What about Hitler?
You Are Not Rightly Dividing
Thank You for you Chiding
God is Not a Man!
Blaspheme Against the Holy Spirit
Guardian Angels?
Unitarian?
Dress Codes
Where Does the Soul Go After Death?
A World of Opposites
You Are Self Righteousness
Sounds Like Free Will To Me
7 Spiritual Keys



Your web site is interesting, but do you really think Hitler will be reconciled to God, the father one day?  Don't you think justice alone requires punishment and condemnation?

What about the Bible verse where Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, the life; None comes to the Father except through the Son?"  I would like to know how you reconcile those statements with your view, not that your view is unappealing.  

It seems to me that you obviously are seeking the truth, and looking for a compassionate and universal Christianity. 

DSD

[Ray Replies]

Dear Dugan:

Thank you for your email and questions.

Why should it seem a thing impossible that God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth should be able to save a sinner?  Why does that boggle the mind?  Paul said that he was the greatest sinner that has ever lived (do we think he LIED?), and it took God about 3-4 SECONDS to save him. God saved him in one flash of light! Paul didn't WANT to be saved. Paul wanted to go to Damascus and PERSECUTE AND LAUGHER CHRISTIANS--that's what Paul wanted to do. But God had other plans for Saul/Paul. And so first He converted Paul. That took about 3-4 seconds. Then He told Paul what he ABSOLUTE WOULD DO, and Paul immediately began to DO THEM.

Now then, why should it seem a thing impossible that God Almighty should save a puny wimp of a sinner like Hitler? Do you think this CHALLENGES God's power to ultimate? If ALL NATIONS are to God but "a drop in a bucket," what pray tell would you liken just ONE of the sinners from ONE of those nations to? And flea? An atom? We blaspheme the name of God and don't even realize what we are doing!

God sent [commissioned] His Son Jesus Christ "To be the SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD" (I John 4:14). Do you really think that Both God Almighty AND Jesus Christ thought for one second that this mission would end in the utter failure portrayed by Christendom? What a sick and disgusting gospel the Church is sending to the world today.

OF COURSE "None CAN come to Christ, except the Father draw [Gk: drag] them." (John 6:44). And that is precisely what God will do to ALL MANKIND. Every human on earth will repent, and acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour (Phil. 2:9-11). But who believes these Scriptures? Virtually no one. God is coming to JUDGE THIS WORLD. Have you never heard that before?

Well what happens when God comes to JUDGE THIS WORLD?

"Because He has appointed a day, in the which He shall JUDGE THE WORLD in righteousness by THAT MAN [Jesus Christ] Whom He has ordained; whereof He has given ASSURANCE UNTO ALL MEN ['all'--that would be EVERYONE, Dugan], in that He has raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

Judgment Day will "give ASSURANCE TO ALL MEN," but who believes these Scriptures? Practically no one.

GOD JUDGES THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, HE DOES NOT TORTURE THE WORLD IN FIRE FOR ALL ETERNITY!

"For when Thy JUDGMENTS are in the earth the inhabitants OF THE WORLD WILL LEARN
RIGHTEOUSNESS"
(Isa. 26:9).

But who believes these Scriptures and HUNDREDS just like them? Practically no one.

God is CALLING MANY, but CHOOSING FEW in this church age. When God sets His hand to CHOOSE THEM ALL, He will do just that. And then ALL MANKIND will be saved (I Tim. 2:4, 4:10, etc. etc.)

And God will be "ALL in All" (I Cor. 15:28). Not some in most or a little in a few, but "ALL in All." But who believes these Scriptures? Do you, Dugan? Are you not reading my Series on "The Lake of Fire?" You really should. You will learn more than in ten years of seminary.

God be with you,

Ray

[more on the same]

Ray,

I'm reading and studying the topics as I have stated. Ok, well...hmmm, this will just be a note. I will send a critic/analysis of your work later. First of all may I say your work is scholarly and well done. However, your are reaching bro. Definitely reaching; grasping for any hope that there really is not a final judgment for the wicked. No, I am no better than those who will end up separated from Jesus but never-the-less, being born again I am not obliged to argue with the facts.
 
Reason: Does not reason in and of itself state that a just punishment for Hitler as opposed to the pagan gardner, enough to start with the premise that judgment WILL be just. Don't let me mislead you, I do not hold entirely to the traditional church teaching, nor am I sold on the annihilationism view quite yet. Karl Barth' s "nothingness" is appealing yet is not without flaws. Let, me suffice it to say that whatever it(eternal punishment) is, it is not going to be a heyday, a re-incarnation, nor a universalist teaching (of which you my friend are whether you like to portray yourself as not falling into "any" Church affiliation or not) of a universal resurrection of even the Hitlers, Stalins, serial killers, and even the Sadamms or Binladens will be resurrected to life living right alongside with everyday Joes who maybe cussed, smoked and stole in their lifetimes. Reason suggests that statement is as preposterous as any I have ever heard! Outer darkness, chains in blackness, worms not dying in flames (yes I am aware it is Gehenna), gnashing teeth, weeping along with other characteristics sounds like pretty serious biz to me my friend. Not something I would tell the heathen who are lost, "no big deal big guy, go ahead and live fighting God, you will win in the end because you can go ahead and to whatever the 'hell' you wanna do because there will never be a hell. Go ahead and get drunk, smoke some weed for your nerves, screw as many women as you want...heck, if the inconsiderate driver in front of you cuts you off, go ahead and shoot him. Sure, in this life we humans will place you in prison but you will have no such consequence with God in eternity. He will resurrect you for life 'of age.' Don't get me wrong there big guy, you will burn in the holy fires of God and that might hurt a lil bit but it'll pass." I think the statement is getting the silliness of your hermeneutics to a "T".

Yes, I can hear you now and I agree with you. Scripture goes beyond Reason but not in opposition of it. The doctrine that the Church has held for two thousand years of the triune nature of God is a paradox as well as the incarnation. Hear that Ray? PARADOX, not CONTRADICTION! You can squirm any way you wish to, to avoid the Trinity. I was almost duped into believing that hogwash myself for years by Oneness Pentecostals. But unlike your "Closed Trinity" scripture teaches the triune nature of God desires fellowship with mankind with an open Godhead. Not shut 'em out. Didn't want to get started on the Trinity but Ray, are you really going to go against what the Church has held (save the heretics of the Arians of the early Church, the Gnostics, and the modern day Oneness Pennies and Jehovah Witnesses) as far back as early Church History has documented. You can gripe all you want to about how the official doctrine wasn't laid out until Constantine in the fourth century. You cannot however argue with John 17 amongst thousands of other scriptures. Well, I have gone much further in this "note" but you have too many open-ended statements that have not in my mind answered my own inquiries much less any others I am certain. Yes, I have read how people have cried when they found your web site how they didn't want to believe in hell and blah, blah, blah...but do not realize why they are crying because they are so happy? They are happy because hey, you just gave them a sin all you want, get out of jail free card!

