{"id":83400,"date":"2023-10-24T00:01:28","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T08:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=83400"},"modified":"2023-10-20T04:35:27","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T12:35:27","slug":"no-pope-francis-dante-was-not-a-prophet-of-hope-and-no-chick-publications-you-should-not-discount-the-term-gehenna-that-jesus-used","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/doctrine\/no-pope-francis-dante-was-not-a-prophet-of-hope-and-no-chick-publications-you-should-not-discount-the-term-gehenna-that-jesus-used\/","title":{"rendered":"No, Pope Francis, Dante was not a ‘Prophet of Hope’ and no, Chick Publications you should not discount the term Gehenna that Jesus used"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\nTitle page of 1555 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy
\n(photo by Fivedit<\/a><\/span><\/span>)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Dante Alighieri wrote something that became known as the Divine Comedy<\/em>. It gives a misleading and false understanding about what happens after death as well as obfuscates God’s plan of salvation (more on God’s plan is in the free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God\u2019s plan of salvation<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Yet in 2021, Pope Francis praised the poet Dante as a prophet of hope according to the Roman Catholic publication called Crux<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\n

Pope Francis calls Dante a \u2018prophet of hope\u2019<\/h2>\n

March 25, 2021<\/p>\n

Pope Francis on Thursday released a document reflecting on the life and work of Italian poet Dante Alighieri, calling him a prophet of hope in a historic moment where inhumanity and lack of prospect loom large.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this particular moment in history, overclouded by situations of profound inhumanity and a lack of confidence and prospects for the future, the figure of Dante, prophet of hope and witness to the human desire for happiness, can still provide us with words and examples that encourage us on our journey,\u201d Francis wrote in the closing lines of Candor Lucis Aeternae<\/em> (\u201cSplendor of Light Eternal\u201d)<\/em>. …<\/p>\n

His prophetic mission, the pope writes, entailed denouncing those believers \u2013 from popes to ordinary faithful \u2013 who betray Christ and turn the Church into an instrument to advance their own interests, idolizing power and riches while ignoring the Beatitudes and the duty of charity towards the defenseless and the poor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYet, even as he denounces corruption in parts of the Church,\u201d Francis writes, Dante also \u201can advocate for her profound renewal and implores God\u2019s providence to bring this about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francis\u2019s<\/em> latest apostolic letter is the latest of a long list of papal documents and reflections on the author of The Divine Comedy<\/em>, who died 700 years ago. https:\/\/cruxnow.com\/vatican\/2021\/03\/pope-francis-calls-dante-a-prophet-of-hope\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Dante did not teach true hope. Dante also did not hold to the Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church<\/a> (that link is to a free online book with numerous biblical and historical references).<\/p>\n

Furthermore, we in the Church of God do not consider that Dante could have been God’s prophet.<\/p>\n

For more on prophets, check out the following:<\/p>\n

Church of God Leaders on Prophets<\/a> Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets<\/a><\/p>\n

How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God<\/a> There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God<\/a>. Here is a related link in Spanish\/espa\u00f1ol: \u00bfC\u00f3mo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As far as Dante’s poem goes, we believe it contributed to doctrinal error and the pushing of unbiblical fear.<\/p>\n

The late Pastor General of the old Radio then Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following related to some of this:<\/p>\n

