Lake of Fire – Hell and Death – HOPE under FIRE – Mystery – Resurrection of the Dead – Three Ages Mystery

 

 

 

 

Here we address questions such as:

 

Can God Save from the Lake of Fire? Is there Biblical Hope for this?

 

What is the Meaning of the Resurrection of the Dead? What is the difference between Body, Soul and Spirit and how each plays a role in the Resurrection of the Dead? How does CHRIST’s Death and Resurrection Impact this Rsurrection of the Dead?

 

What is the Three Ages Mystery? Will God Save ALL MEN in Three Ages?

 

Let’s Start.

Here is a Verse which Proves Directly that God’s MERCY SAVES from the LOWEST pit of HELL:

“For great is Thy MERCY toward me: and thou hast delivered my SOUL from the LOWEST HELL.” (Psalm 86:13, KJV)

At first glance, the eternal Hell theologians would point to the word ‘me’ and say that it refers to king David. Next, they would say that it must be metaphoric only since king David never went to the LOWEST HELL (Sheol/Hades). They are right about that in regards to king David being righteous & it means such in the context of the righteous (e.g. Psalm 86:2 – 4).

 

However, there is MORE as CHRIST also mentions that many things regarding HIM are in the Psalms as well (Luke 24:44). To see more than that, we also got to see it PROPHETICALLY as king David’s Psalm toward CHRIST are all PROPHETIC in meaning. This gives the CONTEXT for interpreting the above VERSE in PSALMS PROPHETICALLY too apart from its first meaning as well (which is equally true as well).

Please note that this is the part which is MISSED by the Jewish theologians of the past among those who REJECT Christ simply because they only ‘saw one meaning’ (which is ‘referring to Israel only’) ignoring the HIDDEN PROPHETIC meaning whenever such Verses Speak thus. An example below would be clear to help us understand this NEW TESTAMENT take on Scripture as it is DONE in the BIBLE as follows by the inspired GOSPEL writers themselves:

 

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hosea 11:1, KJV)

 

“And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son.” (Matthew 2:15, KJV)

Now, do take note that “my son” (referred to in Hosea 11:1) is clearly Israel but in Matthew 2:15 it is taken to mean PROPHETICALLY to “Christ”. Fact is, both are True.

 

Similarly, the verse prior in Psalm 86:13 refers to king David, yes. But being a Factual Statement, could it be that it metaphors a hidden meaning namely that God does a Work of Wonder (Psalm 86:10) which none other can do (Psalm 86:8) which will cause ALL NATIONS (i.e. ALL Gentiles) to WORSHIP Him eventually too (Psalm 86:9)  —-> where since the context of ALL Nations (or ALL Gentiles begins with verse 9 onwards) —> king David could be referring to something common to him (and other Gentiles too) in that God’s MERCY can SAVE from the LOWEST HELL (Psalm 86:13) as the ONLY Deed of God which is MENTIONED DIRECTLY in these context of Consecutive Verses as a WONDER (Psalm 86:10) and that it cannot be done by others (Psalm 86:8) —-> which relates to His MERCY (Psalm 86:3, 5, 13, 15, 16) to SAVE (Psalm 86:2, 16)?

I am not saying that this is the meaning but rather am seeing that king David believes that His MERCY can SAVE from the LOWEST of HELL (Psalm 86:13). So, a POSSIBLE interpretation of Psalm 86:13 could be that viewing it PROPHETICALLY in light of ALL NATIONS (i.e. ALL Gentiles, Psalm 86:9 – mentioned first prior) would WORSHIP Him because He would SAVE them from the LOWEST of HELL too (Psalm 86:13).

 

 

Now since it refers to ALL Nations (or ALL Gentiles) and not some or the believing or the faithful from among them (Psalm 86:9), the SAVING of God from the LOWEST HELL (Psalm 86:13) could mean ‘escaping Hell for the righteous Gentile who don’t come into afterlife Judgment’ (e.g. John 5:24) while ‘being saved from Hell itself for the unrighteous Gentile who go into afterlife Judgment first’ (e.g. John 5:29, 1 Peter 4:5) where these ‘wicked’ (1 Peter 4:4)  —-> ‘live to God in the spirit’ eventually post-afterlife-Judgment (1 Peter 4:6) due to His Great MERCY which Triumphs (and ENDS), be it even (if it’s) the Eternal Hell Sentence with ‘no Mercy’ which has to be endured first as James 2:13 reveals in light of New Testament Scripture. So in light of this interpretation, king David is assumed to be PROPHETICALLY  mentioning God’s SAVING from the LOWEST HELL (in Psalm 86:13) even toward ALL Gentiles too (i.e. ALL Nations, Psalm 86:9) which would cause ALL Gentiles to Worship Him too as No one else (Psalm 86:8) could do this WONDER (Psalm 86:10).

This idea ASSUMES that a psalmist can speak PROPHETICALLY on behalf of INTECEEDING toward ALL MEN (allowed in 1 Timothy 2:1) even in ‘giving thanks’ in the context of God SAVING ALL MEN (1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV) —-> and in light of this assumption, it could be that though king David uses the word “me” in Psalm 86:13 —-> he could be PROPHETICALLY be INTECEEDING for ALL Gentiles —-> where the “me” could refer to a Gentile lost in the “lowest of Hell” —-> so that if need be, God is DECLARED MAJESTICALLY to SAVE them from the LOWEST of HELL too (Psalm 86:13) —-> as seeing this as a PROPHECY which will COME to PASS for CERTAIN, king David Declares that ALL Gentiles would thus Worship the True God (Psalm 86:8, 10) Who SAVES them from HELL itself! (Psalm 86:13).

 

 

This PROPHETIC view could be true since the sons of Korah (being psalmists too) do ‘assume’ themselves to be ‘evil men who are cast down into HELL/Sheol first’ as these Verses describe (just two chapters later in Psalms):

 

 

“For my soul hath been full of evils, And my life hath come to Sheol. I have been reckoned with those going down [to] the pit, I have been as a man without strength. Among the dead — free, As pierced ones lying in the grave, Whom Thou hast not remembered any more, Yea, they by Thy hand have been cut off. Thou hast put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in depths. Upon me hath Thy fury lain, And [with] all Thy breakers Thou hast afflicted. Selah.” (Psalm 88:3 – 7, YLT)

 

Interestingly, these PROPHETIC Verses hint on a HOPE for such ones who are cast into HELL/Sheol/Hades as it is described in consecutive Verses below (next):

“Mine eye hath grieved because of affliction, I called Thee, O Jehovah, all the day, I have spread out unto Thee my hands. To the dead dost Thou do wonders? Do Rephaim rise? do they thank Thee? Selah. Is Thy kindness recounted in the grave? Thy faithfulness in destruction? Are Thy wonders known in the darkness? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?” (Psalm 88:9 – 12, YLT)

 

* Rephaim = spirit

Could it be that the phrase WONDERS to the DEAD (Psalm 88:10, Psalm 86:10) refers to “thou hast delivered my SOUL from the LOWEST HELL” (Psalm 86:13) in the Context of MERCY which makes it possible (by Triumphing over Judgment & ending it, James 2:13) as this context of MERCY/KINDNESS links these two chapters too?

Yes, please note the word MERCY or KINDNESS in Psalm 86:13 and in Psalm 88:11 in the “afterlife context” as echoed by the Phrases “MERCY… thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” (Psalm 86:13, KJV) which is perhaps the answer to these questions —->  “Is Thy KINDNESS recounted in the grave?” (Psalm 88:11, KJV) and “To the dead dost Thou do wonders? Do Rephaim [spirit] rise?” (Psalm 88:10, KJV)

 

Please don’t get me wrong and accuse me of attaching a false teaching or anything before hearing me out first (John 7:51), okay?

 

 

I am NOT saying that this is the meaning of Psalm 86:13. What I am saying is that Psalm 86:13 could be PROPHETICALLY echoing a HOPE for SALVATION from HELL (Hades/Sheol) itself in Light of CHRIST’s Work Only (e.g. Revelation 1:18) with regards to these important questions regarding the damned (Psalm 88:3 – 7) as it was echoed in (Psalm 88:10 – 11).

 

Even if Psalm 86:13 does NOT prove that SALVATION from the LOWEST of HELL is possible by ‘using this verse only’, we would look at other SOLID Scriptural Grounds for this often Unknown Great HOPE of the Gospel which is a Treasure Buried Deep in Scripture as we shall see.

In other words, our HOPE of the Gospel in that Lord Jesus Christ SAVES MAJESTICALLY from HELL too does NOT rely on Psalm 86:13 at all. Please take note.

How? Let’s begin!

 

Please consider the brief Scriptural consideration regarding this:

 

(i) Is Hell Literal or Metaphoric in Scripture?

I believe that it is literal where it refers to the afterlife punishment regions of any type primarily those of Hades/Sheol which pertain to men. For example, in the rich man and Lazarus story, Abraham was a real person and so the incident must be real too.

 

An another way to see this is as follows: Even in a case of a parable, Christ does NOT use ‘imaginary things’ (such as unicorns) is His descriptions but rather only uses ‘things which exist’ which itself implies that there must be ‘an afterlife place of punishment vs comfort’ as it was described in Luke 16:19 – 31 with regards to this Description of Hades/Sheol.

 

The dead seem to come from HADES, DEATH and the SEA during Judgment (Revelation 20:13). I also see that those men in the Lake of Fire are bound to Hades/Sheol and Death first (Revelation 20:13) and the fact that ONLY Sheol & Hades (and not the Sea) are thrown into the Lake of Fire first (Revelation 20:14) and men later (as per the order mentioned in Scripture, Revelation 20:15) proves that these men who are thrown into the Lake of Fire are BOUND to Hades/Sheol and Death at there too.

If men could be directly thrown into the Lake of Fire without the need of being ‘bound to Death or Hades/Sheol first’ (Revelation 20:13, for example: Isaiah 28:15), there is NO need for these [Death & Hades] to be thrown into the Lake of Fire first (Revelation 20:14) as men could have been thrown directly into the Lake of Fire without DEATH or HADES which released them a while for Judgment first (Revelation 20:13 with Revelation 20:11 – 12).

 

Please note that ‘the dead from the sea’ (Revelation 20:13) will also be bound to Death and Hades (after these dead are thrown into the Lake of Fire after their Judgment, Revelation 20:15) –> as only these [Death & Hades/Sheol/Hell] are thrown into the Lake of Fire – first (Revelation 20:14, as the order of verses reveal this sequence clearly) —> and these three (Death, Hades, Lake of Fire COMBINED) is called the SECOND DEATH (in Revelation 20:14).

 

Can you see it?

 

Verses:

 

“And I saw a Great White Throne, and HIM that Sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the SEA gave up the dead which were in it; and DEATH and HELL delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And DEATH and HELL were cast into the LAKE of FIRE. This is the SECOND DEATH. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.” (Revelation 20:11 – 15, KJV)

The SEA is NOT mentioned to be thrown into the Lake of Fire because it will be NO more (CEASE to exist, as mentioned in Revelation 21:1) below:

“And I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was NO MORE SEA.” (Revelation 21:1, KJV)

 

(ii) Why does God Bound them Hades/Sheol and Death first?

For example:

 

“Because ye have said, We have made a COVENANT with DEATH, and with HELL are we at AGREEMENT; when the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE shall pass through, it shall NOT come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:” (Isaiah 28:15, KJV)

 

Please note the phrase “when the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE shall pass through, it shall NOT come unto us” in verse above where the “OVERFLOWING SCOURGE” (Isaiah 28:15, KJV) refers to “a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty WATERS OVERFLOWING” (Isaiah 28:2, KJV – having the Properties of WATER, hence a LAKE) and also is “the flame of devouring FIRE” (Isaiah 29:6, KJV – thus also having Properties of FIRE) —> combining which we see with New Testament Scripture that it must refer to the LAKE of FIRE.

I repeat: now, why would God have such wicked men to be bound to Death and Hades/Sheol (Hell) first?

To SAVE them later. Really?

 

“And your Covenant with DEATH shall be DISANNULLED, and your Agreement with HELL shall NOT stand; when the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.” (Isaiah 28:18, KJV)

Please note that when they are TRODDEN DOWN by the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE, the Covenant with DEATH and the Agreement with DEATH for ‘these evil ones whom God Judges’ here (context: verse prior, Isaiah 28:17) is DISANNULLED and does NOT Stand eventually as He Himself RANSOMS and REDEEMS them later (in His Impartial principle of Hosea 13:14).  Can you see this Amazing Truth?

 

Strange? Yes, it’s His Strange Work to Save in His Wrath (Isaiah 28:21, Zephaniah 3:8 – 9).

The popular fallacy of interpreting this Scripture in Isaiah 28:15 as ‘they tried to escape Judgment’ and then are Judged in HELL/DEATH with ‘no’ escape in Isaiah 28:18 or equivalent does NOT make sense to the meanings of the actual words Written in Holy Scripture here.

 

 

For (as per their ‘claim’) if Isaiah 28:18 implies a Judgment into the afterlife (Isaiah 28:17) where their PUNISHMENTS could be made STRONGER toward ETERNITY as ‘they claim’ (using Isaiah 28:22), then why is their binding with both DEATH and HELL end up being CANCELLED (as implied in Isaiah 28:18) where both DEATH and HELL are bound to the LAKE of FIRE ‘eternally’ (as per their claim too, right, Revelation 20:14)? Isn’t this a plain CONTRADICTION?

Indeed, if Isaiah 28:18 teaches that God’s Judgment (Isaiah 28:17) toward these ‘evil ones’ to ‘last into an ETERNAL HELL’ —-> shouldn’t these ones end up being BOUND to DEATH & HELL/HADES ETERNALLY (as Revelation 20:13 – 15 requires these two to be cast into the Lake of Fire, for the Second Death – first, Revelation 20:14) —> instead of that binding being DISANNULLED or ‘NOT stand’ which is what is ACTUALLY WRITTEN in Isaiah 28:18? —–> Yes, such a ‘flawed exegesis’ is clearly absurd and does NOT agree to the words DISANNULLED and ‘NOT stand’ which are applied to their binding toward DEATH/HELL when we compare both Isaiah 28:15 & Isaiah 28:18 with respect to the ‘OVERFLOWING SCOURGE’ too.

In other words, we agree that the ‘OVERFLOWING SCOURGE’ refers to a particular PUNISHMENT of some sort. Now, the “overflowing scourge” (or the LAKE of FIRE) could NOT reach these ones when they were bound to DEATH and HELL (Isaiah 28:15) —> because DEATH and HADES/SHEOL/HELL existed separately (Revelation 6:8) —> and has NOT COMBINED with the LAKE of FIRE to make up the FINAL SECOND DEATH (as it is mentioned in Revelation 20:14) —> where when ‘combined’ (Revelation 20:14), the ones ‘cast into the Lake of Fire’ (Revelation 20:15) after their case is presented before God during Judgment (Revelation 20:11 – 12) —> which certainly includes the wicked ones mentioned in Isaiah 28:15 (from that time) are now ABLE to be PUNISHED with the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE (which is the Second Death, i.e. HADES & DEATH Combined with the LAKE of FIRE) as Isaiah 28:18 implies.

We can just refer to the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE as the LAKE of FIRE without mentioning (DEATH and HELL/HADES/SHEOL in it) simply because it is understood that this PUNISHMENT is only existent AFTER the COMBINATION of these three when it happens (Death, Hades & Lake of Fire) as it is Written in Revelation 20:14 first as the SECOND DEATH (Final).

 

However, there is MORE to this Mystery which accounts to His STRANGE Work of Saving from the Lake of Fire itself though in HIS WRATH itself (Isaiah 28:21) toward these that are bound to DEATH/HELL (Hosea 13:14) where the context of EPHRAIM is particularly highlighted for this in Scripture linking these verses together to understand that the SAME JUDGMENT is referred to here toward the SINS of EPHRAIM (Hosea 13:12, Hosea 13:1 – 2 with Isaiah 28:1, 3, 14) —> where in the end, they are SAVED (i.e. RANSOMED and REDEEMED by God Himself as it is mentioned in Hosea 13:14 and this VICTORY is exclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15:55 toward ALL men, 1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22 by Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:57 Who is the CornerStone, Isaiah 28:16).

 

 

This means that if God can SAVE from Hades/Sheol and Death, He is certainly able to SAVE from the Lake of Fire too because men who are punished in the Lake of Fire are first bound to Hades/Sheol & Death too prior whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:13 – 15) as per the Great Judgment of the dead (Revelation 20:11 – 12) as this SAME Process is Determined by the LORD upon the WHOLE EARTH too (Isaiah 28:22).

Is all hope lost?

“For Sheol doth not confess Thee, Death doth not praise Thee, Those going down to the pit hope not for Thy truth.” (Isaiah 38:18, YLT)

 

It is LOST without CHRIST (Isaiah 29:11, Ecclesiastes 9:5, Ecclesiastes 9:10). Those who down into HELL/Sheol/Hades do NOT realize this HOPE unless the Gospel is Preached to the DEAD (e.g. 1 Peter 4:6), i.e. the REPORT (Isaiah 28:19 – KJV) till all learn and understand eventually (John 6:45, Isaiah 54:13) and be SAVED at the LAST DAY of their punishment respectively in the AGE (John 6:37 – 39) as this SAME conclusion for ALL MEN being SAVED (1 Timothy 4:10) and coming to the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH (Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 29:24) due to Christ’s Intervention is revealed in the New Testament Verse below Truthfully:

 

“Who will have ALL MEN to be SAVED, and to COME unto the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH.” (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV)

 

(iii) Can God SAVE in His WRATH?

“I will RANSOM them from the POWER of the GRAVE; I will REDEEM them from DEATH: I will be thy Plagues; O HELL, I will be thy DESTRUCTION: Repentance shall be hid from Mine Eyes.” – God in (Hosea 13:14, KJV)

Please note that the SAME Word TRANSLATED as HELL in Isaiah 28:15 and Isaiah 28:18 is translated here (in Hosea 13:14) by the KJV (being inconsistent) as GRAVE where the actual word is SHEOL (in Hebrew) or equivalently, HADES (in Greek). To be consistent the translated word GRAVE should be HELL/Sheol per the ‘replacement’ below:

“I will RANSOM them from the POWER of HELL; I will REDEEM them from DEATH: O DEATH, I will be thy Plagues; O HELL, I will be thy DESTRUCTION: Repentance shall be hid from Mine Eyes.” – God in (Hosea 13:14, KJV – with replacement of GRAVE as HELL, consistency)

Please note that God RANSOMING and REDEEMING Ephraim (Hosea 13:14) from HELL/SHEOL/HADES is NOT in the context of Him Ransoming the RIGHTEOUS (e.g. Psalm 49:15) as sometimes ERRED so EASILY in popular eternal Hell exegesis simply because the Ephraim being referred to in Scripture is mentioned to be the SINFUL Ephraim ONLY here (Hosea 13:12) which includes those from among Ephraim who have DIED in their sins (Hosea 13:1) whilst serving the false-god-BAAL too (Hosea 13:2) – can you see it? —->

And thus these ones NEVER REPENTED in their earthly-life as the PERFECT CONTEXT of Consecutive Verses clearly PROVE IRREFUTABLY again.