You along with all the other cultic universalists have twisted scripture to the point to making yourselves modern day Gnostics! Well, done chap, well done! Bravo! Now people can stop going to Church, hate all the Protestant/Catholic Churches that have actually helped people. Yes Ray there are actually good "churches" out there that aren't all money hungry and using "scare" tactics. You would do well to visit some of them and stop pretending to be a lone ranger who has more knowledge than all the major historical theologians going back to Paul and Peter themselves.Having said that (just a few thoughts I have had in reading all your material thus far I might add)  I will now get to my original reason for writing. Are you familiar with Gregory Boyd, Clark Pinnock, Sanders, Rice amongst other "open-theist" theologians? I challenge you to read Boyd's "Satan and the Problem of Evil" at least for grins if for any other reason. Yes, I agree with you Ray, one need not have any "credentials" or degrees to obtain knowledge much less wisdom. But Doctor Boyd has likewise done his homework. He has also spent countless hours studying history, Philosophy and Theology. He has also spent the past fifteen plus years refuting claims of Calvinists (of which I claim to fall under) and Reformed Theologians of our day who like you (and I) claim compatibalism within the Omniscience/Providence-Sovereignty of God. He has done a marvelous job in this book as which I am studying along with your position and the Southern Baptist Reformed Theologian Bruce Ware (who is a critic of Boyd). I just ask because so far, Boyd has some explanations for your "questions"  as well as mine about free will that might just make you renig your whole defense! If you would be so humble enough to admit one day you are wrong...if having said and done I study all your material along with others and I conclude I have been the one who is wrong, I will humbly repent of my pride.

For now, I am on the search.
 
Casey

[Ray Replies]

Dear Casey:

Concerning your totally irresponsible comments:

How you can say that you are not only reading, but STUDYING my writings and yet come up with the totally dishonest conclusions that you state, is overwhelming to me--COMPLETELY OVERWHELMING!

You suggest that according to what I teach on my site that sinners can just KEEP ON SINNING, with absolutely nothing to fear, and that not only is there no traditional hell of eternal torture, but there is in fact, NO JUDGMENT!

You state: "Definitely reaching; grasping for any hope that there really is not a final judgment for the wicked." Your statements are sheer fabrication and have absolutely no validity in fact, whatsoever!

You did not read any such thing on MY site, Mr. Smith. NO, YOU DID NOT, and I defy you to quote one paragraph, sentence, or even phrase, where I even hinted at such an unscriptural absurdity!

I have thus far written nearly FOUR HUNDREDS PAGES on my series "The Lake of Fire,' and although not nearly completed as yet, I have stated DOZENS AND DOZENS of times that there is a JUDGMENT on the House of God NOW, and that there is coming a JUDGMENT upon ALL mankind in the Resurrection to JUDGMENT, at the Great White Throne JUDGMENT, and Lake of Fire JUDGMENT. And that this JUDGMENT will be very very SEVERE!

How on earth can you make all the false and irresponsible statements concerning my writings that you have in this email of yours?  Your statements and conclusions about my teaching on the consequences of Sin and the JUDGMENTS that are and will come on all humankind are false and deceitful above almost anything I have seen come across my screen. Why? What is your motive in being so blatantly deceitful?

Quote me ONE statement from ANY paper on my site where I condone sin, state that there are no consequences for sin, or that there is no JUDGMENT for even the worst of criminals who have ever lived. Where, Mr. Smith. ONE QUOTATION FROM ANY PAPER ON MY SITE. I'm waiting...........

Sincerely,

Ray


Dear MR. Byron:

You would do well to not appropriate to yourself names and titles that belong only to GOD: "...Holy and REVEREND is HIS Name" (Psalm 111:9).

I will make a few COMMENTS in your email ...

Mr. L. Ray Smith,

There seems to be a number of people that do not have a '' Calling from God '' on their life that they open a web-page so that they can offer their perspective on God, the Bible, general apologetics and so-on.

COMMENT:  And you "know" that I do not have a calling from God, do you?

I have not looked at all of your writing's, but it did not take long to see that you are not ( RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH ).

COMMENT:  Funny you should say that. I get an average of 500 emails a month in which Christians accuse me of the same thing. They, just as with you, never quote a statement of mine, and then prove that quotation wrong by using Scripture. No, they never do that. They just run off at the mouth and usually condemn me to an eternal hell. 

QUOTE ME [no, I didn't say "paraphrase" what you think that I might possibly mean, but rather QUOTE ME], then give 2 or 3 Scriptures to prove my statement false. As it "did not take long to see that [I] am not RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH," this should be relatively easy for you. Say five or ten minutes. What do you think?  And yes, I realize that God didn't call you to to do this, and that you don't have the time, and that there are tooooo many errors to comment even on one, and you know that it wouldn't do any good, etc., etc., etc. I have heard all that before, HUNDREDS OF TIMES.

My question's are thus,

1. Have you ever studied in a Bible College or class?

COMMENT: No, I haven't. But then again, I don't believe that Peter, James or John did either, did they?

2. It seem's that you believe in a Damnable Heresy called '' Restitution of all Things ''. Is this true ?

COMMENT:  Why, YES I DO, Mr. Byron.  And it is surprising, albeit not shocking, that you don't. Seeing that you call it a "DAMNABLE HERESY," and all.

Do you have a Bible, Mr. Byron? Would you turn with me to Acts 3:21: 

"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS [I believe that these are the very same words you used, are they not, Mr. Byron?], which God has spoken [notice that this doctrine that you call a "DAMNABLE HERESY: was spoken of BY GOD HIMSELF, not Satan] by the mouth of all his holy prophets [notice that: 'HOLY prophets,' not 'Satanic demons,' but "HOLY prophets'] since the world began

Just maybe, Mr. Byron, you are suffering from the sin of "JUDGING" others, when it is YOU, who are calling the Declarations of God Almighty: "DAMNABLE HERESY."

