JESUS NEVER SAID THAT

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Jesus Never Said That

When did you let
Your religion consume your humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that.
He never sold out to the rules of men
That's why they crucified Him.
His crown of thorns awarded Him
By the Keepers of the "Same"
There's nothing in a name
When the person named cannot be seen
In it.

So
When did your rules
Become his words in your mind
Vanity
Insanity
Devoid of true humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that
He never let them hem Him in
That's why they couldn't handle Him
Sinner
Glutton
Drunkard
Hangin out with "them"

You
Pay for the pews
With the bad news
That everyone else is going to burn
Jesus never said that
You did not listen well
He only threatened
The Pharisees with hell
He put the fire of His truth
Upon the ruthless religious leaders
He punished them
Before all men
With parables

His words were jewels
Good News
For the poor, the oppressed, the afflicted
How beautiful the feet of them
that set the captives
FREE
Love is the law of God you see
Service is the call of God so be
A friend of God
Who so loved the world
He sent His only Son
To share His life with everyone

Yea,
That's what Jesus did
Sinner
Glutton
Drunkard
Died for "them"
And when His suffering was through
Cried out, "Father forgive "them"
They don't know what they do
Yea,
He even died for you
When did you let your religion
Consume your humanity
I heard you call it
"Christianity"
Jesus never did that

"let the one with ears to hear ……….
Hear"

anonymous

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UNIVERSAL SOVEREIGNTY

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"He worketh all things"—absolutely all things, without any exceptions—"after the counsel of his own will." Eph. 1:11

What do the Institutional Church, the New Agers and even a number of wayward ministries espousing Universal Reconciliation have in comon They all are built on a foundational belief in "man's free will." The belief in "free will" finds it origin in the carnal and rebellious soul of man. Simply said, the vain soul ever cries "I will." The doctrine of "free will" attempts to justify that wayward cry.

Think about it sweet sons of God as you read this simple treatise by A P Adams. Also keep in mind how God always deals in simplicity ....... even a child should understand and be able to take comfort in God's word.

Universal Sovereignty
Take still another illustration from the New Testament. The crucifixion of Christ is always looked upon as the most awful crime that ever was committed, and the perpetrators of it are considered as deserving the most severe retribution; and yet they simply did what God's hand and counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4:28. And Peter tells us that Christ "was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." Acts 2:23. Thus we see how even this stupendous crime was of God, and since we know that He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11), we can readily understand from the illustrations cited how true it is that "all things are of God." Thus is God's universal sovereignty fully established by the plain teachings of the word. "He doeth according to His will, in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" Dan. 4:35. See also Isa. 40, the whole chapter, and Rev. 17:17.

To the child of God this truth is most precious and reassuring. It teaches us how absolutely safe we are while we "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." His power extends not simply to the smallest affairs like the hairs of our heads and the birds of the air, but also to greater things--individuals, communities, states, nations, and world--and no creature moves but by His appointment or permission. "All things are of God"; therefore I can understand how all things work together for good to them that love God, and how also all things shall yet turn for good to man, since God loves him. God uses the forces of the world, whether human or otherwise, just as one would move the pieces on a chess-board. They are so many instruments--tools--in His hands. "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if a rod should shake itself against them that lift up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood." Isa. 10:15

"He worketh all things"—absolutely all things, without any exceptions—"after the counsel of his own will." (Eph. 1:11).

Sweet reader does not this scripture speak to there being only "ONE WILL"

Jack

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I BELIEVE JESUS IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

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I Believe

I believe in "the restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouths of the prophets since the world began." -Acts 3:21-

I believe that the "good tidings of great joy will be to all people." -Luke 2:10

I believe that believers in Christ Jesus are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God." -John 1:13-

I believe

I believe that God appointed Jesus Christ "heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe." -Hebr. 1:2-

I believe that "no man can come to Christ unless the Father who sent Him draws him." -John 6:44

I believe "God gave Jesus authority over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as God gave him." -John 17:2-

I believe

I believe the Father "has given all things into Jesus' hands." -John 13:3-

I believe that Jesus Christ "was the true light which gives light to every man who come into the world." -John 1:9

I believe that "just as the result of one trespass was condemnation to all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification for all men." -Romans 5:18

I believe one mans sin "brought condemnation for all mankind." -Romans 5: 19-

I believe one mans righteousness brings "right relationship with God, and new life for everyone." -Romans 5:19-

I believe one mans sin made the whole of mankind sinners. I also believe the righteousness of one Man makes the whole of mankind righteous.

