The Fire is Transformation

[eaglesway]

This is combined and added from a couple other posts.

Yet once more will I shake the heavens and the earth until only that which cannot be shaken remains.  :eek:

Isaiah 65:17
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

2 Pet 3:12 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements(stoicheon) will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles(stoicheon) of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

2 Cor 5:16Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

Rev 21:5 And the one who sat on the throne said, "Behold I am making all things new!"

All that is of this world, its foundations(arches), its elementary principles(stoicheon), its principalities and powers- are being destroyed by transformation. "looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements(stoicheon) will melt with intense heat!"

Not a literal fire but a fire of transformation, from flesh to spirit, death to life, sleep of night to dawn of Day, from chaos to harmony.

Without form and void, the word enters, "Let there be light!" Creation begins.

As Paul says, "Although we once knew Christ according to the flesh, we know Him so no longer"?

Why?

Because now we know Him in the Spirit, in the "renewed mind".

The renewed mind has had destroyed(or is having destroyed) in it- the "elementary principles". Receive the word emplanted which s able to save(deliver/heal/restore) your soul. If any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creation- it operates by new principles. The principles of love, light and life. "Be not like the gentiles, darkened in their understanding".

If any one is in Christ, they are a "new creature". A "creature of newness".  Operating by trust in stead of control. Receiving by giving rather than taking. Filled by pouring out rather than by consuming. Fulfilled by sharing rather than hording.

The elementary principles are being destroyed by newness- see here, "Behold" the "one who sits on the throne"- that one who has all power in heaven and earth says- "I am making all things new"

Notice this. Behold :o)

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.


Verse 22 shows the fundamental reality. All that died in Adam is being made new. Death transformed into life. Verse 23 refers to the ages(an administration executed throught eh completion of times Eph 1)

Verse 24 the method  He is abolishing all rule power and authority. All principality. All the "foundations of the earth". All the "elements"(elementary principles/stoicheon). He is abolishing it BY TRANSFORMATION. He is not creating emptiness, or leaving a vacuum.

Verse 25 For He must reign ntil every adversary is subjected. How does He reign? IN LIFE. How do we reign? IN LIFE! Newness of life. Death in us transformed into life in Him. Blessed is the person who perserveres under trial for afterwards they will receive the Crown of Life(jas).

11All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.(the ultimate principle of correction, the principle of the lake of fire, the means of the new creation).

We are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which dwells righteousness.....

Destruction of adversaries through discipline and trial, yielding the "renewed mind", destroying towers and strongholds, rending veils, releasing from "futility" into the glorious liberty of the sons of God- that perfect law of liberty- love. Death "swallowed up" by immortality.

Verse 26 and 27, the last enemy is death- abolished by subjection to the King of Life, the King of Love. The last elementary principle of this cosmos. The last foundation. The last veil. The last law. The last vestige of the "old" man who needed to be "ruled to be righteous."

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God....

For freedom Christ has set you free :o)

Verse 28 The one who has gathered all into one, and all those who have been gathered, poured into the Creator, immersed in the water of life, and the Creator poured also into all of them- that God becomes ALL IN ALL.

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."(John 17)

We the gathered are one in Christ, but as carnal babes still leaning on the foundations(arches) and elementary principles(stoicheon) of this corrupt cosmos- still needing to be ruled to be righteousness. But as we grow, through discipline and trial(if we are not illegitimate) we are "renewed" in the spirit of our minds. We walk by life. We walk in love. We are new creatures. We are a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelss righteousness- the fore runners of the age to come, the first-fruits of the ALL IN ALL.


For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.( For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it.... In the beginning the earth was without form and void)

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things(that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.). To Him be glory to the ages. Amen. Rom 11:36

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Perserverance "holds us in the fire". The fire is transforming us into His image. Consuming wood, hay, stubble. "This is the patience of the saints"....We who endure are being renewd in the image of Christ, many sons unto glory, perfected through suffering.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God."

This how we are becoming the first-fruits of His creatures, in Christ, the first fruit of the dead, He who came through the fire and it could not catch on His garment because He was pure gold to begin with. He suffered and "if we suffer with Him we will also reign with Him"....reign in LIFE.

Those who do not endure will suffer loss. Those who endure suffering will receive the crown of life, and the overcomers rewards- priesthood, understanding, power with God, stewardship in the kingdom of God.

Beloved we know not yet what we will be but we know that when He appears we will be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.

This is because for those who have "endured to the end" the fire will have finished its work. Transformation.

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,

"For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


In the fire, we bear the precious testimony, "Jesus Christ is Lord of All, and MY LORD, who I trust WITHIN THIS FIRE, whatever it may be, regardless of whether I am delivered or if it consumes my mortal body- I EXULT IN THE HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD, and my hope enters within the veil. it matters not for I have already died, and my life is hid with Christ in God.

