The extortion gospel - "believe or burn" - not really a choice

[St. SteVen]

Is the gospel preached from most pulpits really a choice?
What are the stated consequences for refusing the "free gift" of eternal life?

The "believe or burn" gospel amounts to extortion.
A decision based on fear of the stated consequences for refusal.

- Does God honor a decision based on fear?
- Does God support the "believe or burn" gospel?
- If so, what sort of God is He?

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

[

 

[Deborah_]

Is this really what is preached "from most pulpits"?
In my experience, Hell is rarely if ever mentioned.

 

[St. SteVen]

Is this really what is preached "from most pulpits"?
In my experience, Hell is rarely if ever mentioned.

Good point.
The word "most" is strong.

Many churches are avoiding talking about hell at all, unless pressed.
If a prospect asked about hell, what would the church say?
Would they deny it, or present the grim "facts"?
It is being redefined as "eternal separation from God." (whatever that means)

The changing perception of hell. - How do you define it?

Even very by-the-book Christians are modifying their views on hell, or the afterlife. As the previous trend for fire-and-brimstone preaching has all but gone the way of the dinosaur. Leaning toward a more personalized stance on "eternal separation from God". (whatever that means to you) -...

www.christianityboard.com

[

 

[XtraPercept]

I agree with you. Most pulpits do not project truth. How do we know? Easy. They are not hated.

Yes, the masses mock ministry today for the hollow shell of a faith it is, but Jesus promised us persecution. Are we to think hurtful words are persecution? Hardly! Consider what Christ endured and how all the Apostles but John died and then try to tell me the Church in America is persecuted today.

'Hell' is among many doctrines of demons diminishing the Deity. It is a vicious slander of His character. The idea of it is only supported by carnal interpretations of certain translations, like 'the trinity' or 'once saved always saved' and other destructive diversions.

But this is why the Scriptures compel us to seek Him. Sitting in a pew for an hour a week is not seeking. The Truth is not a fact to keep in our back pocket for justification as-needed. He is the Pearl of Great Price, the Treasure, the Gift and Blessing, the very origin and essence of love.

He draws us to Himself by appeal, not by threat.

 

[St. SteVen]

He draws us to Himself by appeal, not by threat.

Agree.
Welcome to the forum.

I'm guessing that '91 is your birth year, not your age?

[

 

[XtraPercept]

Agree.
Welcome to the forum.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I strive to be reticent. The birth date I input was 1/2/34.

 

[bdavidc]

Is the gospel preached from most pulpits really a choice?
What are the stated consequences for refusing the "free gift" of eternal life?

The "believe or burn" gospel amounts to extortion.
A decision based on fear of the stated consequences for refusal.

- Does God honor a decision based on fear?
- Does God support the "believe or burn" gospel?
- If so, what sort of God is He?

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

[

You ask: “Is the gospel preached from most pulpits really a choice?”

I’m sorry to say that much of what is preached in pulpits today is not the gospel at all. But if you’re asking about the true, biblical gospel (the good news of our salvation through Jesus Christ), then, yes, it is a choice. Rejecting the gospel is not a neutral position, it is a deadly one. It’s one thing to say, “Fine, I don’t want to be saved. I want to live on my own terms, I want to spend eternity apart from God.” If a person wants to live that way rather than have eternal life through Jesus, he or she is free to do so. But it’s a foolish and tragic choice. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12).

If you call the gospel “extortion” just because it warns of hell, then you don’t understand the Bible at all. No one is neutral. No one is waiting to choose. We are all guilty. “All have sinned” (Rom. 3: 23) and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). The gospel is not “believe or else.” It’s “you’re drowning already, but here’s the lifeboat.”

Hell is not some punishment God stuck on as an afterthought. It is the natural result of rejecting Him. “He that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18). The gospel does not usher in judgment. It proclaims the way out. God warns us because He loves us. He does not force you, but He will tell you the truth.

