Mark 9:47-49

“And if thine eye may cause thee to stumble, cast it out; it is better for thee one-eyed to enter into the reign of God, than having two eyes, to be cast to the gehenna of the fire — where their worm is not dying, and the fire is not being quenched; for every one with fire shall be salted, and every sacrifice with salt shall be salted.” 

(Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) translated by Robert Young  in 1862. It is one of the most literal translations, and Young went into translating it without an bias in beliefs…)

At the end of this verse, “Salted with fire” means “purified by fire.” Salt represents a purifying solution. 

Notice that last part, “for every one with fire shall be salted.” 

Hmm. Not once is hell mentioned here. Only Gehenna, which in Hebrew is referring to the Valley of the Son of  Hinnom (a metaphor). It was a place in the Old Testament where mothers sacrificed their children to Molech, a pagan god. Later years, during the time of Jesus (before and after), this valley was where the wicked dead were thrown after dying or being executed… It was also a trash dump, and dogs were there, and these dogs “gnashed” their teeth together and wept. 

Can you not agree that the word Gehenna is a mere idea or metephor for something God will use in order to salt all with salt, or “purify with fire” the wicked? Could it be possible that God would “sacrifice” His children (who have been wicked) in this “fire” (metaphor for something like God, the “all-consuming fire” not our earthly fire) in order to destroy everything evil, sinful, dead, and wicked inside us, in order to bring healing and right relationship?

It seems weird, yes, that Jesus would use this idea, Gehenna, to refer to casting the wicked into this fire… But what is Gehenna, according to this scripture? When it speaks of “everyone will be salted with fire, and every *sacrifice will be salted with salt”, is it referring to a possibility, or a fact, that God will cast *everyone into this Gehenna, “sacrificing” them in the fire, and salting them in the fire? Do you think this “metaphor” could be the same idea as the “lake of fire”? 

In this life, we are called to “take up our cross daily” and “purify ourselves” of all ungodliness. In fact, Jesus called us to take on this purifying fire, which would cleanse us of all ungodliness and sin; the cleansing of our flesh. There are other verses that speak of going “through the fire” in order to cleanse our beings from our sinful flesh. 

And in this verse above in Mark 9, it says that “everyone will be salted with fire.” The “Lake of Fire” is the *second death. And in Revelations it says that the saints, those who believed and followed Christ before the second coming, will not experience the second death in the age to come (age of Judgement). I wonder why? Well, is it possible that it’s because we already have experienced the “second death” - the death to our flesh, our sinful flesh? Have we, Christians, already experienced the “lake of fire” or “Gehenna”? I believe so. 

Are we not called to “take up our cross” daily - die to our flesh, become alive in the Spirit - *sacrificing ourselves in th same way Christ did (accept not literally nailing ourselves to a cross), in order to cleanse ourselves of sin, die to death, and enter into life? Couldn’t this be the same reason people will be placed in this Lake of Fire, in order to let them die to death, be rid of sin, and enter into life?

But others, who haven’t in this life gone through it, will go through this second death, which has been said to support the idea of an “unending torment” in hell forever and ever… But in fact, it does not. Gehenna is characterized as a place of purification (yes, painful, sure. Was it easy for you, or is it easy, to die to our flesh daily? No. We wrestle and tremble, weep and “gnash our teeth” together at our sin, to be free from it and inherit Aionios Life)… The Lake of Fire means the very same thing. For the word “fire” here comes from the root word “Pur”, which is the same word used to translate into “pure” or “purity”… 

So, we’ve got a fire that is purifying. And we see that it is “salt” that is indeed the solution which purifies EVERYONE. And we also see that this fire is unquenchable, it cannot be quenched. Well, why not? For indeed, the lake of fire and Gehenna are surely representing the “all-consuming fire”, which is a name for God. God embodies the “lake of fire”, which is the same as metephorical Gehenna. God is the “salt” which “purifies” the wicked from their wickedness. And in Revelations it speaks of some glorifying God in the fire (those who have already gone through it) and loving this fire, and others being “tormented” by it, because they are going through a purging. But will these latter few be continually tormented day and night? No. They will grow to love it, as the fire purifies them more and more, until the only thing that is left is God and man, one, together, cleansed and beautiful and full of life. This is when God will be “all in all”.

Whats more funny to me is this. Gehenna is characterized as a place “outside the gates of Jerusalem”… In Revelations, John speaks of Jesus reigning as King, and His chosen ones (those who diligently followed him on this earth) with him, for a thousand years. And the gates of the city (the New Jerusalem) will never be shut. But all those “outside the gates” were weeping and gnashing their teeth together (like the dogs where Gehenna was located in Jerusalem during the time Jesus was on the earth the first time)… Is it possible this Gehenna is a place where God places many of His children to be purified by the all-consuming fire (purified of all their sin and evil deeds)… Could this place, Gehenna, be talking about the purification process (a preparation) that many will go through in the “age of Judgement” (it has a beginning and an end), and at the end of that age of judgement, God will be “all in all” and He will say, “I am making ALL things new”? How beautiful is this, even knowing there will be pain many will go through, but that God will indeed restore all to Life. 

This is amazing. Thank you, God, for your revelations and truth. But thank you more for your undying love, which will be shown through your purifying us all, in this life or the next, of all ungodliness and wickedness, into righteous and glorious beings, that will only glorify You *forever.

I can honestly and with all my heart, knowing this truth, praise God without a doubt in my mind of His love and compassion and grace towards ALL humanity, and towards myself.

