I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I do not believe that carnal believers will be thrown into hell. I thought I did an ok job articulating that, but I see that I have failed miserably! :) You're right, if Jesus' blood didn't save us then what can we possibly do on our own? Nothing. Let me try to put it a different way.

Asking Jesus into your life saves you. You will NEVER go to hell. That doctrine is Biblical. You will be raptured when the time comes, or when you die, you will go to heaven. Period.

However, your reward and inheritance are based on good work - not those done in and of yourself - only those prompted and powered by the Holy Spirit. Obedience, basically. That doctrine is Biblical.

All who believe on the blood of Jesus will enter the Kingdom. Not everyone will inherit. That doctrine is Biblical. I don't think this teaching is fear based, I think it's a motivator!! It is a call to holiness to the Laodicean church. I disagree that this doctrine originated with J.D. Faust. It originated with Jesus Christ. Jesus, in Matthew tells us over and over again that not all who call Him Lord will be welcomed into the Kingdom. Not heaven - the Kingdom. Heaven is a completely different thing and we all - no matter how faithful - will enter the New Heaven after the 1000 year reign of Christ. Matthew 7:21-23 is just one example. There are different passages that say "weeping and gnashing of teeth" accompanied by fire. I am NOT saying that any believers no matter how carnal will go there. That is a different place than the outer darkness. In the outer darkness there is no fire. And all believers will BE physically in the Millennial Kingdom, but not all will be able to see Jesus or rule and reign. There will be least and greatest in the Kingdom. This doctrine is Biblical.

Again, I'm sure I'm doing a terrible job of  explaining all of this. For a much MUCH better explanation please read the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory by Nancy Missler. This is not a false doctrine. Obedience IS required to inherit the Kingdom. Only grace is required to enter the Kingdom. We will each be recorded according to our works, and the wedding garments are the righteous deeds of the saints. It ties up the whole Bible in a way that brings every scripture together. Faith without works is dead.

I don't have a ministry, I don't preach on street corners or anything like that. All I do is stay home with my son and study the Word. I am very blessed to have so much time to do that. My "works" opportunities come in the way of cooking dinner, cleaning house, being a reflection of Christ to my child, and treating everyone in my home with grace and respect, and I fail daily. I don't expect to have a big reward in the Kingdom. I just hope that I have something left at the Bema seat. I don't want to be found naked, or be a castaway like Paul was so afraid of. What race are we running if there is no prize at the end? If we are all treated the same - the holy with the profane - what justice is there in the Kingdom? None. Just like there are different levels of torment there are different levels of reward in Heaven - and the Kingdom. They are two separate things. Eternity starts for everyone after that final rebellion.

I don't want to mess this up anymore. Just know - Steve and all Doves - that I am not deceived nor do I believe in a false doctrine. I believe what my Bible says and I take it seriously. Not saying anyone else doesn't, please don't misunderstand me. I just find it unsettling that this truth was called "False and not held by respected biblical scholars." Chuck Missler is the most accurate and respected biblical scholar I can find and he endorses this wholeheartedly. I'm not sure what basis you had for that statement Steve, but I encourage you, as I encouraged everyone at the beginning of my letter, to be Berean. Receive the Word with all readiness of mind but search the scriptures daily to prove whether these things be so. Don't take my word for it. That was never my intention. I'm just a fellow servant. Please don't insult me by dismissing my research as false and disrespected by Biblical scholars. That statement was unfounded and rather hurtful. There are some really crazy things said here on the Doves, but this is a place where we all get to post our letters as the body of Christ searching and studying and hoping for His soon return. It profits us nothing to make such indictments against one another. It's up to each of us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Accepting Christ puts you IN the race, it's up to us to run.

I respect your opinion Steve, and I enjoy your letters, but I respectfully disagree with your assessment.

In Christ, -April A