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From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 1997 3:00 AM To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup Subject: Re: Outer darkness From: Khick10467@aol.com To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Bride of Christ question. Eddie, Could you please clarify for me the concept of the outer courtyard being a place of outer darkness? Dee From Eddie: *************** The word "outer darkness" is the Strong's word (4655) in Matthew 22:13. It is the Greek word "skotos". It comes from the base word of (4639) = "skia" which means "shade or shadow". The CONTRAST is the difference between the LIGHT of the glory of G-d in the Holy of Holies and the NATURAL light in the outer court. When you compare God's LIGHT (glory) to the light of the sun, then the light of the sun is "shady" in comparison. I will quote for you from Spiro Zodhiates, a Greek scholar, in the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible where the word "outer darkness" appears three times. "The expression outer darkness occurs three times in the Bible (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) and is always preceded by the definite article in Greek. It seems to have denoted an area outside a well-illuminated banquet hall where there was darkness (see the parable of the wedding feast in Matt 22:1-14). The person who managed to sneak into the banquet hall without the proper garment was cast into "outer darkness" separated from the ongoing feast. In the first two instances, "outer darkness" refers to a place of suffering for the unbelievers and is in contrast to the light where the believers will shine as the sun in the Kingdom of the Father (Matt 13:42-43). The "outer darkness" in (Matthew 8:12 and 22:13) is referring to Ge'ena (1-67) the "place of burning" (Matt 5:22, 29-30, 10:28, 18:9). The expression "outer darkness" in Matthew 25:30 occurs at the end of the parable of the talents which emphasizes the necessity of SERVING Christ faithfully. However, the "outer darkness" of Matthew 25:30 may not refer to Ge'ena. Others say that this parable does not refer to all to be unbelievers or hypocrites but to the believers who neglect to exercise their God-given talents. The Lord calls such a servent (wicked ...4190) and (cursed 2672) (Matthew 25:41) despite the fact that he is one of the Lord's servants. This is similiar to the instance where the Lord called Peter "Satan" (Matthew 16:23). Hence, these terms may also be applied to believers who have failed the Lord in their service. The words of Paul in I Corinthians 3:10-15 are in full support of the fact that the works of faith as servants will be tried by fire. Therefore, in this instance, the "outer darkness" may be a reference to a place of POSITION of far LESS REWARDS for the servants who proved themselves less diligent than those who used who used and exercised their talents to the fullest. The expression would then refer to degrees of the enjoyment in heaven rather than referring to hell. This teaching of varied rewards is part and parcel of the inherent doctrine of the NT that neither heaven nor hell are experienced equally by all because this would anull the justice of God. Entrance into heaven in gained by accepting Christ's sacrifice for justification but a person's REWARDS in heaven will be determined by what he did for Christ on earth (Matt 5:3-12, 7:21-23, 10:15, Luke 6:20-26, 12:47-48, Acts 10:4, 31, Romans 2:1-16, 14:10-23, I Cor 3:13, 4:5, II Cor 5:10, I John 4:17, Revelation 20:11-15) ..." So, "outer darkness" can refer to being cast into hell for an unbeliever. But for the believer, it can refer to being "outside" the ABSOLUTE presence of God (the Holy of Holies ... the place of the THRONE of God). Heaven is called a TABERNACLE (Hebrew 8:5, Revelation 21:1-3). So, the Bride of Christ will be in the "Holy of Holies" and the non-Bride will be in the "Holy Place" and the "Outer Court". God promised Abraham that NATIONS would come from him (Genesis 17:6) but that the Bride of Christ is a ROYAL NATION (I Peter 2:5,9). These are the concepts that I teach in my new book, "Who is the Bride of Christ?" I hope that this answered your question. Eddie Chumney Do you mean the literal outer courtyard as in the Temple Compound? Or do you mean the outer courtyard as being the Gentile nations who will be outside of the Kingdom during the Millennium? Does this outer darkness have to do with those who are without the presence or knowledge of the L-rd G-d? Thank you very much in advance! Shalom, Dee. ----------geoboundary--
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