“The bigger picture”Could this be God’s perspective?

By JanEgil Gulbrandsen – January 2015

I’m a life time student – of Bible and science. I gather and process information.

That gives me insight and knowledge.“I like to be a thinker outside the box”

Index:

• Part 1 - What’s included in “the world” slide 06

• Part 2 - What’s the will of God? slide 27

• Part 3 - God’s love slide 47

• Part 4 - Trinitarian, Orthodox, Inclusion theology slide 69

• Part 5 - What faith? Who’s faith? slide 90

• Part 6 - Saviour of all? slide 108

• Part 7 - Jesus saves the old testament people slide 119

• Part 8 - Who holds the keys to heaven now? Slide 137

• Part 9 - The small children belong to him slide 157

• Part 10 - God’s discipline slide 166

• Part 11 - What about God’s wrath? slide 181

• Part 12 – What about hell – the lake of fire? slide 196

• Part 13 – How was this salvation made possible? slide 241

• Part 14 – What are the consequences slide 262

What’s included in “the world”

Introduction:

Can God’s purpose and love for mankind be achieved within the traditional Christian framework of

understanding of salvation ?

Or is it possible that our western brand of theology has missed the bigger picture?

In this presentation we are going to make an attempt to expand our thinking a little…

It is a brain and heart exercise in combination with

an indebt study of scriptures that possibly can lead us closer to “his truth”.

Allow yourself to get out of the box – brain storm a little and think bigger –

and then make up your mind…

• John 3:16 “for God so loved the world”

• What is this “world” God is so in love with?

• Is it the globe?

• Or the nature, the animals, trees and plants – all so beautiful ?

• Yes – he said it was all good

• But it is something more:

• Yes - his prime creation…

• Man!

• A word more precise would be mankind

• And not only the people of Israel that he so rightly came to save (Matt 1:21)

• We must think bigger…

• The people of every nation

• People on every continent

• People through all times – from Adam to the last one being born…

• We are talking about every single human being born on this earth

• And every single human being that was never “allowed” to be born…

• Now we are starting to see how big the scope of his love is…

• Every one that only lived a few days…

• They are equally important and loved by our father

• The father of Cain’s wife - Iraq - never heard about God -died 658 years old (6000 BC)

• The cousin of Abraham – Saudi Arabia - never heard about God - died 125 years old (3000 BC)

• Mr. Chim Chong - China - died 98 years old – never heard about Yahweh God (1000 BC)

• Saul of Tarsus - 60 years old - martyred ( 60 AD)• Little Buto - Tanzania - died at birth (500 AD)• Natalia - Argentina - died 15 years old – never heard about

Jesus (750 AD)• Thor the Viking - Norway - killed at age 18 - never heard

about Jesus (1000 AD)• Akule the hunter - Canada - killed at 22 – never heard

about Jesus (1200 AD)

• Maria - Spain – burnt on the stake at age 35 (1450 AD)

• Charles – died in prison in Australia at age 55 – a believer (1700 AD)

• John – gunman, killed in battle - Texas (1865)• Carla – pregnant with two girls – all died during

child birth – London (1955)• Tom – aborted (mom could not afford him) New

York (1995)• Natasha – aborted (mom only wanted 2 children)

Moscow (2014)

Are you starting to get the picture?There have been many of us - born on this earth…

All equally loved by our father.

• Many have wondered:

• How many have been born since Adam?

• Many have been told that “half of all the people that have ever lived live right now”

• That is very incorrect (to say it politely)

• Mathematicians have calculated the number based on population and birth rate…

• Can you guess the number?

Year Population Births per 1,000Births Between Benchmarks

50,000 B.C. 2 - -

8000 B.C. 5,000,000 80 1,137,789,769

1 A.D. 300,000,000 80 46,025,332,354

1200 450,000,000 60 26,591,343,000

1650 500,000,000 60 12,782,002,453

1750 795,000,000 50 3,171,931,513

1850 1,265,000,000 40 4,046,240,009

1900 1,656,000,000 40 2,900,237,856

1950 2,516,000,000 31-38 3,390,198,215

1995 5,760,000,000 31 5,427,305,000

2011 6,987,000,000 23 2,130,327,622

NUMBER WHO HAVE EVER BEEN BORN 107,602,707,791

World population in mid-2011 6,987,000,000

Percent of those ever born who are living in 2014

6.5

• Let us just round it down to +/- 100 billion• One hundred billion people…• How many of these have heard the “good news” of

Jesus?• How many have received Jesus - said the “sinners

prayer” – and is properly “born again” and added to “the local Church” ?

• Shall we say 5%?• And don’t forget to deduct people in China (and the

rest of the far east) that never got to hear…• …and all the people in North America, South America

and Australia that lived before 1500 AD when they finally were “discovered”

• Then we are looking at 2 billion +/- saved souls

• 2 billion “saved” out of 100 billion.

• Do you think God is pleased with that number?

• And if protestant theology is correct,

• 98 billion or 98% will be lost (in hell…)

• I hope your brain is working overtime right now!

• Can this be?

• “These numbers can’t be right” you say.

• “100 billion people born ”?

• (yes, they are – there are several websites on line where professors and mathematicians from several universities come to approx. the same numbers – a few billion more or less)

• Put on your thinking cap!

• “The bigger picture” is about to set in…

• Let me say it straight out:

• God loosing 2 to 98 to Satan?

• There is “no way” a loving God would allow this to happen.

• The only answer is:

• We must have got our theology wrong!

• God must have another plan and another solution!!!

• Talking about plan:

• Why did He create us in the first place?

• The almighty creator of the universe and of man must have had a plan…

• A master plan!

• Again, the Bible will give us some clues…

• Jer 31:3

“I have loved you with an everlasting love”

• Is 43:6-7

“Bring my sons and daughters – everyone

who is called by my name – whom I created

my glory”

• Col 1:16

“all things was created by him – and for him”

• Titus 2:14“…to purify for himself a people for his ownpossession”

• Eph 3:9-10“the plan and mystery hidden for ages – throughthe church the wisdom of God might now be made known”

• John 15:14-15“I call you friends”

Why did God (the trinity) create man?

• “His church” is the purpose – for friendship and for a loving relationship.

• For himself, for his glory - for his possession.

In other words:

• God made man – his prime creation – to expand the love relationship of the trinity to also include man.

“Man was a love gift from the Father to the Son”

• There is no way God could allow 100 billion people to be born on earth (so far)

• …and only enter into a relationship with 2 billion of them

• That is an error rate of 98%.

• (even GM’s Chevy have an error rate of less than 5%)

• Everything else he created was perfect

• Gen 1:31

“God saw all he had made – and it was very good”

Preliminary conclusion:“It’s becoming more and

more clear to me that God must have a plan to save way

more people than I was brought up to believe”

Not only more – billions and billions more…

What is the will of God?

God’s plan for saving the world

God has big plans. His plans are reaching far beyond saving you and me

and a few others that happened to be born in the right place at the right time and got to hear the “good news”

at an early age…

• 1 Tim 2:3-6

“This (praying) is good and pleases God our

saviour, who wants all men to be saved and

come to knowledge of the truth (Jesus)”

Comments:

• Here God want something… Does he get his way?

• What does “all men” mean?

• We will get back to that…

• Is 46:10• Declaring from ancient times things that are not

yet done, saying: “My purpose will stand - I will do all my pleasure”

Comments:• God has a purpose and plan with history – and

his creation• When the creator of heaven and earth says he

will do something – will he do it?Notice: He – himself – will do it… Nobody else.• Can man by his own action (decision) alter

God’s master plan?

• Isaiah the prophet is writing down what God is dictating to him. God says:

• I will do something I have decided to do “from the beginning” that is “not yet” done.

• We know the “salvation plan” was perfect• We know the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit

were in perfect agreement on this plan• But it was not implemented yet (at the time of Isaiah)• Part 1 – the work of Jesus is now done• Part 2 – bringing inn ALL the sheep is not yet

completed• But it will… One day!

• Let’s continue with one more scripture concerning God’s will

• Is 66:23“It shall come to pass – all flesh shall come toworship before me” say’s the Lord.

Comments:• It is going to happen – I will have my way, says the

Lord.• And he is talking about all flesh – meaning every

person created by him – every person from Adam to the last one born on earth

• Think about it for a second:

• Would it not be wonderful if as many as possible got saved?

• Would it not be even better – theoretically – if all men got saved?

