A Few Thoughts About Covering Up Sin

The Houston Chronicle has printed Abuse of Faith Part 4.

It is a must reading how religious leaders cover up their sins and the sins of other leaders, pastors, missionaries, teachers, and members. It is a disgrace to God, to Christianity, and to the leaders and members who are godly.

These fake Christians need to be exposed.

Covering up sin is dealt with in the Scriptures.

Ai

• Great victories had come to Israel. The army approached Ai, a small town. “Surely,” they thought, “we will easily win this battle.” They lost. They grieved. Joshua and the people wept, prayed to God, and complained, but God was angry and explained that Israel had sinned.
• God had commanded that whatever was in Jericho was God’s, not any individual’s. This had not been obeyed. It was covered up.
• A few of the verses:

Joshua 7:1, 3-4, 6-7, 10-11, 13-15, 20-22, 26 NLT But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the LORD. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the LORD was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah. ... When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there; it won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all our people struggle to go up there." So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai ... Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the LORD until evening. Then Joshua cried out, "Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! ... But the LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. ... "Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you. "In the morning you must present yourselves by tribes, and the LORD will point out the tribe to which the guilty man belongs. That tribe must come forward with its clans, and the LORD will point out the guilty clan. That clan will then come forward, and the LORD will point out the guilty family. Finally, each member of the guilty family must come forward one by one. The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the LORD and has done a horrible thing in Israel." ... Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest." So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. ... They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the LORD was no longer angry.

Covering up a crime discussed: Genesis 37:26 NLT Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain by killing our brother? We'd have to cover up the crime.

False prophets (and pastors and other religious workers today) cover up sins:

B1 Ezekiel 22:28 NLT And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, 'My message is from the Sovereign LORD,' when the LORD hasn't spoken a single word to them.

B2 Another translation: Ezekiel 22:28 GNB The prophets have hidden these sins like workers covering a wall with whitewash. They see false visions and make false predictions. They claim to speak the word of the Sovereign LORD, but I, the LORD, have not spoken to them.

We are not to cover up but to expose.

Proverbs 28:13 NLT People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

We are to hate evil, not cover it up: Romans 12:9 WEL Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Stick tightly to what is good.

The Lord Jesus exposed sin:

B1 John 3:20 NLT All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

B2 John 7:7 NLT The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.

The prophets exposed sin: Amos 5:10-11 NLT How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth! You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them.

The purpose of exposing sin is to bring conviction and repentance. Consider King David after he had raped Bathsheba and ordered her husband to be murdered.

B1 He acknowledges his sin: Psalms 51:3 NRSV For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

B2 He acknowledges his sin is against God: Psalms 51:4 NRSV Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.

B3 He acknowledges original sin (the sin nature that all humans have except for the Lord Jesus): Psalms 51:5 NRSV Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

B4 He acknowledges God’s value placed on truth. God knows everything, so we might as well agree with God’s opinion. Psalms 51:6 NRSV You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

B5 He acknowledges that only God can forgive sin: Psalms 51:7 NRSV Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

B6 He acknowledges that only God can fix what is broken in a person’s soul: Psalms 51:10 NRSV Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

B7 David doesn’t ask for happiness; he pleads for joy in his soul that only God can give: Psalms 51:12 NRSV Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

B8 He acknowledges that God doesn’t want penance, instead God wants a broken (that is not proud) attitude: Psalms 51:17 NRSV The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Please Forgive Me

A Few Thoughts About "Forgive and Forget"

Often pastors, church leaders, and many people counsel(?) the abused, molested, the hurt, etc. people to forgive and forget. The quotes are from one source, but similar can be found in many places. Consider

• Girl Redeemed: Though my siblings NEVER apologize and continue the same abusive behaviors toward me, and sometimes my husband, I am expected to be a good Christian and forget about it almost immediately. (Source)
• Colleen: Thank you so much for this. I have had people tell me I need to forgive my offender and no matter how much I say I have it doesn’t seem to be the answer they were looking for. Now I see that they were pushing for reconciliation of the forgive-and-forget kind. My offender told me I was playing the victim when I kindly but firmly tried to explain the hurts he had done. (Source)
• Natalie: He said he was sorry, so I need to give him a fresh start.We hear this in religious circles quite often. “Forgive and forget.” “Turn the other cheek.” “Love covers up a multitude of sins.” (Source)

What does the Bible teach us?

