Quote:
Originally Posted by Bible-believer
"Outer darkness" in Bible refers to hell or the lake of fire.
|
Not so, only unbelievers go to the lake of fire.
Outer darkness is mentioned 3 times in the New Testament, it is a place of discipline for believers outside the Presence of the Lord, outside of His glory, joy, and light. The context of the verses shows that:
"But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 8:12.
Unbelievers can never be the "sons of the kingdom" which are the good seed planted by the Son of Man (13:37-38). Here they are ones that did not have enough faith.
"But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’" Matt. 22:11-13.
This is a saved believer that is not ready,he did not prepare sufficiently and is specifically missing "wedding" garments.
"You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his Master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 25:26-30.
The wicked and lazy servant is a saved believer, he was given a talent and is rendering an account to the Master, but was found worthless.