 

Can you see it now, sir?

 

Here are those three verses for emphasis:

“When EPHRAIM spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in BAAL, he DIED. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. The INIQUITY of EPHRAIM is bound up; his SIN is hid. The SORROWS of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an UNWISE son; for he should NOT stay long in the PLACE of the BREAKING FORTH of CHILDREN. I will RANSOM THEM from the Power of the HELL; I will REDEEM THEM from DEATH: O Death, I will be thy plagues; O HELL, I will be thy DESTRUCTION: Repentance shall be hid from Mine Eyes.” (Hosea 13:1 – 2, 12 – 14, KJV)

In the above, we did a with HELL Replacement for Grave as discussed prior for this KJV Translation.

Can you REALLY see it?

As discussed in point (ii) prior, Hosea 13:14 clearly mentions EPHRAIM (i.e. all those who belong to this tribe of Israel) being SAVED from HELL/SHEOL/HADES and DEATH referring ONLY to the part of SINFUL one belonging to EPHRAIM (and not the righteous among Ephraim at all, Hosea 13:2, 12) who had DIED in their sins first without repenting on earth (Hosea 13:1) —> so the common quoting of the RANSOM for HELL (Sheol/Hades) or DEATH in the context of the ‘righteous who have repented on earth prior’ and apply that meaning to understand Hosea 13:14 as eternal Hell theologians err so easily by quoting say Psalm 49:15 or Psalm 16:10 or Psalm 56:13 or Psalm 69:18 or Psalm 116:8 is so ‘obviously wrong’.

 

What are you going to answer God for this if you continue to still defend this ‘out of context’ quote as you realize it now? Where do liars go (Revelation 21:8)?

 

May God have Mercy (Romans 9:15 – 16) on whichever liar HE WILLS including me (Romans 3:3 – 4, Romans 3:7 – 8).

Continuing, God offers this same ‘afterlife Saving from HELL & DEATH – help’ (Hosea 13:14) toward the other tribes of ISRAEL too despite their ‘destruction in sin likewise, implied’ (in Hosea 13:9) —> so that ‘ALL ISRAEL will be SAVED in the END too’ (as apostle Paul echoes this same Mystery in Romans 11:26) in the context of ‘removal of sins too’ by LORD JESUS CHRIST the Promised Deliverer from Spiritual ZION to DO this at its own times (Romans 11:27, 1 Timothy 2:6) which includes the ‘enemies of the Gospel too’ (Romans 11:28) as the GIFT of SALVATION and the CALLING of BELOVED cannot be revoked (Romans 11:29) toward the ALL ISRAEL —> and even “you” (the Gentiles) from among both the obedient & disobedient too (Romans 11:30 – 31) till ALL is shown this SAME MERCY (Romans 11:32) —> which Triumphs Over and ENDS any afterlife Judgment Sentence eventually, be it the ‘eternal Hell’ Sentence itself, CANCELLING it at the POINT of MERCY even toward the WORST case afterlife-Judgment with ‘no-Mercy-first’ (implied in James 2:13 clearly) —>

 

Thereby causing ALL Men to be SAVED in the END as HIS PERFECT and HOLY WILL Demands (Romans 5:18 – 19, 1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22, John 12:32, 1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV) especially ‘believers’ (1 Timothy 4:10) where both the ‘command keepers and command breakers’ (of any LAW & PROPHETS, context established first in Matthew 5:17 – 18 with regards to this TOPIC) end up being “IN the Kingdom of the HEAVENS” eventually where these will be ‘greatest or least’ respectively in His Kingdom as HE HIMSELF PROMISED His UNCONDITIONAL Love regarding this UNSELFISHNESS of God, Beautifully (in Matthew 5:19).

 

Yes, it is IN CONTEXT because apostle Paul quotes this FINAL VICTORY over DEATH & HADES (i.e. being SAVED from the Lake of Fire, implied in 1 Corinthians 15:55) by quoting Hosea 13:14 in the GENERALITY of the WHOLE EARTH (as Isaiah 28:22) echoes too in the CONTEXT of the RESURRECTION of the DEAD (1 Corinthians 15:21), where this HOPE is toward the WICKED too (Acts 24:15) in that ALL (both the righteous & the wicked) who die in ADAM will be MADE ALIVE by CHRIST (1 Corinthians 15:22) the CornerStone (Isaiah 28:16).

 

Yes, ALL MEN will hear know the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH (i.e. the GOSPEL) which SAVES them as it is Prophesied (in 1 Timothy 2:4 itself) and this is the REASON why though ‘these wicked’ including ‘those who speak evil of us’ (1 Peter 4:4) may face this Great White Throne of Judgment (1 Peter 4:5 agreeing with Revelation 20:11 – 15) where though they are JUDGED-first, even with ‘no mercy toward some as their actions deserve’, these SAME ones may have God’s MERCY Triumphing (and ending) these afterlife Judgment sentence in the LAKE of FIRE (James 2:13) whilst having the GOSPEL preached to these DEAD too (Revelation 20:13) so that in the end they may ‘live to God in the spirit’ post-Judgment (1 Peter 4:6) after HE Rescues them as Hosea 13:14 in the context of Generality implies in 1 Corinthians 15:55 which applies to both the righteous and the wicked too (Acts 24:15) in the TOPIC of the Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:21) where ALL men end up being MADE ALIVE by CHRIST in this way (as Prophesied in 1 Corinthians 15:22).

 

 

The Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:21) for the WICKED (e.g. 1 Peter 4:4) may be understood as the ENTIRE PROCESS as follows:

 

 

(a) Raised Up for Judgment

Beginning with them being ‘Raised up for JUDGMENT-first’ (John 5:29, 1 Peter 4:5).

 

 

(b) Afterlife Judgment in the Lake of Fire or Hades/Death prior

 

Where though these are JUDGED for the deeds which they did in the FLESH as men (Revelation 20:11 – 15, e.g. the phrase ‘so that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh’ in 1 Peter 4:6 – BLB) —-> to the “age” in the “age-during punishment” (Matthew 25:46, Daniel 12:2, Matthew 18:8) —-> these same ones “might live in the spirit according to God” (1 Peter 4:6, BLB) too in the end.

 

(c) Gospel Preached

These SAMES ones may also KNOW the GOSPEL (‘Who will have ALL MEN to … come unto the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH.’ 1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV) and for this Reason the “the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead” (1 Peter 4:6, BLB) which toward the end of their Judgment sentence (implied) it will be “a VEXATION only to UNDERSTAND the REPORT” (Isaiah 28:19, KJV) where the REPORT is definitely the GOSPEL (Isaiah 53:1).

Yes, to UNDERSTAND the REPORT of the GOSPEL regarding the “ARM of the Lord being  REVEALED” which can certainly SAVE from HELL too in the ‘afterlife context of the preaching of the Gospel’ here in 1 Peter 4:6:

“so that word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, that said: “Lord, who has believed our REPORT? And to whom has the ARM of the Lord been REVEALED?” (John 12:38, BLB)

But these must be punished for their sins first till the last penny (Luke 12:59) which blocks His ARM to SAVE them. That is, after they are punished for their sins (fallen believers + unbelievers, Luke 12:46) during their afterlife-Judgment first – receiving few/many blows (measurable, hence limited & not eternal as per the ‘endless blows myth which is NOT Written here’) according to their deeds (Luke 12:47 – 48, Isaiah 3:11, Galatians 6:7) —-> as ‘they are punished for their sins first’ (Luke 12:59), so this blockage of sin is removed —> after which they can be SAVED by the LORD as it is IMPLIED Clearly in Isaiah 59:1 – 2  in accordance to the order that “their spirit may live according to God” which can happen later as it is mentioned in 1 Peter 4:6.

The REPORT of the Gospel will be a VEXATION for them to UNDERSTAND as the “smoke” of their torment arising from the DAY and NIGHT vexation earlier (Isaiah 28:19 – KJV) may last to the ‘ages of the Ages’ (Revelation 14:11 – YLT) where this may refer to the CORPSES or LIFELESS BODIES belonging to those who have previously transgressed against Him (Isaiah 66:24).

ALL FLESH or ALL MEN being SAVED by CHRIST by then WORSHIP the LORD together by then (Isaiah 66:23) and look upon these CORPSES together (Isaiah 66:24) as their ‘smoke’ of their torment (previously) rises up to the ages of the Ages (Revelation 14:11) as He makes the New Heavens and the New Earth too (Isaiah 66:22, Revelation 21:1) as part of making ALL Creation New (Revelation 21:5). Yes, ALL THINGS (Revelation 21:5) refers to ALL CREATED THINGS (Definition: Colossians 1:16). Some among these from the ALL FLESH (Isaiah 66:24) will look upon their ‘own SMOKE of torment’ which will remind them of their ‘past sinful self’ of which they will ABHOR too as it is mentioned clearly in Isaiah 66:24 itself and this fact is understood further when seen together with Revelation 14:11 and Ezekiel 36:31 & Ezekiel 20:43 in light of this.

 

Please note that the word SMOKE Revelation 14:11 itself indicates that the TORMENT could be OVER by then where the actual TORMENT itself is described first as “TORMENTED with fire and brimstone in the presence of the HOLY angels and in the presence of the Lamb” (in Revelation 14:10, NASB). The timeline between Revelation 14:10 to Revelation 14:11 could be an AGE or a time within it as the Blessed Lord Wills (not specified for “men” here).
A Detailed explanation regarding Isaiah 66:24 is found in post below too:

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/death-what-happens-at-death/

“And in THAT DAY shall the deaf hear the WORDS of the BOOK, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.” (Isaiah 29:18, KJV)

 

“They also that ERRED in SPIRIT shall COME to UNDERSTANDING, and they that MURMURED shall LEARN DOCTRINE” (Isaiah 29:24, KJV)

 

(iv) All Creation SAVED in His WRATH and FIRE too

” and it will come — the DAY of the Lord — as a thief in the night, in which the heavens with a rushing noise will pass away, and the elements with burning heat be dissolved, and earth and the works in it shall be BURNT up.” (2 Peter 3:10, YLT)

“for our God is a consuming FIRE.” (Hebrews 12:29, NASB)

The LAKE of FIRE Will Burn in the Consuming FIRE of God as it is Described in Verses below:

 

“Behold, the name of the LORD comes from a remote place; Burning is His anger and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation and His tongue is like a consuming FIRE; His breath is like an OVERFLOWING torrent, which reaches to the neck, to shake the NATIONS back and forth in a sieve, and to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which leads to ruin. and the LORD will cause His voice of authority to be heard, and the descending of His Arm to be seen in FIERCE ANGER, and in the FLAME of a consuming FIRE, In cloudburst, downpour and hailstones.” (Isaiah 30:27 – 28, 30, NASB)

 

“Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a DESTROYING storm, as a flood of mighty waters OVERFLOWING, shall cast down to the earth with the HAND.” (Isaiah 28:3, KJV)

 

“Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the FLAME of DEVOURING FIRE.” (Isaiah 29:6, KJV)

This FIRE cannot refer to the fire in HELL (Hades, e.g. Luke 16) simply because that “age – during fire” in Gehenna (Matthew 18:8, Mark 9:43)  has been there before His Manifestation in the Flesh itself, and CHRIST WISHES this FIRE was already kindled! (meaning that this FIRE is NOT kindled yet —> thus must refer to the LAKE of FIRE) in verse below:

“I have come to cast FIRE upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:49, NASB)

It is in this LAKE of FIRE (FIRE in Luke 12:49) that the final afterlife punishments (Luke 12:46 – 48) may last TILL the LAST PENNY only (Luke 12:59) and NOT Forever. Can you see it as the context of consecutive verses itself proves in Luke 12 (Luke 12:56 – 57)?

Here’s another Mystery hinted in Hosea 13:13:

 

“The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him [Ephraim]: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in PLACE of the BREAKING FORTH of CHILDREN.” (Hosea 13:13, KJV)

“I will RANSOM them from the POWER of HELL; I will REDEEM them from DEATH: O DEATH, I will be thy Plagues; O HELL, I will be thy DESTRUCTION: Repentance shall be hid from Mine Eyes.” – God in (Hosea 13:14, KJV – with replacement of GRAVE as HELL, consistency)

 

So looking at the context of consecutive verses, we see that sinful EPHRAIM only (Hosea 13:12, Hosea 13:2) who has never repented on earth, having DIED in their sins (Hosea 13:1) go to this “PLACE of the BREAKING FORTH of CHILDREN” (Hosea 13:13) which is the LAKE of FIRE and God thereafter Rescues them in His Wrath toward these ones bound to both DEATH and HELL in the LAKE of FIRE as this BINDING gets CANCELLED there and these ones are RANSOMED from HELL and REDEEMED from DEATH from the LAKE of FIRE too as it is WRITTEN in Hosea 13:14, where God Will NOT Repent from Doing it means that God WILL SURELY BRING IT TO PASS.

The above repeated with additional Verse references for an enhanced understanding regarding this:

We see that sinful EPHRAIM only (Hosea 13:12, Hosea 13:2, Isaiah 28:1, Isaiah 28:3) who has never repented on earth, having DIED in their sins (Hosea 13:1) go to this “PLACE of the BREAKING FORTH of CHILDREN” (Hosea 13:13, Matthew 24:8, Mark 13:8, Romans 8:22) which is the LAKE of FIRE (Luke 12:49, Revelation 20:14 – 15, Revelation 21:8, Isaiah 28:2, Isaiah 29:6, Matthew 3:10, Malachi 3:2) and God thereafter Rescues them in His Wrath toward these ones bound to both DEATH and HELL (Isaiah 28:15 – KJV) in the LAKE of FIRE as this BINDING gets CANCELLED there (Isaiah 28:18 – KJV) and these ones are RANSOMED from HELL and REDEEMED from DEATH from the LAKE of FIRE too as it is WRITTEN in Hosea 13:14, where God Will NOT Repent from Doing it means that God WILL SURELY BRING IT TO PASS.

So, the “PLACE of the BREAKING FORTH of CHILDREN” (Hosea 13:13) is also the “LAKE of FIRE” because HADES and DEATH are in the Lake of Fire by now combining to form the SECOND DEATH (Hosea 13:14 with Revelation 20:14) —-> where following this FINAL DEATH, it also becomes a “PLACE of the BREAKING FORTH of CHILDREN” (Hosea 13:13)” in which ALL CREATION will be “Born Again” (John 3:3)  —-> As ALL  Created THINGS (Colossians 1:16) will be MADE NEW (Revelation 21:5) & BEAUTIFUL (Ecclesiastes 3:11) after being RECONCILED back to God (Colossians 1:20, 2 Corinthians 5:19) —> where the mysterious analogy of the POTTER as God DOES HIS WILL into ALL Creation (Romans 9:20 – 23, Jeremiah 18:4) —> during these TIMES of the RESTORATION of ALL THINGS (Acts 3:21, Ephesians 1:9 – 10) —> till God becomes ALL in All Creation in the End (1 Corinthians 15:28) —> which causes ALL CREATION in this SAME Birth-Pang (Romans 8:22) in this SAME FIRE of God which engulfs the WHOLE WORLD (2 Peter 3:10) which SETS ALL Creation bound to VANITY/CORRUPTION of ‘SIN and its Effects’ (Romans 8:20, 2 Peter 3:12) to be SET FREE into the GLORIOUS LIBERTY of the CHILDREN of GOD (Romans 8:21, 2 Peter 3:12) which is being SINLESS, implied thereby the WORLD (Romans 1:20) will be SAVED by HIM (1 John 4:14).
Now here’s another Mystery regarding the POTTER and the CLAY toward the MARRED Clay or the Vessels of Destruction (Romans 9:22):

This includes HIS REMAKING by NOT DESTROYING the earlier CLAY but rather by REMOULDING that SAME DESTROYED CLAY (i.e. the MARRED Clay) into something NEW as it is clearly implied as the ‘Word of God’ (Jeremiah 18:1)  in regards to this POTTER Analogy in Making ALL THINGS NEW too (Revelation 21:5) as God being Impartial must have the SAME Principle in regards to the context of re-Making-the-MARRED-Clay too:

“And the vessel that he made of clay was MARRED in the hand of the potter: so he MADE IT AGAIN another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in Mine Hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:4, 6 KJV)

To Quote:

 

“The Son “breaking in pieces” His enemies is for the sake of remolding them, as a potter his own work; (as Jeremiah 18:4, 6) says: i.e., to restore them once again to their former state.” — Eusebius of Caesarea (265 to 340 A.D). Bishop of Caesarea

 

 

Conclusion

 

So, ALL CREATION (Definition: Colossians 1:16) must return to the Father being RECONCILED back to HIM (Colossians 1:20) through LORD JESUS CHRIST only (John 14:6) as it is MAJESTICALLY Echoed in Romans 11:36 as “to HIM” (a RETURN is PROMISED) as the END.

 

Are we able to understand it as it is WRITTEN?

 

 

“because in Him were CREATED ALL THINGS in the heavens and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities; ALL THINGS have been CREATED through Him and UNTO Him. and by Him to RECONCILE ALL THINGS to Himself, having made PEACE by the BLOOD of His Cross through Him, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens.” (Colossians 1:16, 20, BLB)

 

“Jesus said to him, “I am the WAY, and the TRUTH, and the LIFE; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6, NASB)

 

“because of Him, and through Him, and TO HIM are the ALL THINGS; to Him is the Glory — to the ages. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, YLT)

 

 

It’s still ‘not’ happened yet:

 

“You have put in SUBJECTION ALL THINGS under HIS FEET. For in SUBJECTING ALL THINGS to Him, He left nothing unsubject to Him. But at present not yet do we see all things having been subjected to him.” (Hebrews 2:8, BLB)

 

Please note the phrase “He left nothing unsubject to Him” in the context of “SUBJECTING ALL THINGS to Him” in verse above (Hebrews 2:8, BLB) which proves that even His Enemies (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 26) being part of ALL THINGS (or ALL Created things, Definition: Colossians 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:27) will be RECONCILED as well back to HIM (implied in Colossians 1:20 and 1 Corinthians 15:28).

