The Reward of Discipleship
“It is enough for the disciple to become as his teacher,
and the slave as his lord…”
Matthew 10:25 (LITV)
Discipleship is not a short-term proposition or a part-time occupation. It requires all our focus and attention to be fixed upon the Master, who alone can transform a lost soul into a resemblance of His glory.
“Looking unto Jesus…”
Hebrews 12:2
We are exhorted to continue, abide, and persevere in our pursuit of Him. There is a press of His Spirit, a continual call for us to “behold” Him, to taste and see His goodness. The transformation of our being can only be obtained by a constancy of heart driven by a growing comprehension of our need for change. Seeing Him makes us aware of the vast difference between who HE IS and what we are.
“and we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the LORD in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD”
2 Corinthians 3:18 (LSV)
The disciples who stand at the gate, who hold fast in the mundane, in the trials and siftings, and have learned to persevere through their own unfaithfulness and glory in His grace to sustain them. The accompanying loneliness and sorrow will not deter their ardent need for Him. The sojourner has a mark and a call that transcends time and personal failure. The desire for that fellowship of Spirit that enthralls and stirs the heart, where the liberty of His Spirit births expression of His Life between the members of His true Body, is the spring from which the exhortations flow.
The most subtle trial of the disciple may be the temptation to linger in former things, like the eddies of a river that get caught up in something other than the flow of Him in the present truth. He is ever moving in the unfolding of His purposes. It is the responsibility of disciples to keep their eyes upon Him ready to forsake the former things of His goodness to remain in the present tense of relationship.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
To linger is to become stagnant. To grow weary and withdraw from the encouragement and exhortation of others is to fail Him in this day of obscurity. Being affected by others’ responses is a symptom of our eyes wandering from Him. In the deep places of our hearts, we hear the whispers of His Spirit calling us to persevere in faithfulness to Him.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10
The disciple in whom the love of God resides will look for every opportunity to DO good. It seeks every opportunity to extend His goodness and to exhort His own to rise up and follow Him diligently. The motive behind every expression of the disciple is to bring honor to their Lord and Master. There is a singular and unified desire in those whom He has captured. The word of the Lord becomes a song welling up with heartfelt passion:
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
but unto Thy Name give glory”
Psalm 115:1
Let the builders build. Let the names of those who seek their own significance and place of honor do so. The disciple has been weaned from such aspirations and knows, in some measure, the vanity and sorrow associated with these pursuits. The disciple cannot rest in only a partial conquest of Him within their own lives.
“As for me, I will behold Thy Face in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.”
Psalm 17:15
May we be held in the tenacity of His love and call to remain faithful.
“It is enough for the disciple to become as his teacher,
and the slave as his lord…”
Matthew 10:25 (LITV)
What one pursues is the revelation of the heart’s true love.
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Related Post: Reputation and Discipleship
“SERVICE TURNS INTO RULE. The soldier in the ranks becomes an officer of the army; the apprentice becomes the master; by long and faithful service in any one of the fields of human activity we prepare to rule. Thus is it in the spiritual realm. Obedience to Divine law turns into a perfect self-command, which is another name for liberty. And a lifelong service of Jesus Christ will turn to an occupancy of that heavenly sphere for which our fidelity shall have fitted us; the “faithful and wise servant” his Lord will “make ruler over all his goods” (Mat 24:45-47). Faithful service here “turns to” happy and helpful rule hereafter.”
– The Pulpit Bible
†
The Reward of Discipleship
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom His master has set over His household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom His master will find so doing when He comes. Truly, I say to you, He will set him over all His possessions.”
Matthew 24:45-47 (ESV)
Brian Troxel
Brian, I’ll reblog this tomorrow. It says what I hope most of us feel. The role of the disciple often feels lonely, but it is good to know brothers like yourself are together with us on this way to which we are called. Well stated brother.
Thank you – there is an unseen bond between those who travel the narrow way and yet it leads us to knowing Him who went before us and has secured a blessing for the lonely, the ostracized, and the faithful!
Blessings my friend
BT
I’ve been realizing more and more how disconnected believers are from a true relationship with God.
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 KJV
Worshipping him in spirit seems like it has been taken into understanding that we must worship him in spirit, but the “truth” part seems to be evaded by all the rituals and formulas of worship, so that connecting with God is relegated to mere moments.
