On The Eagle's Wings

The following is a chapter from Josephus' Wars of the Jews book Five, Chapter 5. 

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Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

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The following scriptures were compiled by Charles Slagle and have been quoted here from his article called Absolute Assurance

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The following references from the New Testament should read "Gehenna" (the garbage dump outside Jerusalem) instead of "hell".  

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One of the biggest objections to universal reconciliation seems to be due to a misunderstanding of God's wrath.  Perhaps it is the tendancy to apply a distorted meaning to this word, for God is not given to raging outbursts of anger as men are.  The word means: anger, wrath, indignation, passionate or violent emotion.  I often refer to God's wrath as His fierce love.  God, our perfect, heavenly Father, expresses His wrath out of perfection as well.  It is perhaps hard for us to imagine how holy indignation and righteous anger are expressed.  Scripture gives us many examples of it.  We must not place our own ideas of what love is, upon our Heavenly Father.  As much as love can be warm, soft, and comforting, love is also expressed in discipline.  What parent doesn't know the necessity of the hard side, as well as the soft side, of love?  Only a neglectful father would deprive his child of consequences and discipline for wrong behavior.  God's ultimate plan is "to unite all things into one, in Christ".  Being a perfect Father, His main concern is to train and discipline His children.  His goal is to love us into complete and consistent obedience.  In this process it becomes necessary, at times, to express His fierce love. 

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"Olam", "Aion" and "Aionios"

There has been much talk among scholars about the following words: "olam" in Hebrew, "aion" and its plural "aionios" in Greek as there are some pretty major discrepancies in translation especially in the KJV.  Olam has been translated: alway (s), ancient (time), and more, continuance, eternal,(for, [n-]) ever (-lasting, -more, of old). lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+without end).  Aion has been translated: "age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end).  Aionios has been translated: eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).

The following is quoted from Thomas Thayer's The Doctrine of Eternal Punishment, an excellent and thorough book on this subject.  He quotes several verses from scripture.

The Hebrew word, which is the equivalent of the Greek, is thus used: "I will give thee the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession." Gen. 17:8. And in verse Gen.17:12, the covenant of circumcision is called "an everlasting covenant." And yet the Jews were driven from the land of Canaan, and the covenant of circumcision was abolished, eighteen hundred years ago! So the priesthood of Aaron is called "an everlasting priesthood," and yet it was put aside by God's authority, and the priesthood of Christ set up in its place. Exod. 40:15.

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The King James Version and many newer Bibles translate the Greek word gehenna as 'hell'. All Old Testament references to this place are translated Valley of Hinnom.  There is no logical reason for these words to be translated "hell" since the Valley of Gehenna is a place outside the city of Jerusalem.  The Jews were all familiar with this place and Jesus named it when speaking to them.  The meaning that it has taken on in the English language cannot be derived from the original Greek word.  One can visit this valley today and see that there is no longer a fire burning there. The following quote will clarify some things concerning this valley and I encourage you to look up the scriptures for yourself and correct the translation in your own Bible if necessary.

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There is nothing that has made a greater impact on my understanding of God as Father than the accounts from scripture that speak of the worship of Molech. The Lord has performed various miracles in our lives over the years, everything from physical healings to spiritual healing to very practical material things. But never have we experienced what the Israelites did, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from the heavens, water from a rock, etc. In spite of some really substantial miracles, the Israelites were unable to consistenty follow God.

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Exodus 32:14 "So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people."

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