B1 There is no such thing as forgive and forget.

B2 Sin has consequences.

C1 Adam was forgiven, yet still died.

C2 David sinned but still suffered punishment. His sin also brought about the death of his son and grief to Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 12

C3 Paul still had bad memories and sorrow for his sins. Galatians 1:13-16 NET For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being.

C4 Manasseh

Sinned greatly: 2 Chronicles 33:9 NET But Manasseh misled the people of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem so that they sinned more than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed ahead of the Israelites.

Punished: 2 Chronicles 33:10-11 NET The LORD confronted Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria. They seized Manasseh, put hooks in his nose, bound him with bronze chains, and carried him away to Babylon.

Repented: 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NET In his pain Manasseh asked the LORD his God for mercy and truly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. When he prayed to the LORD, the LORD responded to him and answered favorably his cry for mercy. The LORD brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh realized that the LORD is the true God.

Showed reform: 2 Chronicles 33:15-16 NET He removed the foreign gods and images from the LORD's temple and all the altars he had built on the hill of the LORD's temple and in Jerusalem; he threw them outside the city. He erected the altar of the LORD and offered on it peace offerings and thank offerings. He told the people of Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.

Still Judah received punishment: 2 Kings 23:26 NET Yet the LORD's great anger against Judah did not subside; he was still infuriated by all the things Manasseh had done. And 2 Kings 24:3 NET Just as the LORD had announced, he rejected Judah because of all the sins which Manasseh had committed.

C5 What a person sows in sin will be punished. Sin has consequences. God is not made a fool. Galatians 6:7 CSB Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap.

B3 Forgiveness

C1 Teaching: Luke 17:3-4 GNB So watch what you do! "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in one day, and each time he comes to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

C2 Some notes about forgiveness:

D1 Only God can forgive sin:

E1 The Jews understood this: Mark 2:7 NET "Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

E2 Jesus paid the penalty for sin: 1 John 4:10 NLT This is real love--not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

D2 When God forgives someone of their sins, conditions must be met.

E1 Confession, that is, admitting one’s sin. “Yes, I sinned. Yes, I did do that.” 1 John 1:9 NLT But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

E2 Repentance, that is, turning around from the attitude of sin, the acts of sin, and the thoughts of sin. They do not do this sin anymore. It must be noticed both in public and in private. 1 Kings 8:47 NLT But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, 'We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.' Note: they agreed with God’s evaluation of their attitudes and deeds, then ask for God to forgiven.

F1 Repentance is not just saying, “I’m sorry.” There needs to be contrition and a change publicly and privately. Matthew 3:8 NLT Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

F2 The Greek word for repent (μετάνοια metánoia, G3341) means to turn around, a change. It would to agree with God’s opinion, rules, and decisions.

F3 Being sad, being caught, being confronted is not repentance: 2 Corinthians 7:10 NET For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.

E3 Asking. Luke 18:13 NLT "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'

E4 Forsaking them. This includes thoughts, desires, words, and deeds both in public and in private.

F1 2 Timothy 2:19 NLT But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."

F2 1 Peter 3:11 NLT Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

D3 Forgiveness is not seeking revenge. Turning the abuser over to God, to law enforcement, to the public’s knowledge, is not revenge. When a crime is committed, it must be reported.

B4 Scars remain after abuse:

C1 Recognition: After leaving, there has to be recognition that there was abuse.

C2 Shock

C3 Anger

C4 Depression

C5 Bargaining

C6 Acceptance

C7 It takes time. Everyone is different. You probably should seek counseling.

