Results 1 - 2 of 2
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Soul destroyed? or Eternal suffering? | Matt 10:28 | Rainbow Maker | 39269 | ||
Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. AMPLIFIED Matthew 10:28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna). Thank you for your excellent research, I have spent some time following your search. I am certainly not intending to be flipent (oh for a spell check) but consider that the Scriptures tell us a great deal about the power, might, love of our God what if the following: - "Rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." speaks of the power of God to do if He would though does not tell us that He necessary will. I too am not quick to speak for the annihilation of most of the unbelieving. I am also not so presumptious as to assume that just because I count myself as a believer that he will not say to me "Depart from me 'I never knew you." Matt. 7:23 my paraphrase. Rainbow Maker |
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2 | Soul destroyed? or Eternal suffering? | Matt 10:28 | Brent Douglass | 39312 | ||
Thank you, Rainbow Maker, for your solid observation. As you point out, the text definitely does refer to ability and does not directly say that God will do this, and I will keep that in mind. This is an example of the kind of feedback I am looking for. I'd love to have more of such feedback from you and others. Please don't let my reply below hinder this. That said, I also feel the need to say that I don't believe your observation leads to any change in the apparent meaning of the verse in question. I think the context (particularly Matthew 10:16-11:1) gives a very strong impression of reference to what evil men both are capable of and will do as opposed to what our righteous God both is capable of and will do -- thus encouraging the disciples as to the value of faithfully and trustingly carrying the message of God rather than fearing and yielding to obstinate and violent men. This contrast of losing one's fleshly life at the hands of men vs. losing the life of one's soul at the hands of God is reversed and restated for deeper emphasis in v.39 of this same passage. (Matthew 10:39 "He who has found his 'life' [soul -- psuche 5590, same as "soul" in 10:28] will lose it, and he who has lost his 'life' [soul -psuche again] for My sake will find it.") It seems to me that the choice presented (in Matthew 10:28,39 and the surrounding passage) is whether a) to focus on protecting one's soul with the comfort and ongoing well-being of this fleshly body at the expense of its eternity or b) to focus on actively receiving and enjoying an eternal linking of one's soul with one's spirit from God and with the Spirit of God, resulting in eternal life in His presence. The true believer will choose b) in the end, whereas the rocky soil heart of Luke 8:13-14 experiences only an apparent but passive receipt (rendered "dechomai" - Strong's 1209 - by Luke) of the seed planted within it and remains content with option a) if and when finally tested. As a side note, I also thank you for your excellent point in your reference to Matthew 7:23. I'm in full agreement that one's self-confidence of having a relationship with Christ and-or even supernatural gifting and power on God's behalf are simply not a guarantee of either saving faith or its benefits: including a true ongoing relationship with God and salvation from the eternal fires of Hell. As pointed out in Matthew 7, saving faith is active, not passive -- also illustrated clearly in Hebrews 11 and in James 2. (The testing of our faithful obedience in harsh or difficult circumstances is thus of great benefit and encouragement, since it helps to increase our assurance upon passing through a struggle and-or to jar us awake to the need for continued growth in our faith whenever we encounter short-term failures.) |
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