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Gehenna

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octoberose:
Hello All,
 Why do you suppose Jesus talks about Gehenna so often ?  If I understand the history, God never threw anyone in Gehenna.  It was an awful, unholy place that truly showed the worst of humanity. So, why did you suppose Jesus use it so often to speak of judgement ? Just thought I’d ask. 

Dave in Tenn:
The word is in Matthew seven times, in Mark three, and in Luke once.  The occurrences in the three synoptic Gospels can be understood to be different accounts of the same statement (perhaps at different times and locations).  I'm not sure that qualifies as "so many times", but even if it does--is He talking about Gehenna?  He's using Gehenna as part of a parable(s) concerning judgement.  Most of the time, He's using it to contrast two possible Judgements.  One is better than the other, but only in it's severity...not in it's aim.  The remainder of the times He is not sparing anybody from "Gehenna fire".

Personally, I don't think replacing "Gehenna fire" with a modern term like "Community Incinerator" does any damage to the spiritual truth conveyed in the parable.  It's just simply not about a "place" at all.

 

ralph:

--- Quote from: octoberose on June 22, 2024, 11:04:43 PM ---Hello All,
 Why do you suppose Jesus talks about Gehenna so often ?  If I understand the history, God never threw anyone in Gehenna.  It was an awful, unholy place that truly showed the worst of humanity. So, why did you suppose Jesus use it so often to speak of judgement ? Just thought I’d ask.

--- End quote ---

Within us is an awful, unholy thing called the carnal mind that needs to be destroyed. That only happens through firey judgment. We all must go through the same fire to be saved. God doesn't throw anyone into a physical Gehenna or real fire to purify them. Remember that the words Jesus spoke are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63). 

octoberose:
I know you speak truth Ralph and Dave, I just struggled with how to explain it.  Maybe I struggle , even after all these years, with how to Prove something that we all now believe. 

ralph:

--- Quote from: octoberose on June 30, 2024, 12:24:24 AM ---I know you speak truth Ralph and Dave, I just struggled with how to explain it.  Maybe I struggle , even after all these years, with how to Prove something that we all now believe.

--- End quote ---

I struggle as well. It took many years and much tribulation to understand these truths.

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