Hi Gerry, I came to the close of your book today “Hope Beyond Hell” and I had to convey my appreciation to you for obediently writing this book. It is truly a miracle that it was placed into my hands. I have walked with the Lord about 21 years now, I’ve read the Bible, studied the Bible, taught the Bible, and thought I knew the Bible, or at least what I believed. . .ha. I now ask myself, how could I have thought I read/knew the Bible yet not really have known/read the Bible? I guess this speaks to the power of a mental stronghold (what we’ve been taught to believe).
About three months ago, the Lord was stirring the question in my heart, (and I even asked a few people) “Do you think Hell is eternal” as I reflected on the passage where Jesus, in speaking of the servant who had been forgiven a debt and then would not forgive another, spoke of him being thrown into prison (Hell) “until” he paid the last penny. Although the answers I received were traditional Augustine views, I kept thinking, wow, that statement sure sounds like something finite to me. As I look back, it’s amazing to me that I never really put much thought into this before, not even realizing the huge impact our belief in this area has on our view of God, the Church, the lost, and especially those in Hell right now. I had seen some accounts of people who had been shown Hell and what they shared was tormenting to me as a Believer!
Fear had been a huge obstacle for me most of my life. During my childhood my mother was fascinated with horror movies and the children (including me) were permitted to watch them. She also taught that we only make it to Heaven “by the skin of our teeth.” I spent most of my childhood wondering what I had to do to escape Hell and make it to Heaven. At the onset of a thunderstorm I was terrified, wondering if Jesus was coming back and I wasn’t ready. My first steps toward salvation started with a prayer like this, “Jesus, please take my soul because I don’t want the devil to get it.” All this led up to the Summer of 1992 when (in my mind) I had sinned one too many times and believed I had gone beyond God’s grace. I believed I had lost my salvation and was doomed to Hell which was especially tormenting because I was a Christian at the time who really wanted to serve the Lord. I probably would have committed suicide, but I didn’t want to go to Hell! About 7 years of what I would term “clinical depression” followed. But the Lord did a miracle then too—He taught me to rely on His work on the cross and not myself (the real root of my problem which made me vulnerable to the deception in the first place).
Anyway, the Lord has brought me a long way since then, healing me of many soul wounds and giving me revelation after revelation. Now comes the miracle—my husband and I needed a repair person to fix our hot tub (we could not get anyone to call us back for a year!). Finally a friend recommended a couple who did the pipe repairs we needed. As soon as the couple agreed to come over I received two phone calls (from repairmen who would not call us back!) I told my friends, I know this is a divine appointment—it had to be because it was so strange how it all unfolded, little did I know.
The couple came over and I soon learned they were Christians. Sherry began talking about her amazing revelation of God’s love and the redemptive purposes of Hell. . .I said, You know, I was just questioning if Hell is eternal (and shared about the scripture I had been pondering). Sherry just beamed and exclaimed she had a book in her vehicle I had to read. She left the book with me and (I’ll be honest here) it sat on my dresser for about a month. I was afraid to read it, especially after I checked out that verse in Matthew that refers to Hell as “eternal.” I thought, well that settles it, there is no point in reading that book.
So when I had pretty much decided “not” to read the book, God gave me a dream (the Lord often uses dreams to speak to me). I was walking down a road and I was saying, “Lord, do you want me to read that book” as if He had told me to read it and now I was questioning Him, “Do you want me to read that book?” I kept asking the same question. When I woke up I realized He was most definitely leading me to read the book. . .so I started to read the book. I loved that you addressed the hardest verses first—of course I was using my Greek/Hebrew concordance just to make sure I wasn’t being “deceived.” What I found, was probably one of the most remarkable truths I have ever learned in my entire Christian walk. The Lord led my family and me out of the tradition Church in 2008 as God revealed the man made traditions were not His idea. Then He led me into an understanding of what He Had in mind for His Church. . .a community of united Believers who care for and love one another and when they meet, freely operate in their spiritual gifts. So we started meeting in our home, very informally, with a handful of like-minded Believers. That in itself has been an amazing journey. But this revelation of God’s Love. I know this will prove to be the most amazing.
You see, about two years ago God gave me a dream and showed me that He was going to bring me into such a revelation of His love that, in the dream I was saying something like, “I didn’t know anything about His love before.” I have been waiting and waiting to come into this revelation, honestly not having a clue how it would happen. . .I really couldn’t figure it out, but I believed it would happen. I kept having dreams that I would be calling out to God and my spirit would rise as high as the ceiling and stop. I would become frustrated because I couldn’t go higher and would hit the ceiling with my fist in the dream. I only knew the ceiling represented a barrier, a barrier within me, keeping me from going higher and coming closer to my Heavenly Father.
