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**TX_Kevin** · 07-19-2021, 07:54 AM

That is a very interesting take on it. One thing I do know is that nothing is too hard for God and we can't even begin to understand Him. His ways are not our ways.

**PoppinPiggies** · 07-19-2021, 08:09 AM

I've heard several different interpretations but will have to read some more on it to have a strong opinion. I will say here is another common interpretation to be considered.
1 Peter 3:18-20
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water

"the Spirit, by whom also He went" - Christ not in person but through the Holy Spirit preached to the reference people

"the spirits in prison" - I've also seen this interpreted as those not in Hell but rather imprisoned by sin. We commonly say that salvation "frees" us from sin inferring that it formerly was our prison.

"who formerly were disobedient........ in the days of Noah...... 8 souls were saved" - the people referenced are those that inhabited the Earth during the times of Noah who the Holy Spirit preached to. There are many ways the Holy Spirit has preached to people, often times by inspiring prophets and people. Noah preached to the people during that time 2 Peter 2:5 "Noah...... a preacher of righteousness" So 1 Peter 3:18-20 doesn't necessarily mean these people were preached to after death, in fact they were preached to by the Holy Spirit aka Christ through Noah while living.

As far as 1 Peter 4:6 a big key is the use of past tense in "the gospel WAS preached" - the gospel was taught while living to those who are now dead. Another possibility to factor in is that the death referenced is a spiritual one and not physical.

Thanks for the thought provoking topic.... I now have a subject to read on this week so I can form my own conclusion.

**SabineHunter** · 07-19-2021, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by TX_Kevin View Post

That is a very interesting take on it. One thing I do know is that nothing is too hard for God and we can't even begin to understand Him. His ways are not our ways.

I agree with this. We shouldn't try to put GOD in a box. It's like we are a TI-84 calculator, intelligent, but when compared to GOD, He is a supercomputer taking up a huge room. No even close.

**DRT** · 07-19-2021, 08:14 AM

I ponder and pray on questions like this and others. At the end of it all I am certain of one thing.
You cannot put God in a box. His being is not fully contained in the pages of the bible. I live by the understanding that His will is what and will be. I can live with that.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

**RedBear78** · 07-19-2021, 08:19 AM

I’ve always taken comfort in John 5:28;29 there will be a resurrection of good and bad and a possible hope for those who did not live the way they should.In doing lots of research I’ve found that there is differing definitions of what’s in mainstream Christianity and the original Hebrew and Greek writings just like the term hell.In the Greek there is no burning hell the words used in the Bible to describe where Jesus spent his days after death is haides which originally in Greek is a grave or cemetery not hellfire like many envision.Also the word soul in Hebrew it uses the word nephesh and Greek psy’khe which means a body or person or even a body or carcass of an animal.At Genesis 2:7 is says the man became a living soul not he was given or he acquired a soul.The punishment for Adam’s sin was he was to return to the earth from which he came. At Ezekiel 18:4 it says that the sinning soul will die.Psalms 146:4 says that at death a man goes back to the ground and his thoughts perish Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 repeats this the dead have no thoughts.At 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul speaks of those sleeping in death and mentions a future resurrection.Before Jesus resurrected Lazarus he said he was sleeping in death.In Revelation were told of those who will resurrected as kings and priests to judge the earth when where and how I’m not going to presumptuous say but according to many scriptures there will be a time of resurrection referring to it as the last day or day of resurrection for the good and not so good brought out by Acts 10:42Acts 24:15,John 11:24 and John6:39,40-For this is the will of my father that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life and I will resurrect him on the last day.I’m a firm believer none of us have it all right and that Gods grace will prevail if we just do our best to apply the scriptures and follow Jesus example to our best abilities.But I have found that deep scriptural study and research tend to clash with some of the mainstream Christian beliefs and dogmas.These are a few things I’ve discovered in my research study and walk with God.I enjoy think tank and positive topics like this so I can absorb others faith and feelings on such important and powerful subjects.

**c3products20** · 07-19-2021, 08:20 AM

John 21:20-22
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

In my opinion, this is the most important bible verse for Christians to focus on and meditate on.

Jesus tells Peter not too worry about anything other than his relationship with Jesus. He says "You must follow me"! Don't worry about what's going on with Mr. So and so. You worry about me and you!

**SabineHunter** · 07-19-2021, 08:22 AM

OP, I agree with this statement as well: "But I do know scripture is pretty clear that not everyone will go to heaven."

But no one will be condemned to hell forever. The Holy Ghost will always be with them until they accept Jesus as Savior. Some will take longer than others.

OP, as a father, is there anything that your child can do that you would condemn them to hell, that burning lake of fire, for all eternity?

**c3products20** · 07-19-2021, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by RedBear78 View Post

I’ve always taken comfort in John 5:28;29 there will be a resurrection of good and bad and a possible hope for those who did not live the way they should.In doing lots of research I’ve found that there is differing definitions of what’s in mainstream Christianity and the original Hebrew and Greek writings just like the term hell.In the Greek there is no burning hell the words used in the Bible to describe where Jesus spent his days after death is haides which originally in Greek is a grave or cemetery not hellfire like many envision.Also the word soul in Hebrew it uses the word nephesh and Greek psy’khe which means a body or person or even a body or carcass of an animal.At Genesis 2:7 is says the man became a living soul not he was given or he acquired a soul.The punishment for Adam’s sin was he was to return to the earth from which he came. At Ezekiel 18:4 it says that the sinning soul will die.Psalms 146:4 says that at death a man goes back to the ground and his thoughts perish Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 repeats this the dead have no thoughts.At 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul speaks of those sleeping in death and mentions a future resurrection.Before Jesus resurrected Lazarus he said he was sleeping in death.In Revelation were told of those who will resurrected as kings and priests to judge the earth when where and how I’m not going to presumptuous say but according to many scriptures there will be a time of resurrection referring to it as the last day or day of resurrection for the good and not so good brought out by Acts 10:42Acts 24:15,John 11:24 and John6:39,40-For this is the will of my father that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life and I will resurrect him on the last day.I’m a firm believer none of us have it all right and that Gods grace will prevail if we just do our best to apply the scriptures and follow Jesus example to our best abilities.But I have found that deep scriptural study and research tend to clash with some of the mainstream Christian beliefs and dogmas.These are a few things I’ve discovered in my research study and walk with God.I enjoy think tank and positive topics like this so I can absorb others faith and feelings on such important and powerful subjects.

That's kind of the main reason I started this thread. We all have our own interpretations and we can talk down to people based on what we "KNOW" to be true. I enjoy hearing other people's thoughts on their walk and learning more about Who God is. One thing we all agree on is that God doesn't fit into any one of the boxes we try to put Him in! Like right in my last sentence, I said Him but God is not a Him or a Her. God is, I am.

**c3products20** · 07-19-2021, 08:28 AM