 

But it will COME to PASS into the “ages which are coming” too:

 

Till God becomes ALL in All Creation in the Glorious END:

 

 

“and when the ALL THINGS may be SUBJECTED to Him, then the Son also Himself shall be subject to Him, Who did Subject to Him the ALL THINGS, that God may be the ALL in All.” (1 Corinthians 15:28, YLT)

 

 

How about Tenses in Scripture?

 

Tenses are sometimes (present tense or past tense) in Scripture because it is Written either from a ‘Going to Do perspective’ or from a ‘Done perspective’ —> where regardless, we know for certain that Christ Fulfilling God’s Will to SAVE the WORLD (1 John 4:14) by taking away the sin of the world eventually (John 1:29) even being a Propitiation to STOP the ETERNAL HELL Wrath (if so, is implied in 1 John 2:2) will come to Pass without Fail in the END (Isaiah 46:10, Isaiah 14:24, Isaiah 55:11). Simple, isn’t it? His Sovereignty is IMMUTABLE.

 

Also, there is NO “may” in the sense of “maybe” in Greek for each quoted verse as in English we ‘add’ the word ‘may’ in our English translations because it is ‘yet to be fulfilled’ (progressive). For example, the MIGHT in the phrase “that it MIGHT be fulfilled” (in Matthew 1:22 – KJV regarding Scripture) is the SAME as the MIGHT in the phrase “that the WOLD through Him MIGHT be SAVED” (in John 3:17 – KJV) since both Verses Speak of a Fulfilling by the ‘Lord’ in Word/Action. Can you see it?

 

 

 

 

P/S: Here’s another Mystery – CHRIST can SAVE even NOW from HELL

 

“Have the Gates of DEATH been REVEALED unto you? or have you SEEN the DOORS of the SHADOW of DEATH?” – God Replies to Job (in Job 38:17, KJV)

 

After His Death & Resurrection, Lord Jesus Christ has started Saving from the “afterlife prisons of Hell” itself (1 Peter 3:18 – 19 – which is the FIRST OCCURRENCE and not the only occurrence as popularly erred) —> since He has the KEYS for Unlocking and Saving from both HELL and DEATH (Revelation 1:8) —> toward those dwelling in the SHADOW of DEATH afterlife regions of DEATH & HELL (Job 38:17) —> where the “wicked” have this HOPE (Acts 24:15) of being SAVED from there as Prophesied about Lord Jesus Christ (in Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 42:7, Isaiah 61:1 etc. as explained next) —-> till the spirit of the wicked too may live to God (as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:6) where it will be given a suitable ‘spiritual’ body (1 Corinthians 15:44) accordingly after the Judgment in HELL destroys only its ‘body + soul’ (Matthew 10:28) ——> since ‘body + soul + spirit’ makes up an individual, where each is DIFFERENT but may have overlaps as each is distinctly mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 —-> (yes, please also note the phrase “SHADOW of DEATH” in each of these quoted verses here speaking of this SAME TOPIC in the KJV Translation that renders the ‘same phrase’ for each occurrence of this ‘same root word’ – can you see it?)

 

For example:

 

“There were THOSE who dwelt in darkness and in the SHADOW of DEATH, Prisoners in misery and chains,

Because they had REBELLED against the Words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; They stumbled and there was none to help.

Then they CRIED out to the LORD in their trouble; He SAVED THEM OUT of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness and the SHADOW of DEATH and BROKE their bands apart.” (Psalm 107:10 – 14, NASB)

 

Please note that in some popular existing eternal Hell theologian’s explanation regarding these verses (Psalm 107:10 – 14) claim that it refers to their time at EGYPT or in the desert thereafter which doesn’t add up simply because during the 40 years in the wilderness, the DISOBEDIENT ones among the Israelite were DESTROYED (1 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Corinthians 10:10, Jude 1:5) and were NOT SAVED (contradicting Psalm 107:13) and NOR were their bands (be it spiritually) were ever BROKEN apart on EARTH as these died in their sins. So, who among these ones you are speaking of where God said NONE of them from among these ever made it (Numbers 14:22 – 23) contradicting Psalm 107:13 – 14?

Some other theologians claim that the phrase “SHADOW of DEATH” refers to the Time of Babylon Captivity of Israel by quoting the verse(s) below:

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a Great Light: THEY that dwell in the land of the SHADOW of DEATH, upon THEM hath the LIGHT SHINED.” (Isaiah 9:2, KJV)

 

“To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and THEM that sit in DARKNESS OUT of the PRISON HOUSE.” (Isaiah 42:7, KJV)

 

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath Anointed Me to Preach GOOD TIDINGS unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the OPENING of the PRISON to THEM that are BOUND;” (Isaiah 61:1, KJV)

This probably comes from a ‘Jewish error of interpretation’ simply because Judaism-bound-Jews would NOT want you to ‘realize’ that all the above Verses refer to CHRIST as it is quoted in New Testament Verses such as Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18 and Luke 7:22. Please also carefully notice that Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18 and Luke 7:22 refer much to His Earthly ministry at that time and some phrases are DIFFERENT from the Old Testament originals because the latter refer to the SHADOW of DEATH regions (i.e. the broader ‘afterlife context’) as well as these phrases are found in some of those related verses adding up to the bigger picture regarding His Magnificent Ministry to SAVE in this life and also beyond this temporal life itself.

 

Here is the AFTERLIFE CONTEXT for the phrase SHADOW of DEATH (meaning determined by the ‘usage’ of this phrase):

“I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, 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 10:19 – 22, KJV)

Also, Job clearly implies that ‘after he die’ (Job 10:19 – 20), only then he may go into the ‘land of the SHADOW of DEATH’ (Job 10:21 – KJV) where even “the light is as darkness” (Job 10:22 – KJV as NO human land has ‘its light as darkness’) which EASILY refutes any EARTHLY-Context Claim when the “SHADOW of DEATH”-root-word is used.

 

This clearly proves that the “land of the SHADOW of DEATH” as mentioned (in Job 10:22) using this ‘exact same word in all sense’ as it is also used in Isaiah 9:2 refers to the AFTERLIFE HELL REGIONS —> which in turn refers Prophetically to Christ SAVING from HELL as quoted in Matthew 4:16 and Luke 1:79 among these —> that proves the following REMARKABLE Acts by CHRIST in the “land of the SHADOW of DEATH” as follows (which can only be seen by COMBINING both Old and New Testament Verses which speak of this SAME TOPIC of SHADOW of DEATH, as each verse may reveal a ‘different’ detail which are ‘hidden’ here and there in Scripture according to the Principle of Isaiah 28:10 in regards to DOCTRINE in Isaiah 28:9):

(a) A Light of HOPE only began to Shine toward THEM in HELL after CHRIST is Manifested in the FLESH

“THEY that dwell in the land of the SHADOW of DEATH, upon THEM hath the LIGHT SHINED” (Isaiah 9:2, KJV)

 

(b) Christ Saves from the Prisons of HELL

“and THEM that sit in DARKNESS OUT of the PRISON HOUSE.” (Isaiah 42:7, KJV)

 

 

(c) Christ brings them out of the Prison Houses of HELL which was their age-during abode earlier

 

“And the lord commended the unrighteous steward that he did prudently, because the sons of this age are more prudent than the sons of the light, in respect to their generation.  and I say to you, Make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye may fail, they may receive you to the age-during tabernacles.” (Luke 16:8 – 9, YLT)

 

“THEM that sit in DARKNESS OUT of the PRISON HOUSE.” (Isaiah 42:7, KJV)

(d) Christ hears and answers prayers from HELL too in His Own Time

“And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.”

 

(e) Christ Saves the Prisoners from the land of the SHADOW of DEATH itself wherever they may be

“There were THOSE who dwelt in darkness and in the SHADOW of DEATH, Prisoners in misery and chains, He brought them out of darkness and the SHADOW of DEATH and BROKE their bands apart.” (Psalm 107:10, 14, NASB)

(f) Christ Saves whomever He wants at any time & place as HE WISHES from HELL too

“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him GREATER WORKS than THESE, so that you will MARVEL. “For just as the Father RAISES THE DEAD and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He WISHES.” (John 5:20 – 21, NASB)

These are all part of the GREATER WORK than THESE (referring to His Earthly Ministry of ‘saving believers only’) to the point that we (believers) will MARVEL (John 5:20) in the FIRST  CONTEXT of the ‘Resurrection of the Dead’ as evidenced by the phrase ‘RAISES THE DEAD and gives them life’ to whomever ‘He [the Son] WISHES’ as it is mentioned in John 5:21 as the ‘irrefutable context of consecutive verses means’.

This Perfectly correlates with the HOPE for the WICKED too in regards to the ‘Resurrection of the Dead’ (SAME TOPIC linking these verses together) as it is mentioned in Acts 24:15 & 1 Corinthians 15:21 toward the END that ALL MEN (referring to ADAM + the MANY [or rest of Mankind] = ALL MEN, Romans 5:18 – 19)  who DIE CONDEMNED due to Adam will be JUSTIFIED to LIFE & Made Righteous FREELY in CHRIST (1 Corinthians 15:22) through the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God ONLY (Romans 3:21) by the Faith of Jesus Christ  toward ALL (Romans 3:22 – KJV) at the Divine Time of imputation for each of the ALL (1 Timothy 2:6) which JUSTIFIES them FREELY (Romans 3:24) toward ALL who sinned prior (Romans 3:23) causing ALL MEN to be SAVED eventually (1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV) where ‘believers are more special’ (1 Timothy 4:10) all as it is WRITTEN. Can you see the real meaning in these Magnificent Verses?

Lastly, how about Irrefutable Context?

Each verse quoted in this write-up is viewed PROPHETICALLY to Christ as it is WRITTEN (Luke 24:44) to UNDERSTAND HIS HOLY WORD (Luke 24:45) instead of the usual ‘EMPTY and MEANINGLESS figures of speech claim made for many of ‘these same verses’ as it is done & commonly attached as a ‘claimed meaning’ to these MAGNIFICENT VERSES by mere men’.

What is our intention?

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NASB)

 

Lord Jesus Christ SAVES even NOW as HE WILLS (John 5:21) any of the ALL (“all things” as mentioned in John 5:20, consecutive-verse-context or “all created things”, Colossians 1:16-definition) from the current Outer Darkness regions of HADES/SHEOL/HELL and DEATH too from the ‘afterlife prisons’ as well which form the SHADOW of DEATH because He has the KEYS (for Unlocking & Saving, implied, Revelation 1:8) them as the VERSE below MAJESTICALLY implies and it is discussed further in a few related posts below for further edification:

 

 

“And I, when I am Lifted Up from the earth, will draw ALL MEN to Myself.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:32, BSB)

Yes, He Will Do all these till He TURNS even the SHADOW of DEATH into MORNING as it is Beautifully WRITTEN in Verse below:

“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)

Which will be Achieved by the END of the AGES when He Fills ALL THINGS with HIMSELF (the meaning of ‘ALL in All’ is that God Fills All Creation with ALL of Himself eventually) as it is Declared Prophetically:

“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22 – 23, NASB)

“He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.” (Ephesians 4:10, NASB)

“and when the ALL THINGS may be SUBJECTED to Him, then the Son also Himself shall be subject to Him, Who did Subject to Him the ALL THINGS, that God may be the ALL in All.” (1 Corinthians 15:28, YLT)

Please note that the CHURCH is HIS BODY is mentioned to be a DISTINCT part of the ALL THINGS (or ALL Creation) being ‘as head’ (in Ephesians 1:22) –> as He “Subjects” ALL THINGS to Himself (Hebrews 2:8, 1 Corinthians 15:27) including His Enemies too (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 26) till in the END, God becomes “ALL in All” (1 Corinthians 15:28) by Filling All Creation or ALL THINGS with Himself (Ephesians 4:10)  as the phrase ‘All in all’ also occurs in Ephesians 1:23 proving this meaning.

 

But what fellowship has Light with Darkness?

NO fellowship at all except that Light Shines at the SHADOW of DEATH in the Darkness even changing it into MORNING eventually too as mentioned prior in Amos 5:8. No fellowship is meant here but rather a Transformation of Darkness into Light is Taught by Holy Scripture even in reference to God Filling All things with Himself (Ephesians 4:10) eventually till He becomes ALL in All Creation, 1 Corinthians 15:28 —>  hence DARKNESS would have CEASED to EXIST by then when this happens at the ‘dispensation of the FULLNESS of the TIMES’ (Ephesians 1:10) which is understood to be the ENDS of the AGES which is part of the SECRET of MYSTERY of HIS WILL (Ephesians 1:9) to ‘gather in One ALL THINGS in CHRIST’ (Ephesians 1:10) —> where the ‘ALL THINGS’ or ALL CREATED THINGS, as per the definition in Colossians 1:16 will be RECONCILED to CHRIST  eventually as it is PROPHETICALLY Declared in Colossians 1:20 agreeing to all this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/

 

 

3) 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/

 

 

Peace to you

 

“For it is WRITTEN, “I will DESTROY the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to NOTHING.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 1:19, WEB)

 

How is the above possible?

 

When we go to heaven and see CHRIST Descending Majestically into HELL (or the Lake of Fire itself, later) and SAVING these ones according to the VERSES which describe this as quoted prior, all the so called ‘understanding & wisdom’ of both the ‘eternal hell camp’ (e.g. the Pharisees in the past) and the ‘annihilation camp’ (e.g. the Sadducee in the past too) will come to an END.

Yes, CHRIST SAVING from HELL, yes from the LAKE of FIRE or the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE too is the WONDER mentioned in Verses below which occurs hand in hand with “their wisdom” becoming ‘nothing & destroyed’ each time this STRANGE WORK of HIM SAVING in His WRATH Happens as it is Described MAJESTICALLY in VERSES Below:

 

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and THEIR FEAR toward Me is taught by the precept of men:

 

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a MARVELLOUS WORK among this people, even a MARVELLOUS WORK and a WONDER: for the wisdom of THEIR wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29:13 – 14, KJV)

The reference to ‘this people’ (in Isaiah 29:14) points to a special group which have a particular type of ‘fear of God’ as the phrase “THEIR FEAR toward Me” (Isaiah 29:13) implies which we know refers to ‘eternal Hell’ (as the Pharisees believed this) and ‘annihilation’ (as the Sadducees believed this) as CHRIST quotes Verse above during HIS LifeTime (e.g. Mark 7:6 – 7) as it is described further in post below too:

I repeat the above with Verses attached to it for Instruction, please consider:

Yes, CHRIST SAVING (Psalm 107:18, Isaiah 28:18 – KJV) from HELL (Psalm 107:14, Isaiah 28:15 – KJV), yes from the LAKE of FIRE (Revelation 20:14 – 15) or the OVERFLOWING SCOURGE too (Isaiah 28:2, Isaiah 29:6 with Isaiah 28:15 & Isaiah 28:18 – KJV) is the WONDER mentioned in Verses ‘above’ which occurs hand in hand with “their wisdom” becoming ‘nothing & destroyed’ (Isaiah 29:13 – 14, 1 Corinthians 1:19) each time this STRANGE WORK (Isaiah 28:21) of HIM SAVING in His WRATH (Zephaniah 3:8 – 9, Hosea 13:14, Isaiah 28:18) Happens as it is Described MAJESTICALLY in VERSES ‘Above’.

 

Indeed, it is STRANGE (Isaiah 28:21) that God Saves in His ANGER too (that’s why His Anger cannot be understood ‘righteously’ using mere ‘human understanding of it’ as James 1:20 warns).

For example, God’s FULL Burning Anger (God’s Hate) as mentioned in Zephaniah 3:8 SAVES ALL upon whom that ANGER is Poured upon first since these SAME end up being as follows —-> “all of them may call on the name of the LORD” and “serve Him shoulder to shoulder” as mentioned in (Context) of the next verse, Zephaniah 3:9 (NASB). For a detailed look at this, please consider:

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hate-god-saves-all-men-eventually/

 

 

Apostle Paul did NOT miss the end of the Bible as he writes the following in the Context of Universal Victory in Christ (e.g. after God becoming ALL in All too in 1 Corinthians 15:28):

 

“where, O DEATH, thy sting? where, O HADES, thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, YLT)

God is clearly Mocking both DEATH and HADES for having NO more sting (e.g. all men would have been made alive by Christ by then, 1 Corinthians 15:22)  and NO more victory (implying that Christ would have EMPTIED HELL/Hades/Sheol from the Lake of Fire too by then, Revelation 20:14 – 15 with Hosea 13:14) because CHRIST is the RANSOM for ALL which becomes TRUE (i.e. a TESTIMONY) in its OWN TIMES (1 Timothy 2:6) and ALL ‘sin of the World’ is Gone by then (John 1:29) as He is the PROPITIATION too for ALL ‘sin of the World’ (1 John 2:2) making ALL CREATION go past the birth-pang (Romans 8:22) to be BORN AGAIN into the LIBERTY of the CHILDREN of GOD (Romans 8:21) after being SET FREE from sin and its effects of VANITY/CORRUPTION (Romans 8:20) being SINLESS again (implied IRREFUTABLY).

 

Maranatha! Even so come Lord Jesus Christ!

 

 

P/S: Rich Man and Lazarus – Irrefutable Context Argument

1) Are the DEAD conscious or unconscious at death?

Firstly, here is an easy refutation to the false theory that ‘the dead’ are unconscious: In 1 Peter 3:18 – 20, it is clearly mentioned that CHRIST went to the abode of the dead after His Death and BEFORE His Resurrection and Preached the Gospel there.

So, both Christ and the ‘hearers of the Gospel’ there are pretty CONSCIOUS AFTER DEATH. Please refer to a detailed discussion regarding this at the end of this write up.

Are you going to claim that 1 Peter 3:18 – 20 is a ‘figure of speech’ just like when scholars do whenever it contradicts their own beliefs or when they cannot explain THESE VERSES above?

2) Men: from LIVING to the DEAD (transition)

A Common Objection using these verses (below) to ‘try’ prove that ‘the dead’ are ‘unconscious’ is REFUTED in the reply and the points thereafter (with ‘other verses’ speaking of this SAME TOPIC linking the CONTEXT here to gain a fuller understanding of this’ – where if possible, we use CONSECUTIVE VERSES to prove an ‘irrefutable contextual argument’), please consider:

“This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the SONS of MEN is full of evil, and madness is in their heart WHILE THEY LIVE, and AFTER THAT they go to THE DEAD. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now PERISHED; neither have they any more a portion for ever in ANY THING THAT IS DONE UNDER THE SUN.” (Ecclesiastes 9:3 – 6, KJV)

So, the verses above clearly prove the following points:

(a) What’s the meaning of the LIVING vs the DEAD in Ecclesiastes 9?