• The answer must be a YES.

• But this is so unheard of…

• Does the Bible really teach this?

• Well – let’s continue studying the scriptures…

• But first one more reflection:

• God created man (mankind) to have a love relationship with us

• That was the plan and the purpose

• Satan (God’s enemy) caused man to fall into sin and lose his relationship with God

• Because of this fall all mankind (100%) is born into this world without a relationship with our own creator

• But God had a plan to restore this relationship• And the whole plan was in place even before the

creation of the world• The solution was to send Jesus to die for all the

sins of the world• Now all mankind can freely come to God by faith

in Jesus• But what if only 20% of the ones that hear about

Jesus decide to believe in Him?• And we know billions have been born and have

died all over the world through all times without even hearing about him…. What about them?

• Would that not be like:

• Satan caused all mankind to lose relationship with God, but Jesus could only save 20% of them.

• This is totally illogical

• It’s like God losing 8 to 2 at his own game

• He created everything to have a loving relationship with his prime creation – Man, but Satan ran off with most of them…

• Archbishop Gregory of Nazianzus also thought a lot about this 1800 years ago

• He and most of the other early church fathers concluded that this could not be so…

• The work of Jesus would not be perfect if it was so…

• When Jesus said: It is finished (or completed) it really was completed

• All of mankind was now “saved” (theoretically)

• Yes – it would and still will take some time before all have come to repentance, but salvation is “a done deal”

• Now – back to the scriptures.

• 2 Peter 3:9“the Lord is patient with us and not willing that any should perish, but that all shall come to REPENTANCE.

Comments:• Patient (or extraordinary patience) means that he gives us

the time it takes to bring us (mankind) to repentance• Not willing means “absolutely no to” - “a desire of” or

“a purpose of”• Perish means “to be destroyed”, or “to be lost”• (“lost” means you owned or possessed something at some

point and now can not be reunited with)• To repent means “to change your mind” or “ to reverse

your decision”

• So 2 Peter 3:9 could also read as:“The Lord is extraordinarily patient and takes thetime it takes because he is absolutely not willingto, or have a desire for, or purpose for, any of usto be lost or destroyed, but instead for us tochange our mind and reverse our decision toexcept and receive him”

• This patience is not limited to our earthly life in the flesh.

• I’ll explain this later…

• Eph 1:9 & Phil 2:10

“God made a plan with himself to “head up”

all in heaven – all on the earth – and all under

the earth”

Comments:

• Again we see that God had a plan: To bring in or to bring home everybody – in heaven – living on the earth – and “the ones that are dead”

• Matt 18:14“It is not the will of God that one of these littleone should parish”

• Eph 1:11“God works all things according to the purpose of his will”

• Isaiah 14:24“as I have planned – so it will be – as I havepurposed and intended”

• Paul writes in Rom 11:25-26

“This is a mystery - all Israel will be saved”

• (and not only Israel)

• So as you can see: Salvation is not only a personal thing…

• A whole nation (Israel) shall be saved

• Big groups of people…

• And good people and less good people in this nation…

• Remember: All Israel was saved out of Egypt –not because of their personal faith, but because someone in the family put blood on the door posts…

• All in the house was saved!

• A picture of Christ saving the whole world!

• James 2:13

• “Mercy triumphs over judgement!

• So what are we to do:

• Pray!

• Like Matt 16:10 says:

• “Our Father – Thy will be done”

Comments:

• If it should happen to be that his will is to save the whole world,

• who am I to fight against it?

• Either way – Personally I’m safe. Saved by grace and faith in Jesus…

Preliminary conclusion:

God will always get his way –and he gives man enough time until he eventually changes his mind, reverses

his decision and comes to him.

God’s love

What are the consequences of God’s indescribable love for mankind?

• Let’s start with this first statement:

• 1 John 4:8 and 4:16

“God is love”

Comments:

• “Is” means this it is who he is and what he is

• Nothing more – nothing less

• It is his nature

• It is all he is…

• He is agape love

• (agape is a type of love that “loves in spite of”-in spite of what man does with God’s love - or if man should choose to reject his love all together)

• Agape is unconditional love

• ( in other words: there is no conditions required to receive his love. You can not sin your way out of his love)

• If he were to turn his love into anger, hate and rage, just because he did not get his way, it would only be a conditional love.

• But God is pure love

• (not a little bit of love and a little bit of something else)

• God is not love and something else

• (love one moment and hate and anger the next)

• Agree?

• Everything God does is rooted in love

• As a good father he has to “raise” his children

• That can include discipline and correction

• He “protects us” from danger – but not all children like to be disciplined

• But his correction always comes from a point of love

• Every book and chapter in the Bible is rooted in the fact that God is love

• Listen to this simple little story:

“You look out the window and see your 4 year

old daughter playing with a dangerous wolf.

You almost panic and you feel an intense love

and passion for her - you run outside as fast as

you can to save her

You valiantly attack the wolf – you yell and

scream to chase him away.

Now the child freaks out.

She thinks you are angry at her.

The wolf finally runs away.

You have just saved the life of your most

precious treasure – you beloved child

• This is how God’s love is for all of mankind

• He loves absolutely everybody with an endless love”

• God always loves the sinner

• But he hates sin…

• Not because he is “so holy” and gets offended and can’t stand it…

• (yes – he is holy)

• But because of what sin does to his creation –man.

• Sin does not effect God – it effects you

• Rom 7 say’s: “Sin can be in me…”

• But it does not define me

• It is not “who I am”

• (I’m a Saint – not a sinner)

• You can teach a dog to walk on his two back legs, but it will never be his nature

• We have received a new nature

• Like God said to Adam and Eve:• Don’t sin. Don’t eat of the tree• Because it will kill you.• It happened spiritually immediately.• And bodily some years later…• But now the last Adam (Jesus) has reversed the

fall… • Now man can get “new life” spiritually – and

immediately… • By believing in him• And live forever…

• God does not have any anger toward man

• And the reason is very simple:

• He put all his anger on Jesus that carried all the sins of the world

• God is nothing but pure love toward mankind

• Always!

• Let us now look at some scriptures on the topic of love…

• John 3:16“For God so loved the world that he gave his onlySon, that whoever believes in him shall not perishbut have eternal life”

Comments:• God so loved the world – every 100 billion of us

that have been born • As we can read - There is a condition for having

eternal life: believe in him• We’ll get back to that…

• 2 Cor. 5:18-21

“God has (past tense) reconciled the world to

himself in – not counting their sin against them”

Comments:

• First we read “God loved the world”

• Now we read that “God reconciled the world”

• Obviously God sees “a big picture” here that involves more than some individuals – it involves the whole world

• Reconciliation means “to bring someone back together that has earlier been separated”

• All of mankind was separated from God because of Adam – but now all of mankind is reconciled with God because of Jesus.

• “all the world”- and everyone that ever lived…

• Wow – this is mind-blowing!

• Talk about seeing a bigger picture!!!

• Are you starting to get this?

• “Not counting their sins against them”

• God is not a sin counter…

• He does not have a sin conscience any more

• Not one sin is now counted against “the world” and all the evil in it… No kidding!

• God is radical – and he does what he wants…

• It does not make sense to us…

• But it is true!

• You just have to accept it… (like it or not)

• Luke 15:4

“suppose one of you have a hundred sheep and

loses one of them, does he not leave the ninety-

nine and go after the one which is lost until he

finds it?”

Comments:

• God lost all his sheep (all mankind became sinners)

• Jesus brought salvation to all of them

• But if one still gets lost, he goes after him until he finds him and can bring him home (to the fest in heaven)

• “Until” means that he never gives up searching for him

• (permanent loss is not acceptable)

• “Lost” comes from the Greek word Apollyme (verb) that means to destroy, to kill, cause to lose, to die,or to perish.

• The Goodrich / Kolenberger dictionary explains:

• Lost sheep also includes dead sheep,

• this includes finding (and saving) the sheep also after it is dead

• God eventually finds all sheep and brings them home

• Remember: • All humans are born with a human spirit• (this sets us apart from the animals)• When we die it is not over – not for any of us• Yes – the body will be destroyed and rot in the

grave• But this human spirit – believer and unbeliever –

goes before the Lord.• The ones’ with a “live, born again spirit” goes

(directly) to be with Jesus for ever• The ones’ that have not a live spirit – only a

human spirit – God has a special plan for• We’ll get back to that…

• Luke 19:10The Son of man came to seek and save that whichwas lost”

Comments:• What had been lost?• Mankind's relationship with God• (you remember: the first Adam falls – the second

Adam saves)• So Jesus is seeking – and he seeks until he finds –

and then he saves – and the lost is brought home – every one of them that believe

Preliminary conclusion:God is love.