Resources:

Domestic Abuse

B1 Flying Free: How to Go From Crawling to Flying After Living with Emotional and Spiritual Abuse.

B2 Cry for Justice (Barbara Roberts)

B3 Unholy Charade (Jeff Crippen)

Sexual Molestation: Jimmy Hinton

Child Abuse: National Children's Advocacy Center

Pastoral Abuse:

B1 Spiritual Sounding Board

B2 Julie Roys

B3 Hope for Survivors

B4 Wartburg Watch

Emergencies. Do not hesitate if you need immediate help. If you are in danger, call.

B1 National Child Abuse Hotline (USA):

C1 1-800-4-A-Child

C2 Same number 1-800-422-4453

B2 National Domestic Abuse (USA): 1-800-799-7233 or (TTY) 1-800-787-3224

B3 Or (USA) 911

Survivor’s Handbook (UK)

The Exhausted Woman (Christine Hammond, MS, LMHC

A Few Thoughts About Devotions

Bible reading, study, and thinking about the passage should be a daily blessing to every believer.

I started my own plan about 1.5 years ago. I read through the Old Testament once every 3 years and though the New Testament once a year. Every 3 years I read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament 3 times.

I ask myself 2 questions for every devotion.

1. What does this mean?
2. How do I apply this to my life?

Here is an example from 29 May 19.

MORNING

2 Chronicles 2

What does this mean?

King Solomon is finalizing plans to build the Temple. Nearly 154,000 men are hired. Their job is to transport things, finish cut the stone, or supervise. When I read verses 4-5, I am blessed by Solomon’s attitude and desire to worship. Solomon looks to the King of Tyre to supply a gifted craftsman to assist. King Hiram gives a strong statement, too, concerning God and praising Him.

How do I apply this to my life?

I cannot worship in that Temple, but I can still offer spiritual sacrifices of myself, songs, my goods, and my will. We can read and listen to what gifted men and women have learned in their study of the Scriptures. Am I willing to praise God in private and in public?

EVENING

Acts 18

What does this mean?

Paul and companions move on to Corinth to preach the Gospel. Paul finds Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They worked making tents to earn money for their support. They used the Sabbath to worship God by testifying about the Messiah, Jesus. The effect was limited as most Jews resisted God’s grace, but a large number of Gentiles believed. Paul is encouraged by God to continue. Paul stayed and taught the Word of God (the Bible) for 1.5 years but finally faced severe Jewish opposition. These unbelieving Jews lied to get Paul in trouble. Then the Apostles went to Antioch. Leaving there, Paul made a vow in Cenchreae and traveled to various other cities. Apollos, a believing Jew, who knew the Scriptures began preaching the Gospel. He had one error though, an error of ignorance and was corrected by Aquila and Priscilla. Apollos then used the Scriptures to prove that Jesus is Messiah.

How do I apply this to my life?

Study the Bible to know Christianity. We must also study apologetics. Use the Scriptures to show the reason we believe.

Let me encourage you to also read, study, and think about the Scriptures. Use whatever plan you wish but do study daily. We need it daily.

A Few Thoughts On Music

Many consider music to be neutral when it comes to worship music. If the words are Christian, they say, then it is Christian.

Consider some of these clips. Then decide for yourself.

Two sites for music by mood

Audionautix

1. Dark A Darker Heart
2. Aggressive Hard Bounce
3. Angry Aggressive Long Live Death
4. Happy Happy Ukulele
5. Calming, Relaxing One Fine Day
6. Bouncy, Bright Boxcar Rag

Others

Positive Psychology: Music and Mood

How Music Affects Mood in Film

Is this Great Christian Music? Music Video Mood Board

Is there any worship difference in this old hymn? I’m not judging as I enjoy either version.

1. Jesus I am resting by Tricia Brock
2. Jesus I Am Resting, Resting
3. Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

How would we use the 3 renditions of Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting in different situations in church?

How can music affect our church worship?