The LIVING —> refers to those living on earth ONLY —> “the LIVING know that they shall die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, KJV)

The DEAD —> refers to those NOT living anymore on earth ONLY —> “SONS of MEN is full of evil, … WHILE THEY LIVE, and AFTER THAT they go to THE DEAD” (Ecclesiastes 9:3, KJV)

(b) What do the LIVING and DEAD know or don’t know?

The LIVING —> “For the LIVING KNOW that they SHALL DIE” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, KJV)

The DEAD —> “THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, KJV)

(c) The HOPELESSNESS for the DEAD

“neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now PERISHED” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 – 6, KJV)

“All that thy hand findeth to do, with thy power do, for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, KJV)

(d) Do these HOPELESSNESS for the DEAD prove an ‘afterlife context’?

No. How? Let Scripture interpret Scripture:

“neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now PERISHED” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 – 6, KJV) —–> what does this PERISHED refer to (context) in regards to the DEAD? —–> It refers to the HOPELESSNESS of not being able to have ‘any more deed/effect on the life on earth ONLY and not the afterlife as the VERSE CONTINUES —-> “neither have they [the DEAD] any more a portion for ever in ANY THING THAT IS DONE UNDER THE SUN.” (Ecclesiastes 9:6, KJV)

Can you see it? with Verses ONLY, it looks like this:

“THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING,… is now PERISHED; neither have they … ANY THING THAT IS DONE UNDER THE SUN.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 – 6, KJV)

Which ANY THING is referred to (context) with regards to the DEAD suffering this HOPELESSNESS?:

“THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING …ANY THING THAT IS DONE UNDER THE SUN.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 – 6, KJV)
So, it’s pretty obvious that the DEAD have PERISHED from UNDER THE SUN (i.e. the earth, since the afterlife punishment regions is a ‘land of darkness being the SHADOW of DEATH’ and thus it does NOT get the light of the sun).

Also, it is also clear that the DEAD have PERISHED in that they KNOW NOT ANY THING (being unaware of or unconscious of) ANY THING THAT IS DONE UNDER THE SUN (i.e. things which ‘happen on earth ONLY).

Thus Ecclesiastes 9:3 – 6 does NOT prove that the ‘dead are unconscious at SHEOL’ but rather prove that the DEAD are ‘unconscious’ (being not aware) of ANY THING that is done or happens on the EARTH ONLY as the phrase ‘under the Sun’ implies. Can you see it now?

Regarding the ‘life destination of man’ in verses above:

So far, in Ecclesiastes 9:3 – 6, the phrase “SONS of MEN is full of evil, … WHILE THEY LIVE, and AFTER THAT they go to THE DEAD” (Ecclesiastes 9:3, KJV) speak of this transition:

Sons of MEN —> LIVE —> AFTER THAT —> they go to THE DEAD.

What happens next? Let’s consider the following details carefully too:

 

3) Men: From LIVING to the DEAD to the MOUTH (Entrance, Door) of SHEOL only

Verses:

“See LIFE with the wife whom thou hast loved, all the days of the LIFE of THY VANITY, that He hath GIVEN to thee UNDER THE SUN, all the DAYS of THY VANITY, for it [is] THY PORTION in LIFE, even of thy labour that thou art labouring at under the sun. All that thy hand findeth to do, with thy power do, for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.” (Ecclesiastes 9:9 – 10, YLT)

I used YLT instead of the KJV here due to the EXACT (ACCURATE) Translation of SHEOL here instead of GRAVE (a different Hebrew word).

a) Which LIFE is referred to in Verses above?

Since

LIFE = “LIFE of THY VANITY, that He hath GIVEN to thee UNDER THE SUN” = ll the DAYS of THY VANITY, for it [is] THY PORTION in LIFE (Ecclesiastes 9:9, YLT)

and

UNDER THE SUN = LIFE on EARTH only.

The LIFE here refers to LIFE on EARTH ONLY.

So, what does this HOPELESSNESS refer to?

“for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10,YLT)

It refers to these:

“All that thy hand findeth to do, with thy power do” (Ecclesiastes 9:10,YLT)

Which in turn refers to (or is described further in verse prior) as referring to these ONLY as it is Written:

“even of thy labour that thou art labouring at under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:9, YLT)

 

Can you see it?

Emphasis:

“even of thy LABOUR that thou art LABOURING at UNDER THE SUN” (Ecclesiastes 9:9, YLT)

So, the LABOUR referred to which CANNOT be Done in SHEOL —-> is “for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10,YLT) —–> refers to this LABOUR only as consecutive verses (context for the TOPIC in concern) proves —-> “All that thy hand findeth to do, with thy power do” (Ecclesiastes 9:10,YLT) —> which Proves an earthly context only and NOT the afterlife context at all —-> as evidenced by the phrase UNDER THE SUN (as the Sun does not shine in the Dark afterlife regions of SHEOL, which are NOT described in these verses but others) —-> as the phrase “even of thy labour that thou art labouring at under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:9, YLT) means.

Yes.

 

 

Regarding the ‘life destination of man’ in these verses:

So far, in Ecclesiastes 9:9 – 10, the phrase “See LIFE … LIFE of THY VANITY, that He hath GIVEN to thee UNDER THE SUN, … for it [is] THY PORTION in LIFE, … in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.” (Ecclesiastes 9:9 – 10, YLT) speak of this transition:

LIFE —> LIFE of THY VANITY —> GIVEN to thee UNDER THE SUN  (on earth) —> THY PORTION in LIFE —> in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.

 

 

A Brief Conclusion

1. Which LABOUR cannot be done in Sheol?

“for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10,YLT)

2. Does the LABOUR above which cannot be done in Sheol speak of an afterlife labour or an earthly one in comparison?

In other words does the “work, device, knowledge and wisdom” mentioned is the ones ‘belonging to the earth or afterlife or both’ in verse above?

The ‘work, device, knowledge and wisdom’ which pertain to the EARTH ONLY (i.e. those that are found UNDER the SUN “only”) as it is evidenced by the phrase “LABOURING … UNDER the SUN … thy power DO” (Ecclesiastes 9:9 – 10, YLT) of which the exhortation is to DO these since one cannot do these LABOURS anymore after they die.

Here is a New Testament Verse which proves that these LABOURS which are DONE prior to death (“under the sun” on earth) follows the DEAD too:

 

“And I heard a voice out of the heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Happy are THE DEAD who in the Lord are dying from this time!’ ‘Yes, (saith the Spirit,) That they may REST from their LABOURS — and their WORKS do follow them!’” (Revelation 14:13, YLT)

 

Emphasis:

“Happy are THE DEAD …  from this time!’ … they may REST from their LABOURS — and their WORKS do follow them!’” (Revelation 14:13, YLT)

 

Further emphasis:

 

“Happy are THE DEAD … their LABOURS — and their WORKS … do follow them ‘” (Revelation 14:13, YLT)

So, the LABOUR in Revelation 14:13 is different from the previous labours as it refers to a specific time where it is highlighted to be special probably because to do a labour at that time whilst dying for the Lord would be difficult indeed.

 

Yes, the LABOUR in Revelation 14:13 refers to believers among “those keeping the commands of God, and the Faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, YLT) who stay obedient during a difficult time when those  “who are bowing before the beast and his image, also if any doth receive the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:11, YLT) end up being JUDGED Strongly as it is described in Revelation 14:9 – 11.

 

My point in quoting that verse is to show that the LABOUR refers to EARTHLY LABOURS which are done ‘under the Sun’ ONLY and the DEAD cannot add anymore labours in the afterlife.

 

3. Do the verses in Ecclesiastes 9:3 – 6 and Ecclesiastes 9:9 – 10 speak of an afterlife context?

No. That’s why people use this verse to ‘interpret the afterlife’ end up ‘claiming that there is NO afterlife’. Can you see the fallacy here?

In other words, by using these verses which do NOT describe the afterlife details at all, such scholars claim that there is NO afterlife consciousness. How can one use a verse which does NOT Speak of afterlife consciousness (such as these verses) and then use it to prove that there is NO afterlife consciousness? See the absurdity?

Combining the facts above with regards to the ‘life destination of man’ in those verses, we arrived at the following two facts:

 

Sons of MEN —> LIVE —> AFTER THAT —> they go to THE DEAD. [using Ecclesiastes 9:3 – 6]

and

 

LIFE —> LIFE of THY VANITY —> GIVEN to thee UNDER THE SUN  (on earth) —> THY PORTION in LIFE —> in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING. [using Ecclesiastes 9:9 – 10]

 

So at we arrive at the following with regards to the context of the ‘destination of man’ in Ecclesiastes 9 using these verses:

 

Sons of MEN —> LIVE —> LIFE —> LIFE of THY VANITY —> GIVEN to thee UNDER THE SUN  (on earth) —> THY PORTION in LIFE —> AFTER THAT —> they go to THE DEAD —> in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.

 

So, at most, we can infer that the DEAD arrive at the MOUTH of SHEOL only using these verses which provide NO other description regarding ‘what comes next’. To know this part, we will discuss it in the DEEPER part next with ‘other verses’ which ‘describe this part’.

Why?

 

Fact is, to prove afterlife consciousness, one has to use Verses which ‘Speak of afterlife consciousness’ (e.g. 1 Peter 3:18 – 20, Luke 16:19 – 31) to prove that. The Parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11 – 32) speak of an earthly description (with NO mention of HADES for example as opposed to the Rich Man and Lazarus description in Luke 16:19 – 32 – can you see the difference?) and thus these are DIFFERENT LITERALLY.

Here’s a fact which we will discuss in detail later:

The LITERAL meaning of the description of the ‘Rich man and Lazarus’ (Luke 16:19 – 31) points to the DEAD being CONSCIOUS in their SOUL where the ALLEGORICAL description of the ‘Rich man and Lazarus’ (Luke 16:19 – 31) points to the JEW vs GENTILE abundance vs scarcity with regards to the Word of God (i.e. the Law and Prophets). BOTH could be TRUE.

Similarly, the LITERAL meaning in the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ (Luke 16:19 – 32) speaks of a father ‘regaining his son on earth due to repentance’ as he was ‘dead in sins’ (spiritually) and is now ‘alive’ (spiritually, being free from sin). Also, the ALLEGORICAL description of the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ (Luke 16:19 – 32) Speaks of a son who has ‘died and gone to HELL’ and then returns ‘ALIVE’ back Home in Heaven being Welcomed by the Father. Here too, BOTH could be TRUE.

Being a LITERALIST, I take it as follows: The LITERAL meaning of the description of the ‘Rich man and Lazarus’ (Luke 16:19 – 31) points to the DEAD being CONSCIOUS in their SOUL and I also accept that the LITERAL meaning in the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ (Luke 16:19 – 32) which speaks of a father ‘regaining his son on earth due to repentance’ as he was ‘dead in sins’ (spiritually) and is now ‘alive’ (spiritually, being free from sin).

 

Hence I am open to the ‘possibility’ that BOTH the LITERAL and ALLEGORICAL interpretation for these passages may be TRUE but NOT that ‘only’ the allegorical interpretation ‘must be true’ – can you see the difference? Since I like to stick to it as it is WRITTEN, I certainly accept the LITERAL interpretation without question as TRUE REGARDLESS and the allegorical one as a ‘possibility only’. There is NO way that I would accept ‘only the allegorical to be true’ by claiming that the LITERAL is wrong simply because it plainly contradicts what is ACTUALLY WRITTEN by ‘doing so’. In keeping the ‘allegorical’ as a ‘possibility’ (I do not cut-off men who claim to have been given this interpretation by God, being ‘rational’ as this is ‘possible but not certain as men can err’) but I also do NOT accept that ‘only the allegorical interpretation is true’ simply because the ALLEGORICAL is that which that is NOT WRITTEN directly in Scripture (and Holy Scripture CANNOT ERR though our translations or man made interpretations may).

 

Thus we see that “The whole [is] as to the whole; one event is to the righteous and to the wicked” (Ecclesiastes 9:2, YLT) —> refers to the ONE EVENT —-> that both the righteous and the wicked go to THE DEAD as the next verse describes  —> “sons of man … during their life, … after it — unto the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:3, YLT) —> which is described only to the MOUTH (Entrance, Door) of SHEOL only which is seen by the consecutive phrases “unto the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:3, YLT) followed by “in SHEOL whither THOU ARE GOING.” (Ecclesiastes 9:9 – 10, YLT).

 

This Chapter (Ecclesiastes 9) does NOT go beyond the Mouth of SHEOL in its description meaning that the ONE EVENT which happens to both the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 9:2) is that both end up DEAD (Ecclesiastes 9:3) and thereafter they go into SHEOL (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

 

To understand what happens when the dead (Ecclesiastes 9:2) enters into SHEOL (Ecclesiastes 9:10), we need to look at other Verses in Scripture since truth is found ‘line by line’ too (in principle of Isaiah 28:10 with regards to ‘doctrine’, Isaiah 28:9).

 

 

Let’s go DEEPER:

When SHEOL/HADES is mentioned in Holy Scripture, it can refer to either the ‘afterlife punishment regions’ (where the wicked go) or the ‘blessed regions’ (where the righteous) go after being ‘dead’ on earth.

So, when the Bible mentions SHEOL/HADES in the Old Testament, it could refer to either which can be determined by context based on whether it speaks of the wicked/righteous in that verse.

(i) Why would the righteous also be said to go into SHEOL as seen as the ONE EVENT after they die (which is seen from Ecclesiastes 9:2, 3, 10)?

a) Fact 1: The souls of the Wicked go to SHEOL but thereafter are bound to DEATH & end up suffering in these afterlife regions.

Please note the phrase ‘DEATH AFFLICTS THEM’ in verse below [or ‘being in torments, in Luke 16:23’] and that they are CONSUMED where they remain alive [agreeing to the phrase “in HADES” in Luke 16:23]:

“As sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, DEATH doth AFFLICT them, And the upright rule over them in the morning, And their form [is] for consumption. Sheol [is] a dwelling for him.” (Psalm 49:14, YLT)

Please note that if these wicked ones are NOT alive (but unconscious) in SHEOL, then the phrase ‘DEATH doth AFFLICT them’ does NOT make sense since AFFLICTION only works upon ‘something which is alive that is tormented’. The phrase “their form [is] for consumption” refers to the ‘dead body or corpse’ which will be CONSUMED (cease to exist).

 

Please note that “they” [the wicked’s SOUL with SPIRIT] is being referred to here which is distinct from “their form” [BODY, lifeless corpse] which is set for “consumption” (destroyed).

 

Yes, “they” [the wicked’s SOUL with SPIRIT] —-> are AFLLICTED by DEATH —> which proves that they are being TORMENTED in HADES (agreeing to Luke 16:23) —> toward “them” [the wicked’s SOUL with SPIRIT].

 

 

A New Testament Verse agreeing to it LITERALLY (describing details):

 

“and the RICH MAN also DIED, and was BURIED; and in the HADES having lifted up his eyes, being in TORMENTS, he doth see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:22 – 23, YLT)

 

 

1. b) Fact 2: The SOULS of the Righteous go to SHEOL but thereafter are immediately RANSOMED out by God

   “Only, God doth RANSOM my SOUL from the hand of SHEOL, For He doth receive me. Selah” (Psalm 49:15, YLT)

 

A New Testament Verse agreeing to this LITERALLY too (described further):

 

“And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and that he was carried away by the messengers to the bosom of Abraham” (Luke 16:22, YLT)

 

Yes, the verse above proves that those who are RANSOMED by God end up going to the blessed regions (e.g. the bosom of Abraham). Please note the words RICH MAN —>  DIED —>  BURIED —> in the HADES —> being in TORMENTS in ‘order’ too agreeing to what was describe earlier.

 

Emphasis for Clarity, please consider:

 

RICH MAN [body + soul + spirit] —> [body] DIED —> [body sleeps till consumed/destroyed] BURIED —> [soul with spirit] in the HADES —> [soul with spirit] being in TORMENTS.

 

Please note that “body, soul and spirit” are different though these may have ‘overlaps’ as it is described DISTINCTLY where EACH is MENTIONED SEPARATELY in the New Testament Verse below revealing this (quoted here to show this distinction):

 

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NASB)

 

Before you accuse me of ‘adding’ that the SOUL of the wicked (or the word ‘SOUL” does not exist in Psalm 49:14 above), please consider the content of consecutive verses SOLVING this problem IRRETUTABLY as follows:

 

“As sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, DEATH doth AFFLICT them, And the upright rule over them in the morning, And their form [is] for consumption. Sheol [is] a dwelling for him. Only, God doth RANSOM my SOUL from the hand of SHEOL, For He doth receive me. Selah” (Psalm 49:14 – 15, YLT)

 

Please note that the word SOUL exists in Psalm 49:15 and it is ransomed from the hand of Sheol (for the righteous) by God and thus in simple comparison, the SOUL of the wicked is NOT ransomed yet from the hand of Sheol and this torment toward “them” (whilst being alive in their soul at Sheol) is described in Psalm 49:14 as detailed above. Yes the words “they” (or “their” referring to the wicked) in Psalm 49:14 refers to the ‘SOUL of the WICKED’ as the phrase “my SOUL” refers to the ‘SOUL of the RIGHTEOUS’ in Psalm 49:15 in this ‘simple comparison’ with regards to the SAME Topic of whether one is ‘ransomed or not ransomed’ by God from SHEOL as the context of consecutive verses above clearly prove irrefutably as it is WRITTEN.

Regarding BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT it may be understood that:

 

A man consists of a BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

 

ONE EVENT happens to both the RIGHTEOUS and the WICKED (Ecclesiastes 9:2) which is both become DEAD (Ecclesiastes 9:3) and GO INTO SHEOL (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

 

The BODY or ‘their form’ sleeps at death and is eventually consumed/destroyed (e.g. the phrase “their form [is] for consumption” in Psalm 49:14 – YLT).

 

Yes, the BODY cannot enter into SHEOL but at most, the bones are scattered at the MOUTH of SHEOL (e.g. the phrase “Our bones have been scattered at the MOUTH of SHEOL”, Psalm 141:7 – NASB). Please note that the phrase MOUTH itself indicates an ENTRANCE or DOOR into SHEOL (or into the land of Darkness where the ‘sun does not shine’, which refers to the Mystery of the ‘SHADOW of DEATH’):

 

“Have the Gates of Death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the DOORS of the SHADOW of DEATH?” – God Asks? (Job 38:17, KJV)

 

So upon entering into the MOUTH of SHEOL (Psalm 141:7), the following happens:

1).  Righteous SOULS

The SOULS of the RIGHTEOUS are RANSOMED out from the MOUTH of SHEOL itself (Psalm 49:15) and are not affected by the land of SHADOW of DEATH (Psalm 23:4).

