the righteous purpose of God's judgment
'Hope Beyond Hell' Book Updates
We see in a mirror, dimly (1Co. 13: 12).
"Every human undertaking... falls short of perfection... We never reach the point where we cannot find new light and fresh treasure in divine revelation."*
Thanks to the internet, Hope Beyond Hell is a living document. I plan to submit periodic updates and amendments to it as the Lord sheds additional light.
Since all I write is from my "dim mirror" of understanding, please submit it before the Lord, seeking His light.
*Publishers of the "Concordant Literal New Testament" CLNT p.7
UPDATES
Second Edition (Revised)
Sold after April 1, 2007
PAGE 19 change "(Th. 5:21)" to "(1Th. 5:21)"
PAGE 52 Fatherhood and Adoption
I believe that all human beings are children of God as His creatures. Yet, as believers, we become "adopted" in a unique sense. What's the difference? Though adoption brings great responsibility and privilege as Christ's Ambassadors, we must not think of ourselves as superior to unbelievers. This is the next topic I hope to research in 2007. I plan to submit a short article here as the Lord leads. Thank you for your patience and prayers for His revelation. If you have any additional information on this theme (as an article or study) please send me an attachment at gerry@hopebeyondhell.net
PAGE 87 Faith
I do not think that "believing" (Ac. 16:31; etc.) "calling" (Ro. 10: 9-14) "trusting," (1Ti. 410; 6:17) "receiving" (Jn. 1:12) "looking" (Jn. 3:14-15; 6:40), "asking" (Jn. 4:10), "coming" (Jn. 6:35), "feeding / eating / drinking/" (Jn. 6:54,58; 7:37-38), "entering" (Jn. 10:9), "accepting" (Jn 12:48) or any other such "expressions" of faith, are a requirement demanded of helpless and powerless sinners that appropriates or activates Christ's redemption accomplished 2000 years ago. "For while we were still "helpless" [powerless NIV]...Christ died for the ungodly" (Ro.5:6NAS).
When Christ said from the cross it was "finished"(Jn. 19:30), it meant "paid in full"according to the "Bible Knowledge Commentary" by John Walvoord; SP Publication; Dallas; 1983; p.340. Salvation in its culmination (the reconciliation of all, at the end of the ages, when God becomes all in all - 1Co. 15:28) will take place as written. There is nothing we can add or take away from the completed work of Christ – our redemption. He has ransomed all, and it will be testified in due time. (1Ti. 2:6)
The above "faith" expressions are the pathways by which we (as His first-fruits or elect) are enabled to experience (in the present) the peace and joy that only the knowledge of Christ’s redemption can bring. This peace and joy "is" salvation, in the sense of release or deliverance from a lifelong bondage to the fear of death (He. 2:15). Yet, this is only the initial phase of salvation. Christ "formed" in us, and God "all in all" are its culmination. (Ga. 4:19; 1Co. 15:28).
When you think of "believing," "calling," "trusting," "accepting," etc. do thoughts of laying down your life or carrying your cross come to mind? No. These are passive, not active terms. Carrying our cross relates to the life of discipleship, and must not be confused with the redemptive work of Christ that redeems us. The faith "expressions" do not put stringent demands on us causing us to wonder if we "performed" them adequately. How difficult is "eating" and "drinking?" These are not "works" in which we can boast. And even if they were works, we still have no grounds to boast, since it is God who "works" them in us. The following passages, if meditated upon, I believe, open this up to us (Ep 2:8-10; Ro. 12:3; 1Co. 4:7; Ep. 3:16-17; Ph. 1:29; Col. 1:12; 1Ti. 1:14; He. 12:2).
"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Lu. 12:32). "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people" (Lu. 2:10). "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Ro. 10:15). Isn't this good news? Peter says, "You greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory!" (1Pe. 1:8) This indescribable joy is the backdrop in which we are launched forward in the "working out" of our joyous salvation (Ph. 2:13). God works it in us, even in the willing of it.
PAGE 185
Ge. 12:3 See also Ge. 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; Ac. 3:25,26; Ga. 3:8.
Ps. 16:9-10 Though Acts 2 relates this to Christ, I find great comfort knowing His victory over Hades is in truth our victory since He went there to free its captives (Lu. 4:18-19; Pe. 3:19-20; 4:6) . See also 1 Sa. 2:6; Ps. 49:15; 86:13; Hos. 13:14; 1Co. 15:55; Re 1:17-18.)
PAGE 206
Change "Mal. 9:13" to "Mal. 1: 2-3" and/or "Ro. 9:13"
PAGE 235-236 (The Testimony of Song) – add
I Cannot Tell
I cannot tell why He whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wanderers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary
When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
And so the Savior, Savior of the world is come.
I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the brokenhearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For yet the Savior, Savior of the world is here.
I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of East and West, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor
When He the Savior, Savior of the world is known.
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to Heaven, and Heaven to earth, will answer:
At last the Savior, Savior of the world is King!
