fair share of pondering, wondering what on earth am I here for? While most people are busy carving out a career, making a living or lots of money, others are striving to leave behind some legacies for mankind. Whatever it is and no matter how noble the aspirations, there is still a void that no goals can truly fill. However, all our aspirations of our whole being can only be fully consummated when we know who we are and where we are going... the be all and in all of our being... our ultimate eternal destiny!

All the answers for mankind are found in the Bible, yet the world had been deceived (by the devil) for millennia with the teachings and traditions of man, disguised as the truth. "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work" (2 Thess 2:7) - even more intensely in these last days! The Lord Jesus came to earth to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14) which came from the Father in heaven, but man twisted the message into something else. Only a small flock of Christs' true disciples will understand this (Luke 12:32) while the rest of the world remains blinded to the truth (though some are spiritually blind by choice!). Satan does not want human beings to enjoy what is forever denied to him - membership in the Family of God.

God's plan for mankind is far greater than what man can conceived or imagined. The greatest goal for a disciple of Jesus Christ is to BE BORN INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! And that is to be into God's family as sons and daughters of the living God, with a spirit body that is immortal, invisible, indestructible, that can perform miracles and the supernatural and being holy besides. That is your ultimate eternal destiny! But there is a proviso, and that is to be an overcomer by being obedient to the leading of God's Holy Spirit (Roms 8:9-19).

That is precisely what Jesus Christ came to preach (Luke 4:43; Acts 1:3) and so was the Apostle Paul (Acts 14:19-22; 19:6-8; 20:24-25; 28:23; 28:31). Strangely, many Christians professed to love the Lord Jesus, yet refused to believe His words - for they will receive judgement just as the Lord had warned, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).

Jesus came as a Messenger bringing God's message to the world of the coming Kingdom of God - a super-government that will rule the world upon His Second Coming. In order to qualify one has to first believe that He is the Saviour - the Lamb of God - that will wash away his or her sins. Thereafter, the believer is to learn and understand the truth about this coming Kingdom that was prophesied long before His first advent. Abraham was the first to hear of this Good News - God said to Abraham - 'And in you ALL the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). How could all the families of the earth be blessed unless Christ would have established his government on earth?

Moses prophesied that the Messiah (The Lord Jesus Christ) will come (Deut 18:15) to preach to the whole world at His Second Coming, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in ALL THINGS, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet SHALL BE UTTERLY DESTROYED from among the people. Yes, and ALL the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, and as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days" (Acts 3: 22-24). Most theologians and bible teachers wrongly presume that these verses refer to Christ first advent. But a careful reading of Acts 3 from verses 19 to 26 will reveal clearly this cannot be. How can every soul be destroyed if they failed to obey the Lord, all families of the earth be blessed and turning away every one from their iniquities during this church age? Clearly this had never been and will never be the case until Christ return to set up His government on earth at His Second Coming. All the resurrected saints of the first resurrection from all ages, together with those true disciples living at His return, will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 5:10; 2 Timothy 2:12; Daniel 7:18,22).

David knew of the coming Kingdom of God. He preached it in Psalm 22:28, "For the kingdom is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations". Similarly, in Psalm 67:4, he wrote thus, "Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth". In Psalm 37, he preached that those who wait on the Lord (those who persevered through trials and tribulations) shall inherit the earth (the Millennial Kingdom) penning down this truth FIVE times - verses 9, 11, 22, 29 & 34. Little wonder he is known as the man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

Notice what prophet Isaiah wrote about God's Kingdom and government in Isaiah 9:6-7 , "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the GOVERNMENT will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His GOVERNMENT and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His KINGDOM'. This is also in fulfilment of the Davidic covenant God promised the patriarch (2 Samuel 7: 8-17; 1 Chronicle 17:11-14; Psalm 89:3). It will be a time of peace and righteousness where 'nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn of war anymore' (Isaiah 2:4). During the Millennial Age, even the nature of the animal kingdom will be transformed, 'where the cow and the bear shall graze, their young ones shall lie down together. The lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. They shall not be hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea' (Isaiah 11:7-9).