Are you familiar with the sin of: "BLASPHEMING THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD," Mr. Byron?

May God have mercy upon your miserable soul, and may He cleans your mind with a REFINER'S FIRE and wash you mouth out with "FULLERS SOAP" (Mal. 3:2).

Ray 

3.Do you have a Church or ministry other than your web-page ?

4. When was the last time that you witnessed to a person or told them about Jesus Christ ?

I am not nor will I call you names, as it is not a Christian way of conducting one's self. Please do the same !

In His Service,

Bro. Byron


Ray,

I appreciate your boldness as well as your diligent effort in the study of scripture. I have been reading some of your material for about the past four hours. I feel like I have learned something. I agree with you on a lot of points, and disagree with you on other points. I need to think and study for myself first.

While I was reading I was bothered by the way that people were speaking to you. They accuse you of bashing other people and then they turn right around and bash you. We must all remember that a servant of the Lord must not quarrel or strive with another person {2 Tim}. We all must remain gentle while standing our ground. It doesn't matter if you or they are right or wrong. None of us completely know God, His word, or how things will eventually turn out. He alone will decide. That is what FAITH is all about.

All we must do is retain our simplicity in Christ and trust in Him like a child. We can learn several things from children. 1.) They trust in their mother and fathers- only God knows how things will turn out. He is good and will not let us down. We do not have to worry about trivial things 2.) Most little kids obey 3.) Little children mess up, get disciplined, but they keep moving on 4.) Little kids before they reach a certain age love sincerely - WE SHOULDN'T STRIVE WITH ONE ANOTHER 5.) They give freely and cheerfully- that is the attitude that I would like to have when I give 6.) They ask questions and have a desire to learn.I not dogmatic in anything accept that Christ lived for us, died for us, rose again for us, and now lives for us interceding for us.

There are many questions, fallacies, and contradictions out there. We all need to diligently study God's word. We must keep the desire to learn alive in us.We are all open to deception. Deceived people never know that they are deceived. We must ask God to open the eyes of our understanding and give us a spirit of  wisdom and revelation. May God have grace and mercy upon us all as we seek to work out our salvation in fear and trembling.

May God's peace be with you,

Benjamin

[Ray Replies]

Dear Benjamin:

Thank you for you chiding and reprimand on the way that I teach. It will not, however, change me from doing what I am doing. Thousands of people who have BEEN deceived are NO LONGER deceived because of what they read on our bible-truths web site. It is honest, it is Scriptural, and it is EFFECTIVE. It obviously has not effected you too much, except that you think I am "STRIVING" with my detractors.

I have already received dozens of emails EXACTLY as yours. People who can't find any real Scriptural errors in my teaching, but nonetheless, do not like that fact that I speak with authority. They wish that I would merely (and more meekly) state my opinions but then to show respect to everyone else for their damnable, and heretical opinions. It won't happen.

Read the material on our site for its content and try to forget about the sinner behind the writing. God is quite capable of dealing with any short-comings that I still have.   Have you read the series on "The Lake of Fire" on our site? You should. You will learn a lot.

God be with you,

Ray


Dear L. Ray,

If God set us up in the garden of Eden, knew what we would do from the beginning, why does it say that "it grieved God's heart that He had MADE man" Gen 6:6 ?

Thank you for your work. It has really been opening my eyes

Ben

[Ray Replies]

Dear Ben:
 
Dozens of times (maybe hundreds) God speaks to us AS IF He were a man. But God is NOT A MAN.

Some examples:

"And the Lord REPENTED [changed His mind] of the evil which He thought to do unto His people" (Ex. 32:14).

Vs.

"And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man that he should repent [change His mind]" (I. Sam. 15:29).

Is this a flat out Biblical contradiction? NO. On statement is from man's point of view, and the other is from God's point of view. One is the RELATIVE, while the other is the ABSOLUTE.

"...choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Josh. 24:15).

Vs.

"Ye have NOT chosen me, but I have chosen you..." (John 15:16).

The relative point of view from man's position seems to put the ability to choose on man's shoulders, while the ABSOLUTE truth from God's position is that 'no one CAN come to Me...." (John 6:44).

"...whosoever does not righteousness is NOT of God" (I jn 3:10).

Vs.
  
"ALL is of God"
(II Cor. 5:18).

Unrighteousness is NOT of God's heart. Those who doe wickedness are of their father the devil, Jesus said. Yet, even THAT is OF GOD in the ultimate sense.

One more:

"Zachariah was JUST before God" (Luke 1:5). 

Vs. 

"NOT ONE is JUST" (Rom. 3:10).

Again, Zachariah was "just" FROM MAN'S point of view. When comparing him with all the other corrupt priests, Zachariah certainly appeared to be JUST. But from God's ABSOLUTE point of view, not even Zachariah was just.

And so there are hundreds of just such statements in Scripture that appear to make God out to be HUMAN, with HUMAN anatomy (eyes, ears, face, hair, arms, etc.) when in reality God IS SPIRIT and has ABSOLUTELY NO HUMAN ANATOMY.

When God asked:  "Where art thou Adam?" Are we to assumed that God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHERE ADAM WAS HIDING??   And then, "WHO TOLD YOU that you were naked?" Does God REALLY NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE SIMPLE QUESTIONS?

It was for ADAMS SAKE that God asked: "Where art thou" and "who told you that you are naked." From man's point of view God "repented" or "changed His mind." But God has not revealed to the whole world that ALL IS OF HIM, and he NEVER EVER CHANGES ANYTHING! Now do you see and understand. Good.

There are thousands of highly educated theologians and teachers that do not grasp these simplest of Bible Truths.

God be with you,

Ray


Mr. Smith,

I would like to start off by saying that I can appreciate the fact that you are so outspoken about the way you feel about your doctrine, however I would like to present an argument for several of the issues I have read about on your web site. First you say that there is no scriptural backing for eternal damnation or fire. I would call your attention to Mt 25:41, Jude 6, Rev. 20:10, Mt. 18:8, Mk 9:48, Mk 9:43, IS. 33:14, Luke 3:17, and Mt. 3:12.

Your manner of thinking tells people that they are need not worry about their sins, because all will eventually be forgiven. We must repent of our sins.

I would like to continue by saying that your views about salvation are distorted. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:16 and 10:9 that we must ACCEPT, that is to believe and confess your sins, Jesus Christ the Messiah as YOUR savior. You have said in articles that I viewed that there is nothing we must do to be saved. This is absolutely untrue. There is NO Scripture that says salvation is given without asking.

