Introduction
The purpose of this page is to make things as simple as possible for those who might otherwise find such rather difficult.
I hope I've succeeded.
Biblical
Doctrine In Very Simple Terms
When we die we cease to exist, completely so. We can’t think, speak or do anything. We know nothing.
There’s nothing within us that separates from the body at death and somehow lives on. Some Christians believe that there is, which they call a soul, but this is just a pagan belief that crept into the Christian Church. Every person is a soul themselves, that’s why you hear people sometimes saying, “Oh, that poor soul,” when they’re referring to someone who’s suffering.
When Jesus returns soon, He will bring back to life again those who had accepted Him and turned from their sinful life beforehand. This event is called the “resurrection.” God is our creator, so He obviously has our blue print, and we’re told that nothing is impossible for Him. When these people are brought back to life again, they’ll not just be exactly as they were before, but even better — without any blemish or decease. And they will also be given immortality — that means, they’ll never die, but will live forever.
The reason people don’t go straight to Heaven, which is a paradise, is because that wouldn’t be fair given that some would’ve gone to Heaven thousands of years ago while others continued to suffer on Earth (Hebrews 11:39,40).
The Bible refers to the period between our dying and being resurrected as a sleep. We don’t actually sleep, but it’s kind of like going to sleep, because when we awaken at the resurrection, it will be just like having gone to bed in the evening and woken up in the morning. No one will be aware that hundreds or thousands of years may have passed.
Some Christians will still be alive when Christ returns. But once again, out of fairness, those in their graves will rise first at Christ’s shout, and then those still living next (1Thessalonians 4:16,17). It all happening in a moment.
Christ has told us that He’s busy preparing homes in Heaven for us which He’ll take us to when He returns (John 14:2,3).
So, when someone dies, they don’t go anywhere, not to Heaven, and not to some place called Hell.
Christ won’t be taking those people to Heaven who’ve rejected Him, those people who’ve chosen to live in darkness rather than light — in other words, those people who’re still continuing to think, speak and act badly. These people who’ve not accepted Jesus and have chosen to go contrary to what He desires, will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming (Luke 17:29,30), unlike those who’re saved and able to handle it.
It’s clear from the Bible that all who are saved will then spend a thousand years in Heaven before returning to this planet (Earth) which will be made new (Revelation 21:1-4). The reason for this time in Heaven is:
So that those who’re saved can go through Heaven’s records and see why this person or that person wasn’t saved and wasn’t allowed to live forever. Perhaps a loved one.
Because of this process, the saved will be able to see how God acted fairly in saving some people and rejecting others (Revelation 19:1,2). God wants to make sure that there’ll be no doubts in anyone’s mind.
This time will also act like a period of grieving so that everyone will be able to move on and get past the loss of someone close to them who was rejected.
When the thousand years are over, those who were struck down dead by the brightness of Christ’s coming, will be brought back to life (Revelation 20:5). This is called the “resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15).
This judgment, in the form of a final and total destruction, takes place when Christ and the saved descend form Heaven after the thousand years. According to the Bible: Satan, the angels who chose to follow him ((Revelation 21:8), and the wicked who’ve been brought back to life (Matt 25:41; Revelation 21:8), will attempt to attack Christ and the saved, but God’s devouring fire will destroy them.
They won’t exist again in any form. They will not burn forever like many mistakenly believe due to a faulty interpretation (Malachi 4:1,3). When the Bible speaks of “eternal fire” it’s simply referring to the fact that the destruction of the wicked is eternal in the sense that the results are permanent. Phrases like “eternal fire” are what is called figurative or metaphoric speech.
This final destruction of the wicked is called the “second death” (Revelation 20:9,10,14,15; 21:8).
All this is why Christ goes through the record of everyone’s life before He returns to collect the saved from planet Earth. Those records are the same ones that the saved will be able to look at during the thousand years.
When Christ checks out the record of everyone’s life, He then decides who will live forever and who will be destroyed.
It’s an investigation that results in a decision that affects everyone’s future. This is what the Bible talks about when it refers to God’s “judgment” (Acts 24:5; Revelation 14:6,7). This “judgment” results in the saved going to Heaven at Christ’s return and those who’re not saved being destroyed at the end of the thousand years — what’s called the “millennium.”
This is why Christ says that He will bring His reward with Him when He returns (Matt 16:27; Luke 14:14; Revelation 22:12). So no one gets rewarded or punished when they die, but only when Christ returns.
About God's Law — The Ten Commandments — and that Sabbath day (the fourth commandment).
God is a king who made and rules the universe.
His kingdom, or headquarters, is Heaven. Every kingdom needs rules so that there won’t be any troubles caused by anyone acting wrongly.