 

Yes, king David says infamously that he will not fear this dwelling place of the Dragons (Psalm 44:19) at the land of the SHADOW of DEATH because God is with him (the righteous, Psalm 23:4) where one can ONLY enter into this land of the SHADOW of DEATH upon ‘death on earth’ (Job 10:19) way past the Mouth of Sheol (Psalm 141:7) with their SOULS (Psalm 49:14 – 15), yes going into Sheol first (Ecclesiastes 9:10) and beyond Sheol into the land of Darkness and of the SHADOW of DEATH & not return (Job 10:21) where this land is not in this dimension but a spiritual one where it is ‘not under the sun’ but in the SHADOW of DEATH where even ‘the light is DARKNESS’ (Job 10:22) as it is Written.

 

The Hebrew Word in Psalm 44:19 is NOT Jackals (as most translations err by looking at it ‘figuratively’) but is LITERALLY “Dragons only” as it is translated correctly by both the KJV and YLT. Here’s a little elaboration on this:

 

The Hebrew word “tannin” in Psalm 44:19  refers serpent, dragon, sea monster which are all the names for SATAN LITERALLY since for example:

 

SATAN is called the dragon, serpent and devil (in Revelation 12:9).

SATAN is called the “leviathan” (sea monster), serpent and dragon (in Isaiah 27:1).

SATAN is not alone but there are more than one SATAN as CHRIST remarked in Mark 3:26 and Matthew 12:26.

 

If SATAN is just a ‘figurative’ word, these verses make no sense and are best ‘not written’ since what’s the point of writing a ‘figure of speech’ when discussing SERIOUS Statements even in using ‘imaginary creatures which don’t exist as you claim’?

 

Think of it like this: Why would God use the description of ‘imaginary creatures which don’t exist’ (if Satan doesn’t exist as you claim) to describe Biblical Truths? Even for an ALLEGORICAL interpretation or a PARABOLIC one, one must use SOMETHING which EXISTS to describe an ANALOGY toward SOMETHING ELSE which EXISTS too. It doesn’t make ANY SENSE otherwise. Can you see it?

So, by claiming a ‘figure of speech’ excuse, some have MISSED these DEEP Biblical Truths regarding the DARK SAYINGS of OLD (Psalm 78:2, Matthew 13:35):

“I will open My Mouth in a Parable: I will utter DARK Sayings of Old:” – God Speaks in (Psalm 78:2, KJV)

For example, the words of CHRIST (in Mark 3:26, Matthew 12:26) Proves that there is more than one SATAN (or Dragon) making sense of the PLURAL DRAGONS in their Dwelling Place in the Land of the SHADOW of DEATH (a spiritual realm) as it is mentioned in Psalm 44:19 LITERALLY. Can we see it or are we going to miss this DEEP Biblical Truth too?

(ii) Is there a verse describing the afterlife punishments in SHEOL from the Old Testament?

Here’s with a Verse describing HELL (which refers to the afterlife punishment regions of SHEOL/HADES) with regards to PAIN (the ‘unconscious dead cannot feel pain’ contradicting this):

“The sorrows of Death compassed me, and the PAINS of HELL gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” (Psalm 116:3, KJV)

 

Here’s a verse describing the FIRES of HELL (SHEOL/HADES) into the DEPTHS too:

 

“For a FIRE is kindled in Mine Anger, and shall BURN unto the LOWEST HELL, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on FIRE the foundations of the mountains.” – God (Deuteronomy 32:22, KJV)

God’s FIRE is SPIRITUAL as it BURNS in the afterlife. The FIRE in Deuteronomy 32:22 may refer to 2 Peter 3:10 when it FULLY BURNS in the Day of the LORD when it is revealed.

(iii) Are there verses which describes a DIFFERENCE between SHEOL and the GRAVE in the Old Testament?

 

Here’s an example:

 

“For my SOUL hath been full of evils, And my LIFE hath come to SHEOL … Among the DEAD — free, As pierced ones lying in the GRAVE … Thou hast put me in the LOWEST PIT, In DARK places, in DEPTHS” (Psalm 88:4 – 6, YLT)

 

Please note that the SOUL goes in LIFE into SHEOL as where their DEAD BODIES lie in the GRAVE whilst their ‘SOUL in LIFE’ (being ALIVE) advances into the LOWEST PIT even the DARK DEPTHS (e. g. understood to be places in the Land of the SHADOW of DEATH).

 

In verses above the word SHEOL in Hebrew is different from the word GRAVE in Hebrew too as these occur in couplet of verses above proving that a different meaning is intended when each is used separately namely that SHEOL is used to describe the SOUL (with SPIRIT) of the DEAD going into the afterlife regions while GRAVE is used to describe the BODY of the DEAD which is ‘their form’ that lies to be consumed/destroyed there eventually.

 

 

Mystery of the Resurrection

Let’s recall first that:

 

A man consists of a BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT (1 Thessalonians 5:23, each distinctly mentioned in this verse proving DIFFERENCE though with some overlaps, maybe).

 

What is the SAME FATE which happens to ALL (man and beast)?

“For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.  All go unto ONE PLACE; all are of the dust, and ALL TURN to DUST AGAIN” (Ecclesiastes 3:19 – 20, KJV)

Please note carefully that the same fate that befalls both MAN and BEAST is that “All go unto ONE PLACE” which is explained thereafter as “ALL TURN to DUST AGAIN” in Verses above as it is Written. Can you see it? This means that MAN and BEAST are equal with respect to the DEAD BODIES returning to DUST AGAIN (the Earth).

Only after exclaiming that equality does the Preacher then contemplate as to whether MAN and BEAST are different with respect to their SPIRITS (as the context of consecutive verses reveal) in Verses below:

 

“Who knoweth the SPIRIT of MAN that goeth UPWARD, and the SPIRIT of BEAST that goeth DOWNWARD to the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:21, KJV)

 

It is left as a question with ‘no Scriptural answer’ and I will leave it as thus too. Ecclesiastes 3:19 – 20 clearly proves that only the BODY SLEEPS in the DUST of the EARTH during DEATH which is the SAME fate for ‘MAN and BEAST’ while the next Verse (in Context), Ecclesiastes 3:21 mentions that the SPIRIT (proving consciousness after death here too) of the MAN and BEAST may have different fates as one may go UPWARD while the other DOWNWARD as the Preacher contemplated. So, these set of Verses in NO way prove the false-teaching of SOUL-SLEEPING after death in any way.

What is the ONE EVENT that happens to both the righteous and the wicked?

 

ONE EVENT happens to both the RIGHTEOUS and the WICKED (Ecclesiastes 9:2) which is both become DEAD (Ecclesiastes 9:3) and GO INTO SHEOL (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

 

The BODY or ‘their form’ sleeps at death and is eventually consumed/destroyed (e.g. the phrase “their form [is] for consumption” in Psalm 49:14 – YLT). So, the DEAD refers to the BODY rotting in the GRAVE while their SOUL (with SPIRIT) going into SHEOL and beyond for Judgment (for the Wicked) while toward Life in a Place of Comfort (for the Righteous) in the AFTERLIFE – [Luke 16:19 – 31, Psalm 49:14 – 15].

 

Do also notice that when the word SOUL is used, it refers to the SPIRIT also but when the word SPIRIT is used it may not necessarily include the SOUL as the SPIRIT can exist without the SOUL but not vice versa. This is clearly seen in that though the BODY and SOUL ONLY are Destroyed in HELL (Matthew 10:28), their SPIRIT will live to God (as 1 Peter 4:6 points toward the DEAD too post afterlife-Judgment in regards to this too).

 

The SPIRIT is then given a SPIRITUAL BODY (1 Corinthians 15:44) during its Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:21) which includes this HOPE too for the WICKED too (Acts 24:15) making sense that ALL (men) who DIE in Adam will be MADE ALIVE in this Way in the CONTEXT the SAME Topic , which is the Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:21) which is also referred to as the HOPE beyond this life (1 Corinthians 15:19) as the context of Consecutive verses primarily quoted here prove ‘clearly’ as it is Written where CHRIST is the FIRST (1 Corinthians 15:20).

 

So when the DEAD is referred to, we must read it in context as to whether that Verse is Speaking of the BODY or SOUL or the SPIRIT of the DEAD in order to get the accurate understanding regarding this.

For example, wherever the word SLEEPS occurs in Scripture with regards to the DEAD, it refers to the BODY or ‘the form only’ which SLEEPS at Death till it is consumed/destroyed (Psalm 49:14).

 

So, when Christ says that the girl “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” (Matthew 9:24, BLB), we can understand that her BODY is ASLEEP and she is NOT DEAD in that her SOUL is ALIVE and Christ Raises her up to life on earth where the SOUL returns to the DEAD BODY which was ASLEEP making it ALIVE again!

 

In the case of Lazarus, Christ refers to the DEATH of Lazarus as a SLEEP (in John 11:11) which is explained by Scripture to mean “Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He speaks of the rest of sleep.” (John 11:12, BLB).

 

So Lazarus’ DEAD BODY has been in the TOMB for four days (John 11:38). But yet CHRIST Raises him up to life (John 11:43) Proving again that the Raising Up (or the Resurrection of Lazarus refers to the SOUL with the SPIRIT returning with a BODY) as He Himself hints on this Demonstration regarding He HIMSELF being the RESURRECTION (in the Infamous John 11:25 Verse).

 

 

Why did CHRIST use the word SLEEP to mean DEAD (John 11:11, Matthew 9:24)?

 

At that time, there were some Jews (such as the Sadducee) who did NOT believe in the Resurrection or in an angel or even in a spirit (Acts 23:8) who might have argued similarly that the word ‘DEAD’ means DEAD and that it means ‘no more afterlife’ pointing to the ‘body which was DEAD’.

 

Thus CHRIST refers to be BODILY DEAD as being in a SLEEP meaning that ‘they are not fully dead’ but their SOUL (with its SPIRIT) like a DREAM goes into SHEOL as the analogy of sleep implies too literally. A set of Verses:

 

“So David SLEPT with his fathers, and was BURIED in the city of David.” (1 Kings 2:10, KJV)

 

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both DEAD and BURIED, and his SEPULCHRE is with us unto this day.” (Acts 2:29, KJV)

 

“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on SLEEP, and was LAID UNTO his fathers, and SAW CORRUPTION:” (Acts 13:36, KJV)

Please note that the Verses quoted above Speak in regards to ‘king David being DEAD’ (Acts 2:29) in the sense of SLEEPING (1 King 2:10, Acts 13:36) —> which refers to his DEAD BODY being BURIED (Acts 2:29) and seeing the CORRUPTION of DECAY (Acts 13:36) as Claimed.

 

Meaning of “LAID UNTO his fathers” (Acts 13:36) = BURIED (Acts 2:29, 1 Kings 2:10)

 

On the other hand, Christ said an equivalent to he/she is “NOT DEAD but SLEEPING” (e.g. Matthew 9:24,  John 11:13, Luke 8:52 – 53). Did you notice this subtle DIFFERENCE? Here it is again:

 

About David —> it is Written that he is “DEAD and SLEEPING”

 

Christ Said —> that he/she is “NOT DEAD but SLEEPING”

 

Interesting, right? What’s the Difference? Accuracy, simply because:

 

“DEAD and SLEEPING” = SOUL with SPIRIT is OUT and will NOT return to the BODY

 

“NOT DEAD but SLEEPING” = SOUL with SPIRIT is OUT but WILL return to the BODY

Simply because in the latter case of “NOT DEAD but SLEEPING” —> when CHRIST awoke them from this SLEEP —-> the SPIRIT (with its SOUL) returned to the BODY and in each case of this quote, the formerly DEAD rose to ‘live on the earth’ again. Can you see it now as it is Written?

 

 

Yes, the BIBLE Literally gives this Definition as it is Quoted below:

 

So, the ONLY meaning of “she is not dead, but sleepeth.” (Luke 8:52, KJV) in the Biblical context of “knowing that she was dead” (Luke 8:53, KJV) is in the CONTEXT of her SPIRIT having left the body as when He called her back by saying ARISE (Luke 8:54, KJV), it is Written that “And her spirit came again” (Luke 8:55, KJV) and she came back alive one earth.

 

Can you see it? Nowhere does the phrase “she is not dead, but sleepeth” (in Luke 8:52) teaches the FALSE TEACHING of SOUL SLEEPING. This is PROVEN IRREFUTABLY in this rarely recorded real life example in the Bible (making it IRREFUTABLE) by the phrase “And her spirit came again” (Luke 8:55, KJV) which IMPLIES clearly that her SPIRIT (with her SOUL) was NOT SLEEPING but was out wandering (consciously) and ONLY RETURNED (yes the phrase “came again”, —> signifying a movement by her spirit as it is implied in Luke 8:55 – KJV which means that her SPIRIT was NOT SLEEPING in her BODY) after He called for her to ARISE (Luke 8:54, KJV).

In an analogy drawn in James 2:26, the phrase “For as the body without the spirit is dead” (KJV) agrees to all these in that the BODY is WITHOUT the SPIRIT when DEAD meaning that there SPIRIT is NOT SLEEPING in the BODY. The SOUL cannot be SLEEPING in the BODY simply because the mention of SOUL (includes the SPIRIT) itself because without the SPIRIT there is NO life for the SOUL (crudely put).

 

The usual idea of attaching the SPIRIT as a breath which immediately returns to God is false. The SPIRIT will return to God but NOT IMMEDIATELY. How? Please consider these Verses carefully to understand this detail correctly:

 

1. a) The SPIRIT leaves the BODY at DEATH

 

“His SPIRIT departs, HE RETURNS to the EARTH; In that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psalm 146:4, NASB)

 

“For as the BODY WITHOUT the SPIRIT is DEAD …” (James 2:26, KJV)

 

“then the DUST will RETURN to the EARTH as it was, ….” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, NASB)

 

“You hide Your face, they are dismayed; You take away THEIR SPIRIT, they expire And RETURN to THEIR DUST.” (Psalm 104:29, NASB)

Please note that “he” (or the BODY, or the DUST) RETURNS to the EARTH being a DEAD BODY when the SPIRIT leaves the BODY. Neither the SOUL nor the SPIRIT is mentioned to ‘return to the earth or dust’.

 

The ‘spirit of a man’ vs the ‘spirit of a beast’ may NOT be same with respect to its ‘going place’ as mentioned as ‘upward vs downward’ respectively in verse below:

 

“Who knoweth the SPIRIT OF MAN that goeth UPWARD, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:21, KJV)

The Verse above is an unanswered question (and so I will not attempt to go beyond what Scripture says) —> but here is the crux: it clearly mentions that the SPIRIT of a MAN moving UPWARD which means that the SPIRIT of a MAN can MOVE. If a SPIRIT of a MAN can move, certainly the SOUL of a MAN can move as well (implied). An example of such a movement is mentioned in a rare case where this happened in a Vision whilst that person was living too as it is described in Verse below clearly:

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.” (2 Corinthians 12:2 – 5, NASB)

Please note that the phrase “OUT of BODY” in Verse above must refer to either that man who experienced such “visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1, NASB) —> to have been “caught up into Paradise” —> by “SOUL moving CONSCIOUSLY” or “SPIRIT moving CONSCIOUSLY” —-> or if it’s the case “in the BODY”, then it could refer to being caught up in Paradise in “BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT”.

 

Now if a SPIRIT or SOUL cannot move CONSCIOUSLY in the SPIRIT realm, apostle Paul would not have considered the “Out of BODY” possibility for such Visions or Revelations. So, it is possible but whether it happened in this way or not, we don’t know.

 

Next, let’s consider the Return of the SPIRIT to God separately for the case of the Righteous vs the Wicked which are distinct as it is explained in the considerations below:

 

1. b) SPIRIT will Return to God immediately for the Righteous

 

“… and the SPIRIT will RETURN to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, NASB)

 

The SOUL of the Righteous will be RANSOMED by God as they enter into SHEOL and thus they IMMEDIATELY Return to God

“Only, God doth RANSOM my SOUL from the hand of SHEOL, For He doth receive me. Selah” (Psalm 49:15, YLT)

 

Remember that the SOUL contains the SPIRIT and thus when the SOUL is RANSOMED back to God, being received by Him, it is INCLUSIVE of saying that the SPIRIT has returned to God too.

 

1. c) SPIRIT will Return to God but NOT immediately for the Wicked

 

Then why does Scripture Write ‘spirit returning to God’ instead of ‘soul returning to God’ in Ecclesiastes 12:7?

 

This is because for the righteous, the soul returns to God which is inclusive of his spirit returning to God because his soul contains his spirit too (together).

 

As mentioned prior, the SOUL of the Wicked is Judged in SHEOL first:

 

“For my SOUL hath been full of EVILS, And my LIFE hath come to SHEOL … Among the DEAD — free, As pierced ones lying in the GRAVE … Thou hast put me in the LOWEST PIT, In DARK places, in DEPTHS” (Psalm 88:4 – 6, YLT)

 

Please note that the DEAD part that lies In the GRAVE (a different word from SHEOL) is the DEAD BODY while the SOUL (or its LIFE part) moves on into SHEOL and is put into the LOWEST PIT, in DARK REGIONS, in DEPTHS meaning that it is placed in PUNISHMENT Regions of SHEOL.

Do note carefully that “my SOUL” which still refers to the “my LIFE” part in Verses above clearly points to ‘afterlife consciousness’ —> meaning that the SOUL is ALIVE and not asleep or unconscious or dead —-> where the DEAD part lying in the GRAVE refers to that same EVIL person’s DEAD BODY —-> and the ‘LIFE-part’ of the SOUL (signifying what remains of ‘his life’ which is ‘his soul’) —-> the “me” being referred to next —-> is put in the LOWEST PIT, in DARK Places, in DEPTHS —-> meaning that all that remains of his LIFE of this EVIL person is his SOUL which has come into SHEOL and went further into the LOWEST PIT in DARK PLACES, in DEPTHS whilst the part of him which is ‘DEAD on earth, i.e. his lifeless BODY’ lies in the GRAVE —> as this Psalm PROPHETICALLY means with regards to the Wicked (please note the words SOUL and the phrase ‘full of EVILS’ to realise this). A psalmist is clearly describing ‘what the fate of the wicked is in the afterlife PROPHETICALLY’ in these Verses.

 

 

The Case for the Wicked being punished first in the afterlife punishment regions of HADES (SHEOL) is clearly seen in the Rich Man and Lazarus depiction too (Luke 16:19 – 31) agreeing to all this in that this SOUL is CONSCIOUSLY TORMENTED in a SPIRITUAL afterlife-FIRE too.

