Hell Forever? – Salvation of spirit from Hell too – Facts from First Christianity

Note: This is probably my most important post because it details some facts which I may have not written in any of my previous posts nor books (especially in point 5 & conclusion). May it edify your belief in Lord Jesus Christ in some way.

Soul Lost – Lost Soul

Is there Biblical Hope for a wicked whose “soul” is lost?

Here are the facts:

1) Definition of Body, Soul, Spirit in a Man from First Christianity

“The resurrection is a resurrection of the flesh which died. For the spirit dies not; the soul is in the body, and without a soul it cannot live. The body, when the soul forsakes it, is not. For the body is the house of the soul; and the soul the house of the spirit. These three, in all those who cherish a sincere hope and unquestioning faith in God, will be saved.” – St. Justin Martyr (Chapter 10 – The body saved, and will therefore rise, On the Resurrection)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html

2) Losing Soul Verse and Meaning

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:26, KJV)

Meaning: If a person gains the whole world, without a soul he cannot even begin to experience it fully being in spirit state that is saved only (1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Peter 4:6 as explained in Context in earlier posts).

Notice that a soul is needed to experience the delights of the afterlife blessed regions of say Paradise, while further, a soul requires a body (during resurrection) to experience to the fullest the delights of both the earth & heavens too as Christ’s Own Example Proves:

Christ (in Spirit + Soul) Experienced the Delights of Paradise in His Soul on the Day He Died without His Body & even Descended into Hades to Preach & Save = Verses (Acts 2:27, 1 Peter 3:18 – 19, Luke 23:43).

Christ (in Spirit + Soul + Body) Experienced the Delights on Earth and next into the Heavens after His Resurrection only = Verses (Acts 1:3, Luke 24:39, Acts 1:11).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:23, KJV)

So it will be in any believers’ case likewise in that same order (1 Thessalonians 5:23) as explained in First Christianity likewise as follows:

” If, then, the Lord observed the law of the dead, that He might become the first-begotten from the dead, and tarried until the third day “in the lower parts of the earth; ” then afterwards rising in the flesh, so that He even showed the print of the nails to His disciples, He thus ascended to the Father;-[if all these things occurred, I say], how must these men not be put to confusion, who allege that “the lower parts” refer to this world of ours, but that their tuner man, leaving the body here, ascends into the super-celestial place? For as the Lord “went away in the midst of the shadow of death,” where the souls of the dead were, yet afterwards arose in the body, and after the resurrection was taken up [into heaven], it is manifest that the souls of His disciples also, upon whose account the Lord underwent these things, shall go away into the invisible place allotted to them by God, and there remain until the resurrection, awaiting that event; then receiving their bodies, and rising in their entirety, that is bodily, just as the Lord arose, they shall come thus into the presence of God. “For no disciple is above the Master, but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master.” As our Master, therefore, did not at once depart, taking flight [to heaven], but awaited the time of His resurrection prescribed by the Father, which had been also shown forth through Jonas, and rising again after three days was taken up [to heaven]; so ought we also to await the time of our resurrection prescribed by God and foretold by the prophets, and so, rising, be taken up, as many as the Lord shall account worthy of this [privilege].” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXI, Book V)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

3) Soul Destroyed in the Lake of Fire

Gehenna is a metaphor referring to the Final Destruction of both the body + soul only (not spirit) in the Lake of Fire as First Christianity taught this (please note that St. Irenaeous heard from Polycarp who heard from apostle John who wrote the Book of Revelation and thus can’t be wrong):

“Moreover,” he says, “the book of life was opened, and the dead were judged out of those things that were written in the books, according to their works; and death and hell were sent into the lake of fire, the second death.” Now this is what is called Gehenna, which the Lord styled eternal [age-during] fire. “And if any one,” it is said, “was not found written in the book of life, he was sent into the lake of fire.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXV, Book V)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

Verses Speaking of Exactly (Body + Soul only Destroyed in the Lake of Fire or Gehenna & NOT the spirit):

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:28, KJV)

4) Hope for the Wicked destroyed in Body + Soul?

The Verse below is from the Infamous Messianic Psalm which states that even “he who cannot keep his soul alive” has Hope in the Messiah (the KJV is not accurately translated for this Verse as per the other translations due to bias):

“All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship, All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.” (Psalm 22:29, NASB)

Meaning:

“Even he who cannot keep his soul alive” (Psalm 22:29) = ‘one whose soul is lost’ (Mark 8:36) and destroyed together with the body in the Lake of Fire (Matthew 10:28) during the Final Resurrection of Judgment for the Wicked (John 5:28 – 29, Daniel 12:2).

Is there Hope?

Yes, in Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah because the Messianic Verse implies that the wicked one, i. e. “Even he who cannot keep his soul alive” will eventually “… bow before Him” and is quoted in the Context of “will eat and worship on earth” too as (Psalm 22:29) reveals making sense of ‘the same all who die in Adam’ will be ‘made alive in Christ’ (post Afterlife Judgment) which certainly includes the wicked too as the same all in 1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23 means but in different order of times accordingly (1 Timothy 2:6).

P/S: All Men?

Equation for Understanding Romans 5:18 – 19:

All Men = Adam + ‘the many’ = All of the Human Race

Yes, the Context of ‘the many’ in Romans 5:19 to refer to ‘all men excluding Adam only’ (as Christ is out of these Equations as He is God in Flesh & not a mere man only) is both reaffirmed in Romans 5:18 too & is taught in First Christianity though rarely understood ‘as it is Written’. To quote from a recent post, please consider carefully:

Verses:

“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.” – apostle Paul (Romans 5:18 – 19, NASB)

Who says so in First Christianity?

“For He fought and conquered; for He was man contending for the fathers, and through obedience doing away with disobedience completely: for He bound the strong man, and set free the weak, and endowed His own handiwork with salvation, by destroying sin. For He is a most holy and merciful Lord, and loves the human race…

For as the law was spiritual, it merely made sin to stand out in relief, but did not destroy it. For sin had no dominion over the spirit, but over man. For it behoved Him who was to destroy sin, and redeem man under the power of death, that He should Himself be made that very same thing which he was, that is, man; who had been drawn by sin into bondage, but was held by death, so that sin should be destroyed by man, and man should go forth from death. For as by the disobedience of the one man who was originally moulded from virgin soil, the many were made sinners, and forfeited life; so was it necessary that, by the obedience of one man, who was originally born from a virgin, [the] many should be justified and receive salvation. Thus, then, was the Word of God made man, as also Moses says: “God, true are His works.” But if, not having been made flesh, He did appear as if flesh, His work was not a true one. But what He did appear, that He also was: God recapitulated in Himself the ancient formation of man, that He might kill sin, deprive death of its power, and vivify man; and therefore His works are true.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons

Translation:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

Further Reading:

1. Hell Forever? – Salvation of spirit from Hell too – Facts from First Christianity

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hell-forever-salvation-of-spirit-from-hell-too-facts-from-first-christianity/

2. Hell – If God’s Love is Unconditional, why does Hell Exist?

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hell-if-gods-love-is-unconditional-why-does-hell-exist/

Peace to you

Universal Reconciliation to Soul Mysteries by the Seven Candlestick Church

Firstly let’s address the KJV Inerrant Myth – with the Psalm 22:29 Soul Example.

Fact: The Original Scriptures are Inerrant, not the translations.

Example: Psalm 22:29

Claim: The KJV translation is biased and not accurate.

“All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.” (Psalm 22:29, KJV)

Proof: The strongest proof against the KJV translation of this Verse would be the “Tree of Life Version” (Verse 30 in theirs), to quote:

“All the rich of the earth will feast and worship. Everyone who goes down to the dust will kneel before Him—even the one who could not keep his own soul alive.” (Psalm 22:30, Tree of Life Version, TLV)

Compare also with NASB or the YLT which have an accurate rendering of this Verse too:

“All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship, All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.” (Psalm 22:29, NASB)

“And the fat ones of earth have eaten, And they bow themselves, Before Him bow do all going down to dust, And he who hath not revived his soul.” (Psalm 22:29, YLT)

The phrase in concern (difference):

“and none can keep alive his own soul.” (KJV)

“even the one who could not keep his own soul alive.” (TLV)

“Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.” (NASB)

“And he who hath not revived his soul.” (YLT)

What’s the meaning of ‘keeping one’s soul alive’?

It’s in the context of ‘living on earth again in a resurrected body’ which is only attained by those righteous (Revelation 20:4 – 6, John 5:25) where the ‘wicked’ fail in this meriting the ‘resurrection of Judgment’ (John 5:28 – 29) where their ‘soul + body’ will be destroyed in the Lake of Fire first (Matthew 10:28) as discussed in previous posts in detail but Psalm 22:29 gives hope of them being vivified (or ‘made alive’ by Christ eventually, 1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23) in God’s Own Times (1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Timothy 4:10, John 17:2).

Shalom

P/S: What is the Tree of Life (TLV) Version?

Image from link below:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Life_Version

P/S 2: First Christianity’s Definitions of Body, Soul, Spirit in a Man

1. i) St. Irenaeous of Lyons

“… . But every one will allow that we are [composed of] a body taken from the earth, and a soul receiving spirit from God… ” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book III)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

1. ii) St. Justin Martyr

“The resurrection is a resurrection of the flesh which died. For the spirit dies not; the soul is in the body, and without a soul it cannot live. The body, when the soul forsakes it, is not. For the body is the house of the soul; and the soul the house of the spirit. These three, in all those who cherish a sincere hope and unquestioning faith in God, will be saved.” – St. Justin Martyr (Chapter 10 – The body saved, and will therefore rise, On the Resurrection)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html

iii) Salvation of Body and Soul are Distinct Processes

“… For our bodies have received unity among themselves by means of that layer which leads to incorruption; but our souls, by means of the Spirit. Wherefore both are necessary, since both contribute towards the life of God, our Lord compassionating that erring Samaritan woman -who did not remain with one husband, but committed fornication by [contracting] many marriages-by pointing out, and promising to her living water, so that she should thirst no more, nor occupy herself in acquiring the refreshing water obtained by labour, having in herself water springing up to eternal [age-during] life. The Lord, receiving this as a gift from His Father, does Himself also confer it upon those who are partakers of Himself, sending the Holy Spirit upon all the earth…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

1. iv) How does Soul relate to emotions etc.?

“… For the intellect of man-his mind, thought, mental intention, and such like-is nothing else than his soul; but the emotions and operations of the soul itself have no substance apart from the soul. What part of them, then, will still remain to enter into the Pleroma? For they themselves, in as far as they are souls, remain in the intermediate place; while, in as far as they are body, they will be consumed with the rest of matter …” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book II)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html

1. v) Salvation of Body, Soul and Spirit in a Man is distinct

Bible Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

Meaning? For a believer in faith,

Body is Saved.

Soul is Saved.

Spirit is Saved.

To quote from St. Irenaeous who explains our Salvation in each aspect of body, soul & spirit in detail:

“… Since the Lord thus has redeemed us through His own blood, giving His soul for our souls, and His flesh for our flesh, and has also poured out the Spirit of the Father for the union and communion of God and man, imparting indeed God to men by means of the Spirit, and, on the other hand, attaching man to God by His own incarnation, and bestowing upon us at His coming immortality durably and truly, by means of communion with God,-all the doctrines of the heretics fall to ruin.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

“… Now the soul and the spirit are certainly a part of the man, but certainly not the man; for the perfect man consists in the commingling and the union of the soul receiving the spirit of the Father, and the admixture of that fleshly nature which was moulded after the image of God …” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

“… For that flesh which has been moulded is not a perfect man in itself, but the body of a man, and part of a man. Neither is the soul itself, considered apart by itself, the man; but it is the soul of a man, and part of a man. Neither is the spirit a man, for it is called the spirit, and not a man; but the commingling and union of all these constitutes the perfect man. And for this cause does the apostle, explaining himself, make it clear that the saved man is a complete man as well as a spiritual man; saying thus in the first Epistle to the Thessalonians, “Now the God of peace sanctify you perfect (perfectos); and may your spirit, and soul, and body be preserved whole without complaint to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Now what was his object in praying that these three-that is, soul, body, and spirit-might be preserved to the coming of the Lord, unless he was aware of the [future] reintegration and union of the three, and [that they should be heirs of] one and the same salvation? For this cause also he declares that those are “the perfect” who present unto the Lord the three [component parts] without offence. Those, then, are the perfect who have had the Spirit of God remaining in them, and have preserved their souls and bodies blameless, holding fast the faith of God, that is, that faith which is [directed] towards God, and maintaining righteous dealings with respect to their neighbours…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

Conclusion

The Preaching of the Catholic Church which Speaks of the “Salvation of ALL MEN” (1 Timothy 4:10) & ‘not believers only’ is said to be the one possessing the “Wisdom of God”, says who?

“… And undoubtedly the preaching of the Church is true and stedfast, in which one and the same way of salvation is shown throughout the whole world. For to her is entrusted the light of God; and therefore the “wisdom” of God, by means of which she saves all men, “is declared in [its] going forth; it uttereth [its voice] faithfully in the streets, is preached on the tops of the walls, and speaks continually in the gates of the city.” For the Church preaches the truth everywhere, and she is the seven-branched candlestick which bears the light of Christ…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

Please note the phrase containing “all men” as opposed to the ‘church only’ carefully in the above, emphasized here:

“… “WISDOM” of GOD, by means of which she SAVES ALL MEN, “is DECLARED in [its] GOING FORTH; …” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

Yes, the Church which preaches the Salvation of “all men” declaring it going forth is described as follows by St. Irenaeous of Lyons in the above:

“she is the seven-branched candlestick which bears the light of Christ” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

Please note that the word “offer” does NOT occur in the Original Koine Greek for Titus 2:11 which plainly reads the Glorious Truth St. Irenaeous declared above:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,” – apostle Paul (Titus 2:11, NASB)

So, the Salvation of ALL MEN will eventually take place and the duty of the True Seven Candlestick Church of Christ is to DECLARE its GOING FORTH as St. Irenaeous Revealed in his quote above too.

We believe and Declare likewise.

Peace to you

Tree of Life – Universal Reconciliation Context

1) Where is it located?

” … tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7, NASB)

2) Who gets to eat of its fruit?

Sheepfold1 (Christians, Overcomers):

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7, NASB)

3) What if someone is not in Paradise?

“in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2, NASB)

There’s a possibility that ‘its leaves’ will be given to the ‘reconciled thirsty ones from the Lake of Fire for their healing’ (Revelation 22:17, Revelation 22:2) in some outside of Paradise location as the Verse above suggests.

Sheepfold1 (Christians, the Bride) need no healing of any kind at that time having been in the Highest Perfect First Resurrection for more than a thousand years by then (Revelation 20:4 – 6).

I have not found a quote from St. Justin Martyr nor from St. Irenaeous discussing these Verses in detail. I wish they did and it would be more clear.

P/S: First Christianity

1) Tree of Life gives life for a Thousand Years and NOT forever

St. Justin Martyr Points to the “eating” of the fruit of the “Tree of life” give life for a ‘thousand years’ (a Day, age-during, not forever), to quote:

Compare with Verse:

“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:” (Genesis 3:22, KJV)

Please note the word translated as ‘for ever’ above is “Owlam or Olam in Hebrew” and is more accurately “age-during”, to quote:

“And Jehovah God saith, ‘Lo, the man was as one of Us, as to the knowledge of good and evil; and now, lest he send forth his hand, and have taken also of the tree of life, and eaten, and lived to the age,’ –” (Genesis 3:22, YLT)

St. Justin Martyr, being a Christian right on all points then supports the exegesis that,

“Olam” (Hebrew) = “Aeon” (Greek) = Age-during (English) and NOT forever.