It’s no wonder that the church lives life without real pursuit of God, without a thirst and hunger, without all the hallmarks of being in love with him.
You continue to breathe life with your words.
Bless you brother.
Thank you for the kind comment and encouragement. The hope of the Church is in the ministration that proceeds from those who declare boldly that which “they have seen and heard”. May the Lord empower you to be s faithful voice in the place He has planted you!
Grace to you,
BT
Ii believe that is the difference, to see and hear from God. Bless you brother.
I Prayed The Prayer
I had a dream 05/30/2015 just before waking. In the dream I saw a long line of people, a very long line.I could not count how many were in this line. I would liken it to the line you would see if a movie star were in town and people were waiting in line to see him/her. Hopefully this conveys the picture of what I saw in my dream.These people were all standing in line waiting to gain entrance. In each of their hands was a rolled up scroll. I was shown the words on the scroll which said ” I prayed the prayer”. This was the admission ticket, if you will, that the people in the line were trusting in to gain entrance into heaven. Then I saw a large hole and these people were bring cast into this hole. The hole i am guessing was hell.
The scroll that each one tightly held onto and trusted in did not gain them the entrance into heaven as they believed it would. Jesus is the only way into heaven.
1Jo 2:3-6
The Test of Knowing Him
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
(NKJVS)
How many people think that they’re saved because they prayed the prayer that a pastor had them pray with, “every head bowed and every eye closed”, God forbid that they should make a public decision to leave their life of sin and follow Christ.
How many pastors will go through eternity, providing they make it themselves, living with the fact that those he/she had, “pray the prayer”, and never were made disciples of Jesus and never taught that they must leave their life of sin now are burning in an eternal hell
https://tpuccio.wordpress.com/2015/05/30/i-prayed-the-prayer/
Brother, beloved and esteemed, hell is eternal?
What does the word ‘perish’ mean to you in for instance John 3:16?
Please carefully consider that he Greek word often translated “forever” or “everlasting” or “eternal” (aion) MORE LITERALLY means “age”, referring to a lengthy but limited period of time. WHEN the adjective aionios, meaning everlasting is used in Greek with nouns of action it has reference to the RESULT of the act, NOT the PROCESS. The phrase (1) everlasting punishment is comparable to (2) everlasting redemption and (3) everlasting salvation, all Scriptural phrases. All three according to the correct usage of Greek are in reference to the result, not the process. The lost shall not be in punishment forever but will be punished once and for all with eternal RESULTS.
Grace to you and peace be multiplied from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
A word of warning to the Church!
BT
It is a day of great deception where salvation has been rendered to a mere confession of words rather than being evidenced by changed lives by the power of the living Christ. The Day of the Shepherd is upon us where the sheep and the goats are separated and as Malachi declares:
“Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” Mal. 3:18
Blessings
BT
Amen, Amen, Amen! Behold…
Blessings today!
Thank you for stopping by.
Be blessed in Him
BT
Brother, beloved and esteemed, hell is eternal?
What does the word ‘perish’ mean to you in for instance John 3:16?
Please carefully consider that he Greek word often translated “forever” or “everlasting” or “eternal” (aion) MORE LITERALLY means “age”, referring to a lengthy but limited period of time. WHEN the adjective aionios, meaning everlasting is used in Greek with nouns of action it has reference to the RESULT of the act, NOT the PROCESS. The phrase (1) everlasting punishment is comparable to (2) everlasting redemption and (3) everlasting salvation, all Scriptural phrases. All three according to the correct usage of Greek are in reference to the result, not the process. The lost shall not be in punishment forever but will be punished once and for all with eternal RESULTS.
Grace to you and peace be multiplied from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am quite familiar with this concept and have looked into much of the Greek associated with these things. My own understanding of “eternal judgements” are unformed as I see very little relevance to my own personal walk nor do I see little relevance to the day we are in. God, the God of all mercy and righteousness will execute His judgements with equity and my opinions in the matter will hold little value to anyone.
