Did Paul Promise Everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord?

Did Paul Promise Everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord?

2 Thessalonians 1:9 (AKJV), "who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power..."

Is this verse about hell?

No. Who are the ones Paul is speaking of? They are the ones who have been persecuting the Thessalonians. Do you know who that is? It was the apostate-unbelieving Jews (1 Thess. 2:14-16; Acts 17:1-5).

The Born Conspiracy: Is Everyone Born Again?

The Born Conspiracy: Is Everyone Born Again?

Is it possible that the Church of our day has inadvertently participated in conspiring to hide the truth about Father God and who are his children? Would that be harmful to a person who is told they have to leap over certain thresholds in order for God to accept them? Would you agree that if, and that is if, God is the Father of all, and all humanity was a child of God, it would be wrong to hide it from them?

There is No Such Thing as Pleading the Blood. The Blood of Jesus is not Magic. It's a Message!

There is No Such Thing as Pleading the Blood. The Blood of Jesus is not Magic. It's a Message!

I used to know a woman who was born into a satanic ritual abuse family, which intermarried among the groups and purposely infiltrated churches. Her arranged marriage was with a man who pretended to be a pastor, while they performed rituals in the church basement at night.

Let's Have a "Presence" Party: Parousia Day!

Let's Have a "Presence" Party: Parousia Day!

I keep birthday, Christmas, Father's Day or any cards that I receive which are special or funny to me. Since we are moving soon, I needed to clean out my card drawer yesterday and laughed, teared-up, and was thankful for what I found and the people of which it reminded me. I even found a surprise when $10 fell out of a card... a lost little treasure. 

So why do we celebrate holidays anyway? Not for earth-quaking changes in our lives, but because of the little treasures. 

Why You Will Never Be Blotted Out

Why You Will Never Be Blotted Out

Most of us were taught that the book of life is the book that you get written into when you believe in Jesus right? There was a song, “There’s a new name, written down in glory, and its mine, oh yes its mine. And the white robed angels sing the story, A sinner has come home!” Can I get an amen?

But verses like this in Revelation made us believe that if we mess it up, God will erase our name. It gives rise to speculation of eternal IN-security. So which is it? Names being written or blotted out of the book of life was a distinctively Jewish old covenant concept that had to do with the Law, not the new covenant. 

How Saved Are We? The Truth About the Word "Saved"!

How Saved Are We? The Truth About the Word "Saved"!

"You need to get saved!" thundered the fiery evangelist as sweat fell from his furrowed brow and uncontrolled spit leaped from his lips as he pounded the pulpit.

"You need to get saved!" wrote the angry man on Facebook to the one with which he vehemently disagreed. Of course it was followed by him saying "go to hell" in the next breath to the same person who denied his theology of hell.

Who is "in Christ"?

Who is "in Christ"?

Is this an important question? Absolutely. Who is in Christ completely kicks Western theology out of its box and reorients it back to biblical-early church constructs affirmed by even the church fathers. But it is more important than breaking out of some ivory tower theological prison. It sets our personal experience and our "knowing God" back to the simplicity of the gospel of grace. 

Major Transformation Begins with One Truth

Major Transformation Begins with One Truth

I am speaking in particular here to Christians, believers, those maybe who grew up in organized church. I would usually say that the one truth that brings the most dramatic transformation in a person's life is the heart revelation that God is love. I still think that is true.

But then we go to a church. Then we pick up a Bible that was written in another place, another time in history, spanning thousands of years of insight, by approximately 39 different authors and in cultures very different than our own. Don't get me wrong. There is remarkable unity, progressive revelation, and clear teaching. 

So how can we get this wrong: "God is love!"?

Is God the Father of Us All?

Is God the Father of Us All?

I'm honored to travel to various countries around the world. I see different colored skin and many different belief systems. But a smile, laughter, hurt, desires, and love are universal. When we get out from under heavy religious threats and rise to a heavenly view of humanity, it is nearly inevitable to ask the question: "Is God the Father of us all?"

Exposing the "Depart From Me" Myth of Matthew 7:21-23

Exposing the "Depart From Me" Myth of Matthew 7:21-23

This has to be one of the most confusing, fearful passages in the New Testament. It is used to scare the "hell" out of saints, and used as a threat against charismatics of all kinds. Some have gone so far to say that any gifts of the Spirit today would actually be demonic and rejected by God. But what does it really mean? Is Jesus talking about going to heaven? Is he saying that only those who perfectly do God's will, are permitted go to heaven? Is this a works salvation after all?

Abide in the Vine or Go to Hell?

Abide in the Vine or Go to Hell?

Did Jesus threaten to throw you into the fires of hell if you don't abide in the vine? Abide in the vine or go to hell! Stay "in Christ" or burn? Did you put yourself in Christ to begin with? 1 Corinthians 1:30 says, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus..."

That is really the implication of John 15:1-6 if we don't understand it. Many Christians and unfortunately pastors too, have misinterpreted this passage and placed a weight of fear on believers that they were never intended to carry. 

The Justice Of God: Punishing or Restoring You?

The Justice Of God: Punishing or Restoring You?

Remember the Justice League of America? Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash? 

From a very young age we have had the concept of justice deeply ingrained in us. A four year old knows its wrong for another boy to steal his GI Joe toy.

But if we don't allow the Bible to inform our hearts, we will miss what divine justice is all about! In fact, without understanding justice, we will not be able to accurately interpret scripture. Even worse, we will misunderstand the nature of God.

Are You Sure No One Knows the Day or the Hour?

Are You Sure No One Knows the Day or the Hour?

Troubled times come throughout history, and unfortunately in recent history it is commonplace for some Christians to shout, "the sky is falling" and run for cover instead of being salt and light to the world. Other camps, in an attempt to be wise and in order to quell a premature cry of "wolf" will turn to the other and say, "Yes, but remember, no one knows the day or the hour."  I'm thankful for this latter group's attempt at calm, but is that really true?