review of the study evening

This past Wednesday was the monthly Goedbericht (GoodMessage) study evening. This time, the attendance was again slightly higher than usual (there were between fifty and sixty people present). This despite the heavy topic on the program: hell and damnation. In the meantime, the study is also available online. Both the audio recordings and the PowerPoint presentations can be downloaded.

The Goedbericht message has (as far as is known) a reputation within orthodox circles for supposedly ignoring or “sweeping under the rug” the judgments of God. Getting acquainted with this study can once and for all dispel that prejudice. More than that: I speak in extremely concrete terms about what is wrongly called “hell.”
Even with pictures included!

Scripture undeniably speaks of condemnation, punishment, fire, execution, etc. That is not up for debate. However, “hell and damnation” are of an entirely different order. That idea is an outright demonic concept in which God is made into a devil. God would be wrathful, tormenting, and torturing without end. Without a single ray of hope.

Even the executioners of Auschwitz pale by comparison—at least they eventually stopped after months or, at most, a few years. But in “hell and damnation,” a never-ending torment takes place…

If “hell and damnation” were true, then the gospel is no longer gospel. A god who is intent on endlessly tormenting his own creatures in hell can in no way still be called a God of love—or a God “who never forsakes the work of His hands.”

God’s judgments are always corrective. God sets things right. That can be painful and severe, but it always serves a positive purpose. God’s love is the foundation of all His actions. God loves His creatures. They are His own creations! And with each of them He has a glorious purpose: He wants to become all in them.

At the end of all God’s ways, it is written in shining letters: all in all.
That is the Good Message of Scripture.
God loves this world.
He abolishes death.
He accomplishes what He intends: the salvation of all!’

You can safely believe it!

Delen: