Posts Tagged ‘Hell’

How To Improve Your Overall Health

March 5, 2016

Hello, my name is Cochise Pendleton.  I have been writing articles defending God’s Word from Watchtower deception, lies, deceit, and untruth for many years.  The Organization has manipulated millions of lives for more than a century.  They have destroyed families and effectively murdered children and others by teaching that blood transfusions were God-condemned, so many died as a result of refusing such life-saving transfusions.  I will continue to expose Watchtower biblical deception because that is my Christian ministry, but there is another topic that merits attention.

Pastor Rick Warren taught from the Saddleback Church platform the subject of health and longevity.   He brought in various health care professionals to educate over 40,000 parishioners.  They taught us the importance of diet, exercise and the full spectrum of living a healthy life.   As a matter of fact, the whole church got involved with health conscious living with prescribed daily routines for optimal health.  I mention Pastor Rick’s educational program because I also want to share something on the subject of health.  I was recently introduced to something quite profound.  Truthfully, I did not believe what I was being told and had a hard time believing the materials I was given to read.  But after talking with a doctor and listening to another, I was compelled to investigate.  What I found was something so astonishing that keeping it to myself was not an option. This short article will introduce my findings.

Autoimmune diseases affect up to 50 million Americans (this according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association).  There are about 80 million of them with absolutely no cure.   The medical profession has no answers and can only prescribe drugs to treat the autoimmune symptoms.  In other words, they have no cure for the causes of the diseases.  This brings me to the purpose of this article.  If medicine has no answer to these autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, Graves disease, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, etc.), what hope of getting better do we really have? The Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Since medicine can only treat the symptoms of disease, is there a food that can actually make a difference?  The answer is yes!

Hippocrates knew food was the key to health.  Although medicine is a good alternative and helps millions, it fails to cure the actual causes of illnesses.   If, however, nutrition could actually penetrate the cell wall itself and recharge the cell to its maximum potential, our immune systems would have all the energy necessary to defend against invaders.  Therein lies the problem.  Our cells are not being recharged.  Consequently, as a rundown battery becomes worthless, our cells too become useless when they can no longer recharge.   I recently discovered a food that actually penetrates the cell itself and recharges the entire body’s immune system.

First and foremost, let me be clear about something.  The food I have discovered does not “heal” or “cure” anything.  However, because of modern technology, which is explained later in this article, this food is able to bypass our digestive system to the cell itself.  As a result of the micronized substance re-charging the cells’ mitochondria, our immune systems become healing machines on overdrive.  Through this food, our immune systems become empowered – attacking the causes of autoimmune diseases to bring our bodies back to a healthful state.   Remember, age is also a disease.  Imagine reversing your age clock.  One doctor tested 3,500 peoples’ chronological and biological ages, then tested many consuming the product.  Of the people on the product, their respective chronological and biological ages differed by as much as 24 years!  Yes, the results were that profound!

As I mentioned earlier, I did not believe what I was reading, so I proceeded to investigate.  After a few weeks of analysis, I was overwhelmingly  stunned.  The information you are about to read was taken from Kare’s E-book.  Click on the “Purple Rice E-book” at the bottom of this page for your Free copy.  Here’s what I discovered: This strain of “forbidden rice” (it was forbidden to eat and was only fed to Emperors of six of the most powerful dynasties because of its powerful anti-aging and strength properties) was lost in history – until now. This high frequency heirloom “purple rice” now meets a modern-day micronizing technology.  A unique milling machine micronizes the vital rice until the molecules are so very small that they form a highly charged alpha gluten chain that can easily pass through a cell wall as fuel without having to be digested (even when the cell is insulin-resistant).   The multi-million dollar milling machine is able to separate out the heart of the rice (the endosperm) which contains all the ancient and perfect polysaccharides (sugars), all the polypeptides (amino acids – the body’s building blocks), and the outside royal purple covering of the rice which contains anthocyanins (super antioxidants 1,600 times more potent than blueberries).  It takes 60 pounds of rice to make only one pound of this powerful product, because only the vital parts are kept.   Like arrows of perfect fuel of your mitochondrial battery … it can then produce ATP light energy which is absolutely necessary for health and regeneration.  Last, but surely not least, this ancient strain heirloom is growing in a pristine valley in highly mineralized soils which are totally untouched by chemicals, pesticides and GMOs.  It is tended by expert loving hands, watered by crystal clean mountain waters, harvested at their peak perfection and carried out by hand because trucks are not allowed in this sacred valley in Thailand.  This product is not available in any store anywhere.

LISTEN TO DOCTOR JACK TIPS  

DR. JACK TIPS Speaks About “Purple Rice”: CLICK HERE

After listening to Dr. Jack Tips, personally speaking with Dr. Doug, reading testimonial after testimonial, and personally speaking with others that have had profound life-saving stories after consuming this product, the only logical move forward was to try the product for myself.   After I finish my first 3 months eating this “alfa PXP Royal from Purple Rice,” I will then have my blood tested for any internal changes and those results will be posted for all to see.

Every system in our body requires and thrives on ATP light energy.  ATP creates that glow and vitality as each system in your body begins receiving the light energy it needs to power up, repair, regenerate, and function at its highest level.  This is the food for anti-aging, and for turning your Light back on!  So what does this really mean?

Within less than 1 month after I began consuming this food, my salt and pepper facial hair is turning more “pepper.”  See my picture below.  The short term results are truly amazing.

Cochise Pendleton’s testimonial

CochiseSideBySide2

Hello, my name is Cochise Pendleton.  As I mentioned above, here is my picture.  These pictures were taken by me.  The left photo was taken inside my car on February 5, 2016, and the right photo was taken just one month later on March 1, 2016 .  Both photos are time and date stamped.  When I took the right photo I was starring directly into the sun so my face would be exposed to as much sun light as possible (I actually had to squint).  Neither photo has been retouched.  After only 1 month of eating this discovery from Thailand (Micronized Purple Rice), my facial hair is noticeably less white/gray hair.  Not only did my goatee become noticeably darker, but the discoloration on my forehead appears to be evening out and the dark spots are disappearing.  Also, the crease that runs down the right side of my nose to the top of my mustache is smoothing out.  Any doubts I may have had about the effectiveness of this product have just disappeared.   My testimony alone is proof positive to me that that this Micronized heirloom does exactly what thousands of people are claiming.   I did not believe it until I saw it for myself.   After I take this product for 3 months (2 months to go), I will go to the doctor for a blood work-up.  I am really interested to see my internal metamorphosis (e.g. glucose number, overall cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride totals).  At that time, more pictures and my blood results will be posted.

