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Many of our readers do not have access to any libraries of much size. You might be interested in what some of the earlier writers believed.

In “The Duration and Nature of Future Punishment” by Henry Constable (1868), we find a little table of early writers and their views on this subject. The death date of each is given.

Barnabas (90), Clement of Rome (100), Hermas (l04), Ignatius,Martyr (107), Polycarp,Martyr (147). Justin,Martyr (164), and Theophius, of Antioch (183); all held to the Scriptural view that the supreme penalty for all who did not have life was eternal death.

Then came a couple of minor writers:

Athenagoras (190) and Tatian (200), who were steeped in the Greek philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. The Greeks got their ideas from Babylon. So these two advanced the idea of the immortality of the soul (Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:). Their writings were not taken too seriously and they were considered more or less as heretics.

Two more writers, true to the Word, came in about this time. They were Irenaeus, Martyr (202) and Clement Alexandrinus (212).

Then the Greek influence again was felt. Tertullian (235) not only came out with the theory of the immortality of the soul, but he also taught the eternal conscious torment of the lost. This idea came especially from the Greek myths, which they themselves did not believe. They were simply stories to entertain. Hippolytus (240) followed with the same ideas.

This was so revolting to Origen (253) that he invented the idea of universal restoration because he accepted the theory of the immortality of the soul. Something had to be done with the soul. Since man had become as God, (another lie of Satan), and had immortality and could not die, even God not having power to destroy him, there was a question of what to do with man.

Arnobius {303) still held to the teaching of the Scriptures. He was about the last of those who had the truth. Then followed Augustine {430). He fastened both false teachings, the immortality of the soul and the eternal conscious torment of the wicked, on to the church and it has stuck till now. It is so strongly imbedded that no reformation seems to be able to eradicate it.

Now you can begin to see why there is so little said today about resurrection. It is not needed by an immortal soul. Why bother with a body?

The dream of men in past ages was that there might be some way to obtain immortality. Some philosophers dreamed that man had an immortal soul. But they did not know God, nor His Word.
Only One has had immortality so far. That is the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

That which is immortal cannot die. It is not subject to death. It is man’s desire. Can it be obtained by mortal man? Do the Scriptures hold out any hope that man could ever become immortal? Yes. But this obtaining of immortality is only on God’s terms, not by any philosophies or of the heathen or any creeds. It is only reasonable that one must partake of the divine nature in order to have a resurrection and immortality. The idea that Achilles should be mortal in his heel shows the foolishness of the heathen mind. True immortality has been brought to light only by the gospel. It is incorruption.
2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

The traditions of men and their religious institutions tell us that immortality is put on at death. But that is contrary to Scripture. There we are told that the dead shall be raised incorruptible. Then is when this mortality puts on immortality and this corruption puts on incorruption, and not some time before.
1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

So the early writers knew The Truth and taught what Jesus Christ and the apostles taught, shouldn’t we?
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

About the Author

Paul Griffitts a Bibical Researcher for over 30 years
Currently Paul is the Editor of The Good News Letter for Believer.com
Click here for Free eBook Two Natures in the Child of God

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Sakyamuni Buddha was born more than 2,500 years ago in the ancient city of Kapiro. His father was King Gingwan. At the age of twenty, after he fathered a son, at midnight, he left home to search for the truth. At the age of thirty five, he received initiation of Tao from Buddha Dipankara in spirit and was enlightened. He then started the teaching of Truth for more than forty years.

Buddha Sakyamuni revealed the secrets of the timing for the general propagation of Tao and its profound impact on people who would be inspired with belief when his disciple Subhuti asked, “World honored one, will there always be men who will truly believe after coming to hear these teachings?”

Buddha answered, “Subhuti, do not utter such words! At the end of the last five hundred year period following the passing of the Tathagata, there will be self controlled men, rooted in merit, coming to hear these teachings, who will be inspired with belief. But you should realize that such men have not strengthened their root of merit through one, two, three, four, or five Buddhahoods, but through countless Buddhahoods; and their merit is of every kind. Such men, coming to hear these teachings, will have immediate uprising of pure faith. Subhuti, the Tathagata clearly understands and sees these people who will attain infinite prosperity and virtue.”

