New member from Norway

[wasco55]

Hi!
I am a Norwegian guy who's life has been turned upside down during the last 6 months.
I am a new member to this forum and this is my story:

I live in Norway and I've been a Christian for many years. During all
these years, I have been struggling with believing the doctrin about
the "christian" hell and also the doctrin that the great majority of
people will spend eternity in a fiery hell. I live in Norway, and
during all this years I have been a Christian, I have never come
across the liberating teachings that you, and many like you provides.

Less than six months ago, I had never heard of universal salvation in
Jesus Christ. Deep in my heart I have always believed that there must
be an ultimate salvation for all. But in the Pentecostal Church I
belong to, I soon realized that it was blasphemous eaven to think such
a thought, and much more so to talk about it. The few times I dared to
ask questions about this, I learned that this was a devilish thought,
and that I had to suppress it in the name of Jesus. So I asked God to
forgive me for having such thoughts, and every time those thoughts
came up, I tried to suppress them in the name of Jesus. But because
these thoughts came from God, they could never die    Now I can only
regret deeply, that I used the name of Lord in an attempt to suppress
what came from God. May God have mercy upon me

The change started when I began  study Greek. For the first time in my
life I stopped up and questioned myself why Gehenna was translated
Hell. Or as it's called in Norwegian, and also the the other
Scandinavian languages - HELVETE. I was more than shocked when I
discovered that the Scandinavian word HELVETE was taken straight out
of the pagan Nordic mythology. Hel was the goddess of death in the
Nordic mythology. The ancient Vikings believed that as many as were
killed in battle or war came to Valhalla. That was their "heaven". But
those who died of old age, or diseases, ended up in Helheim, meaning
the home of Hel.

But church officials clearly at that time, had a challenge with this.Just start
calling the "christian" place of everlasting torment Helheim was not
enough. Because, according to the mythology, Helheim was not a place
of punishment and torment. It was just a world of ice and fog, where
it was cold and an infinitely sadnes. This was not enough to have the
old Vikings understand the cruelty of the "christian" hell the
Catholic theologians wanted to preach. They had to find a word that
was a bit more juicy, more fearsome. Therefore, thy added the old
Nordic word - vitti, which means punishment. Finally they ended up
with the word HEL-VITI, meaning, a place where the Goddess Hel will
punish you. (during the centuries to come, the word hel-viti ended up
being helvete)
I was left with a big question mark.
Why do we have to use the pagan mythology to reveal  what Christ had preached?
And as using viking mythology was not enough, they had to created a new word, because the
mythological Helheim was not cruel enough to preach the" good news" of
the gospel. I was blown away!!

Later I realized that Hades was taken from Greek mythology, and
thought that this could be why the teologen from Scandinavian had used
the Nordic mythology. But I could not find any comparison. Hades was
used to replace Sheol in the Septuginta, and Sheol and Hades both had
the same meanings of the hidden or unseen. I found no such
explanations to justify the use of HELVETE in the Scandinavian
languages. Unfortunately I was left with the understanding that this
was pure crulety in order to scare the old Vikingnes to follow the
"Church" And I am sad to say, but it has been workin up to this day.

Later I discovered another strange phenomenon. I found that there was
a lot more hell in most English Bibles, than the Norwegian. The reason I for this
phenomenon was that the only word translated hell (helvete) in the
Norwegian Bible is Gehenna. Hades and Sheol are always translated
dødsriket, which means the kingdom or land of the dead. Tartaros is
translated "avgrunnen"  meaning abyss. (Just as a curiosity. I'm not
that good at English, so I use the Google translator as a helper. When
I use the translater and write dødsriket in Norwegian, it is
automatically translat hell)

Eventually I also started studying aion, and slowly but surely most of
my theology start faling  like a house build on sand.
But from the ruins of my old, manmade teology, emerged a divine light
and genuine conviction telling me that what I always had known deep in
my heart, was not heresy. No, indeed!! it was the only truth that
really can binge hope and joy to a humanity that are in distress
because of generations of religious misinterpretations and misunderstanding
of God's word and His love.

Carefully, I have begun to share these truths with some of my closest
friends. The strange thing is that everyone tells me the same thing. They
have don't really believed in hell, but they have not dared to talk to
anyone about it. I cry when I think about how many people are singing
about and talking about how Jesus has set them free. Yet they are not
free to talk about what really lies deep within their hearts.