I am 62 years old.  Living that long you learn how to discern truth from fiction.  There is an old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”  Well, that red flag of caution did rise, but after investigating this product and looking at all the empirical data (real people’s lives and their stories, listening to Dr. Tips, speaking with Dr. Doug, and experiencing this on a personal level), I am now able to separate truth from fiction in regards to this Micronized Purple Rice.  Because of this, I now champion this food.  That said, I now distribute this product but do so at my cost.  In other words, what I pay is what you will pay.  Since the medical professionals have no cures and no answers to the causes of over 80 auto-immune diseases, the only humane thing left to do is to share this wonderful discovery family, friends, and yes, everyone!

As Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”  Well, I just discovered an heirloom micronized food that when fed to the body energizes our immune system to Overdrive status.  Better health means a better quality of life.  When you feel better and yes, look better, your outlook on life takes a dramatic turn for the better.  My mother always said, “Son, without your health, you’ve got nothing, so do everything you can to say healthy.”  With the Lord’s help, I hope to do just that.  Now my attempt to spiritually help ex-JW’s  from Watchtower deception will include helping them and others learn how to become physically healthier through this micronized food.

For more information on this Amazing food, I have created another site.  Click Here: CochisePurpleRice

 

 

~Your brother in the Lord, Cochise

 

 

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Salvation

January 2, 2016

How Do You Get It and Can You Lose It?

Our salvation presupposes truly genuine repentance. Therefore, we should never speak of salvation as our sole decision, but rather as God’s acceptance of a truly repentant sinner. This article will biblically demonstrate God’s formula for salvation, man’s occupation working for God’s gift, and whether His gift can be lost.

Let us begin by reading what the Watchtower has to say on the issue of salvation.

March 2015 WT

Do you believe that “these words are faithful and true”? Then, learn more about Jesus Christ, and exercise faith in him. If you do, you will gain Jehovah’s approval. Not only will you experience his rich blessing now but you will gain the hope of life eternal in the earthly Paradise, where “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”

17 The hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth. “The wages sin pays is death,” says Romans 6:23. The same verse adds: “But the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” In Chapter 3 of this book, we discussed the blessings of the coming earthly Paradise. (Revelation 21:3, 4) All those future blessings, including life everlasting in perfect health, are made possible because Jesus died for us. To receive those blessings, we need to show that we appreciate the gift of the ransom.

19 How, then, can you demonstrate that you appreciate God’s gift of the ransom? To begin with, get to know the Great Giver, Jehovah. (John 17:3) A study of the Bible with the aid of this publication will help you to do that. As you come to know Jehovah, your love for him will deepen. In turn, that love will make you want to please him.

20 Exercise faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. Regarding Jesus, it is said: “The one who exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life.” (John 3:36) How can we exercise faith in Jesus? Such faith is not shown by words alone. “Faith without works is dead,” says James 2:26. Yes, true faith is proved by “works,” that is, by our actions. One way to show that we have faith in Jesus is by doing our best to imitate him not just in what we say but also in what we do.—John 13:15.

In a nutshell, the Watchtower purports that works are necessary to receive God’s blessings, and that their magazine is required reading for true understanding of Scripture. In essence, the Watchtower implies that the Originator of language does not possess the skill to adequately communicate His message, and that our Infinite God needs His finite creation (the Watchtower) to interpret. That said, we find an interesting parallel of this in the book of Genesis. There, Eve was approached by an interpreter of God’s Word. She believed the interpreter and spread the false information to Adam, leading to the original sin. The lesson learned: Listen and obey God’s Word above all else.

Watchtower dogma teaches that works are needed to experience blessings from God, and also also teach that salvation is not guaranteed. When I was a member of the Watchtower, I was taught that I had to work, wait, and hope. Yes, hope that I was saved. There was no guarantee.

How Is Salvation Received

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

God is crystal clear. He promises us that anyone believing in His Son will not perish and will have eternal life. He does not specify any other requirement or condition (e.g., reading the Watchtower is not a prerequisite).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-10

God said His gift of salvation is not of ourselves. What does that really mean … “not of ourselves”? The Author of Scripture makes it abundantly clear that He means “not as a result of works.” That is, any effort, job, performance, task, exertion, or activity on our part. Our Lord extends His gift of salvation to mankind because He loves us. The gift is free but came at great cost. His grace alone saves us through our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Nowhere in Scripture does God teach that giving His gift is contingent upon works, labor, meeting attendance, going door-to-door, reading the Watchtower magazine, or any of the man-made rules outlined by the Watchtower.

God is not fickle (bouncing from one side to another on a whim). He is not arbitrary or capricious (given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior). His formula for our salvation has already been communicated in Scripture: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9) In other words and as I have already said, reading the Watchtower magazine is not part of God’s formula for salvation. God does not need an interpreter. His Word is crystal clear. The Bible provides His formula for Salvation, with all the instructions included.

Salvation Described

The salvation that comes through Christ may be described in three tenses: past, present, and future. When people believe in Christ, they are saved: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved …” Acts 16:31 … We are also in the process of being saved from the power of sin: “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.” Romans 8:3 … Finally, we shall be saved from the very presence of sin: “And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” Romans 13:11

As I said before, our LORD is not fickle, arbitrary or capricious. Our salvation is not contingent upon what we give God. Our eternal salvation was His gift to us before we were even born. I just love the words of Paul below:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 35, 38, 39

I highlighted the words “nor any other created thing,” because they refer to any man-made thing, such as the Watchtower. Their created theology of lies, deception, craftiness, cunning and pretense remind me of the character in the Garden of Eden. This guardian of Adam and Eve (the devil) lied and contradicted his Creator (you know the story). The Watchtower is nothing more than the offspring of the devil.

Scripture quoted by the Watchtower with the intent to contradict, mislead or misrepresent what the Bible is actually communicating is a much rehearsed and skilled practice. The devil has taught them well. The Bible, however, contradicts Watchtower “truths” regarding His formula for salvation:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-10.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 4:24

Can Salvation Be Lost?