Prophets like Jeremiah (23:5-6), Ezekiel (36:24-30) and Daniel (2:44) all preached of the coming Kingdom of God. And so do the minor prophets of old - Micah 4:1-8; Zephaniah 3: 14-20; Zechariah 14:1-3, 8-9; Malachi 3:1-3. The Apostle Peter preached in Acts 3:21 that God's message of the Kingdom of God was 'spoken through the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began'.
As a true disciple of Jesus Christ, to do the work of the Heavenly Father, shall one not do likewise? Besides, doing the true work of God will determine your eternal destiny!

Heaven and Hell (5)

In order to fully understand the concept of 'hell', we need to study the meaning of the root word used in scriptures. From the Authorized Version of the English Bible, there are three Greek terms and one Hebrew term translated 'hell' : 1) sheol from the Hebrew and hades from the Greek - both of these terms mean 'the grave'; 2) tartaros from the Greek - it means 'a place of restraint', used in 2 Peter 2:4 referring to fallen angels being held in such dungeon prison awaiting judgment; 3) gehenna which refers to the 'Valley of Hinnom' in Greek - just outside of Jerusalem - could mean 'hell' or 'hell fire'. In the Old testament, the Hebrew term sheol is used and in the New Testament, the term hades is used. Both refer to the same meaning as ' the grave, the pit or the world of the dead'. In a sense, all people who died goes to 'hell', since it is nothing more than the grave!

The Lord Jesus made it plain and simple in John 5:28-29 'Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which ALL who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation'. He did not say 'some' but 'ALL' will resurrect to life - it is only a question of which resurrection (there are three resurrections) one is awaiting. All people will either be resurrected to eternal life or to judgment. David understood that the resurrection was an awakening (Psalm 17:15) - just like coming back to life from the dead!

1 Corinthians 15:54 clearly states : 'So when this corruptible (body of death) has put on incorruption (spirit body) and this mortal (natural life) has put on immortality (eternal life), then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.' If man has an immortal soul that transcends death - residing in either 'heaven' or 'hell', then all the scripture verses make no sense. It is high time we either believe in the eternal word of God or choose to be blinded by deceptions from the 'teachings and traditions of man'.

Some passages in scriptures seem to point to 'eternal hell fire', like what Jesus spoke of in Mark 9:43-48: ' If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched - where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched - where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire - where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched'.

Such terms as 'hell' and 'hell fire' are translated from the Greek word gehenna which represents 'the Valley of Hinnom' (Nehemiah 11:30; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 19:6). That is a place of refuse burning of all things unclean including dead corpses, in a deep narrow gorge in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Just to keep out the foul stench, the fire has to be kept burning to consume all the trash thrown into it. The fires there burn continuously, hence the phrase - 'the fire is not quenched'.

Those corpses that were thrown into the valley that got hung up in the branches and trees that grew on the ledges did not get burn up because they got stuck on the ledges. Instead, such bodies got decomposed through the work of maggots which later became flies - hence the term, 'their worm does not die'.

In Matthew 5:22, Christ warned of those who could be in danger of hell fire; and in 10:28 His warnings to 'fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell'. Both of these instances are translated from the Greek word gehenna to mean hell or hell fire. Such term is used to represent a place of final punishment. The hell fire is in reference to 'the lake of fire' (Revelation 20:14-15). All those who ended up there face the second death - as they suffer complete destruction which will end up as stubble, leaving behind neither root nor branch (Malachi 4:1), and to be ashes under the sole of your feet (Malachi 4:3). Just like the warning in Jeremiah 17:27 about keeping the Sabbath day, failing which the palaces of Jerusalem shall be burnt with fire that will not be quenched, we know that the fire is never everlasting as it had long burnt out.

