Fuel For The Fire

“…be filled with the knowledge of His will…” (Colossians 1:10)

19 years ago I began to pray the above prayer for myself. Soon thereafter I began to examine my doctrinal positions.  In doing so I had to face squarely a question I had avoided for the most part - Is it really God’s WILL to separate Himself from unbelievers, keeping them alive eternally to punish and torment them? 

I was determined to be "filled with the knowledge of His will" even if it meant to embrace this doctrine which seemed to me to contradict the love of God. And for 5 years I studied Scripture, and the more I studied, the more it became obvious that this doctrine was not in the original language of His Word.

When the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to punish the people of God who had refused to worship him, he had them thrown into a furnace of fire...

“But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” (Daniel 3:6)

Is our God like Nebuchadnezzar?

When Jesus’s Jewish disciples wanted to reign down fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans Jesus told them…

"You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56)

Of what spirit is the doctrine of eternal conscience torment? 

Paul had told Timothy...

"...instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths..." (1 Timothy 1:3-4)

So how did it become a doctrine of the church?

It came by mixing the gospel of Jesus, the Savior of the world with Greek mythology, Greek philosophy and Greek theology - which has brought the institutional churches to a sorry state. Listen to one of the Saints of the Catholic church from the middle ages...

"The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them." - Saint Thomas Aquinas

And hear part of two sermons by Jonathan Edwards, a Protestant preacher whose sermons are still quoted by misguided evangelists in our modern era.

“The view of the misery of the damned will double the ardour of the love and gratitude of the saints of heaven...The sight of hell's torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. . .Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell. . . I tell you, yea! Such will be his sense of justice that it will increase rather than diminish his bliss."

These men are insane and their words some of the most heretical blasphemy against God and Christ Jesus ever uttered. We were warned by Paul to avoid these servants of "Satan"...

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

And what will be the end of Saint Thomas and Jonathan Edwards?

"Anathema Maranatha!" (1 Corinthians 16:22; Galatians 1:9)

Meaning - such men are devoted to destruction at the coming of the Lord. They will be judged and cast into the lake of fire for their unbelief (the second death is the lake of fire, not eternal conscious torment although it would be poetic justice).

Paul specifically told Timothy what to "prescribe and teach"…

“As in Adam all die, even so, in Christ, shall all be made alive...this is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior WILLS all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who have Himself a ransom for ALL...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL mankind, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2:3-6; 4:10)

You are not one of the "believers" if you do not teach the above, nor can people be a "believer" who teach the opposite - the myth of eternal conscious torment. 

When I finally became a "believer", it freed me from these "doctrines of demons". 

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in subsequent eras some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

Rejecting the "doctrines of demons" is the only way to believe the clear statements in the Bible that it is the WILL of God that all be saved and the whole world reconciled to God. Read the Bible with the goal of harmonizing all of it with that WILL.  The truth is that God will be ALL in ALL His creation…according to His grace and mercy!

“...through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross" ... "that God may be All in All.” (Colossians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 15:28)

My faith has not been received well by the institutional church and I have found it is wasting time to argue. However, I will from time to time share my thoughts on the truth they ignore, and I will pray that those who read my thoughts will "ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will"...

“…ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.” (Colossians 1:10)

You cannot please God by believing He will allow eternal torment. Trying to build on Jesus, our "foundation", with such teaching composed of "wood, hay and straw" will fuel the fire that will consume those false teachings when we all stand before Jesus to give an account of what we chose to believe about God.

"Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God...For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames." (Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

My advice is to stop fueling the fire!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for ALL OF THE PEOPLE; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

The birth of Jesus is good news of great joy for “all the people”. Both Jew and Gentile are included in this salvation. And the savior would later tell how he would save us...

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32)

We should not celebrate the birth of our Savior without celebrating his love for “all the people”, which amazingly includes the "ungodly" for Paul tell us in his letter to Rome...

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” (Romans 5:6-9)

The wrath of God upon sinners is finished in death for we are told in Scripture...

“For all have sinned” and “...the wages of sin is death” and "it is appointed until men once to die” (Romans 3:23a; 6:23a; Hebrews 9:27)

But this little baby, born in Bethlehem of Judea over 2000 years ago, grew up and saved the world in His death, burial and resurrection. That is the true joy of Christmas, the gospel for "all the people", including his enemies.

“While we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life...For it is by Grace you have been saved and not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God...the FREE gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:10; 6:23b)

ALL YOU PEOPLE - HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

And Happy New Year! In it may you come to "a knowledge of the Truth"!

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension." (1 Timothy 4:3-8)

The Deal Maker

"That ruler will have a firm agreement with many people for seven years, and when half this time is past, he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings. The awful horror will be placed on the highest point of the Temple and will remain there until the one who put it there meets the end which God has prepared for him." (Daniel 9:27 Good News Translation)

Daniel is an interesting book of the Bible. It is the only Scripture which gives a time line for God dealing with Israel. Daniel was a captive of and was living in Babylonia. He was studying Scripture and reading from Jeremiah. He began confessing the sins of Israel that had brought about their captivity and the destruction of the City of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians...