And he saves.All we are doing here is to show and

explain what the scriptures says.His written word is clear.

And we have already determined that believing in Jesus is required.

Trinitarian - Orthodox – Inclusion theology

• Definition of Trinitarian theology:“The understanding of the relationshipbetween the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (thetrinity)”

• as taught by the Capadonian fathers (320 AD to 390 AD – Asia Minor)

• and approved by the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD as the official church doctrine

• (Before this time the early church’s understanding of the trinity went in all directions – some really “out there”)

• In John14:7 Jesus said:

“If you have seen me, you have seen the father”

Comments:

• The father and the son is in total “sync”

• They see and think alike… always

• Trinitarian theology is Christ focused

• Through close study of the Greek scriptures (and the early church writings,) they try to understand God’s will and plan as truthful and objectively as possible

• The essence of their teaching – and what sets them apart from traditional protestant theology is that

• All humanity (all people) are automatically included in the work Jesus did through his death and resurrection

• And if I understand it right: Regardless of personal faith or belief in Him

• In other words: “all” will (one day) be saved• They say this is possible through faith – not

man’s faith in Christ but the faith of Christ• Jesus (apparently) has faith enough for all of us

• The Grace Community International -Trinitarian -inclusion theology has many similarities to Christian Universalism

• But they claim they are not!

• While the universalists believe “all” – meaning absolutely everybody will one day be saved,

• GCI Trinitarians believe (according to C. Baxter Kruger) that

• “all is included in the life of the trinity – but not all will experience it “fully ? ” due to their free will to say “no”.

• Even if this “no” goes against their own nature – being absurd and painful, it is still possible.

• They say: objectively all man are in Christ and repentance and faith is a gift of God, but

• subjectively man can choose to say “no” and live a lie.

• But the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will never give up the dream that we all will come to experience fully the Trinitarian life together”

Comments:

• Christian Universalists believe “all will be saved”

• GCI Trinitarians believe “all will be saved”, minus a few

• (so this standoff between an individual saying “no to salvation” and “God’s dream” of seeing repentance, will go on “in hell” for ever and a long time…

• (more on hell later)

• This “salvation of all” (+/-) – will at first glance look like total heresy to most Christians

• “This is not what I have believed all our life,” you might say,

• “without the fear of hell and punishment, the world would spin out of control in evil and sin”.

• But before we draw any conclusions,

• Let us hear all the arguments

• After all, these are sincere people that love the Lord and have spent countless hours studying the Bible and church history…

• …most likely many more hours than the average protestant Christian.

• And you might even choose to adjust your theology a smidgen…

• The Trinitarian theology has many similarities to the beliefs of the orthodox church ( Greek, Arminian, Romanian and Russian orthodox)

• They are one of the 4 faith groups in the world that base their theology on the Bible:– Catholic 1.200 mill.

– Protestant 900 mill.

– Orthodox 300 mill.

– Jewish (not N.T.) 15 mill.

• Some early church writers forming Trinitarian theology:

• Irenaeus of Anthioc (died 202 AD) –student of Polycarp, Polycarp student of the Apostle John

• Irenaeus writes: “Through the incarnation theentire human race was “born again” in Jesus –delivered from sin and death that had isolated the world since Adam. In Jesus humanity has a new beginning and a new identity.”

• Athanasius of Alexandria (died 373) writes:

“By his death, salvation has come to all men,

and all creation (all men) has been redeemed”

“God chose to save humanity through the

birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus – It

effected (included) ALL humanity.”

• Gregory of Nazianzus – Archbishop of Constantinople (died 398) said:

“if only half of Adam fell, then that

which is saved must be half also,

but if all of his nature fell, and

therefore all of humanity fell,

all mankind must be saved as a whole”

This is the essence of “the gospel,” the consequence of Jesus’ death

and resurrection and the salvation he brought,

and how it was understoodby “the early church” ( 100 AD – 1.000 AD)

It was not until after the first “church split” into Catholics and Orthodox in 1054 AD

that “the west” developed a newunderstanding of salvation, personal faith

and punishment (hell)

But how has it been possible that the church in the east (orthodox)

and the church in the west (Catholic and Protestant)

have developed such different understanding

on biblical truths?

It could have something to do with the fact that the Orthodox always could read Greek –the original language of the new testament,

while “the west” always had to use translations – first to Latin and later in the 16th century to

English.

Things were definitely lost in the translation…

History and “early church” is one thing… but what does the Bible, and more precisely

The New Testament, teach?

The Bible is our standard!

Nothing less.

And I am talking about

the Greek NT writings…

(different translations can be helpful to understand what the scriptures REALLY says…)

Preliminary conclusion:

The GCI Trinitarian Inclusion movement definitely have some decent arguments here

for the view that “all” will enter into a relationship with God. (eventually)

But we can not get away from the fact that it still requires personal faith.

(for every man to believe in Jesus)

What is faith?Who’s faith?

• “Faith” comes from the Greek noun PISTIS• It means: Belief or conviction of the truth – that

Jesus is the Messiah – the saviour.• (Notice: the definition does not say anything

about acknowledgment, confession and forgiveness of sin)

• But our common understanding of faith and belief, includes recognition of the fact that we were all sinners and Jesus paid for all the sins of the world by his death on the cross…

• …we also believe that he rose from the grave to new life for all that believe

• Faith is mentioned hundreds of times in the old and the new testament

• It is easy to agree that we are “saved by faith”

• But it is not always so easy to determine “who’s faith” we are talking about…

• “But that is easy”, you might say,

• …“We are talking about MY FAITH in Jesus.”

• …like in: “I have chosen to believe in him”

• And most translations seem to use the term “faith in Jesus” - in other words something wedo in relation to Jesus…

• But wait – is that what the Greek text reallysays?

• We are talking about the Greek word “tou” that means of…

• “faith of Jesus”

• Gal 2:20

“I live by the faith of the Son of God”

• The faith of – not the faith in

• Young’s literal translation say’s:

• “I am living by faith of the Son of God”

• Ok – so what does King James say:

• He’s got it right! “Faith of the Son of God”

• How about the New International, the New American Standard or the Amplified?

• They all have it wrong!

• But how significant is this?

• The answer is: Very significant!

• If we say “faith in Jesus” it is a faith that we produce and direct toward Jesus.

• But sorry – the scripture does not say that.

• What it does say is “faith of…”

• “I live by the faith of the Son!” Period.

• Eph 2:8

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;

not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”

• We don’t produce faith – much or little - that we direct toward Jesus

• It is God that gives us the faith in the first place

• Thereof the faith of the Son

• Rom 3:22

“Our righteousness is by the faith of Jesus”

• Rom 12:3

“God has given us a measure of faith”

Comments:

• This is a gift of faith – imputed into us and reflected back to him

• Gal 3:22“the faith of Jesus given to them that believe”

• Phil 3:9“our righteousness is by the faith of Jesus”

• Eph 3:12“Jesus Christ – in whom we have boldness and access –by the faith of Him”

• Heb 12:2“looking unto Jesus – the author and finisher of faith”(not our faith)

• 2 Tim 2:13

“if we believe not – he will remain faithful”

Comments:

• Even if we should not believe, he is faithful to his own promises – “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5)

• And this is how GCI Trinitarians explain this:

• “Jesus is the one that has the faith – on our behalf”

• “He did all the work to save the world – and he has faith enough (in him) on behalf of all

of us…”

• At the same time they say that believing is required (as we showed earlier)

• You decide for yourself if this “feels right” in your heart…

• Is this what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell us?

• I know many will say this is not correct!

• But it still say’s “the faith of the Son of God”

• What can it mean if the GCI interpretation is incorrect?

