The Restitution Of All Things A.K.A. Universalism

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FineLinen

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"Everlasting Destruction"=

In order to understand this phrase we must first look closely at the root words on which the English is based. We should start with “everlasting” which is the Greek word aionios (Strong’s number 166). I refer you to Hope Beyond Hell Chapter one and its accompanying notes, which you will find in the Third Edition only. It will be available soon as a free download. We hope to release it in September 2012. Email me for updates on its release.

Also we need to look at the Greek word for “destruction”

which is olethros (Strong’s number 3639). For this I refer you to Dr. Marvin Vincent D.D. Balwin Professor of Sacred Literature, Union Theological Seminary New York published in 1887. Here is his quote from Volume IV, in Word Studies in the New Testament pages 58 – 62. He expounds on olethron aionion in 2Th. 1:9:

‘Aion, transliterated aeon, is a period of longer or shorter duration, having a beginning and an end, and complete in itself. Aristotle (peri ouravou, i. 9,15) says: “The period which includes the whole time of one’s life is called the aeon of each one.”

Hence it often means the life of a man, as in Homer, where one’s life (aion) is said to leave him or to consume away (Iliad v. 685; Odyssey v. 160). It is not, however, limited to human life; it signifies any period in the course of events, as the period or age before Christ; the period of the millenium; the mythological period before the beginnings of history. The word has not “a stationary and mechanical value” (De Quincey). It does not mean a period of a fixed length for all cases. There are as many aeons as entities, the respective durations of which are fixed by the normal conditions of the several entities. There is one aeon of a human life, another of the life of a nation, another of a crow’s life, another of an oak’s life. The length of the aeon depends on the subject to which it is attached.

It is sometimes translated world; world represents a period or a series of periods of time.

See Matt 12:32; 13:40,49; Luke 1:70; 1 Cor 1:20; 2:6; Eph 1:21. Similarly oi aiones, the worlds, the universe, the aggregate of the ages or periods, and their contents which are included in the duration of the world. 1 Cor 2:7; 10:11; Heb 1:2; 9:26; 11:3. The word always carries the notion of time, and not of eternity. It always means a period of time. Otherwise it would be impossible to account for the plural, or for such qualifying expressions as this age, or the age to come. It does not mean something endless or everlasting. To deduce that meaning from its relation to aei is absurd; for, apart from the fact that the meaning of a word is not definitely fixed by its derivation, aei does not signify endless duration. When the writer of the Pastoral Epistles quotes the saying that the Cretans are always (aei) liars (Tit. 1:12), he surely does not mean that the Cretans will go on lying to all eternity. See also Acts 7:51; 2 Cor. 4:11; 6:10; Heb 3:10; 1 Pet. 3:15. Aei means habitually or continually within the limit of the subject’s life. In our colloquial dialect everlastingly is used in the same way. “The boy is everlastingly tormenting me to buy him a drum.”

In the New Testament the history of the world is conceived as developed through a succession of aeons.

A series of such aeons precedes the introduction of a new series inaugurated by the Christian dispensation, and the end of the world and the second coming of Christ are to mark the beginning of another series. Eph. 1:21; 2:7; 3:9,21; 1 Cor 10:11; compare Heb. 9:26. He includes the series of aeons in one great aeon, ‘o aion ton aionon, the aeon of the aeons (Eph. 3:21); and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews describe the throne of God as enduring unto the aeon of the aeons (Heb 1:8). The plural is also used, aeons of the aeons, signifying all the successive periods which make up the sum total of the ages collectively. Rom. 16:27; Gal. 1:5; Philip. 4:20, etc. This plural phrase is applied by Paul to God only.

Continued Below

http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/faq-17-what-does-“everlasting-destruction”-mean-2thes-19/
"Everlasting Destruction"=

In order to understand this phrase we must first look closely at the root words on which the English is based. We should start with “everlasting” which is the Greek word aionios (Strong’s number 166). I refer you to Hope Beyond Hell Chapter one and its accompanying notes, which you will find in the Third Edition only. It will be available soon as a free download. We hope to release it in September 2012. Email me for updates on its release.