Yes, there is fear. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). It does not mean we sprint to God in terror, but it does mean we need to wake up. Judgment is coming. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

If someone thinks the offer of salvation is some kind of trick, the problem is not with the gospel. The problem is with their heart. God is not playing games with us. “God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). The gospel is not a con job. It’s a rescue mission. If we reject the only way out, that’s not God’s fault. That’s our fault.

Blaming God for the consequences of our own sin is just pride. We are saying to God, “Unless You do things my way, I will not believe in You.” That is foolish. “Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?” (Rom. 9:20). We are not God. We do not get to rewrite truth. Truth is truth, whether we like it or not.

People get angry at the gospel because it stings. It says the truth: we are sinners and we need to repent. That offends our pride. But whether we joke about it, argue against it, or mock it, we all will stand before God one day (Heb. 9:27). And if we have not repented, we won’t be thinking it is funny then.

 

[bdavidc]

I agree with you. Most pulpits do not project truth. How do we know? Easy. They are not hated.

Yes, the masses mock ministry today for the hollow shell of a faith it is, but Jesus promised us persecution. Are we to think hurtful words are persecution? Hardly! Consider what Christ endured and how all the Apostles but John died and then try to tell me the Church in America is persecuted today.

'Hell' is among many doctrines of demons diminishing the Deity. It is a vicious slander of His character. The idea of it is only supported by carnal interpretations of certain translations, like 'the trinity' or 'once saved always saved' and other destructive diversions.

But this is why the Scriptures compel us to seek Him. Sitting in a pew for an hour a week is not seeking. The Truth is not a fact to keep in our back pocket for justification as-needed. He is the Pearl of Great Price, the Treasure, the Gift and Blessing, the very origin and essence of love.

He draws us to Himself by appeal, not by threat.

The claim that hell is a “doctrine of demons” flies in the face of Scripture. Jesus Himself taught on hell clearly and repeatedly. He said, “Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). He described a rich man “being in torment in hell fire” after his death (Luke 16:23–24). Revelation 20: 15 says plainly, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” These are not fuzzy metaphors or mistranslations. They are firm and repeated warnings from Genesis to Revelation concerning the actual consequence of sin and rebellion against God.

The statement that hell somehow “diminishes God’s character” is to misconstrue both His holiness and His justice. God is love (1 John 4: 8), but He is also righteous (Psalm 11:7) and will not leave sin unpunished. Romans 2: 5 speaks of “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” A God who judges no one is not holy, much less just. The cross of Christ proves that sin is so serious that it required the blood of the Son of God to pay for it.

Pointing to doctrines like the Trinity or the eternal security of the believer and labelling them “carnal interpretations” that discount Scripture is to flatly reject the clear teaching of God’s Word. The Bible is clear in revealing that God is Father (1 Cor. 8: 6), Son (John 1:1–14), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4), three distinct persons, yet one God. As for eternal life, Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:28). If our salvation can be lost, it was never eternal.

The statement that God only draws by “appeal, not by threat” is only half-true. God certainly does draw us by His kindness (Romans 2: 4), but He also promises to judge in order to “warn every man” who does evil (Hebrews 10:31). Both love and fear of God are used to turn hard hearts. It’s not contradiction, it’s entirely consistent with the full counsel of His Word. A gospel without warning is not the gospel of Scripture.

It looks like we’ve got yet another false teacher showing up to twist Scripture and distort the truth of God’s Word. “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers… whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not…” ~ Titus 1:10–11

 

[marks]

The "believe or burn" gospel amounts to extortion.
A decision based on fear of the stated consequences for refusal.

If you are trapped in a burning building, and you won't try to get out, and you are fighting off your rescuers, someone telling you that you will burn if you don't let them rescue you, this is not extortion.

Much love!

