Author: songofmary

Death and the Afterlife, Part II: A Depiction of Hell

God wants me to share with you all what Hell is like.  As I spoke of in this post, Death and the Afterlife, Part I: My Dream, Hell is rooted in Sheol, the pit of the earth.  Literally and figuratively it involves being buried deep in the bowels of the ground and being imprisoned without any chance for escape except by one means, the grace of God.

Adam, the word for man, and the original son of man, means ‘ruddy’ in the Hebrew language.  Adamah is the Hebrew word for ground.  It is feminine because it opens itself up for Adam to work it and keep it, which is the curse of man from the time of his original sin in the Garden of Eden.

God gives us every chance in our lifetime to regard Him, even if we have not heard of Him or heard His Word, because we can regard the world about us and marvel at its Maker (~Romans 1:19-21).  To make it even more obvious and clear for us, He sent our Lord Jesus the Messiah to redeem our souls if we but believe in Him.

Hell is the place those go, who in their hardened hearts, do not believe in God.  God consigns them to the ground from which earthly Adam came, which is also the path Cain chose, Abel’s wicked brother, the earthly son of Adam.  Abel chose the spiritual path and was killed for it by his brother.  The ground swallowed Abel’s holy blood by his brother’s hand.  It is all fitting then that God places the wicked into the same ground for them to suffer their deeds.  Their wicked hearts in denying their Maker will not have the final say.

I was obsessed with the movie Motel Hell when I was a girl and must have watched it no less than a dozen times (or so it seemed).  I was 12 or 13 and beyond when I watched it and while it scared the living daylights out of me, I also found it irresistible for some reason I did not know.  There were a few movies like that from my childhood, the ones I could watch over and over and never tire of:  Blue Lagoon, Tootsie, Friday the 13th, and Motel Hell.  Now I know these movies all have a common theme for me which is pertinent to my main mission I serve for God.  I just was not aware of it at 12.

This movie is inspired for its accurate depiction of hell.  I tried to research the writers and could find only that they were born in NYC, into a film production family.  There was also an uncredited writer as well.  The writers or director either were conscious of what hell is, or intuited it from God.  Nonetheless, this is something like the hell in my visions and dreams,the hell which God is revealing to me to share with you.  The people are buried in the ground.  They are victims because a terrible fate has befallen them.  They are alive but unable to communicate.  They cannot move at all and are in a perpetual state of solitary confinement.  Solitary confinement has been described as one of the worse tortures a man can endure, and is utilized as a last punishment for those who act out and hurt others. It causes mental illness because it is so contrary to human life.  Try enduring it until the Judgment Day!

If you find this humorous, that was the writers’ intent.  However, I am sure hell itself will not be funny at all.  Hell is the holding ground for those who have denied their Maker.  It is the embodiment of God’s final grace for those to turn their wicked hearts back to Him so that on the Final Day, they might find their names in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

You do not have to go to hell.  You can turn and repent and believe in Jesus, do good works, and love God.  Then you can escape this punishment.

~Selah

LOVE Church

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.  ~Acts 2:42-46

“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.  And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And great grace was upon them all.  Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”  ~Acts 4:32-35

Prayer for the Power to Heal

Now, Lord, grant to Your servants that with all boldness we may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant, Jesus.  ~Acts 4: 29-30

Dry Land and Home~

We are born into water, the elixir of life.  I was taught how to swim at a very young age and I always loved the water:  rivers, pools, lakes, springs, and the ocean.  I found it fun to float atop the waves  and to dive deep into the density.  It was always different and new, always some excitement to be found there.  A feeling you could get no where else.

I realize I have lived my life figuratively on the water.  No real foundation below me; heading out into the water to see what adventure I could have.  Swimming and frolicking with others like me who craved the unknown.  Coming to shore long enough to catch my breath and decide where I was heading next.  Following the next big wave or winding river into the unexplored.

But when I found God He began pushing me inward, toward dry land.  I fought to go deeper, to head out into the great beyond where I thought He was, to the others who beckoned to me from there.  Those who had what I wanted and who could show me places wanted to go.  Yet I remained evermore in the surf.  That part of the ocean that is relentlessly battering against you and pushing you down.  I would get up again and try a new tack to get out beyond the surf.  Maybe this time I would succeed!  Over and over and over again.  In childhood, in adolescence, in young adulthood, in adulthood, in mid-life.  I am battle worn and weary now, from fighting the waves.  I cannot fight God anymore as He pushes me homeward toward dry land.

So instead of going back out to sea, I am going to follow Jesus.  I am going to leave the water and become a fisher of men.  Those in the water are not my family anymore, and they will soon drift out into the eternal sunset, on their destiny that only God knows.

I am going to finally let Him push me onto the shore.  I am going to use my last bit of strength and grit to drag myself up onto the beach until no part of me touches the water.  I am going to flip over exhaustively and bask in the sunshine I know He will shine down on me.  I am going to rest.  My waterlogged skin is going to dry.  I am going to be more alone than I ever was (for a while).  Then I am going to look up and behind me and see a sea of other folks just like me taking refuge on the land He provided; all of us being born not of water, but of the Spirit.

And I am going to join them and together we will become a new family in our Lord GOD.

Praise You Almighty Father for pushing me home.

Discipleship Rather than Evangelism by Lady of the Covenant (Christian Forum)

Taken from a post by Lady of the Covenant at Christian Forum:

Although, I agree that evangelism is apart of the great commission, it is not the actual great commission. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:19-20)

I can’t speak for all of the Church, but most of the Church does not do this. To be a disciple means that you are like someone who is an apprentice, learning to do the things that your teacher does. Joshua learned to be a great leader like Moses, so he could take over when Moses was no longer with Israel. Elisha followed closely in the footsteps of Elijah, observing all that he did, so he would know how to do the things that Elijah did when he was no longer with him; and the 12 disciples followed Jesus everywhere He went, learning to do the things he did, and walk in his ways, so they could teach and do the things of Christ when He was no longer with them.