• Gal 3:23

“Before faith (Jesus) came, we were under the

law (Paul is talking about the Jews), we were

separated from (locked up from) the faith

(Jesus) that should later come” (to be revealed

after the cross)

• Jesus is this “faith”

• Therefore the term “faith of Jesus”

• Another understanding of the term “faith of” is:

• “We are to have the same type of faith as Jesus had”

• He is in us

• We are in Him

• We are one with Christ

• In Rom 4:16 Paul talks about

“the faith of Abraham”

• Not the faith in Abraham…

• (that would be totally silly…)

• We are to have the same type of faithas Abraham and Jesus had

• Rom 5:1

“Therefore being justified and declared

righteous by faith, we have peace with God”

Comments:

• We are declared righteous by having the same type of faith as Jesus as Abraham had

• Meaning: total dependency on the Father

Preliminary conclusion:“The faith of Jesus” we are to have is

not that Jesus has faith instead of us or on behalf of us,

but the same type of faith as Jesus had. We still need to have faith.

A faith in perfect trust and relationship with the father.

Saviour of all?

• I have searched the dictionaries in Hebrew and in Greek to find the meaning of the word “all”

• It only means one thing: All. Period.

• Or every, everybody or everything

• And there is “0” chance to escape from it…

• All means all.

• Everybody is included in “all”

• With that introduction – let us read some scriptures that talks about “all”

• Ps 65:2

“To you (God) all flesh will come”

• Ps 66:4

“all the earth shall worship and sing praises”

• Phil 2:9-11

“every knee shall bow, every tongue confess”

• 1 Cor 15:22

“in Adam all died – in Christ all shall be made alive”

• 1 Cor 15:28“God is all in all” (not all in some)

• Col 1:20“God will reconcile all things to himself”

• 1 Tim 2:6“Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all”

• 1 Tim 4:10“God is the ransom for all men – especially thosewho believe”

Comments:

• If I went to the bank and paid off your mortgage ($300,000),

• You would be debt free (Hallelujah)

• The bank has no longer a claim against you.

• I came home to you and told you the “good news”

• But you said: I don’t believe you – and I don’t want anything to do with you

• That is your right!

• You have your free choice.

• But that does not change the fact that your mortgage in fact is paid.

• You owe nothing – believe it or not.

• That’s why 1 Tim 4:10 say’s:

• God is the saviour – especially for those who believe.

• John 12:32“I will draw all men to myself”

• 2 Cor 5:14One died for all – therefore all died

• Col 1:19-20“Jesus reconciles all thing to himself”

Comments:• “All things” means everyone and everything that

was lost in the Fall of Adam – fellowship with God, health and death

• Heb 2:9“Jesus tasted death for everybody”

• 1 John 2:2“Jesus is the sacrifice for sins for the wholeworld”

• Rom 11:32“For God has “summed them up” (or consignedthem – or lent them all out to) unbelief, that hemight have mercy upon them all (alike)”

• Alike means the same deal for all = mercy!

• So what did we just learn:

• We have read from the Holy scriptures that:

• all will come, all shall worship, all shall bow down and confess Jesus as Lord, all are made alive, God is in all, all have been ransomed, allwill be drawn to Jesus, and Jesus reconciles all men

Preliminary conclusion:

There is some strong arguments why all will (one day) be saved based on these scriptures.

“Jesus saves old testament people”

• Let us first look at how God saved “most” people (if not all…) from Adam to Christ – at least the Jewish people

• Matt 1:21 says,“He (Jesus) will save his people from their sins”

• That was one of the primary reasons for Jesus to come and to die,

• to save the “Jewish people” from their sins

• For hundreds of years they had failed the law

• The temporary offerings of “bulls and goats” had finally come to it’s conclusion

• Jesus – the Messiah – had died on the cross “for all the sins of the world”

• That includes (of course) also all the sins of the Jews – his people

• That includes all people – before the cross – and after the cross

• What is the first thing Jesus does after his death?

• Acts 2:31

“his soul was not left in Hades”

Comments:

• Jesus went after his death down to “the holding place” of the souls of the dead – also called Hades or Shoul

• That is where all souls of the dead over the years had been gathering

• Hades was divided into two areas - paradise for the old testament saints and on the other side of the ravine, the “other people” (they were in torment)

• It was Satan that was the prison guard in Hades

• It was a place the spirits could not escape from – secured by “walls” and gates

• This was his headquarters after he (Satan) had changed the history of mankind by causing Adam and Eve to fall…

• But his “victory” was soon coming to an end…

• What did Jesus do in Hades?

• He preached!

• 1 Pet 3:18-19

“alive by the Spirit, he went to preach to the spirits

in prison” ( the holding place)

Let me expand on that:

• The Greek verb used is “Kerysso” which means

“to be a herald – to proclaim with formality,

gravity and authority which must be listened to

and obeyed,

• and to proclaim something which has been done”

• What did Jesus preach about in Hades:

• He told them what he just had done on the cross.

• He proclaimed victory over death

• The same death that had kept all these people there since Adams fall

• Isiah 25:8 makes it clear:

“He will swallow up death (Hades) in victory

and the Lord God will wipe away tears from

all of the faces”

(Notice: All of Hades will benefit from his victory)

• and the rebuke (reprimand or scolding) of his people shall he take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken”

Comments:

Notice it says wipe away the tears of all the

faces – all.

• And the rebuking, scolding and reprimanding is over for “his people”

• And the scripture ends with: For the Lord has spoken

as to say: “I’m firm on this” and

• “you might not like what I’m doing, but I am God and I have decided to forgive and save everybody – wipe away everybody's tears –stop the reprimanding and end the torment…”

• Matt 16:18

“the gates of Hades will not prevail against it”

(the church – and it’s leader Jesus)

Comments:

• Jesus – as the head of the church – proclaimed that the gates (the entrances and exits) of Hades cannot prevail (win over, triumph or hold back) when he comes to enter Hades to set all free

In other words:

• Jesus is taking full control over everyone in Hades – on both sides of the ravine.

• Regarding Satan – the prison guard,

• He had to leave his headquarters

• Jesus took the keys away from him

How do we know?

• Rev. 1:18 - Jesus speaking:

“I (Jesus) now hold the keys of death and Hades”

• (he took them on “Saturday” between Good Friday and Easter Sunday)

• Heb. 2:13-15

“Jesus destroyed him (Satan) that held (past

tense) the power of death”

• 1 Cor. 15:54-55

Death is “replaced with life and immortality”

“Death (Hades) is swallowed up in victory”

• Another little detail:

• Luke 23:43 – Jesus says to the thief on the cross:

“Today you will be with me to paradise”

Comments:

• And that is exactly what happened…

• Jesus and the thief entered Hades together (you’ll be with me) and he witnessed Jesus’ triumph over Satan

• Jesus left afterwards to “go back” to the tomb

• The newly saved thief stayed on with all the other Saints and released souls…

• And this is how this story ends:• Eph. 4:8-10

“Jesus ascended with a host of captives (fromHades) into heaven”.

(He who descended to the earths lower regions (Hades) is the same who ascended higher…)Comments:• All the captives from Hades that he had set free

a few weeks earlier he now takes with him to heaven.

• Psalm 68: 17-18 put’s it this way:

“The chariots of God are myriads – thousands

upon thousands” - “when you ascended on

high you lead captives in your train”

Comments:

• It must have been a lot of “souls” being saved with so many chariots… “Myriads.”

Preliminary conclusion:Jesus entered Hades – preaches to them

who he is and what he had done for them and set all the captives free.

All of them.He later took them all with him to

Heaven in a parade of chariots.

Who holds the keys to heaven now?

Is Peter the rock of the churchas the Catholics claim?

According to the Catholic Church Peter the Apostle is the “Rock”

of the church as described in Matt 16:18.They believe that he

became the first pope (in Rome) andthat his successors ever since have

been the only legitimate leaders of God’s church on earth.

They also believe that it is Peter that holds

the keys of heaven – who gets in or not…

But is that what Jesus really said?Well, read and you will find out…

This is the “Coat of Armour” of the Catholic church and Vatican city. It shows the gold key of heaven and the silver key of earth – held together by the pope’s

red cord. The crown is the crown of heaven. Therefore the belief of St Peter as heaven’s gatekeeper.