Another passage in Matthew 25:41 is also not proof of an ever-burning hell. It reads, "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels'.'' The Greek word aionios means 'age-lasting'. Such an event will occur during the Millennium Age when Christ will have returned to set up His Kingdom on earth to rule and reign with His saints. During Christ's 1,000 years rule, Satan and his demons will be bound in the bottomless pit (Rev 20:2-3). The beast and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire at the beginning of the millennium (Rev 19:20) while Satan and his demons were cast into it at the end of the millennium (Rev 20:10). Even for the lake of fire, it is only age-lasting. For when the new heaven and new earth have been purified by fire and the New Jerusalem descend down from heaven (Rev 21:1-2), everything will have faded away into history!

Heaven and Hell (4)

Just as in my previous blogs about heaven, many people - including evangelical preachers - have misconceptions about hell. They think that 'eternal death' is 'eternal life in hell', the lost and wicked will forever be 'burning and suffering but the fire will never be quenched'. But think for a moment, is this what the Bible teaches about the person and character of God? Many wrongly assumed that because God is both a loving Father and one who punishes sin and the wicked, He is one who will send the lost and wicked to 'roast in hell forever'. Is our God one Who burns people for all eternity without ever burning them up? To me, that is a serious misreprecentation of the Person and character of God. Let us explore scriptures to find out the truth.

Most people are ignorant that the concept of an ever-burning hell originates primarily from pagan authors and poets, particularly Dante Alighieri's (1265-1321) famous work on Divine Comedy. This famous poet depicts life in paradise, purgatory and hell which in many aspects run counter to the teachings of the Bible. His view was a carry forward of the famous Greek philospher Plato about the concept of the immortality of the soul, which again is unbiblical.

If hell is a place of eternal suffering, then those who go there must also have eternal life! But the scripture from Romans 6:23 is clear, "For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord". Similarly, John 3:16 says ' that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have eternal life'. It does not say, 'Should not suffer eternal life in hell or torment'. Let truth be told, the punishment of the wicked is death, not eternal life in a place of suffering or torment! But what then is 'death' ? Simply put, it means the absence of life, period.

Such confusion arises because many wrongly believe in the immortality of the human soul. But the Bible teaches that only God has an immortal soul (1 Timothy 6:15-16). Genesis 2:7 (King James) tells us 'that God formed man of the dust of the ground ... and man became a living soul'. In other words, men are souls as our forebear, Adam became a soul - he was not given a soul. The prophet Ezekiel understood this well, "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezek 18:4,20). Solomon in Ecclesiastes penned thus, "For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing" (Eccl 9:5). Hence, death is like sleeping (more like in comatose) with no consciousness of the passage of time and events (Psalm 146:4). So death is the CESSATION of LIFE, not leaving this life for a life in another place, at least not yet!

Consider the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both SOUL and body in hell'. Physical bodies can die and be destroyed in various ways, but souls are destroyed by God in hell!

Job knew this full well when he wrote under the inspiration of God's Spirit, "If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes" (Job 14:14). He answered his own questions in Job 19:25-27, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me". Job knew that after death, he shall wait (sleeping/comatose) for his resurrection and then be born again into a new creation of spirit body (Job 14:14 ...till my CHANGE comes... see 1Corinthinas 15:51 & 52) to be forever with the Lord Jesus Christ ('my Redeemer' in Job 19:25) in the Kingdom of God on earth ('And He shall stand at last on the earth' Job 19:25) at His (Jesus Christ) call and I (Job) will answer (Job 14:15... see 1 Cor 15:52 -last trumpet). Similarly, in Daniel 12:13, the Angel Gabriel told prophet Daniel, "But you, go your way till the end ('end times' we are in right now), for you shall rest (sleep/comatose), and will arise (resurrect) to your inheritance (reward in the Kingdom of God - Super Government of God) at the end of the days (end of the church age).

We can also find such evidences in Psalm 6:5, "For in death there is No rememberance of You (God); In the grave who will give You thanks'. In Psalm 17:15 David wrote, 'as for me, I will see Your face in righteousness (only in the Kingdom of God is there righteousness - Romans 14:17); I shall be satisfied when I awake (resurrecttion) in Your likeness (born again new creation of spirit body that will live forever like our Lord Jesus Christ ... see 1 John 3:2). This is also echoed in Psalm 115:17, "The dead do not praise the Lord. Nor any one who go down into silence (death)". Such biblical evidences point to the truth contrary to popular misconceptions that the dead are either wailing or screaming in hell or praising God in heaven, as such scenarios cannot be considered as 'silence', these are absolutely false!