I Believe

I believe that Jesus is "able to subdue all things to himself." -Phil. 3:21-

I believe that Jesus came "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will." -Eph. 1:10,11-

I believe "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.' -2 Peter 3:9-

I Believe

I believe "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God was making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God." -2 Cor. 5:19, 20-

I believe that "all nations shall be blessed." -Gal. 3:8-

I believe that "the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." -John 6:33-

I believe that Jesus commanded us to be like himself: "Love your enemies, bless those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." -Matt. 5:44,45

I believe Jesus when he said: "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw [Greek=draw, drag, impel] all mankind unto myself."

I believe that "creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but by reason of Him who subjected it in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." -Romans 8:20,21-

I Believe

I believe "the Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands." -John 3:35-

I believe "since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all died, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." -1 Cor. 15:22-

I believe Jesus Christ "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created that all in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." -Col. 1:15,16

I believe that "all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest of them." -Hebr. 8:11-

I believe "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." -Titus 2:11-

I believe I am not to "repay evil for evil."-Rom. 12:17-

Will God ask me to do what He will Himself not do?

I Believe

I believe "If anyone's work which he has built endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved yet so as through fire." -1 Cor. 3:14,15-

I believe "of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." -Romans 11:36

I believe "all Israel shall be saved." -Romans 11:26-

I Believe

I believe "Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." -2 Cor. 5:14-

I believe that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." -1 Cor. 11:3-

I believe that "all nations shall come and worship You, for your judgements have been made manifested." -Rev. 15:4

I believe that "when God's judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." -Isa. 26:9-

I believe that "mercy shall triumph over judgement." -James 2:13-

I believe that "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more." -Romans 5:20-

I Believe

I believe that "God is love." -1 John 4:8-

I believe that "love never fails." -1 Cor. 13:8-

I believe that God never fails.

I believe "herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loves us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -1 John 4:10-

I believe Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but the sins of the whole world. -1 John 2:2-

I believe "God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." -1 John 4:16-

I Believe

I believe "every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: blessing and honour and glory and power to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." -Rev. 5:13-

I believe that "in the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -Phil. 2: 10,11

I believe "all nations whom God has made will come and worship before him." -Psl. 86:9-

I believe "God's mercy endures forever." -1 Chron. 16:34-

I believe God's Spirit "will be poured out on all flesh." -Joel 2:28-

I believe that "the leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations." -Rev. 22:2

I believe "that there shall no longer be a curse upon anything." -Rev. 22:3-

I Believe

I believe that if we really knew the Lord, we "would not have condemned the guiltless." -Matt. 12:7-

I believe "God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." -Col. 1: 27, 28-

I believe that God beckons us to "Come and let us return to the Lord, for He was torn, but He will heal us, He was stricken, but He will bind us. After 2 days, He will revive us. On the third day He will raise us up that we may live in His sight." -Joel 2:28-

I believe "the Lord makes bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God." -Isa. 52:10-

I Believe

I believe "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." -Isa. 40:5-

I believe "all creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but by reason of Him who so subjected it in hope." -Rom. 8: 20-

I believe "the whole creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption." -Romans 8: 20

I believe that "they" and "we who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, wait for the redemption of our body." -Romans 8:23

I Believe

I believe that "having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does he not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost till he find it." -Luke 15:14-

I believe the Lord gathers up remnants of fish and bread, He "gathers up remnants that nothing be lost." -John 6:12

I believe God "will open His hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." -Psl. 145:6

I believe that God is "gracious in all His works." -Psl. 145:17-

I believe "the earth is the Lord's and all its fulness, the world and all those who dwell therein." -Psl. 24:1-

I believe "all the kings of the earth shall praise You, oh Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth." -Psl. 138:4-

I believe God "reveals Himself by those who did not ask for Him; He was found by those who did not seek Him." -Isa. 65:1

I Believe

I believe "the Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all the works of His hands. All Your works shall praise You, oh Lord." -Psl. 145:8-10-

I believe "all the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before You." -Psl. 22:27, 29

I believe "O You who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for transgressions, You will provide atonement for them." -Psl. 66:3, 4-

