1,000 Years of Outer Darkness

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by awareness

Thanks for this post, and all the Bible references.

After living this life I think a day in outer darkness could be a desired respite. My question is : What's outer mean? If it means no other people in it I'm all for it. I could use a day break from people. Hopefully longer, if allowed.

And thanks Jesus, for telling me about it. Otherwise I'd be stuck somewhere in other darkness not knowing if it's forever or not. A day is one thing. But forever? That's another. Now I know it's for only a day.

So where are you getting "only for a day?"

[OBW]

The problem with understanding these parables, like understanding Revelation, is that that it is mostly pictures designed to portray a message, not details designed to support doctrine. It is designed to elicit a response, not an argument.

Is outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth the point, or is the lack of following correctly? Keeping fresh with oil in your lamp v relying on what we got years prior. Being ready, not just getting an invitation. Are there really 4 horses? And on and on . . . .

I am not saying that outer darkness is something to ignore. But the point is not to understand what it actually is. The point is to not have to deal with it, whatever it is. Whether it is something permanent or temporary. Whether it is horrible so we weep and gnash teeth, or just weep and gnash because we miss out on something that we didn't have to miss.

And Revelation is not so much about detailing the end times as it is giving us some strong encouragement to be ready. Period. Now. Not just when we are older and more likely to die.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by OBW

The problem with understanding these parables, like understanding Revelation, is that that it is mostly pictures designed to portray a message, not details designed to support doctrine. It is designed to elicit a response, not an argument.

Is outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth the point, or is the lack of following correctly? Keeping fresh with oil in your lamp v relying on what we got years prior. Being ready, not just getting an invitation. Are there really 4 horses? And on and on . . . .

I am not saying that outer darkness is something to ignore. But the point is not to understand what it actually is. The point is to not have to deal with it, whatever it is. Whether it is something permanent or temporary. Whether it is horrible so we weep and gnash teeth, or just weep and gnash because we miss out on something that we didn't have to miss.

And Revelation is not so much about detailing the end times as it is giving us some strong encouragement to be ready. Period. Now. Not just when we are older and more likely to die.

Yes, the particulars are hard to discern specifically, and they were designed that way. So that only His Spirit can reveal them!

This makes me think of what a brother shared not long ago as we were going through prophetic passages, "Regardless of what all these things mean exactly, the main point is - BE READY!!"

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

Yes, the particulars are hard to discern specifically, and they were designed that way. So that only His Spirit can reveal them!

(emphasis mine)

I think that it more like it may not ever be revealed because the nebulous negativity that is implied is exactly what is meant. The specifics were not meant to be figured out or revealed. The point was to avoid it no matter what it could possibly mean.

I'm sure that there is some kind of cost. And being left outside in the dark weeping and gnashing your teeth says it is not insignificant.

Nuff said.

[OBW]

The problem with understanding these parables, like understanding Revelation, is that that it is mostly pictures designed to portray a message, not details designed to support doctrine. It is designed to elicit a response, not an argument.

Is outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth the point, or is the lack of following correctly? Keeping fresh with oil in your lamp v relying on what we got years prior. Being ready, not just getting an invitation. Are there really 4 horses? And on and on . . . .

I am not saying that outer darkness is something to ignore. But the point is not to understand what it actually is. The point is to not have to deal with it, whatever it is. Whether it is something permanent or temporary. Whether it is horrible so we weep and gnash teeth, or just weep and gnash because we miss out on something that we didn't have to miss.

And Revelation is not so much about detailing the end times as it is giving us some strong encouragement to be ready. Period. Now. Not just when we are older and more likely to die.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

So where are you getting "only for a day?"

"one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.: II Peter 3:8

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by awareness

"one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.: II Peter 3:8

To me this speaks of eternity, that is, the absence of time -- therefore/for instance He can do 1000 years worth of things in one day, and visa versa.

Not sure if this applies to us, but perhaps . . .

[OBW]

Originally Posted by awareness

"one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.: II Peter 3:8

I doubt that the verse is meant to give a specific relationship. Rather to state how insignificant time as we know it is to God. Could have said one days is like a million years (and visa versa) but they probably couldn't comprehend the number.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by OBW

I doubt that the verse is meant to give a specific relationship. Rather to state how insignificant time as we know it is to God. Could have said one days is like a million years (and visa versa) but they probably couldn't comprehend the number.

True, but isn't outer darkness in that insignificant time zone? Where a million is nothing? I don't know. Outer darkness could be in limbo for all I know.

But really, outer darkness is likely a just metaphor. It's not likely that people are there right now, gnashing their teeth.