Common Idea of Hell<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

First, what IS the generally accepted common belief in our Western world about hell? Here’s the terse and brief summation of this popular belief, which I quote from the Encyclopedia Americana: ” <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026 As generally understood, hell is the abode of evil spirits; the infernal regions \u2026 whither lost and condemned souls go after death to suffer indescribable torments and eternal punishment\u2026. Some have thought of it as the place created by the Deity, where He punishes with inconceivable severity, and through all eternity, the souls of those who through unbelief or through the worship of false gods have angered Him. It is the place of divine revenge, untempered, never ending.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Now where, and how, did this popular belief about hell originate? The Encyclopedia Americana states further: “The main features of hell as conceived by Hindu, Persian, Egyptian, Grecian and Christian theologians are essentially the same.” The Western religious leaders from Roman times through the Middle Ages borrowed the doctrine of eternal torture from the pagan philosophers. Certain writers of the Middle Ages had such tremendous influence on the Christian-professing world, that their writings and teachings came to be generally accepted and believed, until it became the doctrine of the Christian-professing world. Among these influential writers were Augustine and Dante Alighieri.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Some years ago, I ran across a book in a large library, titled Dante, and His Inferno. It summed up the history of the Christian-professing doctrine of hell. This factual history is rather amazing! Dante lived A.D. 1265 to 1321. Dante, remember, wrote a tremendously popular book, titled Divine Comedy, in three parts \u2014 “Hell,” “Purgatory” and “Paradise.”<\/span><\/p>\n

From the Pagans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now I quote from the aforementioned book of history:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Of all poets of modern times, Dante Alighieri was, perhaps, the greatest educator. He possibly had a greater influence on the course of civilization than any other man since his day\u2026. He wrote, in incomprehensible verse, an imaginative and lurid account of a dismal hell \u2014 a long poem containing certain phrases which have caught the attention of the world, such as, all hope abandon \u2026 ye, who enter here!’ This had a tremendous impression and influence on the popular Christian thought and teaching. His Inferno was based on Virgil and Plato.”
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Dante is reported to have been so fascinated and enraptured by the ideas and philosophies of Plato and Virgil, pagan philosophers, that he believed they were divinely inspired. Here is an article on Virgil, from the Americana: <\/span><\/p>\n

“VIRGIL, pagan Roman poet, 70-19 B.C. Belonged to the national school of pagan Roman thought, influenced by the Greek writers. Christians of the Middle Ages, including Dante, believed he had received some measure of divine inspiration.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Plato was a pagan Greek philosopher, born in Athens, 427 B.C., a student of Socrates. He wrote the famous book Phaedo, on the immortality of the soul, and this book is the real origin of the modern belief in the immortality of the soul. I have before me, a copy of the Phaedo, and in the introductory pages, I read this about Plato: “In fact, he acknowledges \u2026 three kinds of gods: superior, inferior, and intermediate.”
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

There is the general statement of the popular belief about hell, and where that belief came from \u2014 actually from the imaginations of pagans who knew not God! …
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Incorrectly Translated “Hell”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember we merely read a translation of the Bible from its original languages. A leading Bible dictionary, called A Dictionary of the Bible, edited by James Hastings, says this:
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

“In our Authorized Version the word ‘hell’ is unfortunately used as the rendering of three distinct words, with different meanings. It represents, (1) the ‘sheol’ of the Hebrew Old Testament, and the ‘hades’ of \u2026 the New Testament\u2026. It is now an entirely misleading rendering, especially in the New Testament passages. The English revisers, therefore, have substituted the original Greek word ‘hades’ for ‘hell’ in the New Testament. In the American revision the word ‘hell’ is entirely discarded in this connection\u2026. The word ‘hell’ is translated (2) as the equivalent of the Greek word tartaros,(II Peter 2:4; compare with Jude 6), and, (3) as the equivalent of the Greek word ‘gehenna.’ ” <\/span><\/p>\n

The original Hebrew word sheol and the Greek hades mean the same \u2014 the GRAVE, and these original words are so translated in many places. Hell is an old English word, and 370 years ago, when the Authorized Version was translated, the people of England commonly talked about putting their potatoes in HELL for the winter \u2014 a good way of preserving potatoes \u2014 for the word then meant merely a hole in the ground that was covered up \u2014 a dark and silent place \u2014 a GRAVE. But PAGAN teachings that gained popular acceptance have caused people to apply to the English word the meaning of “hell” which came out of the imaginations of Dante. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Greek word tartaros occurs only once in the New Testament and does not refer to humans, but the place of fallen angels. Its meaning, translated into English, is “darkness of the material universe,” or “dark abyss” or “prison.”<\/span><\/p>\n

And now the Greek word gehenna. Here is the official DEFINITION of that very Greek word which was inspired by God, and written originally by Mark. I quote from Hastings: <\/span><\/p>\n