 

Yes, for the wicked, their soul does NOT return to God but is DESTROYED first in the fiery Garbage-Dump-Gehenna Regions in the afterlife at SHEOL as it is described here during their Judgment:

 

“And be not afraid of those killing the body, and are not able to kill the soul, but fear rather Him Who is able both SOUL and BODY to DESTROY in GEHENNA.” (Matthew 10:28, YLT)

 

 

Since the SOUL includes its binding with its SPIRIT though each being distinct as each is mentioned ‘separately’ in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 clearly  —-> does it mean that the SPIRIT of the WICKED is DESTROYED together in Gehenna with the SOUL (being attached to it) as popularly claimed?

 

NO! How do we know this? Please consider two verses (next) directly implying this:

 

“in which also HAVING GONE, He PREACHED to the SPIRITS IN PRISON at one time having DISOBEYED, when the longsuffering of God was waiting in the DAYS of NOAH, … “ (1 Peter 3:19 – 20, BLB)

 

“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.” (1 Peter 4:6, BLB)

 

Do note carefully that these SPIRITS IN PRISON from the DAYS of NOAH did NOT return to God Immediately (Ecclesiastes 12:7) —> but this was possible only after Christ Came and Preached the Gospel to them for the Purpose that they might be Saved as implied by the phrase that “they might LIVE in the SPIRIT according to God” after “they might be JUDGED indeed according to men in the flesh” (in the afterlife prisons, implied).

 

After these Wicked SOULS were cast into Gehenna (implied, Matthew 10:28) in the afterlife —-> in the age-during fire regions (Matthew 18:8, Mark 9:48) —-> these SPIRITS in PRISON from the time of Noah are highlighted to be the first to hear the Gospel —> as Christ Preached to them —> so that even though they were Judged in the flesh for the deeds of the flesh in which they sinned prior —> these end up “LIVING in the SPIRIT according to God” (1 Peter 4:6) —-> as the END Result of afterlife Judgment when His MERCY Triumphs Over (and ENDS that Sentence, be it the eternal hell sentence even, James 2:13) —–> and these “SPIRITS in PRISON from the time of Noah” (1 Peter 3:19 – 20) as part of the DEAD which heard the Gospel, end up “LIVING in the SPIRIT according to God” (1 Peter 4:6) —> is how the SPIRIT of the WICKED Returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

 

 

We know that this Process of the ‘SPIRIT of the formerly Wicked finally living to God’ post afterlife Judgment (1 Peter 4:6) is true beyond the ‘spirits in prison’ from the time of Noah (1 Peter 3:18 – 20) simply because it is applied in the GENERAL afterlife JUDGMENT of both the living and the DEAD as mentioned first in 1 Peter 4:5.

 

In other words, the DEAD in both 1 Peter 4:5 and 1 Peter 4:6 are the SAME DEAD (as described in consecutive Verses) which consist of anyone who is JUDGED by CHRIST which points to the Wicked since believers do NOT come under any afterlife Judgment (John 5:24) and believers certainly know the Gospel these two conditions itself points to the fact that believers CANNOT be the DEAD referred to in 1 Peter 4:6 as some exegesis err so easily.

Please note that the ‘spiritually dead’ referring to believers primarily is mentioned in 1 Peter 4:1 – 3, and then in 1 Peter 4:4, apostle Peter begins to point to the WICKED who “malign you” (NASB) —> “who” will be required to be accountable to God for it Who is Ready to Judge the Living and the DEAD (1 Peter 4:5) —> and 1 Peter 4:6 details out this Judgment toward the DEAD (which could include that WICKED who ‘maligned you prior’) in that he too will hear the Gospel preached in the afterlife, get himself JUDGED in the afterlife Judgment and only thereafter, ‘live also to God in his spirit.

 

 

Thus the Resurrection of the DEAD means the following for each case below:

 

 

(1). Some Righteous never SLEEP

 

“lo, I tell you a SECRET; we indeed shall NOT ALL SLEEP, and we ALL shall be CHANGED;” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:51, YLT)

The phrase NEVER SLEEP as we have discussed earlier refers to the case where one NEVER DIES on earth.

 

Yes, the others (righteous and wicked) who SLEEP FIRST, refers to the cases where one DIES on EARTH and following this, one’s (SOUL with SPIRIT) gets SEPARATED from the BODY – and the BODY rots and perishes. The SOUL of the righteous will be RANSOMED by God (Psalm 49:15) from SHEOL and they go the Blessed Abodes (e.g. Abraham’s Bosom, Luke 16:22 or Paradise, Luke 23:43).

Two examples of the righteous who ‘never slept’ are Enoch and Elijah. The Resurrection of the Dead toward ‘these righteous who never SLEEP’ is thus that they get CHANGED (or Transformed) into the Glorious SPIRITUAL BODY accordingly at its own time.

 

With Verses attached:

 

The Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22, Acts 24:15) toward ‘these righteous who never SLEEP’ (1 Corinthians 15:51 in principle of John 21:22 too) is thus that they get CHANGED (or Transformed) into the Glorious SPIRITUAL BODY (1 Corinthians 15:44) accordingly at its own time.

 

 

(2). Some Righteous SLEEP

 

The Righteous who SLEEP first means that they ‘die on earth first’ and upon death, their BODY SLEEPS in the Ground till it ROTS while their SOUL (with their SPIRIT) is taken to the abode of the Righteous (e.g. Abraham’s Bosom, Luke 16:22 or Paradise, Luke 23:43).

Christ’s RESURRECTION is of this type since His Body DIED first (and He was Made ALIVE in the SPIRIT, 1 Peter 3:18) but His BODY never SAW the DECAY or CORRUPTION as it SLEPT being CHANGED only, [according to the Mystery in 1 Corinthians 15:51 too with regards to CHANGE] agreeing to this Mysterious Verse below Prophesied long ago too (Psalm 16:10):

 

“for You will not abandon my soul into Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see DECAY.” (Acts 2:27, BLB)

 

The first part of this Verse: “for You will not abandon my SOUL into Hades” refers to king David speaking PROPHETICALLY on behalf of any righteous who SLEEP FIRST having DIED FIRST on earth —->  and their BODY SLEEPS in the DUST of the earth –> where the phrase —-> “not abandon my SOUL into Hades” refers to the RANSOMING of their SOUL by God (Psalm 49:15) —> and these enter into the abode of the Righteous (e.g. Abraham’s Bosom, Luke 16:22 or Paradise, Luke 23:43) which EXISTED Before Christ itself —-> but later during the RESURRECTION (Daniel 12:2 also)  —> they awake with their SPIRITUAL BODY (1 Corinthians 15:44) not just being alive in the SOUL (with SPIRIT) only prior.

 

Yes, CHRIST Resurrected and was CHANGED before the DECAY of His BODY being the FIRST of the Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:20) and His Death and Resurrection makes a WAY for us all to be likewise to be RAISED in a SPIRITUAL BODY (1 Corinthians 15:44). For if Christ did not die, the Righteous only remain only a SOUL (with SPIRIT) in the Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise but with NO SPIRITUAL BODY while the Wicked remain without hope with their SOULS caught in SHEOL/HADES and DEATH. Can you understand it?

 

 

(3). All Wicked SLEEP

 

All the Wicked will SLEEP which means that their BODY or ‘their form’ will SLEEP when they die on earth till it is CONSUMED (Ecclesiastes 3:20, Psalm 49:14) while their SOUL (with its SPIRIT) goes into SHEOL (Job 10:21) to the land of the SHADOW of DEATH (Psalm 107:10) which is also dwelled by the Dragons (Satans, Psalm 44:19, Mark 3:26) as their TORTURERS (Matthew 18:34) because these ‘tortured others with no mercy first’ (Matthew 18:33) and also did NOT forgive others whilst on earth prior (Matthew 18:35) where even the ‘light is DARKNESS’ (Job 10:22) where DEATH does AFFLICT them (Psalm 49:14) causing PAIN (Psalm 116:3) in FIRE too (Deuteronomy 32:22, Luke 16:24) in HADES/SHEOL/HELL (Luke 16:23) being in SUFFERINGS (Psalm 107:12, Isaiah 3:11, Galatians 6:7) for their AFTERLIFE JUDGMENT (Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 107:11).

 

1. a) Before CHRIST there was NO HOPE for the Wicked.

“For my SOUL hath been full of EVILS, And my life hath come to SHEOL. Thou hast put me in the LOWEST PIT, In DARK places, in DEPTHS. To the DEAD dost Thou do Wonders? Do REPHAIM rise? do they thank Thee? Selah. Are Thy Wonders known in the darkness? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? Why, O Jehovah, castest Thou off my SOUL? Thou hidest Thy face from me. Over me hath Thy WRATH passed, Thy TERRORS have cut me off, ” (Psalm 88:3, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, YLT)

 

* REPHAIM = spirit;

 

“For there is NOT in DEATH Thy memorial, In SHEOL, who doth give THANKS to Thee?” (Psalm 6:5, YLT)

 

“The DEAD praise NOT Jah, Nor any going down to silence.” (Psalm 115:17, YLT)

“O Jehovah, let me not be ashamed, For I have called Thee, let the WICKED be ashamed, Let them become silent to SHEOL.” (Psalm 31:17, YLT)

 

“For SHEOL doth not confess Thee, DEATH doth not praise Thee, THOSE GOING DOWN to the pit HOPE NOT for Thy TRUTH.” (Isaiah 38:18, YLT)

 

1. b) But Since CHRIST has come, the HOPE for the Resurrection of the Dead includes the Wicked too:

 

“having a HOPE in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a RESURRECTION of BOTH the Righteous and the WICKED.  “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a BLAMELESS CONSCIENCE both before God and before men.” – apostle Paul (Acts 24:15 – 16, NASB)

 

 

 

The ancient question regarding the HOPELESSNESS for the Wicked as mentioned prior, for example there is NO giving of THANKS to Jehovah in SHEOL simply because they have ‘no reason to thank Him being lost in the SHADOW of DEATH’:

 

 

“There were THOSE who DWELT in darkness and in the SHADOW of DEATH, Prisoners in misery and chains,” (Psalm 107:10, NASB)

 

 

“For my SOUL hath been full of evils, And my life hath come to SHEOL. Thou hast put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in depths. To the DEAD dost Thou do Wonders? Do REPHAIM RISE? do they thank Thee? Selah.” (Psalm 88:3, 6, 10, YLT)

 

 

The answer to the question as to whether do the SPIRITS (Rephaim) from the SOULS of the WICKED in HELL/HADES/SHEOL (context: Psalm 88:3) who are deep places of DARKNESS (Psalm 88:6) in the land of FORGETFULNESS in the afterlife (Psalm 88:12) under PUNISHMENT (Psalm 88:7, Psalm 88:16) ever RISE? Yes, will the ‘spirits or rephaim of these wicked ever rise (have a HOPE in the Resurrection of the dead)’?

Yes. Thanks be to God in CHRIST that though these wicked have their BODY and SOUL Destroyed in GEHENNA (referring to the fiery regions of SHEOL/HADES, or Hell, Matthew 10:28), these SAME ones will ‘live to God in THEIR SPIRIT’ post-afterlife JUDGMENT (1 Peter 4:5 indicates JUDGMENT-first) having even the GOSPEL being PREACHED to them too as it is Written 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.” (1 Peter 4:5 – 6, BLB)

 

 

Please note that ‘the DEAD’ that is JUDGED (afterlife-Judgment) in both 1 Peter 4:5 and 1 Peter 4:6 (being consecutive verses above, context) is the SAME DEAD refuting the ‘false spiritually-dead FALLACY claim’ which is easily refuted here in this argument.

 

Please also note the word SOUL (which refers to the SOUL of the WICKED, in Psalm 88:3) which went into SHEOL, even into the DEPTHS of DARKNESS (Psalm 88:6) got destroyed at Gehenna, the fiery afterlife-garbage regions of HELL (Matthew 10:28) where God brings out the REPHAIM or SPIRIT of these WICKED from the SHADOW of DEATH (Psalm 107:14, Job 12:22, Daniel 2:22) —> as this HOPE in CHRIST through the GOSPEL Resounds MAJESTICALLY —> in the phrase “but they might LIVE in the SPIRIT according to God” (1 Peter 4:6. BLB).

 

The first occurrence of CHRIST’s MAJESTIC SAVING from HELL (and ‘not the only occurrence as commonly erred’) toward the ‘SPIRITS in PRISON’ from the time of Noah who were formerly disobedient is recorded in 1 Peter 3:18 – 20. Please note that the ‘SPIRITS in PRISON’ itself agrees to the suffering in the afterlife PRISONS in the land of the SHADOW of DEATH as it is mentioned in Psalm 107:10 and them being SAVED eventually by God due to HIS MERCY which Triumphs over (and ENDS any afterlife-Judgment despite a Judgment with no mercy is endured first, James 2:13 according to what one has done prior till the ‘last penny’ is endured first, Luke 12:59) is PROPHETICALLY mentioned in Psalm 107:14.

For the SPIRIT to live to God (1 Peter 4:6) post afterlife Judgment (1 Peter 4:5) till VICTORY is achieved (Matthew 12:20) where HIS MERCY Triumphs (and ends this afterlife-Judgment be it even if it’s the ‘eternal Hell sentence’), —> this afterlife-HOPE (1 Corinthians 15:19) of the Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:21) which includes the Wicked too (Acts 24:15) causes the wicked (or those who ‘broke His Commands’- prior from all Law & Prophets, Context Matthew 5:17 – 18) to also be “IN the Kingdom of the HEAVENS” eventually but ‘least’ (Matthew 5:19) having been MADE ALIVE by CHRIST (1 Corinthians 15:22) according to a SPIRITUAL BODY (1 Corinthians 15:44) which will be given accordingly (1 Corinthians 15:39 – 49) as God WILLS (1 Corinthians 15:38) being the SAVIOUR of ALL MEN (1 Timothy 2:4, John 12:32, Romans 5:18 – 19) especially believers (1 Timothy 4:10).

 

That is why we need to GIVE THANKS on BEHALF of ALL MEN (including the wicked too)  in our PRAYERS and INTERCESSIONS in this direction as God is PERFECTLY GOOD (1 Timothy 2:1).

Only after being SAVED from the land of the SHADOW of DEATH (Psalm 107:14) ending the HOPELESSNESS of the Wicked prior to CHRIST (Psalm 107:10, Psalm 88:10, Psalm 6:5, Isaiah 38:18) —> even these ‘formerly disobedient’ (example: 1 Peter 3:20) —> will GIVE THANKS to God too (Psalm 107:15). Indeed,

“He brought THEM OUT of darkness and the SHADOW of DEATH and broke their bands apart. Let THEM GIVE THANKS to the LORD for His LOVINGKINDNESS, and for His WONDERS to the SONS OF MEN!” (Psalm 107:14 – 15, NASB)

 

 

Perhaps this is part of the MARVELLOUS & GREATER Work of Raising the DEAD as even the FATHER was Doing (unknown to us, in the ‘afterlife’ because it refers to the Raising of the Dead) as CHRIST MYSTERIOUSLY Echoes in these BEAUTIFULLY HOPEFUL Verses:

“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him GREATER Works than these, so that you will MARVEL. “For just as the Father RAISES the DEAD and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He WISHES.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:20 – 21, NASB)

 

 

The Real Problem – a Figure of Speech

Example:

 

“The sorrows of Death compassed me, and the PAINS of HELL gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” (Psalm 116:3, KJV)

So, the real problem is that ‘some decide to choose that he speaks figuratively’ say in Psalm 116:3. Explanation:

The Psalmist is speaking literally in a PROPHETIC way where he ‘assumes the place of the damned’ and describes thus. To speak figuratively based on something that doesn’t exist (for example fire in Sheol or the suffering of the damned is imaginary and doesn’t make sense).

The fire in Sheol is real but it may not be like the fire on earth.

Is it REALLY a figure of speech?

If Christ describes HADES containing the place of afterlife suffering (Luke 16:19 – 31), it is real as Abraham is real too. If the HADES description in Luke 16 is based on ‘something that doesn’t exist’, it is equivalent to saying that Christ uses a NON EXISTING object such as an UNICORN to describe a real thing which is ABSURD.

In other words, even if the ‘Rich Man and Lazarus description is a Parable’, it depicts or uses REAL Objects in it and thus the depiction of HADES is REAL with reference to the objects use too.

Concerning the phrase ‘my son was dead and now alive’ —> it is REAL too in the sense that a father ‘may speak it’ —-> and in this parable of the prodigal son (it could be describing Salvation from Hell too allegorically, Luke 15:11 – 32). It is strange that those who take the ‘rich man and Lazarus description allegorically’ choose to take the ‘parable of the prodigal son literally’. Can you see it?

Now since the description of the ‘Rich Man & Lazarus’ the ‘Prodigal son’ may be thus, Christ could be revealing SECRET things (explaining why the Old Testament prophets did NOT have the DETAILS of SHEOL/HADES being DESCRIBED as thus.

 

They only ‘knew’ the existence of Sheol prior but not how this ‘unseen realm of the dead’ is in GREAT DETAIL; they have a vague description of it which is often missed in Scripture when taken to refer to earthly objects under the ‘figure of speech’ excuse).

The ‘figure of speech’ excuse is not convincing when it is applied to CHRIST Speaking thus in such a serious doctrinal matter (as opposed to men speaking it or when it is spoken in a casual conversation) and thus should not be equated when CHRIST is Speaking SERIOUSLY a FACTUAL Truth.

IF someone takes it as a ‘figure of speech’, then they will ‘miss’ this great hidden truth revealed regarding HADES/SHEOL with it. By the way, who decides that it’s a ‘figure of speech’? Men, right? I rather choose to believe CHRIST’s FACTUAL Description of it as it is Written.

Also, it is out of context to quote a figure of speech such as ‘he was dead and now alive’ (Luke 15:24) and apply it to the ‘entire description of the rich man and Lazarus’ (Luke 16:19 – 31).

By the way, the PARADISE of God existed even before CHRIST Died (Luke 23:43) and He said that the ROBBER would be with Him TODAY in PARADISE.

But wasn’t Christ 3 Days and 3 Nights in the ‘belly of the Earth’ (HADES/SHEOL) and only Ascended to the Father post-Resurrection (John 20:17) proving that the “today” in Luke 23:43 cannot literally mean today but a ‘today of the Resurrection later’?

No. It actually PROVES that HADES/SHEOL not only has regions of suffering but also a place of comfort such as Abraham’s bosom or Paradise too. In other words, CHRIST Descended into SHEOL/HADES at Death and Preached the Gospel to the lost souls in the ‘afterlife prisons’ of SHEOL/HADES (1 Peter 3:18 – 19) to SAVE them. Since SHEOL/HADES has also the compartment of the Blessed (as Abraham’s Bosom in which Lazarus was comforted as Luke 16:22 – 25 reveals), Christ must have ALSO Gone to these Regions of the Blessed in the afterlife where He was awaited for including PARADISE too where that THIEF on the Cross went here.

