Random Thoughts on the Really Good News

"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50) I find it hard to believe that bible teachers cannot seem to understand the context of the above passage. If they would just read and study the above along with Mark 13, Luke 21, Matthew 24 and 25 and the books of Daniel and Revelation they would not apply the above verses to their horrible views about a mythological “hell” being the "furnace of fire" and a place of eternal torment for all mankind except Christians. The above passage and those related to it deal with Israel as a Nation, the chosen people of God among all the people of the earth, most of whom rejected Jesus as their Messiah at his first coming.  And at "the end of the age" (this age in which we are still living) most in Israel will still be rejecting Jesus as they are today.  Al...

“For if the dead are not raised…your faith is worthless…Then those also who have fallen asleep…have perished…. If we have hope in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:16-19) People are born and live with various problems…ALL have problems. You’re particular problem does not dictate you are more to be pitied than someone else. Many Christians deal with their mental and physical state by seeking and hoping for some miracle from God to cure them….and some get temporary relief and attribute it to prayer …but we all will eventually check out of this present evil age! Some can’t deal with their problems…so they check out early. Don’t feel sorry for them, and don’t condemn them. They just play the hand that was dealt to them. I have found that there is only one thing that gives HOPE…the biblical promise of life after death, where there is no more tears, pain, sorrow... or pity. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the fir...

Speaking to the Jews, Jesus told them… “I will come again and receive you to myself…” (John 14:3) As time went by without the return of Jesus some Jewish followers begin to wonder if he would actually come. Peter wrote them and said… “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise… but is longsuffering toward us not willing that any should perish…” (2 Peter 3:9-13) Peter was reminding them that the fact that Messiah Jesus has not yet returned to established the Kingdom on earth promised to Israel did not mean he had changed His mind, but that God was being patient with Israel. Peter warned them that there would be “scoffers” among them as time went by and Jesus had not returned. Nevertheless, Peter told them that… “…we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” and that with the Lord “one day is as a thousand years” (2 Peter 3:3-13) All mankind have the promise from God of the return of Jesus and so should patiently wait ...