“Gehenna: the word occurs twelve times in the New Testament. This term ‘gehenna’ represents ‘the Valley of Hinnom’ (Nehemiah 11:30, II Kings 23:10, etc.). The place was \u2026 a deep narrow gorge in the vicinity of Jerusalem, understood to be on the south side. It is repeatedly mentioned in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 19:6, etc.). It became an object of horror to the Jews, and is said to have been made the receptacle for bones, the bodies of beasts and criminals, refuse and all unclean things. The terrible associations of the place \u2026 the fires said to have been kept burning in it in order to consume the foul and corrupt objects that were thrown into it, made it a natural and unmistakable symbol of dire evil, \u2026 ABSOLUTE RUIN. So it came to designate the place of future punishment.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Hell \u2014 a Place of Destruction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gehenna was a place of DESTRUCTION and DEATH \u2014 not a place of living torture! Jesus was talking to Jews who understood all about this Gehenna or Valley of Hinnom. Utter DESTRUCTION by fire was complete. NOTHING was left, but ashes!
\nEvery text in the Bible translated from this Greek word gehenna means complete destruction \u2014 not living torture \u2014 NOT eternal LIFE in torment! THE Bible says, in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is DEATH” \u2014 not ETERNAL LIFE in torture. The PUNISHMENT revealed in the BIBLE is DEATH \u2014 the cessation of life. Eternal life is the GIFT OF GOD!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Then WHY have we been believing that PUNISHMENT is ETERNAL LIFE in fire? And WHY have we been believing we already have eternal life and don’t NEED to come to God through Christ to receive it as HIS GIFT?
\nThe PUNISHMENT is DEATH. It is the second death, from which there shall be no resurrection! The PUNISHMENT is for ETERNITY \u2014 DEATH for eternity \u2014 ETERNAL punishment \u2014 but NOwhere does THE BIBLE say anything about the PAGAN teaching of eternal punishING. It’s eternal punishMENT, not eternal punishING!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

When Jesus spoke of being cast into “gehenna FIRE,” he was using this expression as an illustration of the LAKE OF FIRE, which THE BIBLE reveals is to be THE PLACE of this final punishment \u2014 this second DEATH. He referred to Revelation 20:14: “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

THAT fire will be much hotter than Dante’s imaginary HELL!<\/span><\/p>\n

What Happens to “Hell”?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do people go at DEATH to the fictitious hell of Dante’s imagination to be TORTURED by flames of fire forever \u2014 and then are they to be brought OUT, to go into a JUDGMENT, to see if God had made a mistake in having punished them so long in this “hell”?
\nNotice Revelation 20:13-15: “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The LAKE OF FIRE which JESUS referred to is a place of DEATH, not of eternal life \u2014 the SECOND DEATH \u2014 ETERNAL punishment!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 10:28: “\u2026 fear him which is able to DESTROY both soul and body in [GEHENNA].” Here in plain language JESUS said the SOUL could be destroyed \u2014 and that it would be DESTROYED in this GEHENNA that has been falsely translated by the English word hell! Gehenna is a place of DESTRUCTION! (Is there a Hell? Plain Truth, May 1955)
\n<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Later the old Worldwide Church of God published the following:<\/p>\n

The Inferno<\/strong><\/p>\n

Possibly the best-known “journey” of all is that of Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), the medieval Italian poet. His travels among the damned are recorded in The Inferno. It is the first part of his three-part Divine Comedy, an account of his imaginary journeys through hell, purgatory and heaven. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dante is conducted through hell by the spirit of the Roman poet Virgil. The trip begins on Good Friday, A.D. 1300, in a wooded area near Jerusalem. Over the gate of hell the two travelers find a fearful and now famous inscription: <\/span><\/p>\n

