Traditional answers to some of life’s most basic questions are often confusing. For example, if you already believe in the concept of hell you have probably gone along with the teaching that those who go there will be there forever.
Think of it though. Does the traditional teaching of “eternal hell” make any sense ? Would or could an all-loving, all-powerful God stand back and watch any of His children spend eternity suffering indescribable agony and torment? Does that really make sense?
Most Bible “scholars” of our day say this is what the Bible teaches. To the “scholars” of His day Jesus said, “They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. ” Matt. 15:9. Fortunately our lives depend on God’s interpretation, not man’s. “It is written: “`As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, `every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'” Rom. 14:11. Eventually all of God’s children will confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
“Bible scholars” of our day argue that Jesus taught one’s stay in hell was an eternal experience. Often quoted is Rev. 14:11, “And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” Is this a true representation of the original? NO!!!!! Our loving Father would never require a punishment of “eternal torment” no matter how wicked the sin.
The “for ever and ever” of Rev. 14:11 is actually a liberal embellishment if not an intentional mistranslation of the Greek aions kai aions. Aion (pronounced ay-on), literally meaning an age, a finite time segment, is often mistranslated eternal or for ever. If the singular form aion is translated eternal (unending), then how are we to understand its plural form, aions? Would aions be successive eternities? That would be ridiculous. In Rev. 14:11 the Greek aions of the aions is translated for ever and ever. Can one eternal period of time follow after another? Of course not! It doesn’t take genius to recognize that man once again has interjected his own bias into God’s perfect Word.
Revelation 11:15 says of Jesus, “…He shall reign for ever and ever”.
Yet I Cor. 15:24,25 says, “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”Fortunately God’s Word is self correcting. Paul understood that Christ would reign until He had put all enemies under His feet. Literally the Word declares, “He shall reign unto the ages of ages.” An age is a limited period of time. Many ages are still just several limited periods. These ages may or may not “just keep rolling along”.
To understand these Greek words so often mistranslated “eternal” and “for ever and ever”, picture the horizon. What is beyond the horizon is also beyond your vision. So it is with many applications of time in scripture. When the Greek speaks of a singular age or plural ages the duration is often undefined, as well as unseen (beyond the horizon and therefore beyond one’s vision).
The context of most scripture dealing with “salvation” shows us our heavenly inheritance is in fact unending. However, in the context of God’s all encompassing love we should understand that no one is destined for Hell eternally. God’s plan is too great for that.
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isa. 55:11.He will finish the work that He has begun. Phil. 1:6.
What better reason to rejoice!
Are we then relieved of our responsibility to reestablish the relationship with the Father we left so long ago? Who, in his right mind, would want to spend even a short time in hell? (Yes, hell is real, even though one’s stay is not eternal). We have opportunities unequaled in the history of mankind to accept the Love of Jesus Christ and progress into a meaningful relationship with Him! Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”John 5:24.
Respond to His call right now! Not because of fear for your future but because of the desire to return to a relationship with Jesus left so long ago. Only He can fill the void. Only by learning about and living His plan for our lives can we understand the purpose and benefits of this our earthly experience. Receive His Word into your heart today. Agree with Him that His way is the only way!
Does God’s perfect plan include just some or all of His children? Many teach that God calls only a few, while the great majority are pre-destined to eternal judgment. This man-invented teaching has hindered many from accepting and experiencing the great love our heavenly Father has for each of His children.
Jesus warned that an “enemy man” would sow tares (untruths) among the good wheat (the pure Word of God). The Church as we know it today has done more good, helping more people than any other organization on earth. But it has also allowed the enemy to infiltrate, planting his tares throughout the last 1900 years. The main emphasis of this website to harvest the wheat while separating perversions and untruth from His Truth, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31,32.
Eternal Hell NO!
by David McLeod