Nowhere in God’s inspired Word do we find any hint that our salvation, once received, is in jeopardy of being lost or taken away. Some do not believe this by pointing to the example of Judas Iscariot. He, being one of the chosen, is proof positive (so they say) that salvation is not eternally secure. Let us look into this line of thinking.

Jesus in John 17:12 said:

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou has given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

The Scripture to be “fulfilled” was the following:

“Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalm 41:9

Scholar Sprios Zodhiates affirms the position that Judas’ salvation was never lost because he was never saved in the first place (Never Truly Regenerated; Never Truly Born Again): “The son of perdition was always lost. He was never saved.” (The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible pg. 1593, by Dr. Spiros Zodhiates)

Once someone has repented and is accepted by God (truly regenerated; born again), nothing in heaven or on earth (ourselves included) could separate us from our love for Jesus Christ.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 35, 38, 39

Conclusion

Scripture teaches us that God’s plan to save the mankind is twofold: (1) His Love & Grace (2) our faith placed in His Son, Jesus Christ. There are no other qualifications. Man’s participation in God’s salvation formula is restricted to his or her individual acceptance of God The Son. In other words, works are never a prerequisite for salvation; works cannot save us; they are only a by-product. Works become a by-product as evidence of our newly-regenerated heart, not the other way around.

As for losing salvation, this is not found anywhere in Scripture. If God accepts someone who He is not able to keep to the very end, then Christ has failed and that is impossible.  Scripture teaches us that God’s gift of salvation is eternally secure:

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know you have eternal life.” 1John 3:13

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The Watchtower’s Evolving “1914 Generation” Doctrine

November 8, 2014

The primary purpose of this article is to update my book “The Bible vs. The Watchtower (The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Authority)You Decide…” on the Watchtower’s metamorphosing “1914 generation” doctrine, including clarification regarding the one specific event that Christ foretold must take place before His coming.

The Watchtower recently modified their doctrine concerning the 1914 generation to add a second group of anointed Christians, effectively extending the length of the “generation” and the time for the Watchtower’s doctrine to be fulfilled. This “New Light” or modified position is found in the Watchtower article of January 2014, entitled “‘Let Your Kingdom Come’ — But When?”, which states the following:

Paragraph 15:
“In his detailed prophecy about the conclusion of this system of things, Jesus said: ‘This generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.’ (Read Matthew 24:33-35.) We understand that in mentioning ‘this generation,’ Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians. The first group was on hand in 1914, and they readily discerned the sign of Christ’s presence in that year. Those who made up this group were not merely alive in 1914, but they were spirit-anointed as sons of God in or before that year. –Rom. 8:14-17.” [Emphasis added.]

Paragraph 16:
“The second group included in ‘this generation’ are anointed contemporaries of the first group. They were not simply alive during the lifetime of those in the first group, but they were anointed with holy spirit during the time that those of the first group were still on earth. Thus, not every anointed person today is included in ‘this generation’ of whom Jesus spoke. Today, those in this second group are themselves advancing in years. Yet, Jesus’ words at Matthew 24:34 give us confidence that at least some of ‘this generation will by no means pass away’ before seeing the start of the great tribulation. This should add to our conviction that little time remains before the King of God’s Kingdom acts to destroy the wicked and usher in a righteous new world. –2 Pet. 3:13″

Paragraph 17:
“What conclusion can we draw from the three lines of evidence that we have considered? Jesus cautioned that we would not — and we do not — know the exact day or hour. (Matthew 24:36; 25:13) But we can and do know ‘the season,’ as Paul mentioned. (Read Romans 13:11.) We are living in that season, the last days. If we give our full attention to Bible prophecy and to what Jehovah God and Jesus Christ are doing, we cannot fail to see compelling evidence that we are indeed living close to the end of this system of things.”

In this article, I will focus on the Watchtower’s revised understanding regarding the words of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 24:34: “Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” [All Bible quotations are taken from the Watchtower’s current New World Translation of The Holy Scriptures.]

As set forth on pages 46-47 of my book, the following are Watchtower past truths on this issue:

“And, very important for us, it was foretold that such final results would take place within the lifetime of just one generation, the generation that was alive in 1914.” (Awake, October 8, 1973, emphasis added.)

“Hence our generation is the generation that will see the start and finish of all these things, including Armageddon.” (Watchtower, June 1, 1951, p. 335.)

These previous Watchtower magazines paint a clear picture that the “generation” consists of the one singular generation of those alive in 1914, and that they will see the start and finish of this system, which includes Armageddon. However, this position has evolved over the years, as set forth on page 51 of my book:

“To be sure, the Watchtower’s current position regarding the ‘generation’ in Matthew 24:34 is one that developed through a series of revised interpretations, from initially signifying ‘the lifetime’ of the generation alive in 1914, to those ‘who began to witness the events of 1914,’ to ‘those who saw with understanding what began in 1914,’ and finally to ‘those who see the signs of Jesus’ second coming but fail to mend their ways’ (with no reference to 1914).”

With this history of Watchtower teaching regarding the 1914 generation in mind, let us examine what they are now teaching as Jehovah’s current truth. (I say “current” because it appears He keeps changing His Mind.) Let us begin by dissecting each paragraph followed up with questions of my own:

Paragraph 15 purported “truth”: “We understand that in mentioning ‘this generation,’ Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians.”

Questions to consider: It appears that the Organization now knows the thoughts of Jesus Christ. They say they understand that Jesus is referring to two groups. But where did they acquire this understanding? Does Christ ever say this? In Matthew 24:34, Jesus says: “Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” Jesus Christ only refers to a singular generation. He never mentions two groups within the one “generation.” Therefore, since Jehovah’s Breathed Word fails to communicate this “New Light” posture, where did this new understanding come from? And, if Jesus Christ meant two groups, why then did He only refer to one? The truth is … Jehovah’s Word contradicts the Watchtower’s newfound doctrinal position.

Why then does the Watchtower put forth this revision to the 1914 generation doctrine? Paragraph 16 of the Watchtower article provides the answer:

Paragraph 16 purported “truth”: “The second group included in ‘this generation’ are anointed contemporaries of the first group. … Today, those in this second group are themselves advancing in years.”