I would just like to say to you that this is not a letter of condemnation, but an appeal for you to accept Jesus as your saviour. I will pray for you and all who have been influenced by your teachings.I would like to add that it says in James 3:1 that, and I am paraphrasing, the teachers will be judged more harshly. I would also like to point you to 2 Peter 2:1.

I don't wish hell on anyone, but it is a real eternal place, and I pray that you do not end up there.

Prayers always

Your brother in Christ,

Allen

P.S. I do not use the King James Version of the bible, I do however use the NIV, NASB, ESV, and RSV.

[Ray Replies]

Dear Allen:

Thank you for your comments. However, you make a number of assumptions and assertions that are totally untrue.

Just how does Matt. 25:41, Jude 6, Rev. 20:10, Mat. 18:8,Mark 9:43, Isa. 33:14, Luke 3:17, and Mat. 3:12 disprove my statement that there is no eternal damnation by fire? I don't have time to go through the Scripture proof that there is no Greek or Hebrew word in the original manuscripts that can be properly translated "everlasting" or "eternal." But if you go to my letter to John Hagee and read the first ten pages, I prove it there from the Scriptures themselves. I have send HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of detractors to read those ten pages and NOT ONE, I SAID NOT ONE of them has ever come back to me to try and prove me wrong in those ten pages. Perhaps you would like to be the first?

The wages of sin is DEAD (Rom. 6:23), NOT eternal torture in fire. God's judgments are "eonian" not "eternal." Besides JUDGMENTS bring repentance and salvation: "When Thy JUDGMENTS are in the earth the inhabitants of the WORLD WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Isa. 26:9). Do you doubt this verse? Do you believe there are verses that actually CONTRADICT this verse. Do you believe God's Word is a book of CONTRADICTIONS? Just maybe there is something wrong with the words translated "everlasting" and "eternal" in the King James and many other modern language Bibles? I know of a DOZEN Bible Translations covering a period of centuries that do not translate "iaon" or "iaonion" into "everlasting" or "eternal," but rather "eonian" or "age-abiding."

You state that: "Your manner of thinking tells people that they need not worry about their sins, because all will eventually be forgiven." Allen, why don't you comment on the actual WORDS that I have written rather than on what you "think" I might be "THINKING." I write what I think. And I write many many pages telling people how that they need to REPENT AND OBEY THE GOSPEL. Did you conveniently overlook all those many many statements I make? I have never, EVER, suggested that people can or should take a casual approach to their damnable sins! So why do you suggest such a damnable thought?

I have quoted I Tim. 2:2 and 4:10, and Eph. 2:9-11 hundreds and hundreds of times. I would be willing to wager with anyone that I have quoted Eph. 2:9-11 more than any other human alive today. I have quoted it probably hundreds of times just in the material on my site, and multiple hundreds of times in thousands of email replies! Let me quote it one more time:

"Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name. That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow [that's worship], of things [them] in heaven, and them in earth, and them under the earth; And that every tongue should CONFESS that Jesus Christ IS LORD [that's REPENTANCE, Allen, and it can ONLY be done by the in-dwelling of God's Holy Spirit, '...no man CAN say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit' I Cor. 12:3], to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2;9-11).

Next you accuse me of having a "DISTORTED" view of salvation and you quote Rom. 1:16 and 10:9, and say we must accept, believe and confess, as though SOMEWHERE I teach contrary to this! Where, Allen. You made the statement, not produce the place in my writings where I CONTRADICT OR TEACH CONTRARY TO THESE TWO VERSES! WHERE?  I just quoted you Phil. 2:9-11, where EVERY KNEE AND EVERY TONGUE bows and confesses that Jesus is LORD AND MASTER OF THEIR LIVES! Where do you see in these verses FAILURE to believe and accept Jesus?

Your double-talking babble about whether there is anything we must do to be saved is nonsense. "WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE, through FAITH." GRACE IS FREE. GRACE SAVES US. Nothing but the GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST SAVES US--NOTHING ELSE! And we didn't "come to Christ," the Father DRAGGED US" (John 6:44), and we have not "chosen Christ," but rather Christ has "chosen us" (John 15:16). You don't even know the Scriptures on salvation.

Now I will tell you something I teach that you don't! Once God GRACES His true elect, He then TEACHES, TRAINS, DISCIPLINES, CORRECTS, PUNISHES, CHASTISES us to live GODLY LIVES IN AN UNGODLY WORLD (Titus 2:11).

Grace is a VERB that does and accomplishes something in the true believer. It conquers the WORLD and its LUSTS inside of the true believer. Did Saul/Paul "ASK TO BE SAVED" on the road to Damascus? Well, DID HE? You speak as a fool, Allen. It is YOU who need to repent! I read THOUSANDS of pages of material on Biblical themes showing and telling people to repent of their sins and obey God's commandments and clean up their lives through the in-dwelling of God's Spirit, and you have the audacity to tell me to "..accept Jesus as my Saviour."  You have the gall to call my writings, "...MALICE, GUILE, HYPOCRISIES, ENVIES, AND EVIL SPEAKINGS"?

You believe that when I quote thousands and thousands of Scriptures giving people hope in a loving God of mercy and forgiveness and salvation, that these writings are "...MALICE, GUILE, HYPOCRISIES, ENVIES, AND EVIL SPEAKINGS?" Let me remind you, Allen, of the stern warnings of our Lord with regards to those who would equate the Work of God to that of the Devil, and that is precisely what you are suggesting in your email:

"But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit [this is explained in verse 22-23 as attributing the Satan the very works of God], hath never forgiveness [Gk: 'has not forgiveness for the eon'], but is in danger of eternal [eonian] damnation [condemnation or judgment]" (Mark 3:29).

Your crime, Allen, is more serious than you probably realize.

May God open your blinded eyes to see His Spiritual Truths,

Ray


Hi Ray,

(Matthew 18:10 KJVA)  Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

I have a question about guardian angels. Does scripture support this concept? What did Jesus mean by "their angels"?

Your brother,

Pat

[Ray Replies]

Dear Pat:

Interesting question!

The phrase "guarding angel" does not appear in Scripture. And, as you probably already know, a much better and more accurate translation for angels is "messengers."

Now then, do messengers "guard" us or anyone? Do they serve other functions a the behest of God?

Yes, they do.  Here is a direct statement about just what messengers do: 

"But to which of the angels [messengers] said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?   Are they [messengers] not ALL MINISTERING SPIRITS, sent forth to MINISTER for THEM WHO SHALL BE HEIRS OF SALVATION?"

