Monthly Archives: May 2022

Daniel and Revelation, Prophecies for Our Time, The Soon Return of Jesus, What is God Like?

ONE OF THE CHIEF PRINCES

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Just a few weeks ago, I wrote an article entitled, “Michael-Who is He?” I showed the reasons for the belief that Michael is an allegory for the pre-incarnated Jesus. A reader who attends our Tuesday night verse-by-verse Zoom study of Danieal and Revelation asked the following question. Below is my response. I thought it might be useful to share it with everyone. I encourage your thoughts and comments.

Blessings!

Eddie

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Question:

From Sherree:

Thank you for sharing this article!

Question for clarification:

In this passage 

“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.: Daniel 10:13

How do we explain that it says “Michael,  One of the chief princes“

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Answer:

Thank you Sherree for the tough question and for reading the article!  The passage you cite certainly seems to point away from the assertion that Michael (mîḵā’ēl=One like God) is the pre-incarnate Jesus.  It seems to contradict the many other passages that point to Jesus as the Archangel. (Chief of the angels) as discussed in my article. The phrase “one of the chief princes” would diminish Michaels’ role as archangelos the “Chief of the angels” and make Him just one of the chief leaders.

As I mentioned in the article, whether Michael is Jesus or not, our interpretation should not take away from the divinity of Christ as some people have attempted to do. Because the divinity of Christ is Biblical. It is critical in understanding the awesome sacrifice of our Creator (John 1).   (Note: I plan to write an article on the divinity of Christ next.)


In my opinion and mentioned in my article, the focus should be more on the actions of Michael who “stands up for his people”  (Daniel 12:1), contends with the devil (Jude 1:9), and whose voice is the sound heard at our resurrection when Jesus returns (1 Thess 4: 16-18).  These actions are most important to understanding God and His character.  Less important (my opinion) is the identity or name of Michael, whether it be a powerful angel or Christ Himself. 


As you know, the word “Jesus” is not in the Old Testament.  He appears with other names e.g.. “one like the Son of God“, “Messiah” etc., or in this case, I believe “Michael” (One like God).   But I do not want to minimize the importance of words or your question.  So I began a word study within the context of the chapter, and other passages regarding Michael the Archangel.  I always try to keep an open mind.

CONTEXT OF PHRASE
I looked a little deeper at the passage of Daniel 10:13, keeping it in its context. The most immediate context is that Michael appears again in this chapter (verse 21).  


 “But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me (Garbriel) against these, except Michael your prince) Daniel 10:21


This passage insinuates more exclusivity (No one) and differentiation from other princes (your prince). This is “noted in the Scripture of Truth”).  Gabriel seems to point Daniel to the Scriptures for clarity.  This is always the best thing to do…look at other related scripture

Continuing with context, Micahel is referred to later in Daniel 12:1

At that time Michael shall stand up,

The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;


As we have found in our study of Daniel’s prophecies, it is rich in symbols as in Revelation.  So it is highly logical, as Charlie has pointed out that these Princes that are fighting against each other are in the spiritual realm (Eph 6:12).  The Characters are in the spiritual struggle include angels (both good and bad), Christ (Michael?), and Satan (the Dragon of Revelation) 

 “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought”

Revelation 12:7

So context is king.  It helps us with other difficult passages in the Bible (Note: you might want to read my other articles on “Context“-Shameful promotion, I know! 😁

WORD and PHRASE STUDY
But since words are important, I examined the phrase “one of the chief princes” in Hebrew to help me understand better Daniel’s description of the events in Chapter 10.


 It seems that the phrase “one of” is the rub.  If Jesus is Michael, this phrase “one of the chief Princes”  makes Him like just one of the other “chief princes” (i.e. more than one chief).  So I hope I am not straining at a gnat here  🙂  Here is the word study on the phrase you cited,  please feel free to make your own conclusions.


One  (‘eḥāḏ)- Translated most often as  “one” (687 times), but it is often translated as “first” (36 times).  It could have been translated as “First” instead of “One of”.  Young’s Literal Translation agrees.  It translates this passage as 

 “Michael, first of the chief heads, hath come in to help me, 

Chief (ri’šôn)-This word appears 185 times in the Old Testament alone It has been translated “first” 129 times. The next most times it is translated elsewhere as “former” (32 times).  I was expecting something related to how I understand the word chief (i.e. leader, captain, the main guy) as used elsewhere in the Bible.  The main word used in Hebrew as “chief” is used 421 times in the KJV.  This word in Hebrew is śar (It literally means what I was expecting (chieftain, leader).  So why wouldn’t Daniel use this word?)


Princes śar-The word means what I was expecting for chief!  (See above).

So with this in mind including the context.  It could be interpreted as The First of the Chief Princes. This would line up with the second designation of Michael (Archangel) who is THE “chief” or leader of the angels.   All other angel rankings fall below him as the leader. 

Sorry to have gotten too far in the weeds.  I hope this helps and does not confuse the subject further!  😁

Blessings as you study!

Eddie

Healthy Living

A Single Solution for a Dynamic Problem?

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As the news came in of the shooting of little children at Robb Elementry School in Uvalde, Texas, hearts began to break…again. Lives were changed forever…again. Little sweet precious lives were cut short…again.

Gone

Gone was a playful summer in the Texas sun for little bright-eyed children. Gone was their future! Family relationships, laughter, fun at the carnival, education, opportunities, professions, marriages, their own children, the smell and taste of a good meal, the peaceful feeling of a desert sunset, growing older and wiser… All gone in a flash by a crazy young man. His future is gone, too, by his choice. Individual choice is a powerful thing! It can create good results or lead to murder. The big question is this: How do we help young people make the right choices. More on that later.

The sad finality for these children stabbed the heart of people all over the world. Little lives who were one-moment writing on fresh tablets were now bleeding out on the floor. If they were fortunate, it ended quickly.

One deranged, immoral, uncontrollable 18-year-old found some sort of sick satisfaction in using a gun meant for use by soldiers at war to end innocent and helpless lives. Salvador Ramos purchased his semi-automatic rifles within a week of his 18th birthday! He couldn’t wait to buy those weapons. All legal, but all so wrong.

As a society, what could we have done that would have prohibited all this? The answer to that is highly complex. There is not one thing that can be done. Even if there were not a single gun in this country, evil and mental sickness would find a way to destroy life. This horrendous act of murder began in his mind…then came the weapon of choice and availability. The connection between the sick, immoral mind and available weapons is the issue. Weapons for self-defense and weapons of offense are the two different motives for owning guns.

