Rev. Billy Graham speaks to reporters during an interview in a hotel in Uniondale, N.Y., Tuesday, June 14, 2005. Now 86 and in frail health, Graham is all but certain that his revival meeting in New York City next week will be the last he ever leads in th
UNIONDALE, N.Y. - The Rev. Billy Graham's baritone, which has beckoned millions to follow Jesus Christ, is softer and huskier. He moves about with a walker and struggles with various ailments.
But after six decades of traveling the world to preach the Gospel, the 86-year-old evangelist is ready for at least one more revival meeting, in New York City next week. The event was moved from Madison Square Garden out to Flushing Meadows Corona Park to accommodate expected big turnouts.
Graham seems all but certain that it will be his last mass event in the United States and probably the last anywhere.
"In my mind, it is," he said during an Associated Press interview at a Long Island hotel where he's resting up for the event. "I wouldn't like to say 'never,'" the amiable evangelist added with a chuckle. "Never is a bad word."...
33k - I suggest that you start with the Encyclopaedia Britannica (older editions are more scholarly) and scholarly commentaries (Pulpit Commentary, Expositor's Greek Testament, etc.).
The Greek orthodox church never has accepted the book as authentic.
Just one of the problems is that the high, literary style of the Greek of Revelation is diametrically opposite the koine Greek of the Gospel account and the epistles of John. Scholars conclude that one man could not have written both. Each book of the Scripture carries the stylistic imprint of its author.
This (that the book of Revelation is a counterfeit) is a discovery which I found very difficult to accept.
Jim - The contemporary notion of "Hell" is not found in Old Covenant scripture; it was picked up by the Jews during the Babylonian captivity.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (details of which contradict the teaching of the Scripture), Jesus uses this concept to warn the self-righteous Jew of impending judgment; his purpose is not to give an accurate portrayal of the so-called "afterlife".
I urge you to research for yourself the authenticity of the book of Revelation; it could not possibly have been written by John the apostle; so who, then, was the author? The book is but Jewish myth.
Russell, very Seventh-Day Adventist of you. They just believe there is no eternal punishment either. The a lot of people would like to believe there is no hell, Bullenger (sp?) Being the most famous Anglican, who didn't. Thankfully this error is held by small minority.
(AV) Revelation 14 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Your remark indicates that you are satisfied with the more-or-less seventy years of this present life, and have no desire to be resurrected to life everlasting.
As Paul notes, if there is no resurrection from the dead, then, "let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die", I Corinthians 15:32.
Just before you next go to sleep, contemplate the possibility of lapsing into a sleep from which you never, ever regain consciousness. If such a thought gives you no anxiety, then I pity you.
"Hell" (Greek HADES) is an Old English word meaing simply a hole in the ground or the grave.
The notion of Hell as subterranean domain over which a fallen angel acts as warden is nothing more than Jewish myth which originated in the Babylonian captivity.
Jesus used the city dump, GEHENNA (a place where fires were kept burning continuously and maggots always were to be found), to portray the complete and irreversible destruction not only of body but also of soul which characterizes the judgment of God, Luke 12:4-5.
Regrettably, the KJV uses "Hell" to translate both HADES and GEHENNA.
I am amazed at some of the comments, wishing Billy Graham was in hell. I do not wish that on my worst enemy. I deny even wish that on Popes or dictators.
Thank God, I have no say on where individuals end up or down. :-( God can only determine that. Hell is a horrific place, that is there for enternity.
" The sooner he is in hell the better the better off the body of Christ will be"
I do not agree with Grahams self saving romanism but there is hope for even him and if a old blurt like Billy Graham would trouble the true body of Christ there isnt much hope for us. remember they are DECEIVERS BEING DECEIVED
Why would Dave be anything other than delighted rather than "sorry" when and if "god just might stretch his grace to Mr graham"?
Dave said, "I would that he repent". Amen to that!
It seems to me that Dave's issue is with the man's doctrine - that is what makes one a "son of a devil". Far better than the ugly comments that have appeared earlier on this thread.
I'm sure that Dave is likewise pleased to serve a merciful God rather than himself.
Dave you may be sorry when you see that god just might stretch his grace to Mr graham after all all of us deserve the same hell as billy graham I am just glad i serve a mercifull god and not you dave
Away with this son of a devil...the sooner he is in hell, the better off the body of Christ will be. This man has troubled the church for many long years and continues to do so even now. He will be very sorry when God calls him to answer for a lifetime of leading millions astray.
I would that he repent...but I'm not one to count on deathbed conversions...he is still confirming his black work of deception, even on his last legs...he has no fear of GOd even now...
Ok then JD, you are just deceived. You are wrong. We believe that salvation comes only from God. So, I guess the last months of dialogue on this forum have gone right over your head--that, or you willingly ignore what the Bible teaches.
Salvation comes from believing the Word of God. That is not what Calvinism says. It says that salvation comes from election. Therefore, I conclude there is a 'fundamental' difference in our approach to and understanding of God.
All other theological positions are wrong for the Calvinist because he is wrong about this foundational doctrine.
I would not do you any favors by not telling you the truth.