ANSWERS TO YOUR EMAILS
QUESTION: What does the Bible really teach about homosexuals?
Before I address the issue of homosexuality, it is imperative that we first establish a few Biblical truths:
QUESTION: Why are we here? What is God’s purpose for mankind? Even though we are given the answer in the very first chapter of Genesis, most Christians cannot answer this question. Why? Largely because of the misleading doctrines within the church, most will answer with something like this:
“Well, God wanted to create beings with the free will to decide for themselves whether or not they would serve God or Satan. This is the only way that God could bring any glory to Himself, otherwise we would all be pre-programmed robots whose destiny had already been predetermined. Those who choose to serve God will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven, while those who choose to serve Satan (or self) will be rewarded with eternal torment in hell.”
Of course, this teaching undermines the Biblical Truth that EVERYTHING is going according to God’s will, not man’s will. Man does not have the ability to choose anything for himself, including whether or not he will be homosexual.
“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23)
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
Now here are the two most often quoted passages from the Old Testament concerning the issue of homosexuality:
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)
“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13)
According to the Old Testament law, homosexuality is an abomination in the sight of God. But so are murder and adultery, as well as a plethora of other sins. So why would God create us to do the very things He hates? This does not sound like God is working in us to will and to do for His good pleasure, does it?
In order to make sense of this, let’s now see what the Scriptures reveal to us concerning the previous question of why we are here:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make [create] man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)
God has purposed from the beginning of time to create (present tense - indicating an ongoing activity) us in His image. And this process began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But before we could be made into God’s likeness, it was essential that we be provided with an experience of both good and evil. So God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the midst of the garden, and made sure that man would partake of it, all according to His will (for nothing EVER goes against His will).
“Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become [more accurately: is becoming] like one of Us, to know good and evil.’” (Genesis 3:22)
This following favorite quote of mine provides the answer to the question of why God allows sin and death in this present world:
“God knew that men would sin in all ways, but permitted this result to come to pass, knowing that it would ultimately be for their advantage. For since God created man when he did not exist, and made him ruler of so extended a system, and offered so great blessings for his enjoyment, it was impossible that He should have not prevented the entrance of sin if He had not known that it would be ultimately for his advantage. Therefore God divided the creation into two states, the present and the future. In the latter He will bring all to immortality and immutability [read I Corinthians 15:20-57]. In the former He gives us over to death and mutability. For if He had made us at first immortal and immutable, we should not have differed from irrational animals, who do not understand the peculiar characteristics by which they are distinguished. For if we had been ignorant of mutability we could not have understood the good of immutability. Ignorant of death, we could not have known the true worth of immortality. Ignorant of corruption, we could not have properly valued incorruption. Ignorant of the burden of sinful passions, we could not have duly exulted in freedom from such passions. In a word, ignorant of an experiment of evils, we should not have been able properly to understand the opposite forms of good.” – Theodorus of Mopsuestia (350-428 A.D.)
Jesus taught that if we are even angry with our brother (without cause) we are guilty of murder. He also taught that if we lust after a married person, we are guilty of adultery, just as if we had committed the actual physical act itself. Both murder and adultery (as well as all other sin) begin in the heart (Matthew 5:21-32; James 1:13-15). Therefore, according to God’s law, no one is justified. ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And the wages of sin (ALL sin) is death (Romans 6:23). Therefore, ALL are guilty before God. So can any one of us say that we are without sin? No.
“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1)
The real Truth of the matter is that none of us are in control of our own actions, God is. When we judge the actions of others we become guilty of judging God. This is why we are commanded NOT to judge others (see Matthew 7:1). We are commanded to LOVE one another (I John 4:7). Those who are guilty of judging others for their sin of homosexuality (or anything else) will be judged along with the world. This is why Paul encourages believers to examine themselves, to see if they are really in the faith:
“For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the LORD, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (I Corinthians 11:31,32)
So what does it mean to be condemned with the world? Most Christians have been misled into believing that this is where God tosses disobedient, unrepentant souls (especially homosexuals) away into the eternal fires of hell. But this cannot be true, for we have already learned that God will have ALL mankind to be saved (I Timothy 2:3-6), and that everything ALWAYS goes according to His will (Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 4:35). So why do Christians believe and teach this nonsense? Because they have not been careful to heed our Savior’s warning:
“Take heed and beware of the leaven [or doctrine – Matthew 16:12] of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6)
DOES “ETERNAL” REALLY MEAN ETERNAL?
I addressed this question in the article Five Questions Your Fundamentalist Pastor Will Not Be Able To Answer. But the most common argument that people come up with to defend their belief that the Greek word aion can (sometimes) mean eternity can be seen in Jesus’ many promises of ‘eternal’ life for the believer. Many argue that if God’s punishment is not eternal, then neither are His promises of life. This is where theologians have become guilty of NOT “rightly dividing God’s Word of Truth.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting (aionian) life.” (John 3:16)
Because of the mistranslation of the word aionian, most have been led to believe this passage speaks of ‘eternal life in heaven,’ but it is a mistake to think so. I’ll let you in on a little secret: Jesus never promised anyone eternal life! The promise of eternal life with God was a mystery that was later revealed through the apostles:
“...having made known to US the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him.” (Ephesians 1:9,10)
Jesus taught a message of repentance concerning the coming messianic kingdom age ONLY, where “the meek [would] inherit the earth.” In Roman-occupied Israel, the Jewish people were hopeful they would see that Day, and were bitterly disappointed when Jesus failed to deliver. Here are a couple of better and more accurate translations:
“For thus God loves the world, so that He gives His only-begotten Son, that everyone who is believing in Him should not be perishing, but may be having life eonian.” (Concordant Literal New Testament)
“For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son, that every one who trusts in Him may not perish, but may have the Life of the Ages.” (Weymouth’s New Testament)
When the Greek word aion/aionian is properly translated, an entirely new meaning becomes evident. So, if these passages are not speaking of ‘eternal life’ for the believer in heaven, then where in fact do believers go at the point of death? Where are they? Well, let’s see what Jesus had to say about it:
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” (John 3:13)
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28,29)
Contrary to fundamental Christian doctrine, all those (both good and evil) who have died are dead (asleep) in their graves, and are awaiting the resurrection [see my Statement of Faith on Death for a list of Bible references]. This includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, homosexuals, murderers, adulterers, doctors, lawyers (especially lawyers) Mother Theresa, everyone. Christianity falsely teaches that the soul is immortal (as did the pagan Greek philosopher Plato) and goes to either heaven or hell when we die. In other words, they have bought into the serpent’s lie that we “shall NOT surely die” (Genesis 3:4). God’s Word, however, teaches that the soul (not the body) that sins will surely die (Genesis 2 & 3; Ezekiel 18). Whom will you believe: God’s Word, or doctrines of men?