In fact, in the Context of the “Tree of Life”, St. Justin Martyr’s writing above supports the exegesis that the “Olam” for the ‘fruit of the Tree of Life’ is ‘a thousand years’, that is:

“For according to the days of the tree of life shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound. Mine elect shall not toil fruitlessly, or beget children to be cursed; for they shall be a seed righteous and blessed by the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will hear; while they are still speaking, I shall say, What is it? Then shall the wolves and the lambs feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent[shall eat] earth as bread. They shall not hurt or maltreat each other on the holy mountain, i saith the Lord.’ Now we have understood that the expression used among these words, ‘According to the days of the tree[of life] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound’ obscurely predicts a thousand years. For as Adam was told that in the nay fie ate of the tree he would die, we know that he did not complete a thousand years. We have perceived, moreover, that the expression, ‘The day of the Lord is as a thousand years,’ is connected with this subject. And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal [age-during] resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place. Just as our Lord also said, ‘They shall neither marry nor be given in marriage, but shall be equal to the angels, the children of the God of the resurrection.” – St. Justin Martyr (‘Dialogue with Trypho’)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html

“Olam” (for the Tree of Life Context, Genesis 3:22) = “age-during for 1000 years” by St. Justin Martyr’s quote above.

Does it mean that after the 1000 years, they die?

No, they obtain “Immortality” (an entirely different word in New Testament Greek) but only after that 1000 years part as part of the ‘Glorification Process’, to quote (this fine detail explanation from First Christianity):

Yes, it’s during the 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4 – 6) alongside ‘sinful’ mortals too though the ‘First Resurrection ones’ (Sheepfold1, Christians) never sin again nor marry (Luke 20:35 – 36), to quote:

” Also there shall not be there any immature [one], nor an old man who does not fulfil his time: for the youth shall be of a hundred years; and the sinner shall die a hundred years old, yet shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them themselves; and shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them themselves, and shall drink wine. And they shall not build, and others inhabit; neither shall they prepare the vineyard, and others eat. For as the days of the tree of life shall be the days of the people in thee; for the works of their hands shall endure.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book 5)

Please note this phrase carefully from the above which proves that the ‘fruit of the Tree of Life’ gives ‘age-during (Aeonian life)’ for ‘a thousand years and NOT forever’:

“For as the days of the tree of life shall be the days of the people in thee;” – St. Irenaeous

Please note that the phrase ‘immortality is conferred also’ in the quote below proofs that these ones do not die after the ‘age-during length of days due to the Tree of Life’:

“As we at once perceive that the Creator (Demiurgo) is in this passage represented as vivifying our dead bodies, and promising resurrection to them, and resuscitation from their sepulchres and tombs, conferring upon them immortality also (He says, “For as the tree of life, so shall their days be” ), He is shown to be the only God who accomplishes these things, and as Himself the good Father, benevolently conferring life upon those who have not life from themselves.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book 5)

Translation source for St. Irenaeous’ quotes above:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

2) Highlight – Olam in Genesis 3:22 for the Tree of Life is exactly 1000 years and NOT ‘for ever’

Direct Proof from St. Justin Martyr’s quote from point prior, in case you missed it:

“According to the days of the tree[of life] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound’ obscurely predicts a thousand years.” – St. Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho the Jew)

That is,

“the days of the tree[of life” = “obscurely predicts a thousand years.”

And NOT forever in St. Justin Martyr’s own words.

3) Age-during life first before Immortality is Given

“To the same purpose did the Lord also declare, “Heaven and earth shall pass away.” When these things, therefore, pass away above the earth, John, the Lord’s disciple, says that the new Jerusalem above shall [then] descend, as a bride adorned for her husband; and that this is the tabernacle of God, in which God will dwell with men. Of this Jerusalem the former one is an image-that Jerusalem of the former earth in which the righteous are disciplined beforehand for incorruption and prepared for salvation.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book 5)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

The highlight quote in focus which proves that “age-during life” (or “Aeonian life” or “Olam life” for 1000 years) is not the end (as St. Augustine of Hippo erred greatly in his exegesis regarding this same word which occurs in Matthew 25:46) but is the ‘pre-requisite’ before ‘full immortality or incorruption’ is conferred upon ‘Sheepfold1′ (Christians), to quote as St. Irenaeous explained above, in particular:

“in which the righteous are disciplined beforehand for incorruption and prepared for salvation” = refers to the 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ in St. Irenaeous’ Context.

Please note that the ‘age-during life in Matthew 25:46’ refers to ‘Sheepfold2’ which speaks of the next or Coming age where Sheepfold1 has already attained full immortality by then being the Bride of Christ as explained in detail in previous posts.

The point is that the same word ‘age-during life’ (English) or ‘Aeonian life’ (Greek) in Matthew 25:46 occurs regarding the Tree of Life’s Context of ‘living Olam’ (Hebrew in Genesis 3:22) where the latter is NOT forever as demonstrated above to refer to 1000 years only proving irrefutably that ‘age-during is NOT forever’ but ‘a long and limited time, sometimes unknown’.

The punishment of the wicked’s age-during period (in Matthew 25:46) is ‘longer than 1000 years in the Lake of Fire’ but not forever as St. Justin Martyr explains, to quote (Page 17 – 18 of the Lost Orthodoxy Book):

“… we say that the same thing will be done, but at the hand of Christ, and upon the wicked in the same bodies united again to their spirits which are now to undergo everlasting

punishment; and not only, as Plato said, for a period of a thousand years. And if any one say that this is incredible or impossible, this error of ours is one which concerns ourselves only, and no other person, so long as you cannot convict us of doing any harm.” (Justin Martyr, First Apology, CHAPTER VIII — CHRISTIANS CONFESS THEIR FAITH IN GOD).

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html

I repeat with EMPHASIS:

“… WE [Christians] say that the SAME THING WILL BE DONE, but at the HAND of CHRIST, and upon the WICKED in the SAME BODIES UNITED AGAIN to THEIR SPIRITS which are now to undergo everlasting [AGE-DURING] PUNISHMENT; and NOT only, as Plato said, for a period of a THOUSAND YEARS. And if any one say that this is incredible or impossible, this error of ours is one which concerns ourselves only, and no other person, so long as you cannot convict us of doing any harm.” (Justin Martyr, First Apology, CHAPTER VIII — CHRISTIANS CONFESS THEIR FAITH IN GOD).

Shalom

4) Tree of Life Spoken of in a Universal Reconciliation Context thereafter

St. Irenaeous Speaks of the “Tree of Life” in the Universal Reconciliation Context

To quote (from pages 144 – 146 of the Lost Orthodoxy Book):

“… Wherefore also He [God] drove him [MAN] out of Paradise, and removed him [MAN] far from the tree of life, not because He envied him the tree of life, as some venture to assert, but because He pitied him [MAN], [and did NOT desire] that he [MAN] should continue a sinner for ever, NOR that the SIN which surrounded him should be IMMORTAL, and EVIL INTERMINABLE and IRREMEDIABLE. But He [God] set a BOUND to his [STATE of] SIN, by interposing death, and thus causing sin to cease, putting an END to it by the DISSOLUTION of the FLESH, which should take place in the earth, so that MAN, CEASING at length to live to SIN, and dying to it, might begin to live to God…

-indicating that SIN, which was set up and SPREAD out AGAINST MAN, and which rendered him subject to DEATH, should be DEPRIVED of ITS POWER, along with DEATH, which rules [over MEN]; and that the lion, that is, ANTICHRIST, rampant AGAINST MANKIND in the latter days, should be TRAMPLED DOWN by Him [Lord Jesus Christ]; and that He should bind “the dragon, that old serpent” and SUBJECT him to the power of man, who had been conquered so that ALL his MIGHT should be TRODDEN DOWN. Now ADAM had been conquered, all life having been taken away from him: wherefore, when the foe was conquered in his turn, ADAM received NEW LIFE; and the LAST ENEMY, DEATH, is DESTROYED, which at the first had taken possession of MAN. Therefore, WHEN MAN has been LIBERATED, “what is written shall COME to PASS, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death sting? ” This could not be said with JUSTICE, if THAT MAN, over whom death did first obtain dominion, were not set free. For HIS SALVATION is DEATH’s DESTRUCTION. When therefore the Lord VIVIFIES MAN, that is, ADAM, DEATH is at the same time DESTROYED” (Irenaeous, ‘Against Heresies’ Book 3, Chapter XXIII, Point 6, Point 7)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

Examples from Irenaeous quote above (which pertains to ‘man generally’ – again):

1. a) that he [MAN] should continue a sinner for ever, NOR that the SIN which surrounded him should be IMMORTAL, and EVIL INTERMINABLE and IRREMEDIABLE —-> Doesn’t Sound Consistent with the ‘eternal Hell’ argument that ‘sin & evil’ exists eternally locked up somewhere for ‘some men’?

1. b) But He [God] set a BOUND to his [STATE of] SIN, by interposing death, and thus causing sin to cease = the Word BOUND itself indicates a ‘limited punishment & existence in sin’, e.g. ‘age-during punishment & dying in their sins, and NOT forever’.

1. c) putting an END to it [the ‘state of sin in MAN’] by the DISSOLUTION of the FLESH, which should take place in the earth, so that MAN, CEASING at length to live to SIN, and dying to it, might begin to live to God… = The Phrase ‘Dissolution of the FLESH’ Sounds like ‘BODY + SOUL being DESTROYED in Gehenna or the Lake of Fire’ (Matthew 10:28, Revelation 20:11 – 15) —-> which causes ‘CEASING at length to live to SIN, and dying to it, might begin to live to God’ —> sounds like the ‘spirit is saved and is living to God explanation given in earlier posts, LITERALLY’ (1 Peter 4:6, 1 Corinthians 5:5).

1. d) indicating that SIN, which was set up and SPREAD out AGAINST MAN, and which rendered him subject to DEATH, should be DEPRIVED of ITS POWER, along with DEATH, which rules [over MEN]; = God’s Will Points to BOTH SIN and DEATH to NOT last ‘forever’, right?

1. e) and that the lion, that is, ANTICHRIST, rampant AGAINST MANKIND in the latter days, should be TRAMPLED DOWN by Him [Lord Jesus Christ]; and that He should bind “the dragon, that old serpent” and SUBJECT him to the power of man, who had been conquered so that ALL his MIGHT should be TRODDEN DOWN. = Even the Deeds of the Antichrist (the ‘most powerful evil of all’) should NOT last ‘forever’, right?

Irenaeous Beautifully Reveals that CHRIST will be TRIUMPHANT —-> till even the ‘antichrist’ and ‘ALL the MIGHT’ of the ‘dragon’ (or ‘satan’ too) MUST END —> being TRODDEN DOWN —> and ‘not last forever in some way’, e.g. in an ‘eternal Hell’, right?

1. f) Now ADAM had been conquered, all life having been taken away from him: wherefore, when the foe was conquered in his turn, ADAM received NEW LIFE; and the LAST ENEMY, DEATH, is DESTROYED, which at the first had taken possession of MAN. Therefore, WHEN MAN has been LIBERATED, “what is written shall COME to PASS, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death sting? ” This could not be said with JUSTICE, if THAT MAN, over whom death did first obtain dominion, were not set free. For HIS SALVATION is DEATH’s DESTRUCTION = Adam’s SALVATION is Certain.

1. g) Who is ADAM being referred to in these passages here by Irenaeous?

Does it refer to ADAM only?

When therefore the Lord VIVIFIES MAN, that is, ADAM, DEATH is at the same time DESTROYED = All the above Points to ALL MEN being SAVED eventually by God (1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV) till they all become SINLESS.

How?

Please read ‘carefully’ the ‘last line’ above and ‘realize’ that the ‘only context’ here is:

the Lord VIVIFIES MAN —-> refers IRREFUTABLY to —-> ADAM.

Can you see it?

MAN (ALL Men or ALL Human Beings ever Created) = ADAM in Irenaeous’ Explanation above (‘his own definition and usage’). Shocked?

Beautiful, isn’t it?

Yes,

the Lord VIVIFIES MAN (Adam) till ‘DEATH is at the same time DESTROYED’ = Points to EVERY HUMAN BEING ever Created to eventually Receive a NEW RESURRECTED FLESH eventually (John 17:2, 1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22).

Truly,

“For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our HOPE on the LIVING GOD, Who is the Savior of ALL MEN, especially of believers.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:10, NASB)

‘believers are a more special subset for believing in Him first’, yes —-> but, God WILL SAVE ALL MEN eventually.

Can you see it now?

Peace to you

5) Immortality as a Long Series as AEONS or AGES

Who is the Real Authority of Biblical Koine Greek who claims so?

To quote (from Page 43) of the Lost Orthodoxy Book:

NO Eternal Life is Granted in One Aeon or One Age – The Eternal Age Heresy – Understanding Immortality Correctly.

Body and Soul do NOT exist forever but are subject to God granting its existence from ‘age to age’ or ‘aeon to aeon’, that is from ‘one aeon to the next’:

” … But ALL THINGS which proceed from Him, WHATSOEVER have been MADE, and are made, do indeed receive their own beginning of generation, and on this account are INFERIOR to Him who formed them, inasmuch as they are not unbegotten. Nevertheless THEY ENDURE, and EXTEND their EXISTENCE into a LONG SERIES of AGES in accordance with the WILL of GOD their Creator; so that He GRANTS them that they should be thus formed at the beginning, and that they should so exist afterwards.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXXIV.-Souls Can Be Recognised in the Separate State, and are Immortal Although They Once Had a Beginning, Point 2)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html

I repeat, please note these phrases ‘carefully’ from Irenaeous’ own words (NOT mine) which proves this claim Irrefutably for ‘Sound Doctrine’:

ALL THINGS which proceed from Him, WHATSOEVER have been MADE —> are INFERIOR to Him who formed them —> THEY ENDURE, and EXTEND their EXISTENCE —> into a LONG SERIES of AGES —-> [Ages or Aeons – Can you see the Plural ‘ages to come’ or ‘aeons to come’ theory true even for ‘future ages’ as per Ephesians 2:7) —-> in accordance with the WILL of GOD their Creator, so that He GRANTS them.

God is Good All the Time, All the Time God is Good.

Verses:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:23, KJV)

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” – apostle Paul (1 Peter 1:9, KJV)

1) Saved beyond Hell of the Lake of Fire (Gehenna)?

At Most Body and Soul Destroyed in Hell to be made ANEW being CHANGED as the Context of the Quote below Reveals. Please read ‘carefully’ to understand the details as this authoritative theologian speaks in the wisdom of God.

Christian Logic of Hell and how this Doctrine is also taught right in some early philosophies too including the SIBYL (remember the SIBYLINE ORACLES?)

Who Teaches so?

“for we know that our Master Jesus Christ said, that “what is impossible with men is possible with God,” and, “Fear not them that kill you, and after that can do no more; but fear Him who after death is able to cast both soul and body into hell [Gehenna, Matthew 10:28].” And hell is a place where those are to be punished who have lived wickedly, and who do not believe that those things which God has taught us by Christ will come to pass. And the Sibyl and Hystaspes said that there should be a dissolution by God of things corruptible. And the philosophers called Stoics teach that even God Himself shall be resolved into fire, and they say that the world is to be formed anew by this revolution; but we understand that God, the Creator of all things, is superior to the things that are to be changed. If, therefore, on some points we teach the same things as the poets and philosophers whom you honour, and on other points are fuller and more divine in our teaching, and if we alone afford proof of what we assert, why are we unjustly hated more than all others? For while we say that all things have been produced and arranged into a world by God, we shall seem to utter the doctrine of Plato; and while we say that there will be a burning up of all, we shall seem to utter the doctrine of the Stoics: and while we affirm that the souls of the wicked, being endowed with sensation even after death, are punished, and that those of the good being delivered from punishment spend a blessed existence, we shall seem to say the same things as the poets and philosophers; and while we maintain that men ought not to worship the works of their hands, we say the very things which have been said by the comic poet Menander, and other similar writers, for they have declared that the workman is greater than the work.” – St. Justin Martyr (First Apology)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html

What happens after both the Body and Soul of the Wicked is Destroyed in Gehenna or the Lake of Fire (Matthew 10:28)?

