Originally Posted by semiannualchick:
You mention converting to Christianity, I thought you were a Christian? If you don't want to talk on the forum about something so private, PM me if you don't mind explaining it to me.
I really do not like any form of organized religion. Each and every one of them have some sort of "d-a-m-n-able heresy" they teach that contradicts what Jesus taught through the Scriptures, through prophets and through the apostles and of course what He said while on earth as a man.
I guess if you had to give what I believe a name, call me a plain old follower of Christ. I do not want to be identified as anything else. Not that I do a good job of it, as it is one of the hardest things I've ever attempted, but I try.
You said:
There's several scriptures that mention more people being in Hell so I'm throwing out a couple of many.
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14).
-------------------
That is prolly the most common misinterpretation I hear when referring to that verse. It is automatically assumed that "destruction" means to burn in hell for ever. Besides it's not even translated very well so that doesn't help much.
I want to share a little excerpt with you found @ http://www.bible-truths.com/23-minutes-in-hell.html from a paper titled: 'Hell is a Christian Hoax!' Tell me what you think.
On page 118 Bill makes a statement that I am sure he would like to take back after reading my critique. Here is that statement: "God is the one who appoints or assigns those who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior to their rightful position in hell."
Okay, so who are all these people whom God "appoints or assigns...to their rightful position in hell?" What group of people predominantly fills the fire pits of this Christian hell? Well we are told that Jesus Himself warns that most of humanity will end up in hell:
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt 7:13-14).
The King James Version of Matt. 7:13-14 is not completely accurate according to the New Testament Greek Manuscripts. The phrase "many there be which go in thereat" should read: "many are those entering through it."
And the phrase "and few there be that find it," should read: "and few are finding it."
So what's the difference, you ask? The difference is that the words in the King James translated "go in thereat" and "that find it" are in the Greek aorist (indefinite--past, present, and future) tense, and therefore need to be translated "entering through it," and "are finding it." This Greek tense of the verb shows that this is the present condition of the majority of humanity, not humanity's ultimate eternal destiny.
Yes NOW, in this present Church age, only the "FEW chosen" are going God's way that leads to "life." But it is the "MANY called" that are presently following the path that leads to destruction. It is those who are "perished, lost, and destroyed," that Jesus came to save. Nowhere in Scripture are those that are presently lost, perished, or destroyed, beyond the reach of God's righteous judgments and saving grace.
The phrase, "broad is the way that leads to destruction," is falsely interpreted by the Church to mean, "broad is the way that leads to eternity in hell." Well It says no such thing and it means no such thing.
Honestly, does anyone see the words "eternal destruction," or "eternal hell," or "lost for ever," or "never-ending torture," or "eternal life in fire" in Jesus' statement? I think not.
That there is an ocean of difference between "temporary destruction" for a grand purpose, and "eternal torture" in some pagan hell for absolutely no redeeming purpose, never seems to enter the minds of Christian theologians.
--------------------------------
Did you get the part where he said it was in the Greek aorist tense? Meaning this is an actual condition of humanity at this very moment, but not our final destiny. Having read that then going back in my bibles and dictionaries finding other Scriptures that say the same thing I totally agree.
Of course never ever take anyone's word for it. It behooves us to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (2Ti 2:15) to really find out what words mean in the bible. We really shouldn't rely on what others tell us, or even our own wisdom. Which is why it's important to ask God to show us what something means and help us understand what we are studying.
If you were to do a study on the word "destruction" found in the bible as to how it's used and what it really means you might be surprised. You really cant just assume it means what Christianity wants it to mean.
Then again all of the above is a moot point seeing how you do not believe God exist right? Never the less I get your point. And it's a good one. Words like that really need to be studied and understood or you end up being one of those accused of teaching "d-a-m-n-able heresies". There's really nothing more d-a-m-n-able than teaching most of humanity will be tortured by literal fire for all eternity.
By the way, is it possible to be "eternally destroyed"? How is that even possible? Think about it.