So we all have "ministering spiritual ministers (angels--messengers) from heaven" performing many things in our behalf.

Notice that Jesus said in Matt. 18:10 that these angels "...always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." The "face" is used in Scripture as that which is most intimate--the face houses the eyes which are the windows of the soul. The angels of heaven are most attentive to the very sincerest wishes of the Father. Next let's look at an example of just such an one actually performing a task on earth which came from the "face of the Father":

"And there appeared unto him [Zascharias--father of John Baptist] an ANGEL of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense... And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that STAND IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD [in the presence of HIS FACE]; and am SENT [they are MINISTERING spirits] to speak unto thee, and to show you these glad tidings" (Luke 1:11 & 19). 

Now Gabriel is of pretty high rank, and as such may not be assigned to any one of us personally, but rather is used for the very most important messages. However, they are all ably trained to do their jobs. None has ever spoken to me directly... yet.

Now just because angels do not speak to us audibly and in plain sight, does not preclude that they do no continue ministering unto us to this very day.

Hope this helps your understanding a little better.

God be with you,

Ray


Mr. Smith,

My family and I are followers of Jesus and worshippers of the Judeo-Christian God as portrayed in the original scriptures.  We do regular scripture studies together and have apparently come to the same conclusions that you have (based on what we've read so far on your site).  We are considering attending a Unitarian Universalist Church and would be very interested in hearing your personal thoughts & feelings regarding this group?

Thanks for your continued guidance,

Nathan

". . . do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." (Colossians 2:16)

"I (Jesus) have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd." (John 10:16)

"There are VARIETIES OF EFFECTS, but the SAME GOD who works ALL THINGS in ALL PERSONS . . . But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired . . . But now there are many members, but one body." (1 Corinthians 12:6, 18, 20)

". . . ALL THINGS originate from God." (1 Corinthians 11:12)

". . . ALL is of God . . ." (2 Corinthians 5:18)

"God is operating ALL . . ." (Ephesians 1:11)

"Him who fills ALL IN ALL . . . one Father of ALL, Who is OVER ALL and THROUGH ALL and IN ALL." (Ephesians 1:23, 4:6)

"For FROM HIM (the source) and THROUGH HIM (the way/path) and TO HIM (the conclusion/culmination) are ALL THINGS.  To Him be the glory forever.   Amen." (Romans 11:36)

[Ray Replies]

Dear Nathan:

I do not believe the Unitarian Church, which today is a consolidation of The American Unitarian Association and Universalist Church of America, can accurately be called a "church," if by that we mean an assembly that believes in salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

They would do better to just retain the word "association." Or maybe just a "social club."

According to Karl M. Chworowsky, former minister emeritus of the First Unitarian Church of Fairfield County is Westport, Connecticut, this church has some strange doctrines indeed which espouse the following:

1.  "...whose faith affirms the principles of freedom, reason and dignity of man."

You won't find anything like that in the Scriptures. Man's reason and dignity are totally devoid of God's Spirit. That's why he needs salvation in the first place.

2. "...Unitarians do not acknowledge Jesus as their 'Lord and Savior'..."

3. "They [Unitarians] worship differently because they believe that every individual has the right to approach ultimate values in his OWN WAY ['There is a way that seems right to a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of DEATH' Prov. 14:12], that truth may be found in the teachings of the great prophets of humanity in every age and tradition, and that religious community has the duty to of creating such patterns of worship as best serve its needs."

4. "Many Unitarians find the word 'GOD' a stumbling block to communication about the supreme matters of the spirit."

5. "Freedom of belief among Unitarians is broad enough to include agnosticism, humanism, and even ATHEISM...."

6. "Do Unitarians believe the Bible is divinely inspired, as 'the Word of God,' and infallible?  No. The doctrine of revelation, of the absolute and indisputable authority of the Bible, is ALIEN to our faith and teaching."

7. What do Unitarians believe about Jesus?...Unitarians have refused to 'make a God' of one [Jesus] who was utterly human in all his words and  deeds...Unitarians do not believe that Jesus is either the Messiah of Jewish hope or the Savior of Christian belief."

8. "Unitarians REPUDIATE the dogma or doctrine of the Virgin Birth."

9. God sent His only-begotten Son in to the world to die, in order that 'whosoever believes in Him may have everlasting life.' Such doctrine Unitarians find UNBELIEVABLE and UN-BIBLICAL."

10. "His [mankind] natural tendency for good can grow through proper environment, effective education and spiritual awareness."

11. "Unitarians believe in 'salvation by character'...Man at his best is the certain proof that salvation lies WITHIN HIM. If man is to be saved, his God-given mental capacity and his potential for good will save him here, and hereafter."

12. "Do Unitarians believe in prayer? Of course they do. Some Unitarians prefer to call prayer 'meditation'...."

Etc., etc., etc.

Are you SURE you want to become a "Unitarian?"

May God open you eyes to spiritual Truth,

Ray


Dear Bro. Smith,

I have two questions, each one on a separate subject.

1) Could you please explain what 1 Corinthians 11:14 means? Does this mean it is a sin for a man to have long hair? Is this symbolic. I personally prefer to keep my hair short, and I will not fall out with a Christian brother with long hair. Does my church or youth camp have the right or authority to require the men who hold positions of authority (Teachers, elders, deacons, choir members, children and youth workers, etc) to keep their hair short and stay clean shaven?

2) My wife and I are having a disagreement with another couple at church. These people are dear friends of ours.  The church we attend has a particular dress code for services and extra church activities for it's members. We do not judge visitors who may not dress according to code. Part of the dress code states that females can only wear dresses or skirts. This where the disagreement comes in. My wife abides by the dress code, while on church time (at service and on church activities). However, she likes to wear modest jeans and pants at home on our own time. The other couple claims that she is a hypocrite because she dresses one way at church and another everywhere else. Could you give us some biblical insight to which side of the argument is correct?

I look forward to hearing from you

YOURS FAITHFULLY

TAD

[Ray Replies]

Dear Tad:

The "long hair" of I Cor. 11:14 is not speaking solely of "long" hair, but, tressed hair or tresses, ringlets of curled hair, or tufts.

It is much the same principle as with you question regarding women wearing jeans or pants. The Scriptures tell us that men should not wear "what pertains to a woman" and women should not wear "what pertains to a man." But what pertains to a woman and what pertains to a man? Are skirts solely a woman's apparel while long pants solely a man's apparel?