In Hebrews 6 the Lord declares a sequence of His revelation to us:
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” Heb. 6:1-3
1. Foundation of repentance from dead works
2. Faith toward God
3. The doctrine of Baptisms (plural – water and Spirit)
4. Laying of of hands (representing the Divine enablement to impart the Life and the Call of Christ to another)
5. Resurrection of the Dead
6. and of eternal judgments
7. This will we do “if God permit”
God’s revelations to us are based on our ability to discern with a trustfulness. Just previous to this unfolding the writer of Hebrews exclaims:
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” Heb. 5:14
This is the verse just prior to Hebrews 6:1-3 and unfortunately there is a chapter division that breaks up the flow of the Spirit by which they are connected. There was a time when I pursued these things but I came to the conclusion that they held no impact on how I live my life. I do not serve Him because I fear His judgments as much as I fear displeasing Him and dishonoring Him.
I offer His salvation to others on the basis of the privilege and the joy of knowing Him and that He can and will deliver them from the torments and the wages of all sin brings to His creation. In the ministration of the Spirit of Peter’s first sermon in the Book of Acts the power of the Holy Spirit brought conviction and only as each of us finds that place of moving in Him will the church return to the pure ministrations of the power and the unction of the piercing truth of the Living Christ.
A powerful truth that brought tremendous peace in my own heart and settled me in the knowing that truth, my truth would be on the basis of my relationship with Him not on the outcome of my endeavors to “know something”.
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me” Ps. 131:1
I believe in a severity of judgment for believers “for to whom much is given much is required”. The more living truth we receive of Him the more we are accountable to Him. If He has given me two talents His expectation is four… My heart desires to be a worthy investment of His grace.
The truth is that they which knew His Will and did not do it will receive greater punishment from Him than to those who knew not:
“And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:47-48
How little of this truth is known by those who claim His truths! The fear of the Lord is greatly lacking in our day amongst those who claim to be the called.
Paul declared we are not to judge the world that is God’s domain but we are to judge those who are in the church which is the opposite of what the church practices today.
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
1 Corinthians 5;11-13
The perversion of these things is why the church has become defiled, unholy and ineffective in the shining forth of His glory in our day and in our land. It is time for us to take ownership of what we have allowed in our midst.
One final thought on this perspective is that there are many I know who have embraced this doctrine and there is not one of them whose children are serving or walking with God (well over 100) and some of them are walking loosely in this world with compromise and hypocrisy. The fruit of this is evidence that there is some missing elements of its power in the current understanding.
Any teaching that diminishes the fear of the Lord in our midst (in this day) is not the present truth of Him. The church as a whole has not come to the maturity to receive His truth concerning “eternal judgments” and therefore I must limit my own expression of Him to what I have seen and heard of Him.
One thing I hold dear to my heart; as Stephen was being stoned he uttered an astounding statement: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge…” The thing that struck me was he was not merely forgiving them on a personal level he was asking God to forgive them and to remember not their murderous spirit. I know of many Christians who hold onto the thought of the sore judgment some will receive for their great sins when we are to be held in the Spirit of Christ who spoke to His Father “Father forgive them for they know not what they do…” And it is this Spirit of grace that I am in pursuit of Him to know in a spontaneous expression… that I know I have yet attained to… but I press on for His dominion over all of me.
I have no arguments nor points to debate on this subject it is far to high for me at this time.
Blessings to you my brother
BT
As for Abraham, the father of our faith and the friend of God, so also for us, our exceeding great and eternal Reward is absolutely no less than God Himself, the Arch-altruistic, all good, all gracious, all glorious always.
No richer reward could our God, our ardently affectionate Abba give, than Christ sacrificially for us to eternally live, the sinless, suffering Son of His love, His darling Deity from holy heaven above.
The Christocentric purposefulness of the human creation is to identify by and intimately interrelate in unadulterated union and covenant communion with the Creator in Christ as a royally ravished radiance of His honor, His holiness, His happiness.
Exulting in and extolling by both word and deed the One Beautiful God as infinitely more excellent and endlessly more enjoyable than the grand sum of all creation that is, and was, and ever shall be is HIS ineffably deserving reward.
If seeking validation or approval from others rather than from God, our exceeding great and eternal Reward, we are warpedly looking away from Jesus’ face, vainly preferring another’s embrace, for our satisfying sense, our pleasing purpose, our heavenward happiness.
Whether for moments or months, we have thus strayed and not stayed between the ditches devilishly dug, short of satisfied with the superscendent Son, Who is most marvelously more splendorous and sane in every sphere than any and all the sons of men.