I spoke with a young man about this a few days ago. I could see how he
lit up and he left with a new light in his eyes. The next day he
called me and told me that when he came home and sat down in his old
armchair, it felt as if a burden on many tons had fallen off his
shoulders He no longer had to to carry a burden of worries about what
would happen to his unsaved siblings, family and friends. It was no
longer his responsibility trying to "save" the world.

You know what - I can't stop talking about this wonderfull ligth. I
try to restrain myself when I talk to my friends about any everyday
topics. When someone talks about the weather, I want to talking about
the sun of Grace that never ceases to shine, and Gods rain of blessing
from above. When they talk about the economic crisis in Europe, I want
to talk about the wonderful future God has planned for all people
living on the earth. When they talk about cars, engines, oil and
gasoline, I want to talk about the power of the Lord and how He
anoints me with the oil of gladness. Well, I try to restrain myself,
but it's not easy. As it used to bee, I was always praying that the
Lord would give me power to witness to my unsaved friends about Jesus.
Now I  have to ask the Lord to help me restrain myself, if not they
are goint to think I have gone completely bananas.
I have to say like the Psalmist in psalm 45: My heart overflows with
sweet words, I say: My song is about a king, my tongue is like the pen
of a person who knows how to writh very fast.
That's how I feel. Finally I can share some sweet words with people
who have struggled with condemnation, fear and uncertainty. And when I
start talking about this, it feels like I can't stop.  I am so
grateful to God and to you who have shared these truths with me.

Now I have calls and SMS from several people who want to know more
about this. The good news are spreading like wildfire.  We gather a
few friends. Not more than 2-3 at a time. We do so, because I know
what will be the reaction from the established churches when they
learn what I am teaching. But when I see the light and joy in the eyes
of those who receive the truth, then I know I can't stop.

Finaly, people feel like they can be honest with themselves.
They are tired of attending meetings in the church. From the pulpit,
the only thing they hear is how terrible and wicked the world has
become. But fortunately we have our little christian club, which we
call the church. And while everyone else goes to hell,  at least we
are on the narrow path on our way to Gloryland. The only thing we can
hope and pray for, is that all the bad things that are outside the
church walls will not penetrate the walls of our cozy little
churchclub. When the meeting is over, people embark on a new week,
hoping they woun't commit too many sins during the week that lies in
front of them. At least, they will do the best they can....

From time to time there comes a preacher to the church, and he arrange
a seminar on how to live a biblical and spiritual family life. After
the speech is over, people sits in their pews with a bad conscience,
because they know they tend to watch a movie with their children on
saturday eavning. But of course they should have been  praying and
reading the Bible together. On their way out of the church, they buy the
new book the preacher has written, all about how things should be done.
On the back of the book is of course a picture of the preacher with
his beautiful wife and beautiful children. Then people go home with
their new book, and a lot of good iintentions. Now they will try their
best to become more spiritual minded.

Guess what. three weeks later there is a new preacher with a new book.
Now it's about how you can win your neighbors and friends for Jesus.
After a serious sermon about how dull and indifferent we have become,
knowing that people around us who are not saved, are on their way to
eternal damnation and a burning hell. Then all are invited to the alter of the church
to reconsecrate their lives, one more time. There are tears and
brokenness, because they all knows that they really should have been
more fervent and be more concern about the lost souls.
After church, they go home with a new book and new intentions. Now
they really are going to start evangelizing..... at least they are
going to do their best.

Guess what....... haha 
I have to stop now. You know how the wheel of traditional church life
spins around and around without getting anywhere. But we know;  Christ has set us free to live a free life.
So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. Gal.5:1 (The Message)

[dodrill]

Welcome new member from Norway
What a wonderful post - I'm new to the forum too
I'm here in Africa so our time zone is closer - looks like our brothers and sisters in America are still waking up 
My thought and prayers are with Ray's family and friends especially today as we unite in prayer and give thanks to our Lord for his mercies and faithful servants who bring Good News
Rest in peace Ray - till we meet again in Jesus

[virginiabm]

Hi everyone. I am so sad about Ray being gone, but I do know he is resting now. I am praying for his family and friends for their comfort at this time. I learnt many things from Rays teaching and I felt like I knew him, so I know I am in the right place with like minded people.  May god bless all of you and it is good to be among friends.


