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Objection #1: Hebrews 9:27

"it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

This verse is commonly interpreted as: "Every man has one life to live, and so he must make a decision regarding Christ during his life, because once he dies he will face eternal judgement."

If this verse is taken in its true context, the error of this interpretation is easily seen. A pastor once told me "A text without a context is a pretext!" Unfortunately, he didn't apply his own rule to this passage. Let's look at the true context of this verse.

First, Hebrews is a book of comparisons. The author compares Christ and the angels, Christ and the High Priest, Christ and the sacrificial offering, and Christ and Adam. Chapter 9 starts by comparing the Earthly tabernacle to the Heavenly tabernacle. Verse 11 begins discussing how Jesus was a greater High Priest, entering a greater, heavenly tabernacle, with a greater sacrifice, His own blood. At verse 15, the author begins comparing the covenant of the law with the covenant of grace. Then, in the three verses preceding verse 27, we read:

"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." Hebrews 9:24-26

To paraphrase, the writer is describing how Christ entered the heavenly, God-made tabernacle (in contrast to the earthly, man-made tabernacle), to offer the perfect sacrifice only once, unlike the imperfect, annual sacrifice made by the earthly High Priest. This brings us to the verse in question. When I quoted Hebrews 9:27 at the top of this section, I intentionally left out the first two words, because this is how we are accustomed to reciting it. These two words, as small as they are, are extremely important for proper interpretation: "AND AS". The word "and" is a connecting word. It means that what follows is in the same thought stream as what has just been stated. "As" begins another comparison. So we know that what follows will be another comparison similar to the previous one. And the comparison can only be completed by including verse 28. So what is the comparison? Well, in the previous verse,26, we read "but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." So the next two verses will compare Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice with something else. We read in Romans 5:18:

"Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men."

The comparison in Hebrews 9:27&28 is very similar to this. In the same way, Jesus' one act of righteousness that "brings life for all men" is compared to Adam's one trespass which brought "condemnation for all men". Let's look at the verse pair from Hebrews in this context:

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

To paraphrase, the writer is actually saying, "Just as it has been appointed for mankind to die once (by Adam's sin), resulting in judgement, so Christ died once to redeem mankind. And He will appear a second time to save those who await him. (Does this mean that those who miss the second coming will be eternally separated? Not necessarily!)

So, we see that Hebrews 9:27 has nothing to do with the judgement of individuals in the future. Instead, it's a comparison of mankind's judgement, in the past, with the redemption of mankind through Christ's death. Now that we know this, there is something else we must realize: There are no other verses ANYWHERE ELSE in the scriptures that can be used to promote the idea that salvation must occur before death or the second coming! None. This is it- check it out for yourself.

Objection #2: Eternity

It's very likely, if you've spent a little time studying the scriptures, that you have already come up with many scriptural arguments against what I'm proposing. That's okay. Just keep an open mind, because there are many little tentacles of error running throughout this thing, and they can't be removed in one action. They must be dealt with one-at-a-time. So let's move on to the next objection.

Okay, here's the bottom line: NOTHING IN CREATION WILL LAST ETERNALLY. Now that the statement has been made, let's handle the objections. One verse you might refer to (among many) is Matthew 25:46

"And these [the unrighteous] shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

There are many other New Testament passages that relate to "eternal life" and "eternal judgement". Interestingly, all these passages have one thing in common: They are all based on the little Greek word "AION". Does this word look familiar? It is the root of the Old English word "AEON", which comes to us as "EON". Now "EON", by definition, is a very long period of time. But, however long an eon is, it has a limited time span- a beginning and an end: an AGE. It does not signify eternity. If we examine other passages in the New Testament, we find that the word "AION" is used many times with this exact meaning:

"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world [AION (age)], and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Matthew 13:22

"As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world [AION (age)] began:" Luke 1:70

"Since the world [AION] began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind." John 9:32

"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world [AION] began." Acts 3:21

"And be not conformed to this world [AION]: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

"Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world [AION]? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" 1 Corinthians 1:20

"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world [AION], but also in that which is to come:" Ephesians 1:21

There are many more examples, but I think this gives us the general idea. "AION", as used in these verses, means "age" or "world"- basically, a limited period of time. The problem is, then, how can the same word mean both a limited unit of time, and also eternity? Eternity, in fact, is not just unlimited time- it is the total absence of time! It is verbal anarchy to use the same word for two opposite meanings. Notice how "AION" is used to describe both this world AND the world to come. We know that this world will come to an end (and, apparently, so will the next). If this "AION" has an end, then AION can't describe eternity. So if not "eternity", then what? Okay, to get the proper translation, simply substitute the correct phrase for the wrong one. When you see "eternal" in the New Testament, replace it with the words "age-lasting". (Unfortunately, there is no single English word that properly translates "AIONIOS", the adjective form of "AION". This is one of the problems encountered when we try to convert words from one language into another. So, we will have to be content with "age-lasting".) And when you read "for ever", understand that the Greek is really saying "throughout the age(s)". And when you see "for ever and ever", the original Greek translates, literally, as "to the ages of the ages". I can't think of a smooth English phrase for this, but in essence, it means a very, very long (though limited) amount of time: Possibly the entire span of creation, age upon age, up to the final, glorious age of the consummation!

