17-Q Who Framed Godapi.ning.com/.../17QWhoFramedGod.pdf!Jesus died –separated from the father –condemnation–our sin–upon Him 18 Q-17-018.jpg !Bible promises–Christ will establish

17-Q Who Framed God?

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(Appeal song: “Take My Life and Let It Be”) !Our topic tonight is: “Who Framed God?”

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!In–year 1741, in–small American town–Enfield, Mass. –revivalist preacher named Jonathan Edwards –stood up–began preaching what would become –famous sermon all around–world.

–Called it: “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

–Let me quote–bit–his description–God holding unrepentant sinners over–fires–hell:

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!“The God that holds you over–pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over a fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. . . . “There will be no end to [your] exquisite horrible misery. When you look forward, you shall see a long for ever of boundless duration before you, which will swallow up your thoughts, and amaze your soul; and you will absolutely despair of ever having any deliverance, any end, any mitigation, any rest at all.”

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!Friends, does–Bible teach–God–burn sinners–hell forever? –Does it teach–God–so angry–His wrath–never be satisfied? –Many preachers all around–world tonight–continue –preach–same doctrine–Jonathan Edwards preached. –They do all they can–make people afraid–hell –Think that–will make them straighten up–live right. –They want people–be afraid–God –Think that they will–live righteous lives–to–avoid hellfire. !But let me ask you: –How can we possibly preach–angry, vengeful God –yet also preach–God is love? –Does–Bible teach–God has some kind–split personality? –That He’s altogether loving part of–time –but can suddenly change into–raging tyrant –One who takes delight–inflicting eternal suffering –on–people He has created?

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!No wonder–world-famous philosopher–Bertrand Russell –turned away from Christianity in disgust. –He wrote–book called Why I Am Not a Christian. –In–book, he wrote: “There is one very serious defect to my mind in Christ’s moral character, and that is that He believed in hell. I do not myself feel that any person who is really profoundly humane can believe in everlasting punishment. . . . I must say that I think all this doctrine, that hell-fire is a punishment for sin, is a doctrine of cruelty. It is a doctrine that put cruelty into the world and gave the world generations of cruel torture; and the Christ of the Gospels, if you could take Him as His chroniclers represent Him, would certainly have to be considered partly responsible for that.”

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!Listen to another–those early revivalist preachers–Samuel Hopkins. –Here’s his description of–God’s ever-burning hell: “The smell of their torment shall ascend up forever in the sight of the blessed ... before their eyes.... This display of divine character and glory will be in favor of the redeemed and most entertaining, and the...”

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“...highest pleasure to those that love God ... Should the eternal torment, and fires be extinguished, it would in a great measure ... put an end to the happiness and glory of the blessed.” 7 Q-17-007.jpg

!Impossible! Joy of heaven–being with Jesus

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!Devil–wants–paint–distorted picture God –He wants to “frame” God for his own crimes. –make it look as if God–source of pain–suffering–death. –Devil wants people to fear God, knowing that –you can’t love someone you fear, –and you don’t fear someone you love. !One preacher said: “Hell is so hot that if you took the hottest fire on earth and put it in hell, it would immediately turn to ice.”

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!Many preachers are confused on this subject !They have imported–unbiblical doctrine –from middle ages–into Christian church 10 Q-17-010.jpg


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!Bible says–2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is...not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” !God takes no delight –men and women are lost –destruction of the wicked !Ours is a God–mercy, compassion, and love –no need–any to be lost

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!Why would God destroy sinners at all? –If God didn’t destroy sinners –prove He is compassionate?