"O God, hear my prayer and pleading. Restore your Temple, which has been destroyed; restore it so that everyone will know that you are God." ( Daniel 9:20 GNT)

While praying something amazing happened. The Angel Gabriel was sent to tell him when the final "holy Temple" would be built and rededicated.  It would involve 490 years divided into one period of 483 years and one period of 7 years beginning with a "command" given to rebuild Jerusalem.

"Seven times seventy years is the length of time God has set for freeing your people and your holy city from sin and evil. Sin will be forgiven and eternal justice established, so that the vision and the prophecy will come true, and the holy Temple will be rededicated. Note this and understand it: From the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until God's chosen leader comes, seven times seven years will pass. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, and will stand for seven times sixty-two years..." (Daniel 9:24-25 GNT)

History records that Artaxerxes I of Persia gave the "command" to rebuild Jerusalem around 457 BC.  A second Temple and the City of Jerusalem was rebuilt during the next 483 years.  The Scripture written by Ezra and Nehemiah record the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the second Temple under Zerubbabel. We know from the New Testament Scripture that this second Temple was enlarged by Herod in the years just before the birth of Jesus.
  
"And at the end of that time God's chosen leader will be killed unjustly. The city and the Temple will be destroyed by the invading army..." (Daniel 9:26)

Jesus is the "chosen leader" that came to "rededicate" the Temple, but as foretold by Daniel, was "killed unjustly". Since Jesus did not "rededicate the Temple" at that time it remains to be done upon His return.  

Jerusalem and the second Temple were "destroyed" by the Roman Empire in 70 AD, and the Jews were scattered among the nations where they have remained for almost 1900 years. Around 1917 a remnant of Jews began returning to the land of Israel and declared its independence on May 14, 1948. They have fought with the surrounding Arab nations since that time. During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel gained control of the Temple mount for the first time since it was destroyed by the Roman Empire. Orthodox Jews have been trying to get the Israeli Knesset to allow them to build a third Temple ever since.  However, there are two holy shrines of Islam also on the Temple mount so the Israeli government has not allowed them to build the Temple in order to prevent a holy war with Islam.

There are 7 years left of Daniels 490 year vision to free Israel's "holy city from sin and evil", establish "eternal justice" and have the "holy Temple rededicated" by their Messiah Jesus.

Another Temple will be rebuilt soon. The plans are already complete and if you google the "Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement" you will find that Orthodox Jews are now prepared to start building on a moments notice.  

Daniel says a "ruler" will reach a "firm agreement with many people" which most likely will be the beginning of the final 7 years of Daniel's prophecy. That agreement will bring temporary peace to the region and allow the third Temple to be built along side the shrines of Islam.  However, in the middle of that 7 year deal, the agreement is broken and an "awful horror" will be placed on the "highest point" of the Temple.

"That ruler will have a firm agreement with many people for seven years, and when half this time is past, he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings." (Daniel 9:27)

If you want all of the details of what happens during the final 7 years read the book of Revelation.  Those of us who are "watching" for the return of Jesus should be looking for that deal to be made soon between Israel and the Arab nations.  All US Presidents beginning with President Carter, as well as the United Nations, have tried to get a peace deal between Israel and its Arab neighbors, but have failed so far.

Revelation Chapter 13 calls this "ruler" who negotiates the agreement a "beast". Nevertheless, He gets that deal made and will be praised by the whole world at first - even Republicans and Democrats will follow his advice and require all buying and selling under his "mark"...

"The beast forced all the people, small and great, rich and poor, slave and free, to have a mark placed on their right hands or on their foreheads. No one could buy or sell without this mark, that is, the beast's name or the number that stands for the name. This calls for wisdom. Whoever is intelligent can figure out the meaning of the number of the beast, because the number stands for the name of someone. Its number is 666." (Revelation 13:18)

This Deal Maker, the ruling "beast" of Revelation, will meet "the end which God has prepared for him" at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ! By the way, I wouldn't advice adopting his "mark" if you happen to be around when it is required - plant a garden!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

“…God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us (we also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), vivifies us together in Christ (in grace are you saved!) and rouses us together and seats us together among the celestials, in Christ Jesus, that, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace are you saved…it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:4-10)

Many refuse to believe the gift is free, yet Scripture is clear...

“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life...” (Romans 6:23)

Most of humanity will have never heard the good news until it is a reality - after their resurrection when the “mortal has put on immortality”.

“...in Christ all shall be made alive…when this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying, death is swallowed up in Victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:22,54-55)

This is the season to celebrate the love of God.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. " (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Jesus is the Gift that keeps on Giving!

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Merry Christmas!

Prolepsis

Prolepsis is a figure of speech in which a future act or promise is represented as if presently existing or accomplished. It is used often in Scripture.