Amen – aptly and wonderfully shared!
Mark 9:43-44 (NKJV) 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
If hell is not eternal then there should be no fear of eternal punishment. You are mistaken in your translation. Jesus spoke extensively about hell. If it were not a place of eternal torment He would not have issued so many warnings. You are preaching a false gospel . I would encourage you to seek the Lord’s interpretation of His Word and get His perspective.
I do believe in the severity of His judgments and that to those who were offered the knowledge of His WAY and turned from it greater will be the weight of His judgments.
“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them”
2 Peter 2:21
How little the church perceives the word “commandment” delivered unto them. The false gospel of today presents “choices” with little consequences…
Blessings
BT
Amen. The false mega grace gospel that teaches hell is not eternal and sin does not need to be repented of will damn many believers and those who teach them to the hell they claim doesn’t exist.
To preach or teach hell as eternal is to majorly misrepresent the Creator’s character. The tyrannical teaching of unmercifully everlasting suffering has done most probably more to drive people to atheism, agnosticism, false religions, and into instability and insecurity than any other damnable doctrine of demons. Such is sinister slander against our gracious Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, the One Triune God Who Is Love, Omnipotent, Omnibenevolent, Jesus, the Holy One and Just, the Friend of sinners. So what do you honestly, sanely, in good faith expect!?
This diabolical dealing is the wicked work of the father of lies, jealous of Jesus, and has done untold damage to the noble Christian cause. Those who insist that hell is never ending have no more than merely an inkling of the weight and implications of that course for which they so crudely contend.
I recommend you research seriously the horrid history post-Paul of the sinister steps and egregious events that instigated the church’s introduction to and insidious invasion of the damnable doctrine, the hellish heresy of cruelty that hell is never ending.
For the love of the Truth and the glory of God, so help us Lord Jesus.
Burning blessings of Jesus’ beauty in your being and intimate blessings of affection from His holy heart as King of heaven.
The Greek word “aion” (and its adjective “aionian”) is mostly translated “eternal,” “everlasting,” and for “ever.” Certain translations correctly read “age-abiding,” “age-during,” or “eon.”
“Robert Young, author of the highly respected Young’s Analytical Concordance, in his literal translation of the Bible, always translates them as ‘age’ and never once as ‘everlasting,’ or ‘eternal.’”
In Word Studies in the New Testament, by Marvin Vincent, D.D., Baldwin Professor of Sacred Literature at Union Theological Seminary, New York, explained:
Aion, transliterated aeon, is a period of longer or shorter duration, having a beginning and an end, and complete in itself. Aristotle (peri ouravou, i. 9, 15) said, “The period which includes the whole time of one’s life is called the aeon of each one.” Hence, it often means the life of a man, as in Homer, where one’s life (aion) is said to leave him or to consume away (Il v.685; Od v.160). It is not, however, limited to human life. It signifies any period in the course of the millennium, the mythological period before the beginnings of history. The word has not “a stationary and mechanical value” (De Quincey). It does not mean a period of a fixed length for all cases. There are as many aeons as entities, the respective durations of which are fixed by the normal conditions of the several entities. There is one aeon of a human life, another of the life of a nation, another of a crow’s life, another of an oak’s life. The length of the aeon depends on the subject to which it is attached.…The adjective aionious in like manner carries the idea of time. Neither the noun nor the adjective, in themselves, carry the sense of endless or everlasting. They may acquire that sense by their connotation….Aionios means “enduring through” or “pertaining to a period of time.” Both the noun and the adjective are applied to limited periods….Out of the 150 instances in LXX, [Greek Old Testament] four-fifths imply limited duration. For a few instances, see Gen. xlviii. 4; Num. x. 8; xv. 15; Prov. xxii. 28; Jonah ii.6; Hab. iii. 6; Isa lxi. 17 (Vincent, Marvin. Word Studies in the New Testament. 1887. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1973. 58-59)
Study the N. T. use of aion. Does “eternity” make sense in the following passages?
The Greek word aion has been translated with the English word “eternity.”
¨ What will be the sign…of the end of the eternity (Mt. 24:3)?
¨ I am with you…to the end of the eternity (Mt. 28:20).
¨ The sons of this eternity are more shrewd (Lu. 16:8).
¨ The sons of this eternity marry (Lu. 20:34).
