by Trent (originally posted March 24, 2006)
Luke 13:1-5 (NIV)
Repent or Perish
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all [likewise] perish."
Not one person or two, but eighteen had a city tower crumble and fall on them. It was unanimous; all died. This was Jesus' illustration of judgement of unrepentence. The strange thing is why there was not a single man out of all eighteen that consciously moaning in agony.
Could Jesus have found an illustration of unending torment? I suppose He could have, if he wanted to support the modern interpretation of "perish."
Church-goers have all heard that to perish does not mean die, it means staying alive while in misery and discomfort ... like burning alive but not being consumed, just feeling the heat in agony. But, "perish" from a biblical standpoint has always meant one thing - death ... not ongoing, but final and complete death.
In this passage Jesus gives us eighteen reasons to believe the truth, becuase eighteen people were caught under the tower, but not a single one of them was in unending couscious torment and agony. In fact, eighteen out of eighteen were snuffed out.
So if unrepentence is your thing, and unbelief suits you ... I am not here to change your mind ... I'm just here to explain what lies ahead.
Wide is the road that leads to [torment?]
No ... it has always been ...
Wide is the road that leads to destruction.
So repent therefore, because all the dead in Christ and those still living in Christ, will be raised to life at the Last Day, receiving life everlasting. All the rest of the dead, who rejected Him or did not know Him, will also be raised and live at the end of the Millenial Kingdom. In that Day the penitent will receive life everlasting; and the wicked, condemnation forever separated from God. This is the second chance for those who will choose Christ and repent; or the second death for all those who will not accept the Truth nor will they repent of their evil deeds. So yes, fear Him who has given you life, because He can also take it away. ~ Timothy [Letters from God and His Christ - Volume 3 - The Word of God is Truth...Leading to Life]