Also we need to look at the Greek word for “destruction”

which is olethros (Strong’s number 3639). For this I refer you to Dr. Marvin Vincent D.D. Balwin Professor of Sacred Literature, Union Theological Seminary New York published in 1887. Here is his quote from Volume IV, in Word Studies in the New Testament pages 58 – 62. He expounds on olethron aionion in 2Th. 1:9:

‘Aion, transliterated aeon, is a period of longer or shorter duration, having a beginning and an end, and complete in itself. Aristotle (peri ouravou, i. 9,15) says: “The period which includes the whole time of one’s life is called the aeon of each one.”

Hence it often means the life of a man, as in Homer, where one’s life (aion) is said to leave him or to consume away (Iliad v. 685; Odyssey v. 160). It is not, however, limited to human life; it signifies any period in the course of events, as the period or age before Christ; the period of the millenium; the mythological period before the beginnings of history. The word has not “a stationary and mechanical value” (De Quincey). It does not mean a period of a fixed length for all cases. There are as many aeons as entities, the respective durations of which are fixed by the normal conditions of the several entities. There is one aeon of a human life, another of the life of a nation, another of a crow’s life, another of an oak’s life. The length of the aeon depends on the subject to which it is attached.

It is sometimes translated world; world represents a period or a series of periods of time.

See Matt 12:32; 13:40,49; Luke 1:70; 1 Cor 1:20; 2:6; Eph 1:21. Similarly oi aiones, the worlds, the universe, the aggregate of the ages or periods, and their contents which are included in the duration of the world. 1 Cor 2:7; 10:11; Heb 1:2; 9:26; 11:3. The word always carries the notion of time, and not of eternity. It always means a period of time. Otherwise it would be impossible to account for the plural, or for such qualifying expressions as this age, or the age to come. It does not mean something endless or everlasting. To deduce that meaning from its relation to aei is absurd; for, apart from the fact that the meaning of a word is not definitely fixed by its derivation, aei does not signify endless duration. When the writer of the Pastoral Epistles quotes the saying that the Cretans are always (aei) liars (Tit. 1:12), he surely does not mean that the Cretans will go on lying to all eternity. See also Acts 7:51; 2 Cor. 4:11; 6:10; Heb 3:10; 1 Pet. 3:15. Aei means habitually or continually within the limit of the subject’s life. In our colloquial dialect everlastingly is used in the same way. “The boy is everlastingly tormenting me to buy him a drum.”

In the New Testament the history of the world is conceived as developed through a succession of aeons.

A series of such aeons precedes the introduction of a new series inaugurated by the Christian dispensation, and the end of the world and the second coming of Christ are to mark the beginning of another series. Eph. 1:21; 2:7; 3:9,21; 1 Cor 10:11; compare Heb. 9:26. He includes the series of aeons in one great aeon, ‘o aion ton aionon, the aeon of the aeons (Eph. 3:21); and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews describe the throne of God as enduring unto the aeon of the aeons (Heb 1:8). The plural is also used, aeons of the aeons, signifying all the successive periods which make up the sum total of the ages collectively. Rom. 16:27; Gal. 1:5; Philip. 4:20, etc. This plural phrase is applied by Paul to God only.

Continued Below

http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/faq-17-what-does-“everlasting-destruction”-mean-2thes-19/
 
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Pneuma3

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Many believe that every knee bowing and tongue confessing is done by compunction, let see if that view holds any water.


Bow and confess



I waited a few days before posting this as I was hoping to see if those who believe in eternal torment or annihilation would acknowledge the truth concerning the words bow and confess, that they mean to bow in religious veneration and confess in praise. So as it seems none of them who believe in eternal torment or annihilation won't bother to actually look up the words bow and confess or refuse to acknowledge the truth concerning the words bow and confess, I post this for the reader.



Concerning the word Bow





Vine's states



1. kampto (2578), “to bend,” is used especially of bending the knees in religious veneration





Strong's states



2578 kampto { kamp’-to}



apparently a primary verb; TDNT - 3:594,413; v



AV - bow 4; 4



GK - 2828 { kavmptw }



1) to bend, bow, the knee (the knees)

1a) to one

1a1) in honour of one

1a2) in religious veneration

1b) used of worshippers

2) to bow one’s self



Vincent's word studies



At the name of Jesus ( ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι )

Rev., better, in the name. The name means here the personal name; but as including all that is involved in the name. See on Matthew 28:19. Hence the salutation is not at the name of Jesus, as by bowing when the name is uttered, but, as Ellicott rightly says: “the spiritual sphere, the holy element as it were, in which every prayer is to be offered and every knee to bow







Kampto/bow is 4 times in scripture and is only used for religious veneration.