One of God’s subjects that He had also made, an angel called Lucifer, became very proud of his own abilities and appearance. He wanted to be equal with God despite having been created by God. Because He couldn’t get his own way, he told lies about God that deceived other angels and caused a rebellion in Heaven. This is how lawlessness (sin) first began.
Because God couldn’t allow lawlessness in His kingdom, He removed Lucifer from Heaven, and also those angels who had joined Lucifer in rebelling. Lucifer was now referred to as Satan, the serpent, devil or dragon.
Next God made planet Earth and its first people (humans) called Adam and Eve. He put them in an area called the Garden Of Eden.
Satan, who wanted to get control of planet Earth for himself, tried to trick Adam and Eve into acting lawlessly too. He convinced them that nothing bad would happen if they ate the fruit from a tree that God had said not to. This tree was a test given that lawlessness (sin) had entered the world. God wanted to know whether Adam and Eve would be loyal to Him or just act like Satan and follow him instead. Sadly, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. So God removed them from the Garden of Eden just like He had removed Satan from Heaven. For them to have acted lawlessly too, there obviously had to have been a law to break. This law (or laws), which was designed to prevent trouble in Heaven, was also designed to have people behaving lawfully on Earth too.
Later on, when the population had grown, God chose a certain nation called Israel to watch over and promote His Law on Earth (Rom 3:2). This Law was based on the laws of Heaven and was called the Ten Commandments. God wanted everyone to keep it, not just the nation of Israel. This is why it was kept well before God wrote His Law on stone with His finger at Mount Sinai (Gen 26:5). In fact, the principles of God’s law would have been made known to Adam and Eve, and that knowledge would have been passed on to following generations.
Though Jesus died on the cross instead of us, who were really the guilty ones (death being the penalty of sin), and though its His mercy (grace) that saves us, He didn’t do away with His Law (Romans 3:31; 1 Corinthians 7:9; Luke 16:17; Hebrews 8:10). The reason why is, because His Ten Commandments show us how He wants us to live so that we will then be acting just like Him, rightly and lovingly (Ephesians 4:22-24), so that there won’t be any trouble (lawlessness) on Earth too. God wants peace, harmony and order to exist everywhere in His universe.
When we don’t keep His Law, we show that we don’t truly love Him (1 John 2:4), that we’re not really concerned about upsetting Him, (or even other people), and that we’re still behaving selfishly and thoughtlessly just like Satan (1 John 3:4). This means that we’re not people that Christ would want to take to Heaven because we would simply act the same up there (Heb 10: 26,27; Matthew 7:21).
The Bible says that those who truly love Christ, and are very keen to see Him return, will be people who’re keeping His Law. These people really upset Satan who wants them to act wrongly like him and follow him instead, so he tries to harm them and cause them trouble (Revelation 12:17).
This is why God’s faithful followers need to put all their trust in Christ, remember His promises, stay close to His side, and put up with that meanness of Satan (Rev 14:12).
It’s these people that Christ will be taking to Heaven (Rev 22:14) because they keep His law out of love for Him. It’s like it’s written in their mind and on their heart.
That Sabbath Day:
Now, I want to talk about that fourth Commandment — the seventh day Saturday Sabbath that God made a Holy day when He had finished making our planet, which took six days (Genesis 2:3). This is the day that Christians are still to keep as the Sabbath, not Sunday (Exodus 20:8-11). There is nothing in the Bible that says that God has changed the seventh day Saturday Sabbath to Sunday, and nor does it say that the seventh day Sabbath isn’t important anymore.
Firstly,
it’s very clear from the Bible (New Testament) that:
God’s Law (which contains the Fourth Commandment) has not been done away with (Matthew 5:18; Romans 2:13; 3:31, Revelation 14:12; Hebrews 8:10; Psalms111:7,8).
That God’s Law goes beyond anyone’s culture or tradition (1 Corinthians 7:19; Mark 7:9).
That every one of the Ten Commandments is still to be kept (James 2:10,11; Romans 13:8-10; Matt 22:37-40).
That keeping God’s Law is how we show that we love Him (1 John 2:4; 5:3; Romans 7:22; James 1:25).
That God’s Law lets us know what sin is (Romans 7:7; 1 John 3:4).
That those who don’t keep God’s Law are not covered by His grace (Hebrews 10:26,27; Matt 7:21).
And secondly, therefore,
That the seventh day Saturday Sabbath is still to be kept too (Hebrews 4:1-11).
And bearing in mind:
That the Fourth Commandment is the only one that tells us who the creator of the Ten Commandments is (Ex 20:8-11).
That the Fourth Commandment is the one that shows us the origin of the seven day week.
That the seventh day Saturday Sabbath day is a memorial; it always reminding us that it was God who made our planet (Psalms 135:13).