I believe "through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You." -Psl. 66: 3, 4

I believe

I believe that "through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness." -Lam. 3:21-24-

I believe that "the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. -Lam. 3:31,32

I believe "there is no God besides Me, a just God and Saviour; There is none besides Me. Look to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is none other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. In the Lord all the descendants of Israel shall be justified and shall glory." -Isa. 45:21-25

I Believe

I believe "in this mountain the Lord of Hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain the covering cast over all nations and all poeples. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord will wipe away all tears from all faces." -Isa.25-26

I Believe

I believe Jesus Christ "ascended higher than all the heavens so that He might fill the entire universe with Himself." -Eph. 4:10

I believe that Jesus Christ is destined to reign until God "has put all enemies under His feet." -1 Cor. 15:25

I believe the end consummates in "abolishing every kind of domination, authority, and power." - 1 Cor. 15:24

I believe the "last enemy to be abolished is death." -1 Cor. 15:27

I believe that "when all things are subject to Him, then the Son himself will also be made subordinate to God, who made all things subject to Him." -1 Cor. 15:28

I believe the subjection of all to Christ Jesus culminates in "God all in all." -1 Cor. 15:28

I Believe

I believe "all nations of the earth shall be blessed." -Gen. 18:18

I believe "all families of the earth shall be blessed." -Gen. 12:3 & Gen. 28:14

I believe "it shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'death is swallowed up in victory, Oh death, where is your sting. Oh, hell, where is your victory.' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -1 Cor. 15: 54-58

I believe "it is finished." -John 19:30

"In order that in adoration of the Name of Jesus every knee of worshippers will bow themselves and openly acknowledge with joy, celebration and praise, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. This profession and confession of His Lordship shall be open and freely proclaimed, acknowledged joyfully by all beings in the heavens, of those on the earth, and those in the underworld. -Phil. 2:10, 11"


arranged by FineLinen
last paragraph paraphrased
by FineLinen

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HELL ....... Where's the Respect !!

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USE ANYTHING, BUT LEAVE MY HELLFIRE DOCTRINE ALONE !!

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-54/1327300



and we wonder why the world scoffs



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PHOBOS and TROMOS

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" ........ work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phl 2:12

As long as you have a hellfire fear based religion the translation above would seem to support the fear and angst that drives most Christians. How wonderful it is to discover the alternative where GRACE abounds.

A good brother named Jul, after some research wrote this concerning the familiar scripture quoted above.

"I read an alternate view of this verse which I thought seemed to be supportable. That view stated that the word “fear” can also mean “strong emotion relating to reverence”. Combined with the word “trembling” which was said to mean “trembling with JOY”.

That is to say, that we are to work out our salvation with strong feelings of JOY and REVERENCE so much so as to cause us to TREMBLE with HAPPINESS.

The reason for such a strong reaction is because our salvation is not dependant on our self motivated efforts, rather “for it is God who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure” As such, we are told, “because of this do ye also rejoice and joy with me.”

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phl 2:13
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. Phl 2:18


With this view of the verse there is the feeling of REJOICING AND JOY in respect to our salvation. As opposed to the feeling of ANXIETY and QUAKING IN APPREHENSION in respect to our salvation.

To give credence to Jul's discovery this is another writing on the same subject.

Those two words "fear and trembling" are from the Greek "PHOBOS and TROMOS."

A funny thing with those words, it all depends on the intention or motive of the writer or reader as to what thought is being conveyed. The Greek philosophy was their psychology, this philosophy dealing with mind and emotion was rather simple. The emotion would be a single word, but that single word was the median of two-meanings.

PHOBOS has a positive and negative meaning to the same emotion, the two-sides of the same emotion either mean "dread" or "reverence. The same for TROMOS, it either means "shake nervously in fear", or "shake excitedly in anticipation."

PHOBOS, once again means either "reverence" or "dread", two sides of the same emotion depending on the perspective at the time. The Apostle Paul was genius, because out of the many other words Paul could have used to represent fear, terror, dread, caution, weary, and the like, he used PHOBOS.