 

[marks]

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Reality:

Person #1: Let me rescue you from burning.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: No really, you will burn, let me rescue you.
Person #2: I don't believe I'm going to burn, I don't need you.
Person #1: No, you really do need rescue! The fire is real!

You can write your heretical parodies all day long, but unless you are reconciled to God, you too will burn, and you need rescue!

Much love!

 

[David in NJ]

Is the gospel preached from most pulpits really a choice?
What are the stated consequences for refusing the "free gift" of eternal life?

The "believe or burn" gospel amounts to extortion.
A decision based on fear of the stated consequences for refusal.

- Does God honor a decision based on fear?
- Does God support the "believe or burn" gospel?
- If so, what sort of God is He?

--- PARODY ---

Person #1: Receive the free gift of eternal life.
Person #2: No thanks.
Person #1: I said it was free.
Person #2: There must be some strings attached.
Person #1: Well, of course.
Person #2: It's not a free gift then, right?
Person #1: You had better take it... or else!
Person #2: Say what?
Person #1: Otherwise you will be incinerated!
Person #2: What sort of free gift is that?

Indeed.

[

Here is the reason for 'believe or burn'

10Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near. 11Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”

12“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

14Blessed are those who wash their robes,c so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. 15But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

 

[St. SteVen]

Here is the reason for 'believe or burn'

You are assuming an evangelical interpretation on the scripture you quoted.

10Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near. 11Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”

Why are the unrighteous and the vile urged to continue in their ways?

12“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Each one will be rewarded according to their deeds. Not just the Elect.

14Blessed are those who wash their robes,c so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. 15But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

The city gates are always open, correct? All one needs to enter is to wash their robes.

16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

Agree.

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

No one is restricted from drinking of the water of life. It's an invitation.

[

 

[David in NJ]

You are assuming an evangelical interpretation on the scripture you quoted.


Why are the unrighteous and the vile urged to continue in their ways?


Each one will be rewarded according to their deeds. Not just the Elect.


The city gates are always open, correct? All one needs to enter is to wash their robes.


Agree.


No one is restricted from drinking of the water of life. It's an invitation.

[

No assumptions

CHOICE

Notice how JESUS emphasizes Lifestyle Choices with an Open Invitation to leave the 'Burn-lifestyle of sin' for the CLEANE-me-UP LIFE

 

[St. SteVen]

You can write your heretical parodies all day long, but unless you are reconciled to God, you too will burn, and you need rescue!

"... heretical parodies..." - LOL

Why would you assume that I am not reconciled to God?
Does writing "heretical parodies" disqualify me somehow? - LOL

Christians are so tribal. They don't like to be challenged to think.
They stopped thinking once they got "saved".

[

 

[marks]

Christians are so tribal. They don't like to be challenged to think.
They stopped thinking once they got "saved".

Nonsense!
Just declaring others to be non-thinking?

"Oh, you are just being tribal, not thinking."

You apparently don't like your doctrine challenged.

No, you are not disqualified by your heretical parodies, you are revealed is what is happening.

Much love!

 

[David in NJ]

"... heretical parodies..." - LOL

Why would you assume that I am not reconciled to God?
Does writing "heretical parodies" disqualify me somehow? - LOL

Christians are so tribal. They don't like to be challenged to think.
They stopped thinking once they got "saved".

[

Christians are so tribal.

Well this is 100% TRUTH = There are 12 Tribes for us to be Placed in by our Heavenly FATHER

They don't like to be challenged to think.
They stopped thinking once they got "saved".

Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit gave to me the exact OPPOSITE Effect of Mind and Spirit

 

[XtraPercept]

The claim that hell is a “doctrine of demons” flies in the face of Scripture. Jesus Himself taught on hell clearly and repeatedly. He said, “Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). He described a rich man “being in torment in hell fire” after his death (Luke 16:23–24). Revelation 20: 15 says plainly, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” These are not fuzzy metaphors or mistranslations. They are firm and repeated warnings from Genesis to Revelation concerning the actual consequence of sin and rebellion against God.