Romans 5:8-9; 18 “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” (NLT)

Tonight, my father had me watch with him a movie called, “The Lazerus Phenonenon”. It’s a movie about heaven and hell, the afterlife, and stories of those who have died, “seen” all of it (heaven, hell, angels, etc…) and come back to tell their story. How incredible gruesome and disturbing, the images displayed of people burning in an unending torment in hell, and one of those who came back being told by an angel, “Your book would have ended here, and you would have been sent to hell forever because you didn’t forgive your wife before you left the earth.”

This is so unbiblical, it isn’t funny. With all respect due to those I love, I honestly cannot see where in scripture this kind of hell is supported.

All through the entire movie, I kept thinking about this verse, that I put in my “quotes” section on Facebook.

“We must die. But God does not take away life; instead, He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from Him.” 2 Sam. 14:14

Jesus was that way, that God devised, in order to bring life to all those who have died. Gods salvation came through the loving sacrifice of Christ.

Here, God is shown as a God who gives life, and life abundantly, to all. And He takes those who are “banished” so that they will not remain estranged from Him forever, but will be brought back into His life. Though they “must die”, God will not banish them forever from Himself, but will give life.

This is all I need to understand to see Gods plan for His people - all those have ever lived.

This is all I need to believe in the restoration of all things, all people, all creation. For God will not allow anyone to be “estranged” from Him forever in Shoel (Hades - “the grave” or “death”), but will bring them back into His Life.

Remember that story of Jonah, the guy who gets swallowed by a big fish because he is running from God’s call on his life?  Jonah does something similar when describing his experience in the whale.

In the Old Testament book of Jonah, chapter 2, Jonah writes, “To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever” (NIV).  I can’t blame the guy.  I know what it’s like to be stuck in traffic for hours, literally, and it feels like forever.  His time in this whale, or big fish, must have felt like forever, like an eternity.  How long was he actually there?

3 days, not forever.

Translators didn’t use the proper word, the word that was said or intended.  The YLT says this for the very same verse, “To the cuttings of mountains I have come down, The earth, her bars [are] behind me to the age.  And Thou bringest up from the pit my life, O Jehovah my God.” What he’s saying is that it felt like forever, it felt like an eternity.  Jesus was saying the same thing in Matthew 25.  He’s warning us that there is a real judgment waiting and your punishment is not going to be pleasant, it’s going to feel like an eternity.  This doesn’t lessen the holiness of God as some claim.  What it does do is fit with the character of who God is.  It makes sense.  Some Christians ignore logic and common sense because they think it’s trusting in themselves instead of God.  Don’t forget who gave you that common sense and ability to reason.

- A quote from Jackson Baer’s book, “What the Hell?”

In this you find an answer to a question. What is “eternal punishment” through the lens of scripture interpreted with scripture.

Think, ponder, pray, seek, find. God is a good God, and though He brings grief, He will have mercy. (Lam. 3:31-33)

This evening, at approximately 12pm, starting Christmas day, I finished one of the most life-altering, hope-building books I’ve read so far. Hope Beyond Hell by Gerard Beauchemin. It was very timely, since it’s Christmas.

The story of Christ coming to earth, so humbly and so beautifully, is such an incredible story. Within a small child, the whole earths fate laid. The beginning of salvation came through those tiny hands and brown eyes. Homeless and poor Jesus was brought into this world; humble means with a mother whose life resembled such innocence and purity, with faith so strong.

The story of the salvation of the whole world from the Creator of our whole existence came through this One child. Through this baby, God showed and proved His incredible love and plan to bring us back into full relationship with Himself. A story of Hope for ALL He created.

“…Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” // Luke 2:10-11

This is amazing. From the very beginning of Jesus’ life, He was the “good news” for the world; “great joy” that would fill the earth; He was the “Savior” “for all people”, “Christ the Lord”, the new born King.

At the beginning is one of the most important parts. To see these words only confirm the hope that is in me; that our heavenly Father sent His Son to be Savior of the whole world.

This is the story of the Christ. This is the story of Gods salvation for His people, the world. This is a story of hope, way beyond death.

Merry Christmas.

Much of my life, up until the last year, I believed Christ died for all, but that only a few would be saved. Only a few select people would actually be saved from their sins, and only a few would have their sins washed away by the blood of Christ on the cross.

I was taught that to be saved, I had to believe upon the name of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, and I had to confess I was a sinner, and in need of a Savior. Then, and only then, I would be saved from an eternal hell, and given the promise of eternal life in heaven some day.

Now, it’s all changed. And here is where I’d like to begin to share the reason why I believe Christ is the Savior of the whole world, and that one day, in due time, all will be reconciled to God, and given the right to become children of God.

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2

This verse speaks two things, and I’ll leave it simply spoken.

1. Jesus is the propitiation (“to appease”) for sins.

“The word propitiation carries the basic idea of appeasement, or satisfaction, specifically towards God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to them.”[1] Propitiation is that “by which it becomes consistent with his character and government to pardon and bless the sinner.” (Theopedia - www.Theopedia.com/propitiation)

Propitiation is the “appeasing” of Gods wrath towards sins. Christ took all the wrath of God, that was meant for us, on Himself, and satisfied the wrath of God through His sacrifice.

2. “And not for ours only”.

The apostle John was speaking to the Church in this passage. So he spoke directly to Christians (all those who are or will enter into the salvation and life of Christ here on earth) saying it was not only for us (Christians - those believing)… Now here is the biggest part —-

For the WHOLE WORLD.

John is making a statement that says Christ appeasing sacrifice on the cross (that satisfied Gods wrath) was not only for our (Christians - those believing) sins only, but a protitiation for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD.

This is huge. This changes everything. Christ, appeasing the wrath of God, for all the world, all creation, everyone!

The part that gets me is this. “Propitiation” is not only to satisfy the wrath of God, but to end in the reconciliation of the sinner to God. And this is not just for us, Christians, it is “for the whole world!”

And so thata is where I begin…