The Evangelical Universalist Forum

The Lake of Fire Defined???

Evangelical Universalism Arguments for Evangelical Universalism
#21

Meanwhile, good article find from Bert Gary, Carol! He actually pulls things together a little more than I do! (I’ve heard about the sea of crystal being the basin of washing, and of the basin of washing being the sea of glass mixed with fire, and obviously I’ve connected the latter with the lake of fire; but I hadn’t made the full connections yet.)

One thing I would add (that I pointed out elsewhere on the forum analyzing the connections) is that in the Greek of Rev 15, the people standing on the lake have come out from the beast and out from the number of his name and out from his image (i.e. from idolatry to him), having become conquerors: just as Christ had earlier exhorted sinning church members (in the opening epistles) to stop it and become conquerors instead.

I thought it was interesting that he quoted Peter Kreeft, who’s a Roman Catholic apologist. I somewhat doubt the RCC would put things quite the same way he does, concerning hell! (Purgatory, yes; hell per se, no.)

#22

Yeah, as I was posting this I was thinking of the other thread talking about christians being refined in the fire who haven’t died to the flesh, the non-overcomers. I think there may be some linkage between the levite priesthood and the majority of christians/carnal christians (I’m trying not to label, and like WAAB said I can’t say that I don’t fall into this category, but I strive for the better resurrection). The priests did their work in the inner court, its where the table of shewbread (wheat bread/wheat harvest)and the lampstand (7 lamps/7 churches) are. Many christians mix law and grace and feel the need to add to christs perfect sacrifice (the bread offered at pentecost is mixed with yeast). Those who enter the HOH enter into His rest (overcomers), these would be the Melchizedek priesthood.

#23

Nice article! He brings out some good points. Although I’m not sure I quite agree with his idea of salvation, and the role the LOF plays in that. I just scanned this post: bertgary.blogspot.com/2009/01/yo … r-not.html, and if I understand him right, he believes all are saved, but that salvation is experienced as torment by those who don’t want it. But they will always have the choice to accept salvation or reject it and continue in torment.

Sonia

#24

Spiritual death is being void of the life of God. Adam lost his spiritual life and it was replaced with spiritual death. When this happened it spiritually separated him for God. We inherit this spiritual death and this separation from God at birth until we receive life from Christ by faith. The second death described in Rev is eternal separation from God due to having a spiritual death nature. View spiritual death as spiritual separation and not the way we normally view death.

#25

What science fiction book did that come from? :stuck_out_tongue:

#26

This interpretation has been Biblically refuted.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
(1 Corinthians 15:26)

Death, whether separation from God, or annihilation of the individual; Death, the lack of life or separation from it - if it should last into any form of “ceaselessness”, can not continue to effect or have effect on any individual or person if it has been destroyed, ceased to exist, put to an end. If by annihilation or by existential separation a person is separated from God then Death continues to have effect, and has not been destroyed.

In other words, Death will be destroyed - put to an end entirely. Therefore separation from God, in any sort, will also be put to an end entirely.

#27

I agree, but i think the ECT crowd thinks that death is destroyed ONLY for the saved…in saying that none of them will have to die anymore…but all the while…millions are still roasting alive for all eternity… :angry:
They see MANY what we call…UR versus as being ONLY for the saved… :confused:

#28

Well, thankfully, Christ came so that everyone would be in the category of “the saved”. :slight_smile:

#29

How cool to check my blogspot stats, see a bunch of hits from “the evangelical universalist” forum, click the link, and find a thread about my Lake of Fire blog! Too cool. I’m humbled and honored and all that stuff, but mostly it’s just cool! :slight_smile: Great discussion. I had to register as a member so I could type this comment and say thanks: Thanks! —Bert

#30

You’re very welcome Gary - but please post more than just this reply when you have time.