There will be fire as well for the wicked in the ages to come- Jesus said so. Whatever it will be, it will transform them, even as it is transforming ALL THINGS.

Behold I make all things new!

[joeteekay]

 :goodpost:

1Co_3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

[eaglesway]

 :thumbsup:

[rosered]

 
Amen !!


  Rev  1911And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True,


and in righteousness He judges and wages war.


12His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems;


and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.


13He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.   

[marie glen]

...the burning bush which was not consumed.. some works are gold, silver, precious stones, some wood, hay, stubble.. wood, hay stubble will be consumed.. or works of, that is.. works with no worth..

..amen! one day the planet will be transformed.. all false castles/towers within and without. have to fall.. and of course all persons are transformed by the seed.. by being born again.. from image to image ..we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.. tho not as yet already perfected, but the grace that is to come.. and is coming.. and is..  this corrupt must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.. abide in Me and my word abide in you.. by the renewing of your mind by the washing/renewal of the Word .. the trying and purifying of your faith.. be being filled with the Spirit.. in patience possess ye your souls.. He shall make a short work on the earth.. come out of ... the city, my people that you not share her plagues.. great shaking.. hail/debris..R 16:19-21

[sheila]

  Because of His Great Love, ye sons of men..are not consumed.[instead/transformed]

[eaglesway]

Amen!

[lastpost]

Your spirits are braver than you know, you have taken on heavy burdens of love for His sake.

He saw the objects of His Love recklessly pile up pain after pain upon themselves, and then face Him with eyes of hatred. His Compassion was poured out upon the broken bodies of those whose homes were the open wayside.

It is a privilege to know that the future Life, the Real Life, will be shared with such devotees of His in His service and adoration.

He is Life, and He is the only Life, at One with the Godhead. Christ is all, within and without, He is the link between man and GOD - the wonder of the God who is Love, a wonder truly beyond understanding.

[marie glen]

  ..amen! ...and I was thinking today, also, about how glorious the all made new will be.. that a part of the glory will be the earth made new.. wherein righteousness is to dwell.. the physical universe.. I was thinking about this as I was looking at this glorious tree this evening.. with a glorious sunset behind it..

when I happen across the idea, I find myself rejecting it (strongly) ..the idea that we will be floating consciousness.. If that's what God wanted, that's what He would have made.. imo..

Those creatures around His Throne, crying "glory! glory! glory! To He who is, and who was and is to come.." Real creatures. I would be sad to think they are mere metaphor for some abstract mystery.. Not that I don't believe in abstract mysteries.. And maybe like all things they are metaphor.. (also). But I think ppl need a gospel, and a promise they can get their teeth into.

I think the living water is first and foremost within.. refreshing and keeping "alive", renewed and inspired the soul/being/individual, but I also think it will be a literal river of crystal clear sparkling water(s) upon the planet made new.. around which the lion will eat straw like the ox and the bear will graze with the cow.. It may even have something to do with streams throughout the universe.. connecting.. But time enough for that later.. I also think His leading His own to springs of living water includes during critical apocalyptic days when he will lead His own to fresh water.. (artesian)
     :hiya: :smile:

[eaglesway]

  ..amen! ...and I was thinking today, also, about how glorious the all made new will be.. that a part of the glory will be the earth made new.. wherein righteousness is to dwell.. the physical universe.. I was thinking about this as I was looking at this glorious tree this evening.. with a glorious sunset behind it..

when I happen across the idea, I find myself rejecting it (strongly) ..the idea that we will be floating consciousness.. If that's what God wanted, that's what He would have made.. imo..

Those creatures around His Throne, crying "glory! glory! glory! To He who is, and who was and is to come.." Real creatures. I would be sad to think they are mere metaphor for some abstract mystery.. Not that I don't believe in abstract mysteries.. And maybe like all things they are metaphor.. (also). But I think ppl need a gospel, and a promise they can get their teeth into.

I think the living water is first and foremost within.. refreshing and keeping "alive", renewed and inspired the soul/being/individual, but I also think it will be a literal river of crystal clear sparkling water(s) upon the planet made new.. around which the lion will eat straw like the ox and the bear will graze with the cow.. It may even have something to do with streams throughout the universe.. connecting.. But time enough for that later.. I also think His leading His own to springs of living water includes during critical apocalyptic days when he will lead His own to fresh water.. (artesian)
     :hiya: :smile:

:thumbsup:

[JonesHenry]

Yet once more will I shake the heavens and the earth until only that which cannot be shaken remains.  :eek:

TOUGH TALK there moderator! Anyway, i just wanted to add THIS bible verse to your collection!


