How's That?

In which I take issue with Hal Lindsey on a couple of obvious errors in his essay, The ultimate tragedy

First, he presents the age old "immortal soul" doctrine.

But because of mankind's rebellion against Him, man now has two destinations in eternity. Every person who does not restore his relationship with God will spend eternity away from God in a place of isolation, torment and outer darkness.

He quotes John 3:16-19 but inadvertantly leaves out verse 15:

so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Two opposites, everlasting life - perish. Dont' read into it, just read it. How 'bout Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let's see, wages of sin = death. Gift of God = Eternal life. In Eccle 9:5-6 it says:

For the living know that they shall die; but the dead do not know anything, nor do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; nor do they any longer have a part forever in all that is done under the sun.

In Genesis 2:17 God says:

but you shall not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

They didn't die when they ate the fruit, so did God lie? No, God wasn't talking about the death of their body. Read Hebrews 9:27-28:

And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment,

so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And to those who look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation.

Everyone dies once, that death is not the "wages of sin." In Job 32:8 we read,

But a spirit is in man giving them perception, even the breath of the Almighty.

This spirit in man does not die with the body, but is preserved, with no knowledge of the passing time, until the person is ressurected in the judgement.

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).

Our modern use of the word "hell" does not match the meaning of the word "Gehenna." Gehanna is a place. Read here for detailed explaination of Gehenna.

The truth is, the wages of sin is death. And all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.

There is plenty that can be said about this subject and I cannot possibly cover everything here. The following links cover the subject in more detail, and more eloquently than I.

Is There Really A Hell Fire?

The Bible Does Not Promise Heaven

Do You Have An Immortal Soul?

You Can Take It With You

When I Die, What Happens Next?

You can read the truth in your own Bible, it's in there, but you must let go of the preconceived ideas you carry around with you.

But wait Hal, there's more! Hal Lindsey continues:

The Bible teaches that if a person dies before the age of accountability, he is automatically covered by the atonement of Jesus Christ because he didn't have the ability to make a decision.

No, it doesn't. Notice his complete lack of scriptural reference? That may be something he came up with to explain what happens to children when they die, but it is not the truth. Perhaps it brings him a little temporary comfort to believe that but he is fooling himself and those who listen to him; it really does them a disservice and hides the truth.

Sorry about the rant but it really bothers when someone who should know better, doesn't. Misinformation profits no one and hurts all.

Satan was surprised to see the Tree of the Knowledge of Good And Evil in the Garden of Eden. What Satan said was not entirely a lie, just a little misinformation mixed with truth.

And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,

for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4-5

And they didn't die, not right away.

The Choice