Monday, August 20, 2012

‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish."-Dr. Luke 16:24

Stefan Lochner 1400 – 1452


I was having a discussion on a blog about God's wrath, and here's a statement from the person I was exchanging thoughts with, so to speak.

“In Revelation it says that people are taken out of hades and then hades is destroyed”-Christopher

I went on to make my argument from Revelation 20:

“…and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”-John, Revelation 20:10



“The infamous trio (Satan, the beast, and the false prophet) will be tormented day and night forever and ever. First, notice that the expression day and night also occurs in the throne room scene hwere the four living creatures sing praises to God day and night without ceasing (4:8). By contrast those who are cast into the lake of fire are tormented day and night forever and ever ( see also 14:11). Next, all they whose names are not recorded in the Book of Life suffer a similar fate and will be eternally with satan and the two beasts (v. 15). Third, Scripture nowhere teaches that their torment will eventually come to an end. On the contrary, Jesus said, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil” (matt.. 25:41)."-Simon J. Kistemaker


This is the second death according to the Sacred Writ. And this is scary; very scary.

And it should cause us to long to tell others, and we can tell the world about it, and then tell them about the love and mercy of Christ, which is the Gospel, which means good news for all who repent and trust this truth, and trust in Jesus Christ, that he died for our sins, and He rose from the dead 3 days later.

May our Lord help us to go forth with His truth, and keep on marching out into this dark age with his holy light. Amen.


2 comments:

Craver Vii said...

I wonder why someone would hesitate to believe that the wrath stored up for the unregenerate would not be eternal. I see that your friend cited "Revelation," but was there a compelling argument with chapter and verse?

John Stott was a really neat Christian and highly respected, but he believed in annihilation for the wicked. I believe Stott was mistaken about that.

donsands said...

This fellow thinks Calvin was a heretic and augustine as well. he says there is no 2nd death.
I'm going to take his teachings to my pastors, and let them look it over.
I told him he needs to simply see the simplicity of the truth, but he thinks I'm "brainwashed" by Calvinism.

Stott was a blessed teacher of Scripture, and even when he made his statement of annihilation he did so with great respect to the traditional teaching of the Church throughout history.

He was weak in this one doctrine, and yet preached the Gospel with great love and fear.

Thanks for stoppin' by my good friend.