You know that word Basanizo that is right at the END of the book of revelation? The one they claim means "torture"


Well...


"He saw the disciples STRAINING at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,"

Mark 6:48



straining = toiling Different ENGLISH word for the very same original GREEK word!

http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/24456/eVerseID/24456/opt/inter



Was the boat TORTURED or was it vexed and tested?



But...since GOD will absolutely DESTROY all those who are subjected to the great Basanizo, shouldn't the disciples boat also be tortured & destroyed!



Ups! Maybe it's a magc boat, ot basanizo works differentl with boats then what it does with people :eek:

http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Lexicon.show/ID/G928/basanizo.htm

[rosered]

I know  when mankind thinks of Jesus according to the flesh   it says in Isaiah he was comly    ,ordinary looking like every  human being is   , that common trait in all  humanity     But when looking at the   symbolism    of Describing the Real Jesus  Christ being Spirit and Truth      , the Spirit being the fire with breath and wind  FORCE  BLAST    , and the   Truth as GOLD as OIL  as  in anointing      to touch and  smear   ,mark    ,   set apart   ,   divide  and separate


The fire is  constant  from the Holy Spirit Oil of anointing   like the  individual  " little lakes of fire "  that the  Lord Jesus said He come to bring    division  in Luke 12 ;49      to me  for Judging and cleansing His  golden    LAMPSTAND " House Body"  when completed in Rev   1  but seen complete in  Zech 4  vision ,foretelling
  Acts 2    tongues  of fire   
In Zechariah 4
Noticed that the    SOLID GOLD  LAMPSTAND WITH  THE BOWL ON TOP   Is Jesus  Christ being   the TRUTH /WORD OF GOD solid  pure  and refined  gold ,  this bowl    was HIM POURING OUT HIS  HOLY SPIRIT of TRUTH  resting on all flesh in Acts 2   as gifts to men being the grace of God 

  so we are in a refining Fire of Truth and Life in Christ to me    by the Holy Spirit and Increase  of GOD      , the descriptions   of the brass feet  in the furnace  of affliction      , all flesh is grass  and ready to be   thrown  in  the oven     [furnace ]    Fire    Matt 6  ;30 Luke 12 ;28 and 1Peter 1;24    I looked them up   and Isaiah 40   all connected to meaning the same exact thing  ...... 
6A voice says, "Call out." Then he answered, "What shall I call out?" All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.
  The flesh counts for nothing because it is burning    like a  green   and grassy  place on fire      and what? ,   like a wick ,a smoking flax ?  soon to be consumed for the using   till the end ..


   Jesus  FACE  is described as Lightning     and the full Sun shining    , Both Lights are bright     one in the darkness and storm , Wind  , SKY    FORCE   and the other is the LIGHT  INTENSIFIED  IN  the HEAT of the Day     Revelations speaks in two places   ,  dividing    one for the flesh  consumed  and other for the Spirit  whom I believe transforms  in the twinkling of a eye [Flame of fire]    apart of   HIS LIGHT

  Rev 7;1615"For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16"They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.  this is a NOW THING TO ME  according  to JESUS WORDS OF LIFE ...  His sheep  hear His voice and  He leads them to green pasture....and here they receive the water of Life freely    and sheltered from the heat of the Day    , that many of old bore the heat  /judgment  of the Day    as we read  in  Rev 16    these  back than as well and now  , as the was  , is and will be WORD OF GOD    /  the GOLD   BY the Spirit of  Truth    witness

Rev   16 ;9  men were scorched with GREAT HEAT and blasphemed the name of GOD   whom has POWER OVER THESE plagues , they DID NOT repent   nor GIVE GOD THE GLORY
2And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.




Daniel Chapter 10
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

6 His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass[/size], and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

Rev 1 12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. 13 And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man,[h] clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.

14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters[/size].

16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man.



Comparing that both   John and Zechariah   were  as  sleep or dead  before the coming of the Lord upon them to show them    what they see  and  what to say [speech]   as one   voice in the  same Voice of the multitude       many waters of life  freely ...     
  Zechariah 4 World English Bible (WEB)

4 The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 He said to me, "What do you see?"

I said, "I have seen, and behold, a lamp stand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it,

and its seven lamps on it; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it;

3 and two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl, and the other on the left side of it."

bUY OF ME THE GOLD/TRUTH/understanding  , knowledge   TRIED IN THE FIRE   .....
BUY THE TRUTH and SELL IT NOT   ...Proverbs 23 22  Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old


23Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding. 24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who sires a wise son will be glad in him....

Matthew 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 17:16
Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?