ABANDON EVERY HOPE, YOU WHO ENTER HERE.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Dante then witnesses in his imagination the eternal torments of the wicked. He describes hell as being divided into various levels, descending conically into the earth. Souls suffer punishments appropriate to their sins. Hypocrites, for example, wear gowns brilliant outwardly, but made of heavy lead instead of cloth. They must bear the weight of them forever. Gluttons are doomed to forever lie like pigs in a foul-smelling sty under a cold, eternal rain. Dante’s descriptions are vivid \u2014 and frightening. <\/span><\/p>\n

Though Dante’s primary purpose in writing the poem was to satirize persons and circumstances of his day, the theology of his work is based firmly on the system of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Italian theologian and philosopher. The Divine Comedy is a relatively accurate dramatization of medieval Christian theology. Some simple-minded of Dante’s day actually believed Dante had really visited hell! His work had a tremendous impression and influence on popular Christian thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concentration Camp?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dante’s medieval picture of hell as a gigantic concentration camp \u2014 a nightmarish place of eternal torment, horrible beyond imagination, presided over by Satan and his demons \u2014 largely represents the thinking of significant groups of professing Christians to this day. The concept of a “hell” can be found in one form or another among all the world’s principal faiths. (Stump K. To Hell and Back. Plaint Truth, December 1981)
\n<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sadly, most who profess Christianity hold on to at least some of the false notions put forth in Dante’s poem.<\/p>\n

This is part of why MOST do not understand God’s plan of salvation.<\/p>\n

God does not have a plan to torture people for eternity.<\/p>\n

God has a plan to offer salvation to all who ever lived and to annihilate those who, after the second resurrection, will refuse to accept His offer of salvation through Jesus. For details in a book that also mentions Dante, check out the free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God\u2019s plan of salvation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, it is NOT just Roman Catholics who have accepted improper aspects of Dante’s poem–so have many Protestants.<\/p>\n

The Protestant group behind Chick Publications had the following at their website:<\/p>\n

The King James Bible is a true and direct translation from the original languages. … What if you found out it\u2019s the one English Bible that deserves your complete trust? … the King James … should be the only Bible that you need \u2014and can completely trust. … trusting the KJV. Build your faith in God’s Word by learning why you can trust the KJV alone and why it is the most accurate translation in English. https:\/\/www.chick.com\/products\/item?stk=1425<\/a> accessed 03\/15\/20<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Is that accurate?<\/p>\n

No.<\/p>\n

While the KJV is superior in many ways to many translations, it was translated by men.<\/p>\n

Men are fallible.<\/p>\n

Now, one of the things that Chick Publications likes about the KJV is that it often uses the word ‘hell.’ Chick Publications indicates that using the actual Greek words of the New Testament transliterated into English results in people not understanding about God’s punishment. Notice some of what it says about that:<\/p>\n

Question:<\/span><\/strong> Gehenna is not hell, is it? It was a valley where outcasts, thieves and infected people where thrown when they died. The Bible refers to “Gehenna” as the place of death and pain. The word “hell”, as you so often use, where eternal pain and fire awaits is actually “Gehenna”. If you have read a bible written before 1400, you will notice a very important thing: “HELL” is missing. Instead it says “Gehenna”. There is no fire breathing eternal pain demon hell!! In fact YOU are committing a sin here. Telling people, or lying to people about hell, when you should know about “Gehenna”. There is no hell. Only the valley of “Gehenna”. A graveyard!!<\/p>\n

Answer: <\/span><\/strong>The word<\/a> “Gehenna” is properly translated “hell” in the King James Bible. …<\/p>\n

Even though the word “Gehenna” comes from the Valley of Hinnom, simply rendering it as “garbage dump” or “valley of waste disposal” or “burning garbage” could not be an accurate translations, because that’s not what Jesus and the apostles meant<\/b> when they used the word. It meant “the place where people go when they die.” That’s what we mean when we say “hell”. …<\/p>\n

Not until Young’s Literal Translation in the late 1800s, followed by the Catholic New American Bible of 1970 was the untranslated “Gehenna” put in. … And “hell” accurately translates the meaning<\/b> of the word “Gehenna.” “Gehenna” is not a translation; it is just a transliteration (translating letters, but not meaning). https:\/\/www.chick.com\/information\/article?id=does-gehenna-mean-hell<\/a> accessed 03\/15\/20<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In other words, Chick Publications is saying that IT KNOWS BETTER WHAT THE WORD IS SUPPOSED TO MEAN THAN THE WORD JESUS HIMSELF USED.<\/p>\n

