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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]

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.

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]

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.

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

[Porter]

Perhaps we prove what we believe by living it. We know God is good and God will save all, we just need to learn to walk with endurance on the path He sets for us. Learning to walk where He walked is something I'm trying to learn as well. It seems the longer I walk, the more the things I thought were important are actually not that important at all. Truth is great when you understand Jesus is the Truth and you are His love letter written on your hearts. There is a lot less pressure to perform, and there is no longer any doubt that the hope and faith given is not my own. There is a lot of comfort in that for me. I do hope that comforts and encourages you too Rose.

[octoberose]

Thank you Porter . I just struggle with how to convey that good God to others as well as you did .

[ralph]

Thank you Porter . I just struggle with how to convey that good God to others as well as you did .

We all have our gifts given to us by God.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

[Daddysgirl.2]

Perhaps we prove what we believe by living it. We know God is good and God will save all, we just need to learn to walk with endurance on the path He sets for us. Learning to walk where He walked is something I'm trying to learn as well. It seems the longer I walk, the more the things I thought were important are actually not that important at all. Truth is great when you understand Jesus is the Truth and you are His love letter written on your hearts. There is a lot less pressure to perform, and there is no longer any doubt that the hope and faith given is not my own. There is a lot of comfort in that for me. I do hope that comforts and encourages you too Rose.

Thank you for this Pamela. Performing is futile.

[Musterseed]

This is a quote from Porter, not Pamela.😁

[Daddysgirl.2]

Thanks Porter, my mistake Pamela.