                      Virginia                           

[eggi]

Hi Wasco55,

I'm so glad to have another Norwegian here. Not too many!
It was very interesting what you shared about the vikings and their cold and foggy world. That is in fact closer to the interpretation of "hell" in many churches. An eternal place of mental misery and sadness.

God bless you,
Eirik

[cherokee]

Hey Wasco55,

Welcome to the forum from South Central Kentucky, USA.

Blessings,
Suzie

[lauriellen]

i loved reading your very interesting post. welcome to the forum and i look forward to your contributions here!
lauri

[Kat]

Hi Wasco55,
I'm glad you have joined us 
Yes to have your eyes opened to the truth is the greatest blessing anybody could hope to have. You seem to be having an unusal good response to this good news of the salvation of all and no hell fire damnation, people here tend to cling to their manmade doctrines. Well rejoice and praise God for all those that He is opening their eyes around you, that is such a wonderful thing.

This is a little meeting place for those of us who don't have other close by so fellowship with, it has been a great blessing to have like minded people here to share and discuss thes wonderful truths with. I hope you and your friends will find it so as well.

Here are links to the different boards that we have here, so you can see that the BT home site has much and here we have more to share.

Check out the forum rules, it will help you understand how this forum is moderated.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3.0.html
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4558.0.html
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3614.0.html

General discussion board, this is to ask questions and discuss what is presented at the Bible-truths.com site.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,3.0.html

Child board for General discussion board - FAQ
(most frequently asked questions)
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,23.0.html

Forum Indexes & Info.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,14.0.html

Ray's Videos
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8227.0.html

Ray's Audios 
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2641.0.html

Ray's 2008 Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8256.0.html

Transcripts of Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,12.0.html

Off Topic board, this is to discuss things that do not directly relate to BT, you will find a good bit of humor here.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,4.0.html

child board on Off Topic board
Inspirationals, Writings, Poems, Etc.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,15.0.html

Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship board, this is mostly for personal posts.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,5.0.html

Child boards (only available to members) on Testimonies board
Who Am I? (members pics and other stuff)
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,16.0.html

Members Recipes, for sharing recipes and food tips
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,22.0.html

mercy, peace and love
Kat

[Rene]

Welcome, Wasco55.  

Thanks for sharing your story.  It was very interesting to learn more about the connection between mythology and the christian world's assimilation of the word "hell" into their belief system.

I also enjoyed reading about your journey of enlightenment.  Isn't it amazing how God operates?  When He is ready to reveal truth to us, nothing or no one will stop us from learning it.

René

[Gina]

Welcome, Wasco55.  I'm glad you've discovered the truth of hell.  I can especially relate to what you said about wanting to share the good news with everyone and not wanting to talk about anything else upon discovering it.

Excellent reading your account.

[wasco55]

I'm so glad to have another Norwegian here. Not too many!
It was very interesting what you shared about the vikings and their cold and foggy world. That is in fact closer to the interpretation of "hell" in many churches. An eternal place of mental misery and sadness.

God bless you,
Eirik

Thanks to all for the warm words of welcome 

And, Erik - you are absolutely right on your comment about the kind og hell most people believe today.
At least in Norway there are not to many who preach a fiery hell anymore.
Now they have launched what I call a "hell light". It sounds a bit better than a burning hell, but still it's a hell

[HoneyLamb56]

Welome Wasco55...from Ontario Canada; very interesting reading of your introduction

[gmik]

hello from Michigan USA.. thank you so much for sharing- I love hearing the old viking history...great testimony in the midst of some sadness over Ray's passing....

[mmijares]

Wasco... Hey, welcome!  I was in the Pentecostal too.

Keep reading..
-Mike

[Dave in Tenn]

Wonderful to hear from you.  I so much relate to your description of the roller-coaster of church life, and also to your comment about hell-light.  This also seemed to be the message of my last church...seperation, sadness, remorse forever and ever.  To this day, I feel certain that my ex-pastor had 'problems' with the doctrine of hell.  He rarely even preached on it.  I think he was either fearful or unable to find the truth. but I believe he would have liked to.  Maybe he even eventually did.

Anyways, I very much am encouraged by your testimony.  It's good to meet you.