In light of this discovery how apropos is this proverb.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Pro 25:2

Brother Jul with some of my thoughts intertwined again writes, "as you read this word think of how those, with ETERNAL HELL AS PART OF THEIR DOCTRINE DOCTRINE, ARE ENGULFED IN DEAD WORKS THAT ONLY BRING FORTH SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS. CONVERSELY THE MAN WHO KNOWS GOD AS LOVE REALIZES IT IS ONLY BY GRACE THERE IS SALVATION". Composing my thoughts, I am thinking in terms of giving an answer to my non Universal Salvation friends. Many of them are stuck in gross legalism. When they read “fear and trembling”, they have feelings of anxiety.

So what does it mean to you, to work out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling?

The way I understand, to put it in technical terms, my salvation is a process of impartation of sanctification. The active ingredient being the Blood of the Lamb. As such the “working out my Salvation” is by Grace alone, not of myself.

I will not be appearing before our Judge with the boast, “Lord I did this....and Lord, I did that.... Far be it from me to bring anything before His Majesty except the cry of, “Grace!, Grace!”. I would feel so ashamed to direct His attention to anything I have done. I totally, without reservation or addition, identify with my Messiah and his righteousness alone.

This I do with great joy and trembling of happiness.

Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Joy to you and me.

My dear friend how will you stand before Our Righteous Judge, when your life is over. Will you stand in fear and trembling trying to convince God your dead works are righteous. Or might you be found before His Majesty, trembling with happiness and full of great joy. As you point to Jesus will you cry Grace! Grace! O My Father, the Lamb is worthy for He has borne all my sins and performed all my good works. Glory be to the Lamb "who taketh away the sin of the world!"

Oh sweet reader, give up your works of self effort as you try to appease the Hellfire God. Instead, join us as we embrace Jesus who paid the price and gave us GRACE. Discover this Jesus "Who is the Savior of all men, especially those who are believers." 1 Tim 4:10

Jack

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CAST YOUR WHOLE CARE UPON HIM

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Today, Ellie and I were moved and encouraged by an ancient message we were blessed to read today. This excerpt taken from a second century writing is wondrously made for this very hour in which we live.

"The Shepherd of Hermas" (sometimes just called "The Shepherd") is a Christian literary work occasionally considered canonical scripture by some of the early Church fathers. Recorded in this book are five visions granted to Hermas, a former slave. This is taken from the fourth and is sub- titled: "Of the trial, and tribulation that is about to come upon men."

The lesson of this vision is first and foremost that we should cast our whole care upon Him. Should you dear reader be troubled today, please find the time alone laying upon the breast of Our Father. Dare not remove yourself until all your cares are His. Oh, He so desires this of you, dear child of God.

John and Ellie


As I was walking alone...behold somewhat like a voice answered me, Doubt not, Hermas. I began to think and say within myself, Why should I doubt, seeing I am thus settled by the Lord and have seen such glorious things?

I had gone but a little farther, brethren, when behold I saw a dust rise up to heaven. I began to say within myself, Is there a drove of cattle coming, that raises such a dust?

It was about a furlong off from me. And behold I saw the dust rise more and more, so much that I began to suspect that there was something extraordinary in it.

The sun shone a little, and behold, I saw a great beast, as it were a whale, and fiery locusts came out of his mouth. The height of the beast was about a hundred feet, and he had a head like a large earthen vessel.

I began to weep, and to pray to the Lord that he would deliver me from it. Then I called to mind the words which I had heard: Doubt not, Hermas.

Therefore, brethren, putting on a divine faith, and remembering who it was that had taught me great things, I delivered myself bodily to the beast.

Now the beast came on in such a manner, as if it could have devoured a city at once.

I came near to it, and the beast extended its whole bulk upon the ground, and put forth nothing but its tongue, nor once moved itself till I had quite passed by it.

Now the beast had upon its head four colors: first black, then a red and bloody color, then a golden, and then a white.

After I had passed by it and was gone forward about thirty feet, behold there met me a certain virgin, well adorned as if she had just come out of her bridal chamber, all in white, having on white shoes, a veil down her face, and covered with shining hair.

Now I knew by my former visions that it was the Church, and thereupon I grew more cheerful. She saluted me saying, Hail, O Man! I returned the salutation, saying, Lady, Hail!

She answering said to me, Did nothing meet you, O man? I replied, Lady, there met me such a beast as seemed able to devour a whole people, but by the power of God and through his singular mercy, I escaped it.

You escaped it well, she said, because you cast your whole care upon God, and opened your heart to him, believing that you could be safe only by his great and honorable name.

