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    The Lake of Fire

    That's why when the Bible says that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die," (Eze. 18:4), and when Jesus says that the righteous receive "everlasting life," while the wicked "perish" (John 3:16), I believe that this is a literal, permanent, everlasting death--not an everlasting life of torture...
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    The Lake of Fire

    However, I don't think that this explains the other verses about the wicked being destroyed "root and branch," becoming "ashes," and experiencing death (opposite of immortality) of the soul. (Malachi 4:1, 3; Eze. 18:4; 1 Tim. 6:16; John 3:16). A Syrian man once told me that in the Middle East...
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    The Lake of Fire

    I agree with Journeyman in saying that the eternal punishment doesn't need to mean eternal torture. The Bible says: “ ‘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 ... that will...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I think the disagreement comes from different views of what the unchangeable law is. SDAs believe that the "unchangeable law" is the Ten Commandments, which are a more detailed description of how we love God with all our hearts, and our neighbor as ourselves. These commandments have been a...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I don't think it's wrong to have church organization--even the disciples delegated responsibilities in the early church (Acts 6), and during the dispute about circumcision in Acts 15, there was a large gathering of church leaders to make a decision on the issue: "And the apostles and elders came...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I think you're right that there is only one way of salvation, through God's covenant to put His law in our hearts: "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    As far as SDAs understand it, Sabbath is about resting from everyday and secular labor, and focusing on God. This is what God did when He finished His creation, and made some quality time to spend with His new children, Adam and Eve. However, when the Pharisees complained about how Jesus'...
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    Praise God! I'm actually shy about discussing these subjects, but I wanted to do my best to...

    Praise God! I'm actually shy about discussing these subjects, but I wanted to do my best to uncover the truth and clear aside misconceptions. If my words do any good, it's God's doing, and I'm just thankful that you've been blessed. :)
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    Yes, it's a day of rest. I believe that God intended it for a day of rest and restoration, and that is why He invites us to come fellowship and worship Him on this day, as Adam and Eve did in Genesis. It's a day for reconnecting with your Creator, and while I don't think you have to attend...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I'm afraid I don't understand your line of reasoning. It's true we have to be humble and see ourselves as great sinners, and that keeping Sabbath or fasting has no weight in terms of crafting our own righteousness. But I believe that the Sabbath is a time-sensitive word. Why else would God...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    Yes, thank you. I saw it and replied to it. :)
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I appreciate your dedication to Bible study, mailmandan, because I think it's good to study and think about these things rather than simply going by traditions. I don't take offense at your disagreement, and I hope you won't take offense at mine. There are just some points that I wanted to...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I don't mind talking about her...I believe she was a good woman who loved Jesus. I think she wrote a lot of thought-provoking things. I just want to make it clear that her writings are NOT on level with the Bible. There have been many Christian writers that are admired for their eloquence...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    God asks us to serve Him with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. If I knowingly disobeyed one of His commandments, I would be offering divided service to Him. That's my conviction. However, I believe that God knows our hearts and that Jesus will judge according to His own knowledge...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    It does merit consideration, along with other verses about the wicked being burned "forever and ever." But I think the other verses about the wicked being burnt up leaving "neither root nor branch" (Mal. 4:1), and "the soul that sinneth, it shall die," (Ez. 18:4), and Jesus' statements about...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I understand what you're saying. The letter does kill, and that is why I believe Sabbath should be kept in the spirit--though not necessarily each letter--of the Old Testament regulations. That is, do no unnecessary work on Sabbath, do not buy or sell, and keep it a day of rememberance and...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    I agree! If we were saved by our works, then it would be not of grace, but of debt (Rom. 4:4).
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    "Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. " Romans 3:31 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1-2 "For the law of...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    All the law and the prophets hang on those two commandments, I agree. If we love God with all our hearts, and our neighbors as ourselves, then we'll delight to do God's will, and His law will be in our hearts (Psalm 40:8). That's what the law is all about. The way I look at it is, we can love...
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    Seventh-day Adventists

    Of course. But our hearts need to be informed by God's Word, otherwise they can go in all sorts of different directions.