Romans 11:4

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.



Romans 14:11

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.



Ephesians 3:14

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,



Philippians 2:10

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;



Thus we can see that bow/kampto is only used in religious veneration.



So does the argument made by those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation, that the bowing spoken of here is doe by compulsion hold any truth? It hold no truth whatsoever.



When a belief has to change not only the meaning of the word to something completely different or substitute the word used with another word it should be clear that those who do so, do so from bias toward what they want to believe.



The word for compulsory bowing is sunkampto and those who hold to eternal torment and annihilation must change kampto to sunkempto in order for the scripture to suit their bias.







2. sunkampto (4781) signifies “to bend completely together, to bend down by compulsory force



Therefore as everyone can see kampto/bow spoken of here is used in religious veneration, and as bowing is used in religious veneration what then can the confession be?



Can it be by compulsion as those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation say it is?



Hardly, for as the bowing is done in religious veneration the confession cannot be compulsory but must be done in praise and adoration.



Let see if this is true.







Concerning the word Confess





Strong's



1843 exomologeo { ex-om-ol-og-eh’-o}



from 1537 and 3670; TDNT - 5:199,687; v



AV - confess 8, thank 2, promise 1; 11



GK - 2018 { ejxomologevw }



1) to confess

2) to profess

2a) acknowledge openly and joyfully

2b) to one’s honour: to celebrate, give praise to

2c) to profess that one will do something, to promise, agree, engage







Vincent's word studies



Shall confess ( ἐξομολογήσεται )

Primarily, to acknowledge, confess, or profess from ( ἐξ ) the heart. To make a confession to one's honor; thence to praise. So Luke 10:21(Rev., in margin, praise for thank ); Romans 15:9. Here, as Rev. in margin, shall give praise.





Vine's



2. exomologeo (1843), ek, “out,” intensive, and No. 1, and accordingly stronger than No. 1, “to confess forth,” i.e., “freely, openly,” is used (a) “of a public acknowledgment or confession of sins,” Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5; Acts 19:18; Jas. 5:16; (b) “to profess or acknowledge openly,” Matt. 11:25 (translated “thank,” but indicating the fuller idea); Phil. 2:11 (some mss. have it in Rev. 3:5: see No. 1); (c) “to confess by way of celebrating, giving praise,” Rom. 14:11; 15:9. In Luke 10:21, it is translated “I thank,” the true meaning being “I gladly acknowledge.” In Luke 22:6 it signifies to consent (rv), for kjv, “promised.



So as we can see the confession is made from the heart in celebration and praise.



Those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation would have us believe the confession here is not made from the heart and is not done in praise, however again they would have to use a different word in order to get that understanding.



The word in question is exomologeo/confess and those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation must change it to homologeo/confess to back up their bias doctrines.



Let's take a look.





1. homologeo (3670), lit., “to speak the same thing” (homos, “same,” lego, “to speak”), “to assent, accord, agree with,” denotes, (a) “to confess, declare, admit,” John 1:20; e.g., Acts 24:14; Heb. 11:13; (b) “to confess by way of admitting oneself guilty of what one is accused of, the result of inward conviction,” 1 John 1:9; (c) “to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts,” Matt. 7:23; 10:32 (twice) and Luke 12:8 (see next par.); John 9:22; 12:42; Acts 23:8; Rom. 10:9-10 (“confession is made”); 1 Tim. 6:12 (rv); Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:23; 4:2, 15; 2 John 7 (in John’s epistle it is the necessary antithesis to Gnostic doceticism); Rev. 3:5, in the best mss. (some have No. 2 here); (d) “to confess by way of celebrating with praise,” Heb. 13:15; (e) “to promise,” Matt. 14:7.