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!Go back–creation –What Bible says–re: final destruction of sin !God created a perfect world –Sin–never in God’s plan–for earth –Our God of love–had emergency plan –plan to redeem sin and sinners

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!Destruction–against God’s character –Isaiah 28:21–describes–final destruction –God’s strange act –How does–destruction take place? 14 Q-17-014.jpg

!Let’s again go to Genesis –God created–perfect world

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!No sickness–suffering–heartache–sorrow–or death –When Adam and Eve sinned –Separated from God–the source of life

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!Bible says, in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death.” !Adam and Eve–plunged–planet into rebellion –Jesus–offered Himself–our salvation –Jesus lived–perfect life–Adam/Eve should have –Died–eternal death–we–are condemned

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!Jesus died–separated from the father –condemnation–our sin–upon Him

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!Bible promises–Christ will establish –new earth–restore Eden again

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!Story of the Bible is –Eden lost to Eden restored –through Christ on the cross !Sin is–a fatal inherited disease –takes life of sinner–without spiritual intervention !When Adam and Eve sinned –passed sin–disease–their posterity –Sin–deadly–malignant–will destroy Planet Earth !God designed–plan of salvation –antidote to sin–through Christ

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!Finally–God–purify earth of sin –if we reject–His love and redemption –we will be cut off–when He purifies the earth

!Bible–NOT teach –hell lasts–millions and trillions of years –hell is–hot spot–center of earth –where tonight–people are burning !Bible teaches –sin will be destroyed–end of the age –just before–God makes–all things new !I could never grasp–loving God –tormenting people–millions of years !I could understand–loving God –making provision–for all to be saved –destroying sin–those–who rejected salvation

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!Bible–very clear–Matthew 25:41 says: “...depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” !For whom is hell prepared? –Devil–his angels–those who persist–rebellion

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!You say, “Look, that text says ‘everlasting fire’.” –Hold that question–we’ll get to it !Please note... –God’s wants to redeem us –Those who reject His salvation –persist in rebellion–ultimately–be destroyed

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!When does hell occur? –Are people being tormented tonight? –Bible–very clear–about when hell occurs

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!Disciples asked Jesus–about–end of world

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!Jesus told a story–sower–went out to sow

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!Sower–sowed good seed –enemy sowed weeds–representing–all–is evil –Jesus told disciples–what–happen to sin

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!He said–Matthew 13:40: “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.” !When–weeds (sin) be burned? –end of the age

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–Hell is not now–hot spot–center of–earth

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!Complete destruction–wicked –at end of time

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!Bible says–2 Peter 2:9: “Then the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” 31 Q-17-031.jpg

!Note–unjust–“reserved” for punishment –Until when? “Until the day of judgment”

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!When a person dies –they sleep–rest–until resurrection !Remember–there are–two resurrections –resurrection of life–(First) –resurrection of damnation–(Second) !Bible says–righteous receive reward–second coming –wicked receive reward–end of thousand years–NOT at death

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!Bible says–Matthew 16:27: “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with his angels, then He will reward each according to his works.” 34 Q-17-034.jpg

!At death–we sleep–to first or second resurrection !Bible says–1 Thess. 4:16, 17: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, 35 Q-17-035.jpg

and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first...”

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“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

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And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

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!When Christ comes... –dead “in Christ” resurrected–first resurrection –Living righteous–join resurrected dead “in Christ” –caught up–meet Christ in the air !Live and reign with Him–for a thousand years –At the end–Holy City descends to earth –Wicked–resurrected–resurrection of damnation

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!John 5:28, 29 says: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming, in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice,

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And come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life;

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and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

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!Two resurrections: –Resurrection of life–beginning–thousand years –Resurrection of death–end–thousand years

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!Revelation 20:5 says: “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” 1. Wicked are resurrected–end of the thousand years 2. They attack–Holy City that’s descending 3. Fire comes down from God–devours them

–Wicked–destroyed–“end of the age”–not before

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!How complete is the destruction of the wicked?

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!Bible tells us–Matthew 25:46: “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” !There it is–that text says: “everlasting punishment.” –Doesn’t God punish–through ages of eternity? !Note: Does NOT say–everlasting punishing –Everlasting punishment–is punishment that–lasts forever –Results–are eternal –Wicked are consumed–cease to exist! –Results are eternal–God never has to do it again.