That Christ himself rested on the seventh day Sabbath after dying on the cross, and so too the women who went to anoint His body (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56; 24:1).
That God didn’t bless the resting but that very day, and this being why He's called "The Lord of the Sabbath," and this being why that day can’t be changed by us, because it's His day."
That God is still worthy of us coming together each Sabbath to worship Him, because He’s still our Creator, Saviour, Lord and King.
That the benefits of resting on the Sabbath day and spending more time getting to know God are still there.
About the great battle, sometimes called the great controversy.
The highest angel in Heaven (God's headquarters) became jealous of Christ, wanting to be equal with Him. That angel's discontent ended in open rebellion; a third of the heavenly angels joining with him. That angel (called Lucifer) and the other angels who joined him, were removed from Heaven. They had to be removed because God is a God of order and justice as well as love and mercy (Psalms 89:14).
Lucifer was then referred to as Satan, or the devil, the dragon, the serpent, the father of lies, and even roaring lion.
Satan was the origin of sin (wrongdoing, rebellion), evil, suffering and wicked spirit beings (another name for those foolish angels who joined Satan, and who don't have flesh and blood like us).
Next God formed (made) planet Earth.
Then God created humans (people) for planet Earth.
So that no one would forget who the creator of Earth was, and that God may also receive the worship that He’s due, He made the seventh day of creation, Saturday, a Holy day, a Sabbath, which He blessd and set apart for Holy (spiritual) things like everyone coming together to worship Him. This Sabbath was meant to act like a flag that would always fly in memory of His making planet Earth (Gen 2:1-3; Ex 20:8-11).
Collier's Encyclopaedia: Saturday, seventh day of the week.
There’s no other explanation for the seven day weekly cycle than the biblical record.
The first humans (Adam and Eve) were unfaithful to God because they disobeyed His instructions, they having been tricked by Satan’s lies.
As a result, Satan from thereon has tried to get total control of planet Earth and everyone who lives on planet Earth. He has also been trying to cause their downfall so that they will be punished and lost like him and his angels. Satan has become a nasty, cruel, wicked being.
As soon as Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin began to infect our planet, contaminating it, so humans had to be quarantined (keep apart) from those people who lived in other worlds God had also made.
The people on planet Earth soon formed into two groups, some taking the right path like Able (Adam’s son), or, taking the wrong path like Cain (Adam’s other son). Soon there was only one family left on Earth that had not become corrupted (spoilt by evil).
God was very unhappy, and He had every right to destroy everyone on Earth. But rather that do that, He saved Noah and his family by telling them to build an ark (boat) that would float during the worldwide flood that would be sent to destroy everyone else. This was to give humans another chance before they completely destroyed the human race.
In time, two more groups formed, those who were doing things God’s way, and those who were doing things Satan’s way.
Satan, working with the bad group of people, and in order to eventually get control of every human, helped create the Babylonian Empire (Dan 7:4; 2:36-38) which was anti-God (against God). Through this power, and following powers, Satan tried to persecute (trouble and harm) those who were doing things God’s way, and Satan also tried to get rid of God’s truths, or what we also call "truth." Before this happened, God told it all to a good man called Daniel who wrote it down. We can read what Daniel wrote because it’s in the Bible.
The next power that Satan used was Medo-Persia (Daniel 7:5; 2:39).
Then came Greece (Daniel 7:6; 2:39).
Then came pagan Rome (Daniel 7:7; 2:40).
Because his kingdom was having problems, the pagan Rome emperor (called Constantine) blended the Church (Christianity) with the government. And in order to please both Christians (some having decided to keep Sunday instead of Saturday because of Roman anger against the troublesome Jews) and please those who were doing things Satan’s way, he made Sunday a public holiday, a day on which no work was to be done by anyone.
This is how Satan got his flag — Sunday.
Next came what was called the Holy Roman empire — papal Rome (Dan 7:8,25; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4) — which then hi-jacked (stole) the Christian Church and ruled for over a thousand years. During that time it made sure that everyone went along with what it demanded. Those who didn’t do as they were told were murdered — many millions!
The book of Daniel, in the Old Testament, refers to Papal Rome as the "little horn."
In time, the head (pope) of papal Rome was taken captive (taken prisoner) and papal Rome lost its power.
However, the Bible (in the book of Revelation, New Testament) tells us that Papal Rome recovers and plays a part in this planet's End-time events.
The keeping of Sunday instead of Saturday was then made a law of the hi-jacked Church by the Bishop of Rome (Dan 7:25) — AD 364, Canon 29, at the Council of Laodicea (a Roman Catholic council).
Sunday is not the day that God set apart and made Holy. It serves no purpose. Sunday was the day that God began making this planet. It’s a false Sabbath.