Frustration

The frustration of the deadly redundancy and pitiful failure of our divided country to “fix the problem” was on the faces of the officials in Texas. The president of the Un-United States and his vice-president began their predictable drift into vexation, political innuendos, and customary statements that “something has to be done.”

American Wisdom and Politicians

This problem of school shootings is not a political party issue. It is a societal issue. Regardless of party affiliation, religion, or no belief system, I have found there is wisdom among the diverse people who live, work, and die in this country. They are not politicians. They are common people who have common sense. They see that a solution will not be found in a single bullet. It is not one piece of legislation; it is not a partisan solution; it is not the elimination of guns and more governmental control of things they have shown they can’t control.

The wise among us know that protecting our young people, and people in general, from death by weapons has immediate requirements and then developing a plan for long-term solutions. They know that this takes a united effort where political hats and agendas are checked at the door. We all cry about the loss of unity in this country. In our lifetimes, we have seen unity come alive at the bombing of Pearl Harbor and New York’s twin towers. We have set aside our political theology at those times, focused on the enemy, and worked together.

Unfortunately, we have had many Pearl Harbors, and we are still wearing political hats with no serious solutions. We haven’t progressed towards helping protect our children and other human beings!

Progress on this problem is for serious people living in serious times. It won’t come from politicians. It will come from the people, by the people, and for the people. Let the wise among us stop waiting on the wealthy Politicians and the political ideologies that separate us!

The president said he was “sick and tired.” Americans are sick and tired too. We are sick and tired of rhetoric, worn-out words of condolence, efforts to comfort, and political positioning to make sure their party is elected or re-elected!

Movement

Every community in this country should start a movement. Don’t fall back on the comfortable couch of complacency. Let us gather the serious and open-minded citizens among us and create a group of people with one thing in mind: the safety of our children! Who will go first? Only the serious-minded.

The group leader must be a facilitator for discussion and results-oriented for firm action. Information is king. Understanding the dynamics of the problem comes first and quickly, then finding solutions for each of the contributing factors. The plan should have an immediate, short term, and long-term plan:

Here are some ideas:

For immediate attention:

1.) Vulnerability of the Schools- How do we protect our children at school, in the building, and out? This needs immediate attention, even if it is small steps at first.

2.) Alert Processes– How do we educate, encourage, and identify people who appear dangerous. There are all sorts of ways for those on social media to identify people who need help. But once they are identified, what next?

Moderate Term Actions:

1.) Mental Health-A highly neglected group in our communities are those with mental health problems. How can we incorporate community-wide programs to help people with mental health challenges?

Long Term Actions:

It is time to focus on practical subjects for students in our schools and leave behind special interest ideologies!

1.) Mental health classes and mental health experts must be added to the schools.

1.) Return the teaching of morals to our school. The government should never interfere with religious freedom. It is a basic tenant of our Constitution. But even if you are not religious, you know there are right and wrong actions. There are consequences for doing wrong. Just ask anyone in jail. Our local state and national moral laws are based on God’s law. Six of the Ten Commandments are moral directives. They are helpful to any person, religious or not:

*Honoring parents ( Why not have mental health classes relating to your Mother, Dad, Grandparents, etc.?)

*Murder. What this means to our society and the lives of others. There are other solutions than taking someone’s life.

*Adultery– Stress the importance of commitment to one mate. Commitment to right and honor is sadly missing in our society.

*Stealing. Understand how stealing is wrong and that there are consequences that will disrupt life. Teach respect for other people’s property

*Lying. Talk about its moral implications related to yourself and how it affects other people.

*Covetousness-Talk about the consequences of mental anxiety in desiring other people’s property, spouse, and property.

2.) Find more resources for mental health, especially for impressionable youth. Set aside funds to address the mental issues of children and people who are on the streets or in nice comfortable homes. Mental health affects everyone, especially those in High School.

3.) Gun control on the local level. Let the politicians do all the fighting about the 2nd amendment. In the meantime, let’s think about how we can control who get’s guns and who doesn’t in our community. Require background checks. You don’t want to give a gun to people with mental issues or crime issues. This won’t solve the problem, but it will be a vital part. Training for both practical and moral use of a gun. Make the classes necessary for owning a gun.

Think about this: Automatic weapons have been banned since 1986, while the slightly slower semi-automatic and bump stocks are not. These types of weapons are for the military, as are rocket launchers and tanks. Since we are given the right to bear arms, it does not mean an individual should have weapons reserved for soldiers. My feeling about the 2nd amendment is that it was written for its time to maintain a militia that could fight against a rogue government. While we are guaranteed to bear arms, it doesn’t mean we should own weapons of mass destruction. Just my opinion…

When you meet with your newly formed group, discuss the facts of the matter and come to agree in the context of protecting our children. Then move forward with rapidity. Time is of the essence. The next sick person is out there somewhere waiting for his opportunity,

Think less about your adult self and more about the children.

Discussion Question Examples for Your Group

Here are some discussion statements to consider. They are discussion questions only, with the objective of getting on the same page of protecting our children.

1.) What can we do immediately to protect all our schools? We may not like this answer, but it is worth discussing. How can the teachers at the school protect the students and themselves? Is having a locked safe under the desk with a gun a possibility? A politician stated that “hardening the schools” by arming teachers is just “adding more guns” where accidents will happen. But an unlikely accident is not going to kill 19 children!

2.) How can we use the police and other resources in our community to protect the innocent and vulnerable?

3.) How can we monitor our communities, so we don’t tread on the sanctity of the home but become more aware of dangerous conditions around us. How do we react?

Last Thoughts

What were the last thoughts of those precious children? My wife, who is a nurse and has held the hands of dying people, including children, told me this:

I have seen my Creator, in His love and mercy, give a person at death’s door comfort. God especially sends comfort to children. Children have a special place in His heart. I have seen it in their eyes. Eyes looking towards heaven as if they are seeing an angel come to be with them.

Nurse Judy

God and Children

The question to God is often “why”? Why did God allow this? Stock answers are multiple but often make no sense and reflect badly on God. Because the answers don’t come from people who know the character of God, even if they are an elder or a pastor in a church. A person can be religious and not appreciate the God whose identity is described as love.

Bad responses:

“God loves them more than us and calls them home.” So God causes a mass murder to kill them so He can have them in heaven? Or a man dies of a heart attack and leaves a wife and three small children. So God clogged his arteries so He could have this young man in heaven? How ridiculous!