As I have carefully walked through the pages of this book, God has unfolded a bigger and better plan than I ever could have imagined. A plan that has served to remove the “ceiling barrier” that I have struggled to get past for many years. As I have come to put my hope in the “Blessed Hope” as you call it, an amazing thing has happened, all the fear (any that was left) within my soul began to dissipate. My heart is overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God as I realize who He really is, the extent of His Love and Mercy, the redemptive purpose of His judgments, and that He really does have it ALL under control. My worries have faded because I know that every soul (and they all belong to Him) will be taken care of.
Thank you so much Gerry, for writing this book. I am so grateful that God gave you this revelation and that you have been brave enough to share it. . . even with all the persecution you have undoubtedly incurred as a result. Your reward in Heaven will be GREAT! Many blessings to you and yours, both now and forever (and I mean forever J)!
Blessings ~
Melissa
“Love One Another” John 15:12
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May 23, 2011
Wonderful testimony! Praise God! More and more are seeing it and, I hope, more and more are finding what the Local Body is all about as in I Corinthians 14.
May 23, 2011
Thanks for sharing your story! It’s SO interesting what God is doing. It’s like this veil is being lifted – as so many of us (including me about 3 months ago too! I starting just leaping into this conversation after serving God for 24 years – knowing that this hell topic wasn’t settled for me..I went through a short depression years ago too. All of this scripture about the ultimate restoration of mankind was just exploding all around me). Then Rob Bell’s book came out, then I came across this hopebeyondhell website, then LAST NIGHT, I had the most amazing time in a friend’s back yard and about 100 other people. The guest who was sharing was PAUL YOUNG, the Author of “The Shack”! He shared about his broken “religious” (he was a missionary kid) life of sexual and verbal abuse, and about the religious facade he created. His broken soul was “the shack” within him. But God loved and adored the real him (not the facade). Anyway, it was an amazing night of miracle story after miracle story of lives that are being reconciled, and healed all over the world as they’ve read this book – and when I asked Paul’s opinion about Rob Bell’s book, he explained with all of his heart and with deep conviction, that he believes that Jesus work on the cross 2,000 years ago accomplished salvation for every soul – but many aren’t not walking in that relationship yet.
Anyway – it’s so wonderful to know that God fearing, bible believing Christians are being free to not only discuss this, but we’re walking into a greater freedom and knowledge of the Love of the Father not only for us..but for all human beings.
alicia mock
May 23, 2011
Gerry: This letter represents only the first ripples of what promises to become a torrent of enlightenment resulting from your wonderful book, “Hope Beyond Hell.” Thanks for sharing Melissa’s letter with us!
Ivan A. Rogers
May 23, 2011
That’s a WONDERFUL story Melissa. I have had a similar story. I secretly had grabbed on to every hint in the Bible that might be an indication of final restoration for many years. I too went through a very deep depression but of course afraid to end it all for fear of :hell.
Yes, once this understanding of the unfailing love of God reality sinks in the joy and peace are overwhelming beyond what we could ever ask or imagine. All the fruit the Bible indicates as the result of being a Christian can actually be released when you take this abominable doctrine out of the way. It is such an enormous obstacle that needs constant intellectual gymnastics to co-exist with an understanding of God as a loving Father. It is so wonderful to hear your story of how God divinely appointed you to hear this truth at this time! He is sovereign and He is moving to reveal this truth to the Church. Thank you for your encouraging testimony.
I have always witnessed about Jesus sharing the “gospel” (always trying to smooth over the idea of EH) but for the first time I actually have a testimony but it is not how I have been saved from the slavery of drugs etc., but how I have been saved from the traditions of men! I just “witnessed” to my unsaved neighbor of this testimony (how I have been saved from christianity) and he was so interested and open he asked for all the books! He is hungry for God not religion. Hallelujah…Aslan is on the move!
May 23, 2011
Melissa,
An awesome testimony to the divine plan of God in our lives and proof that He really wants us to know Him–not about Him. Thanks for sharing and Gerry keep sending the posts.
Mike
May 23, 2011
Wonderful testimony. I had the same experience with fear after understanding God’s purpose and plan for the ages. It simply dissipated. I can now walk in complete peace, free from fear – Praise the Lord!