Though the Protestant Reformation helped bring about the fall of pagan Rome, most Protestants who had rejected papal Rome, and stood up against papal Rome, still kept that man-made Sabbath, Sunday.
And as mentioned before, the book of Revelation tells us that the papal Rome power will rise again (Revelation 13:3).
So, where will things head next?
Well, read these quotes:
From the book The Secret Terrorists, by Bill Hughes
James E. Quigley, Roman Catholic Archbishop, Chicago Daily Tribune, May 5, 1903
"Sunday is our mark of authority."
Catholic Records, Sept 1, 1923
This is why many believe that this is where America will enter the scene.
Though it's hard to understand why, many Protestants are now wanting to join up with papal Rome (the Vatican) again.
The Bible speaks of a coming worldwide power that will force everyone to WORSHIP it (Revelation 13:11-18). It therefore is clearly a power that once again blends the Church with the government (State), a power that does what Papal Rome has always wanted. A power that will harm those who don’t do what it wants. This is why the new power is called a copy (image) of the old one (papal Rome). The old one having somehow infiltrated the new one. See the book of Revelation, chapter 13 and verses 11-18.
This power will use amazing signs and wonders to fool everyone into thinking that it has God’s blessing on it (this is why it’s called a false prophet - Revelation 19:20), but it will soon try to harm those who truly keep the Commandments of God of which the seventh day Sabbath — Saturday — is a part, the fourth commandment (Revelation 14:12; 12:17).
Neither God nor His apostles have said to keep a different day, but the very opposite (Hebrews 4:1-11).
The new power will no doubt install Sunday as a day of rest for everyone, and then later force everyone to keep it. If they don't keep it, they will be punished. The new pope, and others too, are calling for Sunday to be protected by law.
Someone tried to make this happen in America in 1888. It was defeated though, but not this coming time, because Satan will achieve what he wants, which is, everyone under his control and keeping his day.
This is why the Bible says:
And here the Bible is meaning: Those who keep the true Sabbath day which is the fourth Commandment.
from all his works "..So then, a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God...Let us therefore make every effort
to enter that rest..." (Heb 4:1-11).
Soon Christ will return; and Satan, that power and all who worship it, will be destroyed (Rev 14:8-13).
Because God has given us the freedom and liberty to choose between Him and Satan, good and evil, the right path or wrong path, (God not wanting robots), He has to wait until that time when Satan will succeed in gaining total control of Earth. This way everyone on Earth, and those people in other worlds that God has made, will finally see Satan’s true heart and cruel intentions — in other words, where such a heart and rebellion leads to. And this way no one will think wrong about God again. Satan’s lies will be proven to be just that, lies. No one will ever want to copy Satan.
Applying Logic To Scripture
Firstly, I wish to present a few reasons why a Christian embraces error (Rom 16:17,18). There may be more than just one of these reasons involved and any one of these reasons may go hand in hand with any of the others.
The reasons:
a) They don’t question what they have been brought up to believe (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 5:21). In other words, they don’t check things out for themselves.
b) They have itchy ears – that is, they prefer to believe what they prefer to be true, or to put it another way, they make Scripture say what they want to hear, choose to believe what suits (2 Tim 4:3,4).
c) They have a blind faith in their pastor, priest, or other (Matt 24:24; 1 Tim 4:1).
d) They fail to do their own research, study. And by that I mean, thorough research, deep study (Heb 5:11-14; 2 Peter 3:16; Eph 4:14; 2 Tim 3:7).
e) They aren’t seriously committed, are caught up in the world (Rev 3:14-22; 2 Cor 6:17).
f) They follow in the majority’s footsteps thinking that the majority must be right. A fatal mistake as the majority can often get things wrong.
g) They are biased, or prejudiced towards those presenting a view that differs from theirs. Are too dismissive of that which doesn’t sit with what they believe.
h) They simply don’t apply necessary logic.
The last reason, logic, is the one I wish to elaborate on here, and as an example I will be applying that logic to six widely held assertions that I believe are incorrect. The logic used is primarily in the form of sets of questions that aren’t in any specific order. Try to approach each argument objectively not letting the six assertions get in the way if such are not what you happen to believe. The arguments are fairly brief as one could spend a great deal of time on each, which is not my intention here, and more so when one's trying to keep things simple.
The assertions:
1) Saved Christians go to Heaven the moment they die.
2) There’s an eternal burning hell for those who’re not saved, which they go to upon their death.
3) Christians will be spared the End-time calamities/tribulations due to being raptured.
4) Once saved we’re always saved.
Okay, let’s begin:1) Saved Christians go to Heaven the moment they die.
If
this statement is true:
Why is Christ bringing His reward [eternal life or death]
with Him at His second coming (Rev 22:12; 2 Tim 4:8; Matt 16:27; Luke
14:14)?