"For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died. And He died for the sake of all that those who are living should by no means still be living to themselves, but to the One dying and being roused for their sakes." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

That Christ Jesus died for the sake of all is a historical fact, however, the phrase "consequently all died" is prolepsis, a figure of speech in which all mankind is considered to have died when Jesus "died for the sake of all".  The result is that the "life" of all mankind is now "hid together with Christ in God".

"For you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God. Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)

The "our Life" refers to "all" mankind. That we will once again have "life" is a guaranteed future event which is so certain that the "new creation" is spoken of as if this primitive world has already passed by and "there has come new" - prolepsis.

"So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new! Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ, and is giving us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

When we grasp this wonderful truth and are at peace with God, we want to share the "word of conciliation" with the world as the "ambassadors" of Christ. Not from some pulpit, but everyday life - treating people the way Christ treated us. 

"For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified...For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching for Christ's sake, "Be conciliated to God!" For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God's righteousness in Him." (1 Corinthians 15:222 Corinthians 5:20-21)

God is at peace with mankind and we are to do our best to tell people about it so they can have peace toward God - not terrified about what He might do to them. Reconciliation is peace between two parties - mankind and God.  God has already made His peace with mankind at the cross - he is "conciliated" but it is a one sided peace until individuals make their peace with God - then there is "reconciliation" - a peace between all parties.  People experience the joy of reconciliation when in our mind we make peace with God.  And I am not talking about some free will choice to be saved from hell, that's religious myth.  I am referring to coming to a place where one realizes that God loves me with all my sin and is "not reckoning our offenses to us" - is NOT angry with us and has graciously saved us through the blood of Christ shed "for our sakes".

God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes." ..."and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavins." (Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:20)

I am saved, justified and reconciled to God - and so are you - but like Paul, I know it is a future manifestation.

"Not that I already obtained, or am already perfected. Yet I am pursuing, if I may be grasping also that for which I was grasped also by Christ Jesus. Brethren, not as yet am I reckoning myself to have grasped, yet one thing -- forgetting, indeed, those things which are behind, yet stretching out to those in front -- toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

I can speak of my salvation as if it has already occured, prolepsis - because the very Word of God is behind the promise.  That is good enough for me.

Freeing Fools

"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere" - Voltaire

Paul knew this first hand. He would say to the Galatians...

"O foolish Galatians! Who bewitches you?...for freedom Christ frees us!" (Galatians 3:1; 5:1)

Freed them from what?

Christ freed them from the impossible task of saving themselves by doing good works. Christ Jesus covered our sin with his blood and gives us righteousness before God "IN HIM".

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all mankind... Christ Jesus who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed" ... "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God IN HIM." (Titus 2:11,14; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

We do not become righteous by our good works or by OUR faith in Christ..but by "the faith OF Christ" Jesus...it is a gift from God "IN HIM".

"There is none righteous, not even one...being justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation, through Him." (Romans 3:10; 5:9)
Attention all political and religious "do-gooders", keep it up because it is a good thing - BUT - all the good works in the world will not make one person righteous before God.

"...a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith OF Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall no flesh at all be justified." (Galatians 2:16 CLNT)
I know, some translations have "IN" where the KJV and CLNT has "OF", i've read many of them - but the oldest and best Greek manuscripts read "faith OF Christ".

Our faith in him simply allows us to rejoice in what He has done on our behalf. So rejoice in the truth that you and those you care about have been Reconciled by the "BLOOD" OF CHRIST, Justified by the "FAITH" OF CHRIST, and will be Saved from death at the "RETURN" OF CHRIST to free us from death.

"For freedom Christ frees us".

And oh by the way - treat others like you appreciate it!

If Jesus Didn't Do It - It Won't Get Done

“And we have gazed upon Him, and are testifying that the Father has dispatched His Son, the Savior of the world...In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.” (1 John 4:14; Ephesians 1:7)

The removal of the sin of both believers and unbelievers is done wholly and solely by the "blood" Christ Jesus shed on the cross to become the "Savior of the world". Works of righteousness will not remove sin. Obedience to God will not remove sin. Baptism will not remove sin. Confession, repentance, and asking God for forgiveness will not remove sin. Even our faith will not remove sin.

"Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus (Whom God purposed for a Propitiatory shelter, through faith in His blood, for a display of His righteousness because of the passing over of the penalties of sins which occurred before in the forbearance of God), toward the display of His righteousness in the current era, for Him to be just and a Justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is debarred!" (Romans 3:21-27).

It is our "faith in His blood" that shelters us from sin. But it is Jesus Christ's faith, righteousness and shed blood that removes sin, and justifies the sinner "gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus".

Salvation of the sinner: If Jesus didn't do it, it won't get done.

The Third Heaven

"In a beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

The word "heavens" is plural and we can identify three in Scripture. The atmosphere above the land where the birds fly is the first one. Outer space where the stars and planets are seen is the second. But there is a "third heaven" which lies above outer space, the heaven that not even the Hubble or the James Webb space telescopes will ever penetrate.