In Matt. 10:32 and Luke 12:8 the construction of this verb with en, “in,” followed by the dative case of the personal pronoun, has a special significance, namely, to “confess” in a person’s name, the nature of the “confession” being determined by the context, the suggestion being to make a public “confession.” Thus the statement, “every one … who shall confess Me (lit. “in Me,” i.e., in My case) before men, him (lit., “in him,” i.e., in his case) will I also confess before My Father … ,” conveys the thought of “confessing” allegiance to Christ as one’s Master and Lord, and, on the other hand, of acknowledgment, on His part, of the faithful one as being His worshipper and servant, His loyal follower; this is appropriate to the original idea in homologeo of being identified in thought or language. See proefess, promise, thank.



Now what is worth noticing here is that exomologeo is used in a stronger sense then homologeo, which is the word those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation believe the confession use here to be.



Therefore when we take the scriptures, and the meaning of the words used in the scriptures, we can all see (some will acknowledge it, others will not)that the doctrines of eternal torment and annihilation do not conform to what the scriptures state, but make what the scriptures state conform to their doctrine.



So what is the true meaning of the scriptures used here?



Philippians 2:10-11

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (in religious veneration), of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess ( in praise and adoration) that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 
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FineLinen

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The Sheep & The Goats

http://jonathanmitchellnewtestament.com/jonathan-s-writings/the-sheep-and-the-goats/

It seems to us that since Jesus is speaking in terms of sheep and kids (i.e., IMMATURE goats), that the words "herds" or "multitudes" may be more appropriate for this passage. All along, up to this point in these sayings, He has been referring to His people, His household. A kid was a clean animal and could be used in a sacrifice. He was not severing the sheep from the dogs or the swine. He was separating the sheep away from the kids. This is something habitually done; and again, both groups are clean animals, were used in sacrifices, and are a part of the Shepherd's herd. We submit that this gathering is the same assembling spoken of in ch. 24:31. If you insist on the word being translated "nations," then I suggest a word of clarity be added and it read, "gathered [from] all the nations." This sense seems consistent to the entire passage.

Further, it would seem from the picture being drawn that since the "Shepherd" is severing one species from another, that it is evident that both up to this point have been a part of His herd. Jesus is here using this figure to once again show that when He is coming He makes a distinction and a decision: such as between the wise and the stupid, or between the faithful and the useless, as we just discussed, above.

This is a time of reward for good, or the suffering of loss. A.E. Knoch has well pointed out the absence of “believing” as being an ingredient in this figure. All that is discussed is good works, or the absence thereof. The parable is not about “eternal salvation,” but about a judgment upon the Jewish leadership, and upon the Jewish Zealots who rebelled against Rome in A.D. 66. Cf Josephus, Wars of the Jews. It is also about Christ’s sheep (His followers) receiving “the Father's promise (or: the promise pertaining to, and from, the Father; or, as a genitive of apposition: the promise which is the Father)” (Acts 1:4).
 
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FineLinen

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Many believe that every knee bowing and tongue confessing is done by compunction, let see if that view holds any water.

Bow and confess

I waited a few days before posting this as I was hoping to see if those who believe in eternal torment or annihilation would acknowledge the truth concerning the words bow and confess, that they mean to bow in religious veneration and confess in praise. So as it seems none of them who believe in eternal torment or annihilation won't bother to actually look up the words bow and confess or refuse to acknowledge the truth concerning the words bow and confess, I post this for the reader.

Concerning the word Bow

Vine's states

1. kampto (2578), “to bend,” is used especially of bending the knees in religious veneration

Strong's states

2578 kampto { kamp’-to}

apparently a primary verb; TDNT - 3:594,413; v

AV - bow 4; 4

GK - 2828 { kavmptw }

1) to bend, bow, the knee (the knees)

1a) to one

1a1) in honour of one

1a2) in religious veneration

1b) used of worshippers

2) to bow one’s self

Vincent's word studies

At the name of Jesus ( ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι )

Rev., better, in the name. The name means here the personal name; but as including all that is involved in the name. See on Matthew 28:19. Hence the salutation is not at the name of Jesus, as by bowing when the name is uttered, but, as Ellicott rightly says: “the spiritual sphere, the holy element as it were, in which every prayer is to be offered and every knee to bow

Kampto/bow is 4 times in scripture and is only used for religious veneration.

Romans 11:4

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

Romans 14:11

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Ephesians 3:14

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippians 2:10

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Thus we can see that bow/kampto is only used in religious veneration.
So does the argument made by those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation, that the bowing spoken of here is doe by compulsion hold any truth? It hold no truth whatsoever.