¨ Worthy to attain that eternity (Lu. 20:35).
¨ Since the eternity began (Jn. 9:32; Ac. 3:21).
¨ Conformed to this eternity (Ro. 12:2).
¨ Mystery kept secret since the eternity began but now made manifest (Ro. 16:25-26).
¨ Where is the disputer of this eternity (1Co. 1:20)?
¨ Wisdom of this eternity, nor of the rulers of this eternity…ordained before the eternities…which none of the rulers of this eternity… (1Co. 2:6-8)
¨ Wise in this eternity (1Co. 3:18).
¨ Upon whom the ends of the eternities have come.
(1Co. 10:11)
¨ God of this eternity has blinded (2Co. 4:4).
¨ Deliver us from this present evil eternity (Ga. 1:4).
¨ Not only in this eternity but also in that which is to come (Ep. 1:21).
¨ Walked according to the eternity of this world (Ep. 2:2).
¨ In the eternities to come (Ep. 2:7).
¨ From the beginnings of the eternities (Ep. 3:9).
¨ Hidden from eternities…but now…revealed (Col. 1:26).
¨ Loved this present eternity (2Ti. 4:10).
¨ Receive him for eternity (Ph.1:15). Does this mean forever or only until Onesimus dies?
¨ Powers of the eternity to come (He. 6:5).
¨ At the end of the eternities (He. 9:26).
¨ We understand the eternities have been prepared by a saying of God (He. 11:3).
How can we say…
¨ “Before eternity” or “eternity began”? Eternity has no beginning (Jn. 9:32; Ac. 3:21; 1Co. 2:7; Ep. 3:9).
¨ “Present eternity,” “eternity to come,” and “end of eternity?” Eternity transcends time. Only God is eternal (Mt. 24:3; 28:20; 1Co. 10:11; 2Ti. 4:10; He. 6:5; 9:26).
¨ “This eternity,” “that eternity,” or “eternities”? There is only one eternity (Lu. 16:8; 20:34-35; Ro. 12:2; 1Co. 1:20; 2:6-8; 3:18; 10:11; 2Co. 4:4; Ga. 1:4; Ep. 1:21; 2:2, 7; 3:9; Col. 1:26; 2Ti. 4:10; He. 11:3).
¨ “Eternal secret” if the secret is revealed? (Ro. 16:25-26; Col. 1:26). It is no longer a “secret” at that point.
¨ Onesimus will be Philemon’s slave for eternity? Is he still his slave (Phil. 1:15)?
The Word of God is a spiritual book written by men whom the Holy Spirit inspired to do so. To interpret scripture apart from the Holy Spirit is foolish as human intellect in incapable
2 Peter 1:20 (TPT) 20 You must understand this at the outset: Interpretation of scriptural prophecy requires the Holy Spirit, for it does not originate from someone’s own imagination.
The Word of God, as it states below, was written by men moved upon by the Holy Spirit. To attempt to interpret a spiritual book apart from the Holy Spirit is foolish and also deadly.
2 Peter 1:20 (TPT) 20 You must understand this at the outset: Interpretation of scriptural prophecy requires the Holy Spirit, for it does not originate from someone’s own imagination.
1 Timothy 4:1 (Passion Translation NT)
1 The Holy Spirit has explicitly revealed: At the end of this age, many will depart from the true faith one after another, devoting themselves to spirits of deception and following demon-inspired revelations and theories.
Jesus plainly stated that His sheep knew His voice. If a doctrine bring espoused is of God the Holy Spirit within will bear witness.
🙏🙏🙏
A brother whom I loved and enjoyed fellowship with cut off his finger because of misbelieving the same false interpretation of dark dogma that you erroneously hold to.
Study the words ‘forever’ ‘everlasting’, and ‘eternal’ in Hebrew/Greek and their usage in various other passages not referring to hell or heaven, such as the mountains in Psalms and Jonah in the belly of the whale. In those two examples, even in English the words everlasting and forever cannot carry the definition commonly ascribed to hell.
Willfully, you ignore the original Greek language from which Christ the living Word, by His Spirit, gave us the written Word concerning hell. Such is linguistically, theologically, and spiritually negligent.