Analysis: The 1914 generation, or first group of anointed ones, have either passed away or only a handful are still alive. If the first group all pass away before the system’s end, then the Watchtower’s doctrine would be proven false. Therefore, in order to protect their position, they invented a second group of “contemporaries” to extend the lifetime of the “generation.” But if we analyze the common meanings of “contemporary” and “generation,” it becomes clear that the Watchtower’s interpretation makes no sense.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines “contemporary” as “someone living during the same period of time as another.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines “generation” as “all the people of about the same age within a society.” Thus, while contemporaries co-exist with each other, they are not necessarily within the same generation. A person who is 15 years old can co-exist with (and be a contemporary of) someone who is 75 years old, but the two are not from the same generation. Thus, the Watchtower’s play on words cannot be reconciled.

Matthew 24:34 speaks of only one generation.
There is no mention of two groups, and no mention of contemporaries.

While the Watchtower is correct when they say world conditions are worsening, and Bible prophecy is being fulfilled, there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to substantiate the addition of a second group to the 1914 generation. To the contrary, the words of Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 24:34 contradict the Watchtower’s “New Light” doctrine (“this generation” is singular and does not reference contemporaries).

Once again the Watchtower continues to modify their false truths of yesterday for new truths today, which become false truths tomorrow for pseudo truths in the future.

Is Watchtower doctrine, which evolves and changes over time, really a rock upon which to place one’s faith? If Bible truths are what you’re seeking, then the answer is obvious … No.

 

THE ONE SPECIFIC EVENT

Because the Bible is God Breathed and contrary to the convoluted and erroneous Watchtower 1914 generation doctrine, I am compelled to close this article with some illuminating material. That said, however, I will keep it to a minimum and only highlight the most profound passages.

To begin with, in his book, “Exegetical Commentary on Matthew” (pg. 412), Greek scholar Spiros Zodhiates discusses Matthew 24:34, as follows:

“In general, Jesus taught that the generation that ‘see [s] all these things (v. 33) will not pass away without witnessing the completion of all the events prophesied. ‘All these things were typically fulfilled in the forty years from A.D. 30 to 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed. Jerusalem’s destruction was a sign for believers to prepare for the rapture of His church and parousia. Typical fulfillment of prophecy enhances imminence – the nearness of the Lord’s return.’”

Dr. Zodhiates helps us to understand the typical fulfillment during the first century. We know Christ did not, and has not yet, appeared because Christ Himself told us what His appearance would be likened to … contrary to the postulated position of the Watchtower (“returned but not seen”):

“For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” Matthew 24:27

Christ’s appearance will not be missed — when lightening flashes, it lights up the entire sky. But is there something — some event — that we can look to as a precursor to His return? Perhaps an event that Christ tells us will transpire first?

“Before expounding on the dramatic events leading to the overthrow of the temple, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives and further taught His disciples … Tell us … what [ti, the singular neuter pronoun of tis {5101}, ‘what one thing,’ meaning, from the context, ‘what one sign’] shall be the sign of thy coming [from parousia {3952}, presence, appearance], and of the end … to bring together to completion … of the world … age?

The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus will begin with the snatching away of believers to be with Him in glory. The word parousia derives from para (3844), which denotes close proximity … Parousia describes single events as well as processes of several events. There is no doubt that Jesus will return physically to earth in His glorified body. Revelation 1:7 says, ‘Every eye shall see [from optanomai {3700}, to see physically] him (Acts 1:11).” Zodhiates, “Exegetical Commentary on Matthew,” pg 391, discussing Matthew 24:3 (emphasis added).

Although He did not give us the day, hour, or year of His return, He did foretell of a what … the one thing to look for:

“Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment).” Matthew 24:15

Zodhiates comments on Matthew 24:15 below (pg 398):

‘“When,’ the Greek conjunction hotan (3752), focuses on a specific event within the nation of Israel, which will be miraculously preserved. The appearance of the abomination of desolation is connected with the worldwide preaching of the gospel of the kingdom at ‘the end.’ This is the closest Jesus gets to answering the disciple’s question of when in verse 3. However, the ‘when’ is eclipsed by a ‘what,’ that is, some physical object called an ‘abomination of desolation’ is given in place of a date. There will be a day and hour when this profane, sacrilegious idol will be erected, but the disciples were to deduce the time from the sign, not the sign from the times.

In looking at the magnificent temple, Jesus had said (v.2) that one stone would not be left on another, but the entire structure would be ‘thrown down’ or destroyed.

Jesus now spoke of ‘the abomination of desolation.’ The abomination, then, whatever it is, will cause desolation. Believers will see or perceive this disgusting thing at the completion of the age. Furthermore, they will need to ‘mind’ what was written in the book of Daniel to perceive accurately how this event fits into the general scheme.

An antichrist is one who opposes Christ. ‘Anti’ also means in place of, so this last Antichrist will be a supplanter; he will try to replace the true Messiah. Three-and-a-half years into Daniel’s seventieth week, this beast will attempt to replace Christ (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thess. 2:3-10; Rev. 13:5). This ultimate Antichrist surpasses the attempts of former antichrists to replace God as the object of worship (Rev. 13:12)…. According to Daniel 11:36 …, this Antichrist magnifies himself above every god, including the Almighty God, arousing His indignation.” (Emphasis added.)

Here, Christ references the Prophet Daniel and tells the reader to “use discernment,” that is, judge well, look for spiritual direction. This implies that the key event which is to take place prior to the coming of Christ was prophesied during the time of Daniel. The relevant passage is found in Daniel 9:24-27, which speaks directly to the Nation of Israel, so the fulfillment of this prophecy must have direct application to the Nation itself. Without going into a lengthy discussion, I will simply quote the passage and briefly explain the context:

Daniel 9:24-27 sets forth the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah — the 70 weeks of years. As we know, Christ appeared just as Daniel predicted, but Daniel also predicted that someone else would appear:

Verse 24: “There are 70 weeks that have been determined for your people and your holy city, in order to terminate the transgression, to finish off sin, to make atonement for error, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and the prophecy, and to anoint the Holy of Holies.”

Verse 25: “You should know and understand that from the issuing of the word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Leader, there will be 7 weeks, also 62 weeks. She will be restored and rebuilt, with a public square and moat, but in times of distress.”

Verse 26: “And after the 62 weeks, Messiah will be cut off, with nothing for himself. And the people of a leader who is coming will destroy the city and the holy place. And its end will be by the flood. And until the end there will be war; what is decided upon is desolation.” (Emphasis added.)

Verse 27: “And he will keep the covenant in force for the many for one week; and at the half of the week, he will cause sacrifice and gift offer to cease. ‘And on the wing of disgusting things there will be the one causing desolation, and until extermination, what was decided on will be poured out also on the one lying desolate.'”