When a belief has to change not only the meaning of the word to something completely different or substitute the word used with another word it should be clear that those who do so, do so from bias toward what they want to believe.

The word for compulsory bowing is sunkampto and those who hold to eternal torment and annihilation must change kampto to sunkempto in order for the scripture to suit their bias.

2. sunkampto (4781) signifies “to bend completely together, to bend down by compulsory force

Therefore as everyone can see kampto/bow spoken of here is used in religious veneration, and as bowing is used in religious veneration what then can the confession be?

Can it be by compulsion as those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation say it is?

Hardly, for as the bowing is done in religious veneration the confession cannot be compulsory but must be done in praise and adoration.

Let see if this is true.

Concerning the word Confess

Strong's

1843 exomologeo { ex-om-ol-og-eh’-o}

from 1537 and 3670; TDNT - 5:199,687; v

AV - confess 8, thank 2, promise 1; 11

GK - 2018 { ejxomologevw }

1) to confess

2) to profess

2a) acknowledge openly and joyfully

2b) to one’s honour: to celebrate, give praise to

2c) to profess that one will do something, to promise, agree, engage

Vincent's word studies

Shall confess ( ἐξομολογήσεται )

Primarily, to acknowledge, confess, or profess from ( ἐξ ) the heart. To make a confession to one's honor; thence to praise. So Luke 10:21(Rev., in margin, praise for thank ); Romans 15:9. Here, as Rev. in margin, shall give praise.

Vine's

2. exomologeo (1843), ek, “out,” intensive, and No. 1, and accordingly stronger than No. 1, “to confess forth,” i.e., “freely, openly,” is used (a) “of a public acknowledgment or confession of sins,” Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5; Acts 19:18; Jas. 5:16; (b) “to profess or acknowledge openly,” Matt. 11:25 (translated “thank,” but indicating the fuller idea); Phil. 2:11 (some mss. have it in Rev. 3:5: see No. 1); (c) “to confess by way of celebrating, giving praise,” Rom. 14:11; 15:9. In Luke 10:21, it is translated “I thank,” the true meaning being “I gladly acknowledge.” In Luke 22:6 it signifies to consent (rv), for kjv, “promised.

So as we can see the confession is made from the heart in celebration and praise.

Those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation would have us believe the confession here is not made from the heart and is not done in praise, however again they would have to use a different word in order to get that understanding.

The word in question is exomologeo/confess and those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation must change it to homologeo/confess to back up their bias doctrines.

Let's take a look.

1. homologeo (3670), lit., “to speak the same thing” (homos, “same,” lego, “to speak”), “to assent, accord, agree with,” denotes, (a) “to confess, declare, admit,” John 1:20; e.g., Acts 24:14; Heb. 11:13; (b) “to confess by way of admitting oneself guilty of what one is accused of, the result of inward conviction,” 1 John 1:9; (c) “to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts,” Matt. 7:23; 10:32 (twice) and Luke 12:8 (see next par.); John 9:22; 12:42; Acts 23:8; Rom. 10:9-10 (“confession is made”); 1 Tim. 6:12 (rv); Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:23; 4:2, 15; 2 John 7 (in John’s epistle it is the necessary antithesis to Gnostic doceticism); Rev. 3:5, in the best mss. (some have No. 2 here); (d) “to confess by way of celebrating with praise,” Heb. 13:15; (e) “to promise,” Matt. 14:7.

In Matt. 10:32 and Luke 12:8 the construction of this verb with en, “in,” followed by the dative case of the personal pronoun, has a special significance, namely, to “confess” in a person’s name, the nature of the “confession” being determined by the context, the suggestion being to make a public “confession.” Thus the statement, “every one … who shall confess Me (lit. “in Me,” i.e., in My case) before men, him (lit., “in him,” i.e., in his case) will I also confess before My Father … ,” conveys the thought of “confessing” allegiance to Christ as one’s Master and Lord, and, on the other hand, of acknowledgment, on His part, of the faithful one as being His worshipper and servant, His loyal follower; this is appropriate to the original idea in homologeo of being identified in thought or language. See proefess, promise, thank.

Now what is worth noticing here is that exomologeo is used in a stronger sense then homologeo, which is the word those who believe in eternal torment and annihilation believe the confession use here to be.