Their ‘spirit is saved’:

“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5:5, KJV)

As mentioned in a previous post, apostle Paul is mentioning the above in the ‘Context’ of ‘what happens in Judgment toward a lawless believer’ if he ‘never repented’. It is argued by scholars that this man eventually repented as recorded in the 2 Corinthians letter (a later letter) which indicates that the above quote reveals what apostle Paul understood by ‘afterlife Judgment if someone never repents’ (Hebrews 9:27).

Can you see the Correct Context as Described above?

This ‘destruction of the flesh’ (1 Corinthians 5:5) = the destruction of the body + spirit at most (Matthew 10:28) as the ‘body is the flesh (house) of the soul while the soul is a type of flesh (house) to the spirit’ – please see point 2 next for this authoritative definition.

The spirit of the wicked is still saved (1 Corinthians 5:5, Revelation 22:17) despite the body + soul is destroyed in the Lake of Fire (Matthew 10:28, Revelation 21:8).

This is evidently clear in Verse below:

“who will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For to this end the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but they might live in the spirit according to God.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:5 – 6, BLB)

1. a) Context for 1 Peter 4:1 – 4

Please note that the Context of 1 Peter 4:1 – 4 refers to you (the believer) being compared to the unbeliever first.

1. b) Context for 1 Peter 4:5 – 6

Next, the “who” [unbeliever in 1 Peter 4:5’s start] is said to give account on Judgment Day in 1 Peter 4:5 (Context change).

It does not end there as the Verse implies that despite this Judgment Day Sentencing (Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:11 – 15) = the phrase “the dead, so that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh” (1 Peter 4:6)

Yes, please note that both apostles Peter and Paul speak of this “Judgment in the flesh for the wicked” in 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Peter 4:6 on Judgment Day Context (John 5:28 – 29).

It does not end there either as apostle Peter affirms that the ‘spirit of this dead/wicked’ is ‘saved’ after this Judgment = the phrase “but they might live in the spirit according to God” (1 Peter 4:6) = the phrase “that the spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord Jesus” by apostle Paul (in 1 Corinthians 5:5 earlier).

Method of Context: ‘as it is Written’ since this Verse is not discussed explicitly by either St. Justin nor St. Irenaeous (as I have not found it yet).

In Contrast, please note that all three (body, soul and spirit) in a righteous man is saved (kept ‘whole’ without damage being sanctified only eventually – 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

We see that at most, a wicked man’s spirit is saved post Lake of Fire or Final Judgment in Gehenna. What happens next?

Please see point 5 next.

2) Definition of Body, Soul and Spirit in a Man

“The resurrection is a resurrection of the flesh which died. For the spirit dies not; the soul is in the body, and without a soul it cannot live. The body, when the soul forsakes it, is not. For the body is the house of the soul; and the soul the house of the spirit. These three, in all those who cherish a sincere hope and unquestioning faith in God, will be saved.” – Justin Martyr (Chapter 10 – The body saved, and will therefore rise, On the Resurrection)

3) Shadow of Death Context – Does our Soul go into Sheol/Hades after death?

Yes, for example as it is warned in Verse below against the soul descending into the ‘punishment regions of Sheol/Hades’ instead if not corrected on earth (‘Context implied by the Verse’):

“You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol.” (Proverbs 23:14, NASB)

In another translation

“Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” (Proverbs 23:14, KJV)

Sheol in Hebrew = Hades in Greek = Realm of the Dead Souls sometimes called the ‘Shadow of Death Regions’ too which has both the Blessed Abodes and the Punishment Abodes according to one’s life in death as discussed in previous posts.

As we have seen here, after we die, it is implied that our body sleeps in the earth while our souls go either into the blessed or judgment regions of Hades/Sheol (the “shadow of death” regions as per the Law of the Dead”).

What is the ‘Law of the Dead’?

Our souls must go first to either of the blessed/judgment regions of Hades/Sheol (‘shadow of death’ regions) upon death, to quote:

“If, then, the Lord observed the law of the dead, that He might become the first-begotten from the dead, and tarried until the third day “in the lower parts of the earth; ” then afterwards rising in the flesh, so that He even showed the print of the nails to His disciples, He thus ascended to the Father;-[if all these things occurred, I say], how must these men not be put to confusion, who allege that “the lower parts” refer to this world of ours, but that their tuner man, leaving the body here, ascends into the super-celestial place? For as the Lord “went away in the midst of the shadow of death,” where the souls of the dead were, yet afterwards arose in the body, and after the resurrection was taken up [into heaven], it is manifest that the souls of His disciples also, upon whose account the Lord underwent these things, shall go away into the invisible place allotted to them by God, and there remain until the resurrection, awaiting that event; then receiving their bodies, and rising in their entirety, that is bodily, just as the Lord arose, they shall come thus into the presence of God. “For no disciple is above the Master, but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master.” As our Master, therefore, did not at once depart, taking flight [to heaven], but awaited the time of His resurrection prescribed by the Father, which had been also shown forth through Jonas, and rising again after three days was taken up [to heaven]; so ought we also to await the time of our resurrection prescribed by God and foretold by the prophets, and so, rising, be taken up, as many as the Lord shall account worthy of this [privilege].” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book 5)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

Hence the authoritative definition of the ‘Shadow of Death’ to refer to the ‘abode of the Souls in Hades/Sheol’ is implied or given by St. Irenaeous himself in the quote above (please note the phrase ‘Shadow of Death’ in quote above ‘carefully’).

So, Salvation from Hell by Christ is Prophesied in the Old Testament itself toward these ‘Shadow of Death’ Regions which is discussed further in posts below:

1. c) Hell’s Missed Messianic Prophecy – SHADOW of DEATH

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hells-missed-messianic-prophecy-shadow-of-death/

1. d) SHADOW of DEATH – Irrefutable Context – Christ Prophesied to SAVE from HELL itself

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/shadow-of-death-irrefutable-context-christ-prophesied-to-save-from-hell-itself/

4) What is the Meaning of the Resurrection of the Body?

“The resurrection is a resurrection of the flesh which died. For the spirit dies not; the soul is in the body, and without a soul it cannot live. The body, when the soul forsakes it, is not. For the body is the house of the soul; and the soul the house of the spirit. These three, in all those who cherish a sincere hope and unquestioning faith in God, will be saved.” – St. Justin Martyr (Chapter 10 – The body saved, and will therefore rise, On the Resurrection)

The last two quotes by Justin and Irenaeous points to the facts that the ‘Salvation of our Souls’ (1 Peter 1:9) refers to our souls obtaining a body during the Resurrection so that we may both live on earth again & enter into the Heavens as Lord Jesus Christ Himself Demonstrated.

Without this body, at most the soul can only live in Hades/Sheol/Shadow of Death regions as even the infamous example of the Rich Man & Lazarus Reveals (Luke 16:19 – 31) as a Parable cannot use imaginary things which do not exist in reality for an analogy.

In fact, the ‘impossibilities’ mentioned by Abraham in Luke 16:19 – 31 are true as long as Christ hasn’t Died and Resurrected.

For example, it is well known that the ‘chasm that no one can cross’ (Luke 16:26) has been Crossed by Christ (Ephesians 4:9 – 10) and that whenever ‘all things is mentioned in a factual verse it only excludes God Himself for He Alone is not creation, principle in 1 Corinthians 15:27.

Also, the Fact that Christ Saves from Hell or the ‘Shadow of Death’ Regions eventually (e.g. from the Lake of Fire or Gehenna too in 1 Peter 4:5 – 6, 1 Corinthians 5:5, Revelation 22:17) is further illumined or clear in the ‘Shadow of Death’ Prophecy Verses (e.g. Psalm 107:10 – 15, NASB) as all Law and Prophets have things to be Fulfilled by Christ (Luke 24:44 – 45).

Can you see it Beautifully Revealed in the Bible?

Please remember that God did not very explicitly mention that He has a Son, i.e. is Going to be Manifested in the Flesh via Old Testament Scripture as some of the Most Important things are Beautifully and Rarely Put throughout Holy Scripture as it is a Treasure to all who find them especially with the Exegesis support of First Christianity (e.g. St. Justin, St. Irenaeous, Shepherd of Hermas Writing, Sibyline Oracles etc. as we have demonstrated).

Yes, some of the Greatest Treasures of the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ are ‘Hidden’ (not explicitly nor easily mentioned):

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:44 – 46, NASB)

5) Wicked’s spirit may be Saved. What’s next?

The Wicked – NOT Granted AUTOMATIC Continuance of Life in a RESURRECTED BODY to the ‘ages of Ages’ & beyond (implied).

“… But he who shall REJECT it, and prove himself UNGRATEFUL to his Maker, inasmuch as he has been created, and has not recognised Him who bestowed [the gift upon him], deprives himself of [the privilege of] continuance for ever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons].

And, for this reason, the Lord declared to those who showed themselves UNGRATEFUL towards Him: “If ye have not been faithful in that which is little, who will give you that which is great? ” indicating that those who, in this brief temporal life, have shown themselves ungrateful to Him who bestowed it, shall justly NOT RECEIVE from Him length of days for ever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons].” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXXIV.-Souls Can Be Recognised in the Separate State, and are Immortal Although They Once Had a Beginning, second part of Point 3)

Can you see it?

Conclusion

In light of the Bible Verses and quotes from First Christianity, we can see that St. Irenaeous is NOT teaching the concept of annihilation (another popular fallacy by quoting this same passage) but rather that the wicked are NOT automatically granted ‘continuance [an inherent assumption is Salvation of the Soul: which is in a Resurrected Body] to the Aeons of Aeons, or translated here as forever and ever’.

This means that St. Irenaeous is clearly implying in comparison regarding this current ‘temporal life’ (in body, soul, spirit sensations in full) toward the wicked in regards to a future punishment time where ‘after their spirit is saved’, as we have seen, but yet it may NOT obtain continuance in a ‘body + soul’ (resurrection of the body) to the ‘Aeons of Aeons’ or ‘forever and ever’.

There are two possible implications of this [Exegesis]:

Before that, please note that ‘Salvation’ is Threefold (as per 1 Thessalonians 5:23) in the context of ‘body is saved’, ‘soul is saved’ and ‘spirit is saved’. The righteous will experience all three plus glorification.

How about the wicked?

At most, Holy Scripture explicitly reveals the Salvation for the wicked to be in that their ‘spirit is saved’ (1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Peter 4:6 and probably Revelation 22:17). What’s more?

Two Possibilities:

1) Wicked are Saved in their spirit state only forever

If the phrase ‘aeons of Aeons’ (e.g. in Revelation 20:10) is used by St. Irenaeous here refers to ‘forever and ever’, then since Holy Scripture has promised NO continuance of future life in the Context of this ‘temporal life’ (in body, soul, spirit), it’s obvious that the wicked may NOT receive NOR partake of another resurrection post Lake of Fire Judgment & their spirit (which is saved) remains without a body nor a soul.

Living in the spirit state makes them least in the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 5:19) where lacking the ‘body + soul’ they cannot experience most sensations of ‘life on earth or in the heavens’ and perhaps are only in the ‘Elysian field’ regions or equivalent as the Sibyline Oracles states.

Hence, gaining the whole world is of no profit if one loses their soul as Christ Remarked in Mark 8:36. Hence the ‘losing of one’s soul’ is understood to be ‘not having a soul’ which ‘certainly has no body either’ being destroyed in Gehenna (Matthew 10:28) and thus they ‘exist only in their spirit state’ (1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Peter 4:6).

2) Wicked are Saved in their spirit state till the ‘ages’ (aeons, subset) out of the larger overall ‘Ages’ (Aeons)

If the phrase ‘aeons of Aeons’ means ‘ages of Ages’ (as it is literally in the Original Bible), then the above ‘living in the spirit state only for the wicked’ lasts till the limited time of ‘ages’ (subset) only out of the overall larger Set of ‘Ages’ (Aeons).

In light of John 17:2, this could mean that the wicked may be given some type of ‘age-during or eternal life’ as He Promised to All Flesh (All Men or All Mankind/Humanity in this Verse).

It is still arguable that the ‘age-during life or eternal life’ given in John 17:2 toward the wicked may be in ‘spirit state only’ and in certain limited regions of the kingdom of the heavens.

For the times outside of the ‘ages’ (subset) toward which the wicked are denied continuance in a ‘resurrected body’ existing in ‘spirit state limited senses only’, it is still possible that they may obtain a ‘second resurrection’ for the period of time ‘after the ages of Ages’ (i.e. after the aeons of Aeons) as 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28 may imply till God becomes ‘all in all’, i.e. ‘all in All Creation’.

However, please note that Acts 24:15 can refer to the ‘Resurrection of Judgment for the Wicked only’ (John 5:28 – 29) implying that there could never be a second resurrection as hypothesized in the previous paragraph. The Justification of the Wicked (Romans 4:5) can thus refer to their ‘spirit being saved’ only as discussed prior.

Which is it?

I keep an open mind for both possibilities but it is quite certain that the wicked will be saved in their spirit state as the Verses quoted in the Bible itself (1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Peter 4:6, Revelation 22:17) clearly imply together with the Universal Salvation Verses.

Hence, ‘all men will be saved’ (1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV) especially believers (1 Timothy 4:10) may be understood thus as ‘believers, Sheepfold1 saved in body, soul & spirit during resurrection’ (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Revelation 20:4 – 6, Luke 20:235 – 36, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18) together with Sheepfold2 during their lower in glory bodily resurrection for their ‘good works, moral life’ (- simultaneously raised with the wicked as opposed to the first ‘resurrection of the just by faith only- a thousand years earlier’, in John 5:28 – 29, Daniel 12:2, 1 Corinthians 15:39 – 42, Revelation 20:11 – 15) while ‘the wicked are saved in their spirit state only’ (1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Peter 4:6, Revelation 22:17) to the ‘aeons of Aeons’ (be it whether it which means to the ‘ages or forever’).

Comment:

St. Irenaeous of Lyons regarding Aeons (Ages)

Did he teach eternal hell or age-during Judgment?

Fallacy: He wrote in Koine Greek and translating the same Bible phrase meaning age-during as “everlasting” or “eternal” in Latin doesn’t make him an eternal Hell believer.

Please consider the write up below discussing this Point in detail showing the “other quotes” of St. Irenaeous regarding the “Concept of Aeons or Ages” which he held too which explains ‘his understanding of Aeons in his own words’:

(i) Mobile Friendly

www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/aeons-to-immortality-paul-is-apostle-paul-endorsed/amp/

(ii) Web browser friendly

www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/aeons-to-immortality-paul-is-apostle-paul-endorsed/

Scripture does not discuss the last part (point 5) in detail (which is Hidden) but it can be inferred from Universal Salvation Biblical Passages (e.g. the Conclusion in 1 Timothy 4:10 or 1 Timothy 2:1,4, 6, or 1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23 or Romans 5:18 – 19, Titus 2:11) that the wicked must eventually be given the ‘age-during life or eternal life too’ as Lord Jesus Christ Himself Promised Literally in the Context of All Men or All Flesh or All Humanity in John 17:2 whilst Prophetically Speaking in the Context of the Completion of the Work to mean this (John 17:4).

Lord Jesus Christ implies Universal Salvation toward all men in His Own Blessed Words say in John 12:32 and Matthew 5:19 too where the wicked (or those who ‘break His Commands’ become least).

The Sibyline Oracles, a fuller version of the Apocalypse of Peter, Apocalypse of Elijah all have a Section Describing God Saving the Wicked from the Lake of Fire to be placed in lower regions of the Kingdom of the Heavens, links below:

1. Sibyline Oracles

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/sibyline-oracles-mystery-match-with-bible-verses-perfectly-last-prophecies/

2. Apocalypse of Peter

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/universalism-in-christ-alone-secret-of-the-gospel-apocalypse-of-peter/

3. Apocalypse of Elijah

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/antichrist-universalist-hope-apocalypse-of-elijah-explains/

The Context of Fulfilling the Law and ‘entering His Kingdom first’ (Matthew 5:20) or that ‘these may not enter His Rest’ (Hebrews 3:11) are all referring to Missing Out on the Greatest Hope of the First Resurrection Pertaining to Partaking of His Millennial Reign on Earth for a thousand years too (Revelation 20:4 – 6) as discussed in Posts Below:

1) First Christianity – Speak the Same Thing – Not Enter My Rest Meaning

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/first-christianity-speak-the-same-thing-not-enter-my-rest-meaning/

2) Entering Heaven – First Christianity – Exceed the Righteousness of the Pharisees?

