Nobody is ever sure what he means. But let me try to translate, having some experience in the study of bbyrdish.
He is commenting on the (apparent) universalist implications of your comment: that all will come to life in Christ. He wonders how, if that's the case, believers who will come to life in Christ can feel superior to unbelievers who will also come to life in Christ -- without paying their dues, so to speak.
And I think his comment is TIC, and he actually agrees with you. Not sure about that last bit.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Nobody is ever sure what he means. But let me try to translate, having some experience in the study of bbyrdish.
He is commenting on the (apparent) universalist implications of your comment: that all will come to life in Christ. He wonders how, if that's the case, believers who will come to life in Christ can feel superior to unbelievers who will also come to life in Christ -- without paying their dues, so to speak.
And I think his comment is TIC, and he actually agrees with you. Not sure about that last bit.
Death being cast into the lake of fire and brimestone signifies the very "state of death" being vanquished. This is in agreement with the following text:
1 Corinthians 15:25-27
King James Version (KJV)
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
Therefore the very "state of death" will no longer exist. This requires that all be brought to life...
I Corinthians 15:22-26
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
This theological truth isn't a problem for those who believe in universal reconciliation. However, it is problematic for those who do not. Because if anyone or anything remains in a state of death, death still reigns over them and has a hold on them... and is not vanquished. Annihilationists can remember those who once lived and consider that they are "dead"... see... death isn't destroyed. Or those who believe that the "second death" is unending torments may look out over the lake of fire and see those suffering the second death... see... "death" (the second death) still reigns over them too.
This is why the understanding that all will come to life in Christ is important to some. Because without it... death cannot be destroyed.
You presented it well, Aquila!! Why is it so difficult for some??
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off : it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched . 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off : it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched . 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out : it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
And you believe Jesus is advocating body mutilation, literally???
I say not!!
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
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