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“The LORD hath chastened me sore: but He hath not given me over unto death.” Psalm 118:18

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The Bible has much to say about suffering.

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But one thing the Bible never records, is that God ever caused needless suffering.

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Listen…”3:31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
3:32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
3:33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
3:34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,” Lamentations

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Here above, the Lord reveals that He only grieves the children of men for the purpose of repentance.

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So where in the world does the Church get the notion that God will bring suffering on lost souls for all eternity?

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Simple! This false doctrine commonly referred to as “Eternal Torment”, is the product of poor Bible hermeneutics, exercised by the apostate churches of Europe during the Dark Ages. In other words, because unsanctified theologians did not understand how to compare scripture with scripture, in hopes of discovering the spiritual message of the Bible, this archaic church-doctrine has continued to be embraced by the apostate churches for many centuries, and even to this very day. And it still is being taught and is being received by many sincere Christians, who are yet held captive in Harlot Babylon, the fallen church-world.

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There is a false notion which has been perpetuated through the years, namely this: that the Bible is “perspicuous”, meaning the Bible is easily understood. Nothing could be further from the truth! The Bible is anything, but easy to understand!

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Oh yes, there are many plain, straightforward statements in the Bible. And yet, a quick reading of such Bible books, as Isaiah, or Jeremiah, or any number of other books, reveals that God has veiled many truths within very complicated language!

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The problem is, that God reveals the only pathway to truth, by telling us…”And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

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Here is the reason why so many members of today’s Church are still in darkness, deluded by such heresies as “eternal Torment”! They do not seek the Lord with all their heart. Their affections are still in the world, to a great degree. They are attempting to serve Christ and the world at the same time. And such a divided service will never bring about true discipleship, much less genuine Christian victory!

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Jesus plainly tells us…”So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

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Is this above verse not incredible? A person cannot even become a true disciple (student and follower), until he is ready to renounce this selfish world, and embark upon the Heavenward narrow pathway!

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Now this above verse from Luke 14:33 is not speaking of literally trashing all our possessions. But just as that old song says so well…”Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of the world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!”

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Yes, when a person truly seeks after and serves the Lord, his or her heart will become fixed upon the things of Heaven! And the things of the earth will simply lose their attraction on that Believer. And this kind of whole-hearted devotion to God is what is required to truly find the Lord, and fully understand His Word.

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And so, this is the reason why the apostate churches still cling to such false doctrines as, “Eternal Torment”. The apostate portion of the Church is comprised of all those who still love this present world.

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Now, upon a careful study of the many Bible accounts of suffering, it will be discovered that God caused the lost ones to die rather quickly. There was not a long period of suffering.

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God only brought extended afflictions on those who were destined for Heaven…”The LORD hath chastened me sore: but He hath not given me over unto death.” Psalm 118:18

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Here is a testimony that many Christians can say, “Amen” to! And even the Apostle, Paul, can relate to this above verse! Listen to Paul’s testimony regarding suffering…”And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9, 10

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How could Paul take pleasure in sufferings and afflictions? Simple! He realized that his relationship with God was strengthened through those sufferings! He even goes further by saying…”whereof I Paul am made a minister; 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:” Colossians 1:23, 24

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Paul here is revealing a great truth! Namely this: that those who truly desire to become Christlike will endure the sufferings of Christ in their own lives, howbeit to a much less degree than what Christ endured on the Cross.

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What must be kept in mind is that each of us have a sort of dual personality. The Bible speaks of this in the following terms… “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

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Yes, the sad truth is, that each of us has two men each struggling for supremacy. And it only by allowing God to crucify that “Old Man” with his evil deeds, that we will no longer serve sin. (see Romans 6:6). And so each and every true Believer joins in the spiritual battle of overcoming and crucifying that Old Man of the flesh.

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And so, those who truly strive to overcome the spirit of Antichrist, will endure the necessary chastisements which God allows us to go through, that all impurities may be burned out from within our hearts…”To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7) He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11). He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5)”

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Here above, it is made plain that overcoming the world, the flesh and the Devil is not optional, but imperative!

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And so, while many Bible students do not understand the true nature of God’s “devouring fire”. They see the words, “fire” or “brimstone”, and all they can think of is literal fire and brimstone. And this is one reason why this false doctrine of “Eternal Torment” has continued to thrive in the apostate church-world to this very day!

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