Women have worn "pants" for thousands of year and men have worn skirts (and still do in Scotland during festive occasions). It is not the item so much as the intent of the item. Mrs. Bush our First Lady wears long pants all the time and she looks quite nice and feminine. And I hardly think that anyone would consider the rough and tough firemen of New York to be feminine in their "skirts" when they perform as a bagpipe unit.

But one can wear long and curly tufted hair to APPEAR feminine as a woman, and that certain is not becoming a man. Likewise a woman can wear a crew cut which likewise is unbecoming.

Such articles as feminine makeup, panties, and high-heeled shoes are definitely feminine and should not be worn by men. Gays and queers dress in ways that SHAME their gender.

It may be proper for a church to have a "dress code" for different church functions. The problem could be, however, that these codes go to the extreme. Most men would agree that a woman is much more sexy in a short skirt and high heels than in jeans and tennies, wouldn't you agree?  Maybe this thing of proper dress can be likened to the judge who said, "I don't know how to precisely define pornography, BUT I SURE KNOW IT WHEN I SEE IT"!

God be with you,

Ray


Hello Mr. Smith,

I copied the paragraphs below from a Christian website: It is the answer given in response to the question "Before Jesus came, where did one's soul go after death?

The part that jumps out at me is the last sentence. I would really appreciate your take on this response as I have always been a firm believer that we stay in the grave until Christ's return, and that no human beings (expired of course) have gone to join the father in heaven. Am I misunderstanding this, or is this just another one of   those absolute assertions made by well informed Christians?

(okay.that was a little sneaky) but boy oh boy, I see some doozies from apparently "respected authorities." Anyway, I hope you have time to respond. I really enjoy your site and your sense of humor! Godbless

Mary

"Before Christ's death on the cross at Calvary, the souls of the dead went to Hades, a supernatural place somewhere in the heart of the earth. Hades has two compartments, the abode of the lost called in the Bible "torment," and the other side, the place of the saints of God called Paradise, and also referred to as "Abraham's Bosom." When Jesus gave up His Spirit to death, He went into the Paradise side of Hades and "took captivity captive." This means He took all the souls of the saints who had died to that point to be with God the Father in Heaven. The Paradise side of Hades is now empty. The torment side today holds all souls of people who rejected Christ's salvation, and who have died to this point in human history. People who are saved by believing in Christ today, and who die, now go directly to God, the Father, in Heaven."

(BTW.this is from a site about the rapture).another one I don't   get.

[Ray Replies]

Dear Mary:

This explanation of Christ's death and hades is typical Christian theology--contradiction after contradiction after contraction based on human reasoning and a total void of supporting Scriptures. Let me go through the author's statements:

1. "Before Christ's death on the cross at Calvary, the souls of the dead went to Hades, A SUPERNATURAL PLACE...."

Question: Where does the Bible call hades "a supernatural place?" Nowhere!

2. "...somewhere in the HEART OF THE EARTH."

Question:  Where does the Bible say that hades is in "the heart of the earth?" Nowhere!

3. "Hades has TWO COMPARTMENTS..."

Question: Where does the Bible say that hades has "two compartments?" Nowhere!

4. "...the abode of the lost called in the bible 'TORMENT,'...."

Question:  Where in the Bible is the abode of the lost called "torment?" Nowhere!

5. "...the place of the saints of God called PARADISE...."

Question:  Where in the Bible is the the place of dead saints called "paradise?"  Nowhere!

6. "...and also referred to as 'ABRAHAM'S BOSOM."

Question:  Where in the Bible are dead saints said to be in "Abraham's Bosom?"  Nowhere!

7. "When Jesus gave up His Spirit to death, He went into THE PARADISE...."

Question:  Where in the Bible does it say that Jesus ever went to "the paradise?"  Nowhere!

8. "...side of Hades and 'TOOK CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE?"

Question:  Where in the Bible does it say Christ took "captivity captive" from Hades? Nowhere?

9. "This means He took all the souls of the saints who had died to that point to be with God the Father IN HEAVEN."

Question: Where in the Bible does it say Jesus took souls from Hades and too them to "heaven?" Nowhere!

10. "The paradise side of Hades is now empty."

Question:  Where in the Bible does it say that there is a Paradise in Hades, and where does it say that it is NOW EMPTY?  Nowhere?

11. "The torment side today holds all souls of people WHO REJECTED CHRIST'S SALVATION."

Question:  Where in the Bible does it say that there is a "torment" side of Hades that now holds all the souls of people "who rejected Christ's salvation." Nowhere!

12. "...and WHO HAVE DIED to this point in human history."

Question:  Where in the Bible does it say that all those who have died in human history are in a compartment of Hades called "torment?" Nowhere!

13. "People who are saved by believing in Christ today, and who die, NOW GO DIRECTLY TO GOD, THE FATHER, IN HEAVEN."

Question:  Where in the bible does it say that all today who die, believing in Christ "go directly to God, the Father, in heaven?" Nowhere? In fact, I will give anyone ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS if they can show me a Scripture that says believing Christians today go directly to God in heaven when they die!

Thirteen out of thirteen--ALL LIES; ALL UNSCRIPTURAL! This is typical Christian Theology-- Unscriptural nonsense.

God be with you,

Ray


You say that there is no hell?  Yet we live in a world of opposites?  Right wrong , up down, in and out, life and death.   In this light is it so hard to believe in Heaven, and Hell, Good and Evil,   God and Satan?  In life there are opposites and in the after life there are as well.  You may live your life in the thought that God in all his wisdom would not make a place to punish those who do not follow his way?  Those who sit and eat at his enemies table? I am a sheep in this wolf's world however... I fear not death... for vengeance is the lords. 

"Vengeance!"  Interesting word there isn't it?   Vengeance for those who kill, murder, rape, and so forth.  Those you commit adultery and fornication.  Those who try to lead others astray with mental mumbo jumbo, and intellectual mind games will get there just reward in due time. 

If you don't believe in hell  Mr. Smith... then when you die make shore to spit in God's eye's demanding that he let you in... for there is no other place to put you!  Yeah shore... then you wake up to the smell of burning flesh and scream to the top of your weak lungs begging for God's forgiveness, but it will be too late.  I am glad that you believe so intensely that there is no hell, because it only inshore that Hell is exactly where you will go.

I shall remember your name for it will not be written in the Book of Life!