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/entering-heaven-first-christianity-exceed-the-righteousness-of-the-pharisees/

3) First Christianity – Worm that does not Die & the Fire that is not quenched

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/first-christianity-worm-that-does-not-die-the-fire-that-is-not-quenched/

Peace to you

P/S: Did St. Justin Martyr teach Soul Sleep?

No.

Please consider a famous fallacy arising from NOT understanding the definition of ‘heaven’ in the following quote (often used to prove ‘soul sleep’):

“For if you have fallen in with some who are called Christians, but who do not admit this [truth], and venture to blaspheme the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; who say there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls, when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians.” – Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho, 80:9)

What did Justin mean when he says “… who say …their souls, when they die, are taken to

heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians?

Doesn’t that plainly contradict Luke 16:19 – 31?

Not really. What Justin Martyr means as heaven is far more complex than ‘what we assume’ to be.

Firstly, Luke 16:19 – 31 mentions of “Paradise” into which the “souls of the righteous go” and NOT heaven.

Yes, “heaven” and “Paradise” are different as the Writings of Iraneous & even Papias reveal below (and Justin must be speaking from this ‘same knowledge too’):

Yes, this definition of ‘heaven(s)’ may be more complex than usually assumed, to quote:

‘A fragment from the early 2nd century of one of the lost volumes of Papias, a Christian bishop, expounds that “heaven” was separated into three distinct layers. He referred to the first as just “heaven”, the second as “paradise”, and the third as “the city”. Papias taught that “there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce a hundredfold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold’ (Papias, Fagments 5:1)

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_in_Christianity

This explanation is further proven True as Lord Jesus Christ went to “Paradise” on the “same” Day He Died with His SOUL (Disproving the Soul Sleep Theory that His Soul Slept in the Grave for Three Days, Luke 23:43) but after He Resurrected Gloriously, i.e. Three Days later, He Ascended to the Father in a RESURRECTED BODY into the “Heavens” eventually

(John 20:17, Mark 16:19, Acts 1:2 – 3, Acts 1:9 – 11, Ephesians 4:9 – 10).

This means that when we die, as Christians, with ‘our soul we will enter Paradise’ immediately (as per Luke 16:19 – 31) and await the ‘redemption of the body’ (Romans 8:23)

to enter ‘heaven’ later when He Returns during the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6).

Yes, a soul with spirit can live in the afterlife abodes or regions such as ‘Abraham’s Bosom’ or Paradise (Luke 16:19 – 31, Revelation 6:10) or be gathered in the New Jerusalem City for the Wedding (Galatians 4:26, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 19:7 – 9) but to ‘live on earth again or to enter higher into the heavens’, we need to partake of the Resurrection First (Revelation 20:4 – 6, Hebrews 11:39 – 40, Hebrews 12:21 – 24).

Further Reading: Pages 58 – 60 in the Book in link above (in Post – “Lost Orthodoxy”).

4) Justin Martyr

How about Justin Martyr directly writing in regards to this?

Did Justin Martyr understand that Souls do NOT sleep in ‘his own words’?

This point proves irrefutably that First Christianity as it is evidenced from St. Justin Martyr’s and St. Irenaeous of Lyons’ “own writings” shows that —–> there is NO SOUL SLEEP Doctrine in First Orthodox, Correct Christianity at all.

Please consider:

“But I do NOT say, indeed, that ALL SOULS DIE; for that were truly a piece of good fortune to the evil.

What then? The SOULS of the pious remain in a better place, while those [SOULS] of the unjust and wicked are in a worse, waiting for the time of judgment.

Thus some [SOULS] which have appeared worthy of God never die; but others [SOULS] are punished so long as God wills them to exist and to be punished.” – Justin Martyr (Fifth Chapter on the Dialogue)

Comment:

Justin clearly believed that at death the soul goes to an intermediate place to await

resurrection and judgment. Once again, we defer our discussion of this point until later.

For now it will suffice to say that Justin also, just as clearly, believed in the annihilation of the wicked.

He mentions the fact that only some worthy souls “never die”.

Others, he says, exist only “so long as God wills them to exist and undergo punishment.”

To put this the other way  around, Justin must mean that after a time of punishment, when God no longer wills the wicked to live, they will simply cease to exist.

Justin does elsewhere suggest that the period of conscious punishment of the wicked is quite long, being “not only, as Plato said, for a period of a thousand years” , but longer.

The wicked’s SOUL do however, eventually DIES.

Source:

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/articles/justin-martyr-immortality-soul/

Page 405 in aforementioned Book.

P/S 2: Aeons – Resurrection – Souls – Facts from St. Irenaeous of Lyons

1) Aeons – Are Aeons distinguishable from each other?

Whilst discussing a heresy of the gnostics, St. Irenaeous mentions the following:

“And besides; “the eternal [Aeonian, Age-during] fire which the Father has prepared for the devil and his angels,” -they ought to show of which of those Aeons that are above it is the image; for it, too, is reckoned part of the creation.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter VII – Created Things are Not the Images of Those Aeons Who are Within the Pleroma, Point 3)

Please note carefully that Irenaeous is quoting the Verse in Matthew 25:41 where the same Greek singular-word “Aeon” (or Eon or ‘age’) occurs —> and puts the burden of the argument that the Gnostics ought to show ‘which of those Aeons that are above it is the image’ —> proving that the ‘Aeonion fire or age-during fire’ is for a particular “age” only, namely AGE2 in our write ups.

The heresy Irenaeous is discussing in this passage relates to some Gnostics’ claim that an ‘Aeon or Age’ is an ‘Image of some creation”.

Thus in relation to the ‘Punishment Aeon’ described in Matthew 25:41, St. Irenaeous is obviously ridiculing these Gnostics by asking them ‘which Image of Creation’ corresponds to being ‘fiery’ like that future Aeon or Punishment Age (AGE2)?

Since NO such ‘creation (or image) in fire exists’ as per ‘their hypothesis that each Aeon corresponds to a creation’, hence the Gnostic’s claim that an Aeon has a creation-mirror is a ‘false statement’ (implied by Irenaeous argument above).

By usage itself it is clear that St. Irenaeous looks at the next Aeon (singular – AGE2) referred to in Matthew 25:41 as distinguishable and is part of a subset of Aeons (plural) —> and that’s why he asks ‘which creation (past of present, implied) corresponds to the next Aeon, AGE2?’ (Implied) —> Meaning that Irenaeous does NOT see the ‘next age, AGE2’ as ‘eternal’ but as a ‘singular age/aeon only’ out of the larger set of ‘plural ages/aeons’ into which it belongs.

2) Souls – Afterlife Description

(i) Body Sleeps at Death and NOT the Soul

“… For as, when the body is asleep and at rest,… ” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXXIII.-Absurdity of the Doctrine of the Transmigration of Souls, Point 1)

(ii) The Rich Man and Lazarus Story is LITERAL

“The Lord has taught with very great fulness, that souls not only continue to exist, not by passing from body to body, but that they preserve the same form [in their separate state] as the body had to which they were adapted, and that they remember the deeds which they did in this state of existence, and from which they have now ceased,-in that narrative which is recorded respecting the rich man and that Lazarus who found repose in the bosom of Abraham.

In this account He states that Dives knew Lazarus after death, and Abraham in like manner, and that each one of these persons continued in his own proper position, and that [Dives] requested Lazarus to be sent to relieve him-[Lazarus], on whom he did not [formerly] bestow even the crumbs [which fell] from his table. [He tells us] also of the answer given by Abraham, who was acquainted not only with what respected himself, but Dives also, and who enjoined those who did not wish to come into that place of torment to believe Moses and the prophets, and to receive the preaching of Him who was to rise again from the dead.

By these things, then, it is plainly declared that souls continue to exist that they do not pass from body to body, that they possess the form of a man, so that they may be recognised, and retain the memory of things in this world; moreover, that the gift of prophecy was possessed by Abraham, and that each class of souls] receives a habitation such as it has deserved, even before the judgment.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXXIV.-Souls Can Be Recognised in the Separate State, and are Immortal Although They Once Had a Beginning, Point 1)

4) The Righteous – Granted AUTOMATIC Continuance of Life to the ‘ages of Ages’ & beyond (implied).

“… So also any one who thinks thus respecting SOULS and SPIRITS, and, in fact, respecting all created things, will not by any means go far astray, inasmuch as all things that have been made had a beginning when they were formed, but endure as long as God wills that they should have an existence and continuance.

The prophetic Spirit bears testimony to these opinions, when He declares, “For He spake, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created: He hath established them for ever [the Aeon], yea, forever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons].”

And again, He thus speaks respecting the SALVATION of MAN: “He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest him length of days for ever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons]; ” indicating that it is the Father of all who imparts continuance for ever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons] on THOSE who are SAVED.

For life does not arise from us, nor from our own nature; but it is bestowed according to the GRACE of GOD.

And therefore he who shall preserve the life bestowed upon him, and give thanks to Him who imparted it, shall receive also length of days for ever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons]…” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXXIV.-Souls Can Be Recognised in the Separate State, and are Immortal Although They Once Had a Beginning, first part of Point 3)

[my emphasis in brackets – guessing a little at which possible Greek Phrase or Aeon Compound might have occurred here as per the standard translation procedure – please note that even if any ‘Aeon compound words’ above are wrong, the ARGUMENT still HOLDS – Please read point 6 below to ‘realize’ this at the IRREFUTABLE level]

5) The Wicked – NOT Granted AUTOMATIC Continuance of Life to the ‘ages of Ages’ & beyond (implied).

“… But he who shall REJECT it, and prove himself UNGRATEFUL to his Maker, inasmuch as he has been created, and has not recognised Him who bestowed [the gift upon him], deprives himself of [the privilege of] continuance for ever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons].

And, for this reason, the Lord declared to those who showed themselves UNGRATEFUL towards Him: “If ye have not been faithful in that which is little, who will give you that which is great? ” indicating that those who, in this brief temporal life, have shown themselves ungrateful to Him who bestowed it, shall justly NOT RECEIVE from Him length of days for ever and ever [to the Aeons of the Aeons].” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXXIV.-Souls Can Be Recognised in the Separate State, and are Immortal Although They Once Had a Beginning, second part of Point 3)

6) The Eternal Life Heresy

NO Eternal Life is Granted in One Aeon or One Age – The Eternal Age Heresy – Understanding Immortality Correctly.

Body and Soul do NOT exist forever but are subject to God granting its existence from ‘age to age’ or ‘aeon to aeon’, that is from ‘one aeon to the next’:

” … But ALL THINGS which proceed from Him, WHATSOEVER have been MADE, and are made, do indeed receive their own beginning of generation, and on this account are INFERIOR to Him who formed them, inasmuch as they are not unbegotten. Nevertheless THEY ENDURE, and EXTEND their EXISTENCE into a LONG SERIES of AGES in accordance with the WILL of GOD their Creator; so that He GRANTS them that they should be thus formed at the beginning, and that they should so exist afterwards.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXXIV.-Souls Can Be Recognised in the Separate State, and are Immortal Although They Once Had a Beginning, Point 2)

I repeat, please note these phrases ‘carefully’ from Irenaeous’ own words (NOT mine) which proves this claim Irrefutably for ‘Sound Doctrine’:

ALL THINGS which proceed from Him, WHATSOEVER have been MADE —> are INFERIOR to Him who formed them —> THEY ENDURE, and EXTEND their EXISTENCE —> into a LONG SERIES of AGES —-> [Ages or Aeons – Can you see the Plural ‘ages to come’ or ‘aeons to come’ theory true even for ‘future ages’ as per Ephesians 2:7?) —-> in accordance with the WILL of GOD their Creator, so that He GRANTS them.

This is an Important point to ‘Understanding Immortality Correctly’ as St. Irenaeous Beautifully explains above.

7) Immortality and the Resurrection for Sheepfold1 – His Bride (His Church) – the FIRST RESURRECTION

“And then the DOCTRINE concerning the RESURRECTION of bodies which we believe, will emerge true and certain [from their system]; since, [as we hold, ] God, when He resuscitates our MORTAL BODIES which PRESERVED RIGHTEOUSNESS, will render them INCORRUPTIBLE and IMMORTAL.

For God is superior to nature, and has in Himself the disposition [to show kindness], because He is good; and the ability to do so, because He is mighty; and the faculty of fully carrying out His purpose, because He is rich and perfect.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book II, Chapter XXIX.-Refutation of the Views of the Heretics as to the Future Destiny of the Soul and Body, Point 2)

Please note that:

‘our MORTAL BODIES which PRESERVED RIGHTEOUSNESS’ = refers only to Sheepfold1, His Bride, His Church, i.e. ‘believers in Faith of Jesus Christ’ —-> will render them INCORRUPTIBLE and IMMORTAL (Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 17, Luke 20:35 – 36, Luke 14:14).

Please note that both the body & soul of the wicked thus ceases to exist at least to the ‘ages of Ages’ as we have seen but their ‘spirit is saved’ as discussed in earlier.

To download that FREE pdf e-book, please consider the link below for further edification:

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/download/lost-orthodoxy-heart-of-the-gospel-by-anonymous-christian/

Peace to you.

P/S 3: Can a spirit be saved ‘after the ages of Ages’?

The Reliable Christian Universalist, Sadhu Sundar Singh remarkably uses this phrase in the Context of Universal Salvation in one of his last personal letters before his mysterious disappearance into the Himalayas around a year later (please refer to an image).

Sadhu Sundar Singh’s Visions agree to this Exegesis as well, links below:

From Page 183 of the ‘Lost Orthodoxy’ Book:

A Notable Vision of Hell agreeing to all these – Sadhu Sundar Singh

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/secrets-beyond-hell-sadhu-sundar-singh/

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/deep-secrets-visions-of-hell-being-not-eternal/

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/sadhu-sundar-singh-on-hell/

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/the-truth-on-hell-by-the-vision-of-sadhu-sundar-singh/

Example: Sadhu Sundar Singh’s Visions of Heaven and Hells (plural – refers to the many afterlife punishment regions) agrees to all this (for example: he mentioned that ‘hindu saints’ have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour in the afterlife – afterlife repentance, an example of sheepfold2 as claimed).

Please don’t forget that the infamous eternal hell preacher, brother DGS Dhinakaran wrote that he saw Sadhu Sundar Singh (the Christian Universalist) in heaven too. Can you see it?

For example, in post below Sadhu Sundar Singh clearly proves the existence of Sheepfold2 in his visions agreeing to Swedenborg’s Visions that ‘Good people from non-Christian religions are also shown MERCY by God & SAVED AFTER they endure AFTERLIFE JUDGMENT according to their sins’:

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/heart-judgment-of-hearts-hope-for-non-christians/

Maranatha, Even so Come Lord Jesus, Amen.

Christ Centered Universalism

Example Verse to understand a fine detail:

An Earthly King’s Throne is to the Age (Verse in Image).

“The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.” (Proverbs 29:14, KJV)

Not Forever as, the Word used is literally ‘lā·‘aḏ’ (which means continually usually in the Context of ‘Olam or age’):

Olam (Hebrew) = Aeon (Greek) = Age (English)

P/S: Even king David’s Throne does not exist today.

Conclusion

God’s Covenants are from age to age, for example the Old Testament Age to the New Testament Age.

Christ’s Throne is mentioned to Reign till the “Ages” (Aeons-plural) —-> but what is achieved in His Reign (which includes all enemies finally submitting willingly to Him too, 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28 especially verse 25 highlighting the enemy’s submission part) —-> This is ‘eternal’ as the Heavenly Messenger adds, that “His Kingdom” will have “no end” in the Infamous Prophecy below:

“and He will reign over the house of Jacob to the ages. And of His kingdom there will be no end!” – Archangel Gabriel (Berean Literal Bible, BLB, Luke 1:33)

*The Greek Word for both “His Reign” and “His Kingdom” are from the Same Root Word with the first being a “Verb” (His Reign) while the latter being a “Noun” (His Kingdom).