"I am acquainted with a man in Christ, fourteen years before this, (whether in a body I am not aware, or outside of the body, I am not aware -- God is aware) such a one was snatched away to the third heaven. And I am acquainted with such a man (whether in a body or outside of the body I am not aware -- God is aware) that he was snatched away into paradise and hears ineffable declarations, which it is not allowed a man to speak." (2 Corinthians 12:1-4)

That "man" was the Apostle Paul. The "third heaven" is where the throne of God dwells, and where Christ Jesus resides at present. It is this heaven that members of the Body of Christ will go upon our resurrection. There we will display "among the celestials" "the transcendent riches of His grace".

"God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us (we also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), vivifies us together in Christ (in grace are you saved!) and rouses us together and seats us together among the celestials, in Christ Jesus, that, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

When Paul was allowed to see this "paradise" where celestial beings dwell, he was forbidden to speak about the "ineffable declarations" he heard.

The third heaven is where the New Jerusalem is being constructed. A city that is 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide and 1500 miles high.  The Apostle John saw it descending onto the New Earth and recorded his vision in Revelation 21. There we read about the beauty and glory of that City. 

"And I perceived the holy city, new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband" 

One day we will see the third heaven. What else will we find? We can only imagine using the Spirit which indwells us.

"...according as it is written, that which the eye did not perceive, and the ear did not hear, and to which the heart of man did not ascend -- whatever God makes ready for those who are loving Him...to us God reveals them through His spirit, for the spirit is searching all, even the depths of God." ... "The Lord Himself will be descending from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the Chief Messenger, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall be rising first. Thereupon we, the living who are surviving, shall at the same time be snatched away together with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall we always be together with the Lord. So that, console one another with these words." (1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

I am like a kid on Christmas morning when I think about it - what is under the  tree? Like the lyrics of the song by MercyMe - I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus?

Or in awe of You be still?  

Will I stand in Your presence?

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing Hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

Judgment of the Wicked

The word JUDGMENT is a scary word in the world of religious thought. So I decided to do some studying and thinking about what the Bible says about it. Here is what I found…

The Greek word is “krisis” from which we get our English word crisis. And crisis simply means a critical time where something very important happens or is happening. In other words it is a turning point in time. It seems to me that the equivalent Hebrew word is “mishpat” and is used in the following OT verses…

“…to keep the way of Yahweh to do what is right and duly just (mishpat)." (Genesis 18:19)

“...the Judge of the entire earth, would He not execute right judgment (mishpat)?” (Genesis 18:25)

Scripture views judgment as a turning point where the judge is suppose to do what is right. Judgment made by a human is not always right. But God has given the final Judgment to His Son, Christ Jesus who will do what is right.

“For neither is the Father judging anyone, but has given all judging to the Son.” (John 5:22)

“He assigns a day in which He is about to be judging the inhabited earth in righteousness by the Man Whom He specifies, tendering faith to all, raising Him from among the dead." (Acts 17:31)

He will judge and do what is right, exposing the motives of the heart and then, almost unbelievably, each will receive praise from God.

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

How can that be? How can both good and bad people receive praise from God? I think the answer lies in the following verses…meditate on them for a while….

“…it is I who have created the destroyer to destroy.” (Isaiah 54:16)

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7)

“The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Proverbs 16:4)

The LORD takes responsibility for creating evil, the destroyer, and the wicked. Don't you think he will do the right thing by them in the end - and save them. Are they not lost and are they not included in the prayer of Jesus while hanging on the cross…

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost…Father forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 19:10; 23:34)

Yes God will eventually save all, not because I say so, but because the Scripture could not be more clear...

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

I think it is time for Christians to stop thinking too highly of themselves.

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” (Romans 12:3)

When the final judgment is made it will be based on love, for God is love.

“God is love" … "Love is patient, love is kind...and it keeps no record of wrongs...Love never fails….” (1 John 4:8, 18; 1 Corinthians 13:5-13)

Dead Men Walking

The phrase “dead man walking” refers to an inmate sentenced to death on his way to be capitally punished. The Scripture speaks of mankind in the same way...

“...even as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and thus death passed through into all mankind.” (Romans 5:12)

Mankind has been sentenced to death and so we are all “dead men walking”…but there is good news!

“For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a man also, comes the resurrection of the dead...you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God.” (1 Corinthians 15:21; Colossians 3:3)

Senator John James Ingalls of Kansas once said...

“In the democracy of the dead all men at last are equal. There is neither rank nor station nor prerogative in the republic of the grave".

I am convinced by the study of Scripture that all dead men walking will again walk in newness of life – all equal in the eternal Republic of God.

“...we rely on the living God,Who is the Savior of all mankind...for even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified...that God may be All in all.” (1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

So, in light of that, stop worrying about how unrighteous you are...your life is "hid together with Christ in God" - your are safe in Christ Jesus!