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!What about texts–Bible says: “eternal fire?” –Jude 7–talks about “...Sodom and Gommorah.” –cities–ancient Israel–near Dead Sea –practiced sexual immorality 47 Q-17-047.jpg

!“As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them ... having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh,

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are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” !Sodom and Gomorrah–example–destruction –occurs–end of time–with eternal fire. –shouldn’t they still be burning today? !An eternal fire need not be one that is continually burning.

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!Remember–angels–led Lot/family out of the city –Lot’s wife–looked back–instantly lost her life. !When you–put life–Christ’s hands–don’t look back –When Jesus–saved you–alcohol–drugs–tobacco–immoral living –led you to truth–at these meetings–do not look back

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!Bible says–fire came down–from God –devoured Sodom and Gomorrah

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!Bible describes–fire in 2 Peter 2:6: “and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly...” 52 Q-17-052.jpg


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!Concept–eternal fire–in the Bible –proceeds from–character of God –Who is–all-consuming fire–presence of sin –Eternal fire–destroys sin–eternally! !If wicked burned forever in hell it would mean they had “eternal life” –just living in a different location from righteous –But Bible teaches–only righteous have eternal life –Wicked don’t–eternal life...therefore–can’t burn forever !In presence–God–Sodom and Gomorrah –turned to ashes–made–example –those ignored–sovereignty of God !One day–will be consumed–fire of God’s presence –purifies–universe from sin –turns sin–sinners to ashes !Never again–rebellion or destruction–need to come !Somebody said–you don’t believe in hell! –No. Don’t believe God–torments people–millions of years !But–I DO believe–hell–much hotter–you believe in –Bible teaches–hell that gets job done –reduces sin and sinners–to ashes –Your hell–isn’t hot enough –just torments people–millions of years

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!Bible is plain on this subject... !Malachi 4:1 says: “For behold, the day is coming,...” –Has the day arrived yet? No. It’s in the future 54 Q-17-054.jpg


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“For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.

And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” !Will any trace of wickedness be found? No –No trace of sin

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!Bible says–plainly–Malachi 4:3: “And you shall tread down the wicked for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.”

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!Psalm 37:20 adds: “But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.” 57 Q-17-057.jpg

!Obadiah 16 (only one chapter in Obadiah): “...And they shall be as though they had never been.” !God gave everybody–opportunity to live –He created them–gave them–mind to reason –they rejected–sovereignty and love !He sent Jesus –lovingly wooed them–they rebelled–rejected His authority !God–committed–restoration–clean universe –no greed–lust–rebellion–sin –invites all–be part–His new kingdom.–must be accepted freely

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!Those who reject Him–eternal values He represents –at the end of time–finally consumed–burned up –Gone forever–as if–they had never been !People–asked–about another text –one–says hell is “forever and ever”

–According to the Bible –“What does the expression “Forever and ever” mean?

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!Revelation 14:11 says: “And the smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever;...”

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!Exodus 21:6...talks about a servant. It says: “...and he [a servant] shall serve him [his Lord/master] forever.” –Will we have slaves in eternity? God forbid –Servant–served master–as long as he lived

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!Bible says–1 Samuel 1:22: –Hannah–took Samuel–to temple– –“...there abide forever.” –Forever? Was Samuel–be–earthly temple forever? !Hannah–answered this–1 Samuel 1:28: –she said– –“...as long as he liveth...” he shall be lent to the Lord –“Forever”–in Bible–means –as long as one can live in that situation

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!Jonah 2:6–re: experience–belly–big fish, Jonah said: “I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me...”–for how long? “Forever” !Jonah said–I was in the whale “forever”

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!Jonah 1:17 already said: “And Jonah a was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” !How could “forever” be “three days and three nights”? –Only if you are confused !It’s clear in the Bible –Bible means by “forever” –Greek phrase–Matt. 12:32: “until the end of the age.” !Hannah–lent–son to Lord–as long as he lived–Until–end of–age !Servant–serve–master–as long as he lived–until–end of–age !Wicked are consumed–as long as they live–until–end of that age

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!“Forever and ever” is a biblical expression which means “until the end of the age,” not necessarily an infinite, unending period of time

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!Remember–prophecy –Jerusalem–would be destroyed

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!It is written in Jeremiah 17:27: “But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day,...” –Notice: Disobedience to God–very serious thing “...then I will kindle a fire in its gates,

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and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched..” !Bible says–the fire “shall not be quenched” –unquenchable fire–until nothing more to burn –punishment never needs to be repeated !Can soul–actually be destroyed–in hell?