Jesus handing over the keys of heaven, according to Catholic doctrine

• Matt 16:18-19“Also I say unto you, you are Peter – and onthis rock I will build my church; and the gatesof hell will not prevail against it –and I will give unto you the keys of thekingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: andwhatsoever you shall loose on earth shall bebound in heaven”

• It sure looks, at first glance, that “Peter is the rock” the church is built on

• Especially if you lean toward a church structure with a single top leader - like a pope

• Then this verse is the clear “proof”

• And the idea that this same man – with his church system and theology – is “the one” that holds the keys to heaven, and in so doing decides who is in or out, is perfect for a power-hungry institution

• But this is not the case – not by a longshotAnd now we are going to look at why

First 4 definitions of words in Matt 16:1. You are “Peter” – Greek (g4074) petros – a masculine

noun meaning “rock” – small rock – pebble (movable or unstable rock)

2. “and” on this – Greek (g2532) kai, a conjunction meaning “and” or “but” – in this case “but”

3. And on this “the rock” – Greek (g3588) te – meaning “the” – definite article

4. A different “rock” – Greek (g4073) petra – a feminine noun meaning “rock” – big rock or bedrock (unmovable rock)

• So verse 18 should read like this:

“Also I say to you – you are Peter (petros), the unstable

and movable “rock-man”,

but on this “the rock” (petra), the unmovable bedrock,

I will build my church”

• Suddenly it is clear: The rock Petra is Christ himself. Jesus is saying he will build the church on himself.

• After all he is the cornerstone and head of the church

• There is no need for Peter as a middleman or as God’s earthly manager

• Verse 19: “and I will give to you the keys…”• Who is the “you” here?• It is the “you” plural – or as King James says; “ey”

or “ey all”• It is you – the church as a whole – not Peter as an

individual or earthly leader of the church• The body of Christ with her leader, Jesus Christ,

holds the key’s to heaven…• (remember it was the Petra – the feminine – the

body of Christ)

• Rev 3:7

“These are the words of Him that holds the

key’s of David”

• Who is he? Jesus.

• There are many other examples of God as “the rock” in the Bible

• 1 Cor 3:11

“For no man can lay another foundation other

than the one which is laid: Jesus Christ”

• Eph 2:20

“Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner

stone”

• Deut 32:4

“God the rock – his work is perfect”

• 2 Sam 22:2-3

“The Lord is my rock”

• Psalm 18:31

“And who is a rock – except our God”

• Rom 9:33

“Jesus – a rock of offence”

• And this last one just “nails it”• In Is. 44:8 God says:

“Is there any other God beside me – or is thereany other rock? I know of none!”

• I guess if God does not know of any, we don’t either…

• 1 Pet 2:8 • Even Peter himself writes that “Jesus is a rock of

offence”• Which proves that he recognised Jesus as the rock –

not himself.

• 1 Cor 10:4

“Drinking from a spiritual rock – and the Rock

was Jesus”

• And some scriptures that Peter in fact was “very movable” and not solid as “petra-rock”

• Matt 14:29-30 – when he walked on water

• Luke 22:57 - when he denied Jesus and lied

• Gal 2:11-14 – when Paul had to rebuke him and “straighten him out”

• John 1:32 – Jesus himself calls Peter “Cefas” –translated Peter (petros)

• The Catholics have at last a desperate argument that “Peter was the rock” by saying that Jesus never spoke in Greek but in Aramaic

• In Aramaic the word for Peter and for the rock is “kephas” – not different words as in Greek.

• But no Aramaic manuscripts exist

• And we don’t know if they ever did…

• And by pulling the “Aramaic argument” they in fact are saying that when Matthew chose the different Greek words “petros” and “petra”, he got it all wrong…

• The mystery is now solved.

Temporary conclusion:

Jesus holds the keys to heaven.He made the way –

and it is only by believing in him access is granted.

The idea that he sub-contracted the job to Peter is incorrect.Only a power hungry church institution could come up with

something like that…

So do I have a problem with the Catholic people?Not at all! Many of them love the Lord and it is only by his

grace we all come to Him.

But I do have a problem – a huge problem, with any church institution that wants to take the place of our direct

relationship with the Saviour and decide who is “in” and who is “out” in the kingdom

“The children belong to him”

• Matt 19:14

“Let the little children come to me – for the

kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”

Comments:

• We have all heard it before…

• And we have never had any problem believing it or accepting it

• ( it is much harder to accept that the kingdom belongs to all the adults)

• Why is that?

• Well, the children are “so small and sweet and innocent…”

• They don’t know what they do.

• Have you ever seen a three year old flipping out in anger and hitting his little sister?

• This is the indwelling sin – a remnant from Adam

• But still Jesus says the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

• In fact, he says that the kingdom of heaven belongs to everyone…

• And it has nothing to do with children being innocent or sinful – or adults being innocent or sinful…

• …or extremely bad like Hitler, Stalin and other mass murderers

• It has to do with one thing – and one thing only:

• Jesus paid for all the sins of the world.

• Once and for all…

• Moses’ sin – David’s sin – Paul’s sin – Hitler’s sin – your neighbour's sin – and your sin.

That’s why all – young and old – belong!

• What would the consequence be if it was not so?

• What if the kingdom only came to little children, but when they “came of age”, they fell out of fellowship?

• Then they would be better off if they died young…

…or were murdered.

• A (sick) lady in Florida killed all her children last year for this reason

She did not want them to become “accountable”

• Her reasoning was that it was better for them to go to heaven now than to hell later…

• This reasoning is absolutely “sick”…

• And our modern church theology of punishment and eternal hell is most likely to be blamed for it…

• It can not be that little children have any special “deal” over adults.

• That would not be “just”…

Preliminary conclusion:It looks like “all men” – the whole world

– belongs to the kingdom of heaven,

and when we believe it –and believe Him,

it belongs especially to you.

God’s discipline

• What is (Godly) discipline?

• According to a dictionary definition:

“To bring to a state of order and obedience

by training and control”

• But let’s look at the scriptures

• Hebrews has a lot to say about God’s loving discipline:

• Heb 12:5-6

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s

discipline, and do not loose hearth when

he rebukes you,

Because the Lord disciplines those we loves,

and he punishes and scourges everyone he

cherishes and welcomes to his heart”

Comments:

• God’s discipline is rooted in love – agape love

• And because of this love he allows – or causes –things to happen to us that can help us to “get in line” or “to move in the right direction”.

• It is specific “medicine” for a specific “sickness” or need

• Learn to recognise this “correction” and start to appreciate it

• It is good for you!

• God disciplines those he loves, we just read

• And as we already have learned: He loves absolutely everybody

• So he disciplined everyone – believers and unbelievers

• Heb 12:7

“God deals with us as sons”

Comments:• God deals with everyone as sons and daughters• Why? Because we are all his prime creation• Heb 12:10

“God disciplines us for our profit (or benefit)”Comments:• There is no anger in God’s discipline • It is not driven by hate or disappointment• It is an act of love to help us

• Heb 12:11“All discipline is not joyful for the moment – but afterwards it gives the restful fruit of righteousness for the one that has been trained by it”

Comments:• Yes, discipline hurts!• But afterwards – because there is always an

afterwards - when “the time period” has come to an end…

• You will love him for it…

• Some believers are of the understanding that sickness and permanent health conditions are God’s “judgment” over them for something they have done…

• That is totally wrong!

• What training or benefit should that serve?

• Like we read in verse 11 – we are promised an “afterward”

• It’s like when you have run hard – really hard around the lake and you feel the taste of blood in your mouth…

• After a long and warm shower, you’ll feel wonderful…

Heb 12:11 – discipline is not joyful for the moment,but afterwards it feels “great”

• Gal 6:7• “Don’t delude yourself into thinking that God can

be cheated. Where a man sows he will reap”Comments:• Some believers think that as long as “know body

knows” about their “sin behaviour” there will not be any consequences

• But don’t kid yourself – God sees everything• And he will “discipline you” until you get in line…• I think it is helpful for all of us to be reminded of

this every so often…

Gal 6:7“Stop kidding yourself –God can’t be fooled”

• And Numbers 32:23 says the same thing:

“Be sure your sins will find you out”

Comments:

• So stop sinning – if you already haven't – before you get really hurt…

• So how do we relate to and deal with this uncomfortable and painful “training school” when it is “our turn”?

• Luckily the Bible has a special book that specialises in wisdom

• Proverbs 12:1

“Whoever loves discipline, loves wisdom –

but he who hates reproof is stupid”

• Proverbs 13:1

“A wise son hears his fathers instruction”

Preliminary conclusion:

Discipline is necessary!And it is good for you!

Take it as a manLearn from it – that is the purpose of the discipline

in the first place.

And if you don’t like it – stop the harmful behaviour.

Remember:God’s discipline is an expression of his agape love.

What about God’swrath?

• The King James Bible mentions God’s “wrath” 36 times in the New testament?

