FAQ 18. What about weeping and gnashing teeth? Lu. 13:28-30

What about weeping and gnashing teeth? Lu. 13:28-30

Greek scholar William Barclay writes, “It was the eastern custom to use language in the most vivid possible way. Eastern language is always as vivid as the human mind can make it.” (17) As well, Thomas Allin, author of “Christ Triumphant” writes, “The whole Bible is Oriental. Every line breathes the spirit of the East, with its hyperboles and metaphors, and what to us seem utter exaggerations. If such language be taken literally, its whole meaning is lost. When the sacred writers want to describe the dusky redness of a lunar eclipse, they say the moon is “turned into blood.” He who perverts Scripture is not the man who reduces this sacred poetry to its true meaning. Nay, that man perverts the Bible who hardens into dogmas the glowing metaphors of Eastern poetry—such conduct Lange calls “a moral scandal.” So with our Lord’s words. Am I to hate my father and mother or pluck out my right eye literally? Or take a case by Farrar: “Egypt is said to have been an iron furnace to the Jews (De. 4:20; Jer. 11:4), and yet they said, ‘it was well with us there,’ and sighed for its enjoyments (Nu. 11:18). Therefore I maintain that no doctrine of endless pain can be based on Eastern imagery, on metaphors mistranslated very often, and always misinterpreted.” (18)

The following scene depicts a very serious disappointment for God’s unfaithful children, called “sons of the kingdom” in Mt. 8:12 and “unprofitable servants” in Mt. 25:30. In no case, is it proven to be an eternal state. In fact, the context indicates the contrary:

There will be weeping and grinding of teeth (bitter regret –PME) when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last (Lu. 13:28-30 JB).

It is likely the ones thrown out are the very ones who came first but were not ready. Perhaps they came without their wedding garment (Mt. 22:11-12)? Once their judgment outside runs its course, they will return as the “first which shall be last.” Note the compassionate heart of Christ in what He says just a few verses further:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate [with weeping and gnashing of teeth?]; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD” (Lu. 13:34, 35)!

The Lord said they would not see Him “until” the time comes when they say, “Blessed is He.…” This is separation for a season, not eternity. Might those left desolate not be the “first” who are thrown out? Though thrown out for a time, they return as “last” (Lu. 13:30) after they have paid the last cent and washed their robes (Mt. 5:26; 18:34-35; Lu. 12:59). “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (Re. 22:14 NAS). “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5). “God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol” (Ps. 49:15 NAS).

References

¹⁷ Barclay, William. “The Gospel of Luke.” Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1978. 196.

¹⁸ Allin, Thomas. Christ Triumphant. 1878. Rpt. 9^th ed. Canyon Country, CA: Concordant, n.d. 279-280.

Taken from Hope Beyond Hell page 225 226