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!Let Jesus answer–Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:

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but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” !Jesus said–God will destroy soul and body–hell –sin–totally destroyed –no vestige of sin remains

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!Ezekiel 18:4 says: “...the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” !Many prominent theologians–concluding –idea–immortal soul–doctrine–pagan origin 71 Q-17-071.jpg

!Article–quoted theologian–Dr. Hughs: “And Hughs argues that the traditional belief in unending punishment is linked to the erroneous belief in the ‘innate immortality’ of the soul...” 72 Q-17-072.jpg


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“...a belief, he says, that is based more on Plato than on the Bible. ‘The immortality of which the Christian is assured is not inherent in himself or in his soul but is bestowed by God, says Hughs.” !Plato taught–immortality of the soul

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!Paganism–source–many false doctrines –Sunday worship –Sprinkling of infants –Immortality of the soul –Never-ending hell

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!Ecclesiastics 9:5 says: “For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.” !If the dead–do not know anything–they’re not burning in hell –screaming in the flames –for death is but a sleep–until the resurrection

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!What about–parable–rich man and Lazarus –Isn’t–rich man–in hell? And isn’t Lazarus up in heaven? !Let me–refresh you. Jesus told a parable. It was...

1) The fifth in a series of parables 2) A common, Jewish traditional story 3) Here’s the story:

–rich man–sitting to eat –bedecked–long flowing robes–ornate jewels –by his table–beggar–Lazarus –rich man throws–crumbs–to Lazarus–finally–both die

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!In Judaism–idea existed–when you die–enter a tunnel –one way–tunnel goes–Abraham’s bosom–(not heaven!) –other way–goes–a place of torment !If you take story literally–you have a problem

–Believe–person heaven –watch–converse with–people burning–hell

–Is beggar–actually talking–people–screaming in the flames –Another problem–Abraham’s bosom–must be very big! –If it’s literal–not parable–you’ve got a problem. !If it’s–parable–then it’s–story that Jesus told –to make some points–What were these? !Jews said–riches–are sign of God’s pleasure –wealthy “going up” –poor villager sign God’s curse–“going down.” !Jesus said–rich man sitting at the table–poor beggar watching –Rich pharisees–saying, “that’s me”–I’m the rich man –Rich man dies–goes to heaven–poor man goes to hell !Jesus reverses story–poor man went up–rich man went down –wasn’t the way–supposed to happen

!The Lessons... –Riches are not always a sign of God’s favor –Poverty is not always a sign of God’s displeasure !Brief conversation–beggar and the rich man –Rich man says–“Hey, send somebody back–tell my brothers.” !Jesus delivers next lesson –There’s–great gulf fixed after death

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!There’s no second chance. –Parable–little nail–hang a picture–explain the lessons –Make your decision now–once you die, it’s sealed !Jesus–using–popular story–to teach a lesson –“Hey, Lazarus, you go from–dead,–you tell my brothers.” –If they don’t believe Moses and the prophets, they’re not going to believe someone rose from the dead !Jesus’ whole point in the story: –Those who reject scriptures –wont be convinced by miracles –Was there–real person–named Lazarus? –Did Lazarus die? Did Jesus resurrect him from the dead? –Did pharisees accept Him? No. They tried to stone Him

!The ancient prophets believed hell was total destruction –Want evidence? Here it comes: They’re consumed–Psalm 21:9 Evil-doers will be cut off–Psalm 37:9 The wicked will not be–Psalm 37:10 The wicked shall perish–Psalm 37:20 They shall consume away–Psalm 37:20 They shall be cut off–Psalm 37:22 The wicked shall be slain–Psalm 62:3 The wicked will He destroy–Psalm 145:20 The wicked are reserved to the day of judgment–Job 21:30 They will be burned them up–Malachi 4:1 The wicked shall be as stubble–Malachi 34:1 It shall leave them neither root nor branch–Malachi 4:1 They shall be ashes under foot–Malachi 4:3 Turning Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes–example to ungodly–2