If there’s a coming Judgment,
as Paul said (Acts 24:25), and which the book of Revelation verifies
(Rev 14:7), it must take place before Christ’s second coming seen as
He’s bringing His reward with Him. Therefore, if saved Christians go to
Heaven the moment they die what’s the point of that coming judgment
(Rev 14:7)?
Why does Scripture say that David
(a man after God’s own heart) never ascended into the heavens upon his
death, in other words, he didn’t go up to Heaven (Acts 2:29,34)?
How
could someone truly enjoy being up in Heaven while watching or knowing
that their loved ones are going through misery and heartbreak on earth?
Why should some have an advantage over others by going to Heaven
earlier in their life?
Why
does Scripture say that past Bible heroes of the ages haven’t been
given their reward of eternal life yet but will have to wait because
that will be better [fairer]
(Heb11:39,40)?
Why does Scripture say that the dead no longer know anything, nor
praise God (Ps 115:17; 6:5; Eccl 9:10)?
Why
didn’t Lazarus leave a record of what he saw in Heaven if he went
there? Wouldn’t his friends, family, and others want to know what
Heaven was like? And wouldn’t some with opposing views and a lot to
lose be hot on his tail to silence him?
Why would Christ pull
someone out of Paradise to just bring them back to this drab and fallen
world? How bizarre, confused, even cruel.
Why would Scripture metaphorically refer to the dead in Christ as
sleeping [waiting] if they go straight to Heaven
at death (Job 14:12; 1 Thess 4:13; 5:9,10; Dan 12:2; Ps 17:15)?
Why would Christ say that He was going back to Heaven so that He could
prepare homes for us that He would take us to on His return to
earth if we go to Heaven upon our death (John 14:2,3; Heb 9:28)?
Is
not one of the dangers of thinking we go straight to Heaven at death
that some may take their own life in order to get there quicker or once
they strike upsetting troubles in their life that they feel they can’t
handle, and especially so if they believe once saved always saved?
Why does Scripture speak of a coming resurrection
rather than of a continuing one (John 6:40; 5:28,29; Luke 14:14) – that
is, Christians throughout the ages going straight to Heaven upon their
death?
I’m prepared to admit that when Christ rose from the dead some saved
ones lying in their graves nearby did come
forth and are in
Heaven, but what an exception!! After all, it was Christ who
arose. Could these saved ones not represent the second coming
resurrection? What about Moses, you say? Don’t we make
exceptions sometimes? Why not God also? Could Moses represent those who
will be raised from their graves at the second coming; Elijah those
who’ll be translated at Christ’s coming; and Enoch the certainty of
God’s promised deliverance from sin and death?
How come the harvest occurs
at the end of
the world (Christ’s second coming), according to Scripture (Matt
13:29,30; 37-43)?
What
about one’s soul ascending to Heaven at death, you ask? How could we be
mortals, as Scripture states (Job 4:17, KJV; 14:12), and yet have an
immortal soul? That’s an oxymoron. Besides, Scripture says to not fear
those who can kill the body but rather the One who can destroy both
soul and body in hell (Matt 10:28. Note also Ezek 18:20, KJV; James
5:20). Thus, if there were such a thing as a disembodied soul (and one
came from an unsaved person who had died) it obviously wouldn’t
continue forever in some hell. However, the word “soul” is also
translated “being” in different Bible versions. We don’t have a
soul, we are a
soul, hence the expression, “that poor soul” when referring to someone
still alive but afflicted with something unfortunate. Why were Adam and
Eve prevented from eating the fruit from the “tree of life” (via an
angel with a flaming sword) if they had immortality (Gen 3:24)? Why
does Scripture say that only God has immortality (1 Tim 6:16)? If we
had an immortal soul, we effectively would still have immortality. Why
do the Scriptures say that immortality will be given at Christ’s second
coming if saved Christians receive immortality upon their death (1 Cor
15: 51-53, KJV)? And where did Christ ever imply that some disembodied
soul separates from the body at the time of death? It was Plato (a
Greek) who popularised the immortality of the soul, and it’s clear that
Greek influence crept into the early Church as is seen here.
Samuel’s ghostly appearance? See my poem.
Yes, too many questions, too many holes.
2) There’s an eternal burning hell for those who’re not saved, which they go to upon their death.
If
this statement is true:
Why does Scripture say that the wicked (which includes Satan and his
evil angels) will be consumed (Rev
20:9,10; Ps 37:20)? Why does Scripture say that when God destroys the
wicked there will be nothing left of them and that the saved will tread
on their ashes (Mal 4:1,3; 2 Peter 2:6)? In other words, they will
literally cease to exist in any form.