TWO RESURRECTIONS
God’s Word (Jesus) has established the fact that there are two resurrections: the resurrection of life, and the resurrection of condemnation. He also spoke of two roads, a narrow one and a wide one (see Matthew 7:13,14). The two roads (or paths) and the two resurrections are one in the same. Those who have been chosen to take part in the First Resurrection are those who are made to walk this narrow way. Why is this way so difficult to find? Because God, who has already declared the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), has determined it to be so. Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 20:16). Chosen for what? To rule and reign with Christ during the coming Kingdom Age (Revelation 20:6). The apostle Paul clearly understood this:
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection FROM the dead.” (Philippians 3:10,11 – NKJV)
Please note the emphasis that was added to that little four-letter word from. Unlike the King James Version (which uses the word of), most of our modern translations, including the American Standard, New American Standard, Revised Standard, New International, and the New King James Versions accurately show that there is a distinction between the two resurrections. Paul’s desire was to know Christ and the power of His Resurrection, the First Resurrection, or the resurrection (apart) FROM the (spiritually) dead (Revelation 20:6), which is the narrow path leading to (aionian) life (Matthew 7:14). The wide path leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13) is the resurrection OF the (spiritually) dead (Revelation 20:12). But the narrow road is not an easy road. Paul knew that he had to endure many hardships and persecutions “to the end” before he could finally make this boast:
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up [reserved] for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day [THAT Day – the First Resurrection – not now], and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:6-8)
Contrary to popular Christian belief, the apostle Paul, like all others who have passed away, both before him and after him, is fast asleep in his grave. He is not currently residing in heaven, paradise, or anyplace else. But all of the faithful will one Day rejoice in the promises of Christ Himself, who states that it is the ones (like Paul) who endure (hardships, persecutions, etc.) to the end (that) shall be saved (or attain to aionian life - Matthew 24:13). In other words, the ones who endure to the end will attain to First Resurrection Life with Christ in His Kingdom. All others (the spiritually dead) will remain in their graves until the time of the second resurrection, where they will face condemnation at the Great White Throne Judgment.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not enter the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit [via the first resurrection] the kingdom of God.” (I Corinthians 6:9,10)
On the surface, one must admit that this sounds pretty condemning toward the gay lifestyle, as well as many other things. But what does this verse of Scripture really imply? First of all, it should be understood that Paul is NOT addressing those outside the church; he is exhorting those WITHIN the church, as evidenced by this epistle’s opening statement:
“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified (set apart) in Christ Jesus, called to be saints...” (I Corinthians 1:2)
Those within the church are always held to a higher standard than those without. Paul is establishing rules of conduct for believers ONLY, and letting them know that they will not inherit the kingdom of God (as joint-heirs via the first resurrection) if they practice these things. This passage has NOTHING to do with those who practice a gay lifestyle outside of the church. The Scriptures are clear about this:
“But the natural [or worldly] man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14)
Those who have their eyes upon earthly things, regardless of their sexual preference, will usually regard the things of the Spirit as foolishness. Why? Because God has made them this way! So what happens when fundamental, Bible-believing Christians cite verses like these to try and get homosexuals to change their behavior, warning them of the grim eternal consequences if they don’t? In many cases, it causes them to blaspheme the Name of God (Romans 2:24). Christians believe that they are doing God a service (John 16:2) by sharing their gospel of condemnation, but in reality, they are twisting the Scriptures to their own destruction (II Peter 3:16). You see, Christians have erroneously been taught that the only two choices are heaven and hell. This is why many of them are very dedicated in trying to ‘save’ others. I once had this zeal to ‘save’ others myself, that is, until God opened my eyes to the Truth. And the Truth is reflected in what Jesus said on the cross: “IT IS FINISHED!” The penalty has been paid in full, assuring us all that the curse of sin and death will one Day be lifted. It is not a choice between heaven and hell; it is a choice between the first resurrection and the second resurrection. And that choice has already been predetermined:
“God has saved us (His elect) and called us with a holy calling, NOT according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus BEFORE TIME BEGAN.” (II Timothy 1:9)
WOW! So will thieves, adulterers, sodomites, homosexuals, etc. etc. all be saved? Absolutely! But not until the second resurrection, which takes place immediately following the kingdom age:
“The rest of the dead [you will note that they are dead, and are not suffering torment in some pagan’s version of “hell,” and] did not live again, until the thousand years were finished” [or until the Kingdom Age comes to a close] (Revelation 20:5).
Those who have faith in God can rest in the assurance that His plan is PERFECT, regardless of which resurrection we partake.
I pray that this letter has been helpful to you. For more insight into this subject, read the article Hell: Biblical Truth or Pagan Myth? beginning with the section entitled The Final Judgment.
Gary
Comments/Questions?