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

The Simple Truth - Saved by Grace

"....yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith, for all and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God. Being justified gratuitously in His GRACE, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus.” ... "For Christ, while we were still infirm, still in accord with the era, for the sake of the irreverent, died...God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for our sakes. Much rather, then, being now justified in His blood, we SHALL BE SAVED from indignation, through Him." (Romans 3:22-25; 5:6-9)

The GOSPEL OF GRACE can be summarized as follows:

Sin condemned mankind to the wrath of God which is DEATH. However, the LOVE and GRACE of God overcomes His wrath so He sent his Son to save sinners. "Jesus Christ’s faith", death and resurrection saved us. God will resurrect sinners from death with a powerful, spiritual body which cannot sin or die.

The Gospel of GRACE is not rocket science. It is meant to be so simple a child can understand, and so profound that a genius stands in awe of its simplicity and beauty.

Those enslaved by the various Religions of the world have caused all kinds of wars, pain, suffering and guilt. Paul says we should "shun" them because they are "ever learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). 

"These, also, shun. For of these are those who are slipping into homes and are leading into captivity little women, heaped with sins, being led by various lusts and gratifications, always learning and yet not at any time able to come into a realization of the truth. Now, by the method by which Jannes and Jambres withstand Moses, thus these also are withstanding the truth, men of a depraved mind, disqualified as to the faith." (2 Timothy 3:6-8)

All In Asia Turned Away

The Apostle Paul wrote in his last letter to Timothy…

“Of this you are aware, that all those in the province of Asia were turned from me…now you fully follow me in my teaching…for the era will be when they will not tolerate sound teaching…they will be turning their hearing away from the truth, yet will be turned aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 1:15; 3:10; 4:3-4 CLNT)

That “era” began in Paul's lifetime when “all” those in Asia had been "turned from" his teaching. This “era” has now lasted over 1900 years and not only has the vast majority turned "their hearing away from the truth", most have never even heard the truth that Paul was teaching.  It is indeed miraculous that anyone is left today who has not been “turned aside to myths”.

Paul told Timothy that "all Scripture" is beneficial to teach.  But the teacher should be “correctly cutting the word of truth” into what belongs to Israel and what belongs to the Body of Christ.  Recognizing the difference is the only way to "have a pattern of sound words" that will make the teacher “an unashamed worker”.

“Have a pattern of sound words which you hear from me...endeavor to present yourself to God qualified, an unashamed worker, correctly cutting the word of truth…all Scripture is inspired by God, and is beneficial...” (2 Timothy 1:13; 2:15 ;3:16 CLNT)

About 15 years ago, I noticed that almost all preaching in the church I attended revolved around the four gospels, especially the book of John. Very few sermons from the books written by the Apostle Paul. I began to wonder if there was a significant difference between what the Apostles Peter, James and John preached to Israel and what the Apostle Paul preached to the gentile nations. So I began to study closely Paul’s writings and found the difference. There were “Circumcision” writings “for the Circumcision” (Israel) committed to Peter and “Uncircumcision" writings “for the Uncircumcision” (the Body of Christ) committed to Paul. 

“…perceiving that I have been entrusted with the evangel of the Uncircumcision, according as Peter of the Circumcision…James and Peter and John, who were suppose to be pillars, give to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we, indeed, are to be for the nations, yet they for the Circumcision.” (Galatians 2:7-10)

I had never been taught the difference in church and I bet you have not either, most likely because the teachers are not "correctly cutting the word of truth". Knowing the difference is so important that it is impossible to avoid "being turned aside to myths" without knowing the difference between the teaching of Peter for the Circumcision and Paul for the Uncircumcision. Following is a link to more details in case your interested.

https://jrwlakey.blogspot.com/2018/11/doctor-of-deception.html

Master of Deception

Satan is the "Adversary" of truth.  God created him to fill that role, and he is really good at his job, having earned a Masters Degree in Deception. Jesus and Paul both warned people about his deception...

"You are of your father, the Adversary, and the desires of your father you are wanting to do. He was a man-killer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, for truth is not in him. Whenever he may be speaking a lie, he is speaking of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it. Yet I -- seeing that I am speaking the truth, you are not believing Me..."..."Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light."  John 8:44-45; 2 Corinthians 11:18 CLNT)

The "Adversary", or Satan, has disguised himself as a "messenger of light", not among the wicked, but among the religious folks.  One of his favorite tools is the mistranslation of Scripture.  For example:

Mistranslation of Greek words into English:

"Aion" and its cognitive adjective "aionios": The Greek words mean "a space of time, an age and age lasting".

Satan, however, influenced theologians to define the words as "eternal" or "everlasting" or "forever and ever" in various places!

"Gehenna': This was a place in the valley of Hinnon, near Jerusalem, where propitiatory sacrifices were made to the god Moloch. It is derived from the Hebrew ge ben Hinnom, the valley of the son of Hinnom.  It was being used as a garbage dump when Jesus was on earth.

Satan, however, influenced theologians to translate the Greek word as "hell", the Greek mythological underworld ruled over by Hades, son of Zeus. 