What is the importance of singing worshipful music?

What is the difference when church music is entertainment versus worship?

Why do animals react to music? See here.

Well, anyway, let us be worship when we sing!

A Few Thoughts on Beauty

When people speak of beauty, they are usually referring to physical beauty of people, but that’s not what I’m writing about.

Julie Roys has an article titled, “The Necessity of Beauty When Confronting Evil.” She writes:

I was discussing this struggle once with a close friend, and he urged me that especially considering my work as an investigative journalist, I need to take in beauty as a regular discipline. At first, that seemed odd. Take in beauty? What does that even mean?

Yet, it’s Scriptural. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” I’ve found that the more I practice this discipline of beauty, the healthier my soul becomes.

So now, I try to take in beauty daily by running on a beautiful path, picking flowers and putting them in vases throughout the house, watching an inspirational movie, or reading the Psalms.

God is a God of beauty

C1 Priestly garments: Exodus 28:2 NET You must make holy garments for your brother Aaron, for glory and for beauty.

C2 Preaching the Gospel: Romans 10:15 NLT And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

C3 The New Jerusalem: Revelation 21:11-14, 18, 20-21 NLT It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone--like jasper as clear as crystal. The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. There were three gates on each side--east, north, south, and west. The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. ... The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. ... the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were made of pearls--each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.

C4 The restored Garden of Eden, now in the New Jerusalem: Revelation 22:1-2 NLT Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

This world is cursed because of sin, yet much beauty remains.

The Most Beautiful Scenery in the World

Earth & Beautiful Ocean

Take time to enjoy beauty.

A Few Thoughts On Heaven Part 3

Part 3

Some facts about heaven

B1 God lives and rules in heaven and from heaven.

C1 2 Chronicles 20:6 NET He prayed: "O LORD God of our ancestors, you are the God who lives in heaven and rules over all the kingdoms of the nations. You possess strength and power; no one can stand against you.

C2 Matthew 6:10 NLT May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

B2 Heaven is not in this universe.

C1 Acts 7:55-56 NET But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently toward heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look!" he said. "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

C2 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 NET It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven.

C3 John 3:13 NET No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven - the Son of Man.

B3 Heaven and God

• He lives there.
• He rules there.
• His throne is there.
• He can see earth from there.
• Jesus descended from heaven, then ascended into heaven.
• Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
• Jesus will come back from heaven.

B4 Heaven and activities

• There God is worshiped.
• There the holy angels and the believers live.
• There God's will is done perfectly.
• There we will serve Him.
• There all is safe and secure.
• There is an inheritance.
• There will be rewards there for His people.
• There we will have a new body.

B4 There is no more pain, suffering, abuse, night, persecution, worry, heartbrokenness, depression, sickness, tears of sorrow, death, temptation, war, false gods, blasphemy, dishonor, suspicion, murder, sexual sins, stealing, courteousness, rebellion, fear, anxiety, hunger, insomnia, etc.

B5 There will be joy, love, fellowship, comfort, rest, light, peace, grace, happiness, justice, guidance, wisdom, hope, life, etc.

A Few Thoughts on Heaven Part 2

Part 2

A few verses and thoughts

B1 Questions

C1 After death

D1 Existence?

E1 We exist:

F1 The dead talk: Revelation 6:9-10 NIV When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"

F2 The dead see, feel, and communicate. Do the words of Jesus Christ have any meaning except the plain, normal sense? Luke 16:23-26 NIV In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

E2 We do not exist

D2 Conscious

E1 Yes as seen above

E2 No

D3 Some sort of body

E1 Yes as seen above

E2 No

D4 Sensation

E1 Yes as seen above

E2 No

C2 Resurrection

D1 Body

E1 Yes

F1 2 Corinthians 5:2-4 NIV Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

G1 The word clothed means (according to Vincent’s Word Studies) ependuo, G1902 a strengthened form of No. 2, used in the Middle Voice, "to cause to be put on over, to be clothed upon," is found in 2Co 5:2, 4, of the future spiritual body of the redeemed.