The statement that hell somehow “diminishes God’s character” is to misconstrue both His holiness and His justice. God is love (1 John 4: 8), but He is also righteous (Psalm 11:7) and will not leave sin unpunished. Romans 2: 5 speaks of “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” A God who judges no one is not holy, much less just. The cross of Christ proves that sin is so serious that it required the blood of the Son of God to pay for it.

Pointing to doctrines like the Trinity or the eternal security of the believer and labelling them “carnal interpretations” that discount Scripture is to flatly reject the clear teaching of God’s Word. The Bible is clear in revealing that God is Father (1 Cor. 8: 6), Son (John 1:1–14), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4), three distinct persons, yet one God. As for eternal life, Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:28). If our salvation can be lost, it was never eternal.

The statement that God only draws by “appeal, not by threat” is only half-true. God certainly does draw us by His kindness (Romans 2: 4), but He also promises to judge in order to “warn every man” who does evil (Hebrews 10:31). Both love and fear of God are used to turn hard hearts. It’s not contradiction, it’s entirely consistent with the full counsel of His Word. A gospel without warning is not the gospel of Scripture.

It looks like we’ve got yet another false teacher showing up to twist Scripture and distort the truth of God’s Word. “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers… whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not…” ~ Titus 1:10–11

Before you go accusing me of being a false teacher, please bear in mind that I am merely a student of Life and the Word and prone to emphatic language. I am a passionate man. But I don't mean to be rude and I would like to address what you wrote.

You use one translation of Matthew 10:28. The word you quote as 'hell' is also translated 'gehenna', from 'The Valley of Hinnom' where foul things were burned to ash. There is much more to this and every reference used to support the idea of hell. The metaphors are not fuzzy, you just skate their surfaces.

It is HIS life that is the light of men. You mean to tell me He keeps a portion of Himself to maintain the existence of countless people exclusively for a vengeful punishment? For our vaporous mortal lives? That's horrible! Read more and deeper! It is a complete destruction, an annihilation, there will be only God and His goodness to follow judgement. What is burnt will perish, hence "death" and why the Sons of God will not be harmed by the second death.

The fear is unnecessary and awful. It is good to think of a Being without beginning or end, of infinity and eternity and all those wonderous realities we cannot truly and fully grasp even collectively, but to take it in such a foul direction as everlasting excruciating torment is just... tragic.

As far as the trinity doctrine, the truth is not an incomprehensible mystery. Jesus said it plainly, "I and the Father are one." Same Being. The Holy Spirit is this Being in action among us and within us. Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one! It's simple and makes sense because it is plainly true as stated.

All trinitarian extrapolations are dependent on misconstruing metaphor. Why is the only verse in the Bible to mention 'all three' at once Matthew 28:19, which isn't found in all manuscripts? Never mind that no 'separate but one' type existence of Father Son and Spirit is ever mentioned in Scripture. They are one and Jesus portrayed perfection as a role model.

Things that cannot make sense are that way because they are not true, they are irrational. Such supernatural mystery is abundant in pagan religions, but the truth always makes sense, lines up, and correlates with all other truth when considered with properly aligned perspective.

You should investigate the father of the doctrines you spread, John Calvin. Observe his treatment of Michael Servetus, a contemporary of his who argued against the trinity.

This is why I call these interpretations "carnal", they lack the Spirit of truth in their assertions and rely on maintaining the obscurity of what lies in the depths of meaning. There is no need to threaten anyone of anything. God draws us by appeal, and He does it through those who demonstrate His appeal (among countless other methods). The warnings are not of punishment but of loss.

 

[XtraPercept]

...

Much love!

Where?

What love lies in the sentiment, 'you will burn without dying forever if you don't say this incantation'?

Is the secret to eternal life so simple as 'Lord, please come into my heart'?

What was all that about working out ones salvation with fear and trembling?

