05-19-2019 - Lesson from a Thief - Darkness

The SIN and REBELLION of Mankind does not RESULT in the LOVE, MERCY and GRACE of God

Those Qualities of God are TRANSCENDENT - that is ABOVE our Condition.

The Great Wonder we glean from the pages of the Bible is that God extends His LOVE, MERCY and GRACE toward us at all!!

As our thief was on the cross he came to a moment where death is closing in, the potential fear of loss or worse what he must face after mortal death is looming ever closer...

Matthew 8:11–12 NLT

11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 8:12 NLT

12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 22:12–14 NLT

12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:

Matthew 22:13 NLT

13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Parable of the Talents:

Matthew 25:29–30 NLT

29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 25:30 NLT

30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 25

What is this “Outer Darkness”?

In Each of the Parables it is a place of SEPARATION

In Each of the Parables it is a place of SORROW

In Each of the Parables it is the ABODE of the SINFUL (those who rebelled or simply missed the mark)

The Complete removal of the LIGHT of GOD (Remember in the New Jerusalem, "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”)

Even in the CURRENT DARKNESS of this world and life, The Presence of God - By His Spirit (Restrainer) and His Holy Word (Training Manual) is known and felt by many occupants of this planet.

BUT, Outer Darkness - The Complete Presence of the Creator is Missing - and since we are created IN HIS IMAGE, Imagine the SORROW that Comes from that Level of SEPARATION

What are the Conditions in this “Outer Darkness”?

The outer darkness of judgment is accompanied by “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The “weeping” describes an inner pain of the heart, mind, and soul. The word in the original denotes a bewailing or lamentation by beating the breast in an expression of immense sorrow.

The “gnashing of teeth” describes an outward pain of the body. Taken together, the weeping and gnashing of teeth says hell is a place of indescribable spiritual agony and unending physical pain

The Occupant feels ISOLATION

The Occupant feels INTENSE PERSONAL SORROW (Weeping)

The Occupant feels INCREDIBLE PHYSICAL PAIN (Gnashing of teeth)

How can we conclude this matter? Well, the main conclusion will be in our final Lesson from a Thief, next Sunday, but,

Romans 5:6–8 NLT

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.