Why would a just God who
judges wisely (Rev 19:2) punish the wicked forever when they were only
sinful for their mortal life – three score years and ten? Where’s the
justice, fairness in that? Isn’t such sadistic? Such would hardly
reassure the saved in Heaven. Isn’t some eternally burning hell a
complete contradiction of all that the Bible says about the character
of God? Is God another Hitler, as some would have us believe, who
tortures people endlessly? Hardly!
How could the saved be truly
happy and at peace in Heaven knowing that their loved ones were
continually burning in some hell, yelling and screaming in unbelievable
agony? Where’s the closure?
The Rich man and Lazarus? See my poem.
Therefore,
given the above, surely one can only draw the logical conclusion that
expressions like “eternal fire,” “unquenchable fire,”
“eternal
punishment” and “forever and ever” are purely metaphoric
symbolism conveying a permanent result, an intensity, a thoroughness,
not a period of time. Or to put it another way, metaphors that
emphasise the almost unimaginable tragedy of the lost. There’s a lot of
symbolism contained in God’s Word which we mustn’t apply literally.
Didn’t an “unquenchable” fire fall upon Jerusalem (Jer 17:27)? Wasn’t
Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by “eternal” fire (Jude 7)? There you go
then.
Why does Scripture say that the wicked are “reserved” until
the day of judgment for their punishment if they’re already burning (2
Peter 2:9; John 5:28,29; Dan 12:2)?
Why does Scripture say that the fiery destruction of the wicked and
Satan takes place on earth, not
some other place (Isa 34:8,9; Rev 20:9,10)?
Why
should those whose ill deeds were much less than another’s suffer just
as long? In other words, why should petty sinners suffer as long as the
likes of Saddam Hussein?
And wouldn’t many spurn a
God who they understand lets people burn forever? Such a God would
hardly attract but rather repel! Thus, hell is simply the coming fiery annihilation of
the wicked.
Yes,
too many questions, too many holes.
3) Christians will be spared the End-time calamities/tribulations due to being raptured.
If
this statement is true:
If
God has allowed Christians to go through past calamities, sufferings,
wars, inquisitions, etc, why would He suddenly choose to spare them
from such now? Where is the fairness if those in the past had to go
through such but not us? Doesn’t persecution refine, and isn’t
persecution something that sorts out the genuine from the not so
genuine? Why are many Christians currently being persecuted, even
executed, for their belief in God? Why are some Christians already
going through a hell on earth? What about those who are living under
dictatorships? God hasn’t raptured them. Why does God’s Word talk of an
End-time worldwide power that will persecute and attempt to kill those
who remain faithful to Him (Rev 13; Rev 12:17; 14:12, KJV)? Why are the
righteous told to be faithful unto death (Rev 2:10; 19:2)? Why does
Scripture say “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness” (Matt 5:10, NIV, note verses 11, 12 also). Why does
God’s Word say that the “anti-Christ” (who leads many Christians
astray) will appear before His
second coming (1 John 4:3)? Why does God’s Word say that things on
earth will not get better this side of Christ’s return? If we look
around us, are things getting better, really better?
If
Christ says that He’s coming a second time (with a trumpet blast,
lightning, etc) to this fallen earth to retrieve the saved, then His
coming to secretly and silently snatch away the saved (as many believe)
would make that a third return.
Doesn’t Scripture only speak of a second coming
(Heb 9:28)? How could Christ be loudly blowing a trumpet and at the
same time coming as a thief? Isn’t Christ’s coming as a thief simply
implying that folk will be caught unprepared (Rev 16:15)? Of course it
is, it wouldn’t make sense otherwise. Remember the foolish virgins?
If
saved Christians are already in Heaven, due to being raptured, how will
Christ sort out the sheep from the goats (the tares from the wheat) at
His coming (Matt 25:31,32) where He strikes down the wicked (2 Thess
1:7,8; Luke 17:29,30; Rev 6:15-17; Ps 50:3)?
How come the harvest occurs
at the end of
the world, according to Scripture (Matt 13:29,30; 37-43; 24:31)? Why
does the Bible tie both the rescuing of the saints (1 Thess 4:16,17;
Matt 25:31,32) and the destruction of the living wicked (2 Thess 1:7,8;
Luke 17:29,30) in with Christ’s second coming if there’s supposedly no
saints left on earth at His second coming?
If a
pilot with a plane full of passengers was suddenly raptured, all the
passengers would be killed, along with others on the ground that the
plane might hit as it crashed. If the wicked are to be given another
chance to repent after the raptured ones have gone, as the rapture
believers say, the passengers on that doomed plane, not to mention
those on the ground, would unfairly miss out on that chance. However,
we are clearly told that now is
the day of our salvation (2 Cor 6:2). No one gets a second chance.