G2 To be clothed upon (ἐπενδύσασθαι)

Only here and 2 Corinthians 5:4. Compare ἐπενδύτης fisher's coat, John 21:7 (see note). Lit., to put on over. The metaphor changes from building to clothing, a natural transformation in the mind of Paul, to whom the hail-cloth woven for tents would suggest a vesture. [Source]

F2 Our present body is described as a body of death: Romans 7:24 NRSV Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

E2 No

D2 Eternal

E1 Heaven—Yes

E2 Hell

F1 Yes

G1 Daniel 12:2 NLT Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

G2 Matthew 25:41, 46 NLT "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. ... "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."

F2 Sorta yes which some groups believe. 7th Day Adventists believe this. A former 3rd generation Adventist writes: Of course I knew Jesus rose from death on that first day of the week, but I couldn’t see anything about that resurrection that was important for me now. It was the evidence that one day all of us would be resurrected—a dubious promise because none of us knew whether we would be raised to eternal life or to everlasting annihilation after a temporary burn. Nevertheless, Jesus’ resurrection was the event that confirmed we would all rise one day. [Source]

F3 Temporary

F4 No

B2 Interpretation

C1 Methods

D1 Some depend on the “Father”

D2 Some depend on the organized church

D3 Some depend on a Systematic Theology

D4 Some depend on aberrant interpretations as symbolic, allegorical, typical, moral, mystical, etc.

D5 Some depend on the plain, normal reading of the Scriptures.

C2 Thoughts

D1 If God is truly omniscient and omnisapient, then He knows how to communicate perfectly. Perfectly in the sense that people can understand it.

D2 If there are symbolic or communicative types, then it will be understood by the context or if prophecy, then by those living at that time.

E1 The Lord Jesus says: Luke 24:25-27 NIV He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

E2 The Jewish leaders did not understand the concept of a suffering Messiah.

E3 The Suffering Messiah as read in Isaiah 52:13-53:12

E4 The King Messiah as read in Zechariah 14

D3 Also consider Revelation 9 with descriptions of locusts from the pit. I do not know what these are, but I do know that God communicates perfectly, and John wrote perfectly, being under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, on what he saw. This is what he saw. I do know that this is a judgment affecting an unbelieving humanity.

D4 If God can communicate perfectly, then what He states in the Scriptures whether prophecy or not prophecy is also perfect. We do not need a early church father or saint or triple doctorate to inform us. We are priests (both brothers and sisters) to God. Both brothers and sisters have the same Holy Spirit.

C3 Examples

D1 Luke 23:40-43 NIV But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

D2 Orthodox interpretation:

E1 The passage: The Son of Man will send His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father (Mt 13.41–43).

E2 Orthodox view: According to the saints, the “fire” that will consume sinners at the coming of the Kingdom of God is the same “fire” that will shine with splendor in the saints. It is the “fire” of God’s love; the “fire” of God Himself who is Love. “For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12.29) who “dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Tim 6.16). For those who love God and who love all creation in Him, the “consuming fire” of God will be radiant bliss and unspeakable delight. For those who do not love God, and who do not love at all, this same “consuming fire” will be the cause of their “weeping” and their “gnashing of teeth.”

E3 Plain, normal sense view (because God can communicate perfectly):

F1 Sin (breaking God’s law) will be punished. The punishment is torment in fire for eternity. Implication is this: repent and believe the Gospel.

F2 Those who believe and those who do NOT believe are separated from each other.

F3 Those who believe are in God’s light:

G1 Revelation 21:23-25 NIV The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.

G2 John 8:12 NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

F4 Those who refuse to believe have no light. Why should we be forced to believe anything but the obvious?

G1 2 Peter 2:17 WEL These [people] are like wells without water, clouds blown around with a storm, to which the darkest of darkness is reserved forever.

G2 Matthew 8:10-12 NIV When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."