To thump with a Bible is to express a self-righteousness which declares 'my way or the highway (to hell!)' This doctrine distorts admonishment into assault and reeks of hypocrisy. It is the way of men to wage war and demand 'do what I tell you or I will kill you,' whereas the ministry of Jesus was nothing like that.

The pharisees had mouths like open graves, full of the bones of dead men. What of them was everlasting? Nothing! They were and are dead! Their doctrines, the dried out and lifeless bones of their ancestors, accomplished nothing of salvation. If the strictly religious of His day had been on to something, their unnecessary rules would not have been sufficient to condemn a perfect man to death.

It is by HIS great mercy that we are born anew to a life of hope, not because we drop to our knees and make 'the right choice' in the face of gravest threat. We can do nothing of ourselves, the Lord does not present men the opportunity to boast of anything but Jesus Christ crucified. Indeed, we can't even understand truth if the Almighty does not open our eyes to it.

No one has all understanding, no one could. We each bear whatever light was given to us and our orders are to love and obey. Jesus did not come to judge but to save, it is His message which condemns those who do not believe because the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.

Those who possessed great understanding and wrote Scripture had no fear in them. Not one apostle agonized for the frightening prospect of people they love suffering ceaselessly in flame. Perfect love drives out fear. It is hope to which we cling unto salvation. The joy of our Father has no threat in it, the fear we possess of Him is not terror but deepest reverence for the incomprehensible magnitude of His majesty.

If we want to be a light to others and save them from destruction, let us shine by how we portray the Master in our own lives. As Benjamin Franklin said, "a good example is the best sermon."

 

[bdavidc]

Before you go accusing me of being a false teacher, please bear in mind that I am merely a student of Life and the Word and prone to emphatic language. I am a passionate man. But I don't mean to be rude and I would like to address what you wrote.

You use one translation of Matthew 10:28. The word you quote as 'hell' is also translated 'gehenna', from 'The Valley of Hinnom' where foul things were burned to ash. There is much more to this and every reference used to support the idea of hell. The metaphors are not fuzzy, you just skate their surfaces.

It is HIS life that is the light of men. You mean to tell me He keeps a portion of Himself to maintain the existence of countless people exclusively for a vengeful punishment? For our vaporous mortal lives? That's horrible! Read more and deeper! It is a complete destruction, an annihilation, there will be only God and His goodness to follow judgement. What is burnt will perish, hence "death" and why the Sons of God will not be harmed by the second death.

The fear is unnecessary and awful. It is good to think of a Being without beginning or end, of infinity and eternity and all those wonderous realities we cannot truly and fully grasp even collectively, but to take it in such a foul direction as everlasting excruciating torment is just... tragic.

As far as the trinity doctrine, the truth is not an incomprehensible mystery. Jesus said it plainly, "I and the Father are one." Same Being. The Holy Spirit is this Being in action among us and within us. Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one! It's simple and makes sense because it is plainly true as stated.

All trinitarian extrapolations are dependent on misconstruing metaphor. Why is the only verse in the Bible to mention 'all three' at once Matthew 28:19, which isn't found in all manuscripts? Never mind that no 'separate but one' type existence of Father Son and Spirit is ever mentioned in Scripture. They are one and Jesus portrayed perfection as a role model.

Things that cannot make sense are that way because they are not true, they are irrational. Such supernatural mystery is abundant in pagan religions, but the truth always makes sense, lines up, and correlates with all other truth when considered with properly aligned perspective.

You should investigate the father of the doctrines you spread, John Calvin. Observe his treatment of Michael Servetus, a contemporary of his who argued against the trinity.

This is why I call these interpretations "carnal", they lack the Spirit of truth in their assertions and rely on maintaining the obscurity of what lies in the depths of meaning. There is no need to threaten anyone of anything. God draws us by appeal, and He does it through those who demonstrate His appeal (among countless other methods). The warnings are not of punishment but of loss.