When
the world was destroyed via a flood, that same event dealt with both
the saved and the unsaved. Noah was spared via an ark, the wicked were
left to drown outside the ark. And so it will be at Christ’s second
coming. The saved will be lifted up to Heaven, the wicked will be
struck dead. And as mentioned, Christ’s coming will also be a very
noisy affair -- a trumpet blast heralding His arrival (2 Peter 3:10;
Matt 24:31; 1 Thess 4:16; 2 Thess 1:7,8; Luke 17:29,30; Rev 6:15-17).
Hence why the Scriptures say that immortality will be given at Christ’s
second coming (1 Cor 15: 51-53, KJV).
Is the
rapture theory Satan’s attempt to lull Christians into a false sense of
security and even worse Laodicean condition -- whereby, they will be
both unprepared for tribulation and persecution when it comes upon
them, and truly lost? I believe so.
Yes,
too many questions, too many holes.
4) Once saved we’re always saved.
If
this statement is true:
Can’t
we change our mind? Are we effectively locked into being saved once we
accept God’s gift of grace whether we like it or not? Such would
violate our freedom to choose our own path at any given time.
Why
is Christ going to say, “Depart from Me,” to certain Christians who
have prophesied, cast out devils, etc, in His name (Matt 7:21-23)?
Why does Christ tell Christians that if they remain lukewarm He will
spit them out of His mouth (Rev 3:15,16)?
Why does Christ say that salt that has lost its “saltiness” is only fit
for throwing out (Matt 5:13)?
Why does Christ say that every branch that doesn’t bear fruit will be
cut off (John 15:1,2)?
Why are we told that if we destroy God’s temple we will be destroyed by
God Himself. And that we are
that temple (1 Cor 3:19)?
Why are we told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil
2:12, note also Heb 12:14)?
Why
does Christ say, “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white
garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life” (Rev
3:5, NASB)?
Why was even Paul concerned that he might be lost should he cease to be
vigilant in his walk (1 Cor 9:27)?
Why are we told to mind lest we receive God’s grace in vain (2 Cor 6:1)?
Why does Christ say that only those who do His will and keep His
Commandments will receive eternal life (Matt 7:21; 19:17)?
Why
are we told about those who were trying to work their way to Heaven and
as a consequence falling away from God’s grace (Gal 5:4)?
Why does Scripture say that if we willingly continue to sin after
having come to a knowledge of God’s truth [will]
we will not be covered by His sacrifice on Calvary (Heb 10:26,27)?
Why does Scripture say that our responsibility doesn’t end when we
become a Christian (2 Peter 2:20-22)?
Why does Scripture say that we can’t turn our backs on Christ and still
be saved (Ezek 18:24)?
Why does Scripture say that “wrongdoers” won’t enter Heaven (1 Cor
6:9,10)?
If
after having accepted God’s gift of grace we are allowed to abuse His
Law without consequence, doesn’t that make a mockery of the Christian
walk? Is grace effectively a licence to sin? If so, why does Scripture
repeatedly say to refrain from the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16,19),
to put away the old life (Eph 4:22-24), to not be conformed to the
world (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 6:17; James 4:4), and why are Christians being
told to come out of Babylon lest they be destroyed along with it (Rev
18)?
And aren’t we Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20)? How should ambassadors
behave?
Yes,
too many questions, too many holes.
5) The Ten Commandments have been abolished, aren’t applicable anymore.
If this statement is true:
If
God’s Law has been abolished and we are no longer required to keep it,
why does Scripture say that any one who commits sin commits lawlessness
(1 John 3:4)? How can we commit sin if there’s no law (Rom 4:15)?
Why
did Christ say that not one letter of His Law is to be removed until
Heaven and earth have passed away (Matt 5:18; Luke 16:17)?
Why
did God say He hadn’t come to abolish His Law but to fulfil [act in
accordance with, reaffirm, clarify (Isa 42:21)] (Matt 5:17)?
Why would God abolish such a wonderful moral code -- the standard of Christian conduct?
If this Law could be done away with why did Christ have to die?
How would we know sin if we didn’t have this Law (Rom 7:7; Ps 19:7)?
Does God sometimes come up with flawed ideas, arrangements?
Why
were the Ten Commandments written on stone by God’s own finger and not
written by the hand of man in a book as was the ceremonial law? Why
were the Ten Commandments placed inside the Ark rather than outside the
Ark as was the ceremonial law?
Do the contents of the Ten
Commandments no longer matter? In other words, is it okay to kill now,
commit adultery, steal, etc? Was it only for Jews to refrain from doing
such things and only back then?
If this Law was only given at Mount Sinai how come Abraham kept God’s Commandments well before Mount Sinai (Gen 26:5)?
Why are we told that we’ll be judged by God’s Law (James 2:12; Eccl 12:14)?
Why does Paul say he has full confidence in God’s Law and that He even delights in it (Acts 24:14; Rom 7:22)?