In verse 26, Daniel speaks of both the Messiah and a leader who has yet to come. According to verse 27 of Daniel’s prophecy, The Antichrist will make a 7-year covenant with the Nation of Israel (this is the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy which marks the beginning of The Great Tribulation), and breaking the covenant three-and-a-half years later. It is this event — “the disgusting thing that causes desolation … standing in a holy place” — that Jesus is alluding to in Matthew 24:15.

What happens once the covenant is broken 3-1/2 years later?

“for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.” Matthew 24:21

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Matthew 24:29

Jesus Christ is seen coming after the tribulation period …

“Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30

In Matthew, chapter 24, Jesus Christ pinpoints and draws attention to one specific event which must take place before His coming (verse 15). Thereafter, He tells us about the Great Tribulation (verses 21-29) and His return at the end of the Tribulation period (verse 30). Then Christ says something very profound in verse 34:

“Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” Matthew 24:34

Therefore, based on Scripture, Jesus Christ returns after (a) Matthew 24:15 is fulfilled, (b) The Antichrist makes a 7-year covenant with the Nation of Israel and breaks it 3-1/2 years later, causing sacrifices to cease (Daniel 9:27), and (c) the fulfillment of Matthew 24:29.

Finally, based on the context of Christ’s statement at Matthew 24:34, it becomes crystal clear that there will be one generation who sees the events of Matthew 24:15, as well as the beginning and end of the Great Tribulation. As Dr. Zodhiates helps us to appreciate:

“Imminence in these verses refers to Christ’s coming in judgment after the Tribulation period and is aimed squarely at unbelievers.” (“Exegetical Commentary on Matthew,” pg. 412)

Scripture does not evolve. It is truth yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.
Stop believing the self-serving and evolving Watchtower and put your faith and trust in the Bible.

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Your Bible Questions, Please …

November 9, 2013

Hello Everyone!!

First and foremost, God bless all of us.  Our economic climate has affected so many.  But take courage … Our Lord is watching!!  He will never leave or forsake us. That said, what can we do to better serve our brother and sisters?

Our political leaders have no clue how to stabilize, or bring about the economic balance needed for American families.  I see fear on faces daily.  Families losing incomes, homes, and hope for the future.

My blog today is to assure you that God is in control.  His children need to be courages.  As we watch the world spin out of control, we do not.  Our security does not rest in money, or any man made promise.  Our security is God Himself.  He is our Rock.  He is our Refuge.  He is our Protector.   Whatever comes upon man (Bible prophecy being fulfilled), the Middle East for example, we will watch without fear, and help as many come to Christ before the rapture.

In the meantime, as we ex Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to study God’s word, and help others come to Christ, are there any Bible questions that you’re needing answers to?  I ask this because my ministry is assisting my brother and sisters defending  Bible truths.

Any questions you may have, please ask … I will post them for all to see.  I will then answer those questions to the best of my ability.

God bless you all,

Your brother in Christ,

Cochise

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Who Are The Toes in Daniel 2 …

July 11, 2013

Hello EVERYONE!!  I have been so busy with so many things, like making a living, teaching on Christianity 101, Bible studies, family, and the like, and which, has taken so much of my time that my articles have suffered.  I am so sorry!!  Now that I am also involved with taking seminary classes every Thursday evenings, more is added to my plate … BUT not to worry.  I have always wanted to take seminary instruction and have found just the person. My learning will be passed on to ALL-of-YOU!!

My next article will focus on the toes of Daniel chapter 2.  I thought it would be a GREAT topic in lieu of our global situation (Israel).  The article is coming soon.

 

God Bless EVERYONE!!

YOUR BROTHER, COCHISE

 

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Cochise and his Thoughts …

May 21, 2013

Hello Everyone!

First and foremost, I love all of you and may the Lord bless all of us!!

This Post is another out-of-the-ordinary.  I wanted to share my thoughts and indulge your listening ear.  Being in the legal profession (not as an attorney) for over 35 years, I currently make my living serving legal documents. Not the average profession but, a profession nonetheless. Times are EXTREMELY difficult for millions of Americans and for millions of people across our globe. Honest hearted people can’t get work.  This REALLY hurts my soul!! I have a passion for people, and as you know, my number one passion is serving our Lord Jesus Christ.  I teach former members of the Watchtower true biblical theology on the six screens tele network.  Brother Rick Fearon is the owner and manages many hosted programs (Christianity 101 is only one of them).

My work brings me in contact with hundreds of people who are in financial straights. I know this first-hand because of my profession (I’m the one serving them evictions papers, divorce papers, writs on banks to extract all monies from their personal accounts, and bank foreclosures on million dollar pieces of property).   Everything I do is legal but disturbing to say the least.  I see expressions of hopelessness on faces every single day and frankly, I’m sick and tired of not being able to do something about it.  Of course, there are some who still make a good living, but even they fear the unexpected.

People need jobs.  Our Lord is GREAT!!  He is in total control.  That said, He has given us minds to think with.  A brain to come up with ideas that will help our families, friends, and fellow man.   Since our economy is not providing what the world masses need (JOBS), and after prayer and more prayer, decided to join a company that I believe, provides what our economy cannot … a financial income.

I serve legal collection papers to teachers with Master and PhD.’s without employment.  I am tired of seeing the faces of those striped of their homes and jobs with no hope of finding either.  Therefore,  I personally endorse the company called Pure Leverage, and recommend it as a vehicle for reaching financial stability.  It does take work and it is not a free ride.  However, I have worked out a method wherein Everyone will find success.

I have put my name on this company but more importantly, my reputation.  I created a Sales Letter which I will post here, and which, can be read and copied.

I now have two passions.  First, my ministry.  Second, helping people make a living.  I wrote a Sales Letter to market this venture.  For those who join me, this will be your letter to market.  Remember, don’t get hung up on all the hype … although it all being true, it is what it is.  Take-a-look and if this is something that you’re interested in, you know how to reach me.  On a side note, I love all the cutting edge Internet marketing tools and I use the Video conferencing tool on my Christianity 101 program.

