Who Are The Sinners And Hypocrites In Zion?
Posted January 8, 2006
Hi Mike,
I am profoundly deaf. I use sign language. It is amazing to me that God is removing my spiritual blindness.
I thought maybe I could ask you one question, if you don’t mind?
The question is, does the Greek word, aidios mean eternal? There are only two entries for this word in the NT. My [ question] concerns the angels kept in darkness and bound in eternal (aidios) chains in Jdg 6. Is it true that God made the angels and put them in darkness and chains FOREVER because of their disobedience? I’ve learned that God’s salvation is for the whole world through Jesus Christ. But are these angels an exception?
Hope you can help. I appreciate it.
B___
Hi B____,
Thank you for your question.
No, these angels are not an exception to the salvation achieved by Christ. That Satan Himself will be subdued to Christ is a clear doctrine of God’s Word:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Phi 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Those verses of scripture pretty well cover both the spiritual and the physical “of things in heaven and things in the earth and things under the earth.”
Here are those two scriptures where that word aidios appears in the New Testament:
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal [aidios] power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Jdg 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting [aidios] chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
In neither of these verses is ‘eternity,’ as we mean it in English, under consideration. This word has the same root as the word, aion. The angels are kept, not for eternity, but “ unto [ not eternally] the judgment of the great day.” Now what is ‘judgment?’
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
There is one of those straight forward Biblical definitions which all of “historical orthodox Christianity” has not been “given eyes to see or ears to hear” yet.
“When we are judged we are chastened of the Lord.” Judgment is a chastening teaching process. That is what judgment IS. And all ‘chastening’ is with the goal of correcting the object of that chastening. Eternal physical torment in physical flames of fire has no goal or purpose whatsoever. It is a doctrine that literally blasphemes the very name and nature of a God who IS love and who “ will have all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth.” (1Ti 2:4).
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
“That we should not be condemned with the world” is a reference to the later “judgment of the great day.” The judgment of the great day” is a reference to the “great white throne JUDGMENT.” And what is ‘judgment?’ “When we [ or ‘they,’ Satan and his angels will be cast into Gehenna fire] are judged, we are chastened of the Lord.”
Now here are the verses which say this:
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting [ aionian- age lasting] fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.[ ages of the ages]
So Satan and his angels, his messengers, both physical and spiritual, are at this point all resurrected spiritual bodies in dire need of being ‘judged.’ That is, they need to be “chastened of the Lord.” And that is exactly what the “lake of fire” accomplishes. The lake of fire chastens Satan and his angels until they are brought to their Creator:
Phi 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every [ even Satan and his angels] knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phi 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Now since you “cannot say that Jesus is Christ except by the Holy Spirit,” we must conclude that Satan and his angels will be given the Holy Spirit so they can “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
This verse speaks volumes about those who ‘call Christ Lord, Lord, but do not the things that He says.’ These people, according to this verse, obviously do not yet have God’s Holy Spirit.
But there is no need to be anxious over our lost loved ones because:
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
And besides that statement of fact we are also told what Christ came to this earth to accomplish:
Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
What “historical orthodox Christianity” is unaware of is that the lake of fire is the greatest single work of grace in the history of all of mankind. Here is why:
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching [Greek- chastening] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
So it will all be accomplished by the chastening grace of God. Yes, even Satan and his angels will be “chastened to forsake ungodliness…” in a symbolic ‘lake of fire.’ He will be there along with all of his messengers of all of the ages of mankind. And exactly who is it that comprises this lake of fire which both torments and yet saves Satan and his messengers? Here is the answer for those who can receive it:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Our God is a symbolic “consuming fire.’ So what does this make us if we are in Christ?
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
“We shall be like Him,” and He “is a consuming fire.” Now with all of this in mind, look at these three verses:
Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these [ all in unbelief] also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
It is “through your mercy that they [“all { those} in unbelief”] also may obtain mercy,” not eternal torment in literal flames of literal fire. That ‘fire’ symbolizes the fiery, purifying word of God. But who has that Word? It is only in the mouths of God’s elect. It is only in the mouths of God’s symbolic “two witnesses.” But ‘two’ is just a symbol for all of those who are faithful to the witness of Jesus Christ and His Words. And when anyone is faithful to the words of Christ here is what those words do:
Jer 5:14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it [ Christ’s Words] shall devour them.