“God has a long-term plan that we can’t see.” It will save someone else. Really? Is this how God works? Is death the solution tool of God or of Satan?

“They are in a better place.” Of course, heaven is a better place, but it brings no comfort to those who no longer have their little sweetheart!

As a follower of Christ, I get frustrated with pat religious answers. I prefer the plain word of God and His revelation of great love:

1.) God does not take any enjoyment in death. Even the death of a wicked person:

“As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…”

Ezekiel 33:11

“…but (God) is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

Death is not God’s tool. It is the tool of Satan himself:

 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Children Need Him

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14

Have we prohibited the Children to come to Jesus? Children are our model for what it means to be part of the kingdom of heaven. As adults we must come to Jesus and learn how to bring our children to Him. It must be in the Spirit of the love of Christ and not the steeling cold theologies of religion.

Eddie
Daniel and Revelation

Michael-Who is He?

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Why does it matter?

Introduction-The Bigger Story

As I studied the Bible for this article, I realized that it is not a salvation issue whether a person believes Michael the Archangel is another name for Jesus or not.  However, what is essential, and is a salvation issue, is faith in Jesus regardless of the many names given Him.  Because without trust or confidence in Him, we will not see the kingdom of God (Hebrews 11:6, John 3:3).  The several actions of Michael give us reasons to have even more faith in the God we serve.  That is the objective of this writing.

I propose that we don’t get hung up on the gnats and swallow a camel in this study. Having said that, I will go into some detail.  But keep in mind it is to disclose the bigger story of Jesus. 

What I discovered in the study of this powerful being called Michael, the archangel is a God that fought with Lucifer in heaven and was victorious against Satan’s accusations about God’s character.”  I see a God who contends with Satan on our behalf particularly when we pray for God to intervene.  I see a God who stands up and protects His people even during the “time of trouble…in the latter days.”  I see a God that argues victoriously with Satan over the body of Moses.  I see Jesus!  I see Jesus when His voice wakes those who have died in Him.  He raises them to life and gives them immortality free of the corruption of carnal bodies.  Let us not fail to see Jesus in this search for the identity of Michael.

Michael the Archangel

Michael is described as the Archangel in the Bible. The primary argument against Michael being Jesus goes like this:   

If Jesus were Michael, He would be an angel. That would mean He was created, undermining the many passages of scriptures that tell us of His divinity.  Therefore, Michael must be a mighty lead angel, but not Christ.

Although this logic has a proper conclusion, it assumes Michael is a created being. Without a deeper look, we could miss something important about Michael and Jesus, not to mention the purpose of Christ and the message of God. 

Michael the Archangel draws more attention than regular angels in the Bible (both Old and New Testament).  The word angel is described 15 times in the entire Bible.   “Michael” and “Archangel” appear only six times in Scripture.  But each “Michael” passage tells a powerful story. Here is an overview of the six times Michael arrives:

  1. Michael appears in Daniel 10 (verses 13 and 21).  He comes to help out Gabriel fight with the Prince of Persia. A fascinating story!
  2. In Daniel 12:1, Michael stands up to signify the start of the time of trouble.
  3. In Jude 1:9-Micahel argues over whether Moses should be resurrected or not. God wins the argument.  Moses would later appear on the mount of transfiguration along with Elijah, who never saw death.  These two represent those who never experience death when Jesus comes and those that are resurrected by the voice of Micahel, the archangel.
  4. Revelation 12:7 describes a war in heaven between the dragon (Satan) and Michael.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:16: Michael is not used here, but instead, “the archangel’s voice,” which is understood as Michael’s. This voice raises those who sleep in Christ and rise to meet Him in the air with those who have not seen death (The Moses’s and Elijah’s of the end time)

Bear with me as I add another nuance to this study that adds some credibility to God having the name of an angel.  It would not be complete without mentioning the “Angel of the Lord.”

Angel of the Lord

Another interesting, relevant study is on the “angel of the Lord.”  This exact phrase appears 64 times in the Bible.  It is a study within itself.  I will use only a couple of references.

There are several passages like this one where God is referred to as the Angel of the Lord:

Then the Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you.

Genesis 16:7

Only God led the people out of Egypt.  Only God made a covenant with His people.  Yet He is given the name Angel of the Lord. (See also Genesis 16: 6-13, Genesis 22: 15-19)

For a quick story that reveals the “angel of the Lord” as God, look at Exodus 3, verses 2-6.  We are all familiar with the story of Moses at the burning bush.  The angel of the Lord appears in the burning bush.  Moses is told to take off his shoes because he is on holy ground.  Why is the ground holy?  Because it is God who is in the burning bush. The presence of an angel does not make the ground holy.  There do not appear to be two entities in the burning bush.  The writer tells us: 

“Moreover, he (the angel of the Lord-verse 2) said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” 

Exodus 3:6

This tells us clearly that the Angel of the Lord is God. I will go a step further.  The Angel of the Lord is Jesus. Later in this story, Moses desires to know the name of the God who is sending him on a mission to free God’s people from Egypt.  Jesus would later refer to this story as the “I AM.”

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”

And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

Exodus 3:  13-14

Who is Jesus?

Before we can answer the question of the identity of Michael, we must be sure we know who Jesus is.  Most Christians will have no issue with the essence of Jesus.

When Jesus walked this earth as a man, He was called Immanuel (God with Us).  He is God!  I once was visiting a Sunday School class as a guest.  The topic was Jesus and divinity.  The teacher said, “Jesus never claimed to be God.”  I disagreed and used the following scriptures to support my response. 

“First, He took the name given to Moses at the burning bush.  This upset the religious leaders, and they took up stones to kill Jesus for the offense of blasphemy, i.e., a person who claims to be God Almighty, thereby blaspheming God’s name (Leviticus 24:16).”  Jesus told them:

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Then they took up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by…

John 8: 56-59

“At another time, Jesus claimed equality with God the Father.”

I and My Father are one.”

 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”. John 10: 30-33

Jesus was God who came in the flesh of a Man!

The religious leaders wanted to rid themselves of Jesus and often looked for reasons to do so through the favored method of execution, i.e., rocks hurdled at the soft flesh of the offending human.

Finally, I told the Sunday school teacher

“Jesus claimed to be the Son of God under oath!”

I quoted from Luke:

Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” Luke 22:70

As a visitor, I loathed taking up so much of the teacher’s time, but the Spirit of God compelled me to speak.  Later, I was thanked for the short Bible study.