This is what it means to be a Christian; it comes from two Greek words:

  1. Christ- meaning “anointed one”
  2. -ianos- a suffix meaning “little”

The first disciples were called “Christians” by the Greeks because they looked like, acted like, and did the things that Christ did after He left. They were being called, “Little Anointed Ones” because people saw no difference in what they were doing, and how they lived, than the things Christ did and how He lived. Not only were they healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons, and preaching the gospel, but they were as loving and compassionate as Christ was as well, and they taught their disciples to do the same.

In church people are not really doing discipleship. They are evangelized and converted, then sit in a pew, listening to the pastor preach once a week. Most Christians do not read the Bible, or pray, or have any real connection to Jesus if they are not in a church. They recite a sinner’s prayer, and are assured of their salvation, knowing nothing about the gospel, other than what they may occasionally hear preached on Sunday, and that is not discipleship.

We are supposed to walk in the ways of Jesus doing what He did, and teach others to do the same. We are supposed to teach other people to obey everything He commanded us, but we do not. To be a disciple means to be in relationship. Moses and Joshua spent time together, Elijah and Elisha spent time together, and almost everywhere Jesus went, He took Peter, James, and John with Him. He was close to all His disciples, and spent time with them individually or in small groups, teaching them; so we should know that this is our pattern for how to make disciples as Jesus instructed.

Even the commission of the 72 disciples shows us that one-on-one discipleship/evangelism is preferred. Jesus sent two disciples to each house to preach the gospel to whoever would accept them, and He told them to stay the night at the house they went to rather than going from house-to-house:

“And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.“(Luke 10:7)​

So this is my proposal to the Body of Christ, that we not only evangelize, but make disciples, and discipleship continues long after someone has accepted Christ. It is about teaching people to obey the commandments of Christ(not just the commandments to love God and our neighbor, even though that is the meaning of the Law), and that means that we need to learn the commandments and do them ourselves:

Here is a list of the New Testament Commandments

What are your thoughts and suggestions? How can we go about making disciples, rather than just adding numbers to the church?

~~~~~~~

I personally think we should be in fellowship. That every member of the church should be in groups of 3, holding accountable the people who are in their group. Not only that, but making sure they are talking and spending time together outside of church, getting to know each other, and making sure that they are all edifying the body with their gifts. I would also think it’s a good idea to do placement tests(Myers Briggs personality test, 5 love languages test, and spiritual gifts test) to see where everyone should end up. I also think that church should be more communal, and an everyday thing, rather than just Sunday (and maybe Wednesday). Preaching can still be on Sunday, and Bible Study/Prayer Meeting on Wednesday, but the rest of the week should be focused on community, discipleship, and outreach(witnessing, feeding the poor, healing the sick, casting out demons, etc.).

Daniel 6 is another Allusion to Christ

I asked God what He had in mind for me today for Bible study, and I opened right to Daniel chapter 6:  the plot against Daniel.

King Darius came to love Daniel because an excellent spirit was in him, because he was faithful, and no error or fault could be found in him.  King Darius had set 120 satraps over his kingdom, and over these 3 governors, of which Daniel was 1.  The governors, administrators, counselors, advisers, and satraps were jealous of Daniel because the king favored him, so they set out to make statutes and decrees against him, and to see if they could force him to quit worshiping God.

Daniel continued to worship the Lord 3 times per day, morning, noon, and night.  When the king heard about it, he had no choice but to follow the law he had signed and enclose Daniel in the lion’s den overnight.  An angel came and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt Daniel because he was found innocent before God.  King Darius then went on to make a new decree that men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

Seems to me like the 120 satraps represent the 12 tribes of Israel.  And the 3 governors represent the trinity.  And King Darius represent God Almighty.  The 12 tribes of Israel made law to condemn Daniel, but Daniel knew he needed to worship God daily and he pleased the king (God), by continuing to serve Him.  The counselors, satraps, and advisers represent the Sanhedrin.  They cast Daniel into the lion’s den and a stone was rolled over the mouth of the cave, as it was when Jesus was laid to rest after being crucified, and the king sealed it with his own ring, and with the signets of his lords (holy spirit, other heavenly host?).  In the early morning, Daniel was brought up out of the den with no injury on him because he believed in his God.  This represents Jesus’ resurrection.

The main points being that Daniel was special because of his excellent spirit, his faithfulness, and his faultlessness, as Christ.  Finally he was delivered from certain doom because he simply believed in God.

Daniel's Answer to the King

Seeking the One~

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My father who is in heaven.  For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.

Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you servants of His, who do His pleasure.

Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I have been endued with His power. ~Selah

But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him [1 John 2:27].

From:  http://stronginfaith.org/article.php?page=50

Christians belong to and are related to the anointing-[Χριστος Christos]. Jesus Christ told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem, “until you are endued with power from on high” [Luke 24:49]. A disciple must be endued or clothed in power to do what Jesus has called us to do. The Greek word for the English word power is δυναμις dunamis. A believer must have power to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ [Luke 24:47, Matthew 28:18]. Jesus instructed the Seventy, “heal the sick there, and say to them, the kingdom of God has come near to you” [Luke 10:9]. Jesus also said, Jesus said, “he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also” [John 14:12, Supernatural Acts of the Disciples]. “You shall receive dunamis power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” [Acts 1:8].

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you [Luke 10:17-19].

Blessed are you…

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  ~Mattew 5:11-12