But his most deceptive victory was getting believers to to mix the good news of the Kingdom promised Israel with the good news of Grace which applies to all mankind. 

Mixing the gospel of the Kingdom with the Gospel of Grace: Paul writes...

"...perceiving that I have been entrusted with the EVANGEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION, according as Peter OF THE CIRCUMCISION (For he who operates in Peter for the apostleship of the Circumcision operates in me also for the nations), and, knowing the grace which is being given to me, James and Cephas and John, who are supposed to be pillars, give to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we, indeed, are to be for the nations, yet they for the Circumcision." (Galatians 2:7 CLNT) 

This was not just a matter of to whom Peter and Paul went, but it is a matter of what they taught  - the content of the gospel they were to share.  Both evangels (gospels) are rooted in Jesus but are two different ministries to two separate groups of believers with two separate destinies in this age and the two following ages:

1. Gospel of the Kingdom "for the Circumcision": It is good news for God's covenant nation, Israel. They were to obey the Law of Moses in order to prosper.  They failed but God had promised to send another Prophet like Moses who would restore to earth the Kingdom that God had promised ISRAEL. That Prophet was Jesus, the Messiah.  But they rejected and killed him. And the irony is that his blood that they shed is the very blood that has atoned for their sin.  It is all a part of God's plan, and Jesus promised Israel that he would come again to establish the Kingdom, and bring in the "times of refreshing".

The promises and curses in the Law of Moses, the Levitical Priesthood, the word of the Prophets, and the Pentecostal gifts and miracles are for them and applies directly ONLY to them. As the covenant nation, they are to confess their sin, call upon the name of the Lord, turn from their evil ways, be baptized for the pardon of their sins, and continue to do works of righteousness found in the Law of Moses.  And most importantly, to believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). His resurrection was the proof to them that he was the Messiah.

"And Jehovah testifies against Israel, and against Judah, by the hand of every prophet, and every seer, saying, ‘Turn back from your evil ways, and keep My commands, My statutes, according to all the law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent unto you by the hand of My servants the prophets."... "Simon Peter said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, answering, Jesus said to him, Happy are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood does not reveal it to you, but My Father Who is in the heavens."..."Peter is averring to them, Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the pardon of your sins...so that the times of refreshing should be coming from the face of the Lord." (2 Kings 17:13 YLT; Matthew 16:16-17 CLNT; Acts 2:38, 3:19 CLNT) 

It is Israel's destiny to rule and reign with Jesus Christ in His Kingdom to be established on this earth during the two ages following this present Age.  The details of the Gospel of the Kingdom for Israel is found in the Books of the Old Testament and the New Testament Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Hebrews, James, 1st and 2nd Peter, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, Jude and Revelation.

2. Gospel of Grace "for the Uncircumcision": It is the good news for all mankind that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again, and the result will be the salvation and reconciliation of all creation . Those of all nations who believe this good news are "placed" in the Body of Christ by God as He "wills". Members of the Body are to share this good news on earth during this present Age and their destiny is in the heavens in the following Ages. Jesus is the Head of the Body and His death on the cross for all sinners, flowing from the love, grace and mercy of God, is the focus of this gospel. Jesus gave the details of this good news first to the Apostle Paul which had been hidden in past Ages. Paul was the worst sinner, and the FIRST member of the Body of Christ..

"To Him who has it in His power to make you strong, as declared in the Good News which I am spreading, and the proclamation concerning Jesus Christ, in harmony with the unveiling of the Truth which in the periods of past Ages remained unuttered." ... "Christ died for our sins according to the scripture, and was entombed, and he has been roused the third day..."... "Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I stand foremost. But mercy was shown me in order that in me as the foremost of sinners Christ Jesus might display the fullness of His long-suffering patience as an example to encourage those who would afterwards be resting their faith on Him with a view to the Life of the Ages. Now to the immortal and invisible King of the Ages, who alone is God, be honor and glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen." (Romans 16:25 WEH; Timothy 1:15-17 WEH)

All of the details and destiny of the Body of Christ are found in the New Testament Books of Acts, Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

Summary of the Deception:

Satan and his "servants" have succeeded in mixing these two gospels to such an extent that the gospels have become "a different gospel, which is really not another". 

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the GRACE of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ...For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:6-12)

Satan's deception is temporary, for "the truth" of the "redemption" of all mankind will be obvious to all at the end of the ages when all are saved, and all creation reconciled to God.

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins...and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach." ..."This is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 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. Prescribe and teach these things." (Colossians 1:13-22;1 Timothy 4:9-11

Pass on what Paul told us to "teach" so that others might come "to a knowledge of the truth".

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-8)

The Remnant - First But Not Last

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the FIRST to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV)

The use of the word "first" implies that there is more to follow. In every harvest there is a small portion of the crop that matures early. In the Law of Moses those first fruits belonged to God and were Holy. In every generation, and in every place, God has had a chosen remnant, those "first" few who trusted Him.