 

Please note that both Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise may NOT be INSIDE SHEOL/HADES but are CONNECTED to it in ‘some way’ since the SOUL Righteous go into SHEOL/HADES but are immediately RANSOMED by God (as mentioned PROPHETICALLY in Psalm 49:15) and even evidenced by the phrase “the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22, KJV). So, the arguments do hold even if Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise are NOT connected to the MOUTH/ENTRANCE/DOOR of SHEOL or HADES at all as the ‘angels’ of God could be sent to RANSOM them out from there upon death as it was with the case of the beggar Lazarus.

 

Please also note that the very fact that Christ after His DEATH —> was immediately MADE ALIVE in the spirit to preach the Gospel to the ‘spirits in prison’ (1 Peter 3:18 – 20) —> itself PROVES CONSCIOUSNESS after DEATH for both Christ (as He took the Son of Man – Form) and also the ‘spirits’ of the dead belonging to those who ‘once disbelieved/disobedient’ from the time of Noah itself (as it is clearly mentioned in these verses which describe the AFTERLIFE) —-> proving CONTEXT IRREFUTABLY here since it talks of a time when Christ wad DEAD on earth but ALIVE in the AFTERLIFE Regions (of SHEOL/HADES) even before His Resurrection —-> and if you read these Verses, it is clear that the spirits in prison which He met in the AFTERLIFE who heard the GOSPEL (proves also that they are very much CONSCIOUS after Death on earth) and can ‘understand’ and even have a change in their will to move toward being ‘disobedient/unbelieving NO more’ as the phrase such as “Which sometime were disobedient” (KJV) reveals further —> where these “spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:18, KJV) are from the “days of Noah” (1 Peter 3:19, KJV) in the AFTERLIFE Regions proving this Irrefutably.

 

Regarding the Rich Man and Lazarus or the Prodigal Son story, I repeat:

 

The LITERAL meaning of the description of the ‘Rich man and Lazarus’ (Luke 16:19 – 31) points to the DEAD being CONSCIOUS in their SOUL where the ALLEGORICAL description of the ‘Rich man and Lazarus’ (Luke 16:19 – 31) points to the JEW vs GENTILE abundance vs scarcity with regards to the Word of God (i.e. the Law and Prophets). BOTH could be TRUE.

Similarly, the LITERAL meaning in the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ (Luke 16:19 – 32) speaks of a father ‘regaining his son on earth due to repentance’ as he was ‘dead in sins’ (spiritually) and is now ‘alive’ (spiritually, being free from sin). Also, the ALLEGORICAL description of the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ (Luke 16:19 – 32) Speaks of a son who has ‘died and gone to HELL’ and then returns ‘ALIVE’ back Home in Heaven being Welcomed by the Father. Here too, BOTH could be TRUE.

Being a LITERALIST, I take it as follows: The LITERAL meaning of the description of the ‘Rich man and Lazarus’ (Luke 16:19 – 31) points to the DEAD being CONSCIOUS in their SOUL and I also accept that the LITERAL meaning in the ‘Parable of the Prodigal Son’ (Luke 16:19 – 32) which speaks of a father ‘regaining his son on earth due to repentance’ as he was ‘dead in sins’ (spiritually) and is now ‘alive’ (spiritually, being free from sin).

 

Conclusion

 

God JUDGES evil first but to END Evil (i.e. to Overcome it) —-> He TRULY Overcomes EVIL by GOOD ONLY (His Unchanging Principle):

 

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” – apostle Paul (Romans 12:21, NASB)

His Judgments are NOT evil either as He just Returns ‘one’s own evil’ (Galatians 6:7) back to them in the afterlife Judgments (Isaiah 3:11).

 

Regarding AFTERLIFE JUDGMENT:

 

“Woe to the wicked–it will go badly for them, for what they have done will be done to them.” (Isaiah 3:11, CSB)

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7, NASB)

 

What is the Purpose of God’s Judgments?

 

To LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS as the Verse below clearly Reveals (please also note the word SOUL and SPIRIT that is within a person mentioned distinctly here too):

“With my SOUL I desired Thee in the night, Also, with my SPIRIT within me I seek Thee earnestly, For when Thy JUDGMENTS are on the earth, The inhabitants of the world have LEARNED RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Isaiah 26:9, YLT)

 

 

Re – Focus – only the ALMIGHTY can DO this:

 

Please Remember that LORD JESUS CHRIST SAVES from the “SHADOW of DEATH” regions of HELL itself and will turn it into MORNING as PROPHESIED in Verse below:

“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)

So let us SEEK HIM.

 

Yes, He Will Change (TURN) the SHADOW of DEATH (the spiritual realm of DARKNESS), which is the DWELLING PLACE of DRAGONS (Psalm 44:19) into MORNING too (Amos 5:8) till the DRAGONS too will HONOUR Him as Prophesied Mysteriously in these less known Verses when seem together but only with JUDGMENT first (e.g. destroying Jerusalem first, Jeremiah 9:11).

 

Please note that the exact SAME Word in Hebrew for DRAGONS occurs in each of the quoted Verse below linking these together:

 

“Though thou hast sore broken us in the PLACE of DRAGONS, and covered us with the SHADOW of DEATH.” (Psalm 44:19, KJV)

 

“And I will make JERUSALEM HEAPS, and a den of DRAGONS; and I will make the cities of JUDAH DESOLATE, without an inhabitant.” (Jeremiah 9:11, KJV)

“The beast of the field shall HONOUR ME, the DRAGONS and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give DRINK to My people, My chosen.” (Isaiah 43:20, KJV)

 

 

Please note that even the DRAGONS will HONOUR HIM (Psalm 44:19) agreeing to the MYSTERIOUS PROPHECY (below) in that ALL CREATION (or EVERY CREATURE) will WOSHIP Him too eventually in its own ways (Philippians 2:9 – 11 too, Isaiah 45:23):

 

“and EVERY CREATURE that is in the HEAVEN, and in the EARTH, and UNDER the EARTH, and the things that are upon the SEA, and the ALL THINGS in THEM, heard I saying, ‘To HIM Who is sitting upon the throne, and to the Lamb, is the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the might — to the ages of the Ages!” (Revelation 5:13, YLT)

 

The phrase “UNDER the EARTH” (Philippians 2:10)  is often associated with HELL/HADES/SHEOL, right? It is said that even those from here will WORSHIP Him (Revelation 5:13) and confess that ‘Jesus is Lord’ (Philippians 2:9) eventually too (Philippians 2:11 – willingly, as God doesn’t Oath Fake Confessions to Himself, Isaiah 45:23) to the GLORY of God the FATHER as HE RECONCILES them each time this is DONE too (Colossians 1:16 with Colossians 1:20). Please note the phrase “UNDER the EARTH” which refers to HELL, right? as it is found in both Revelation 5:13 and Philippians 2:10 revealing this MAJESTIC UNIVERSAL TRIUMPH of LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 

To Quote:

 

“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;” Philippians 2:10 that is, angels, men, and souls that before His advent have departed from this temporal life.” – Clement of Alexandria (150 – 215 AD)

 

The phrase ‘because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert’ speaks of God RESTORATION Period POST – JUDGMENT in the LAKE of FIRE too as He MAKES ALL THINGS NEW (here’s an example of Context for Verses Speaking of this, which includes Ephraim too, remember Ephraim?):

“And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am MAKING ALL THINGS NEW.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is Done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who THIRSTS from the spring of the WATER of LIFE without cost.

 

“He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.  “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:5 – 9, NASB)

Please note the phrase the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES (in Revelation 21:9) to realize that His Wrath is Coming to END at that time in the LAKE of FIRE (Revelation 21:8) which is with the PURPOSE of making ALL THINGS NEW (Revelation 21:5, Revelation 21:1) where only the “sons inherit it” (Revelation 21:7) while the ‘others’ (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10) post Judgment in the Lake of FIRE (Revelation 21:8) may be ‘least’ in His Kingdom eventually by ‘not inheriting it’ but being ‘lesser in a significant way’ (Matthew 5:19) having called out by HIS SPIRIT and the BRIDE, His CHURCH (Revelation 21:9) toward ‘these THIRSTY ones from the Lake of Fire’ to ‘drink of the WATER of LIFE FREELY’ (Revelation 22:1) and may eventually get the ‘healing from the LEAVES of the TREE of LIFE’ (Revelation 22:2) as PROPHESIED Majestically toward this END here (Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:17, Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 21:3 – 4). Can you see it?

 

Yes, the JUDGMENT first in the LAKE of FIRE during this NEXT AGE (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:11 – 15, Revelation 22:12, Daniel 12:2) for these that do NOT inherit His Kingdom being on the OUTSIDE at this time (Revelation 22:15, 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10) as only ‘His sons’ will inherit His Kingdom (Revelation 22:14, Revelation 21:7) where a WARNING is also given in that we must be CAREFUL in interpreting the PROPHECY found in this BOOK of REVELATION in order not to be JUDGED in receiving PLAGUES or MISS his part from the TREE of LIFE (to Live to the AGE, in this AGE; Genesis 3:22) and the HOLY CITY and the things WRITTEN in this BOOK (Revelation 22:18 – 19).

 

 

“whom indeed it behooves Heaven to Receive [JESUS] until the TIMES of RESTORATION of ALL THINGS, of which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the AGE.” (Acts 3:21, BLB)

 

Yes, by the END of the NEXT AGE, ALL Israel will be SAVED together with the FULLNESS of the GENTILES (i.e. ALL Gentiles) —> i.e. ALL MEN SAVED (1 Timothy 2:4, John 12:32, Romans 5:18 – 19, 1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22) with believers being more special (1 Timothy 4:10):

 

 

“For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you may not be wise in yourselves: A hardening in PART has happened to Israel, until the FULLNESS of the GENTILES may come in.  And so ALL ISRAEL will be SAVED, as it has been WRITTEN:

 

 

“The One Delivering will come out of Zion,

He will REMOVE UNGODLINESS from JACOB.

And this is the Covenant from Me to them,

when I shall TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” (Romans 11:25 – 27, BLB)

 

 

 

“For as regards the GOSPEL, they are ENEMIES on account of you; but as REGARDS ELECTION, BELOVED on account of the patriarchs. For the GIFTS and the CALLING of God are IRREVOCABLE.” (Romans 11:28 – 29, BLB)

 

 

Yes, that’s the MEANING of God’s MERCY (Romans 9:15 – 16) toward ALL the ‘disobedient’ (BLB) and ‘unbelieving’ (KJV) too:

 

“For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown MERCY by the disobedience of these, so these also now have been disobedient for your MERCY, so that they also now may have MERCY shown THEM.  For God has bound up ALL in DISOBEDIENCE, that He may show MERCY to ALL.” (Romans 11:30 – 32, BLB)

Where in the above (Romans 11:28 – 32),

 

“you” = ‘believers’ (the remnant chosen by Grace from among the Jews and Gentile, Romans 11:5) = the ones shown MERCY first (Romans 11:30 – 31)

 

“them” = ‘the enemies of the Gospel’ (Romans 11:28) = ‘the disobedient’ (Romans 11:30 – 31)

 

“All” = “you” + “them” = ALL MEN

 

i.e.

 

“All” = “you” (believers) + “them” (enemies of the Gospel) = ALL MEN

 

Yes, He Will have MERCY on ALL as the FINAL/Last Word of JUDGMENT (Romans 11:32) as His MERCY will TRIUMPH (and END) any JUDGMENT Sentence (James 2:13) as PROMISED. The Word ‘may’ or ‘maybe’ does NOT exist in Greek in these Verses but only in the sense that ‘it will be FULFILLED eventually in its own time’ (i.e. a TESTIMONY of COMING to PASS in its OWN DIVINE TIMES for His RANSOM to be APPLIED to ALL causing ALL to be SAVED eventually):

 

“Who did give Himself a RANSOM for ALL — the TESTIMONY in its own TIMES –“ (1 Timothy 2:6, YLT)

 

“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth shall pass away, not even one iota, nor one stroke of a letter, shall pass away from the LAW, until everything should happen. Whoever then shall BREAK one of the least of THESE COMMANDMENTS and shall teach others the same, he will be called LEAST in the KINGDOM of the HEAVENS; but whoever shall keep and shall teach them, he will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:18 – 19, BLB)

 

Indeed,

 

“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.” (1 Timothy 4:10, NASB)

 

 

“ “At THAT TIME,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of ALL the families of ISRAEL, and they shall be My people.”

 

“For there will be a DAY when watchmen On the hills of EPHRAIM call out, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, To the LORD our God.’”

 

With weeping they will come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straight path in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And EPHRAIM is My firstborn.

“I have surely heard EPHRAIM grieving, ‘You have CHASTISED me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be RESTORED, For You are the LORD my God.”

(Jeremiah 31:1, 6, 9, 18 NASB)

 

Yes, afterlife Repentance too:

 

‘For after I TURNED back, I REPENTED; And after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh; I      I was ashamed and also humiliated Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’ (Jeremiah 31:19 NASB)

 

His MERCY:

 

“Is EPHRAIM My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have SPOKEN AGAINST him, I certainly still REMEMBER him; Therefore My HEART yearns for him; I will surely have MERCY on him,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:20, NASB)

 

Yes, His MERCY which TRIUMPHS and ends any afterlife Judgment Sentence (be it if it’s the eternal Hell Sentence too):

 

“For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; MERCY TRIUMPHS over JUDGMENT.” (James 2:13, NASB)

 

 

Yes, this will HAPPEN at that TIME (Jeremiah 31:1) on a DAY too (Jeremiah 31:6) when He RESTORES the Fortunes of Judah too:

 

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of ISRAEL, “Once again they will speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities when I RESTORE their fortunes, ‘The LORD bless you, O abode of righteousness, O holy hill!” (Jeremiah 31:23, NASB)

 

 

During this time of RESTORATION, when the FORTUNES of Israel & Judah are being RESTORED (Jeremiah 31:23), even the FORTUNES of SODOM who Suffered the JUDGMENT of VENGEANCE in ETERNAL FIRE (more accurately, age-during FIRE) will be RESTORED too:

 

 

 

For Judah & Israel (JUDGMENT first):

 

“And I will make JERUSALEM heaps, and a den of DRAGONS; and I will make the cities of JUDAH desolate, without an inhabitant. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with WORMWOOD, and give them water of gall to drink. For a voice of wailing is heard out of ZION, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have CAST us OUT. Behold, the DAYS COME, saith the LORD, that I will PUNISH all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised; ” (Jeremiah 9:11, 15, 19, 26, KJV)

 

“And the name of the star is called WORMWOOD: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter” (Revelation 8:11, KJV)

 

“For the PASTORS are become brutish, and have NOT sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and ALL THEIR FLOCKS shall be SCATTERED. Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of JUDAH desolate, and a den of DRAGONS. O LORD, CORRECT me, but with JUDGMENT; not in Thine Anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.” (Jeremiah 10:21 – 22, 24, KJV)

 

“so you [Jerusalem, Ezekiel 16:1] will bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you did when you comforted them [Sodom & Samaria, Ezekiel 16:53].” (Ezekiel 16:54, CSB)

 

 

Israel & Judah RESTORED later with EPHRAIM too by the end of the NEXT AGE:

 

“I have surely heard EPHRAIM grieving, ‘You have CHASTISED me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be RESTORED, For You are the LORD my God.”

(Jeremiah 31:18 NASB)

 

“Is EPHRAIM My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have SPOKEN AGAINST him, I certainly still REMEMBER him; Therefore My HEART yearns for him; I will surely have MERCY on him,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:20, NASB)

 

 

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of ISRAEL, “Once again they will speak this word in the land of JUDAH and in its cities when I RESTORE their fortunes, ‘The LORD bless you, O abode of righteousness, O holy hill!” (Jeremiah 31:23, NASB)

 

 

“… And so ALL ISRAEL will be SAVED, as it has been WRITTEN:

“The One Delivering will come out of Zion,

He will REMOVE UNGODLINESS from JACOB.

And this is the Covenant from Me to them,

when I shall TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS” (Romans 11:26 – 27, BLB)

 

 

 

ETERNAL (or more accurately age-during) FIRE of JUDGMENT on SODOM:

 

“just as SODOM and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the PUNISHMENT of ETERNAL FIRE.” (Jude 1:7, NASB)

 

 

SODOM RESTORED Post ETERNAL (or more accurately age-during) FIRE of JUDGMENT

 

SODOM will be RESTORED too with “you” [referring to FALLEN ISRAEL, Ezekiel 16:1, 59 – 63] to their FORMER STATE (i.e. before THEIR FALL in SIN, Ezekiel 16:48 – 52 understood to be toward a RESTORATION to be in a SINLESS STATE as God WILLS):

 

“I will RESTORE their fortunes, the fortunes of SODOM and her daughters and those of SAMARIA and her daughters. I will also restore your fortunes among them,” (Ezekiel 16:53, CSB)

 

“As for your sisters, SODOM and her daughters and SAMARIA and her daughters will RETURN to their FORMER STATE. YOU and your daughters will also RETURN to your FORMER STATE.” (Ezekiel 16:55, CSB)

 

To quote:

 

“The Son “breaking in pieces” His enemies is for the sake of remolding them, as a potter his own work; as Jeremiah 18;6 says: i.e., to RESTORE them once again to their FORMER STATE.” — Eusebius of Caesarea (265 to 340 A.D). Bishop of Caesarea & the ‘father of church history’

 

This is a part of the RESTORATION of ALL THINGS (and not Israel’s things only) as His holy prophets spoke from the AGE (Acts 3:21) which is seen by the example above regarding the RESTORATION of the FORTUNES of JERUSALEM (Ezekiel 16:1, Ezekiel 16:48, Ezekiel 16:51) together with SODOM and SAMARIA from their ‘sinful state & Judgment’ (Ezekiel 18:35 – 52, Jude 1:7) to being RESTORED to FORTUNE a SINLESS FORMER STATE (as God WILLS, Ezekiel 16:53, Ezekiel 16:55) which may be understood POST DAY of JUDGMENT (e.g. Matthew 11:24, Matthew 10:15, Luke 10:12, Revelation 20:11 – 15) —> as part of when He MAKES ALL THINGS NEW (Revelation 21:5) in the NEW HEAVENS and the EARTH (Revelation 21:1) toward the Direction that ALL FORMER THINGS SHALL PASS AWAY eventually by the END of that AGE as it is PROPHESIED Majestically in these quoted Verses (Revelation21:4).