Now, we in the Continuing<\/em> Church of God rarely use the word \u201chell.\u201d The word \u201chell\u201d originally meant to cover or to hide. Another old meaning of the word was \u201ca tailor’s receptacle\u201d according to Merriam-Webster<\/em>. In time, it tended to mean being underground.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, consider that the KJV IMPROPERLY TRANSLATES THREE DIFFERENT WORDS TO MEAN THE SAME THING!<\/p>\n

There are three different words in the New Testament–Hades, Gehenna, or Tartaroosas–which the King James Version of the Bible translated as \u201chell.\u201d And not one of them means what most people think the word hell means.<\/p>\n

The fact of the three different Greek words, as well as various understandings and traditions, has resulted in confusion concerning what hell means.<\/p>\n

Now, since the term has become highly used in cursing and in various vulgarities it is often not appropriate to use.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, because of influence from Dante’s book The Divine Comedy<\/em>, the area he called the Inferno\/Infernus many people got the wrong impression that God has a place of torturing that would last forever. And later the term hell got attached to it, and that is how most Protestants (including Chick Publications as its tract Some Like It Hot <\/em>shows) and Roman Catholics now view it.<\/p>\n

Yet, Chick Publications and others should know better. Even in its post against Gehenna, it had the following:<\/p>\n

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell<\/u><\/b>” (Matthew 10:28). No power on earth can destroy a soul. The soul is a part of a person that exists beyond physical death (Revelation 20:4). “Gehenna” has to be a place to destroy both the body and the soul. <\/b>https:\/\/www.chick.com\/information\/article?id=does-gehenna-mean-hell<\/a> accessed 03\/15\/20
\n<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Note Chick Publications admits that the body and soul are destroyed in Gehenna. In Jesus’ time what was tossed into Gehenna burnt up and was no more. In the Gehenna to come, the same thing will happen. But sadly, its teachings are closer to Dante’s than the words of Jesus!<\/p>\n

Chick Publications also has the following:<\/p>\n

“Hades” has a big pagan meaning that is completely divorced from the Bible. “Sheol” is a Hebrew word without any meaning at all to an ordinary reader. Have you ever heard people say they don’t want to “go to gehenna?” … We need a Bible with a lot of hell in it. We need to know where we are not going. The whole purpose of evangelism is to save people from hell. … That forceful warning word, “hell,” is found in the King James Bible. https:\/\/www.chick.com\/information\/article?id=Who-Needs-Hell<\/a> accessed 03\/15\/20<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No, the whole purpose of proclaiming the good news of the Bible is not to save people from the type of hell that Chick Publications wants to believe in. One of the main purposes of evangelism, according to Jesus is to have “gospel of the kingdom … preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matthew 24:14) and to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). This way, those converted will build godly character so that they will be able to give love in a unique way to make eternity better for them and all who ultimately will accept Jesus (see also our free online book: The MYSTERY of GOD\u2019s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?<\/a><\/span>).<\/p>\n

What about Gehenna? This Greek word represents “the Valley of HINNOM which lay just outside of Jerusalem and was the place refuse was constantly being burned up.” It is first referred to in scripture in Joshua 15:8. It was also associated with pagan fire practices in 2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:3, 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31-32, 19:2-6, & 32:35.<\/p>\n

Trash, filth, and the dead bodies of animals and DESPISED CRIMINALS were thrown into Gehenna. Ordinarily, everything thrown into this valley was DESTROYED by fire. Christ used it to picture the terrible fate of UNREPENTANT SINNERS! Please understand that JESUS USED THE WORD GEHENNA 11 TIMES IN THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS (the text that the KJV was translated from). Jesus knew what it meant! But instead, Chick Publications (and others) want you to not comprehend what Jesus was really teaching!<\/p>\n