There is a remnant today who are among the "first" to put their hope in Christ. Yet we are "first" only because we were "predestined" to come to a knowledge of our salvation in this Age.  

Faith is a "gift" from God and has nothing to do with works of righteousness. 
To the remnant of Israel God said...

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone...I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you..." (Ezekiel 36:22-27 NIV)

And to the Body of Christ God has said...

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works..." (Ephesians 2:8 NIV) 

The remnant among Israel and the Gentile remnant known as the Body of Christ are the "first" to trust, but rest assured, God intends to bring the remainder of His harvest into the barn in due time, for that is what He "wants."

"Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism"..."As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God"..."This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who WANTS ALL people to be SAVED and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for ALL people"..."For as in Adam ALL die, so in Christ ALL will be made alive. But each in turn...” (Acts 10:34; 1 Timothy 2:4; Romans 14:11; 1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV)

The Remnant will be presented to God first, then all of the Harvest.  The Bible is an amazing book, and claims to be the very Word of God.  I'm trusting that it is so "all" must be "saved" because that is what God "wants".  

If you want some more details on how it all ends follow this link...

https://jrwlakey.blogspot.com/2018/10/how-does-this-end.html

The Reconciliation of All - How it all ends

There is one God and there is one Lord, God's only begotten Son.  

"...there is one God, the Father, out of Whom all is, and we for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all is, and we through Him..."  (1 Corinthians 8:6-7)

"The Father has dispatched His Son, the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14-15)

"In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loves, and dispatches His Son, a propitiatory shelter for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

God sent His Son into the world to be a ransom for all, and to reconcile all created beings to God. When done, God will be All in all of creation.

"There is one God, and one mediator of God and mankind, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent RANSOM for ALL..." (1 Timothy 2:5)

"...to RECONCILE ALL to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens" (Colossians 1:20)

"Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all.”  (1 Corinthians 15:28)

The name Jesus means salvation because that is what He will do for mankind.

"You shall be calling His name Jesus, for He shall be saving His people from their  sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"I am bringing you a gospel of great joy which will be for the entire people, for today was brought forth to you a Savior, Who is Christ, the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

A few know Him as Savior today, but in time, every person who has ever lived will come to know, and will acknowledge that Jesus is the savior of the world.

"...we ourselves have heard Him, and we are aware that this truly is the Savior of the world, the Christ." (John 4:42)

"Wherefore, also, God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should be bowing, celestial and terrestrial, and every tongue should be acclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Before the beginning of the world as we know it, God was all there was. At some point before the beginning of the world as we know it, God brought forth out of Himself His Son as the first creature ever created. Together, God and His Son planned and predestined all that happens. When the planning was done they created everything needed to accomplish their plan - the Big Bang as Science likes to call it.  The bible records the beginning, decline and restoration of this Creation as it plays out over 5 long periods of time called Eons (Ages).

Following is a brief summary of these ages as the bible reveals them:

Age 1 - Genesis 1:1-2. 

1) In this age, God and His Son created the original heavens and earth, which included a host of celestial spiritual beings residing among the heavens, some good called Angels and some bad.

2) The bad ones rebelled against the authority of God and the Lord. They were led by Satan. This age ended when the earth came to be without inhabitants, and darkness was over the whole planet.

Age 2 - Genesis 1:3-7:24: 

1) God and His Son restore the earth to its original perfection, and created all life that dwells on our planet, including human beings. The first human, Adam, was created out of the soil, and the first woman, Eve, was created out of a part of Adam. God breathed life into them and they became living souls.  Using the chronology set forth in the Scripture we can learn that the year 2028 AD will mark the 6,000th year since Adam was created.

2) Adam and Eve at first lived in a place named Eden, a paradise created on earth by God specially for them.  In time, influenced by Satan, they disobeyed God by eating from a forbidden tree located in Eden called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  

God banished them from Eden for that sin.  The result was they would have to work hard to survive, and a decaying process started in their bodies which would eventually end in death. The decay apparently resulted from being denied the fruit from another tree in that garden called the tree of life.  All of their children and grandchildren, right down to us, also die because of this one sin. They learned that evil separates people from God, but they children continue to do evil for the rest of age 2 until God was feed up with all of them.

3) Age 2 ended approximately 1756 years after the creation of in a worldwide flood that killed all humans and all land based animals except those on an ark built by Noah and his family.

AGe 3 - Genesis 8:1 through Revelation 19:21:

1)  God started over with Noah and his family.  They had found grace in the eyes of God.  Grace just means unmerited favor.  Noah had three sons named Ham, Shem and Japheth. They are the ancestors of all human beings living today. Most of the Bible is a record of events that take place during this age 3.

2)  Three of the descendants of Shem were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  God made an undconditional promise to them that they would be a great nation someday.  This nation came to be known as Israel and is still around today.

3)  God promised them that one from their nation would be a blessing to ALL mankind. This was a reference to Jesus when the Son of God became a man.

4)  All other descendants of Noah came to be the other Nations of the world and are referred to as Gentiles in the bible.