Heaven and Hell (3)

The idea that man has an immortal soul dates back thousands of years ago, and originates from the Babylonians, Egyptians and the Greeks, particularly Plato. The early Christian writer Origen was one whose writings was influenced by Plato who taught that the soul separates the body upon physical death and lives on 'somewhere' in consciousness. The old fable of the Egyptian god named Osiris was killed and taken to heaven. There he was miraculously resurrected to life and live on blissfully in heaven. Writers thoroughout the centuries had used this to justify that good people go the heaven and bad people go to hell upon death.

But this is contrary to what Jesus and His apostles taught in scriptures! In John 11:11-15, the Lord Jesus told His disciples that 'Lazarus sleeps' (verse 11), but His disciples misunderstood to think that Lazarus was indeed sleeping in the natural state which is good for recuperation when one is unwell. Look at what Jesus said in verse 14, 'Lazarus is dead'. Lazarus' sister Martha knew that her brother will rise again in the resurrection at the last day (verse 25). This goes to show that physical death is like sleep when one has no consciousness of time and events that passed by, for the dead know nothing (Eccl 9:5).

One of the least understood passages come from misquoting the Apostle Paul's statement in Philppians 1; 23-24, 'For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you'. Many assume that Paul was going to meet Christ at the moment of his death. But Paul knew that all the dead in Christ 'have fallen asleep' (1 Thessalonians 4:13), to be resurrected to eternal life at the first resurrection (1 Thess 4:16-17) upon the Return of Jesus Christ.

Later on when he knew of his imminent death (2 Timothy 4:6-8), Paul wrote of the 'crown of righteousness' which will await him when he shall be resurrected at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 8). Paul preached faithfully the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22, 19:8, 20:25, 28:23 & 31), and knew that his hope and reward will occur at 'His appearing on the day of His Coming' and not at the moment of death!

Some will inevitably ask, then what is the message of the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man in Luke 16:19-31, isn't it talking about going to heaven and hell? In the context of the passage preceding this, Christ was telling the Pharisees about serving God and mammon (money), that what is esteemed highly by men is despicable in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). Hence, this parable is an allegory on a lesson about handling worldly wealth in this life in the light of the resurrection since the Pharisees were unconvinced about what Jesus had taught them earlier.

Notice that this parable about Lazarus and the Rich Man says nothing about heaven and an ever-burning hell, but rather teaches about the resurrection of the dead. It teaches that the righteous like Lazarus, will one day be resurrected with Abraham to sit in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 8:11) - in Abraham's bosom (verse 22). The great gulf or chasm that separates Abraham and the Rich Man (verse 26) could refer to sin that cuts the Rich Man off from God and time that separate them since Abraham and Lazarus will be in the first resurrection to eternal life but not the Rich Man in the parable. The Rich Man was buried and resurrected to physical life (he lifted up his eyes - verse 23) probably in the third resurrection to face the prospect of a second death in the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:14). That could account for his torment - probably mental torture - after realising his destiny. If the Rich Man had gone into hellfire shortly after death, would Abraham used the phrase, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime' (verse 25). Note that hell is nothing more than the grave and is not hellfire as no amount of water droplets will cool such a fire (verse 24)!

In Revelation 4:8, it was recorded that there are twenty-four elders worshipping God and cast their crowns before the throne. Some mistaken them to be the saved souls living in heaven. Truth is, they are the angels numbering in the 'ten thousand times ten thousands' (Rev 5:11) ruling in heaven with God. The casting of their crowns is symbolic of the angelic beings relinquishing their positions of authority to the Lord Jesus Christ who will then establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth with His saints (Rev 3:21, 5:10, 11:15).