Acts 13:48 KJVS
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Ephesians 1:5 KJVS
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Romans 8:29-30 KJVS
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Many different church theologians take different views on the above verses in regards to pre-destination. There are many doctrinal position by these institutions that reminds me of a verse later on in the epistle of Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:14 KJVS
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Let me show you something they don’t want you to know. Some sleight of hand practiced by Christian institutions down through the centuries..
1 Timothy 4:9-11 KJVS
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. [10] For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. [11] These things command and teach.
Do the Christian denominational institutions of today or in the past teach that God is going to save all men as apostle Paul commanded the church to do? That’s a rhetorical question by the way. So then one has to ask why don’t they. Greed, kingdom’s of this world, individual power and prestige. It just occurred to me that most do not teach sound doctrine due to the lack of ability in understanding sound doctrine, because God did not permit them to.
Hebrews 6:1-3 KJVS
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [3] And this will we do, if God permit.
Let us take a little closer look at the doctrine of eternal judgment.
1 Timothy 2:4-6 KJVS
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Many play a lot of word games chipping away at the sovereignty of God, 2 Ti 2:14. Take for instance the word “will” in verse four. They will say he desires all men to be saved. But the very same Greek word translated into “will” in that verse, appears in this verse, Ro 9:18.
Romans 9:18 KJVS
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Who has resisted God’s will when he exerts it? No one. A different Greek word was used for the translation of the word “will” in verse 19, by the way. The problem with most if not all mainstream denominational theology with regards to God saving all men, Is the impact it has on the collection basket. If you take away the fear of eternal hell, and on the other hand question free will, many churches would go out of business. If you convince a person there is a eternal hell, and on the other hand convince him that he made the choice that Jesus Christ is his savior, the Pews in the church start to fill up. God doesn’t save everyone at the same time.
Ephesians 1:10-12 KJVS
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: [12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
The inheritance that is mentioned in verse 11 is to rule and reign with Jesus Christ for 1000 years as priests and kings, Re 1:6. The 20th chapter of Revelation has many details about how God goes about saving humanity.
Revelation 20:4-6 KJVS
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The second death, is death to the lust of the flesh, which is sanctification.
Hebrews 10:10,14 KJVS
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
1 Peter 4:1-5 ESV
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [2] so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. [3] For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. [4] With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; [5] but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Those who are going to rule and reign with Jesus Christ have already been judged by God while they lived.
1 Peter 4:17 ESV
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Let’s circle back to a verse that was mentioned earlier.
Revelation 20:5 KJVS
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
The rest of the dead who did not reign with Jesus Christ will pass through the white throne judgment. Resurrection of the just and the unjust mentioned by our Lord in Matthew 25:31-46, specifically the just, live during the thousand years reign and are part of the first resurrection. The unjust will be spending a thousand years in fire.
Matthew 25:41 KJVS
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:46 KJVS
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Definition for the Greek word that is translated into the English word punishment in this previous verse.
Thayer’s Definition
correction, punishment, penalty 1.
I prefer Matthew 25:46 from literal bible translations.
Matthew 25:46 YLT
And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.’
Matthew 25:46 Concordant Literal New Testament
And these shall be coming away into chastening eonian, yet the just into life eonian.”
This is a example of the cunning craftiness apostle Paul wrote about in Ephesians 4:14. In order to support a concept of a eternal hell, certain words when translated were given definitions that indicated a eternal hell.
Strong’s Number
G165
Original Word
αἰών
Transliterated Word
aiōn
Phonetic Spelling
ahee-ohn’
Parts of Speech
Noun Masculine
Strong’s Definition
From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): – age course eternal (for) ever (-more) [n-]ever (beginning of the while the) world (began without end). Compare G5550 .
This word also is in adjective form as aionios, G166.
Strong’s Number
G166
Original Word
αἰώνιος
Transliterated Word
aiōnios
Phonetic Spelling
ahee-o’-nee-os
Parts of Speech
Adjective
Strong’s Definition
From G165; perpetual (also used of past time or past and future as well): – eternal for ever everlasting world (began).
The definitions for both Greek words are rather ambiguous. G166 is often translated into everlasting or eternal. G165 is often translated into “for ever”. When I first was called by the Lord and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit over 40 years ago I bought a hard copy of Strongs concordance. G165 definition was eternal. I noticed years back the word definition had changed “properly an age” given as the first definition listed. That being said let’s examine the verses concerning white throne judgment.
Revelation 20:11-15 KJVS
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. [14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8 KJVS
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Definition of the word brimstone in the above verse.
Thayer’s Definition
1. brimstone
a. divine incense, because burning brimstone was regarded as having power to purify, and to ward off disease
Now remember those who rule and reign with Jesus Christ for a 1000 years do not take part in the second death. Because they have already died to the flesh, Ro 6:6 and then go through the baptism of fire.
Luke 3:16-17 KJVS
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: [17] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
The metaphor in verse 17, the chaff represents the flesh.
Hebrews 13:9-13 KJVS
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. [10] We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. [11] For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. [12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. [13] Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his
The fire of that altar is fiery trial and suffering.
1 Peter 4:12-13 KJVS
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
I notice this verse years ago and believe it has bearing on the judgment of all mankind.
1 John 4:16 KJVS
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 Corinthians 15:28 KJVS
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
If God is going to be all in all then all men have to dwell in love. The body of Christ has a role in accomplishing this.
1 Corinthians 6:2 KJVS
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?