In short, Christ Reigns to the “Ages” (Aeons) to Reconcile back All Created things (Colossians 1:16) back to Himself (Colossians 1:20) which after achieved is called part of “His Kingdom of the Heavens” which has “No End” (Luke 1:33).

**Reigning is only toward His Enemies (1 Corinthians 15:25) and after that, Subjection is in Love in the same way He Subjects to the Father, an analogy Drawn in 1 Corinthians 15:27 – 28.

Verses:

“then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him.

When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28, NASB)

HalleluYah!

Age during – Current Heavens

(Verse in Image Describes it)

*age-during in the current heavens because the New Heavens will be Made after Judgment Day (Revelation 21:1).

The 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ is during the Old heavens and Old Earth (Revelation 20:4 – 6) as even St. Irenaeous has clearly contrasted, to quote:

1) Why should the 1000 years Millennial Reign occur in the Old Earth and Old Heavens?

“Inasmuch, therefore, as the opinions of certain [orthodox persons] are derived from heretical discourses, they are both ignorant of God’s dispensations, and of the mystery of the resurrection of the just, and of the [earthly] kingdom which is the commencement of incorruption, by means of which kingdom those who shall be worthy are accustomed gradually to partake of the divine nature (capere Deum ); and it is necessary to tell them respecting those things, that it behoves the righteous first to receive the promise of the inheritance which God promised to the fathers, and to reign in it, when they rise again to behold God in this creation which is renovated, and that the judgment should take place afterwards. For it is just that in that very creation in which they toiled or were afflicted, being proved in every way by suffering, they should receive the reward of their suffering; and that in the creation in which they were slain because of their love to God, in that they should be revived again; and that in the creation in which they endured servitude, in that they should reign.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

2) Times of the Kingdom

St. Irenaeous calls the 1000 years Millennial Reign as “times of the kingdom”

“For what are the hundred-fold [rewards] in this word, the entertainments given to the poor, and the suppers for which a return is made? These are [to take place] in the times of the kingdom, that is, upon the seventh day, which has been sanctified, in which God rested from all the works which He created, which is the true Sabbath of the righteous, which they shall not be engaged in any earthly occupation; but shall have a table at hand prepared for them by God, supplying them with all sorts of dishes.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

3) after the Times of the Kingdom

Please note that both passages quoted below from Irenaeous are immediately consecutive with no breaks in between from the same translation source quoted earlier.

1. i) During the “times of the kingdom” part

” But in the times of the kingdom, the earth has been called again by Christ [to its pristine condition], and Jerusalem rebuilt after the pattern of the Jerusalem above, of which the prophet Isaiah says, “Behold, I have depicted thy walls upon my hands, and thou art always in my sight,” And the apostle, too, writing to the Galatians, says in like manner, “But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” He does not say this with any thought of an erratic Aeon, or of any other power which departed from the Pleroma, or of Prunicus, but of the Jerusalem which has been delineated on [God’s] hands.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

1. ii) AFTER the “times of the kingdom” part

“And in the Apocalypse John saw this new [Jerusalem] descending upon the new earth. For after the times of the kingdom, he says, “I saw a great white throne, and Him who sat upon it, from whose face the earth fled away, and the heavens; and there was no more place for them.” And he sets forth, too, the things connected with the general resurrection and the judgment, mentioning “the dead, great and small.” “The sea,” he says, “gave up the dead which it had in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead that they contained; and the books were opened. Moreover,” he says, “the book of life was opened, and the dead were judged out of those things that were written in the books, according to their works; and death and hell were sent into the lake of fire, the second death.” Now this is what is called Gehenna, which the Lord styled eternal fire. “And if any one,” it is said, “was not found written in the book of life, he was sent into the lake of fire.” And after this, he says, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth have passed away; also there was no more sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, as a bride adorned for her husband.” “And I heard,” it is said, “a great voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them; and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them as their God. And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, because the former things have passed away.”- St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

**Eternal = Age-during literally as we have discussed Universal Salvation Context eventually even if it meant either way.

Peace to you

Abrahamic Promise – Definition from First Christianity

Promise to believers in faith only, Sheepfold1 – Which Promise?

“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 3:22, KJV)

Which Promise?

The Abrahamic Promise:

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 3:29, KJV)

What does this Promise refer to as understood in First Christianity?

“I do not say so; but those who have persecuted and do persecute Christ, if they do not repent, shall not inherit anything on the holy mountain. But the Gentiles, who have believed on Him, and have repented of the sins which they have committed, they shall receive the inheritance along with the patriarchs and the prophets, and the just men who are descended from Jacob, even although they neither keep the Sabbath, nor are circumcised, nor observe the feasts. Assuredly they shall receive the holy inheritance of God.” – St. Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html

Another Edifying Quote of this same Definition referring to the First Resurrection and 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4 – 6, Luke 20:35 – 36, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18):

“But he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man comes we may avoid him, being aware who he is: the name, however, is suppressed, because it is not worthy of being proclaimed by the Holy Spirit. For if it had been declared by Him, he (Antichrist) might perhaps continue for a long period. But now as “he was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the abyss, and goes into perdition,” as one who has no existence; so neither has his name been declared, for the name of that which does not exist is not proclaimed. But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom, that is, the rest, the hallowed seventh day; and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance, in which kingdom the Lord declared, that “many coming from the east and from the west should sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

Conclusion

“But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare.” – St. Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho)

“I am not so miserable a fellow, Trypho, as to say one thing and think another. I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and[believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise. Moreover, I pointed out to you that some who are called Christians, but are godless, impious heretics, teach doctrines that are in every way blasphemous, atheistical, and foolish. But that you may know that I do not say this before you alone, I shall draw up a statement, so far as I can, of all the arguments which have passed between us; in which I shall record myself as admitting the very same things which I admit to you. For I choose to follow not men or men’s doctrines, but God and the doctrines[delivered] by Him.” – St. Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html

Peace to you

Commands of God – Guardrail and Blessing

Why do we take say the “Commands of God through His apostles” seriously?

Verse in Image (a reason).

“Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:36 – 38, NIV)

“that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” – apostle Peter (2 Peter 3:2, NASB)

Conclusion

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29, KJV)

There’s always a reward either in this life or the next or both for obeying each Verse.

In fact, obeying the commands found in 1 Corinthians 11 to 14 after they are Written is equivalent to ‘following or imitating Christ Himself’, Verse below (“Context”):

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, NASB)

Please remember that we can either choose to obey the Verses & quote First Christianity obedience examples to these Verses or disobey it whilst quoting modern day teachers.

It’s our choice.

Regarding choice, please remember this inherent responsibility as each reaps what he sows only eventually as God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7):

‘We are free to choose but we are not free from the consequence of our choice’ – unknown

‘Leadership Advice: Please lead in obedience, and not in disobedience’

Heavens – Christ has His Inner Circle

“As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. And He [Lord Jesus Christ] was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” (Mark 4:10 – 12, NASB)

Why do I take say St. Justin Martyr or St. Irenaeous of Lyons Writings after the Bible seriously?

‘Because the closer the Inner Circle is to Christ, the Verse above implies that they understand more’

Regarding ‘understanding the Gospel’ part, please consider this Verse in the Context of ‘seed’:

“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:23, KJV)

Please note ‘carefully’ that the “Context” of ‘understanding His Word’ is quoted Directly to the Mystery of knowing regarding the “hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” fruit.

What is this Mystery?

First Christianity Explains:

1. i) Bishop Papias

Yes, this definition of ‘heaven(s)’ may be more complex than usually assumed, to quote:

‘A fragment from the early 2nd century of one of the lost volumes of Papias, a Christian bishop, expounds that “heaven” was separated into three distinct layers. He referred to the first as just “heaven”, the second as “paradise”, and the third as “the city”. Papias taught that “there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce a hundredfold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold’ (Papias, Fagments 5:1)

1. ii) St. Irenaeous of Lyons

Quoting from Page 460 of the Lost Orthodoxy Book:

“… And as the presbyters say, Then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour shall be seen according as they who see Him shall be worthy.

[They say, moreover], that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundred-fold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold: for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second will dwell in paradise, the last will inhabit the city; and that was on this account the Lord declared, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.”

For all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place; even as His Word says, that a share is allotted to all by the Father, according as each person is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the wedding.

The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, affirm that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature; also that they ascend through the Spirit to the Son, and through the Son to the Father,” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (”Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter 36: 1 – 2)

Source:

Mobile friendly link

www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/first-christianity-resurrection-what-is-the-meaning-of-resurrection-from-the-dead/amp/

Or web browser friendly link

www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/first-christianity-resurrection-what-is-the-meaning-of-resurrection-from-the-dead/

Conclusion

We believe likewise.

Peace to you

Love that Invades Hell itself

Bible Verse in image metaphorically Reveals the Love of God which can be unrelenting even into Sheol (Hebrew) = Hades (Greek) = Hell (English). Deep stuff.

Happy Mother’s Day – Do you love her even if it’s into Hell?

Here’s someone very close to Lord Jesus Christ who reveals this:

“If I do not see my mother in heaven, I would beg my Lord to send me to Hell so that I can be with her” – Sadhu Sundar Singh

(During his Dialogue with the Archbishop of Canterbury, England)

Note: Sadhu Sundar Singh’s mother died a Hindu long before his conversion to Christianity after the supernatural encounter he had with Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Also, he said this:

“If I find no cross for me to suffer for Christ in heaven, I will beg my Lord to send me to Hell so that I can be a missionary there” – Sadhu Sundar Singh

Here’s the Best Part:

Christians who speak against Sundar Singh or call him a heretic were never Visited by Lord Jesus Christ Himself nor have they had the Depth type of Visions of the Heavens & Hell like he did from the Lord and neither have they experienced the numerous extraordinary miracles to the level of his experience as Graciously granted by the Savior Himself toward him.

More? Here’s a shortlist:

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/sadhu-sundar-singh-on-hell/

Trinity – God in Flesh – The Great I AM

“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” (John 8:58, NASB)

Pre-Existence of Christ and His Divinity before His Manifestation as God in Flesh is Proved in Verse above, as the Jews who heard it picked up stones (a reaction proving that they Understood Christ Declaring that He is that ‘Great I AM’ in Exodus 3:14):

“Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple” (John 8:59, NASB)

Yes, the unbelieving Jews who heard Christ understood Christ’s Word as follows:

“The Jews answered Him [Lord Jesus Christ], “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”.” (John 10:33, NASB)

“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” (Exodus 3:14, NASB)

Conclusion

“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” – apostle John (John 1:3, 10, NASB)

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” – apostle John (1 John 4:1 – 3, NASB)

The “Lord God” = “the Almighty”

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” – Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:8, NASB)

Some take time to realize this Truth though being believers:

“[apostle] Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28, NASB)

P/S: Common Fallacies

If Christ is God, why He prayed to the Father or said that the Father is Greater than Him etc.?

Because during His Manifestation in the Flesh, Christ “let go” of “His EQUALITY to GOD the FATHER” and truly became Man (Philippians 2:5 – 7) to ‘fulfill all Law & Prophets’ (as a Man – Genuinely, Leadership by Example at its Best, Matthew 5:17) to ‘Save the World’ (1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:14) as the Verse below Proves this ‘Context’:

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard EQUALITY with God [the Father, Verse 11] a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” – apostle Paul (Philippians 2:5 – 7, NASB)

Or in the ‘other manuscript’:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL with God [the Father]: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” – apostle Paul (Philippians 2:5 – 7, KJV)

[Emphasis Mine]

“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” – apostle John (1 John 2:2, 4:14, NASB)

Peace to you

More Details addressing these popular Fallacies? Please consider the posts below for further edification & thank you for reading:

1) Trinity beyond all human arguments – Secrets Revealed

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/trinity-beyond-all-human-arguments-secrets-revealed/

2) Trinity – Deep Truths and Brief Exegesis

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/trinity-deep-truths-and-brief-exegesis/

Giving – Highest – Who Gave the Most?

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He [Lord Jesus Christ] said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NASB)

Universalism Context for Romans 5 Verses 18 – 19

Verses:

“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.” – apostle Paul (Romans 5:18 – 19, NASB)

Who says so in First Christianity?

“For He fought and conquered; for He was man contending for the fathers, and through obedience doing away with disobedience completely: for He bound the strong man, and set free the weak, and endowed His own handiwork with salvation, by destroying sin. For He is a most holy and merciful Lord, and loves the human race…

For as the law was spiritual, it merely made sin to stand out in relief, but did not destroy it. For sin had no dominion over the spirit, but over man. For it behoved Him who was to destroy sin, and redeem man under the power of death, that He should Himself be made that very same thing which he was, that is, man; who had been drawn by sin into bondage, but was held by death, so that sin should be destroyed by man, and man should go forth from death. For as by the disobedience of the one man who was originally moulded from virgin soil, the many were made sinners, and forfeited life; so was it necessary that, by the obedience of one man, who was originally born from a virgin, [the] many should be justified and receive salvation. Thus, then, was the Word of God made man, as also Moses says: “God, true are His works.” But if, not having been made flesh, He did appear as if flesh, His work was not a true one. But what He did appear, that He also was: God recapitulated in Himself the ancient formation of man, that He might kill sin, deprive death of its power, and vivify man; and therefore His works are true.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons

Translation:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

Comment:

1) The Berean Attitude – Acts 17:11

Please don’t believe ‘what people claim St. Irenaeous believed but read his books by your own self’ especially paying attention to the ‘translation bias regarding the word everlasting vs age-during’ which doesn’t affect the Christ Centered Universalism Context in any way as ‘His Mercy can end/triumph over any after life Judgment Sentence’ (James 2:13) which is Promised to ‘All’ eventually too (Romans 11:32, this aspect of ‘sinlessness eventually’ is shared toward all creation as well eventually as Romans 8:21 – 22 reveals) as explained in Previous Posts in Detail.

2) Original Bible

In the Original Koine Greek Bible, the phrase in Romans 5:19 is “[the] Many” and not ‘many’ (hence my emphasis on the second part of Irenaeous’ quote above, by inserting “[the]” as he is quoting apostle Paul & writing in Koine Greek too in his original writing).

Conclusion

Please note that St. Irenaeous does NOT hint on any ‘Context’ of ‘the many’ (in Romans 5:19) referring to ‘believers only’ when he quotes it but generally to ‘all men’ or in his words, just “man” or his phrase just prior, “[God] loves the human race”, proves irrefutably.

The Context of ‘all men’ is easily proven as in the Verse prior where apostle Paul himself referred to ‘all men’ in Romans 5:18 too.

More Detailed Explanation along this line of Exegesis, link below for further edification:

1. i) Jokes in Theology – Was Paul a Universalist?

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/jokes-in-theology-was-paul-a-universalist/

1. ii) Ransom for Many or All?

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/ransom-for-many-or-all/

iii) Specially – Malista – Excluding All Linguistics?

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/specially-malista-excluding-all-linguistics/

1. iv) Fullness of the Gentiles in Romans 11:25 – is it ALL Gentiles SAVED eventually?

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/fullness-of-the-gentiles-in-romans-1125-is-it-all-gentiles-saved-eventually/

1. v) Salvation of All Men post Afterlife Judgments? – Must be Saved

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/salvation-of-all-men-post-afterlife-judgments-must-be-saved/

1. vi) Hell – If God’s Love is Unconditional, why does Hell Exist?

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hell-if-gods-love-is-unconditional-why-does-hell-exist/

vii) Hell Forever? – Salvation of spirit from Hell too – Facts from First Christianity

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hell-forever-salvation-of-spirit-from-hell-too-facts-from-first-christianity/

Peace to you

P/S:

‘God is not going to re-write the Bible for your generation; we believe that & follow St. Irenaeous’ simple straightforward exegesis with Romans 5:18 – 19 likewise’.