 

 

‘If someone asks you what’s the point of knowing all these TRUTHS, ask them back: what’s the point of not believing and living without knowing all these truths (Proverbs 8:11)?’ – Anonymous

 

“For WISDOM is better than jewels; And ALL DESIRABLE things CANNOT COMPARE with her.” (Proverbs 8:11, NASB)

 

Why?

 

Only then we get to KNOW and UNDERSTAND GOD:

 

“But — in this let the boaster boast himself, In UNDERSTANDING and KNOWING Me, For I am JEHOVAH, doing KINDNESS, JUDGMENT, and RIGHTEOUSNESS, in the earth, For in these I have delighted, An affirmation of JEHOVAH.” (Jeremiah 9:24, YLT)

 

 

 

 

Three Ages Mystery

 

“But know this first of all, that no PROPHECY of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,” (2 Peter 1:20, NASB)

 

1). The Definition of the Three Ages

 

The phrase “ages to come” (Ephesians 2:7) proves that the next age ends and that there is at least one age to come after that. Together with the current age (which ends too, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 13:49), we have a total of at least three ages which pertain to man being SAVED with these three ages. Let’s call the current age as Age1, the next age as Age2 and the age which follows after that as Age3. Please note that it’s the SAME root Greek word (Noun/Adjective) of “Aion/Eon” or the Hebrew equivalent of “Olam or Owlam” in each occurrence where the word ‘age’ (an unknown, but usually a long limited time period with a beginning and an end) is mentioned in Holy Scripture in the quoted verses.

 

2). Will God SAVE ALL MEN within these three ages? Yes:

 

“Who will have ALL MEN to be SAVED, and to come unto the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH.” (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV)

 

“Declaring the END from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have NOT been DONE, Saying, ‘My Purpose will be established, And I will Accomplish all My good Pleasure’;” – God Speaks (in Isaiah 46:10, NASB)

 

Ever wondered what is the Sign of Jonah?

 

“But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the SIGN of JONAH the prophet;” (Matthew 12:39, NASB)

 

It refers to the SON of MAN (CHRIST) being THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS in the BELLY of the EARTH —> UNDER the EARTH = HELL (Hades/Sheol, Psalm 9:17, Revelation 6:8) with fiery punishment Regions (Luke 16:19 – 31, Deuteronomy 32:22) such as Gehenna (Mark 9:43, Mark 9:48) in the age-during fire (Matthew 18:8)  and even to the Lowest Waterless Pits (Zechariah 9:11) & afterlife Prisons (1 Peter 3:18 – 20, Luke 12:57 – 59, Psalm 107:10) there to Tartarus, the deep holding place of the apostate angels (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6, Revelation 20:1).

 

“for, as Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth THREE days and THREE nights.” (Matthew 12:40, NASB)

 

“And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish THREE days and THREE nights.” (Jonah 1:17, NASB)

 

Going Allegorical now as Christ Spoke regarding the Sign of Jonah:

 

“Our Lord descends, and was shut up in the eternal (aionion, more correctly, age-during) bars, in order that He might set free all who had been shut up… The Lord descended to the place of punishment and torment, in which was the rich man, in order to liberate the prisoners.” – St. Jerome of the Vulgate (347 – 420 AD)

 

Which is based on interpreting the Verse below allegorically as it is mentioned above:

 

“I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me FOREVER, But You have BROUGHT UP my life from the PIT, O LORD my God.” (Jonah 2:6, NASB)

 

Allegorically viewing the Verse above, God is SAVING from the “FOREVER – Pit”, i.e. He is Saving from ETERNAL Hell itself. How? His MERCY Triumphs Over (and ends) any afterlife JUDGMENT as it is mentioned clearly in James 2:13 itself.

 

If Jonah 2:6 was translated more LITERALLY:

 

“To the cuttings of mountains I have come down, The earth, her bars are behind me to the AGE. And Thou bringest up from the pit my life, O Jehovah my God.” (Jonah 2:6, YLT)

 

Allegorically viewing it (as Scripture attests to this possibility as Christ mentioned it as a SIGN of Jonah), the Result is still equivalent in that God SAVES from the age-during Hell itself as Jerome claimed too by His MERCY which Triumphs Over Judgment (James 2:13).

 

What is the Meaning of the SIGN of Jonah (Matthew 12:39)?

 

So, the SIGN of JONAH has the meanings below:

 

1. i) Literal meaning of the SIGN of JONAH

 

It speaks of Jonah being in the belly of a great fish for THREE days and THREE nights.

 

It Speaks of CHRIST Descending into HELL or HADES or SHEOL (Ephesians 4:10) even to PREACH the GOSPEL to the ‘spirits in the afterlife PRISONS’ from the time of Noah (1 Peter 3:18 – 20) THREE days and THREE nights. This is the first Occurrence of this afterlife HOPE in CHRIST (1 Corinthians 15:19).

 

 

 

To quote:

 

“While the devil thought to kill One [Christ], he is deprived of all those cast out of hades, and he [the devil] sitting by the gates, sees all fettered beings led forth by the courage of the Saviour”.– St. Athanasius, the ‘Great Father of Orthodoxy’ (296 – 373 AD)

 

 

“In the liberation of all no one remains a captive! At the time of the Lord’s passion the devil alone was injured by losing all the of the captives he was keeping.”–Didymus, blind (370 AD)

 

 

“While the devil imagined that he got a hold of Christ, he really lost all of those he was keeping.” –St. Chrysostom the Golden Mouthed, (398 AD)

 

 

This is Generalized by apostle Peter thereafter to the DEAD (yes, ANY DEAD in the Context of afterlife-Judgment as it is established first in 1 Peter 4:5) —> referring to the DEAD that are JUDGED in the afterlife as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:5 —-> where these SAME DEAD are mentioned to HEAR the GOSPEL, be JUDGED in the afterlife regions (be it in HADES, DEATH or the SEA, Revelation 20:13 where the dead are found) —> but thereafter get Resurrected where ‘their spirit’ which lives to God, which is the end result of afterlife Judgment toward them (1 Peter 4:6) —> by obtaining a ‘spiritual body’ accordingly (1 Corinthians 15:44) as God WILLs (1 Corinthians 15:38) to give (1 Corinthians 15:39 – 49) which applies to ALL MEN which includes these DEAD too (1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22, Context).

 

 

To quote that which agrees to this interpretation of this generalisation as it is Written in 1 Peter 4:5 – 6:

 

“We will certainly DIE and be like water poured out on the ground, which can’t be recovered. But God would not take away a life; He would DEVISE PLANS so that the one BANISHED from him does NOT REMAIN BANISHED.” (2 Samuel 14:14, CSB)

 

 

“Wherefore also he drove him out of paradise and removed him far from the tree of life, not because He envied him the tree of life, as some dare assert, but because He pitied him and desired that he should not be immortal and the evil interminable and irremediable.” St. Iraneaus of Lyons – author of the infamous treatise, “Against Heresies” (182 AD)

 

“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;” Philippians 2:10 that is, angels, men, and souls that before His advent have departed from this temporal life.” – Clement of Alexandria (150 – 215 AD)

 

“Stronger than all the evils in the soul is the Word, and the healing power that dwells in him, and this healing He applies, according to the will of God, to everyman. The consummation of all things is the destruction of evil…to quote Zephaniah: “My determination to gather the nations, that I am assemble the kings, to pour upon them mine indignation, even say all my fierce anger, for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent”…Consider carefully the promise, that all shall call upon the Name of the Lord, and serve him with one consent.” — Origen (185 to 254 A.D.) He founded a school at Caesarea, and is considered by historians to be one of the great theologians and exegete of the Eastern Church.

 

“For the wicked there are punishments, not perpetural, however, lest the immortality prepared for them should be a disadvantage, but they are to be purified for a brief period according to the amount of malice in their works. They shall therefore suffer punishment for a short space, but immortal blessedness having no end awaits them…the penalties to be inflicted for their many and grave sins are very far surpassed by the magnitude of the mercy to be showed to them.” – Diodore of Tarsus, (320 – 394 AD)

 

“That in the world (age) to come, those who have done evil all their life long, will be made worthy of the sweetness of the Divine bounty. For never would Christ have said, “You will never get out until you have paid the last penny” unless it were possible for us to get cleansed when we paid the debt.” – Peter Chrysologus, (435 AD)

 

“The wicked who have committed evil the whole period of their lives shall be punished till they learn that, by continuing in sin, they only continue in misery. And when, by this means, they shall have been brought to fear God, and to regard Him with good will, they shall obtain the enjoyment of His grace.”– Theodore of Mopsuestia (the ‘best’ theologian from the ancient Antiochian School), (350-428 AD)

 

From the mouth of the ‘enemies to this doctrine too’:

 

St. Basil the Great (329-379 AD) in his De Asceticis wrote: “The mass of men (Christians) say that there is to be an end of punishment to those who are punished.” I point out that he is not classified as a Universalist.

 

Augustine (354-430 A.D.), ‘one of the four great Latin Church Fathers (Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome and Gregory the Great), wrote:

 

“There are very many in our day, who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments.”

 

 

For more regarding Hell in Church History, please consider the link below:

 

https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hell-in-church-history/

 

 

1. ii) Allegorical meaning of the SIGN of JONAH

 

Is there more Mystery or Secret meant when CHRIST mentioned the SIGN of Jonah with regards to the phrase “THREE days and THREE nights”?

 

Probably. Please consider the following interesting exegesis with Scripture (Verses).

 

“and He [Lord Jesus Christ] said to them, ‘Having gone, say to this fox, Lo, I cast forth demons, and perfect cures to-day and to-morrow, and the THIRD DAY I am being PERFECTED;” (Luke 13:32, YLT)

 

“And I, when I am Lifted Up from the earth, will DRAW ALL MEN to Myself.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:32, BSB)

 

The PERFECTION that CHRIST Promises in His WORK in Luke 13:32 is that He DRAWS (where the Greek word here means literally Drag in Greek or even Catch as in Catching Fish in John 12:32) —> ALL MEN to Himself (meaning to SAVE All men as He is the Saviour, 1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV, 1 Timothy 4:10) —> and CHRIST hints that on the THIRD DAY He will achieve this Perfection (Luke 13:32) which is beyond His Work on earth during His Lifetime (as that has been Perfected on earth itself, John 17:4).

 

The Phrase THIRD DAY links these passages together (e.g. Luke 13:32, Matthew 12:40) and also this mysterious verse (Hosea 6:2) with a mystery regarding the number THREE (in each of these Verses) in the context of the kingdom of the heavens too (Matthew 13:33). Let’s see these newly quoted verses:

 

“He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the THIRD DAY, That we may live before Him.” (Hosea 6:2, NASB)

 

“He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in THREE MEASURES of meal, until it was ALL leavened.” (Matthew 13:33, WEB)

 

Here’s a possible Allegorical Interpretation with regards to the number THREE which occurs in each of these quoted Verses with regards to the SIGN of Jonah too (linking all these Verses together):

 

THREE = refers to the THREE AGES mentioned prior (current, next, and the next one following that) = AGE1, AGE2, AGE3

 

Jonah being THREE days and THREE nights in the Stomach of the Fish = Represents the Wicked souls which are lost in the afterlife in HELL (afterlife Punishment Regions)

 

CHRIST being THREE days and THREE nights in the BELLY of the Earth = Also refers to a SIGN that after His Resurrection, He Would Continue His Work toward Perfection (Luke 13:32) into the afterlife Regions of HELL SAVING ALL MEN within THREE AGES (Hosea 6:2)

 

The MEAL in Matthew 13:33 = Men (a particular type of meal = a particular type of creation)

 

The THREE Measures in Matthew 13:33 = The THREE AGES = AGE1, AGE2 and AGE3

 

The YEAST = His SALVATION (Christ Came for SALVATION, His Purpose of YEAST)

 

So, the YEAST in the THREE measures of Meal = His SALVATION during these THREE AGES toward Men

 

ALL leavened = ALL Saved

 

And so, the YEAST in the THREE measures of Meal until it was ALL leavened = His SALVATION during these THREE AGES toward ALL Men; meaning that He Will Work in these THREE AGES until ALL MEN are SAVED by the end of these THREE AGES.

 

This agrees to the PROPHETIC Claim in Hosea 6:2 where the meaning may be as follows:

 

REVIVE = Resurrection of the Dead which is Toward ALL MEN (Acts 24:15, 1 Corinthians 15:21)

 

Two Days = TWO AGES (the current age and the next age) = AGE1 and AGE2

 

He will REVIVE us after two days = The Prophet speaks on behalf of ALL FLESH or ALL MANKIND or ALL MEN as a whole where ALL MEN will be SAVED –> AFTER —> these TWO AGES.

Do note that some men are SAVED earlier (e.g. believers during the ‘present time’ or ‘now’ according to the election of Grace, Romans 11:5) but the FULL Salvation of ALL MEN is only achieved AFTER TWO AGES (which refers to the current and next age, AGE1 and AGE2).

 

 

Why?

 

 

Upon Death, the SOUL of Believers don’t come under any afterlife Judgment (John 5:24) and are immediately RANSOMED to God from SHEOL/HADES/HELL before feeling any of its pangs itself (Psalm 49:15) into Blessed Regions of Comfort such as Paradise (Luke 23:43) or Abraham’s Bosom (Luke 16:22).

 

 

Upon Death, the SOUL wicked descends into the afterlife Punishment Regions for JUDGMENT (Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 9:17) where they receive the level of pain based on what they have done prior (Galatians 6:7, Isaiah 3:11, Luke 16:23) in the SHADOW of DEATH prison regions too (Psalm 107:10) of which there was NO HOPE prior to CHRIST (Psalm 49:14, Job 26:5, Psalm 88:10 – 14, Psalm 30:9, Psalm 88:11, Psalm 115:17).

 

But since CHRIST is RISEN, He CAN now LIBERATE the SPIRITS in PRISON (1 Peter 3:19 – 20) and this Process applies Generally to any DEAD who come under afterlife Judgment first (1 Peter 4:5) but eventually are SAVED by CHRIST in that they ‘live to God in spirit’ as the END result of that afterlife Judgment (1 Peter 4:6) where this was PROPHETICALLY mentioned as His SAVING from the SHADOW of DEATH (Psalm 107:14) afterlife Regions (Job 10:18 – 22) of which where there was NO HOPE prior to CHRIST, there is now HOPE for the WICKED too in the Resurrection of the Dead post afterlife Judgment (Acts 24:15) when His MERCY Triumphs Over it, ending it (James 2:13).

 

Please note that as 1 Peter 3:18 – 20 demonstrates with 1 Peter 4:5 – 6 in the context of afterlife Judgment upon death (Hebrews 9:27), CHRIST being RISEN can SAVE at ANY TIME and PLACE as HE WISHES (John 5:21) as this part of His MARVELLEOUS WORK in WONDER too (John 5:20) which is an answer to their ‘Hopelessness’ prior in the afterlife (Psalm 88:10) agreeing Perfectly with 2 Samuel 14:14 in that God does NOT change from being a SAVIOR into the AFTERLIFE too as the Context of 2 Samuel 14:14 itself  speaks of a HOPE after they DIE (and cannot be recovered) toward those who are BANISHED from HIM first (referring to the wicked case, Psalm 49:14 as the righteous are ‘not banished’ but redeemed by Him already, Psalm 49:15) —> where these wicked ones DO NOT REMAIN BANISHED or separated from Him permanently (meaning that HELL or the afterlife JUDGMENTS are NOT FOREVER). Indeed,

 

“We will certainly DIE and be like water poured out on the ground, which can’t be recovered. But God would not take away a life; He would DEVISE PLANS so that the one BANISHED from him does NOT REMAIN BANISHED.” (2 Samuel 14:14, CSB)

 

Some men will go through afterlife punishment during AGE2:

 

“And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during”  – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:46, YLT)

 

“Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall NOT be FORGIVEN him, either in THIS AGE or in the AGE to COME.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:32, NASB)

 

In Verse above:

 

“in THIS AGE” = Current age = AGE1

 

“in the AGE to COME” = Next age = AGE2

 

“NOT be FORGIVEN him” = Afterlife JUDGMENT Sentence

 

“it shall NOT be FORGIVEN him, either in THIS AGE or in the AGE to COME” = Afterlife JUDGMENT for a total Period of TWO AGES only as mentioned (during AGE1 & AGE2 ONLY)

 

So, we see that some men have BLASHPHEMED His Holy Spirit and thus cannot be forgiven for TWO AGES ONLY, i.e. in this age (AGE1) and in the coming age (AGE2) where these will certainly be PUNISHED in the afterlife Regions accordingly.

 

Is there HOPE for them?

 

Yes, on the THIRD age where:

 

“… He will Raise us up on the THIRD DAY, That we may live before Him.” (Hosea 6:2, NASB)

 

“Raise us up” = Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15:21, 1 Corinthians 15:49)

 

“THIRD DAY” = The THIRD AGE = AGE3

 

“we may live before Him” = “live to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:6) in a “spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44) post Resurrection where the “we” point to such ones

 

So,

 

“He will revive us after two days” = such ones are punished for TWO AGES (AGE1 & AGE2) where at the end of AGE2, their ‘spirit will live to God’ (as per the same Judgment Process as it is described in 1 Peter 4:6)

 

“He will Raise us up on the THIRD DAY” = their ‘spirit which lives to God’ will be Raised by being given a ‘spiritual body’ (1 Corinthians 15:44) as per this HOPE of the Resurrection of the Dead toward the WICKED too (Acts 24:14) during the THIRD AGE (AGE3).

 

“we may live before Him” = They live to God being Resurrected in a spiritual body too thereafter from this THIRD AGE (AGE3) onwards.

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

Whether seeing it Literally or Allegorically, I see that these passages surely teach that Lord Jesus Christ Will Save ALL MEN eventually as per His Great Promise in Verse below where both the Command-keepers (obedient ones) and Command-breakers (disobedient ones) of ALL LAW and PROPHETS (Consecutive Verse Context: Matthew 5:17 – 18 first) will also be IN the KINGDOM of the HEAVENS eventually, the difference being that the former will be ‘greater’ while the latter will be ‘least’ respectively, as it is WRITTEN:

 

“Whoever then shall BREAK one of the least of these commandments and shall teach others the same, he will be called least IN the KINGDOM of the HEAVENS; but whoever shall KEEP and shall teach them, he will be called IN the KINGDOM of the HEAVENS.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, BLB)

 

 

Remember, let’s ‘not’ be obsessed with the ‘gift of the heavens’ but rather be obsessed with the GIVER of the Heavens:

 

‘Seek the GIVER of the gifts and not the gifts’ – Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889 – 1929)

 

 

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have PEACE. In the WORLD you have TRIBULATION, but take courage; I have OVERCOME the WORLD.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:33, NASB)