Could it be that Michael is another name for Jesus?  Jesus was given several names.  No one denies His divinity by the use of those names.

The Many Names of Jesus

 Each name comes with meaning and a succinct description of Him, His character, and His purpose.   The word “Jesus” does not appear in the Old Testament, but several other names describe Him:

  • Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 6:9),
  • Lamb of God (John 1:29)
  • Immanuel (God with us-Matthew 1:23)
  • King of the Jews (Matthew 27:37)
  • Son of Man (Matthew 8:20).  This is the name Jesus gave to Himself.
  • Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13)
  • The Bread of Life – John 6:35
  • The Redeemer – Isaiah 59:20
  • The Living Stone – 1 Peter 2:4-8
  • The Word (John 1: 1-14)

From scripture, it is clear that Jesus is divinity and not a created angel. He is part of the eternal three (God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit).  All three were present at Creation:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;

Genesis 1:26 (a)

You and I are descendants of the first man and woman and the creation that came from the hand of Jesus.  Jesus is God.  John, the beloved disciple, proclaims this with boldness when he describes Jesus as “the Word.”

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it…

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1: 1-5

From this passage, the following is made clear:

  • The Word was present with God at the beginning
  • The Word was God at the beginning
  • All that was made was made by Him (The personal pronoun Him is the same as the Word)
  • In Him is life (Sustainer)
  • He is light.  The darkness (darkness must refer to the opposite of Jesus’ character, i.e., those who were in darkness.  When He came to earth, the religious leaders didn’t recognize Him.
  • He became flesh and lived among us.

A person could substitute “Word” for the name “Jesus” and be perfectly correct in identifying who Jesus is:  Example: “In the beginning was (Jesus), and (Jesus) was with God, and (Jesus) was God.”

Paul also boldly proclaims this about the divinity of Jesus:

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1: 16

Paul goes a step further in Hebrews Chapter 1 to compare Jesus with the angels. His point is this:, though Jesus came in the flesh, He is the Creator and, therefore God:

 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;…  And: “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands

Hebrews 1: 8,10

This is God the Father (verse 5) talking to God the Son. He calls Jesus “God.”

But it must be understood that Jesus was also fully human, tempted in all points as we were (Hebrews 4:15).  He is not ashamed to call us brothers (Hebrews 2:11).  This is part of the salvation story as much as His divinity.  It is also a mystery that we as humans find difficult to understand.

So, we can put this stake in the ground; Jesus is God and not a created angel.  But could Michael be another name for Christ?  Could the purpose of Michael reveal the Son of Man who watches over His people? Perhaps, Michael is another name we can add to the list as names of Jesus that demonstrate his power.  The next question to explore is how the Bible uses the word angel.

Who are Angels?

No doubt, the typical angels we think of and see in pictures were created.  They often show up as men or women without wings and white robes.   The word “angel” in the original language discloses something interesting.  We have already seen that the Angel of the Lord can be another name for God.  Why is that?  Why not just be direct?

The word “angel” appears 199 times in the Bible (NKJV).  The phrase “angel of the Lord” appears 64 times in the Old Testament and New Testament.   The Hebrew word for angel can mean one of the following:

 Abîr:  Strong Ones- chiefest
‘ĕlōhîm:   God or Judge

mal’āḵ:  Messenger, Ambassador

mal’aḵ:  Angel (Notice the slight variance in the previous word)

šin’ān:  Angel

The character of Jesus would fit the first three words easily.  Is he not the chiefest, the strong one, God, Judge, Messenger, and Ambassador for the kingdom of God?

Who are the Cherubs?

These beings (angels called Cherub or Cherubim) appear 70 times in the Old Testament and only once in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:5). They first appear in the Garden of Eden after the fall of Adam and Eve.  Their purpose was to protect the Tree of Life and the Garden…to keep everyone out, “lest they eat and live forever.”  Cherubs are often connected to the Sanctuary as overseeing the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant (God’s law).  It is the Cherubim’s purpose to protect.  The Hebrew word for these Cherubs is kᵊrûḇ.  It means an angelic being who protects.

The point is this:  When we see the word “angel,” Cherub, or Cherubim, the interpretation of who is being described will be disclosed in its context!  This is probably the most powerful tool in a good understanding of Scripture: The context of the surrounding verses and words; the context within the chapter or book; the context within the entire Bible; and finally, and most importantly, the context within the character and purpose of God.

So, with this in mind, let’s see why it is highly likely Jesus is described as Michael the Archangel.  But more importantly, what Jesus means to His people.

 Michael-Spiritual Battle in Daniel

Daniel 10:13, 10:21, 12:1

Daniel has been in intense prayer for three weeks.  Why?  He understands that the end of the 70 years of captivity of his people, the Jews, in Babylon is coming to an end. Here is that passage that gives us context to the work of Michael (Daniel 10:2, Daniel 9:2-3)

in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem… In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.

Daniel 9: 2-3, 10:2

There was a long time (3 weeks of intense dedication) before Gabriel responded to Daniel’s prayer. Gabriel was an angel (messenger) that had been the primary communicator with Daniel (Daniel 8: 15-16, 9:21) regarding the prophecies recorded in the book of Daniel. There was a reason for the delay in Gabriel appearing before Danie!  There was a spiritual battle between the Prince of Persia and Gabriel.  Michael came to assist Gabriel in his mission.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

Daniel 10:13

(A quick note:  It is not good to be left alone with the enemy.  When Jesus shows up, victory is won!)

Gabriel is alone to contend with the “prince of the kingdom of Persia.”  Notice it does not say “king” of Persia, but rather “prince.”  Daniel 10:1 refers to Cyrus as the “king” of Persia.  The prince of the kingdom of Persia and the King of Persia are two different entities. 

So, who is this “prince of the kingdom of Persia”?  It is likely Satan who wrestles with “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  Ephesians 6:12

Why is the king of Persia being tempted to disobey the influence of Gabriel and follow Satan’s (Prince of Persia) desire to keep the Jews in captivity?  Cyrus was not “wrestling against flesh and blood.”  Here is where we go into “the unseen world in relation to human affairs.” 

Satan influences Cyrus to go against God’s will of allowing the Jews to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and sanctuary destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1).  In that famous decree to “restore and build Jerusalem” (Daniel 9;25), the work had already begun with constructing the temple.  But the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem had political and religious significance to the area. Hence the builders of the wall experienced severe opposition from rulers near Jerusalem. The prophecy of Daniel 9:25 said,

“The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.”