For this reason the Lord sent his angel who is over the beast...and stopped his mouth, that he should not devour you. You have escaped a great trial through your faith, and because you did not doubt for such a terrible beast.

Therefore go and relate to the elect of God the great things that he has done for you. And you will say to them that this beast is the figure of the trial that is about to come.

If therefore you will have prepared yourselves, you may escape it, if your heart be pure and without spot, and if you will serve God all the rest of your days without complaint.

Cast all your cares upon the Lord, and he will govern them. Believe in God, you doubtful, because he can do all things; he can both turn away his wrath from you, and send you help and security.




(sources Wikipedia & Cheryl)
(note: "The Shepherd" fellout of
disfavor because it's doctrine of
'adoptionism' whichis erroneous.
Still a beautiful lesson with this
visionary account.We learn to eat
the hay and spit out the sticks)

LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

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"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:36

Everything and everybody that came out of Him is going to end up going back into Him. This is the "Real Good News." Aren't you glad our God loses nothing and all is filled with His glory. That is the "true love of God."


With humility and with much prayer I believe I have my finger on the pulse of God's workings with the world and the organized church. For some time now I have been sharing that we who know the "true triumph of the Cross of Christ" worship a different God than those that espouse a terroristic God that assigns most of mankind to "eternal torment in a place called Hell." Surely this difference will eventually bring about great persecution as it did with Jesus and the early church. You can touch a lot of things in Christian orthodoxy but you dare not touch the "Hellfire doctrine" where "justified payback" trumps "mercy and love."

Shamefully orthodox Christianity for the most part is but another hate religion in a world gone mad. Nominal Christians believe that it is the fear of Hell that causes a man to eschew sin and follow God. Nothing could be further from the truth, as it is the "payback philosophy of God's damnation" that is borne and bred of a demonic "inward payback spirit" ........... a payback spirit that decries the forgiveness of the "seven times seventy" that Jesus taught.

If one holds within their heart a beast of a God, that throws most of his children into the tormenting infernos of a pagan Hell, what does this say about them?

"For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" Pro 23:7

We are at the end of the age and I believe as the darkness grows we will see the spirits of this false God, with a payback economy, emerge as never before. God help us and more so, Lord shelter our children in your merciful abiding Love.

Last night I was led to visit a site of a friend of mine, that I used to trade thoughts with some years ago. I pulled some material out of one of his articles to illustrate the foulness of this "pay back Hellfire doctrine." The first part lays out some quotes by leaders of the organized church, both of centuries past and today. Lastly we'll close with Seth's message where he asks, "Eternal Torment: Godly Love?"

May God bless you my friend, as you partake of and share the immeasurable depths of His love toward all His creation,
Jack


The perpetrators
Introduction: The following quotes from early philosophers and Church Fathers prove where the modern concept of a "Hell of everlasting punishment" came from. The quotes also expose those who are still perpetuating those concepts. The first group of quotes represents proof regarding the originators of the concept. The second group of quotations are from Christian leaders who have been instrumental in perpetuating these diabolical thoughts.

Polybius, the ancient historian, says: "Since the multitude is ever fickle, full of lawless desires, irrational passions and violence, there is no other way to keep them in order but by the fear and terror of the invisible world; on which account our ancestors seem to me to have acted judiciously, when they contrived to bring into the popular belief these notions of the gods, and of the infernal regions."

Strabo, the geographer, says: "The multitude are restrained from vice by the punishments the gods are said to inflict upon offenders, and by those terrors and threatenings which certain dreadful words and monstrous forms imprint upon their minds...For it is impossible to govern the crowd of women, and all the common rabble, by philosophical reasoning, and lead them to piety, holiness and virtue - but this must be done by superstition, or the fear of the gods, by means of fables and wonders; for the thunder, the aegis, the trident, the torches (of the Furies), the dragons, &c., are all fables, as is also all the ancient theology. These things the legislators used as scarecrows to terrify the childish multitude."

Tertullian (considered by many to be the father of modern church doctrine) "At that greatest of all spectacles, that last and eternal judgment how shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the lowest abyss of darkness…"

Gerhard "The Blessed will see their friends and relations among the damned as often as they like but without the least of compassion.”

Jonathan Edwards "Reprobate infants are vipers of vengeance, which Jehovah will hold over hell, in the tongs of his wrath, till they turn and spit venom in his face!" "The view of the misery of the damned will double the ardour of the love and gratitude of the saints of heaven."