Again, this post is out-of-the-ordinary.  It is my way of helping people (including myself) find other streams of income and I wanted to share this venture with all of you.  Technology will always be with us … so, I decided to join and share this new technology with everyone.  Below is the Sales Letter I put together and there is a link to watch a short video.   There is no pressure!!  You won’t hurt my feelings if this is not your cup-of-tea.  The cost to join is very inexpensive and is outlined in the letter.  I will share my strategy with you later.

May the Lord Bless this venture and I pray He does.  On a side note,  I would love your review of my sales letter. Sharing truth with people without hype is very difficult.  Let me know how I grade.

Your brother in Christ,

Cochise Pendleton

… Bill Gates’ VISION Made BILLIONS …

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YOU are in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT moment in Time

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TIMING is EVERYTHING!  THIS opportunity JUST Launched, and Will-Go-GLOBAL!! Pays 100% in residual commissions! Collect another 50% of total sales from your Directly Sponsored!! 

ALL-in-ONE-System EVERY-Business EVERY-Person NEEDS-to-SUCCEED …

Evolving State-of-the-Art Cutting Edge Internet Marketing Tools!!

 

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  • Video Blogging!
  • Email Capture Lead Generation System!
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  • Banners!
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But WAIT, this One System for pennies a-day, only $24.95 per-month …

is JUST the Tip-of-The-Iceberg!

I just LOVE the Internet Video Conferencing tool all-by-itself because … I can SEE and TALK to family or clients ANYWHERE on Earth, FREE (this is not Skype) yes, from any Internet connection source! Demonstrate Power-Point-Meetings, see & talk to loved ones, and RECORD Everything … a Tool for Business & Pleasure!!  Warning!   HIGHLY addictive!!  So FUN to use you may spend too much time using it!!

TIMING is CRITICAL!!  BEFORE the World, or closer to home, friends / business associates Become AWARE … Get-in-Now!!  Bill Gates’ Vision was His Advantage … No One Knew.  NO One!!  Now YOU have this Advantage … NO One Knows!! Take Advantage of Your Advantage … EMBRACE and MOVE-on this Opportunity … Take Action Today!!  The Pure Leverage Vision Opportunity “World-Economy-Blues-BUSTER” is YOUR TIME To-Be-First!  Your Advantage Clock is Ticking!

New World Paradigm …

 EVERYONE-in … Means … ALL-WILL WIN!!

   

The PURE LEVERAGE Vision …

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“Team Work Makes The Dream Work”

 

ALL RIGHTS to Market and Receive 100% Commissions Plus 50% Commissions from Your Directly Sponsored … only $19.97 a-month!!

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Watch Video and Join My TEAM Today:  http://www.CochiseMoneyMaker.com

 

P.S. Email me … FREE Video Conferencing demonstration: Leverage1953@gmail.com

REMEMBER this MOMENT … ALL who Rejected Bill Gates will NEVER forget their once-in-a-lifetime, Yes, FOREVER Lost BILLION dollar Money Maker VISION OFFER Opportunity!

P.P.S.  Tom Cruise said, “With me …Without Me” … With or without you, Pure Leverage is going global. This is Your once-in-a-lifetime VISION OFFER Money Maker Opportunity. You wanna Win You Gotta Get in!!  GO-Now and Test-Drive ALL these Tools 7 days for only $1.00!!

My name is Cochise … Watch Video Now and Join My Team Today!!    http://www.CochiseMoneyMaker.com

 

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How To Leverage Yourself Financially In This Economy

April 22, 2013

Hello to all my subscribers.  First and foremost, God bless us all.  This blog is not my usual.  I decided to share some unrelated information with you because of what is happening in our world economy.  Many of my Christian brother and sisters are suffering financially and need help.  There are few jobs out there and fewer opportunities for employment.  My work brings me closer to those in need than you would realize.  Families being uprooted from their homes because of foreclosures due to job loss.  I meet many with Master and PhD degrees that are unemployed.  You don’t have to read this blog to understand the financial straights of people in the United States and across the world.

The heading on this blog (How To Leverage Yourself Financially In This Economy) is what I wanted to share.  We all need help financially (myself included).  Those struggling and looking for work and desire a home-based-business to help with your family financial needs,  I endorse this opportunity, therefore, I share it with all of you.

Again, this blog is not my usual.  However, I felt it necessary in lieu of the world’s economic impact on millions to share what I believe will help millions financially.  God bless us all in this economic troubled world.  Your brother in Christ, Cochise

Below is the site you need to see (click on the site below):

http://www.pureleverage.com/launch/2?id=BrokeNoMore53

 

 

 

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The Bible Verses Watchtower Doctrines

March 16, 2013

Hello everyone.  Here are some of the soon-to-be-posted articles that will appear on my site and which, will all be biblically analyzed.    The topics will include but are not limited to:

Who are the 144,000?

Heaven and Hell

How To Receive Eternal Salvation … How The Gift is Given

The Purpose of The Great Tribulation

Armageddon

What is a Christian (According to Jesus Christ)

The 1,000 year reign of Christ

The Faithful and Discreet Slave

The Trinity Doctrine (Who is Jehovah, Jesus Christ, and  Holy Spirit)

These are but a few more subjects that will be biblically addressed in article form, and posted here on The Bible Vs The Watchtower …

 

Your brother in Christ,

Cochise

 

 

 

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Coming Soon!!

January 1, 2013

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!!  I wanted to let everyone know that my article on Michael the archangel is now posted.  It is a permanent article as opposed to my blog writings (it has it’s own page).  It takes time making sure all the dots and tees are crossed.  My beautiful wife, Melody, does all the editing.  As an attorney, her innate skills bring my articles to life. My next article is on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  After that, the Bible’s teaching on Salvation will post.  I will soon have every major Watchtower doctrine in article form.  My goal is to share all their teachings and compare them to what God’s Word communicates on the subject.  My last topic of Michael the archangel, now complete, is lengthy, but a subject that needed to be addressed.  I am very happy to announce it’s completion.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and please, hold your heads high because God is in control of the world’s affairs.  God Bless You!!

Your brother, Cochise

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HEAVEN or HELL

August 4, 2012

Man’s Free Will Chooses  

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46)

This article is in response to a question on Christianity 101.   Does hell exist, and if it does, why does a God of love send people to an eternal hell?  Although this article will not be an exhaustive piece on the subject, it will demonstrate hell as a future reality, and reveal why God’s justice demands eternal punishment.  Also, we must never forget that God gave man a free will to choose his or her walk in life.  God does not send people to hell.  To the contrary, each man chooses his own afterlife destiny.