Therefore when we take the scriptures, and the meaning of the words used in the scriptures, we can all see (some will acknowledge it, others will not)that the doctrines of eternal torment and annihilation do not conform to what the scriptures state, but make what the scriptures state conform to their doctrine.

So what is the true meaning of the scriptures used here?

Philippians 2:10-11

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (in religious veneration), of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess ( in praise and adoration) that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 
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FineLinen

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In would add only one word. The koine is not "at" but "in"! Much thanks Pneuma.

Plus

In Philippians chapter 2 we read of every knee and every tongue bowing in confession & worship IN the Name of all names. That worship is by all beings in the heavens, the earth & the underworld.

The foundation for Phil. 2 is Isaiah. Our friend, Jonathan Mitchell writes this......

For it has been written, "I, Myself, am continuously living. The Lord [= Yahweh] is saying that in Me (by Me; to Me; for Me) every knee will repeatedly bend in worship, or, to sit down (or: I live, says the Lord, because every knee will repeatedly bend to sit down in Me), and every tongue will continue to agree, bind itself and promise to God (speak out of the same word in God; publicly acclaim/acknowledge God; openly profess by God)." [Isa. 45:23]
 
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FineLinen

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ALL of us believe that the bondage to evil that causes people to DO evil to one another MUST be gotten rid of in some way.

We just differ on the means, and what that will look like. For me, Jesus set us free, but until we fully enter into that freedom, we still continue to do evil – to obey our old master, sin. Paul said that if he continued to do what he hated (evil) then it was no longer he who did it, but sin that dwelt in him, and that only through Christ could he become free. But what about people who LIKE doing evil, who don’t WANT to be set free from it? God will not rip that thing they love out of their being, but He may burn it out by allowing His presence to be experienced by His rebellious, hateful children in the natural way it WOULD be experienced by those who (as Jason says) choose, because they WANT to so choose, to fondle their sins. They must pay (as GMac says) the uttermost farthing – which is to say, they must tender the forgiveness of their brethren that is owed, the repentance and sorrow for sin that is owed, etc. Otherwise they do stay in prison with the tormenters. (their guilt? their hate? their own filthiness?) At last resort, if they still refuse to let go that nasty pet they’ve been stroking, they must even suffer the outer darkness. God will remove Himself from them to the extent that He can do so without causing their existence to cease.

As Tom Talbot points out so well, no sane person of free will (and the child must be sane and informed to have freedom) could possibly choose ultimate horror over ultimate delight throughout the unending ages.

This, along with the things many of us experience in this life, IS the meaning of hell to me. I make it a point to explain to people (if I’m given that much of a hearing) that we will all experience “fire” to the extent we need it. I no longer think (and I always thought it strange) that we are somehow “sealed in righteousness” at death. Where do we find this in the scriptures?

IMO the only way to be sealed in righteousness is to be of the same opinion as God – to HATE sin so much that it is impossible we should ever be willing or coerced to engage in it.

https://forum.evangelicaluniversalist.com/t/why-affirm-belief-in-hell/4967/12
 
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FineLinen

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Judgment=

JUDGMENT

First of all, consider the meanings of the Greek word family from which was derived the term “judgment.” My translation offers the different nuances and implications of these different Greek words. Meditate on what is meant about the process that is involved so that you can see what the New Testament is actually saying when it uses these terms:

Krinō
– to separate off, divide out, in order to evaluate, determine and make a decision; to

judge

Krisis – the process or action of evaluating, determining and making a decision; judging

Krima – the result or effect of making a decision and judging; judgment

Katakrinō – to decide against, to make a down-judgment; to condemn

Katakrima – the result or effect of having been judged against or condemned

-Continued below-

Eternal (Eonian) Life - All - Judgment - Jonathan Mitchell's Writings
 
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Judgement=

JUDGMENT

First of all, consider the meanings of the Greek word family from which was derived the term “judgment.” My translation offers the different nuances and implications of these different Greek words. Meditate on what is meant about the process that is involved so that you can see what the New Testament is actually saying when it uses these terms:

Krinō
– to separate off, divide out, in order to evaluate, determine and make a decision; to

judge

Krisis – the process or action of evaluating, determining and making a decision; judging

