Sheryl Ann,
According to Jesus, Hell is the reality for most people
HOW AND WHERE DOES JESUS SAY THIS?.. TGGODSWAY.
Matthew 7:13-14 ,
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy,[a] that leads to destruction, ἀπώλεια, ] and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
WHY WOULD YOU INTERPRET THIS SCRIPTURE TO MEAN THE NARROW GATE LEADING TO ETERNAL LIFE?.. WHY WOULD YOU IMPOSE THIS IDEA INTO THE PASSAGE, RATHER THAN EXTRACTING WHAT IT ACTUALLY SAYS? NOTICE HOW THE NARROW GATE LEADS TO “LIFE” NOT ETERNAL LIFE. DOES THAT MATTER TO YOU?
MAYBE THIS PARTICLAR PASSAGE DOESN’T DEAL WITH THE ETERNAL LIFE QUESTION AT ALL. TGGODSWAY
Luke 13:23-28 ,
23 And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ 28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth,
THIS IS THE NARROW DOOR OF DISCIPLESHIP, NOT THE FREE DOOR OF ETERNAL LIFE.
Jesus, the one who judges ALL, knowing in advance what He is going to go through for our salvation, and what all humanity will go through, down to the last person born, answers that question for us.
Code:
• Jesus didn’t deny the questioner’s point.
• Jesus actually validated the point, and expanded on it. Only a few are saved.
meaning the rest go to hell.
Jesus answered the point twice, and doesn’t change His answer.
Therefore, Those who die in a state of grace, (no mortal sins on their soul) but not perfect enough for a straight shot to heaven, by the grace of God, go through purification prior to entrance to heaven. [1 Corinthians 3:12-15]
They who go through purgatory are counted in with the few
What does Jesus mean there by “workers of iniquity”? ἀδικίας. ]
Here’s one example of iniquity, in God’s eyes based on the consequences mentioned for this sin
Deliberately missing mass on Sunday.
Look at the dire consequences for that action
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If mortal sin is being blurred or even discounted today, by anybody, to cause indifference, by misapplied or false ecumenism, or false sentimentality, then the ones promoting error rather than solid teaching, will find themselves in huge trouble.
Why?
Here’s a timeless bit of advice from Ezekiel that speaks volumes for all time, to that point.
Ez 3:
17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 18 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you will have saved your life. 20 Again, if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and you will have saved your life.”
That advice is as good for Ezekiel in his day, as it is for us today and forever. That advice has no expiration date.
Regarding one’s ignorance:
Ignorance is not a get outta jail free card, nor personal defense nor a dodge, nor an escape, if one takes little effort to learn what is required of them.
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