5) Around the year 5 BC, God sent His Son from heaven to earth to be born a human being.  He was the exact image of God on earth.  If you learn what He was like, you know what God is like.  He was born of a young virgin girl from Israel. She named him Jesus which means the Savior.  He lived on earth for a little over 33 years.  Some recognized who He was and called Him the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. He was both.  However, He was rejected by the leaders of both Israel and the gentiles, and died as a criminal by crucifixion upon a cross.  

He was raised to life after being dead for three days and three nights.  He spent another 40 days on earth, then He went back into heaven as the first man to die and be raised to never ending immortal life.  He is now back with God waiting to return the earth some day.

6) From the time Jesus ascended back into Heaven, God has been preparing a group of people out of all nations to be examples of how loving and gracious God is.  The group is called the body of Christ is the Bible and Jesus is the head of the body. 

This special group of believers is composed mostly of Gentiles, although Paul, an Israelite, was the first member and tells us about about the grace of God, the salvation of all people and the reconciliation of the whole creation back to God.  Much of what he teaches in the Bible was a secret until Jesus revealed it to him. 

Those who believe what he teaches are also members of this special group.  They too are to tell people about Jesus.  This body of Christ will one day be snatched away into the heavens where they will meet Jesus. This will occur just before Jesus returns to earth. In heaven the members of the body will reign with Jesus and be a testimony to the love and grace of God to those good and bad angels who live in the heavens.

I am one of those members and so are you if you believe Jesus died on the cross for your sin, was buried, and was raised to life again by God.  Together, we will explore the Universe and tell those created beings who rebelled against God that they too are reconciled to God by blood that Jesus shed on the cross.

7) Age 3 will end in the huge world war which will bring incredible suffering to Israel and the other nations on this earth. We will already be gone into heaven when that happens.  Jesus will physically return to this earth to end that war and set up a kingdom on earth where He and Israel will rule over the entire planet.

Age 4 - Revelation 20:1-10: 

1)  This age begins with the return of Jesus to the earth.  He will set up the Kingdom promised Israel on this earth and they will rule for 1,000 years.

2) 75 days after Jesus returns to earth, all of the dead believers of Israel will be resurrected to rule and reign with him over the gentile nations left alive after the final war. Jesus will rule in perfect righteousness and Satan is not allowed to deceive people for most of the 1,000 years.

4) Toward the end of age 4, Satan is once again set loose to try and deceive the Gentile nations into rebelling against the reign of Jesus on the earth. He will succeed and another war will come.  But God brings a swift and final judgment and this earth is completely destroyed by fire.

Age 5 - Revelation 20:11 through 22:21 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-28: 

1)  After the destruction by fire of this earth at the end of age 4, all human beings of all ages who are not reigning with Jesus on earth or in the heavens will be resurrected to appear before Him at what the book of Revelation calls the  Great White Throne.

2) At that resurrection, all their good and bad works, beliefs and motives will be individually reviewed and judged by Jesus. They will for the first time realize that the blood of Jesus has atoned for their sin.  The overwhelming evidence from the miracle of their resurrection and their following righteous judgment will convince all of them that God loves them in spite of their sin, and Jesus is the Lord who saved them. They will all, individually, just like you and me, realize that God is worthy to love and worship, and each will voluntarily bend their knees to Jesus and confess that He is Lord.

3)  It will take a long time for each of them to be judged by Jesus.  How long this age will last is not stated, but with billions of people envolved, it will most likely take a long time.  

4)  God will create a new heaven and earth for them to live on while the individual judgment takes place. Jesus and Israel will reign over them during this time.  Jesus has prepared a city called New Jerusalem for Israel to live in during this time.

5)  This city is huge, 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high.  It has streets of gold.  The people waiting to be judged will be divided up into nations and will live outside of the city on the new earth.  I beautiful river will flow out of the city to them which will water them.  Along its banks will grow the tree of life which will bear 12 different fruits, one for each month of the year.  And the leaves will be eaten to heal them of any diseases they might get. They will prosper under the leadership of the Jews.

4) After each one is individually judged, they will die the second death because flesh and blood cannot inherit the everlasting kingdom of God.  After all have been judged and die again, God will raise them all from that death to be added to the body of Christ.  

5) When this age comes to a close all creation will have been reconciled to God and become immortal spiritual beings.  Evil will be abolished and good will have triumphed over evil. 

6) Jesus will then turn the reconciled creation back to God, their plan for the ages successfully completed.  All will have joyfully and voluntarily subjected themselves to our gracious, loving and merciful Father God.

7)  All human beings will then be like Jesus - the image of God - and God will be "ALL in ALL". 

After the Five Ages - 1 Corinthians 2:9; 15:28.

Scripture says little about what happens in the time before or beyond these five ages, just that "eye hath not seen, neither has ear heard, neither has it entered the heart of man what God has planned for those that love him". 

ALL will love Him when His plan is complete.  I am sure nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Well, grandchildren, that is a summary of what I have learned from the Bible.