May 23, 2011
Thank you, Gerry, for sharing this very wonderful testimony of the Power of Truth, as it us presented in your book. I continually feel honored that you extended the favor to present your book, Hope Beyond Hell… on the Lighthouse Library, Int’l. website. It has been a continual joy to receive and respond… to the many comments that have been submitted through our our on-line Library. I have also enjoyed the many opportunitites of passing out physical copies of the book to friends, family members, and those that are brought across my path in all kinds of settings. Thank you, again, for honoring us with the inclusion of this life-changing book on the website and now written in my heart!
Sunny Orly Coffman
http://www.lighthouselibrary.com
May 23, 2011
Hi Gerry,
Praise the Lord! Thands for sharing this story and Really there should be more like this one if.. We would Only let God teach us daily out of His Word for us to grow in. In matt. 22:29 tells us so much as you have mentioned in the Book. You hae written a book that can be read with an Open Mind and they will receive. Yes she mentioned why she didn’t Read the book .. She had FEAR in he sprit and that will Neve lead us to the Lord. I’m glad that He is the Lord for us All today. and in His time , He will teach us all. That is a Promise to All of His children, Amen
iN His Love and ours,
jc and lillian batla
May 23, 2011
All I can say to this heart rending testimony and these precious comments is Yeah God!!! YOU are using many almost unknown people in your Body and revealing Your True Self to so many. We can really rejoice in full abandonment to You. It is also so wonderful to know how contagtious His real Love seems to be in that so many are hungering to know Him better and share Him. He is unblinding so many. We have so much to celebrate no matter what natural things we have to go through. Our Papa really is good all the time! It is also wonderful not to feel so alone in seeing this really Great and Victorious News. The best is yet to come!
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May 23, 2011
Thanks for sharing this testimony. It offered great encouragement for me in this place that I am in on this journey. It has given me a beam of hope.
May 23, 2011
I loved this testimony Gerry, great to hear such and to be encouraged by it. The Lord revealed the restitution of all creation from Acts 3:21, that no one is left out of His great love. Thank you for including me in this. Please… where you can mail me your book. I want to give it to my new daughter in law in the hope that her fear will also be abated. Thank you brother.
Here is another page at my site which may confirm some of your words. http://overcomers.ca/Prophecies.html
May 23, 2011
Wonderful Melissa! God bless you as the light of His glory continues to flood your heart with the understanding of our Father’s unbounded love, given freely in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May 23, 2011
Thank you Gerry, for keeping in touch with us, and thanks to all of you for writing – it is truly encouraging and wonderful to hear all your stories of how liberating it is to learn more about our God.
My husband and I see people so differently now – knowing that God will not give up on the ‘vilest offender’ helps us to hope, love and pray for them more. One day, the glory of the Lord will fill all the earth!
Bless you all. Jean
May 23, 2011
Thanks for sharing the Revelation. As in Adam ALL died, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive.
If I be lifted up from the earth I will draw ALL men unto myself. Pray that all men would be saved. It is the will of God: Hallelujah!! The GOOD news!!
May 23, 2011
FAITHFUL IS HE WHO HAS PROMISED!!!
May 23, 2011
Thanks Gerry, for sharing what the Lord is doing in the lives of others-I know what it was like to be set Free from a prison-behind Bars-But that was Nothing-compared to being Free from Religion- Yet looking back, that was all in God’s plan for Real Freedom. I used to say to Barbara my wife, why did I have to go through all that stigma-having been certified insane, and locked away in an institution for the criminally insane) And Barbara’s reply has always been-God had you where He wanted you! I have only just mentioned that again, in a little study that I am doing-and I then remembered the words of an inmate, after he asked me what I was in for-and when I told him about my past behaviour, with the Law-he casually replied-God is your only hope! At first that was strange to me, as I had only been in church for weddings-and funerals-and had held only held a Bible in my hands in Court-then sat back and told a bunch of lies. But today Gerry, I see God all over the world is speaking to many-like He did to Milissa. Yours in His great Love-Tom and Barbara, http://www.tomvarney.com.au ps not sure if I had sent you our website before)
May 23, 2011
Sorry Gerry-but I had just Submitted a lengthy reply-and it was not sent because in an invalid code entered-But just wanted to say thanks for giving us the chance to read the testimony of Melissa-and it was also good to acknowledge so many others, of whom some of them I have had the Joy of making contact with-all because of the Ministry of Hope Beyond Hell-keep up the great work-love from Tom and Barb. x x ps not sure if I have sent you out Website, as follows http://www.tomvarney.com.au
May 24, 2011
Great letter. I’m hoping to break through the “ceiling barrier” you mention. What a blessing and how exciting. God is sure good!
May 24, 2011
Fritz,
Your message did come through. Sorry about that. I am working to try to resolve this “incorrect code” glitch.