You write, “If it were not a place of eternal torment He would not have issued so many warnings.” Sure as hell, hell is a conscious state
of extreme anguish, agony, and pain of spirit, soul, and body as punishment. For there to be many warnings about the severity of suffering in hell, hell need not be, nor is it, in actuality, everlasting. Certainly as compassionate as Christ, Who is Love, is, He warns against the trouble and torment of hell. But eternal or everlasting or forever, hell is not.
Show us explicitly that the Greek word often translated as “forever” or “everlasting” or “eternal” (aion) does not MORE LITERALLY mean “age”, rightly referring to a lengthy but limited period. Confident in Christ, I am that you cannot correctly do so.
As honestly intended that your meaning may be, it is a nescient affront to the nature, character, and attributes of the Creator, revealed of Himself by the Spirit of holiness and truth throughout Scripture.
Please, what is your definition of the word ‘perish’ as used in the context of John 3:16?
Grace and peace multiplied from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 12:5 (NKJV) 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
(CWSB Dictionary)
762. ἄσβεστος ásbestos; gen. asbéstou, masc.-fem., neut. ásbeston, adj. from the priv. a (G0001), without, and sbénnumi (G4570), to quench. Not to be quenched, unquenchable, inextinguishable (Matt. 3:12; Mark 9:43, 45; Luke 3:17 [cf. Matt. 18:8]). In all three instances, it describes the fire that burns the chaff separated from the wheat, the chaff therefore being useless and worthy only of burning (Matt. 3:12). This fire is representative of the means of punishment for those who will not believe, represented by the phrase kaí (G2532), and, and purí, the dat. of púr (G4442), fire, kaí purí, “and with fire.” Here first are presented those who will be baptized in the Holy Spirit, meaning those who will be accepted by Christ and baptized by Him with the Holy Spirit into His body (1 Cor. 12:13). Those who are not baptized into the body of Christ are the unbelievers and their fate will be punishment by fire, even as befalls the chaff. The verb used in Matt. 3:12 for this burning is katakaíō (G2618), to burn down completely. Lest the misunderstanding occur that this verb katakaíō (in the fut. indic., katakaúsei, will burn completely at an indef. time in the future) means annihilation of the unbelievers, and not a permanent and changed state of being involving punishment and pain, the adj. asbéstō, unquenchable, is added to explain the verb. It thus characterizes the fire as unquenchable, i.e., inextinguishable. Thus, if the fire burns inextinguishably, then the punishment is without end. In Matt. 3:10, the statement is “and is cast into the fire.” This does not intimate that the unfruitful tree is annihilated. In Mark 9:43, 45, the expression, “the fire inextinguishable” (a.t.) definitely refers to and qualifies Gehenna (Géenna [G1067]) as the place of everlasting punishment. The expression in Luke 3:17 is similar to the one in Matt. 3:12.
In this verse which you cite, I see no mention of duration. No one here has denied the existence of hell, including myself.
Read the Greek…..it says Perpetual and unquenchable
Matthew 18:8 (NKJV) 8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
(CWSB Dictionary)
166. αἰώνιος aiṓnios; gen. aiōníou, masc.-fem., neut. aiṓnion, adj., also fem. aiōnía, neut. aiṓnion, from aiṓn (G0165), age. Eternal, perpetual, belonging to the aiṓn (G0165), to time in its duration, constant, abiding
I was referring to your quoting Luke 12:5
It says to fear Him who has the power to cast into hell..
(Olive Tree Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary)
g0762. ἄσβεστος asbestos; from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 4570; not extinguished, i.e. (by implication) perpetual: — not to be quenched, unquenchable.
Matthew 3:12 (NKJV) 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Go back and read the gospels. Jesus talked about hell more than he did about heaven. You are living a life of immorality hence your trying to make your narrative of hell to be true when it’s not. According to your narrative Sattan and the demons that followed him will be restored to heaven as well. It is you who preach a doctrine of demons. Hell is real and is a place of eternal punishment just as heaven is real and is a place of eternal joy and peace. You slander Jesus death on the cross by saying hell is not eternal. Christ came to restore our relationship with the Father. If hell is not eternal and is not only punishment but eternal separation from God then Christ died for nothing. The gospel you preach is heresy.
💗💜❤️
Blessed and Happy afternoon 🌞
Greetings 🏵️🌹🌸💮🫂
Blessings 🙂
BT