Subject: Is Hell Burning Today? |
Bible Note: Mathew Interesting story but without basis. God never commanded, or gave direction to the Jew to evangelize. Pagans that came to God did so after observing God's blessings, power, and might poured out on His people (Rahab in the book of Joshua). No where in the Old Testament do we see any attempt by God, by God's prophets, or by the children of Israel to reach out to others. Jesus himself show reluctance to share what he had with a non Jew in the parable you referred of the woman with a demon possessed daughter. Jesus at first refused her request but at her persistance saying even the dogs get the scraps caused Jesus to reconsider. Look at Paul's ministry at every town he went first to the Synagogues and only after suffering rejection there did he go to the Gentile. Like I said it is an interesting story but the main thing your forgetting is the example Jesus used of Sheol exactly fit the Jewish understanding of Sheol. Therefore the mystery of the parable wasn't Jesus' explanation of Sheol but the need to understand our treatment of others will effect our eternity. Jesus said it very clear, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The parable also carried a masked prophecy, saying "you stiff necked Jews haven't beleived the prophets and even more you won't believe even after I return from grave." EdB |