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From: Bill Steidtmann
Adam: Whadaya know for sure?
Bob: I’m right and you’re wrong.
Adam: I’m glad that’s settled.
Bob: Last time we talked you said that God was going to eventually save everyone. It’s so easy to prove you wrong that I have to assume that Satan has blinded you.
Adam: We should have a debate.
Bob: Fair enough. I say that God will not save everyone, and those who are not saved will burn forever in an eternal Hell.
Adam: And I say that God will save everyone through Jesus Christ.
Bob: Okay, you can go first. After you...
Adam: The Bible was not written in English. In order to have a Bible in English it must be translated from the original languages. In general the English translations are quite good, however, there is one defect that 99% of them all have. The Greek word “aion”, and the equivalent Hebrew word “olam” are often mistranslated. If this problem is fixed, the Bible reveals that God will save everyone through Jesus Christ.
Bob: That’s it? One word changes everything?
Adam: Yes, one little word.
Bob: Do you think you’re some kind of Greek and Hebrew expert?
Adam: No.
Bob: Case closed.
Adam: What about you, are you a Greek and Hebrew expert?
Bob: No. But I trust our leaders.
Adam: I don’t. Case reopened.
Bob: And how are two Bible dummies like us supposed to figure this out?
Adam: Let the Bible define itself.
Bob: Okay then how about this definition: Matthew 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
Adam: Aion.
Bob: Where?
Adam: The words “everlasting” and “eternal”, are both attempting to translate the adjective form of the Greek “aion”. It might help to say it this way: “And these shall go away into aionian punishment: but the righteous into aionian life.”
Bob: And what on God’s green earth is “aionian life” if it’s not eternal life?
Adam: Life that is “pertaining to the aions”, or “lasting for the aions”.
Bob: Well I say aion means “eternity”. What’s your definition?
Adam: An indefinite but limited period of time. The English words “age” or “eon” are close, but still leave something to be desired.
Bob: And how many of these limited periods of time are there?
Adam: Probably five, but that’s beside the point. A limited number of them.
Bob: HA HA, oh man, you just admitted that you don’t believe in eternal life. You’re so blind!
Adam: HA HA there is also life after the aions, as long as God doesn’t die.
Bob: Life after aionian life. Then what about punishment after aionian punishment?
Adam: The whole reason for the conclusion of the aions is to resolve that situation. There is no punishment after aionian punishment.
Bob: And you expect me to believe all this aion crazy talk is in the Bible?
Adam: Yes, but I don’t suppose you will.
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