Your on looker

Sekuma

[Ray Replies]

Dear Sekuma:

You sure are a mean-spirited son-of-a-gun. I have not even completed my life yet, and you can't wait for me to burn in hell. You really cherish such a unspeakable and damnable heresy, don't you, Sekuma? It gives you sheer pleasure just contemplating the horror of your god terrorizing billions of men and women, and boys and girls in an eternal hell-hole of insane pain, doesn't it? You don't believe for one second that God is ABLE to bring all of humanity to repentance, conversion, righteous living, and salvation, do you?

Read my series on "The Lake of Fire."

You suggest that when I die, I should "spit in God's eyes..." Me thinks that God should wash your mouth out with a strong dose of "FULLERS' SOAP" (Mal. 3:2).

Sincerely,

Ray


Greetings,

    I have so much to say to you, I could write for days. Instead, I will sum up what I have to say in a neat little package.

    I do in fact know scriptures that negate what you are trying to say in many of your writings. The fact of the matter is that I, you or anyone else could take one, two or even ten scriptures out of context, isolate them and justify almost anything.

    The attitude behind what you are writing is one of SELF righteousness. That, in and of itself is not scriptural. If any man comes across and feigns to know the answers... beware. Instead of trying to find differences between what you believe, and pretty much every other Christian believes...why not look at what we have in common.  The TRUTH is really simple; we, as believers are saved by grace through faith. Simply by accepting Jesus' finished work we are reconciled to the Father. Most, not all, but most of the rest is just details. Please don't misunderstand me, I am not complacent with my beliefs. When one is forced to break down their faith to the basics, it's all about Jesus.

    There are a few things however, worth addressing.   Do you really believe that tithing or not tithing has anything at all to do with salvation? Details. On a more serious note, the trinity or at least the plurality of God is most obviously demonstrated right at the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 1:26,   Then God said, " Let US make man in OUR image, in OUR likeness..." . As you would say...pretty clear. As for Hell, in Revelations 1:18 Jesus says he has the keys of hell and of death...it would be tough to have the keys for some place that doesn't exist. Hell is not fire and brimstone, to that I can agree. Hell is simply the absence of God. In this world, the just and the unjust experience God's blessing and His presence whether they acknowledge it or not. Remove that , and you have Hell. For there to be Heaven, Hell must also exist. For there to be inherent good, there must also be evil.

    Like I said before, I could write for days. But I will end with this...if,  as you believe, ALL men will be saved, then WHY THE BIG DEAL??? If you really ..believed what you were saying,  then all of these issues   would be incidental since according to you the same end result would occur regardless. Think about it!

    For every person you think you are helping, there are an equal number or more who you are confusing...just a thought.

    With everything that I am, IN HIM,

Todd

[Ray Replies]

Dear Todd:

Jesus never ever said: "...and have the keys to HELL and of death." Why even my KING JAMES has a little superior "1" by the word "hell" which is then corrected in the margin with the word "hades." Jesus has the keys to HADES and death.

Todd, seriously, is there a single word ANYWHERE in either the Hebrew Manuscripts or thousands of Greek Manuscripts that has as it definition the following:

Webster's New World Dictionary:

"hell (hel), n 1. the place where Christians believe that devils live and wicked people go to be punished after they die."

The American Heritage College Dictionary:

"hell (hel) n. 1a often Hell. The abode of condemned souls and devils in some religions; the place of eternal punishment for the wicked after death, presided over by Satan."

Meriam-Webster's College Dictionary:

"hell n 1a(2): the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which the damned suffer everlasting punishment."

STRONG'S Dictionary of the New Testament:

hell "86 {11x} hades, hah'-dace; from 1 (as negative particle) and #1492 ['ideo, prop. to see (lig. or fig.); by impli. (in the perf. only) to know by perception']; prop. unseen, i.e. "Hades"

And so the Greek word "ideo" means "TO SEE"!

And when it is preceded by the negative "hah" as in "hades" it means to "NOT see" or the "UNseen."

Hades is the UNSEEN or IMPERCEPTIBLE, by DEFINITION!

How then does a 'place' where there is NO SEEING AND NO PERCEPTION OF ANY KIND TURN INTO A VISIBLE TORTURE CHAMBER WHICH WOULD BE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE 'PERCEPTION' THE HUMAN NERVOUS SYSTEM COULD POSSIBLE PERCEIVE?

You talk in generalities from human argument and conjectures of the flesh. All of this is worth less than nothing. And so, did Jesus really say: "...and have the keys to the NETHER REALM OF THE DEVIL AND DEMONS IN WHICH THE DAMNED SUFFER ETERNAL PUNISHMENT; THE PLACE OF ETERNAL PUNISHMENT FOR THE WICKED AFTER DEATH and death." Is THAT what Jesus really meant to say, Todd? Or is that "ADDING TO the Word of God?"

The Holy Spirit of God [which is NOT a 'person' as you suggest, but the Spirit OF GOD] has inspired the New Testament writers to translate the Hebrew word "sheol" into the Greek word "hades"--so by inspiration of God, they are ONE AND THE SAME. Now then, with this in mind:

SHEOL: 

"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave [Heb. 'sheol']: for He shall receive me. Selah."

David said that God would REDEEM his soul from sheol/hades! There is REDEMPTION from sheol/hades. And that's not ME talking, Todd, this is the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures!

HADES: 

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in VICTORY.  Of death, where is thy sting? O GRAVE [Gk: 'hades'] where is THY victory? [Yes, "WHERE" Todd?] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which GIVES US THE VICTORY through our Lord [Who has the 'KEYS to hades and death' Rev. 1:18] Jesus Christ."

My King James has a superior "1" by the word grave and in the margin says "HADES."

There is VICTORY over HADES! God's word says so! The translators may have tried to hide it by translating 'sheol' to 'grave' when they also translate it "HELL." And the translators may have tried to hide it when in Greek they translated 'hades' to 'grave' when in every other occurrence of this Greek word hades they translated it "HELL," but Daniel said that "The WISE shall understand."

I apologize not for blowing the lid off of this most damnable of all Christian heresies. There is "REDEMPTION" from the so-called 'hell' of the Old Testament and there is "VICTORY" over the 'hell' of the New Testament. We just READ IT TOGETHER! Do you now DENY what you have just read from your own Bible?

In an upcoming installment of my series on "The Lake of Fire" I will go through ever single occurrence of the word "hell" in the King James Version and I will expose the evil teaching and show that God has never said anything in His Word about TORTURING most of humanity in some fabled, phantom, pagan devised inferno called "hell."