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Peter 2:6 Fire came down from God out of heaven–devoured them–Revelation 20:9 !What does Bible teach? God does away with sin –God makes the universe clean again

!England faced–crisis–“Mad Cow Disease” –A incurable disease destroying the brain –Some evidence–transmitted to humans –some people had died 79 Q-17-079.jpg

!British government had to act –UK and Europe at risk.

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!British government decided–to slaughter five million cows in the next few years. The cost: $700 million

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!Some farmers–angry–government’s decision !Why did the government have to kill so many cows? !Disease–infect every cow –destroyed–entire herd –danger–disease–would spread to people –put Europe at risk !Did–government–want to destroy–cows? No !If–didn’t–population–England and Europe–at risk

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!God looks at universe says–in Ezekiel 18:32: “I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord.” !And–weeping God–looks at –men and women–rebelled against Him

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!Bible says–Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: let him return to the Lord,...”

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“...and He will have mercy on him: and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

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!One day–the holy city will descend –End–thousand years–wicked will be raised –Satan–and wicked–try take Holy City –Fire–come down from God–consume the wicked 86 Q-17-086.jpg

!With tears–agony in his voice–Jesus will say –“I wanted to draw you–embrace you–love you –for all eternity–I had such beautiful plans for you.” !We could... –walk streets of gold together –pick fruit from the tree of life together –fellowship with angels together

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!Every thought of the mind expanded –Every talent of the heart enhanced –Everything to bring joy and gladness –The full potential of human beings realized


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–God says, you threw it away !With a broken heart, I think I hear God crying. Then the end comes. !And God does–what only God can do –put an end to sin–put an end to suffering–put an end to sorrow !A broken-hearted God says to the whole universe: “Could I have done anything more to save them?” !And every knee will bow. And every tongue will confess. He is Lord! –Even the wicked will say, Lord, You couldn’t have done anything else to save me. I’m lost because of me. Not because of You. !Tonight, don’t throw it away. Don’t turn your back on Him. –Tonight as ______comes to sing, “Take My Life and Let It Be”–Why not just now bow your head in the quietness.


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!Why not say, Jesus, I’m Yours. –Jesus, I give my life to You. Take my life, and let it be consecrated to You. Take my hands and voice, my silver and gold, my will and my love. Take it all, Lord. I want to live for You,

Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee. Swift and beautiful for Thee. Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee. Filled with messages from Thee. Take my silver and my gold: Not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose. Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose. Take my will, and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne. It shall be Thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store; Take myself, and I will be, Ever, only, all for Thee. Ever, only, all for Thee.


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forever and ever. !One day, the universe will be clean. –Gladness and joy will fill the planet. Happy beings embracing in love. !God has wonderful plans for you. Plans you can’t imagine. Don’t throw them away. !As _______ sings, why not right now, in the quietness, bow your head and say, Jesus. I’m going to serve You forever. !Father, You are our Master. And You are our Friend. Your dreams for us are beyond what we can imagine. Your love for us is too strong to let us go. One day, Father, at the end of the millennium, the universe will be clean. Sin will be destroyed. Sinners will be gone. Consumed into smoke and vanished away. We can hardly wait for that day, Father. But, Lord, we want to live with You. We want to be in the future You have for us. So tonight, Lord, the best we know how, we give our lives to You. The best we know how, we give ourselves to You. We fall at Your feet. And thank You for Your love. Save us in Your kingdom. In Christ’s name. Amen.

17-Q Who Framed Godapi.ning.com/.../17QWhoFramedGod.pdf!Jesus died –separated from the father –condemnation–our sin–upon Him 18 Q-17-018.jpg !Bible promises–Christ will establish

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