This is shown to come to pass in Nehemiah 4:1:

But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.

Nehemiah 4:1

Those who built on the wall and carried burdens loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.

Nehemiah 4:17

But Daniel was praying for three weeks to counteract the influence of Satan (Prince of Cyrus) on King Cyrus.  Gabriel calls upon Michael to finish the work initiated by Daniel’s prayer.  Gabriel was contending against Satan for twenty-one (21) days when Michael showed up.  The passage calls Michael “one of the chief princes.”  But it is better translated literally as “the chief (number one) prince.  Young’s Literal Translations calls Michael the first of the chief heads. Michael means (“He who is like God).  No one can make this claim but Jesus.  Further, the word archangel in Greek means “chief of the angels.”  This does not mean Jesus is an angel, but it does mean He is in charge of the angels, as we will see in Revelation.

So here is the story in its context.  Daniel knows that the captivity of the Jews (according to Jeremiah’s prophecy) is soon to end, and the children of Israel (Daniel’s people) will start to return to the desolate city of Jerusalem.  Nevertheless, Daniel is troubled in his spirit over an undisclosed message he receives and understands (Daniel 10: 1-2). 

Daniel begins to mourn and prays earnestly for three weeks.   While he is praying, Gabriel is in a spiritual battle with Satan (Prince of Persia) over the influence of the King of Persia to follow through with God’s will to release the Jews.

“The king struggles between conflicting emotions.  He hesitates; he delays.  Day after day passes away, yet Daniel prays on.  The king refuses to yield to the angel (Gabriel).  Three weeks expire, and lo, a mightier than Gabriel joins him in the palace of the king and then they come to Daniel to acquaint him with the progress of events.  From the first, said Gabriel, your prayer was heard; but during these three weeks which you have devoted to prayer and fasting, the king of Persia has resisted my influence and prevented by coming. Such was the effect of prayer.” Daniel and Revelation-Smith p. 228, 229)

Then Michael (the chief of the angels) and with more power than the angel Gabriel, influences the King of Persia to obey the will of God and let Daniel’s people go.  The rest is history.  The Jews returned and rebuilt the city of Jerusalem and the temple.

Who is Michael?

He has the power to resurrect.

This is demonstrated in Jude 1:9

Yet Michael the archangel, in contending (arguing) with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Satan did not think it was fair for Moses to be resurrected.  The Lord (Michael) simply said, “The Lord rebuke you.”  Only Jesus can argue with the devil about the body of the dead.  Jesus told Mary that He is the resurrection and that trust in Him would bring life back to a dead person:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

John 11:25

 From the Mount of Transfiguration experience, we know that Moses died but was resurrected.  Because He appears with Elijah, who never saw death.  Both are symbols of those alive and dead at the return of Christ (John 17: 1-8)

That brings us to the next appearance of Michael in the New Testament.”

For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Jesus Himself, the resurrection and life, saves us from eternal death by coming again to receive those who are alive and remain” and those who are “dead in Christ.” This power can only be that of Jesus, whose voice is the Archangel that He is. This scene so clearly described by the Apostle Paul should bring us more comfort than any scenario we can think of.

But before He comes, He protects us during the time of trouble:

“At that time, Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1

Like those during their time in Egypt, God’s people shine with light upon their faces as a testimony to the power and salvation of His people.  The lost cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them.  Why?  Because they cannot stand to look upon the His face and His wrath (Revelation 6:16).  But the people of God say, 

“Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

Isaiah 25:9

The second verse of Chapter 12 in Daniel expands on the events of Michael standing up.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine. Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 12:2

When Michael stands up, it signifies a point where God has had enough.  Whether alive or dead, every person will have decided to live or die (Revelation 22: 11-12).  Their fate is sealed.  Then Jesus returns.  Only Jesus (aka Michael) has this kind of power.  No angel can be assigned these responsibilities.  Michael (aka Jesus) has power demonstrated in His ability to protect those who belong to Him when all hell is let loose and when the graves (hell) let loose those who awake to eternal life.

Only the Power of Jesus

Because of this power of Michael, I believe it is a synonym for Jesus. For no other angel has this power.

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

Revelation 12: 7-8

Only Jesus has the power to defeat Satan both at the start and at the end.  Let us praise His many names!

That one name, Jesus, summarizes the many names given to Him.  But they are all the same. Whether you call Him Lord, Prince of Peace, Savior, or Michael (One like God), Jesus’ name given Him at birth shows His power, uniqueness, and purpose of His mission of salvation.

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 

Matthew 1:21

Church, Daniel and Revelation

CHRIST’S MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA

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Notes on a church known for its love and faithfulness.

 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3: 7-13

The American City

Most Americans know the meaning of the name Philadelphia. This fact is especially true if you live in that great city of Pennsylvania located in the Northeast section of the United States. Over 1.6 million people call Philidelphia home. It is known for its contribution to founding the American dream of freedom, free from the tyranny of Great Brittan and the powerful papacy of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe. But also the personal right of every human to “… to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (United State Declaration of Independence)

Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed here. The authors of our famous documents desired a country without a king and a church without a pope. America’s pursuit of freedom and equality for every citizen has its roots in this famous city.

William Penn, a Quaker, founded Philidelphia in 1862, which became the capital of the Pennsylvania colony. The name means “brotherly love” in the Greek language. Interestingly, the Greek word for Philadelphia appears only twice in the Bible. Both references appear in the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:11 and 3:7). John was inspired to write to this city after receiving a vision from God.

The City of Revelation

 “Asia Minor, situated near the eastern base of Mount Tmolus, (was founded and named by the Pergamene king Attalus II, Philadelphus. After the death of king Attalus III. Philometor, B. C. 133, it together with his entire kingdom came by his will under the jurisdiction of the Romans” (Ref: Blue Bible)

King Attalus II reigned for approximately 21 years 159-138 BC), whose “love for his brother Eumenes II gave him the epithet Philadelphus; after him, Philidelphia (brotherly love) was named. This prosperous city lay on the imperial post road. From its inception, Philadelphia was intended to serve as a missionary city for the promotion of the Greek language and culture to the area of Lydia and Phrygia. Its geographical location, however, made it subject to occasional earthquakes; in particular, the severe earthquake of A.D. 17 devastated Philadelphia together with Sardis and other surrounding cities.” (Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic, p.143)

The Church In Philadelphia

Jesus introduces Himself to this church with these characteristics:

  • The Holy One
  • the True One
  • The One who has the key of David who opens and no one shuts and shuts, and no one opens.

