Monthly Archives: August 2008
Spiritual Realms (Abaddon)
Abaddon
The term:
Abaddon is a Hebrew term, thus is constrained to the Old Testament, except for one occasion when the Hebrew term is referenced in the New Testament. It appears seven times in the bible. Since it is used so sparingly, this section will be able to examine each use of the term.
Abaddon is translated “destruction” throughout the NIV and KJV, except for the Revelation passage, where Abaddon is rendered in its native Hebrew, for obvious reasons we’ll examine in this section. Continue reading
Spiritual Realms (Hades)
Hades
The Term
Hades is a Greek word, thus appearing only in the New Testament, and then only ten times is it used. It is translated in the NIV as “the grave,” “the depths,” “death” or left in the original Greek as “Hades.” Also it is translated “Hell,” in Luke 16 (below), but in our modern understanding of that term, “Hell” is not the best translation (more on that later). Being a modern translation, this is an egregious miscalculation of the NIV. It is translated as “Hell” in all ten usages of the KJV, a much older translation. Continue reading
Spiritual Realms (Sheol)
Sheol
The Term
Sheol is a Hebrew term, found, of course, in the Old Testament. The term sheol literally means “the grave” or “the world of the dead.” It is frequently translated into English as “the grave” and at times, “Hell,” though “Hell” is not the best translation for modern English thought.
Sheol occurs over 60 times in the Old Testament. Continue reading
Spiritual Realms (Introduction)
Introduction
Many are the terms used in scripture to reference the other-worldly realms. These abodes include the habitations of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, and angels, both righteous and unrighteous. Some of these realms are temporary. Some permanent. And, in many cases an English rendering of scripture alone does not do justice to the interpretational necessities of the biblical student. At times it is unclear, for example, in the Old Testament whether one’s afterlife abode is “Hell,” as the King James Version may translate, or “the grave,” as the NIV may translate for the very same verse. The term “Hell” certainly brings a vivid picture of eternal destruction to the mind of the biblical student, while the terms “the grave” do not indicate such a specific judgment to have yet been rendered. Continue reading
The Rapture (the timing)
The Timing of the Rapture
The timing of the rapture is an issue of great debate among students of eschatology. And, in scripture there are very difficult texts which lend fuel to that debate. The primary distinction between the pretribulational view of this work and other views is the degree to which one agrees to literally interpret scripture. Views contrary to the pretribulational view at worst dismiss the literal interpretation of scripture and at best weaken it. Numerous texts, when taken literally, indicate a church which is not present during the distress of the Great Tribulation. Continue reading
The Rapture (our new natures)
The Nature of Our Resurrected Bodies
The nature of our raptured bodies is best understood from a text which does not specifically speak of the rapture, but rather, the spiritual body: Continue reading
The Rapture (the glorification)
Our Transformation
The next fascinating element of observation during the rapture event is a transformation which will occur to all who are taken to be with Christ. Just as humanity is given a body which is appropriate for life on earth, so the inhabitants of Heaven must be granted one which is equipped for life in Heaven. Continue reading
The Rapture (the process)
The Process
The process of the rapture is actually well catalogued in scripture as well. As with all things, here, too, the Lord is a God of great order and well placed step. Continue reading
The Rapture (the event)
The Rapture Event
The timing of the rapture is an issue of such great debate that eschatology is divided into groups over this issue. Likewise, the very existence of a rapture creates yet another division in eschatology. Continue reading
The Rapture (introduction)
Some students of God’s word are inhibited from believing in the rapture because the term does not appear in scripture. However, while the term does not appear, one must be careful to use such a litmus test for excluding doctrines which are otherwise taught. Another term which does not appear in scripture is the term “Trinity.” And, like a theological understanding of the trinity, one must come to understand the rapture systematically, through a full study of scripture, rather than from any singular scriptural text. Continue reading