As I approached this subject of eternal punishment, my goal was simplicity … try to make an emotional topic, such as hell, understandable to the finite mind, and at the same time, attempt to bring some clarity to why God demands it.  In other words, why does a God of love allow such a thing as eternal damnation?  I pray this information stimulates the senses and causes a profound appreciation for God’s wisdom in the matter.  That said, I open with some insight from Dr. Norman L. Geisler, Dean and Professor of Theology and Apologetics:

“To punish a person eternally for what he did for a short time on earth seems at first like a gigantic case of overkill.  However, on closer examination it turns out to be not only just but necessary.  For one thing, only eternal punishment will suffice for sins against the eternal God.  The sins may have been committed in time, but they were against the Eternal One.  Furthermore, no sin can be tolerated as long as God exists, and he is eternal.  Hence, punishment for sin must also be eternal.

What is more, the only alternative to eternal punishment is worse, namely, to rob human beings of freedom and dignity by forcing them into heaven against their free choice.  That would be “hell” since they do not fit in a place where everyone is loving and praising the Person they want most to avoid.  Or, God’s other choice is to annihilate his own image within his creatures.  But this would be an attack of God on himself.

Further, without eternal separation there could be no heaven.  Evil is contagious (1 Cor. 5:6) and must be quarantined.  Like a deadly plague, if it is not contained it will continue to contaminate and corrupt.  If God did not eventually separate the tares from the wheat, the tares would choke out the wheat.  The only way to preserve an eternal place of good is to eternally separate all evil from it.  The only way to have an eternal heaven is to have an eternal hell.

Finally, if Christ’s temporal punishment is sufficient for our sins eternally, then there is no reason why eternal suffering cannot be appropriate for our temporal sins.  It is not the duration of the action but the object that is important.  Christ satisfied the eternal God by his temporal suffering, and unbelievers have offended the eternal God by their temporal sins.  Hence, Christ’s temporal suffering for sins satisfies God eternally (1John 2:1), and our temporal sins offended God eternally.

To the objection that there is no redemptive value in the damning of souls to hell, it can be pointed out that hell satisfies God’s justice and glorifies it by showing how great and fearful a standard it is.  ‘The vindictive justice of God will appear strict, exact, awful, and terrible, and therefore glorious’ (Edwards, 2.87).  The more horrible and fearful the judgment, the brighter the sheen on the sword of God’s justice.  Awful punishment fits the nature of an awe-inspiring God.  By a majestic display of wrath, God gets back the majesty he has been refused.  Those who give God no glory by choice during this life will be forced to give him glory in the afterlife.”

(Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Norman L. Geisler, pp. 313-314) 

Those who have accepted Jesus Christ and their Lord and Savior have nothing at all to fear.  God sent His Son to earth to save, not judge.  “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” John 3:17.

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

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.

The Lord wants people to repent and save themselves from eternal punishment.  All man has to do is repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ.

“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30, 31.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

If man chooses to reject God’s gift of grace, thereby failing to repent of their sins, God will bring them into judgment as indicated in Hebrews:  “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27.

“And 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.” Matthew 10:28.            

The fact that there will be a final judgment assures us that ultimately God’s universe is fair, for God is in control, and he keeps accurate records and renders just judgment.  When Paul tells slaves to be submissive to their masters, he reassures them, “For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality” (Col. 3:25).  When the picture of a final judgment mentions the fact that “books were opened” (Rev. 20:12), it reminds us (whether the books are literal or symbolic) that a permanent and accurate record of all our deeds has been kept by God, and ultimately all accounts will be settled and all will be made right. 

The decisions made by people in this life will affect their destiny for all eternity, and it is right that our hearts and mouths echo the sentiment of the appeal of God through Ezekiel, “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.  Turn back, turn back from your evil ways!  Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11)  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)

It is appropriate to discuss the doctrine of hell in connection with the doctrine of final judgment.  Hell may be defined as a place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked.  Scripture teaches in several passages that there is such a place.  At the end of the parable of the talents, the master says, “And cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 25:30)  This is one among several indications that there will be consciousness of punishment after the final judgment.  Similarly, at the judgment, Jesus will say to some, “Then He will also say to those on His left, Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which as been prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt. 25:41), and Jesus says that those thus condemned, “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46).  In this text, the parallel between “eternal life” and “eternal punishment” indicates that both states will be without end. 

Hell Is Very Real

Jesus refers to hell as, “WHERE THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED” (Mark 9:48).  The story of the rich man and Lazarus also indicates a horrible consciousness of punishment: “Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.  And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.” Luke 16: 22-24.

He then begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house, “for I have five brothers – that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment” Luke 16:28.

When we turn to Revelation, the descriptions of this eternal punishment are also very explicit: “And another angel, a third one, followed then saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Rev. 14:9-11.

This passage very clearly affirms the idea of eternal conscious punishment of unbelievers.  With respect to the judgment on the wicked city of Babylon, a large multitude in heaven cries, “And a second time they said, ‘Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER.’” Rev. 19:3.

After the final rebellion of Satan is crushed, we read: “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Rev. 20:10)  This passage is also significant in connection with Matthew 25:41, in which unbelievers are sent “into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”  These verses should make us realize the immensity of the evil that is found in sin and rebellion against God, and the magnitude of the holiness and the justice of God that calls forth this kind of punishment.

Book of Life And Book of Judgment 

“And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.  And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.  This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:11-15. 

This judgment of unbelievers will include degrees of punishment, for we read that the dead were judged “by what they had done” (Rev. 20:12,13), and this judgment according to what people had done must therefore involve an evaluation of the works that people have done.

When Jesus says to the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, “It shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you” (Matt. 11:22; compare v. 24), or when he says that the scribes “will receive the greater condemnation” (Luke 20:47), he implies that there will be degrees of punishment on the last day.

In fact, every wrong deed done will be remembered and taken account of in the punishment that is meted out on that day, because “on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter” (Matt. 12:36).  Every word spoken, every deed done will be brought to light and receive judgment; “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl. 12:14).