The first two attributes of Christ are significant for this church and all “who have an ear.” Christ is holy (set apart above the world’s sins) and the only One who is genuine and faithful. All others are false. Exclusive statements about Christ are inclusive of everyone, whether they believe it or not. Jesus and His promises are precise for each and every person. Therefore, exclusive comments about Jesus like this are not threatening if they are true. Jesus has proven to be true.

Exclusive statements about God and Jesus often appear in the Bible. For example, Jesus said something very similar, as recorded by John:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14: 6

In a similar point, Paul asks a question to the Roman church to clarify that unfaithful people do not affect the truth of God.

What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. Romans 3: 3-4

So, Jesus is the untouched and unsoiled source of truth. But, he also declares He has keys to a door that none of us possess. He can let people in or people out. What does this mean? In or out of what?

An Open Door

Some might surmise that the door represents an entrance or exit into heaven. This has logical meaning to the western mind. However, in the context of the literal setting of Philadelphia, the purpose of this church, and other Bible references, it is likely a metaphor for an open door of opportunity that Jesus opens. When He does, no one can stop His purpose.

“The city’s strategic location made it the gateway to the East. From its very beginning, Philadelphia was deliberately built to be “the missionary city” for spreading the Greek culture and language among the barbarian tribes throughout the regions of Asia. Being on the imperial post road, Philadelphia was indeed given an open door for the spreading Greek ideas throughout the region.”

Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic, p. 144

The Philadelphia church also became an effective highway for spreading the gospel. This poses the question to the modern church. As we located where we can spread the gospel, or do we locate ourselves away from the highways and byways of the lost or to protect ourselves? Do we go inward or outward?

This was the purpose of all the churches and it continues to this day. Instead, we find ourselves more like a club for the comfort of the saints and we stay “in.” To go “out” is symbolic of proactiveness. Going “in” is more for the fearful and introverted. Paul spoke about the open door and going out in the world of opportunity for the sake of the kingdom. Going out means facing adversaries and the difficulties of being a worker for the kingdom of God.

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 2 Corinthians 2:12

…praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, Col 4:3

If God opens a door, the church should go through. Sometimes we find ourselves timid and excuse ourselves to tarry and pray. But often, the prayers have already been prayed, we just are too timid because of the challenges we anticipate. The road is not aways smooth anyway.

“Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

The work of spreading the gospel is God’s work,. We are just encouraged to be willing to follow and go out as He gives the opportunity. Has God opened the door for your church?

A Trial on the Earth

I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. Verses 11:12

Ah! many will say after seeing the phrase “from the hour of trial”, “See, God’s church has been raptured away, so they are not on the earth to witness this trial” (a.k.a time of trouble.).

This teaching hangs on one word “from.” But look at the exhortation and context of the reward in the next verse.

Jesus tells us to “hold on to what we have so that no one will take your crown.” Can someone take your crown if you are already in paradise? Of course not. In the next breathe, Jesus talks about individual victory that leads to being a strong “pillar” in heaven. Strength comes from the patient endurance found in verse 10.

Jesus prayed,

 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

John 17:15

Will God the Father answer Jesus’ prayer? I think so. Don’t you. We are to stay in this world to the end as a witness or testimony to the power of Jesus in our hearts regardless of the circumstances. Again, the western mind thinks only of the convenience and comfort of being snatched away. This is dangerous because this teaching minimizes spiritual preparation.

Philadelphia – A Historical Symbol

This church could easily be a symbol of the church during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In America and around the world, the Bible was being more understood as predicted by the prophet Daniel and encouraged by John when he said,

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3

“With ‘little strength’ (3:8), the church of this period was indeed a missionary church driven by a strong desire to bring the gospel to the entire world. This period was a time of great advancement of the gospel, such as had not been experienced ever before in Chrisitan history.” Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic, p. 146

As the world has gotten larger, the tools to communicate have increased. Doors are open behind walled and discriminatory countries.

The church of Philadelphia encourages us to walk through the door of opportunity while it is day and light is available to everyone. Let us be quick to walk through the door and shake off the comfort of familiarity while it daytime. One day, darkeness will attempt to cover the whole earth.


I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4

Hell, Reasons to Believe, What is God Like?

Hell-LET US REASON TOGETHER

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I once heard a pastor preach on the topic of hell.  It was called “Why the Intellectual Honest is Not Christian.”   A catchy title, but it is often true.  The teaching of hell, a place of torture and non-stop punishment in flames without end, doesn’t line up with the character of God.  If a person thinks it through, the sacrifice of God the Father by giving His Son Jesus so that we might not perish (John 3:16) is at the extreme opposite end of God’s supposed solution and punishment for the lost.  Mercy, justice, or torture with skin on fire; Which fits the character of God?  John, the beloved, described the essence of God’s character this way:

“…God is love.”

1 John 4:8b

From the central concept of God is love, all other doctrines of the Bible must line up.  If not, we have a massive misunderstanding about who God is.  How can He be merciful and full of love for even the worse of lost sinners?  Then respond to rejection by torturing them forever? If this is true, it would be the ultimate form of unsatisfied, unquenchable revenge. Can you think of anything more cruel? Maybe driving straw under the fingernail every second of the day.

God’s Glory and Goodness

Moses was allowed to see God’s “glory” and His “goodness” as He walked by. 

And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.

After seeing God walk by, Moses didn’t describe God’s physical appearance, but the characteristics of God:

“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:6

This is where we must start understanding who God is and what His name represents.  This goodness, this kindness, leads someone to want to follow Him. God gave us the ability to reason. Non-Stop torture for quadrillion years, then starting over makes no sense for a merciful, loving God.

 Only after we understand that God is love, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness can we look at God’s plan for those who are “lost.”  No, not all are saved and live forever. It is the opposite; they die forever, They would not be happy in heaven.

This question must be asked: Which is God’s method of reaching the lost: The threat of personal eternal punishment or falling in love with a sacrificial God?

Popular Teachings on Hell

Hell is taught as a place either under the earth or somewhere in the universe where the souls of those who reject Christ spend eternity in flames and torture. Hell, and mercy cannot be in the same sermon or teaching for this idea. They are mutually exclusive because the burning flames of punishment would eliminate mercy. 

Before accepting Christ as an unbeliever, this idea of God’s punishment created a crisis of faith for me.  How could I trust a God who held this threat over my head?  Love me, or I will torture you. It made no sense. There was no logic there.

