Quote:
Originally Posted by Zezima
There is nowhere in the bible that says a group of believers will be cast into the outer darkness for 1,000 years.
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While the bible says some will be cast into the outer darkness, it does not say it will be for 1,000 years. It doesn't say those cast in will be cut off from God, it doesn't even say those who are cast in are believers.
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OK I will bite and discuss the three passages in Matt. that speak of the outer darkness.
1) Jesus, marveling at the faith of the centurion, a Gentile:
11 "I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;
12 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
(Mat*8:11-12*NAU)
From the context, is it pretty clear that the "sons of the kingdom" are members of OT Israel. Are these, who are separated from God during this time, doomed to eternal punishment?
No!
25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-- so that you will not be wise in your own estimation-- that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."
27 "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."
28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;
29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
(Rom*11:25-29*NAU)
God promised to bring salvation to Israel, regardless of their faith! The 1000 year kingdom will be a reward to the faithful, but the others will still be saved.
Note the word "calling" here and how that word is used in the second citing.
2) The naked guest at the wedding:
10 "Those [servants] went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.
11 "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes,
12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless.
13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."
(Mat*22:10-14*NAU)
Whereas the first mention of the outer darkness is a punishment for the unfaithful of OT Israel, this passage clearly is dealing with NT Gentiles, who are part of the first resurrection. Like Israel, they are "called" to salvation, but were not "chosen" to participate in the 1000 kingdom.
To be "called" is to inherit eternal life, but to be "chosen" requires something more than just being called. The kingdom is a reward for faithful servants.
The terms "called" and "chosen" are best understood with the book of Exodus as the defining context.
1) All of Israel were "called" out of Egypt.
2) But only Levi was "chosen" to serve the Lord as priests.
Servants are distinguished as wearing robes, whereas the called did not wear robes. The naked guest will be saved, but will not participate in the reward reserved for the Chosen.
3) The parable of the talents. From the context, the servants in this passage are not defined as either Israelites or Gentiles. I take this to mean it refers to both, to anyone who is expected to serve the Lord:
29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
30 "Throw out the worthless [servant] into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(Mat*25:29-30*NAU)
The lazy servant will suffer the same punishment of the called.
Nowhere are unbelievers referred to as "servants", as they are neither called nor chosen.
So I inevitably conclude that the Outer Darkness is a non-reward for God's elect, whether they be OT Israel or NT Christians.
Zezima, I do not expect you to be swayed by my words. I will simply encourage you to do more research.