Now, consider that Chick Publications says that Hades has a pagan meaning, but apparently overlooks the true meaning of the word Easter (the name of one or more pagan goddesses – Ishtar and Eostre). That being said, JESUS USED THE WORD HADES 5 TIMES IN THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS (the text that the KJV was translated from). Jesus was NOT trying to teach a pagan concept. Hades means the ‘grave.’ It does NOT mean an ever burning hell fire of torture.<\/p>\n

On the use of the word “hell” in the New and Old Testament, let’s read what an old Bible dictionary, edited by James Hastings, a leading authority on such technical matters, says:<\/p>\n

In our Authorized Version the word ‘hell’ is unfortunately used as the rendering of three distinct words, WITH DIFFERENT. It represents, 1. the ‘sheol’ of the Hebrew Old Testament, and the ‘hades’ in the New Testament … It is now an entirely misleading rendering, especially in the New Testament passages. The English revisers, therefore, have substituted ‘Hades’ [going back to the original Greek word] for ‘hell’ in the New Testament …. In the American revision the word ‘hell’ is entirely discarded in this connex<\/span>ion ….<\/p>\n

The word ‘hell’ is used 2. as equivalent to [the Greek word] ‘tartaros’ (II Peter 2:4), … and, 3. more properly as the equivalent of [the Greek word] ‘gehenna’ (Hastings J., ed. Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 2. 1900, pp. 343-344)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, we see that the real MEANINGS of three different Greek words \u2013 “hades” (“sheol” in Old Testament), “tartaros,” and “gehenna” \u2013 have been confused with each other because translators, like those of the KJV, have attempted to make the ONE English word “hell” cover all THREE meanings! But now let us amplify the foregoing facts.<\/p>\n

The original Old Testament HEBREW word “sheol” and the New Testament Greek word “hades” mean basically the same thing. These original words have been translated “grave” in many places in the Bible.<\/p>\n

THE WORD “SHEOL,”\u2026 It is never used by Moses or the Prophets in the sense of a place of torment after death; and in no way conflicts with the statement already proved, that the Law of Moses deals wholly in temporal rewards and punishments.<\/p>\n

This position, also, I wish to fortify by the testimony of Orthodox critics, men of learning and candor. They know, and therefore they speak.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. CHAPMAN. “Sheol, in itself considered, has no connection with future punishment.” Cited by Balfour, First Inquiry.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. DR. ALLEN, quoted above, says: “The term sheol<\/em> does not seem to mean, with certainty, anything more than the state of the dead in their deep abode.”<\/li>\n
  3. DR. CAMPBELL. “Sheol signifies the state of the dead without regard to their happiness or misery.”<\/li>\n
  4. DR. WHITBY. “Sheol throughout the Old Testament signifies not the place of punishment, or of the souls of bad men only, but the grave only, or the place of death.” (Thayer TB. THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE Doctrine of Endless Punishment. 1855; Universal Publishing House 1871)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Sheol is a reference to the grave, as is the word hades.<\/p>\n

    Note that the Greek word TARTAROS, which has also been translated into the English word “hell” in the KJV, occurs only once in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:4) and does not refer to humans, but to the RESTRAINED condition of fallen angels. Its meaning, translated into English, is “darkness of the material universe,” or “dark abyss,” or “prison.”<\/p>\n

    More on ‘Hell’ can be found in the following: Study the Bible Course Lesson 15: What is \u201cHell\u201d?<\/a><\/p>\n

    Protestants do NOT understand God’s plan of salvation and have other doctrinal errors. To learn more about them, check out the free online book: Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing<\/em> Church of God differs from Protestantism<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Dante was not a prophet of hope.<\/p>\n

    To learn more about the hope, check out the free online books Proof Jesus is the Messiah<\/a><\/span>, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God<\/a><\/span>, and The MYSTERY of GOD\u2019s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    One of the reasons that most who profess Christianity have been deceived about God’s plan of salvation is that they, unlike early faithful Christians, do not keep the biblical holy days. Here is a link to a free online booklet on them: Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?<\/a><\/p>\n