In the tenth chapter of the Great Collection of Lunar Treasure Sutra, Buddha is reported as saying after his death that there would be five successive periods, each of 500 years. These periods are as follows:

1] Period of Enlightenment or Salvation

2] Period of Meditation

3] Period of Learning

4] Period of Temple Building and

5] Period of Dissension and Decay of Faith.

If we look carefully, there is a general degradation of the faith through the time after Buddha Sakyamuni returned to Void or Heaven of Truth.

We are now in the last period of Dissension and Decay of Faith after 2,500 years. Buddha has revealed the coming of the true transmission of Tao during this period. The main reason that people will be inspired with belief when they receive transmission of Tao is because they have been cultivating and preparing spiritually through countless lives of incarnation. These people will be able to have immediate uprising of pure faith and by cultivating and propagating Tao, they will attain prosperity and virtue.

Buddha Sakyamuni left behind a very important Buddhist symbol. This symbol hides the true meaning of the path of Tao to Buddhahood. Likewise Jesus Christ also left behind a crucifix symbol in the form of a cross. Both symbols are Heavenly secrets leading to the Truth of life.

The last message left by Buddha to his disciples between two bodhi trees outside the city of Guniro at the foot of Snow Mountain 2,500 years ago carries great meaning in the teaching of Tao. This is a teaching by my Heavenly Teacher JiGong;

“Undergoing the difference of time and space, words that one utters at the current level of awareness may have changed in half a year. But still, the voice of the heart right at this moment must be expressed outward. Then only can it be converted into energy and be digested (dissolved and transformed).

During this final stage of Universal Transformation, we all belong to a group that strives upward for the Way to Full Enlightenment and works downwardly to carry numerous beings across the bitter sea of life.”

Time and space, it is said that all the words uttered by each person are within the Principle of “Yin” and “Yang.” Yin represents the earth, female, north, coldness, stillness and the gloomy and negative, etc. Yang represents the heaven, male, south, warmth, activeness and the bright and positive, etc. The last message by Buddha Sakyamuni explains a very deep meaning that one can attain Full Enlightenment at this final stage of Universal Transformation.

Author: T.A Chew

T.A Chew was advised that by initiation of Tao, he would be able to achieve Full Enlightenment similar to Buddha Sakyamuni, 2,500 years ago. This is the period of the general propagation of Tao and anyone can have the chance to be enlightened if he has the faith regardless of race and religion. Website: http://www.white-sun.com

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Many may wonder, what is this plan people of God are speaking of and, how does it work, and who does it work for. Some may say that it’s all the riches in the world, others may say it’s only for a certain culture or religion group. The Bible says it’s for all who acknowledges that Jesus Christ has came in flesh is from God. (1Jon 4:2) Plan in the dictionary explains it as meaning (organize, conceive, prepare, etc.) Well let’s see what the Bible says about God’s plan.

Look at Isaiah 45:21 it says Declare what is to be, present itlet them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no God apart from me, there is none but me. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked. Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength. All who have rage against him will come to him and be put to shame. But in the Lord all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.

Now look at Isaiah 46:8 it says Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels (turn away from, be unwilling, avoid, etc.)Remember the former things, those of long ago, I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

Look at Proverbs 19:20 it says Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life; Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Now look at Acts 5:38 it says Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.

Look at Acts 7:51 it says You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered himyou who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.

Now look at Acts 11: 17 it says So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God? When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.

Look at Isaiah 8:10 it says Devise your strategy, but it will now stand, for God is with us.

Now look at Jeremiah 9:23 is says This what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

Look at Romans 1:18 it says The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualitieshe eternal power and divine naturehave been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Now look at Ephesians 1:11 it says In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possessionto the praise of his glory.

In closing look at Proverbs 21:30 it says There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rest with the Lord.

Enjoy more reading at: http://www.hostinghelps.com/allaboutjesus

Always remember to read your Bible!!!!

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