What if I had tried to win my wife by saying, “If you don’t love me, I will torture you.”  Would that attract her to me?  Sadly, I know someone who is caught in this type of Godless marriage.  The husband has (on several occasions threatened to kill the wife and her father if she left him.  What do you think her life is like? Is she free or in captivity? Is she in love or in shackles?

As an atheist, this idea of burning anyone for eternity gave me more reasons to believe that the Bible and religion were all about controlling people and scaring them into submission. 

What amazed my rational, logical thought process is this fact:  Many Christians, in particular, get angry if someone rejects the idea of such a place or a God that doesn’t put the sinners into a living place of flames.  They think it is unchristian and unbiblical not to believe the lost stay alive in hot coals of fire, crying for relief.  They insinuate it is what the sinner chooses, and it serves them right for rejecting Christ or living a life of rebellion and sin against God.

God and the bible teach justice. Is eternal torture justice?  Does punishment fit the crime?

Life In Prison-Justice?

A man was driving on the freeway going 75 mph in a 55 mph speed zone. He is taken to court, where the judge sentences him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Is this justice? 

Another man is caught in the same speed zone and is brought to the court. The judge hears the charges. He had been at a bar and left at 10:00 PM to head home.  He drifts over the double yellow line and kills an innocent family.  The dirty, smelly man is unrepentant.  The judge gives him life in prison without parole. Is this justice?  Likely.  But here is the sad thing, some teach that God says, “No!” This is not justice!   God condemns him to life in flames with no parole after He dies in prison, not because of the act of murder, but because he rejected Jesus and never repented. But here is something else to consider. The loving, hard-working husband and father also killed by the drunk is also condemned to flames because he rejected Christ and hated going to church with his wife and children. He was a good man but didn’t believe in Jesus and Christianity.

A rational person has a hard time wrapping their head around eternity, much less the idea of the unbearable stinging of flames on the skin, lips, arms, and legs kept alive FOREVER by God to “punish” the lost.  These human torches cry out for actual death to escape the flames, but the merciful God says, “No!”  The human torches, or as we call them, “lost,” can be anyone from Hitler to Uncle Bill who never attended church, never opened a Bible, didn’t believe in Jesus but was a good faithful husband and father. It includes all those who worship other gods or who never heard the story of Jesus. Their punishment is never satisfied by a loving, merciful God.  

WHO IS GOD?

Let’s explore this topic.  It is essential for Christians to know the truth and know their heavenly Father and His character.  Would a merciful, loving God do such a thing?  What method did God and Jesus employ to bring people into a loving, saving relationship with Him?

Following are the two typical modern understandings of hell.  This is what a majority of protestant Christians trust to be true.

View 1:  If you die and are unsaved (e.g., did not profess Christ), your immortal soul immediately (or after a quick judgment scene) goes to a place under the earth where the devil resides, and blistering hot flames torment your soul throughout eternity without end.  You will scream and desire to die, but you will stay alive in flames, never finding relief.  This could be called the immediate and present Hell.

View 2:  If you die and are unsaved, your immortal soul is judged at the Great White Throne judgment at the end of time. Your soul and body are cast into the lake of fire prepared for Satan and his angels, where flames torture you throughout eternity.  You will scream and desire to die, but you will stay alive in the fire, never finding relief.  We will call this future Hell.

The Catholic church throws in a couple of “holding” places, such as purgatory, and some talk about a place called “Abraham’s bosom.” Those in these places can be prayed into heaven. In some cases, money can pay them into heaven.

There may be other slight variations of hell, but if you ask a Christian or a pastor about hell, this is very close to the answers given.  It is often softened up to take out the idea of a Holy God torturing the unsaved by saying non-biblical things like,

“The lost choose hell.”  

Is that right?  Who in their right mind would choose to be tortured? The Bible teaches they choose death over eternal life not so much from a conscious choice but instead through unbelief in Jesus and rejecting the pull of the Holy Spirit to repent and turn away from the sins that lead to death.

The common idea with both basic views about hell involves non-stop burning, which is a miracle!  The miracle of staying alive with a body to experience pain! It also requires an immortal soul.  A term not used in the Bible.   We often hear preachers say, “You will live eternally in one of two places.”  Is this true?  Does the lost also have eternal life?  Are their souls immortal?  What is tortured by the flames?  The soul? The body?  Both?

What does the Bible have to say about all this?

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The Bible’s Teaching on the Fate of the Lost

Some will say, “The immortal soul is being punished, not the body.“  Of course, there is no biblical proof for this. It contradicts those who support a literal interpretation of the Rich Man and Lazarus, where the rich man has a tongue and gets thirsty in flames. He has a body!

Some will say, “God is just, and this is their fate.  We can’t understand it and aren’t supposed to.”

Is this true?

Indeed, our thoughts and ways are not like His, but there are things He has revealed that we can know with certainty. “

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to our children and to us forever,

Deuteronomy 29:29

Is the fate of the lost one of those things revealed to us?  Yes! But we must understand it from ALL that has been shown to us!

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JESUS’ APPEAL

The Bible tells us that eternal life is based on knowing God and having a relationship with Him.  We are drawn to Him as He is lifted up (Cross).  Is a torturing God the One we want to get to know?  Or is God like a father who loves his child?  Does God use hell to scare us into coming to Him, or does he draw us in a different more divine way?

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

John 17:3

Knowing God The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is essential in our experience and salvation from death.  To have a false conception of God is dangerous, as we shall see.

We are not scared into a relationship with the Lord; He draws us with “lovingkindness.”

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3

It is the cross, not hell that draws people to Jesus.

‘”…And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.‘  This He said, signifying by what death He would die.”

John 12:32-33

That day on a lonely hill, Jesus dying on a rough wooden cross is the ultimate demonstration of the sacrifice and love God offers to all people. A clear view of the things leading up to the death of Jesus and the day He said, “It is finished,” will bring the sin weary to repentance, forgiveness, and salvation from eternal death.

His death was what all lost people would experience—an end without hope.  When Jesus “became sin for us,” He felt the separation from God the Father.  He felt forsaken.

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The Rest of The Story

It is unbiblical to think that the soul is immortal.  The soul is not eternal.  Only God has immortality.  The saved are not given immortality until Christ returns.

If a soul can die, it is not immortal.

“ Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die..”

Ezekiel 18:4

Only God has immortality!

I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:14-16

Immortality is not given to us until Jesus returns and we are changed.  We “put on” immortality then and not before.  

Want to know a mystery about death that has been solved? Something God has revealed to us and our children?  Listen closely to the words of Paul:

 “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.””