Proverbs 18:15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

...17'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent....
the eyes slave anointing is for the flame of fire    of Gods consuming   Love  and jealousy     you belong to Him !
Isaiah 55:1
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Matthew 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
wow  !!!!!
even the gold  /truth  " knowledge "    perishes in the PRESENCE OF   JESUS CHRIST   
Revelation 3:4
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.

Revelation 4:4
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

Revelation 16:15
"Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."

I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.



Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel: my reins also instruct ...
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: ...
Psalm 73:24 You shall guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

  wow !!   colorful      like Jacobs coat of many colors

[Dandelion]

I find the image of the cycle of complete Restoration, starting with death entering the picture, with Adam and Eve's sin, and continuing with the Story of Salvation, in the Old Testament, unfolding, with Jesus' death and Resurrection, as the pivotal point, then continuing with the New Covenant, and the returning of all, made new in Christ, until death, itself is no longer, so much in keeping with the God I know. The Alpha and the Omega.... the beginning and the end.

12"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Revelation 22:12 - 13.

I do think that part of why the concept of hell was pepetuated, is that, it is a very human way of thinking. You get punished for what you have done wrong. It negates the central concept of grace. Grace, the free and undeserved favor of God, given to us, for no other reason than that God is Love. And, as I say, it negates that Love never fails....it never gives up. Unconditional love is the only love worth having, for without it, there is no real forgiveness. Forgiveness is as conditional as the love it is attached to.

Thus, the flip side of the coin...Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."
Luke 7:47

[Dandelion]

One more thought....how can the devil be crushed, if he has some of God's Children, defecting to his side?  He still has some victory. The victory needs to be Jesus Christ's alone. He alone will reign.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15

[jabcat]

I find the image of the cycle of complete Restoration, starting with death entering the picture, with Adam and Eve's sin, and continuing with the Story of Salvation, in the Old Testament, unfolding, with Jesus' death and Resurrection, as the pivotal point, then continuing with the New Covenant, and the returning of all, made new in Christ, until death, itself is no longer, so much in keeping with the God I know. The Alpha and the Omega.... the beginning and the end.

12"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Revelation 22:12 - 13.

I do think that part of why the concept of hell was pepetuated, is that, it is a very human way of thinking. You get punished for what you have done wrong. It negates the central concept of grace. Grace, the free and undeserved favor of God, given to us, for no other reason than that God is Love. And, as I say, it negates that Love never fails....it never gives up. Unconditional love is the only love worth having, for without it, there is no real forgiveness. Forgiveness is as conditional as the love it is attached to.

Thus, the flip side of the coin...Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."
Luke 7:47

:thumbsup:

[eaglesway]

One more thought....how can the devil be crushed, if he has some of God's Children, defecting to his side?  He still has some victory. The victory needs to be Jesus Christ's alone. He alone will reign.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15

Amen!

[rosered]

Amen Dandelion  ! 
I heard a  friend Lily   say to me once,  long ago . that  I still carry in my heart.
Everyone  gets in the wrong  ,   the things is not to stay there .

I was reminded of the scriptures that says,   along the lines of this , ''  Yes , we  might stumble and fall  7 times,  but it is God, who is able to make us stand.

Our relationship with God   Who is Love , is the only source  where love  dwells  ,deep wells of Love   that cleanse us within   the hidden and holy one of the heart    that can only be seen,  in what  it does , and that is the kind acts  of deep love   for God  and to your fellow man  .
 

Showing  the  same  mercy   to others that you know in your heart the Father has shown on you .  by the Holy, divine Spirit of Gods love for all    working in you and making all   the difference


     kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly

: kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation


plural mercies
Full Definition of MERCY

1
a :  compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also :

  lenient or compassionate treatment <begged for mercy>
b :  imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree murder
2
a :  a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion
b :  a fortunate circumstance <it was a mercy they found her before she froze>
3
:  compassionate treatment of those in distress <works of mercy among the poor>
— mercy adjective
— at the mercy of
:  wholly in the power of :  with no way to protect oneself against

[sheila]

 I'll share this here......I had a vision in the night last week...I turned on the water faucet and fire and

water come out of it.[under His throne a stream of fire/river of fire comes forth/under His throne living

water comes forth.]

    I saw this rat type creature scurrying around on the floor..and it had 'strange' looking eyes...I noted that

  if it could get another creature to look at it in the eyes[eye to eye] then that creature's life would  shrivel

  up and it die.

   don't doubt and shrink from the Life He gives you..drink this water of life/fire with it's promises to transform

     ALL into new creatures...  He is trustworthy and will do that which He has promised....deliver the

  whole creation..and make ALL things new.