• Does not that prove that God can be mad, angry, hateful and revengeful toward man?

• No

• We are now going to look closer at what this “wrath” really means.

• The word “wrath” used in the New Testament comes from the Greek word “ORG’E” (G3709)

• This word has 4 categories of translation:

1) Natural anger or temper (in a person)

2) Movement of the soul, like in: natural

impulse, strong passion, intense or valiant

emotion, desire (even the word orgy

orgasm comes from this word)

3) anger, indignation, wrath

4) punishment by authorities (governments)

• The King James translators chose to use the words from category 3 – anger, indignation and particularly “wrath”.

• It could just as well have been translated with the word definition from category 2 - Movement of the soul, like in natural impulse, strong or valiant passion, intense emotion or intention

• The root word or derivation of “ORG’E” (G3709) is the Greek word “OREGO” (G3713)

• (a derivation means: a new word from the basis “root” of another word)

• Like a verb to a noun – ex. to write – a writer

• So what does the root word of “org’e” or King James’ “wrath” mean???

This is what Strong’s dictionary writes:

“ To stretch one’s self out (or to long for) in

order to touch something – to reach after or

desire something”

• Do you see the difference?

• God’s “wrath” is not anger toward man

• It is God reaching out to men in order to touch them with his love

• Why: because he desires to restore fellowship

• Why did the King James translators chose to use word like God’s wrath, God’s anger and indignation?

• Could it be to make people afraid of God ?

• And through this, to control the people?

or to maintain the power of the church?

• King James’ instructions to the 47 translators was clear:

To maintain the power structure of the church

(the church of England) – and the state (the King)

• More then 40 times the bible translators used the description of God “punishing people” when the correct translation should be

“to visit”, “to remember”, to urge”,

or to “to compel”

• Clearly: God has been made into an angry and punishing God by translators, clouded objectivity and/or with their own agenda

• Again: God is love

And with a correct understanding and correct

translation of the Greek scriptures, we can

see that,

• Gods “wrath” is not punishment – it is love

• It is like the dictionary says: God is reaching out to touch man

• We are talking about reaching the unbeliever

• How can we know that this “wrath” is for unbelievers only?

• Because the scriptures are totally clear on this:

Believers are not effected by God’s “wrath”

• I will give you 7 examples:

1) John 3:36

“The wrath of God will abide on him that

don’t believe the Son”

2) Rom. 5:9

“Being now justified, we shall be saved from

wrath – through Him (Jesus)”

3) 1 Thess 1:10

“Jesus delivered us from the wrath to come”

4) 1 Thess 5:9

“For God has not obtained us to wrath, but to

obtain salvation

5) Col. 3:5-12“Earthly nature (sin) leads to Gods wrath. You used to walk in this way – now you are God’s people (saved)

6 & 7) Eph. 5:6 and Col. 3:6 says the same ting:The wrath of God comes on the “children of disobedience”

• Strong's dictionary explains that this Greek word apeitheia (G543) disobedience, also can mean “rejection of the will of God”

• It’s root word is erymology (G543) which simply means “unbelief.”

• So these two scriptures really read:

“The wrath of God comes on the children of

unbelief”

• So what is this “wrath” – this violate passion and movement of God’s soul?

• It is God reaching out to someone in an intense way for something he longs to possess

• Where this wrath is being expressed, we will talk about later

Preliminary conclusion:God’s wrath is not his furious anger

that drives him to punish people for their sins,

it is an expression of his passionate and intense love and concern for the sinner

that he, through discipline, leads toward restoration

What about Hell –the lake of fire?

“The idea that God is angry and sends those he condemns to a place called hell

where they spend eternity in torment separated from his love and presence,

is not in the Bible and was totally foreign to the early church”

u

That is “good news”,especially for those who was

“misinformed” about the love of God in this life, or those that newer even got a chance to hear the good

news of the Gospel.

• But hell ( the lake of fire) is real!• But it is not a physical place – but an

“experiential condition” … live to the human spirit.

And it exists in the presence of God.• This is unknown to the modern church (catholic

or protestant) • But well known to the early church and the

orthodox church

• Under the roman emperor Constantine 1 (313 AD) the church was “merged” with the state

• Christianity became an official and accepted religion in the roman empire

• Augustine the theologian (387 AD) was also central in the development of the early part of western theology

• Western church understanding of “hell” started changing over the centuries

EarlyChurch

1025 adsplit

1520 adsplit

1700 ad

1900 ad

Orthodox church (east)

Catholic church (west)

Lutheran church

Methodist - Baptist

Pentecostals

Church history over for 2000 years

Dantesinferno1300

Original hellunderstanding

New hellunderstanding

• Yes, it is true:

Hell is torment for the wicket

and this torment comes from God

• Everyone comes before God in “the next life” (exists in God presence)

• For those that love Him, this is “heaven”

• For those that hate Him, this is “torment” (hell or the lake of fire)

• This is not a new interpretation of a secret truth - It has been there all along,

revealed in the scriptures in the Bible

and in the writings of all the early church

fathers

• But early scholars that could read and understand Greek, as well as Hebrew, had a better chance to really understand what the scriptures were saying

• The word “hell” in English Bible translations, is translated from four different Hebrew and Greek words:

These words are not interchangeable

• Yet, incredibly, in English translations these words are translated randomly…

…most likely to fit the translators’ theology,

rather than allow the true meaning of the scripture

to determine their theology

• The Hebrew noun “sheol” is translated “hell” in the old testament

• It’s literal meaning is ”subterranean retreat”

(The holding place for the dead) (des morts)

• This place only existed in the spirit world and was never a physical place

• When you die, your soul goes to reside in “sheol”

• This goes for righteous as well as the wicked

• The Greek word “Gahanna” is also translated “hell”

• This was a physical place – a garbage dump south of Jerusalem where waste, dead animals and poor dead people (that were not claimed) were thrown

• They kept the flame burning to reduce the smell and keep the stench to a minimum

• In Jesus’ day this place was a well known metaphor for the faith of the condemned

• “Sheol” is also the word for where the righteous are – it is used for man in the garden of Eden and man in paradise

• “Sheol” is also experienced by the wicked at “the fires of gehennom” or the punishment of hell…

• …and at the same time as paradise for the righteous

• (we have covered this in detail earlier)

• God’s Shekinah glory fills all things!

• The righteous bask in this glory, and experience it as love and joy,

• while the enemies of God – those who hate him and don’t want to be near him, experience the same glory as punishment

• There are numerous references in scripture to God’s presence being like fire

• Heb. 12:29

“For our God is a consuming fire”

• Mal. 3:3

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier (of silver)”

Comments:

• Fire removes everything in opposition to him

• Fire is the ultimate cleaning and cleansing agent

• God’s fire removes all impurities

• Exodus 3:2

• “God appears as a burning bush”

• Consider the story of the “fiery furnace” in Daniel 3:

• The three boys walked around together with “the Son of God” while the soldiers on the outside died

• This is an analogy to how the presence of God is “warmth and light” to those who love him, and “pain and destruction” to those who oppose him

• Daniel 7:9-10

“God is on a throne of flaming fire and a river

of fire is running from his throne”

Comments:

• I will not rule out that this river runs from the throne to the lake of fire

• Psalms 139:7-8 says:

“Where can I go away from your Spirit God ?

If I go into heaven you are there - and if I go

down to “sheol” (Hades or hell) you are there!

• No doubt: God is also in hell!

• Acts 2:3

“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire”

Comments:

• The day of Pentecost – God sends his Spirit as tongues of fire

• God is also described as fire in the following verses; Gen 19:24, Ex 3:2, 9:23, 13;21-22, 19:18, Numb 11:1-3, 4:24, Ne 9:12, Ps 66:10, 104:4, Is 66:15, among others places.

• Matt. 25:41

“Depart from me you who are cursed (meaning:

unbelievers) – into the eternal fire that is prepared for

the devil and his angels (demons)”

Comments:

• Genesis 3:15 tells us that “all Adam and Eve’s offspring are cursed – because of the fall.

• This curse is removed when we become believers.

Notice also: The “eternal” part is only connected to the demons and his angels – not to the “cursed”

In addition:

• before the electric light, any reference to “light” meant “fire” in one form or another

• There is no doubt:

• Fire is the trademark of God

• God’s own presence is the “lake of fire”

• Revelation 19:20

“The beast and the false prophet – the two of

them were thrown alive into the lake of fire”

Comments:

• In the picture you can see the two of them.