This explanation will, of course, bring up some sub-objections:

Sub-Objection #2a: I Feel Cheated

So, my friend, here you were looking forward to eternity, and now you think you've lost it! Well, guess what? You haven't! I will repeat what I said at the beginning of this section, with special emphasis: NOTHING IN CREATION WILL LAST ETERNALLY. It is a paradox, but the point at which creation ends is the very place where we enter eternity. Creation will end, but we who have God's eternal spirit will continue for ever in the place from which we came- the bosom of our loving Creator! The circle will be closed and final fulfillment will be attained. I know this sounds kind of "New Age", but what else could the following passage be referring to?:

"And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." 1 Corinthians 15:28

Imagine a large city, with power lines running all through it, all connected to a giant generator. The generator is running at full speed, and so there is plenty of power available to the city's inhabitants for all of their needs. And yet, the main switch has not been thrown, and so the city remains dark and dead. But the moment the switch is thrown, the city comes to life. The circuit is completed, and the potential becomes reality. So it is, I believe, with creation. God sent out His Word, and creation began. God's Word will return, and the circuit will be completed. Not an ending- A COMPLETION. Every question, riddle, and paradox, down to the smallest level, will find its ultimate meaning. This may be hard to grasp, but, to be honest, isn't the idea of eternal life in a created state equally hard to grasp?

Let's return from these heady ideas to the other objections which must be answered.

Sub-Objection #2b: Wait A Minute! Are You Saying The Bible Is Wrong?

I will say this. The Holy Spirit was at work in the creation of the original manuscripts. The Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus make this clear. This could not have happened by chance. However, the various "Bibles" we use today come to us through a very winding course of copying and translation. And so, certain errors have crept in. Do you think this is impossible? Consider this Old Testament example, using two translations, the KJV and the NIV:

"And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land." Judges 18:30 (KJV)

"There the Danites set up for themselves the idols, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land." Judges 18:30 (NIV)

Notice that in the KJV, Jonathan is the grandson of Manasseh, yet in the NIV he is the grandson of Moses. How can this be? Well, we must first consider that the Hebrew manuscripts were written with no vowels- only consonants. So, "Moses" is spelled with three Hebrew letters. By inserting one letter between the first two (reading right to left, of course), you can change "Moses" (the true Grandfather of Jonathan) to "Manasseh". But would a scribe, dedicated to the accuracy of his work, blatantly change a name like that? And why? Could it be that the scribe who was making this copy, wanting to preserve the good name of his beloved ancestor, made two extra little strokes with his pen and erased Jonathan from the Mosaic line? To me it seems like the most likely explanation.

Sure, it's a small thing, but it's enough to show that "The Bible" does contain errors. Here are two contradictions that are found in the New Testament:

"And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!" Matthew 21:19 & 20

"And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it." ... "And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots." Mark 11:13,14 & 20

According to Matthew, the disciples saw that the fig tree withered immediately. (The Greek word, translated "presently" in this verse, is "parachrema". It occurs 19 times in the NT, and all of the passages indicate a very quick reaction time.) Yet Mark claims that they didn't notice the withered tree until the next morning.

"And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way." Matthew 8:28

"And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit," Mark 5:2

These two passages are describing the same event. This is the incident in the land of the Gadarenes, where Jesus sends the demons into a herd of swine. According to Matthew, there are two possessed men. But Mark states there is only one. Which one is right?

Again, these are small issues, but they show clearly that the Bibles we have are not without error. If our Bibles have errors, how can we rely on them to guide us in the truth? One word: DISCERNMENT. Instead of taking what we read or hear at face value, we must follow the example of the Bereans, and investigate everything thoroughly. In all truth, the scriptures are not "God's Word", as many claim, but merely a limited and slightly flawed representation of certain aspects of it. But let's not digress too far. I'm sure you've noticed how often I quote from the scriptures. In them are a wealth of wisdom and many Spirit-inspired words, not to mention the awesome revelation of God's grace through Jesus Christ!

Sub-Objection #2c: If All Are Saved Eventually, Then Why Should Anyone Repent Now?

This is a very common response. People say something like, "If people know that they will be saved, no matter what they do, then won't many of them just continue to live lives of sinful pleasure?" This attitude is very revealing. It seems to assume, at least partially, that the main cause of repentance is the threat of damnation. Sure, we say with our mouths, "It's God's kindness that leads us to repentance," but deep down we know that the possibility of eternal separation is a strong motivator for potential converts. Unfortunately, this idea presents a false portrait of our loving Father. In truth, God is all-loving, all-patient, and all-powerful. He loves everyone and wants the best for everyone. That's why He hates sin. Sin destroys. It hurts the sinner and everyone around him. Sure, many sins seem enjoyable at first, but sin always leads to bondage and suffering. This is the power of the true gospel! Sure, people can raise hell if they want. But they're going to have to deal with the Devil if they do. So God's message to the unbeliever is:

"Why suffer needlessly? Without me, your life will be, at best, uncertain. You will be constantly driven by the need to fill the hole that's inside you. This will make you easy prey for temptation, and once you submit to that temptation, you start down a slippery road. You don't know how far that road will take you, nor how long it will take to get back. It could even lead to the Lake of Fire. Along the way you will face problems that are beyond your own ability to solve them. If you had accepted my free gift of grace, I would have been able to help you through these times. But you did not. So, ironically, after you have had your fill of being your own god, you will come back to me. This is guaranteed! Your will is no match for mine. My child, since you know the final outcome, why fight it? You will eventually come back to me of your own free will. Why not do it now and avoid all the uncertainty, fear, and suffering?"

In the context of universal salvation, the Lake of Fire takes on a whole new meaning. Fire, in the Old Testament, is universally symbolic of purification:

"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness." Malachi 3:2 & 3

Hence, rather than being a last stop for all of creations unusable garbage, the Lake of Fire is a place of purification, so that God can eventually extract the things of value that are a part of every creature. In the words of one famous theologian, "GOD DON'T MAKE NO JUNK!" This is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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