    Some items of possibly related interest may include:
    \n<\/em><\/p>\n

    Study the Bible Course Lesson 15: What is \u201cHell\u201d?<\/a> What are the different words translated as “hell” in English? Does Gehenna mean something different than Hades. What happens? What about worms dying not?
    \n    Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God\u2019s plan of salvation<\/a> Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived\u2013the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis<\/a>, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved<\/a>, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (<\/a>Universal Offer of Salvation part 3)<\/a>, Is God Fair<\/a>, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?<\/a>, Can God Save Your Relatives?<\/a>, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God\u2019s Plan<\/a>, and \u2018By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets\u2019<\/a>.
    \n    Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete?<\/a> Are there lost gospels? What about the Apocrypha? Is the Septuagint better than the Masoretic text? What about the Textus Receptus vs. Nestle Alland? Was the New Testament written in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Which translations are based upon the best ancient text? Did the true Church of God have the canon from the beginning? Here are links to related sermons: Let\u2019s Talk About the Bible<\/a>, The Books of the Old Testament<\/a>, The Septuagint and its Apocrypha<\/a>, Masoretic Text of the Old Testament<\/a>, and Lost Books of the Bible<\/a>, and Let\u2019s Talk About the New Testament<\/a>, The New Testament Canon From the Beginning<\/a>, English Versions of the Bible and How Did We Get Them?<\/a>, What was the Original Language of the New Testament?<\/a>, Original Order of the Books of the Bible<\/a>, and Who Gave the World the Bible? Who Had the Chain of Custody? <\/a>
    \n    The MYSTERY of GOD\u2019s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you?<\/a> This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God\u2019s Plan<\/a>, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God\u2019s Plan<\/a>, and The Mystery of YOU<\/a>.
    \n    The Gospel of the Kingdom of God<\/a> This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World\u2019s False Gospel<\/a>, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments<\/a>, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution<\/a>.
    \n    Proof Jesus is the Messiah<\/a> This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah<\/a>, Prophecies of Jesus\u2019 birth, timing, and death<\/a>, Jesus\u2019 prophesied divinity<\/a>, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made<\/a>, Why Don\u2019t Jews Accept Jesus?<\/a>, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus<\/a>, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus<\/a>. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke\u2019s census: Any historical evidence?<\/a> and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but<\/a> … These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book. We also have the book translated in the Spanish PRUEBA de que JES\u00daS es el MES\u00cdAS<\/a> and French PREUVES QUE J\u00c9SUS EST LE MESSIE<\/a> languages.<\/span>
    \n    Where is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a> This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? <\/a>Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: \u00bfD\u00f3nde est\u00e1 la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?<\/a> Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?<\/a> Here is a link in the French language: O\u00f9 est la vraie \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne aujourd\u2019hui?<\/a> Here is a link to a short animation: <\/b>Which Church would Jesus Choose?<\/a>
    \n    Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?<\/a> Did the original \u201ccatholic church\u201d have doctrines held by the Continuing<\/em> Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term \u201ccatholic church\u201d to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?<\/a>, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover<\/a>, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?<\/a>, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy<\/a>, Early Heresies and Heretics<\/a>, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats<\/a>, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more<\/a>, Saturday or Sunday?<\/a>, The Godhead<\/a>, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession<\/a>, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List<\/a>, Holy Mother Church and Heresies<\/a>, and\u00a0Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs<\/a>. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language:\u00a0Creencias de la iglesia Cat\u00f3lica original<\/a>.
    \n    Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?<\/a> This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. Two related sermon would be Which Spring Days should Christians observe?<\/a> and Fall Holy Days for Christians<\/a>.<\/span>
    \n<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Title page of 1555 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy (photo by Fivedit) COGwriter Dante Alighieri wrote something that became known as the Divine Comedy. It gives a misleading and false understanding about what happens after death as well as obfuscates God’s plan of salvation (more on God’s plan is in the free online book: Universal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctrine"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t