May 24, 2011
Thanks Fritz. I’m so sorry you had that “incorrect code” come up. I’m trying to disable that feature as
I can see its a problem for everyone.
Hope to resolve ASAP.
Blessings
gerry
May 24, 2011
Thanks or sharing this Gerry. It gives me hope, that people will dare to hope in the almighty Grace of our Father.
Blessings
May 24, 2011
Gerry, I pray that all who doubt and have fear will get the answers, truth and grace that they need. Your book is definitely a blessing and I pray that it will continue to bless. I had no interest in the god of eternal hell thanks to my Lutheran upbringing. But I was overwhelmed by God’s grace in 1979…and God blessed me with non-denominational truth-seeker friends and resources. Then in 1991 I met a guy who was ready to shoot himself– after 30 years of a hard life–because he thought he had found God, but kept being confused by “hell” as he read the Bible. He was glad that I showed him truth from Scriptures that he had not seen before. Thanks for sharing the testimony.
May 24, 2011
Gerry, thanks for sharing that testimony. I pray that your book will continue to be
a help and a blessing to those with questions, doubts and fear. I met a friend in 1991
who had suffered thirty years of a troubled life, then believed in Christ, then was going
to shoot himself. Why? Because he kept reading about eternal punishment in hell for
billions of creatures—and could not get it out of his head. Then he met me, and I was
glad to show him parts of Scripture he had not seen before. Today, he is still thankful that Jesus Christ and His Father are not like the Baptists say they are. May your book open eyes and hearts to the truth.
May 25, 2011
Awesome testimony of God revealing Himself as He promised. May we be in the days of Joel 2:28.
May 25, 2011
Awesome testimony of God’s Love in leading Melissa each step of the way. I pray that we will see a tsunami of God’s truth reach His people. Praise God for His Amazing Love and Grace.
May 26, 2011
Thanks again Gerry….I can see by the comments on here that many people are set free by reading Hope Beyond Hell…..I just praise God for it….
and it certainly has set my husband and I free…We did see it before reading the book, but it sure helps to get all the scriptures together, and a perfect gift to give to those our Father directs. I am delighted with the book, and we continue to study the scriptures!!
May 26, 2011
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. It is indeed for freedom that Christ has set us free. Praise God for his unfailing and all-encompassing love.
June 2, 2011
Amazing! I’ve just learnt about this new understanding too. This has been a problem for me for about a decade – the contradiction of hell with gods nature… THANKS!!! x
March 30, 2012
The hope that all humanity will be reconciled to God BY JESUS eventually , is always a good hope to have .
One matter of thought that is somewhat diifferent than that , however, I would like to address, is that someone in one of the posts above , stated that ‘God wants to be known/ not known about ‘.
The notion that knowing God is somehow independent of knowing about God is a false dichtomy .
We ought to analyze God . The doctrine of some that claims that there is some sort of mysterious divine reason and a separate so-called ” human reason ” (a doctrine ironically advocated by both some fundamentalists and some emergent church people of a postmodernist sort) is a wrong doctrine . Isaiah 1: 18 has God [Elohim] saying to a person , ‘Come and let us reason together’ , indicating (if the book of Isaiah is right) , that God does *not* have some mysterious type of reason that is unknowable to humans , but invites humans to participate in analytical deductive and dialectical reasoning with God . Unless God and humans had a similar common conceptual frame of reference , there then could be no reasoning together —for if the logic of God were radically different from the logic that humans were familar with then there could be little communication , for there would not be a common frame of reference .
Some have alleged that Isaiah 55: 8 somehow indicates there is a divine reason separate from human reason , due to how it depicts God as having said , ‘your ways are not my ways/ ‘your thoughts’ are not my thoughts ‘ .
However, that interpretation is not warranted at all , when one finds that the import of that passage is revealed in the verse immediately prior , where it states , ‘Let the wicked man forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts , and let him return to the Lord and he will abundantly pardon ‘ .
The difference in the ways and thoughts of God is indicated in that passage that God is willing to show mercy, unlike many people who bear vindicative grudges and are unwilling to extend charity to one who has wronged them in the past (and charity does not have to be of the bygones be bygones sort of buddy buddy approach , mind you, but it does involve showing mercy to one who has done wrong) . The verse of Isaiah 55: 8 should NOT be interpreted that God has somehow a totally other type of logic than the the ones that humans are familiar with . It should NOT , moreover , be given the ever so unspeakably weird, insulting to God interpretation that tragic events , events involving evil and so on serve some mysterious plan of God that we are not meant to know —the latter being what have some have weirdly claimed (probably due to the partial influence of Calvinism ) .