Krima – the result or effect of making a decision and judging; judgment

Katakrinō – to decide against, to make a down-judgment; to condemn

Katakrima – the result or effect of having been judged against or condemned

-Continued below-

http://jonathanmitchellnewtestament.com/jonathan-s-writings/eternal-eonian-life/
to me, lately, i just want to let go of the fear... the fear of it all, and trust God to be GOOD.

about a month ago, a scripture passed thru my mind, something about passing out of judgement and death and entering into life.

i thought 'well, whew!!'... but how does one know when this happens? or did it all happen, 2000 years ago?

why does the devil go on hurting us, when Jesus defeated him, 2000 years ago?

when does stuff happen? and what are the prerequisites in each of our lives?

'submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee'

when??? for the love of all that's good and holy, will the devil flee??? what are the prerequisites??

oh? there are no prerequisites? it's finished?

why does it go on then?

the book of revelation is a book about our personal journey in Christ?

well, that's a relief, it now makes sense THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!!
 
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to me, lately, i just want to let go of the fear... the fear of it all, and trust God to be GOOD.

about a month ago, a scripture passed thru my mind, something about passing out of judgement and death and entering into life.

i thought 'well, whew!!'... but how does one know when this happens? or did it all happen, 2000 years ago?

why does the devil go on hurting us, when Jesus defeated him, 2000 years ago?

when does stuff happen? and what are the prerequisites in each of our lives?

'submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee'

when??? for the love of all that's good and holy, will the devil flee??? what are the prerequisites??

oh? there are no prerequisites? it's finished?

why does it go on then?

the book of revelation is a book about our personal journey in Christ?

well, that's a relief, it now makes sense THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!!

Well, there you are dear lady. I wish F.L. could tell you how little I understand! The entire world of Abba is shrouded in mystery from beginning to ending! The one requirement for us who are grasped by a Higher Hope is trust Me. In the end all of us from least to greatest will know our God can be trusted with a capital "T".

You do know how much we love you and your contribution to this wee link, don't you!

“We must go out into a desert of some kind (your backyard will do) and come into a personal experience of the awesome love of God.”

Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out
 
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FineLinen

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“The same God who loves us as we are also loves us to much to leave us as we are. Perhaps because we tend to hold to ideas about God that reflect our own suppositions and fears, more than God's self-revelation. We reduce God to our own dimensions, ascribing to him our own reactions and responses, especially our own petty and conditional kind of love, and so end up believing in a God cast in our own image and likeness.

But the true God, the living God, is entirely "other":. Precisely from this radical otherness derives the inscrutable and transcendent nature of divine love-- for which our limited human love is but a distant metaphor. God's love is much more than our human love simply multiplied and expanded. God's love for us will ever be mystery; unfathomable, awesome, entirely beyond human expectation.

Precisely because God's love is something "no eyes has seen, nor ear heard nor the heart of man conceived" (1 Cor 2:9), Mother Teresa meditated on it continuously, and encouraged us to do the same, to continue plumbing this mystery more deeply. To this end she invites us: "Try to deepen your understanding of these two words, 'Thirst of God.;”
Joseph Langford
 
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Well, there you are dear lady. I wish F.L. could tell you how little I understand! The entire world of Abba is shrouded in mystery from beginning to ending! The one requirement for us who are grasped by a Higher Hope is trust Me. In the end all of us from least to greatest will know our God can be trusted with a capital "T".

You do know how much we love you and your contribution to this wee link, don't you!
i daresay that i've been more of a disturbance than a contribution, by the royal 'we' over here, love you back! <3 the royal we is me and my dog. :)

we do have a MUCH higher hope than mainstreamers have, but still i can't help feeling it should be higher.

did i mention that God said that to me once? years ago, when i was trying to seek God first thing in the morning, coz my mentor told me to... and i would rebel and find it impossible... so one night i got all stubborn about it, and i said 'TOMORROW MORNING, GOD... YOU AND ME!!!'

and the next morning, the second i gained a bit of consciousness and opened my eyes, God practically YELLED at me (not audibly, but you know how 'loud' He can be, i'm sure)... the instant i opened my eyes, God cried out 'TRUST ME!!!!' and He was sobbing, and so upset that i had to go thru all the HELL i was going thru...

now i didn't know that i WASN'T trusting Him, but those were the days that i paced the floor in terror of eternal torment... so yeah, how CAN one trust a God that promises THAT to nearly everyone. and yes, i DID read who was included in the lake of fire, no it's not just unbelievers.

now, i'm sitting here these days, wondering HOW i can trust in Him PERFECTLY in a world full of suffering, and the fact that 'a little bit' of hell might still happen after death... and i feel like crying.

i know what Jesus is like... He is tender beyond belief, so beautiful... but somehow the little bit of hell, gets in the way of me trusting Him... that makes me cry too.
 