Why does Paul emphatically tell us to still uphold God’s Law (Rom 3:31)?
Why does Paul say that those whose mind is set on the flesh don’t submit to God’s Law and thus cannot please God (Rom 8:6-8)?
Why
does Scripture say that circumcision is nothing but that what really
matters is keeping God’s Law (1 Cor 7:19)? Therefore, God’s Law is
hardly a ceremonial law.
Why do both Paul and James say that it’s
the doers of the Law, not the hearers, who are considered righteous in
God’s sight, and who will be justified, blessed (Rom 2:13; James 1:25)?
Why
does James say that those who fail in just one of the Ten Commandments
become accountable for all of it, and why does He speak of God as the
Lawgiver (James 2:10-12; 4:12)?
If God’s Law is abolished, or no longer applicable, why has God written it on the hearts of His people (Heb 8:10)?
Why
does Scripture tell us that we show our love for God by keeping His
Commandments (2 John 6; 1 John 5:3)? Which is why it’s written on the
heart, isn’t it? Willing obedience, in other words.
Why does Scripture say that God’s Law is Holy, just, and good (Rom 7:12)?
Why are Christians called liars when they say they know God yet don’t obey His Law (1 John 2:4)?
If
keeping the Law isn’t important why is Satan honing in on Commandment
keepers and why are Commandment keepers told to endure (Rev 12:17;
14:12)?
If God’s Law isn’t important any more why is the Ark of
His Covenant seen in the heavenly sanctuary and referred to
apocalyptically in Revelation chapter eleven, verse nineteen? The Ark
of the Covenant was the depository of the Ten Commandments.
6) The seventh day Sabbath, Saturday, has been exchanged for Sunday.
If this statement is true:
Why
did Christ say that not one letter of His Law is to be removed until
Heaven and earth have passed away (Matt 5:18)? The Sabbath is a whole
commandment!
If the seventh day is a memorial (Ps 135:13, KJV;
Ex 20:8-11) of creation and God’s resting from His work, as Scripture
says, why would He change it. If our birthday fell on the 7th of March,
would we decide to hold it on the 1st of March instead each time it
came around? If God is a god of order who has the whole universe
running like clockwork, why would He alter the order of the Sabbath
day, and given it’s based on creation? And if God had altered it on
account of Jewish abuse say, wouldn’t He have had to alter His Law in
general given that the Jews abused the lot?
If the seventh day
Sabbath points to the Creator God, what or who would a Sunday Sabbath
point to given it’s the first day of the week, the beginning of His
creating, and not the end of His creating? One doesn’t celebrate
putting in the piles but the completed building.
If the fourth
Commandment were removed, supposedly because it was ceremonial, who
would know who the author of the other nine was or his dominion? Given
that the Ten Commandments were kept apart from the ceremonial law how
could the seventh day Sabbath be ceremonial?
If the seventh day Sabbath was just for the Jews why are we told it was made for man (Mark 2:27)?
Was
God’s institution of one day (Gen 2:3) whereby all could come together
to worship Him (in remembrance that He is the Creator) and receive rest
from their labour, simply overkill, unfair? Was He being
tyrannical wanting a whole day dedicated to Himself. Was He being
stingy only giving us six days?
If the seventh day Sabbath was
given only at Mount Sinai why were the exiles from Egypt told not to
collect manna on the seventh day Sabbath sometime before Mount Sinai
and why were they berated for refusing to keep the Commandments of
which the seventh day Sabbath is the fourth (Ex 16:27-30)?
If the
seventh day Sabbath was done away with at the cross why did the women
who were going to embalm Christ rest on this day according to the Ten
Commandments (Matt 28:1)?
How come Paul and the other apostles still kept this day (Acts 13:42; 17:2; 18:4)?
When
Christ was on earth why did He say to remember this day when warning of
the impending destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, a destruction that
occurred well after His death (Matt 24:20)?
If God blessed and set
aside this day, why is there no mention of a transfer to Sunday, nor
mention of a transfer of the Sabbath blessing to Sunday (Gen 2:3; Ex
20:11)?
Scripture talks of an attempt to alter God’s Law at some
stage in earth’s history (Dan 7:25)? Wouldn’t the observance of Sunday
instead of Saturday be considered such an alteration? Doesn’t the Roman
Church take responsibility for the change to Sunday?
Doesn’t God clearly say that we’re not to subtract from or add to what He commands (Deut 4:2)?
If
the number seven is a special number in God’s eyes, as deduced from
Scripture, why would God decide upon the number 1 instead, Sunday being
the first day of the week?
If the seventh day Sabbath was just for
the Jews, why were gentiles also blessed by keeping the seventh day
Sabbath (Isa 56:1-8)?
