Handout

Sardis
Philadelphia (the other one)
Laodicea
20 centuries later, same issues

Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamum
Thyatira

Handout - Outline & Symbols

Handout
How do We Understand the Message? Methods of interpretation
Symbolism
Who, When, and Where? Authorship & Setting

Handout available here
What is the message? Themes & Purpose

How is the message presented? Genre

Handout available here
Recap: resurrection, restoration, and views of hell
Revelation 21-22 as summary

• Fate of the wicked
• Invitation to life through open gates
• The nations and kings of the earth
• Warning and hope together

"Do all dogs go to heaven?"

• Restoration of all things
• Self-centered salvation

Mourning those not in heaven

• Memory, relationship, and identity

Judgment for murderers and philanthropic atheists

• Matthew 25 and judgment of "the nations"
• Jeremiah 31 - God's laws on the heart

"Does it matter if you like God?"

• Older brother syndrome

Conclusion: Bring heaven to earth

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"All" passages exercise
Which view do we privilege or take at face value?
Does God get what God wants? (1 Tim 2:4 & 2 Pet 3:9)
Love gives freedom
"The doors of hell are locked on the inside." -C.S. Lewis
Definitions of freedom, modern vs. classic
Sin as ignorance
'Freedom' that's actually insanity
The cleansing fire of God - who or what consumed? (Heb 12:29)
Hell as unwanted loving presence of God
Justice and discipline (Rom 12:19-21)
Christian cleansing (Mark 9:49-50)
Next: Test case in Revelation 14 & 21-22 and your questions!

Handout available here
Review: Does hell torment, destroy, or purify?
Matthew 25:46 - How to translate and understand "eternal punishment"
Give 'em hell! Why we hold on to hell as torment
Objections to 'everyone goes to heaven!'
Purpose of Punishment

• Earthly and heavenly parental discipline (Matt 7:9-11)
• Padeiai, timoria, and kolasis - which does God not use?
• Retributive and restorative justice
• Justice = punishment fits the crime
• In the end, does God change?

The Mystery and Consistency of God

• Misuse of Isaiah 55:8-9 (see v. 7)
• Faithful followers question God's justice (Gen 18:25)
• Language, consistency, and meaning
• God's primary attribute (1 John 4)

The Parable of the King's Offer (Bradley Jersak)

Handout available here
What's hell like? What's it for?
What if there were no hell?
1 John 4:18, do we focus on fear or love?
Greek, Hebrew, and English terms
Sheol/Hades - the place of the dead (NOT hell)
Gehenna/corr

• Only 12 occurrences (really 6)
• Valley of the Sons of Hinnom, place of child sacrifice (2 Chronicles 28:3)
• Place of judgment by Babylon (Jeremiah 7:31-32)
• Jesus' use mirrors Jeremiah, with coming Roman destruction
• Brad Jersak, Her Gates Will Never Be Shut

Meaning of 'aionios' - eternal?

• How long it lasts or qualities of Age to come?
• Hebrews 9:12 & 2 Thessalonians 1:9
• Happens once and endures

Hell as Destruction

• Edward Fudge, The Fire That Consumes
• John 3:16 - what it plainly says and how it's interpreted
• Matthew 10:28; Romans 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; Galatians 6:8 - destroyed/perish/corruption
• Implies destruction that endures, not ongoing torture
• Plato vs. Paul
• Is destruction not bad enough?