Now Is the Time to Worship
Come, Now Is the Time to Worship
Come, now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to give your heart
Come, just as you are to worship
Come, just as you are before your God
Come
One day every tongue will confess You are God
One day every knee will bow
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose you now
First Edition
Prior to April 1, 2007
PAGE 48
Line 5
Ps. 115:3 (not 15:3)
PAGE 55
Line 13
Ro. 5:8 (not 5:18)
PAGE 70
Line 9
Ps. 115:3 (not 15:3)
Line 10
Ps. 66:3-4 (not 66:33-34)
PAGE 87
NOTE:
Change the last paragraph to the following:
Many think because they have faith, they are a cut above the rest of men. Not so. Faith is God’s gift or work in us : "Jesus…author and finisher of our faith"(He. 12:2). I believe a close look at these texts will confirm this. Mt. 11:27; 16:16-17; Jn. 1:13; 6:44; 15:16; Ro. 12:3; 1Co. 4:7; Ep. 2:8-9; 3:16-17; Ph. 1:6; 1:29; 2:13; Col. 1:12; 1Ti. 1:14.
PAGE 103
Line 8
Ro.11:32 (not Ro.11:36)
NOTE: Add Jer. 30:24 to the list
PAGE 114
Title: "Every Knee"
Reference (Ph. 2: 9-11) should be first
PAGE 120
Line 23
Re. 13:8 (not Ro.)
PAGE 143
NOTE: Add the following before the last paragraph.
In addition, this "cutting off," whatever it entails, is not unchangeable. Though God is seen as severe in breaking off the natural branches in Ro. 11:21, He remains a God of goodness (v. 22). For He promises to graft them in again if they will change (v. 23).
PAGE 144
NOTE: Add the following after the 1 Ti. 4:9-11 quote.
The Apostle Peter as well, so far from supporting unending torments, offers us great hope! He proclaims the "times of restoration of all things" (Ac. 3:21), confirms all families (including each individual) of the earth shall be blessed (Ac. 3:25-26), declares God shows no partiality (Ac. 10:34), describes the Christian life as indescribable joy (1Pe.1:8), states Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison specifying the dead (1Pe. 3:19; 4:6), affirms God’s will to save all, and assures us that His longsuffering "is" salvation (2Pe. 3:9, 15).
PAGE 158
Line 22 and 23
NOTE: "Offend" should not be in quotation marks.
"Offend" is based on the KJV, not the NKJV, which should have been noted. The bracketed "terrorize" is not associated with the Greek meaning of the word (in case that was assumed). Nevertheless, terror does cause a believer to "stumble" (NKJV, NAS, NEB), or "sin" (NIV, RSV). Such a horrific view of God has destroyed the faith of many. It maligns God’s character affecting negatively our relationship with Him - very serious indeed. Thus, I remain at peace with my use of the word "terrorize" in this sentence.
PAGE 180
Line 28
"Call upon" should have read "Believe on." I failed to look that one up. Please accept my apologies. Nevertheless, "calling upon" the Lord is one of many valid expressions of faith, and thus the truth has not been distorted. "For whosoever shall "call" upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Ro. 10:13). (See also: 10: 9,10, 14; 2 Ti 2:22; 2 Sa. 22:4; Ps 18:3) Also, please see p.87 in "Updates" Revised Edition above.
PAGE 186
Last reference
The first sentence is a typo of the last part of the previous reference. Please ignore.
PAGE 194
Last reference
Re. 21:5 (not 22:5)
PAGE 226
Third point from bottom
Corrected reference list:
2Ch. 30:15; Ezr. 9:6; Jer. 8:12; Ez. 16:62-63; 36:31-33; 2Th. 3:14-15.
REVISED EDITION CHANGES
I have invested much time in this revision and feel the book has been improved as a result. It still has the same number of pages and retains the original subheadings. What's different? Here is a list of a dozen changes:
* The "Problem" was placed at the outset of the book to immediately grab the readers attention and create a sense of shock. This hopefully will draw people into the book. (P.3)
* An additional book endorsement was added by Dr.Grady Brown, of Day Spring Ministries. He effectively confirms the "Problem." I have strategically placed it after the "Problem" and gave it a catchy title. (P.4)
* Three additional quotes were added:
Dr. Heleen Keiser. She did her doctoral dissertation on "aion", presented in 1999 at Amsterdam University.
Her quote is an appendage at the end of chapter one. (P. 45)
Dr. Rich Bell. This Tubingen scholar confirms my view of Romans 5 in chapter six. (P.118 / 119)
Dr. Marvin Vincent expounds on "Gehenna" in Appendix IV. (P.215)
* Additional texts were added to Appendix I. (P. 185)
* A number of paragraphs were re-worked for clarity with some new material added.
* A few misquoted Scriptural text references were corrected.
* Some spelling, punctuation, and gramatical errors were corrected.
* Many parts of the book are now keyed to my website for further reading.
* "Come to Jesus" has greater Scriptural support and keyed to the bibliography for reading ease. (P. 180)
* The last page was revised to more effectively encourage partnership in book promotion. (P. 247)
* Readers are encouraged to get connected with others for encouragement and edification. (p.184/247)
* "Hope Beyond Hell" is offered free of charge. (p.184/247)
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