Two Major Misconceptions

Two major misconceptions are denying the resurrection and denying the existence of hell. These misconceptions are not only held by people like atheists, who do not believe in God at all -- that we would expect, but are held by people who would fall under the broad brush of "Christianity."

One might say how can it be?, but we must remember that even when the gospel is first being preached by God's hand-picked apostles, there were those -- INSIDE THE CHURCH -- who opposed them! Opposed them, opposed the truth -- God's word.  2 Timothy 4:14, 15;  3 John 9, 10.

In Mark 12:18-27, Jesus is confronted by the Sadducees, who the text says "say there is no resurrection." There is no mincing of words by them, and it is clear by the text they do not believe it at all. Jesus does not mince words either and begins his reply with "is this not the reason you are mistaken," and ends with "you are greatly mistaken." Jesus' reasoning sandwiched between those two chastisements is 1) The resurrection happens in the next age, and in that age there is no marriage, but those who attain to it are like angels in heaven. 2) God is the God of the living, and usingU the example of God speaking to Moses at the bush, God calls himself the God of Abraham. This signifies Abraham is living (his spirit is living) around 1400BC when this takes place (Abraham having died about 400 years earlier). This Jesus underscores by saying God (the God of Abraham) is the God of the living (Abraham), not of the dead.   

Matt 10:28, Jesus clearly teaches the existence of hell because after Jesus says not to fear man (those who can kill the body), he says to fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. Vine's dictionary has an excellent description of hell. It says: "Not the loss of being (consciousness), but of well-being." 

Not believing in things God himself has proclaimed is a very dangerous business. Both of these things Jesus would know of, and his answers are of one with authority; someone who has been in the unseen world and is revealing it. Rather than deny it, Jesus is the one who taught it!

We need to stand firm on the teaching of the author of our faith, because both of these things will come to pass. Jesus does not want us to be "greatly mistaken," that is why he took pains to teach these true doctrines. And that is why we need to pay careful attention, and believe them.                                                                               q

                                                                                             Ken Davidson