• Revelation 20:10

“and the devil who deceived them was

thrown into the lake of fire (sulfur) where the

beast and the false prophet had been thrown”

“And they will be tormented day and night or

forever and ever”

Comments:

• Now it is Satan's turn to be thrown into the lake of fire

• Revelation 20:14

“Death and Hades were thrown into the lake

of fire”

Comments:

• After the “day of the Lord” – judgment day there is no longer any need of Hades (the holding or waiting place)

• “Most people” have been transferred from Hades (paradise) to Heaven

• Revelation 21:8“the unbelievers (sinning unbelievers) – theirplace will be in the lake that burns with fire andbrimstone”

Comments:• Lake means: calm harbour (lagoon)• We have already explained what (who) the fire is• Brimstone: same as sulfur – a healing agent used

in medicine for cancer treatment, arthritis, Parkinson's and regeneration of cells

• So the “lake” that burns forever with fire and brimstone is a place to regeneratehealth – spiritual health

• When you are deadly sick – spiritually – this treatment center is far from a resort “spa”

• It is a painful operating table that eventuallywill end in complete healing

• God’s refining fire in combination with sulfur will do the work

• The goal of this “spiritual healing process” is to convert hard-core unbelievers into believers so they too will on bended knees “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”

• But there are some that will never be able to leave

• Jude 1:6 tells us that “the angels that left heaven”, meaning Satan and his demons – will be kept in everlasting and eternal chains

• Revelation 21:25

“for the gates of heaven

will not (never) be

shut”

Comments:

• Why does it say this?

• Could it be so the “latecomers” – after the refining process can freely enter heaven

• Is it possible that God in his grace and mercy goes “all out”?

• It is starting to become quite clear that “hell” is not a place apart from God…

• but more like “hell” to be in God’s presencefor an unbeliever and an enemy of God

• But the translators “refuse” to acknowledge this fact –

• just listen to this:

• 2 Thess. 1:9

“They will be punished with everlasting

destruction shut out from (NIV) - away from

(NAS) - excluded from (Amp) the presence of

the Lord”

• There are three words we need to look closer at: everlasting, destruction, and punished

1. Everlasting

• The translators are using the word everlasting

• Greek: Ainios (G166) - from the root word Aion (G165) translated by Strong’s dictionary as eternal or everlasting but also as “an age” or “a period of time”

• Most bible readers are not aware of this

• The translator’s theology and church and state politics in the 15th and 16th century might have played a role

2. Destruction

• The Greek word is Olethros (G3639) – a noun meaning “destruction of the flesh” – not destruction in general

• Since we believe that man doesn’t have a physical flesh body at this point, we are talking about destruction of flesh nature – the sin passion in man

3. Punished

• The Greek word is Dike (G1349) – a noun that can mean punishment or “execution of a sentence”

• So suddenly the scripture goes from meaning:

“they shall be punished with everlasting

destruction away from the presence of

the Lord”…

• To:

“who will be handed over to the execution of a

sentence – a period of time with destruction of the

flesh nature from (caused by) the presence of the Lord”

Comments:

• As you can see the destruction is coming from the presence of the Lord.

• “It is the Lord’s Shekinah glory causing the destruction”

• The word away from only exists in the translator’s theological mind…

“Suddenly we are starting to see a holistic picture of all

scripture - where all scripture fits together without

contradiction”

• It is starting to become quite clear that “hell” is not a place apart from God…

but more like “hell” to be in God’s

presence for an unbeliever and an enemy

of God

• Hell is a place where God expresses his passionate “agape love” for the ones that (so far) have rejected him

• Judgment day!

• Revelation 20:11

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who

was seated on it”

• Is there really a judgment day?

Definitely.

• It is “pay-day” for the Saints (we’ll be rewarded for the good)

and the bad? Our bad actions “will burn up”

• One theory is that the unbeliever and unrepentant will be transferred to the lake of fire for “treatment”

In the “book of Enoch”(see own chapter)- a holy scripture used by

the Jews, quoted by Jesus as well as the early church (Jude), we read that unbelievers

(sinners) repented before the throne of Godand received mercy and entered heaven.

(Enoch “L” 3-4)

• all people will come into the presence of God before his throne

• Some (the elect) will bask in His love, glory, light and power

• others will “cover” and hide in fear in torment due to that same Godly presence

• “The kings of the earth” will (according to the book of Enoch LXII – verse 9-10) not find mercy for their evil deeds

• It is inconceivable on the one hand to believe in God’s great unconditional love for mankind,

and at the same time believe that God

predestined human beings to be born and to

be sent to “hell” to be tormented by physical

flames for eternity – all driven by “loving”

anger and passion for revenge

• Even “bad people” would not do that to their off-spring

• One of the early church fathers, St. Isaac (the Syrian) – 7th century - said it this way:“Those who are punished in Gahanna (Hell) are scourged (a whip or a lash) by the scourge of

love”• The early church (the orthodox church) had a

much different understanding of what hell was• The “modern hell” theology of the catholic

church really “took off” in the 14th century with “Dante's inferno” (a theatre play on hell)

“Preliminary conclusion”

Hell is for real!It is a place prepared for Satan and his angels.

There they will be kept in torment and in chains forever…

An alternative theory regarding the unrepentant man:

We can not rule out that that our traditional understanding of hell (the lake of fire) is incorrect –and that instead of punishment for the unbeliever it

is a “rehabilitation center”

The book of Enoch

Who is Enoch?

Enoch was the great grandfather of Noah. The Book of Enoch chapter 68:1 “And after that my great grandfather Enoch gave me all the secrets in the book and in the parables which had been given to him, and he put them together for me in the words of the book of the parables.”

This makes it possible for the Book to have survived the flood as its not too hard to accept that Noah would have taken his Grandfathers writings with him onto the ark. We first learn of Enoch in Genesis 5.

The book of Enoch is most likely the oldest book in existence.

These writers claim that “The Book of Enoch” was the first book ever written

The book of Enoch is included in the old testament used by the Ethiopian

and Eritrean Jews(Judaism) and

the Ethiopian and Eritrean orthodox Christian church

It was discovered by James Bruce who in 1773 returned to Europe with three copies of it he had

obtained in Ethiopia

Copies of it was also discovered 60 years ago among the dead sea scrolls

Jude quotes it in Jude 1:14-15

Jesus quotes the book of Enoch10 times in the new testament (no kidding…)

“Enoch” quoted by Jesus:

• Matt 5:5 = E 5:7• Matt 19:28 = E 108:12• Matt 19:29 = E 40:9• Matt 26:24 = E 38:22• Luke 6:24 = E 94:8• Luke 16:26 = E 22:9-11• John 4:14 = E 48:1• John 5:22 = E 69:27• John 12:36 = E 108:11• John 14:2 = E 45:3• Most will agree these are clear evidence that Jesus was

very familiar with- and considered Enoch’s book as relevant and trustworthy

Enoch was a important person mentioned in Genesis 5:24. He was the 7th from Adam, the son of Jared (Gen. 5:18) and the father of Methuselah (5:21; Luke 3:37). After the birth of Methuselah at

65, he lived 300 more years. Gen 5:23-24

“So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.

And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

A Christian Orthodox relic of Prophet Enoch

Quote from the book of Enoch:“Behold, he comes with ten thousands of his saints, to

execute judgment upon them, and destroy the wicked, and reprove all the carnal for everything which the sinful and

ungodly have done

Jude quotes from a prophecy of Enoch; Jude 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these

men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of

all the ungodly acts they have done

Comment:The is no doubt Jude knew his Enoch book

“The book of Enoch” was very popular during the second temple period (530 BC to 70 AD) with the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and

Zealots.But it never made it to the biblical canon.

Why not?Was it to explicit and reviling in its content?

Was it better to keep this dramatic info hidden for “most people”?

Some ancient scholars seemed to think so.

So why is this book so interesting?

Because this book explains and expands on other biblical stories that are mentioned

more briefly in the old testament –the age before the flood and heaven and hell

Hold on to your hat:Some of you will now be shocked…

The book of Enochseem to confirm

“the final chance of repentance before the throne”

or the “second chance” theory

(Chapter “L” – verse 2-3)

The Book of Enoch at sacred-texts.com

L. The Glorification and Victory of the Righteous: the Repentance of the Gentiles.

CHAPTER L.1. And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect,And the light of days shall abide upon them,And glory and honour shall turn to the holy,2. On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the

sinners.And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits:And He will cause the others to witness (this)that they may repent and forgo the works of their hands.