You tell people you’re a student of the Word, but what you’re really promoting isn’t the Word of God, it’s your own imagination.

Jesus did use the word Gehenna in Matthew 10: 28, and He defined it as a place where God destroys both soul and body, not just physical remains. That’s not metaphor, that’s final judgment. And in Mark 9: 43–48, Jesus called it a place “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” That’s not poetic. That’s terrifying, and He said it more than once.

Luke 16: 23–26 isn’t describing some half-asleep stupor after death, it’s describing a man who is fully conscious in torment. Revelation 14: 11 says of the damned, “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night.” That’s not annihilation, that’s everlasting punishment, exactly as Jesus described in Matthew 25:46. You can try to redefine “death,” but Scripture already tells us what the second death is: eternal separation and torment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14–15).

You then reject the Trinity, despite clear Scripture that shows the Father (1 Corinthians 8: 6), the Son (John 1:1–14), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4) as distinct, yet one God. Jesus didn’t say “I am the Father” He said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), meaning unity, not sameness of person. And Matthew 28: 19 is in the overwhelming majority of ancient manuscripts. You’re grasping at straws to deny clear doctrine.

Your appeal to Calvin or history is irrelevant. Truth doesn’t rise or fall on who preached it. The issue is, what did God say? And God said there is judgment, there is wrath, and there is eternal punishment for those who reject Him.

You claim fear is “unnecessary,” but Proverbs 1: 7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” You’re teaching another gospel, one that erases God’s justice and flattens His holiness.

Galatians 1: 8–9 says that if anyone preaches a different gospel, “let him be accursed.” You are not speaking by the Spirit of truth. You are reshaping God into your image, a god of comfort with no judgment, no wrath, no fear. That is not the God of Scripture.

Repent, and believe what God actually said. Not just the parts that sound nice. All of it.

 

[David in NJ]

You tell people you’re a student of the Word, but what you’re really promoting isn’t the Word of God, it’s your own imagination.

Jesus did use the word Gehenna in Matthew 10: 28, and He defined it as a place where God destroys both soul and body, not just physical remains. That’s not metaphor, that’s final judgment. And in Mark 9: 43–48, Jesus called it a place “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” That’s not poetic. That’s terrifying, and He said it more than once.

Luke 16: 23–26 isn’t describing some half-asleep stupor after death, it’s describing a man who is fully conscious in torment. Revelation 14: 11 says of the damned, “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night.” That’s not annihilation, that’s everlasting punishment, exactly as Jesus described in Matthew 25:46. You can try to redefine “death,” but Scripture already tells us what the second death is: eternal separation and torment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14–15).

You then reject the Trinity, despite clear Scripture that shows the Father (1 Corinthians 8: 6), the Son (John 1:1–14), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4) as distinct, yet one God. Jesus didn’t say “I am the Father” He said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), meaning unity, not sameness of person. And Matthew 28: 19 is in the overwhelming majority of ancient manuscripts. You’re grasping at straws to deny clear doctrine.

Your appeal to Calvin or history is irrelevant. Truth doesn’t rise or fall on who preached it. The issue is, what did God say? And God said there is judgment, there is wrath, and there is eternal punishment for those who reject Him.

You claim fear is “unnecessary,” but Proverbs 1: 7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” You’re teaching another gospel, one that erases God’s justice and flattens His holiness.

Galatians 1: 8–9 says that if anyone preaches a different gospel, “let him be accursed.” You are not speaking by the Spirit of truth. You are reshaping God into your image, a god of comfort with no judgment, no wrath, no fear. That is not the God of Scripture.

Repent, and believe what God actually said. Not just the parts that sound nice. All of it.

Repent, and believe what God actually said. Not just the parts that sound nice. All of it.

Sounds like the words of Christ, John the Baptist, OT Prophets and the Apostles

Therefore i AGREE with "them thar words"