God is not going to re-write the Bible for your generation; we believe that & follow St. Irenaeous’ simple straightforward exegesis with Romans 5:18 – 19 likewise’.

Regarding the Verse in Image, I haven’t found St. Irenaeous or St. Justin Martyr writing about it but I see it as follows:

‘The Spirit’ = God in Spirit

‘The Bride’ = Christians (Sheepfold1)

‘Those Thirsty’ = ‘Those in or from the Lake of Fire’

‘Those who hear’ = Others in Heaven (angels, Sheepfold2, etc.)

So, it’s obvious that the ‘Water of Life’ will be Given FREELY to those THIRSTY ONES from the LAKE of FIRE too as Prophesied Beautifully in Revelation 22:17.

Maranatha God in Flesh, Even so Come Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Savior King

His Name “Jesus” Means “Savior”.

‘Savior of His People first from their sins’ (Matthew 1:21).

‘Savior of all Men next’ (1 Timothy 4:10).

‘Savior of the Whole World too in the end’ (1 John 4:14, 1 John 2:2).

Christians – Who is a True Disciple of Christ?

One who carries ‘his cross’ (Verse in image).

Please note that ‘carrying your cross’ is NOT ‘doing spiritual things which benefit you’ (e. g. ‘financial blessings on earth’ or ‘going to paradise after one dies’) but rather the meaning of this phrase must be understood via the Perfect Context of Christ’s Leadership by Example Alone.

Please note that Christ did NOT carry His Cross so that He can benefit anything from it. Christ carried His Cross so that we may benefit infinitely from It.

Conclusion

Therefore His Beautiful Exhortation to ‘carry your cross’ toward His Disciples (Verse in image) must likewise mean that ‘a Christian must find ways to bear another’s burdens due to someone else’s sins too’ (Galatians 6:2) and NOT do a ministry under the motivation (or reason) of ‘gaining financial blessings on earth’ & ‘a place in paradise after we die’.

That’s why apostle Paul revealed in Verse below that the “Reason” (or intent of the ♥ heart) is Greater than the ‘work or result itself’ as even ‘doing the greatest charity work by selling all your goods’ or even ‘dying for Christ to save yourself from Hell’ (e. g. ‘give my body to be burned’) means “nothing” if it’s not done with Selfless “Agape” (Love of God) as Christ Demonstrated:

“And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love [“Selfless – Agape”], it profits me nothing.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13:3, NASB)

Judgment Day Surprise Prophecies:

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 1:27, KJV)

“But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 10:31, NASB)

Yes, God Alone Knows all 💕 hearts:

“… You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:15, NASB)

“Should I worship Him from fear of hell, may I be cast into it. Should I serve Him from desire of gaining heaven, may He keep me out. But should I worship Him from love alone, He reveals Himself to me, that my whole heart may be filled with His love and presence.” – Sadhu Sundar Singh

P/S: A Remark

An atheist once told me, ‘Christ Sacrificed a weekend on the Cross to become God and rule heaven’.

I replied, ‘He was always God (John 1:1) and owned all created things (Colossians 1:16)’.

I added, ‘He let go of His Equality with God the Father (Philippians 2:6) so that He Will Save the World eventually (1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:14), Perfect Selflessness’.

Peace to you

Shadow of Death – Which Scholar Says otherwise?

1. i) God

God Himself Mentions the ‘Shadow of Death’ when He Majestically Answered Job regarding the Hidden Things about the Afterlife (in Verse below):

“Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?” – God Answers Job (in Job 38:17, KJV)

Which ‘Shadow of Death’ is God talking about?

1. ii) Job

The ‘afterlife punishment regions’ as Job was contemplating earlier, an example Verse:

“Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the SHADOW of DEATH; A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.” (Job 10:21 – 22, KJV)

Job clearly sets the context of afterlife when referring to go to the region of the SHADOW of DEATH from which he will not return in Job 10:21. It’s obvious from the surrounding verses too such as Job 10:19 – 20 which points to his few days on earth from womb to the grave.

iii) Irenaeous

“… For as the Lord “went away in the midst of the shadow of death,” where the souls of the dead were, …” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXI, Book V)

Conclusion

So, are your scholars ‘smarter’ than God, Job and Irenaeous?

I rest my case.

Please consider these two links below for further edification:

1) Hell’s Missed Messianic Prophecy – SHADOW of DEATH

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hells-missed-messianic-prophecy-shadow-of-death/

2) SHADOW of DEATH – Irrefutable Context – Christ Prophesied to SAVE from HELL itself

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/shadow-of-death-irrefutable-context-christ-prophesied-to-save-from-hell-itself/

Peace to you

Eternal Darkness or Hope in the Shadow of Death?

Verse:

“Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is His Name:” (Amos 5:8, KJV)

Please note the phrase “turneth the shadow of death into the morning” carefully in Verse above under the definition that the “shadow of death” refers to a location where some of the “souls of the dead” are, says who?

“… For as the Lord “went away in the midst of the shadow of death,” where the souls of the dead were, …” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXI, Book V)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

So, in light of this Biblical and First Christianity Context, is there an ‘eternal darkness’ which He will not turn to ‘light’ eventually?

I don’t think so:

“He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)” – apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:10, KJV)

Is that a proper context of the Verse above?

Yes, to quote the ‘opposite’ that only a Gnostic heretic taught that there is an ‘eternal darkness or shadow of some sort which is forever abandoned and will not be filled by Christ’s light’:

“For, according to them, the light of their Father will be changed into darkness and buried in obscurity, and will come to an end in those places which are characterized by emptiness, since it cannot penetrate and fill all things. Let them then no longer declare that their Bythus is the fulness of all things, if indeed he has neither filled nor illuminated that which is vacuum and shadow; or, on the other hand, let them cease talking of vacuum and shadow, if the light of their Father does in truth fill all things.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book II)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html

Please realize the easy fact that St. Irenaeous believes exactly the ‘opposite’ to the ‘Gnostic heresy’ he combats in the above quote (it should be obvious agreeing literally to the earlier Bible Verses).

Peace to you

P/S: Holy Scripture’s Shadow of Death Context is Metaphorically Hell

Example (with Christ Saving from Hell or the ‘Shadow of Death’ Regions eventually is Described / Prophesied):

1. i) Psalm 107:10

“Such as sit in darkness and in the SHADOW of DEATH, being bound in affliction and iron;” (Psalm 107:10, KJV)

These ones are punished in the afterlife gloomy regions of Sheol (the SHADOW of DEATH) for “rebelling” against the “Word of God” & viewing “His Counsel” with “contempt” (Psalm 107:11).

(ii) Psalm 107:14

“He brought THEM OUT of darkness and the SHADOW of DEATH, and brake their bands in sunder.” (Psalm 107:14, KJV)

God in Christ SAVES them that were Bound to these afterlife punishment regions of Sheol (SHADOW of DEATH) as it is mentioned in verse above so clearly after they cried out to Him first as it is mentioned in Psalm 107:13.

Source:

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/shadow-of-death-irrefutable-context-christ-prophesied-to-save-from-hell-itself/

Born Again – First Christianity Definition & Mystery

What is the meaning of being “Born Again” or the “Second Birth” in First Christianity?

Verses:

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 – 5, NASB)

First Christianity Definition:

“Now, that He who at the beginning created man, did promise him a second birth after his dissolution into earth, Esaias thus declares: “The dead shall rise again, and they who are in the tombs shall arise, and they who are in the earth shall rejoice.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XV, Book V)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

Conclusion

“Born Again” = “Resurrection in a Body” (in St. Irenaeous’ Definition above).

P/S: What does being Born Again on earth mean?

“Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, “Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been born to enter into their mothers’ wombs, is manifest to all. And how those who have sinned and repent shall escape their sins, is declared by Esaias the prophet, as I wrote above; he thus speaks: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from your souls; learn to do well; judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow: and come and let us reason together, saith the Lord. And though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white like wool; and though they be as crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if ye refuse and rebel, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

And for this [rite] we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training; in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe; he who leads to the layer the person that is to be washed calling him by this name alone. For no one can utter the name of the ineffable God; and if any one dare to say that there is a name, he raves with a hopeless madness. And this washing is called illumination, because they who learn these things are illuminated in their understandings. And in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Ghost, who through the prophets foretold all things about Jesus, he who is illuminated is washed.” – St. Justin Martyr (‘First Apology’, Chapter LXI)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html

St. Justin Martyr means that Christians who “chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins” —-> “leads to the layer the person that is to be washed calling him by this name alone” —> “And this washing is called illumination, because they who learn these things are illuminated in their understandings.” —> yes, “he who is illuminated is washed”.

Please note that St. Justin Martyr refers to being ‘born again’ above in the Context of the “Resurrection” too for its Fullness as he refers to the “Regeneration” (Judgment Day & Making All Things New Context as Christ Sits on His Glorious Throne, Matthew 19:28) —> where St. Justin Martyr says, “and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated” toward other believers too.

Verse of Promise toward His Apostles’ Role during the “Regeneration” on Judgment Day is that they will Judge Israel itself:

“And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the Regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28, NASB)

Another Conclusion

What’s the Judgment Regarding this?

1. i) Choosing to be Born Again on Earth by believing in Lord Jesus Christ

Free from all afterlife Judgment (John 5:24):

” And how those who have sinned and repent shall escape their sins” – St. Justin Martyr in quote above.

1. ii) Choosing NOT to be Born Again on Earth by NOT believing in Lord Jesus Christ

Have to undergo the ‘sword’ of ‘afterlife Judgment’ first for ‘our own sins’ (Hebrews 9:27); some even till the Lake of Fire (Matthew 10:28).

“But if ye refuse and rebel, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” – St. Justin Martyr in quote above.

iii) Born Again vs Born of Water & Spirit

– Born Again = Second Birth, Applies to ‘All Creation Eventually’ post afterlife Judgment or Dissolution by Fire too as explained in detail in ‘Comment at the end’ with other First Christianity quotes. This is the ‘aspect’ that is shared across ‘all creation’ awaiting it in ‘birth pains’ as apostle Paul echoes in Romans 8:20 – 22.

— Born of Water & Spirit = Applies to believers in faith only (Christians) as a key difference is that these do NOT experience any afterlife Judgment at all, to quote:

“… God has said in Isaiah to Jerusalem: ‘I saved thee in the deluge of Noah.’ By this which God said was meant that the mystery of saved men appeared in the deluge… For Christ, being the first-born of every creature, became again the chief of another race regenerated by Himself through water, and faith, and wood, containing the mystery of the cross; even as Noah was saved by wood when he rode over the waters with his household… as was previously demonstrated by all the symbols of the deluge; I mean, that by water, faith, and wood, those who are afore-prepared, and who repent of the sins which they have committed, shall escape from the impending judgment of God.” – St. Justin Martyr (‘Dialogue with Trypho the Jew’, CHAPTER CXXXVIII)

Translation Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html

Please note carefully these Wisdom Gems of Scripture from St. Justin Martyr from the above explained further as follows:

1. “For Christ, being the first-born of every creature, became again the chief of another race regenerated by Himself through water, and faith, and wood, containing the mystery of the cross;” – St. Justin Martyr

Meaning:

Christ being first-born of every creature implies that He Will Regenerate or Provide Salvation to ALL CREATION eventually likewise as His Ransom is for ALL (1 Timothy 2:6, Colossians 1:16, 20) in this Context of Being Born Again too (Romans 8:20 – 22).

A Point of focus is highlighted where St. Justin Martyr highlights (not limits) Christ’s Salvation as being the First-Born Chief toward “another race regenerated by Himself through water, and faith and wood,…” —-> which refers to Christ specifically Saving Christians (Sheepfold1).

How do we know for sure?

1. “as was previously demonstrated by all the symbols of the deluge; I mean, that by water, faith, and wood, those who are afore-prepared, and who repent of the sins which they have committed, shall escape from the impending judgment of God.” – St. Justin Martyr

St. Justin Martyr Continues in the above to detail out that:

“I mean, that by water, faith, and wood, those who are afore-prepared” = refers to Christians only (Sheepfold1) = “and who repent of the sins which they have committed, shall escape from the impending judgment of God.”

Can you see it?

So, being ‘Born Again in Water & Spirit’ (John 3:5) applies to ‘Christians only’ as St. Justin Martyr refers to this as “… by water, faith, and wood…” toward those “who repent of the sins which they have committed” whose reward is NO afterlife Judgment at all (John 5:24) as St. Justin Martyr mentions in the same breath (of this ‘Born Again Context’), “shall escape from the impending judgment of God.”.

Best is, please note that St. Justin Martyr does NOT limit the ‘Born Again’ (John 3:3) aspect to ‘Christians only’, in his words:

“For Christ, being the first-born of every creature, became again the chief of another race regenerated by Himself through water, and faith, and wood, ” – St. Justin Martyr

Meaning that Christ is the First Born of EVERY CREATURE (i.e. All Creation) and thus the ‘Born Again part must thus naturally apply (John 3:5) to all creation eventually’ (as Romans 8:20 – 22 implies) but a ‘specific type of being Born Again in Water & Spirit’ (John 3:5) is applied toward a specific ‘group only’ (namely Christians) as St. Justin says:

“… another race regenerated by Himself through water, and faith, and wood…” = Christians (Sheepfold1 are the ‘another race generated’ via ‘water & faith and wood’).

It’s obvious that the ‘Born Again only’ type (John 3:3) is ‘Limited’ as such a one gets to ‘see the Kingdom only’ while the ‘Born Again in Water & Spirit get to Enter the Kingdom too’ (John 3:5) and this is Discussed further for edification using the Approved ‘Shepherd of Hermas’ Writing in First Christianity in comment below for further edification.

Thank you for reading.

Comment: Born Again vs Born Again in Water & Spirit

(i) SEE His Kingdom

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN he cannot SEE the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, NASB)

15[92]:3 Hear,” saith he, “likewise the names of the women that wear the black garments. Of these also four are more powerful than the rest; the first is Unbelief; the second, Intemperance; the third, Disobedience; the fourth, Deceit; and their followers are called, Sadness, Wickedness, Wantonness, Irascibility, Falsehood, Folly, Slander, Hatred. The servant of God that beareth these names shall SEE the kingdom of God, …”

So, SEEing His Kingdom is ONLY for those being BORN AGAIN (John 3:3). The Shepherd of Hermas implies that the WICKED will SEE His Kingdom and hence MUST be BORN AGAIN too (15[92]:3) and this is Proven Irrefutably in Verse below where being BORN AGAIN (Romans 8:20 – 21) where this aspect of the Sons of God, (His Elect – Romans 8:19) is SHARED by ALL CREATION eventually (Romans 8:22):

To Quote:

All Creation (Romans 8:22) —> will be BORN AGAIN (as the Greek Word in Romans 8:22 refers to ‘Birth Pangs’ Implying this, and has the Word ALL in front of ‘Creation’) —> in the Aspect of ‘liberty from Vanity or Decay, the corruption of sin’ causing ‘sin to cease to exist eventually’ as it is mentioned first in Immediate Consecutive Verses (Romans 8:20 – 21) —> where we, the ‘believers in faith’ (of ‘church’) are ‘more special’ inheriting more than just that (as the Verse earlier in Romans 8:19 describes the ‘rest of creation’ awaiting this).

Doubts?

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – apostle John quoting John the Baptist (John 1:29, NASB)

Those Verses:

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” – apostle Paul (Romans 8:19 – 22, NASB)

Source: https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/born-again-will-it-apply-to-all-creation-eventually-or-believers-only/

When these Verses are taken ‘together’, being BORN AGAIN means that BEING FREE FROM SIN (decay, vanity) of “corruption” (sin & its effects) which applies to ALL CREATION eventually (as Romans 8:19 – 22 implies clearly with Verse 15[92]:3 from the Shepherd of Hermas).