Charles Spurgeon (Commonly called the "Prince of Preachers" for being a preacher of great eloquence) "I further believe, although certain persons deny it, that the influence of fear is to be exercised over the minds of men and that it ought to operate upon the mind of the preacher himself."

Thomas Aquinas "That the saints may enjoy their beatitude more thoroughly, and give more abundant thanks for it to God, a perfect sight of the punishment of the damned is granted them."

Jeremy Taylor "Husbands shall see their wives, parents shall see their children tormented before their eyes…the bodies of the damned shall be crowded together in hell like grapes in a wine-press, which press on another till they burst…"

Richard Baxter "It is not a terrible thing to a wretched soul, when it shall lie roaring perpetually in the flames of hell, and the God of mercy himself shall laugh at them; when…God shall mock them instead of relieving them; when none in heaven or earth can help them but God, and he shall rejoice over them in their calamity ." – (The Saint's Everlasting Rest” 1846)

Reverend J. Furniss, C.S.S.R "The fifth dungeon is the red hot oven. The little child is in the red hot oven. Hear how it screams to come out; see how it turns and twists itself about in the fire. It beats its head against the roof of the oven. It stamps its little feet on the floor." (The Sight of Hell - Quoted from Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin)

Reverend E.B. Pusey, D.D. "Gather in one, in your mind, an assembly of all those men and women, from whom, whether in history or in fiction, your memory most shrinks, gather in mind all that is loathsome, most revolting * * * conceive the fierce, fiery eyes of hate, spite, frenzied rage, ever fixed on thee, looking thee through and through with hate * * * hear those yells of blaspheming concentrated hate, as they echo along the lurid vault of hell; everyone hating everyone * * * Yet a fixedness in that state in which the hardened malignant sinner dies, involves, without any further retribution of God, this endless misery." (Quoted from Christ Triumphant by Thomas Allin)

I believe the words below, of the French philosopher, succinctly echo the Proverbs scripture I used in my introduction; "For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is" Pro 23:7 . It may take a bit, but that which is demonic will eventually manifest itself.

Voltaire "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."


Eternal Torment: Godly Love?
Let's just face the question head on. How many have wondered? Why would a loving God make people he created burn forever and ever for not knowing Him or believing in Him? How can a loving God subject billions of people he loves to endless torment? It's a fair question.

Some Christians will recoil from answering it, fearing an offense to God by showing doubt. Others may jeer, rolling their eyes, having heard that one before, and open their response with "Who are you to..." Some may have a thoughtful reply on hand (complete with a metaphor), having worked it out in their minds that it somehow makes sense. They may point to God's justice, as if polar opposite to his Love. They may even suggest that their version of God's justice is more supreme than God's love.

Yet, deep inside, most of us have wondered at some time. Must God do such a thing? Can't true justice be fulfilled without such a merciless act?

It is not a new question. Many non-Christians openly ask the same thing before renouncing Christianity altogether: How can a loving, all-powerful God let people burn alive forever if he does have the power to stop it? Is that love? It seems strange in light of how the Bible characterizes it:

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.

According to this high standard, does Love keep no record of being wronged, or does it keep an infinite, never-ending record? How often we resolve that we cannot truly understand the way God loves, and it is better to not even ask these questions. Have you heard that before? Have you said it? Do you understand the way God loves? And the unbeliever goes his own way, bewildered, having been given no satisfying answer from the Christian ministry.

It seems pretty clear that if God were to send people to unrelenting torment for not saying the right words or believing the right thing, then he would not be patient and certainly not kind. He would be keeping a record of us having wronged him. My friends, He would be disregarding the Bible's very own meaning of Love - in addition, failing to save all men, Christ's very purpose in life.

However, if every person is to be saved, nobody is forever lost, and no suffering is eternal, then his death on the Cross would be completely fruitful, and triumphant in what it was meant to do. God would dwell in a fullness. "Love never gives up." (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Seth Tipton

The rest of this article can be found at this link (below). I also hope you explore Seth's site as there is a plethora of great material exposing the "pagan doctrine of Hell." What a blessing to know Seth is a little past thirty and is part of an emerging generation that have had their eyes opened to the "enduring mercies of God" in contrast to the "diabolical absurdities taught by the organized church."

http://mercifultruth.com/the-real-hell.htm

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