I will then also show from the Scriptures that God will save ALL HUMANITY by bringing them to repentance, acceptance of our Lord, and into a life of righteous and godly living.

May God grant to you the spiritual eyes to see His marvelous Truths of salvation.

Ray


RAY,

JOSHUA 24:14 "Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, CHOOSE This day whom you will serve".

The idea of free will being false is absolutely false. Joshua goes on to say, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. ( SOUNDS LIKE FREE WILL TO ME)

If your teaching that eternal damnation is false, then Jesus suffered a brutal death for nothing! If man will be purified in the lake of fire, and eventually reinstated to God, then there was no reason for Christ to be sacrificed and no reason for atonement!

So if Jesus died for nothing, then the apostles likewise died for nothing and every Christian that has lost there life for the Gospel's sake.

Where is the love in that?

The lake of fire was created for the devil and his angels Matthew 25:41. If someone rejects Christ then they are of their father the devil and will be judged with him and sentenced with him.Yes, God is love, but He is also a God of great wrath and will punish those who deny Christ as there saviour.To deny Christ is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, the Spirit testifies to who Jesus is, and that person can never be forgiven because that person will never ask.

I admit that there maybe mistranslations, but that does not change the over all theme that the Scriptures teach. That the wages of sin is death. Put in a place where you will be punished without the confines of time (because time is only relevant in our realm) and separated from God.

I know nothing I can say will change your mind, it would take the Holy Spirit to do that. Just as it would take the Holy Spirit to change my mind.

I will pray for you,

Todd

[Ray Replies]


Dear Todd:

I get hundreds of criticisms regarding the salvation of all and the fallacy of human free will. But never has anyone approached this subject with any real intelligence at all, not to mention completely contradicting dozens of plan Scriptures.

You state that Joshua making a CHOICE to obey God "sounds like free will to you." It may, indeed, 'sound' like free will to you, but it is nothing of the kind. Nowhere in Scripture or in my writings will you find a statement that man does not MAKE CHOICES.  All men make millions of choices--billions!  Making a choice has absolutely nothing to do with the doctrine of "free moral agency" or what is commonly called, "free will."

We choose all day long. God asks us to choose. The human brain has the ability to weigh data and make a choice. I nor the Scriptures deny this fact. What I AND THE SCRIPTURES do deny, is that man has the ability to man "UNCAUSED" choices. For that is what "free" will is all about--UNCAUSED choices, and I and the Scriptures both agree that this is a physiological impossibility. 

If something always MAKES OR CAUSES you to choose what you do, then you and your data-processing-brain are not "free" or out of the realm of "causality" to do anything BUT what a cause made you choose. You can say the cause, forced, made, or soften,  to influenced, or inspired, but the end result is always the same: ALL OF OUR CHOICES ARE INFLUENCED, INSPIRED, OR CAUSED to happen by billions of circumstances beyond our knowledge or control.

Therefore King Nebuchadnezar was CAUSED to see that it is God and God alone who rules in the kingdoms of individual men and corporate men.  God said that it was HE, GOD, who CAUSED [MADE] the king of Assyria do the warring and slaughter that the king thought he himself had the ability to do.

Jesus said He could no NOTHING except what the Father gave Him to do AND TO EVEN SAY, and Jesus said that without Him, we also, CAN DO NOTHING.

Here is what the Scriptures say, Todd: 

"For it is GOD which works in you both TO WILL AND TO DO of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

Now then, what was that you said about "it would take the Holy Spirit of God to change you mind?" Here's the Scripture (inspired by the very SPIRIT OF GOD): do you now see it and believe it?

You say that if eternal damnation is not true then Jesus suffered and died for nothing. How could anyone make such an ignorant, unscriptural statement??  TODD!  If eternal damnation IS true, THEN  JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED AND DIED FOR NOTHING!!!   You are saying that if Christ's Sacrifice was not COMPLETELY successful, THEN IT HAS MERIT, but if Christ's Sacrifice was 100% completely SUCCESSFUL, THEN IT HAS NO MERIT?   What kind of insane reasoning is that? 

The Father commissioned Jesus to "BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD" (I John 4:14). In this He will be completely successful, which you then in turn tell us makes his commissioned sacrifice and obligation to the save the whole world of no value.

It is the very fact of Jesus Christ's successful atonement that WILL bring about complete and total salvation to all mankind.  Where do you come up with such nonsense?   That Christ's sacrifice and atonement is only of value if the turns out to be mostly a failure for the billions whom Christendom teaches will be doomed forever because God lacks the ability to bring mankind to repentance and acceptance of His Son's Sacrifice.  All mankind WILL repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and Master and Saviour (Phil. 2:9-11), and this is ONLY possible by the work of the HOLY SPIRIT (See I Cor. 12:3b). These are SCRIPTURES, Todd, not speculation.

All have denied Christ, all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God, Todd, but this is not the final destiny of mankind. ALL WILL come to ACCEPT Jesus. We just read it in the Scriptures. Do you believe these Scriptures, Todd?

You quote Scripture when you said that the "wages of sin is death," but then go on to completely contradict that Scripture by insisting that the "wages of sin is an ETERNAL LIFE of punishment"!!

I do not have the time to go into this in detail in an email, Todd, since it requires a great deal more explanation and citing of Scripture.

Be sure to read the next installment of my "Lake of Fire" series, as I will cover this aspect of human free will and the way in which God will bring about the salvation of all mankind.

God be with you,

Ray


7 SPIRITUAL KEYS TO UNLOCK SCRIPTURE

  1. "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural (physical); and afterward that which is SPIRITUAL" (1 Cor. 15:45)
     
  2. "Now ALL these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for OUR ADMONITION (to reprove, caution, warn, remind of obligation or duty) upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor. 10:11)
     
  3. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of an private interpretation (Gk: 'is becoming it's OWN explanation')" (2 Pet. 1:20)
     
  4. "The words that I speak unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they are life" (John 6:63)
     
  5. "In the mouth of TWO OR THREE WITNESSES shall every word be established" (2 Cor. 13:1 & Rev.11:3)
     
  6. "...comparing (or: 'matching') SPIRITUAL things with SPIRITUAL" (1 Cor. 2:13)
     
  7. "Thou art righteous, O Lord, which ARE and WAS and SHALL BE" (Rev. 16:5, also Rev. 4:8 & 11:17)

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