‘Let Scripture interpret Scripture’ – Clement of Alexandria

(ii) NOT ENTER His Kingdom

“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he CANNOT ENTER into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5, NASB)

15[92]:3 Hear,” saith he, “likewise the names of the women that wear the black garments. Of these also four are more powerful than the rest; the first is Unbelief; the second, Intemperance; the third, Disobedience; the fourth, Deceit; and their followers are called, Sadness, Wickedness, Wantonness, Irascibility, Falsehood, Folly, Slander, Hatred. The servant of God that beareth these names … shall NOT ENTER into it.” (Shepherd of Hermas)

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will NOT INHERIT the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 6:9, NASB)

“OUTSIDE are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” (Revelation 22:15, NASB)

The wicked being Saved from the Lake of Fire itself is Beautifully Prophesied in Verse below where both His Spirit (God) and His Bride (“believers”, Church) call out to “thirsty ones from the Lake of Fire (implied)” to partake of the “Water of Life” freely:

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” (Revelation 22:17, NASB)

ONLY the CHRISTIAN RIGHTEOUS both ENTER (Acts 14:22) and INHERIT His Kingdom as KINGS and PRIESTS (Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:10) toward those from the first resurrection, (sheepfold 1, Revelation 20:4 – 6) while the righteous from other nations (sheepfold2, Matthew 25:33, Acts 10:35, Revelation 22:12) inherit other lower positions or possessions as God Wills (Matthew 25:34).

So ‘combining’ these ‘Verses’, it’s clear that the wicked may thus drink of the river of life [after their part in the Lake of Fire first, Revelation 21:8 to make them to be BORN again as part of the Process of God Making ALL things NEW in SINLESS-NESS eventually – Revelation 21:5] but these will remain OUTSIDE the Kingdom of God (the Great City of Zion) and will NOT ENTER it as long as God Wills (the River of Life must thus flow OUTSIDE the Great City where the Wicked may ‘drink’ from it post-Judgment in the Lake of Fire):

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, … And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in NO wise ENTER into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” – apostle John’s Vision (Revelation 21:10, 25 – 27, KJV)

Source: https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/tree-of-life-judgment-resurrection-mystery/

Please note that Lord Jesus Christ used two different phrases in John 3 as follows marking a distinction between being ‘Born again only’ vs ‘Being Born of both Water and Spirit’ as even the Shepherd of Hermas’ Writing allows us to ‘understand this Mystery’ as follows:

1. a) Born Again only

“BORN AGAIN” —-> “SEE the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

Applies to the Wicked too (as the fallen believers have the SAME Punishment as the Wicked as Luke 12:46 & Hebrews 10:26 – 27 means too):

15[92]:3 Hear,” saith he, “likewise the names of the women that wear the black garments. … shall SEE the kingdom of God, …” (Shepherd of Hermas)

Being BORN AGAIN into this SINLESS-NESS (Romans 8:20 – 21) aspect of the Sons of God, (His Elect – Romans 8:19) is SHARED by ALL CREATION eventually (Romans 8:22).

1. b) Born Again in Both Water and Spirit

“… Born of Water and the Spirit …” —-> “ENTER into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

This applies to His Bride first (obviously) with NO afterlife Judgment (John 5:24, Sheepfold1) and also to the ‘righteous’ who only repent in the ‘afterlife’ as the Shepherd of Hermas pointed out too (the ‘sheep of the other fold, John 10:16’, Sheepfold2) in ‘Verses’ below:

15[92]:2 “It was necessary for them,” saith he, “to rise up through water, that they might be made alive; for otherwise they could not enter into the kingdom of God, except they had put aside the deadness of their [former] life.

15[92]:3 So these likewise that had fallen asleep received the seal of the Son of God and entered into the kingdom of God. For before a man,” saith he, “has borne the name of [the Son of] God, he is dead; but when he has received the seal, he layeth aside his deadness, and resumeth life.

15[92]:4 The seal then is the water: so they go down into the water dead, and they come up alive. “thus to them also this seal was preached, and they availed themselves of it that they might enter into the kingdom of God.”

15[92]:5 “Wherefore, Sir,” say I, “did the forty stones also come up with them from the deep, though they had already received the seal?” “Because,” saith he, “these, the apostles and the teachers who preached the name of the Son of God, after they had fallen asleep in the power and faith of the Son of God, preached also to them that had fallen asleep before them, and themselves gave unto them the seal of the preaching.

15[92]:6 Therefore they went down with them into the water, and came up again. But these went down alive [and again came up alive]; whereas the others that had fallen asleep before them went down dead and came up alive.

15[92]:7 So by their means they were quickened into life, and came to the full knowledge of the name of the Son of God. For this cause also they came up with them, and were fitted with them into the building of the tower and were builded with them, without being shaped; for they fell asleep in righteousness and in great purity. Only they had not this seal. Thou hast then the interpretation of these things also.” “I have, Sir,” say I.”

I repeat:

The phrase “for they fell asleep in righteousness and in great purity. Only they had not this seal” together with the phrase “came to the full knowledge of the name of the Son of God” with the phrase “others that had fallen asleep before them went down dead and came up alive” ——> with the phrase “to rise up through water, that they might be made alive; for otherwise they could not enter into the kingdom of God, except they had put aside the deadness of their [former] life” —> seem to point 🤔 to “the Sheepfold2” (John 10:16) which refers to the “righteous in good works (e. g. John 5:28 – 29, Daniel 12:2) who died without believing in Christ” but believed in Him ‘after seeing Him, John 6:40 (in the afterlife too, implied in John 3:14 – 15).

Source:

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/shepherd-of-hermas-afterlife-judgment-visions/

Which Christianity does NOT approve the Shepherd of Hermas? that’s the Heretic, to quote:

The Shepherd of Hermas (Greek: Ποιμὴν τοῦ Ἑρμᾶ, Poimēn tou Herma; sometimes just called The Shepherd) is a Christian literary work of the late first half of the second century, considered a valuable book by many Christians, and considered canonical scripture by some of the early Church fathers such as Irenaeus.^[1] The Shepherd was very popular amongst Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.^[2] It is part of the Codex Sinaiticus,^[3][4] and it is listed between the Acts of the Apostles and the Acts of Paul in the stichometrical list of the Codex Claromontanus.

• The Muratorian fragmentis a list written c. 170 AD (although some scholars now question this date and prefer to assign the fragment to the 4th century.^[12]) that may be the earliest known canon of New Testament writings. It identifies Hermas, the author of The Shepherd, as the brother of Pius I, bishop of Rome:

But Hermas wrote The Shepherd very recently, in our times, in the city of Rome, while bishop Pius, his brother, was occupying the chair of the church of the city of Rome. And therefore it ought indeed to be read; but it cannot be read publicly to the people in church either among the Prophets, whose number is complete,^[13] or among the Apostles, for it is after their time.

• The Liberian Catalogueof Popes, a record that was later used in the writing of the Liber Pontificalis, states in a portion under the heading of 235: “Under his [Pius’] episcopate, his brother Ermes wrote a book in which are contained the precepts which the angel delivered to him, coming to him in the guise of a Shepherd.”

• A poem written against Marcion from the 3rd or 4th century, by a writer adopting the name and personaof Tertullian — and sometimes therefore referred to as “Pseudo-Tertullian” — states “Then, after him, Pius, whose brother according to the flesh was Hermas, the angelic shepherd, because he spoke the words given to him.” Note that Pseudo-Tertullian quotes some details from this list which are absent from the Liberian Catalogue, which may mean that he is independent of it.

Remarks of Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria give a sense of resistance to the Shepherd among its hearers, and of a sense of controversy about it. Tertullian implies that Pope Callixtus I had quoted it as an authority (though evidently not as one of the books of the Bible), for he replies: “I would admit your argument, if the writing of The Shepherd had deserved to be included in the Divine Instrument, and if it were not judged by every council of the Churches, even of your own Churches, among the apocryphal and false.” And again, he says that the Epistle of Barnabas is “more received among the Churches than that apocryphal Shepherd” (De pudicitia, 10 and 20). Though Clement of Alexandria constantly quotes with reverence a work that seems to him to be very useful, and inspired; yet he repeatedly apologizes, when he has occasion to quote it, on the ground that “many people despise it”. Two controversies divided the mid-century Roman Christian communities. One was Montanism, the ecstatic inspired outpourings of continuing pentecostal revelations, such as the visions recorded in the Shepherd may have appeared to encourage. The other was Docetism that taught that the Christ had existed since the beginning and the corporeal reality of Jesus the man was simply an apparition.

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shepherd_of_Hermas

An Important Correction:  

Wikipedia claims this error: ‘The other was Docetism that taught that the Christ had existed since the beginning and the corporeal reality of Jesus the man was simply an apparition.’

Truth: The Shepherd of Hermas does NOT teach Docetism. If you visit the Wikipedia page itself, this claim is set under ‘citation needed’ (because they cannot find a citation for this empty claim). Can you see it? If any ‘Christian Scholar’ falsely claims that the Shepherd of Hermas taught Docetism, please show me the quote from the Book where is it? Remember, the 10 Commandments warns against bearing a ‘false witness’ which includes ‘claiming something that is not there’. Please don’t believe everything you read but research it and read the ‘actual Shepherd of Hermas free translations available on the Internet by yourselves’.

Hell Gehenna – Body and Soul Destroyed – Recapitulation Doctrine in First Christianity?

What did First Christianity Preach regarding the ‘Destruction of the Soul’?

To quote:

“We must meet, therefore, those who say, that even though it be the special handiwork of God, and beyond all else valued by Him, it would not immediately follow that it has the promise of the resurrection. Yet is it not absurd, that that which has been produced with such circumstance, and which is beyond all else valuable, should be so neglected by its Maker, as to pass to nonentity? Then the sculptor and painter, if they wish the works they have made to endure, that they may win glory by them, renew them when they begin to decay; but God would so neglect His own possession and work, that it becomes annihilated, and no longer exists. Should we not call this labour in vain? As if a man who has built a house should forthwith destroy it, or should neglect it, though he sees it falling into decay, and is able to repair it: we would blame him for labouring in vain; and should we not so blame God? But not such an one is the Incorruptible,–not senseless is the Intelligence of the universe. Let the unbelieving be silent, even though they themselves do not believe.

But, in truth, He has even called the flesh to the resurrection, and promises to it everlasting life. For where He promises to save man, there He gives the promise to the flesh. For what is man but the reasonable animal composed of body and soul? Is the soul by itself man? No; but the soul of man. Would the body be called man? No, but it is called the body of man. If, then, neither of these is by itself man, but that which is made up of the two together is called man, and God has called man to life and resurrection, He has called not a part, but the whole, which is the soul and the body. Since would it not be unquestionably absurd, if, while these two are in the same being and according to the same law, the one were saved and the other not? And if it be not impossible, as has already been proved, that the flesh be regenerated, what is the distinction on the ground of which the soul is saved and the body not? Do they make God a grudging God? But He is good, and will have all to be saved. And by God and His proclamation, not only has your soul heard and believed on Jesus Christ, and with it the flesh, but both were washed, and both wrought righteousness. They make God, then ungrateful and unjust, if, while both believe on Him, He desires to save one and not the other. Well, they say, but the soul is incorruptible, being a part of God and inspired by Him, and therefore He desires to save what is peculiarly His own and akin to Himself; but the flesh is corruptible, and not from Him, as the soul is. Then what thanks are due to Him, and what manifestation of His power and goodness is it, if He purposed to save what is by nature saved and exists as a part of Himself? For it had its salvation from itself; so that in saving the soul, God does no great thing. For to be saved is its natural destiny, because it is a part of Himself, being His inspiration. But no thanks are due to one who saves what is his own; for this is to save himself. For he who saves a part himself, saves himself by his own means, lest he become defective in that part; and this is not the act of a good man. For not even when a man does good to his children and offspring, does one call him a good man; for even the most savage of the wild beasts do so, and indeed willingly endure death, if need be, for the sake of their cubs. But if a man were to perform the same acts in behalf of his slaves, that man would justly be called good. Wherefore the Saviour also taught us to love our enemies, since, says He, what thank have ye? So that He has shown us that it is a good work not only to love those that are begotten of Him, but also those that are without. And what He enjoins upon us, He Himself first of all does.” – St. Justin Martyr (‘FRAGMENTS OF THE LOST WORK OF JUSTIN ON THE RESURRECTION’ CHAPTER VIII)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html

Conclusion

Firstly, his definition of ‘body, soul and spirit’ (Context) in which the above is to be understood (from this same writing/source):

“The resurrection is a resurrection of the flesh which died. For the spirit dies not; the soul is in the body, and without a soul it cannot live. The body, when the soul forsakes it, is not. For the body is the house of the soul; and the soul the house of the spirit. These three, in all those who cherish a sincere hope and unquestioning faith in God, will be saved.” (‘FRAGMENTS OF THE LOST WORK OF JUSTIN ON THE RESURRECTION’ CHAPTER X)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html

Please note the following carefully in St. Justin Martyr’s own words regarding the Topic of the “Soul” in regards to the “Resurrection” from the above:

1. i) The believer in faith’s (Christian’s) Soul and Body will not be harmed at all in any way in afterlife Judgment

“These three [Body, Soul, Spirit], in all those who cherish a sincere hope and unquestioning faith in God, will be saved” – St. Justin Martyr

1. ii) Soul of the Wicked is NOT annihilated

The Destruction of the Soul of some in Gehenna (Matthew 10:28) is NOT till it ceases to exist.

“but God would so neglect His own possession and work, that it becomes annihilated, and no longer exists” – St. Justin Martyr

The above quote must refer to Gehenna (Lake of Fire or Hell) since nowhere else in Holy Scripture it is Written that both the ‘Body + Soul’ is Destroyed during the Final Resurrection of Judgment toward the Wicked (John 5:29, Matthew 10:28, Daniel 12:2, Revelation 20:11 – 15).

iii) Soul of the Wicked too has Hope

“it would not immediately follow that it has the promise of the resurrection. Yet is it not absurd, that that which has been produced with such circumstance, and which is beyond all else valuable, should be so neglected by its Maker, as to pass to nonentity?”  – St. Justin Martyr

The “it” in the above =  [the Soul of the Wicked, right?] because it does ‘not immediately have the promise of Resurrection’, as do the souls of believers (or the righteous), right?

1. iv) God Promised to Save Man or “All Men”, right?

Yes, as St. Justin quotes it Generally toward “Man” & hence ‘all men’ (implied by usage):

“But, in truth, He has even called the flesh to the resurrection, and promises to it everlasting life. For where He promises to save man, there He gives the promise to the flesh.” – St. Justin Martyr

1. v) God’s Promise to Save Man Generally in Both Body and Soul

” For what is man but the reasonable animal composed of body and soul? Is the soul by itself man? No; but the soul of man. Would the body be called man? No, but it is called the body of man. If, then, neither of these is by itself man, but that which is made up of the two together is called man, and God has called man to life and resurrection, He has called not a part, but the whole, which is the soul and the body. ” – St. Justin Martyr

1. vi) God Promises to not neglect any Body + Soul of a Man into Eternal Conscious Torment (implied generally below) including toward unbelievers though they don’t believe, right?

“Should we not call this labour in vain? As if a man who has built a house should forthwith destroy it, or should neglect it, though he sees it falling into decay, and is able to repair it: we would blame him for labouring in vain; and should we not so blame God? But not such an one is the Incorruptible,–not senseless is the Intelligence of the universe. Let the unbelieving be silent, even though they themselves do not believe.”  – St. Justin Martyr

vii) Some Body + Soul must be destroyed or neglect or die or decay first before Renewal

“…  should be so neglected by its Maker, as to pass to nonentity? … renew them when they begin to decay; but God would so neglect His own possession and work, that it becomes annihilated, and no longer exists. … As if a man who has built a house should forthwith destroy it, or should neglect it, though he sees it falling into decay, and is able to repair it: we would blame him for labouring in vain; and should we not so blame God? But not such an one is the Incorruptible,–not senseless is the Intelligence of the universe. Let the unbelieving be silent, even though they themselves do not believe.” – St. Justin Martyr

Please note that the analogy of “house” in the above refers to St. Justin’s own definition that he views the ‘body and soul’ the houses for the ‘soul and spirit’ respectively (Context here – as the link implies when read in full). Can you see it?

viii) Both Body and Soul will be Saved by Regeneration (Healing, Vivified) too

“And if it be not impossible, as has already been proved, that the flesh be regenerated, what is the distinction on the ground of which the soul is saved and the body not? Do they make God a grudging God? But He is good, and will have all to be saved.” – St. Justin Martyr

1. ix) Believers (Sheepfold1) are Saved in both Body and Soul first without any Destruction

“And by God and His proclamation, not only has your soul heard and believed on Jesus Christ, and with it the flesh, but both were washed, and both wrought righteousness. They make God, then ungrateful and unjust, if, while both believe on Him, He desires to save one and not the other.” – St. Justin Martyr

1. x) Does the Salvation above in Body + Soul being Saved eventually apply to believers only or all men eventually too?