And so in the eleventh chapter of the unveiling of Jesus Christ we are told this of all those who are faithful to the words of Christ:
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
It is the words of Christ proceeding out of the mouths of God’s elect that are ‘consuming’ and spiritually ‘killing’ all of the ministers of “historical orthodox Christianity” today. It has always been so, and it will be so right through this thing called “the lake of fire. Just witness who it is that comprises this lake of fire:
Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
This is a fair question, and it deserves a fair and truthful answer. So for all who can receive it, here is the answer to this question. It tells us exactly who and what is the ‘fire’ of this ‘lake of fire’:
Isa 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
This is not exactly what “historical orthodox Christianity” teaches. But then the “sinners [ and] hypocrites… in Zion” are “historical orthodox Christianity.” It was “historical orthodox Christianity” that imposed the murderous inquisition upon the people of God. It was at the behest of Luther that many Catholics were in turn murdered. And it was at the behest of Calvin, that Michael Sevetus had his throat slit so he could not proclaim his innocence just before he was burned alive at the stake. This is the “historical orthodox Christianity” so proudly touted by all of the “historical orthodox Christian” ministers of our day. These men include Dr. D. James Kennedy, his buddy R. C. Sproul, R. C.’s spiritual son, Hank Hanegraaff, who actually calls himself “The Bible Answer Man.” John Hagee, Paul Crouch and all of the ministers on TBN are one and all “historical orthodox Christian” ministers. They are very “sinners and hypocrites in Zion,” who like Pastor Adrian Rogers will tell you without batting an eye that Christ’s words “But I say unto you, Love thine enemies,” Actually means, ‘Unless he is really your enemy and means to do you or your family or your country real bodily harm.’ In which case, according to Pastor Adrian Rogers, “You don’t try to tell this man about Christ and try to get him to see the evil of his ways. No, you step on him like a cockroach.”
That may not be a word for word quote but it is very close. Where would the whole lost world be had our Saviour, who these same hypocrites claim to represent and to speak for, subscribed to their definition of “Love thine enemies?” Christ could easily have “called down more than twelve legions of angels” and have done exactly what pastor Adrian Rogers advises you and I to do when confronted with this same evil situation; He could easily have stepped on all of those in that multitude “like a roach” and have defended himself and His family. Instead He did what we should all do in such a situation. He placed Himself in harm’s way and secured the release of his disciples. And He did this without taking the life of those who wanted to take His life. This is the answer to every such situation. Listen not to Adrian Rogers. Listen rather to the words of our Lord and Savior:
Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them [ the apostle Peter] which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Many veterans who have “taken the sword” and slain the physical enemies of God, family and country have died natural deaths. And yet the Word of God is true; they must all put the beast within to death “with a sword.” And the ‘fiery sword’ that will accomplish this in the lives of all men, is “these words ‘[ which] shall be fire in your mouth, and this people shall be wood and it shall devour them” (Jer 5:14).
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
What is it that inflicts a deadly wound to the beast within us all?
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [ the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Those with eyes to see and ears to hear, know exactly what is that sword that kills the beast. It is an incredible fact that this ‘sword’ is also called a “fiery sword:”
Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
The “way of the tree of Life” is the “narrow way.” It is the “But I say unto you…” way of “Love thine enemies.” It is the “Way” which is so despised and rejected by all the ministers of “historical orthodox Christianity.” What it is that they despise are the words of our Lord. And since our Lord is “the Word,” what they despise and cannot receive is Christ Himself. Just look at the words of one of my detractors:
Since when does “love your enemies” equal “do not kill”? God loves, and God kills. He killed the entire world except for Noah and his folks.