God’s Justice Demands Eternal Punishment 

Scripture clearly affirms that God will be entirely just in his judgment and no one will be able to complain against him on that day.  God is the one who “judges each one impartially according to his deeds” (1 Peter 1:17), and “God shows no partiality” (Rom. 2:11).  For this reason, on the last day “every mouth” will be stopped, and the whole world will be “held accountable to God” (Rom. 3:19), with no one being able to complain that God has treated him or her unfairly.  In fact, one of the great blessings of the final judgment will be that saints and angels will see demonstrated in millions of lives the pure justice of God, and this will be a source of praise to him for all eternity.  At the time of the judgment on Babylon, there will be great praise in heaven, for John says, “After these things I heard, as it were, a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelujah!  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.’” (Rev. 19:1-2) 

The argument that eternal punishment is unfair (because there is a disproportion between temporary sin and eternal punishment) wrongly assumes that we know the extent of the evil done when sinners rebel against God.  David Kingdon observes that “sin against the Creator is heinous to a degree utterly beyond our sin-warped imaginations’ [ability] to conceive of … Who would have the temerity to suggest to God what the punishment  … should be?  (David Kingdon, Annihilationism: Gain or Loss? March, 1992; unpublished paper obtained from the author, p.9.)  He also responds to this objection by suggesting that unbelievers in hell may go on sinning and receiving punishment for their sin, but never repenting, and notes that Revelation 22:11 points in this direction: “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and let the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”

If there was no punishment of unbelievers at all, even people like Hitler and Stalin would have nothing coming to them, and there would be no ultimate justice in the universe.  Then people would have great incentive to be as wicked as possible in this life.  Yet after all this has been said, we have to admit that the ultimate resolution of the depths of this question lies far beyond our ability to understand.

Descriptions of Hell

“The Bible describes the reality of hell in forceful figures of speech.  It is said to be a place of darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13), which is “outside” [the gate of the heavenly city], (Rev. 22:14-15).  Hell is away from the “presence of the Lord” (Matt. 25:41; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).

The Nature of hell is a horrifying reality.  It is like being left outside in the dark forever (Matt. 8:12).  It is like a wandering star (Jude 13), a waterless cloud (Jude 12), a perpetually burning dump (Mark 9:43-48), a bottomless pit (Rev. 20:1,3), a prison (1 Peter 3:19), and a place of anguish and regret (Luke 16:28).

To borrow the title of the book by Lewis, hell is the “great divorce” – an eternal separation from God (2 Thess. 1:7-9).  There is, in biblical language, “a great gulf fixed” between hell and heaven (Luke 16:26) so that no one can pass from one side to the other.

Nowhere does the Bible describe it as a “torture chamber” where people are forced against their will to be tortured.  This is a caricature created by unbelievers to justify their reaction that the God who sends people to hell is cruel.  This does not mean that hell is not a place of torment.  Jesus said it was (Luke 16:24).  But, unlike torture which is inflicted from without against one’s will, torment is self inflicted.

Hell is also depicted as a place of eternal fire.  This fire is real but not necessarily physical (as we know it), because people will have imperishable physical bodies (John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:13-15), so normal fire would not affect them.  Further, the figures of speech that describe hell are contradictory, if taken in a physical sense.  It has flames, yet is outer darkness.  It is a dump (with a bottom), yet a bottomless pit.  While everything in the Bible is literally true, not everything is true literally.”  Norman L. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, pg. 312)

How Long Does Hell Last? 

Normal Geisler also states in his book:

“The Bible declares that God will endure forever, ‘Lord Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generation.  Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.’ (Psalm 90:1,2).  But God by his very nature, cannot tolerate evil (Isaiah 6: Hab. 1:13).  Hence, evil persons must be separated from God forever.  As long as God is God and evil is evil, the latter must be separated from the former.

Heaven is described as ‘everlasting’ in the Bible.  But the same Greek word (aionion), used in the same context, also affirmed that hell is ‘everlasting,’ ‘Then He will also say to those on His left, Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ (Matt. 25:41, 46)  (See 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:10)  So, if heaven is forever, so is hell.  There is absolutely no ground in Scripture for supposing that hell is temporal and heaven is eternal.”

What are we to think of this doctrine?  It is hard – and it should be hard – for us to think of this doctrine today.  If our hearts are never moved with deep sorrow when we contemplate this doctrine, then there is a serious deficiency in our spiritual and emotional sensibilities.  When Paul thinks of the lostness of his kinsmen the Jews, he says, “that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”  (Rom. 9:2)  This is consistent with what God tells us of his own sorrow at the death of the wicked: “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.  Turn back, turn back from your evil ways!  Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek. 33:11)

The reason it is hard for us to think of the doctrine of hell is because God has put in our hearts a portion of his own love for people created in his image, even his love for sinners who rebel against him.  As long as we are in this life, and as long as we see and think about others who need to hear the gospel and trust Christ for salvation, it should cause us great distress and agony of spirit to think about eternal punishment.  Yet we must also realize that whatever God in his wisdom has ordained and taught in Scripture is right.  Therefore we must be careful that we do not hate this doctrine or rebel against it, but rather we should seek, insofar as we are able, to come to the point where we acknowledge that eternal punishment is good and right, because in God there is no unrighteousness at all.

It may help us to realize that if God were not to execute eternal punishment, then, apparently, his justice would not be satisfied and his glory would not be furthered in the way he deems wise.  And it will perhaps also help us to realize that from the perspective of the world to come there is a much greater recognition of the necessity and rightness of eternal punishment.  Martyred believers in heaven are heard by John to cry out, “and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10)  Moreover, at the final destruction of Babylon, the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven cries out with praise to God for the rightness of his judgment as they finally see the heinous nature of evil for what is really is: “After these things I heard, as it were, a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah!  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER. And a second time they said, Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER.” (REV. 19:1-3)

In this present age, however, we should only approach such a celebration of the justice of God in the punishment of evil when we meditate on the eternal punishment given to Satan and his demons.  When we think of them, we do not instinctively love them though they too were created by God.  But now they are fully devoted to evil and beyond the potential of redemption.  So we cannot long for their salvation as we long for the redemption of all humanity.  We must believe that eternal punishment is true and just, yet we should also long that even those people who most severely persecute the church should come to faith in Christ and thus escape eternal condemnation.

NOTE:  If not otherwise quoted, you may find all the above material in the book:  Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.  Wayne Grudem is research professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, Arizona.  He holds degrees from Harvard (BA), Westminster Seminary (MDiv), and Cambridge (PhD).

God’s Love and Grace Offers Man Eternal Life …
God’s Sovereignty and Justice Demands Eternal Punishment!
Man’s Free Will Chooses 

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