All Men as well as metaphorically described as follows:

1. God does NOT Save believers in faith only (Sheepfold1, His Own Body, His Church, His Bride) in this Context of ‘Body + Soul’ being Saved eventually

“But no thanks are due to one who saves what is his own; for this is to save himself. For he who saves a part himself, saves himself by his own means, lest he become defective in that part; and this is not the act of a good man. For not even when a man does good to his children and offspring, does one call him a good man; for even the most savage of the wild beasts do so, and indeed willingly endure death, if need be, for the sake of their cubs.” – St. Justin Martyr

xii. God does Saves His Slaves too (Sheepfold2)  in this Context of ‘Body + Soul’ being Saved eventually

“But if a man were to perform the same acts in behalf of his slaves, that man would justly be called good.”  – St. Justin Martyr

xiii. God does Saves His Enemies too (the Wicked, those ‘not begotten of him’, in Justin’s word below ‘also those that are without’)  in this Context of ‘Body + Soul’ being Saved eventually

“Wherefore the Saviour also taught us to love our enemies, since, says He, what thank have ye? So that He has shown us that it is a good work not only to love those that are begotten of Him, but also those that are without. And what He enjoins upon us, He Himself first of all does.” –  – St. Justin Martyr

So, it is obvious hat St. Justin Martyr fully Described the Salvation of Body + Soul to apply to ‘All Flesh’ (all human being eventually) as Described in his quotes above where some is only post afterlife Judgment in Gehenna or the Lake of Fire where these ‘bodies + souls’ are ‘destroyed’ first (his analogies of ‘decay’, ‘neglect’, ‘destroy’ in the above means – Matthew 10:28) agreeing Perfectly to Christ’s Prophesied Completion of His Work (John 17:4) Accordingly in the Majestic Verse below (John 17:2):

New American Standard Bible

even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

King James Bible

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

New International Version

For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

New Living Translation

For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.

English Standard Version

since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

Berean Study Bible

For You granted Him authority over all humanity, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.

*Hell (in Matthew 10:28 is Gehenna which St. Irenaeous points that it refers to the ‘Lake of Fire’)

P/S: St. Clement of Alexandria & St. Irenaeous of Lyons

1) St. Clement of Alexandria

St. Justin Martyr’s Allegorical Description mixed with literal exegesis above is similar to the conclusion derived (in simpler words) by St. Clement of Alexandria likewise too ‘regarding God Saving All eventually’ (based on 1 John 2:2), to quote:

“Ver. 2. “And not only for our sins,”–that is for those of the faithful,–is the Lord the propitiator, does he say, “but also for the whole world.” He, indeed, saves all; but some [He saves], converting them by punishments; others, however, who follow voluntarily [He saves] with dignity of honour; so “that every knee should bow to Him, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth;” that is, angels, men, and souls that before His advent have departed from this temporal life.” – St. Clement of Alexandria (‘Fragments’)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-fragments.html

“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” – apostle John (1 John 2:2, NASB)

This Makes sense of the Messianic Psalm 22:29’s inclusiveness of  “… Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.” by Christ’s Redemptive Work on the Cross as explained in Previous Posts.

2) St. Irenaeous of Lyons

St. Irenaeous represents Christ as ‘Savior of those who are saved’ (believers) and also as ‘Saviour of the World’ (inclusive of all men) in the Context of Time or the Dispensation of God, to quote:

1. Saviour of believers

“… inasmuch as He is Himself the Saviour of those who are saved, and the Lord of those who are under authority, and the God of all those things which have been formed, the only-begotten of the Father, Christ who was announced, and the Word of God, who became incarnate when the fulness of time had come, at which the Son of God had to become the Son of man.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

1. Saviour of all men

“But as many as feared God, and were anxious about His law, these ran to Christ, and were all saved. For He said to His disciples: “Go ye to the sheep of the house of Israel, which have perished.” And many more Samaritans, it is said, when the Lord had tarried among. them, two days, “believed because of His words, and said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we ourselves have heard [Him], and know that this man is truly the Saviour of the world.” And Paul likewise declares, “And so all Israel shall be saved; ” but he has also said, that the law was our pedagogue [to bring us] to Christ Jesus. Let them not therefore ascribe to the law the unbelief of certain [among them]. For the law never hindered them from believing in the Son of God; nay, but it even exhorted them so to do, saying that men can be saved in no other way from the old wound of the serpent than by believing in Him who, in the likeness of sinful flesh, is lifted up from the earth upon the tree of martyrdom, and draws all things to Himself, and vivifies the dead.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book IV)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html

iii. Christ is Both the Saviour of Believers in Faith (Church) and All Men too

“For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:10, KJV)

Hence, St. Irenaeous’ Conclusion of  the Church which Declares the Wisdom of God in the Context of God Who ‘Saves All Men’ as it is Going Forth Beautifully agrees with 1 Timothy 2:1,4,6, 1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23, Romans 5:18 – 19, Titus 2:11, John 12:32 and 1 Timothy 4:10 too  in order of “Time” (Proper Context – 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:23, Ephesians 1:9 – 11), to quote:

“… And undoubtedly the preaching of the Church is true and stedfast, in which one and the same way of salvation is shown throughout the whole world. For to her is entrusted the light of God; and therefore the “wisdom” of God, by means of which she saves all men, “is declared in [its] going forth; it uttereth [its voice] faithfully in the streets, is preached on the tops of the walls, and speaks continually in the gates of the city.” For the Church preaches the truth everywhere, and she is the seven-branched candlestick which bears the light of Christ…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html

1. Universal Reconciliation of Man – the Doctrine of Recapitulation in both St. Justin Martyr & St. Irenaeous of Lyons

With the above Context established in First Orthodox Quotes of the Church as shown, the Doctrine of Recapitulation of Man in the Context of God Saves all Men (i.e. His Will be Done) makes Perfect Sense in “Time” (Dispensations of God), to quote:

1. a) The Many many sinners in Adam is the same Many which will be Made Righteous by Lord Jesus Christ (Proper Context for Romans 5:18 – 19)

Under the Equation:

‘Adam + the Many’ = All Men = All Human Beings Ever Existed

Lord Jesus Christ is exempt from the equation above simply because He is God in Flesh and not a mere Man only & Alone is never affected by Adam’s sin in any way.

Says who?

“… For as by the disobedience of the one man who was originally moulded from virgin soil, the many were made sinners, and forfeited life; so was it necessary that, by the obedience of one man, who was originally born from a virgin, [the] many should be justified and receive salvation. Thus, then, was the Word of God made man, as also Moses says: “God, true are His works.” But if, not having been made flesh, He did appear as if flesh, His work was not a true one. But what He did appear, that He also was: God recapitulated in Himself the ancient formation of man, that He might kill sin, deprive death of its power, and vivify man; and therefore His works are true.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XVIII,  Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

1. b) Other Doctrine of Recapitulation Quotes in the Context of the Salvation of All Men Implied Generally

**Please note the word “Recapitulation” or equivalent in each of the quotes below ‘carefully’.

b.i. In the Context of ‘All Things Made by Him’

“For as by one man’s disobedience sin entered, and death obtained [a place] through sin; so also by the obedience of one man, righteousness having been introduced, shall cause life to fructify in those persons who in times past were dead. And as the protoplast himself Adam, had his substance from untilled and as yet virgin soil (“for God had not yet sent rain, and man had not tilled the ground” ), and was formed by the hand of God, that is, by the Word of God, for “all things were made by Him,” and the Lord took dust from the earth and formed man; so did He who is the Word, recapitulating Adam in Himself, rightly receive a birth, enabling Him to gather up Adam [into Himself], from Mary, who was as yet a virgin. If, then, the first Adam had a man for his father, and was born of human seed, it were reasonable to say that the second Adam was begotten of Joseph. But if the former was taken from the dust, and God was his Maker, it was incumbent that the latter also, making a recapitulation in Himself, should be formed as man by God, to have an analogy with the former as respects His origin. Why, then, did not God again take dust, but wrought so that the formation should be made of Mary? It was that there might not be another formation called into being, nor any other which should [require to] be saved, but that the very same formation should be summed up [in Christ as had existed in Adam], the analogy having been preserved.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXI,  Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

b.ii. In the Context of whatever that is Recapitulated must be made ‘Sinless’ (‘made righteous’ in the ‘Spirit of Holiness’) eventually but not all ‘inherit the Kingdom’ (e.g. the meek only inherit the earth – different reward levels as per Matthew 5:19)

“… . But every one will allow that we are [composed of] a body taken from the earth, and a soul receiving spirit from God. This, therefore, the Word of God was made, recapitulating in Himself His own handiwork; and on this account does He confess Himself the Son of man, and blesses “the meek, because they shall inherit the earth.” The Apostle Paul, moreover, in the Epistle to the Galatians, declares plainly, “God sent His Son, made of a woman.” And again, in that to the Romans, he says, “Concerning His Son, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was predestinated as the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXII,  Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

b.iii. In the Context of the Salvation of All Men eventually some Post Afterlife Judgment or as Irenaeous calls it, ‘the Probation of All’ after  ‘filling up the times of His condemnation, which had been incurred through disobedience,-[times]’ toward ‘Adam’ (metaphorically referring to ‘man-generally’ or ‘all men’ – Context).

“… It was necessary, therefore, that the Lord, coming to the lost sheep, and making recapitulation of so comprehensive a dispensation, and seeking after His own handiwork, should save that very man who had been created after His image and likeness, that is, Adam, filling up the times of His condemnation, which had been incurred through disobedience,-[times] “which the Father had placed in His own power.” [This was necessary, ] too, inasmuch as the whole economy of salvation regarding man came to pass according to the good pleasure of the Father, in order that God might not be conquered, nor His wisdom lessened, [in the estimation of His creatures.] For if man, who had been created by God that he might live, after losing life, through being injured by the serpent that had corrupted him, should not any more return to life, but should be utterly [and for ever] abandoned to death, God would [in that case] have been conquered, and the wickedness of the serpent would have prevailed over the will of God. But inasmuch as God is invincible and long-suffering, He did indeed show Himself to be long-suffering in the matter of the correction of man and the probation of all, as I have already observed; and by means of the second man did He bind the strong man, and spoiled his goods, and abolished death, vivifying that man who had been in a state of death. For at the first Adam became a vessel in his (Satan’s) possession, whom he did also hold under his power, that is, by bringing sin on him iniquitously, and under colour of immortality entailing death upon him. For, while promising that they should be as gods, which was in no way possible for him to be, he wrought death in them: wherefore he who had led man captive, was justly captured in his turn by God; but man, who had been led captive, was loosed from the bonds of condemnation.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXIII,  Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

b.iv. Renewal of All Men in the Context of Healing in Various Ways post Judgment too is Promised Generally

“…  For the knowledge of God renews man. And when he says, “after the image of the Creator,” he sets forth the recapitulation of the same man, who was at the beginning made after the likeness of God… For the Maker of all things, the Word of God, who did also from the beginning form man, when He found His handiwork impaired by wickedness, performed upon it all kinds of healing. At one time [He did so], as regards each separate member, as it is found in His own handiwork; and at another time He did once for all restore man sound and whole in all points, preparing him perfect for Himself unto the resurrection. For what was His object in healing [different] portions of the flesh, and restoring them to their original condition, if those parts which had been healed by Him were not in a position to obtain salvation? For if it was [merely] a temporary benefit which He conferred, He granted nothing of importance to those who were the subjects of His healing. Or how can they maintain that the flesh is incapable of receiving the life which flows from Him, when it received healing from Him? For life is brought about through healing, and incorruption through life. He, therefore, who confers healing, the same does also confer life; and He [who gives] life, also surrounds His own handiwork with incorruption.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XII,  Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

b.v. The Doctrine of Recapitulation includes the Resurrection of Judgment too in the Context of being Healed post Judgment as implied by St. Irenaeous in quote below where he points further that the heretics are speaking against their own Salvation by denying this Truth

“Let our opponents-that is, they who speak against their own salvation-inform us [as to this point]: The deceased daughter of the high priest; the widow’s dead son, who was being carded out [to burial] near the gate [of the city]; and Lazarus, who had lain four days in the tomb, -in what bodies did they rise again? In those same, no doubt, in which they had also died. For if it were not in the very same, then certainly those same individuals who had died did not rise again. For [the Scripture] says, “The Lord took the hand of the dead man, and said to him, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And the dead man sat up, and He commanded that something should be given him to eat; and He delivered him to his mother.” Again, He called Lazarus “with a loud voice, saying, Lazarus, come forth; and he that was dead came forth bound with bandages, feet and hands.” This was symbolical of that man who had been bound in sins. And therefore the Lord said, “Loose him, and let him depart.” As, therefore, those who were healed were made whole in those members which had in times past been afflicted; and the dead rose in the identical bodies, their limbs and bodies receiving health, and that life which was granted by the Lord, who prefigures eternal things by temporal, and shows that it is He who is Himself able to extend both healing and life to His handiwork, that His words concerning its [future] resurrection may also be believed; so also at the end, when the Lord utters His voice “by the last trumpet,” the dead shall be raised, as He Himself declares: “The hour shall come, in which all the dead which are in the tombs shall hear the voice of the Son of man, and shall come forth; those that have done good to the resurrection of life, and those that have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XIII,  Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html

1. c) St. Justin Martyr

This Doctrine of God Reconciling ‘all created things’ back to Himself (Colossians 1:16, 20) or called the Doctrine of Recapitulation in St. Irenaeous’ words, is also believed by St. Justin Martyr:

“… In his book against Marcion, Justin does well say: “I would not have believed the Lord Himself, if He had announced any other than He who is our framer, maker, and nourisher. But because the only-begotten Son came to us from the one God, who both made this world and formed us, and contains and administers all things, summing up His own handiwork in Himself, my faith towards Him is steadfast, and my love to the Father immoveable, God bestowing both upon us.” – – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XIII,  Book III)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html

We Believe and Declare Likewise.

1. d) Modern Scholars quoting both St. Justin Martyr and St. Irenaeous likewise?

To Quote:

“In the recapitulation view of the atonement, Christ is seen as the new Adam who succeeds where Adam failed.[11] Christ undoes the wrong that Adam did and, because of his union with humanity, leads humankind on to eternal life (including moral perfection).[12]

Through man’s disobedience the process of the evolution of the human race went wrong, and the course of its wrongness could neither be halted nor reversed by any human means. But in Jesus Christ the whole course of human evolution was perfectly carried out and realized in obedience to the purpose of God.”– William Barclay

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recapitulation_theory_of_atonement

Who is William Barclay?

William Barclay (born 5 December 1907 in Wick, Scotland; died 24 January 1978 in Glasgow, Scotland) was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow.

Hope – There is Hope that Nothing Remains in “corruption forever”:

“But now He [Lord Jesus Christ] has come proclaiming the glad tidings of a new and strange hope to men. For indeed it was a strange and new thing for God to promise that He would not keep incorruption in incorruption, but would make corruption incorruption.” – St. Justin Martyr (‘FRAGMENTS OF THE LOST WORK OF JUSTIN ON THE RESURRECTION’, Chapter X)

Source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html

*Corruption = Sin & Evil

St. Justin Martyr is Writing the above in the Context of the Resurrection where he plainly declares that ‘sin & evil’ (“corruption”) will not dwell in the ‘flesh’ (body + soul) forever in the Context of ‘All Men’ as explained prior.

Peace to you