That is a word for word cut and paste. It is the exact same spirit that flows from the mouth of Pastor Adrian Rogers and all of the ministers of “Historical orthodox Christianity.” One wonders just what “Love thine enemies” means to such men. It obviously does not mean to do as Christ both said and lived:
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Teaching and doctrine of this sort could very easily lead to being “hated of all men for my name’s sake.” This is a sacrifice that all of the ministers or the multitudes of “historical orthodox Christianity” are unwilling to make. It simply “hasn’t been given to them to see or understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God” Mat 13:
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [ the multitudes who to this day come to Christ and are ‘called,’ but are not ‘chosen.’] it is not given.
“Resist not evil” is foolishness to such ‘called’ but not ‘chosen’ “carnal… babes in Christ” (1 Co3:1-4). They may command the honor and respect of millions of carnal babes in Christ, but they will reap nothing but “wrath [ in] the day of wrath” (Rom 2:5), because they despised the very words of the Lord whom they claim they represent. They are not His “disciples indeed.” Rather they are the very “Jews which believed on him” and yet “want to kill Him.”
Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [ but] the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
That is exactly right. If Jesus Christ were here today preaching the same message He always has, He would be “hated of all men…” He would especially be hated by all of the ministers of “historical orthodox Christianity.” They would again “seek to kill” him.
Not one of these ministers understands this verse of God’s inspired Word:
Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
You see, Christ is here today. He is yet to be afflicted. It is all to “filled up” in the lives and bodies of His elect. Here is why:
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Are Pastor Adrian Rogers, or any of the other ministers of “historical orthodox Christianity,” filling up in their bodies that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?” How can they be doing so when they seek to nullify His words? Can Pastor Rogers or R. C. Sproul who just this week admitted that he has not been wholeheartedly in Christ for five minutes of his life, honestly say; “As He is so are we in this world?” Is there even one such man who will stand with Christ and teach that we should actually love our enemies? No, there is not one such minister of “historical orthodox Christianity.” To stand with Christ is to come out of orthodoxy. It is more than the flesh can receive. I certainly don’t have it in ME of myself to do so.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing
But there is one who does have it in Himself to love His enemies. And if He is in me and I am “abiding in Him,” then I too, with the apostle Paul can truthfully proclaim:
Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
So while the entire “historical orthodox Christian” world is condemning most of mankind to an eternal ever burning life of torment in physical fire, along with the devil and his angels, the truth is that…
1Co 15:22 … As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
The truth is:
Phi 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phi 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“Things in heaven and earth and under the earth” certainly include Satan and His angels. If you haven’t yet done so, be sure to read Will God’s Strong Delusion Deceive You? You also need to read the letters on Fallen Angels and Spirits In Prison
I hope this helps you to understand “the things of the spirit” more clearly.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Yours in Christ, Mike
Other related posts
- Why Serve Christ Now If All Will Be Saved? (September 25, 2010)
- Who Has "Sinned Willfully", and What Are the Consequences? (June 15, 2015)
- Who Are The Sinners And Hypocrites In Zion? (January 25, 2009)
- What Is Aionios Life? (August 3, 2007)
- What Are We Saved From If There Is No Hell? (June 4, 2009)
- Universal Salvation Is His Sovereign Will (October 3, 2004)
- The Parable Of The Unjust Steward (January 30, 2010)
- The Mighty God The Everlasting Father (September 23, 2011)
- The Meaning Of Forever (September 26, 2010)
- Orthodox Christianity And False Doctrine (July 11, 2005)
- One Third of Christ (May 7, 2008)
- Not One Doctrine of Orthodox Christianity Is True (July 11, 2005)
- Leaving The Principles Of Eternal Judgment (January 13, 2009)
- Is the Bible God's Total Reliable Truth? (June 22, 2009)
- Is Eonian Life Temporary? (April 25, 2007)
- How to Be a Witness? (April 8, 2009)
- His Elect Manifested to This World? (May 5, 2009)
- His Anger and His Mercy (September 27, 2010)
- For Ever Ends (March 18, 2009)
- El Olawm (February 10, 2008)
- Do We Cease to Exist When God is All in All? (November 26, 2012)
- Did Christ Died Only for His Sheep? (May 13, 2011)
- Can We Lose Our Salvation? (October 13, 2010)
- Can Universalism be Refuted? (September 7, 2004)
- Aionian Life is not Eternal (October 12, 2010)
- A Pentecostal Spirit (March 3, 2006)