3. They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits,Yet through His name shall they be saved,And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them,For His compassion is great.4. And He is righteous also in His judgement,And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself:At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him.5. And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits.

Enoch in his revelation sees it this way:

“…and all the unrighteous are destroyed before his face”

(Chapter “LXII” – verse 2)

This is a different outcome than the “saved out of hell” theory

Judgement of the Kings and the Mighty: Blessedness of the Righteous.

CHAPTER LXII.1. And thus the Lord commanded the kings and the mighty and the exalted, and those who dwell on the earth, and said: 'Open your eyes and lift up your horns if ye are able to recognize the Elect One.'

2. And the Lord of Spirits seated him on the throne of His glory,And the spirit of righteousness was poured out upon him,And the word of his mouth slays all the sinners,And all the unrighteous are destroyed (from) before his face.

3. And there shall stand up in that day all the kings and the mighty,And the exalted and those who hold the earth,And they shall see and recognize how he sits on the throne of his glory,And righteousness is judged before him,And no lying word is spoken before him.

4. Then shall pain come upon them as on a woman in travail,[And she has pain in bringing forth]When her child enters the mouth of the womb,And she has pain in bringing forth.

The kings and the mighty will not get “saved”

in spite of their falling down before him and petition for mercy

(Chapter “LXII” verse 9-10)

5. And one portion of them shall look on the other, And they shall be terrified,And they shall be downcast of countenance, And pain shall seize them,When they see that Son of Man Sitting on the throne of his glory.

6. And the kings and the mighty and all who possess the earth shall bless and glorify and extol him who rules over all, who was hidden.

7. For from the beginning the Son of Man was hidden,And the Most High preserved him in the presence of His might,And revealed him to the elect.

8. And the congregation of the elect and holy shall be sown,And all the elect shall stand before him on that day.

9. And all the kings and the mighty and the exalted and those who rule the earthShall fall down before him on their faces,And worship and set their hope upon that Son of Man,And petition him and supplicate for mercy at his hands.

10. Nevertheless that Lord of Spirits will so press themThat they shall hastily go forth from His presence,And their faces shall be filled with shame,

And the darkness grow deeper on their faces.

11. And He will deliver them to the angels for punishment,To execute vengeance on them because they have oppressed His children and

His elect12. And they shall be a spectacle for the righteous and for His elect:They shall rejoice over them,Because the wrath of the Lord of Spirits rests upon them,And His sword is drunk with their blood.

13. And the righteous and elect shall be saved on that day,And they shall never thenceforward see the face of the sinners and unrighteous.

14. And the Lord of Spirits will abide over them,And with that Son of Man shall they eatAnd lie down and rise up for ever and ever.

15. And the righteous and elect shall have risen from the earth,And ceased to be of downcast countenance.

And they shall have been clothed with garments of glory,

16. And these shall be the garments of life from the Lord of Spirits:And your garments shall not grow old,Nor your glory pass away before the Lord of Spirits

“Preliminary conclusion”

The book of Enoch,recognized by Jesus as well as Jude, seem to suggest

that people – standing before the throne of God –get a final chance to repent and be saved.

(Chapter L. – verse 3-4)

This is revolutionary information…(But it makes it possible for those “who have not heard” and others that for some reason could not

find their way in this life, to come to God.)(Enoch “L” - verse 3. “For His compassion is great”)

How was this salvation made possible?

How did God do it?He let Jesus die for all the sins of the world

“He that was without sin became sin so we that were sinners could become the righteousness of God.”The great exchange took place…

And man’s contribution?

Believe in Jesus. Believe in what he did.

Believe that he paid for all your sins.

All the sins of a lifetime. Past – present - future

Salvation by GraceSalvation by Faith

The sin-issue is dealt with once and for all. There is therefore now no

condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ. Good Friday works.

But wait. There is more.

The resurrection power of Easter morning gives you new life.

You will be “born again”.

Forever forgiven.And now born again.

It is now He that lives in you.

And you have to be willing to be “dead”.

This is a mystery.

Christ is in you. And you are in Him.

In Fact: You are one with Christ.

Forever.

God is able to keep you.

He is the loving father that now is in perfect union with you.

Do you think the creator of the universe will ever give you up or let you go?

Understand this: The sin issue has been dealt with.

You cannot sin your way out of fellowship with God. God has no longer anger against

you. Remember, he put all his anger on Jesus - that one time

almost 2000 years ago.

So now as a believer I’m free to sin as much as a please?

Let me answer with another question: If and when you really understand what

Jesus did for you: Will you still go out and “roll in the mud”? If so: Have you really

entered into a love relationship with Jesus?

We might all be able to commit a sin

But sinful behavior cannot separate us from relationship with Him.

But we are no longer sinners – but Saints.

Made Saints forever.As a gift of God.

You might “trip” and commit a sin. But you will never again become a sinner. Understand this: The verb: to sin can not

make you the noun: a sinner.

So who belongs to the body of Christ?

All the believers in Jesus in the whole world. And “all” the others will

eventually follow…

And how do we deal with people that “trip and fall”?

By including them in the fellowship – after all, they are our brothers and sisters – we

can love them into wholeness!

That’s what God does!

Final Conclusion:Can you see “the bigger picture”?I’m not going to tell anyone that

“this is how it is” or “this is how you understand it…”

I find it hard to believe myself…All I’m doing is teaching the word of God - what it

say’s - and what I believe it means. The more time you spend studying, the more the

Holy Spirit will speak to you.Ask God in prayer how you are to understand

“the bigger picture”You can trust Him.I know I have too…

What are the consequencesof believing “the bigger picture”?

Closing comments:Yes – there are consequences for believing

“the bigger picture.”You will be a part of a small minority in the

western church.You will be accused of being a heretic and a universalist…

You might even loose some of your friends.Or loose your position a the local church…

There is always a price to pay for religious (spiritual) conviction.

I don’t know if I’m ready to pay that price.I’m not even totally convinced what this truth is.But I know I’m on a journey from light to light…

And I will do as Paul and “stretch out at what’s ahead.”

But there is also a reward.A great reward!

A wonderful peace and satisfaction within you that you dared to follow

your heart……and the way you understand the scriptures.

Many believers are considering coming out of their spiritual and doctrinal “closet.”

Honesty always feels great.God loves you and is pleased with you no matter what

conclusion you should come to.

Even if (theoretically) we should be wrong in some of this –

God’s grace is sufficient for all of us.

After all, the church has always believed differently on many different issues…

If God saves in the “afterlife” or not is really up to him.

• So what is a heretic anyway?• The dictionary tells us it means a dissenter or

non conformist• It comes from the word heresy• And what does the dictionary tell us about

heresy?• Hold on to your hat: Belief contrary to orthodox

theology• (Remember: Orthodoxy was the original

Christianity the first thousand years)• So who is the heretic now?

• I am definitely not a universalist

• As we learned earlier a universalist believes everybody – absolutely everybody becomes saved and goes to heaven

• They have excluded the component of personal faith

• And that is an absolute requirement

• But like I said earlier – some will take longer to get there – if ever…

God bless you!And thank you for listening

Dear reader, my name is:

JanEgil GulbrandsenAfter living most of my life in Norway, I now live in Victoria BC, Canada with my wonderful wife of 37 years, Beverly.

We have 5 adult children and “many” grandchildren.As a businessman and co-founder of a major corporation,

I’m used to seeing big. “The bigger picture” comes natural…

I have been a member of Pentecostal and Baptist churches for more then 40 years. About 5 years ago I started to

understood grace – pure grace for the first time.(thank you Jesus – and Joseph Prince)

I have spent hundreds of hours in researching for and writing this “Power-point book”.

As an immigrant to Canada I sometimes struggle with the English language. But that is not stopping me from sharing

what I believe God is showing me. I learned at university “It is more important to say the right

things, than to say the things right.”

I’m on a spiritual journey. And I have not arrived yet…

If you have appreciated what you have read in this presentation, please send your comments to my email

gulbrandsen@islandnet.com

Feel free to use this “power-point book” as study or teaching material at no cost.

But don’t forget who gave it to you.May God lead you in your studies and journey with him!

“The bigger picture”JanEgil Gulbrandsen – January 2015

gulbrandsen@islandnet.com

Thank you for listening!