1 Corinthians 15: 51-54

Is this not as clear as a bell?  Immortality is “put on” when Jesus returns!  We sleep in death, waiting for the resurrection just as the Bible describes.  This waiting is like a mere micro-second.  A person dies.  Years if not millennia, pass, and they come forth in new immortal bodies at the return of Christ. The same is true for the “lost.”  Except, they meet a different fate.

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Eternal Death

“Death has come upon all men by the offense of one man. But, through grace and the gift of righteousness, life came by Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:12, 17

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

Romans 3:23.

Wages are something due to us for our work of sin.  Sin leads to death, not life. Both are mutually exclusive.  You can’t have both.  You must have one or the other. The gift of eternal life is reserved only for the saved.

He that has the Son has life.  He that does not have the Son does not have life.

1 John 5:12

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

Here is a simple, straightforward comparison of what awaits the lost VS the saved:

Believes in Jesus = everlasting life

Not believing = perish (eternal death)

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life….”

John 3:36

Believes in the Son = everlasting life

Does not believe in the = shall not see life.

The Lord can destroy the soul,

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28

The body and soul are destroyed in hell.  It is not kept alive to suffer throughout eternity. If there is a fear to be taught, it is the fear that both the body and the soul are forever destroyed, while the redeemed have a new immortal body and life without end.

The Power and Miracle of the Resurrection

As described before, the belief in God AND the resurrection of Jesus are both vital to receiving salvation from eternal death:

… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

It was Paul’s goal to be raised from the dead…Not to die and be with Him,

” if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:11

The mortal “puts on” immortality, and death is no more when Jesus returns.

The dead in Christ are resurrected.

“For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words”

1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18

Note:  Those who died in Christ and those alive when He returns start to “be with the Lord forever” when He returns.  So, the resurrection is our hope…Our eternity with the Lord does not begin until He returns.

Jesus will raise the saved from the grave on the last day.

“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.”

John 6:39

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:44

“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:54

“Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

John 11:24

The teaching of resurrection as our hope is an ancient truth.  Example: Job said,

“my redeemer lives and I will see God in the flesh in the latter day upon the earth.”

Job 19:25, 26

The resurrection is crucial because we are lost if it doesn’t happen.

Our faith is futile without the resurrection. Our hope is in the return of Christ and the Resurrection, not in dying and floating off to heaven.

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

1 Corinthians 15:14-19

The Rich Man and Lazarus

The Rich Man and Lazarus story does not include the resurrection in its story.  It is clearly a parable directed at the snooty self-righteous Pharisees.  To say it is literal brings many contradictions to other clear verses that are not parables. This parable comes near the end of a long series of parables spoken by Jesus.  There was a resurrection of another Lazarus that clearly describes the state of those who die.  The event is described in John 11.  Here Jesus compares Lazarus’ death with sleep:

“Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may awake him out of sleep…Then said Jesus, unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”

John 11:14

Notice something else; When Jesus brought Lazarus back to life after being dead for four days, he did not say to him to come down but rather come forth (v. 43). If Lazarus had been in heaven, he would have had many things to share, don’t you think?  Why is he silent?  It is because he was unconscious until Jesus called for him to “come forth.”

The Resurrection of the Lost

The unjust have a resurrection, too (after the millennium): 

“I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.”

Act 24:15

The “rest of the dead” come up long after the first resurrection:

“And they (the saved) lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.”

Revelation 20: 4, 5

The second death is the fate of the lost who are not part of the first resurrection but rise in the 2nd resurrection. Revelation 20:6

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power….”

Revelation 20:6

At the end of all things, the saved may have died once, but they will never have to die again because they have been given immortality.  But the lost who died once will die again, fully aware that their death will be forever. This knowledge is their quick punishment. They acknowledge they were wrong and dismissive of Jesus:

As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

Romans 4:11

At the end of time, fire destroys the earth, Satan, and sinners:

Jesus comes as a thief in the night in which the heavens, earth, elements, and all the works are burned up.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

2 Peter 3:10

Everlasting Destruction

“The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9

What is everlasting?  The destruction. This is the punishment, never existing again.

The wicked are destroyed forever (Psalm 92:7, Psalm 9:5)

“When the wicked spring up like grass,
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.”

Psalm 92:7

Death and hell (grave) are destroyed!

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

Revelation 20:14

Fire comes down from God when the resurrected lost try to surround the beloved city. This fire devours them. When something is consumed or devoured, there is nothing left.

“They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.”

Revelation 20:9

“For our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:29

The Anti-Christ (lawless one) is destroyed when Christ returns by the brightness of the Lord’s coming.

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

2 Thessalonians 2:8

Wicked is burned up, reducing them to nothing

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,
Says the Lord of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch.”

Malachi 4:1

Satan is burned to ashes and shall never be anymore

“You defiled your sanctuaries
By the multitude of your iniquities,
By the iniquity of your trading;
Therefore I brought fire from your midst;
It devoured you,
And I turned you to ashes upon the earth.
In the sight of all who saw you.”

All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you;
You have become a horror,
And shall be no more forever”

Ezekiel 28:18, 19

So, Scripture is clear: sin’s wages are death, not eternal life in burning flames.  There is a hell of fire, but it is a work of eternal destruction. Even Satan’s fate is total destruction.  God’s end-time plan will wipe the universe clean of sin and its results. There won’t be some special corner of the universe for people to suffer forever. 

Eternal life is given only to those who turn to Jesus and trust Him. Life eternal is given to those who know Him and not just about Him. It is all about Jesus.  He holds the keys to the grave and death:

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold; I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Revelation 1:18

Because we believe He can resurrect us and give us immortality, we have passed from death to life. I want to be part of the first resurrection, don’t you?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

John 5:24

I often wondered why God wipes away all tears. The passage in Revelation 21: 4, Revelation 7:17, and Isaiah 25:8 are in the context of the end of time when all of God’s people arrive in heaven at the same time after the resurrection, as described in 1 Thess. 4:15-18

The saints will spend their first day in heaven wondering about a loved one who didn’t make it. Then they will understand from the Lord Himself that they were lost and will never be anymore. There will be tears in heaven, but Jesus will literally and symbolically wipe away the tears.  He will explain and show them the many opportunities given to them to receive eternal life as a free gift, but they refused it.

Then all the saints will bow, throw their crowns, and proclaim

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure, they are and were created.

Revelation 4:11

God is just! God is worthy! For this, he receives glory, honor, and power!

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