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i daresay that i've been more of a disturbance than a contribution, by the royal 'we' over here, love you back! <3 the royal we is me and my dog. :)

we do have a MUCH higher hope than mainstreamers have, but still i can't help feeling it should be higher.

did i mention that God said that to me once? years ago, when i was trying to seek God first thing in the morning, coz my mentor told me to... and i would rebel and find it impossible... so one night i got all stubborn about it, and i said 'TOMORROW MORNING, GOD... YOU AND ME!!!'

and the next morning, the second i gained a bit of consciousness and opened my eyes, God practically YELLED at me (not audibly, but you know how 'loud' He can be, i'm sure)... the instant i opened my eyes, God cried out 'TRUST ME!!!!' and He was sobbing, and so upset that i had to go thru all the HELL i was going thru...

now i didn't know that i WASN'T trusting Him, but those were the days that i paced the floor in terror of eternal torment... so yeah, how CAN one trust a God that promises THAT to nearly everyone. and yes, i DID read who was included in the lake of fire, no it's not just unbelievers.

now, i'm sitting here these days, wondering HOW i can trust in Him PERFECTLY in a world full of suffering, and the fact that 'a little bit' of hell might still happen after death... and i feel like crying.

i know what Jesus is like... He is tender beyond belief, so beautiful... but somehow the little bit of hell, gets in the way of me trusting Him... that makes me cry too.
 
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FineLinen

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Will any of us hear a more pleasant sound coming our way? The love of God is the foundation for each of our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. My friends God loves you, and His destined purpose is to have you back into fellowship with Him in fullness!

"..so abundant was God's grace, the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us, when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it—the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him. In Him we also have been made heirs, having been chosen beforehand in accordance with the intention of Him whose might carries out in everything the design of His own will, so that we should be devoted to the extolling of His glorious attributes.."
 
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A persons destiny beyond human choices.

http://jonathanmitchellnewtestament.com/jonathan-s-writings/the-willful-rebel/

"No one is able (or: is presently having power) to come toward Me unless the Father –

the One sending Me – should drag him [as with a net] (or: draw him [as drawing water in a bucket or a sword from its sheath]), and I Myself will raise him up (resurrect him; stand him back up again) within (or: in union with) the Last Day."
 
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Down through the tedious ages of time man's heart has been cheered at the thought of the boundless love of God, and in his soul there has often been touched a responsive chord to that wonderful love. So compelling is this love that it is often felt by the most unfortunate and seemingly hopeless of mortals. Some years ago after the patient in a certain room in one of the mental institutions of our land had found release from his pathetic earthly sojourn, and his room was being readied for another unfortunate occupant, the attendants found scrawled on the walls of the room the following profound lines:

"Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade: To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole Though stretched from sky to sky."

In his saner moments this poor, troubled soul had poured out his simple heart of love to his God.

In the ensuing years these lines were often quoted, and many hearts were touched. Early in the twentieth century an additional two stanzas and chorus, with a simple melody, were written by F. M. Lehman, using the foregoing as a climax in the third stanza. The melody was harmonized by his daughter, Mrs. W. W. Mays. It was nearly twenty years later that the song first "caught fire," and people in all walks of life began singing it.

The Rest Of The Story

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1950/09/the-story-of-the-love-of-god
 
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“The same God who loves us as we are also loves us to much to leave us as we are. Perhaps because we tend to hold to ideas about God that reflect our own suppositions and fears, more than God's self-revelation. We reduce God to our own dimensions, ascribing to him our own reactions and responses, especially our own petty and conditional kind of love, and so end up believing in a God cast in our own image and likeness.

Where do you find all these great quotes, brother. Keep them coming.
 
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