“Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” Mark 3:28-29 (King James)
The implications of the above scriptural reference have caused many a heart to be anxious. Eternal damnation speaks of–from a dictionary: condemnation lasting forever. But the actual meaning of the original Greek for this scripture speaks something different. Notice the same scripture with a more correctly translated rendering:
“Verily I say to you, that all the sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and evil speakings with which they might speak evil: but whoever may speak evil in regard to the Holy Spirit hath not forgiveness -- to the age, but is in danger of age-during judgment;” (Young’s Literal)
No forgiveness to the age (from the Greek: aion; English: eon = a period of time). We have historical ages, geological ages, social ages, etc., and God has his own ages distinguished by his dispensations and appearings. During the time of Jesus speaking these words, the religious world was in the age of law that had begun with Moses. The law was to bring the called out of God at that time (the Hebrews) to an understanding of sin consciousness. It hadn’t been addressed before, so no one was guilty of not knowing about it before then.
Sin is not a “thing”. It is a level of understanding that we inherit when we are all born into this lower realm devoid of spiritual insight. It causes us to “be” a product of that reality and what we “do” is only a reflection of the whole realm. Sin means “to miss the mark”--as a dart being thrown at the center of a target. Our target is perfection (spiritual). Even though it is not our fault that this journey is as it is, nonetheless, we have become temporary citizens of the Nation of Sin; the children of this nation are all “self” oriented and motivated. (Since God intentionally sent us down this path, we are blameless upon our arrival, and he will also enable us to conquer and overtake it–in our time.)
Sin consciousness is the mind set of the natural, human atmosphere. It is a singular expression affecting all, but has two repercussions. The first and most obvious is that all of our best efforts to “hit the mark” on the bull’s-eye every time fall short. The second is in the out-workings of our nature and how our wrong actions result, to whatever degree (intentional or unintentional). But, all were covered in the sacrificial covenant of Moses concerning different kinds of sin offerings.
Each year, on one day only--the Day of Atonement, the high priest offered up a special sacrifice to cover all the people for one year concerning the sin nature. That sacrifice covered everyone, for all were in the same condition--having the potential for “whatever”. Then, on a daily basis--as needed, individual sacrifices were offered by those who broke civil laws, to cover their transgressions. These outward observances were done to teach the people about inward realities. God had an order for them to find happiness and safety in, and even though they would never be able to satisfy the requirements of the law, he provided a structure for them to lean and rely on. His higher purpose was for us to lean and rely on Him, but it couldn’t be accomplished until he sent his son to pave the way for inward salvation to overcome the outward law. Herein speaks the power of Jesus of Nazareth standing and talking to the religious leaders of his day.
The Lamb of God stood before them, conversing with them, answering their questions, taking on their accusations against him, but always speaking truth about the law and the prophets. He knew and they knew what the law was all about. They knew that the once-a-year sin offering included all the house of Israel, including them. They knew the specifics of all the offerings, for they prided themselves on knowing the letter of the law. And because they knew the law, they also knew that Jesus was sent by God. (John 3:1-3)
They knew that to speak blasphemy against God was a death sentence, yet they continued their assault against him. They criticized Jesus, sought to bring him humiliation, tried to stone him. They accused him of having a demon, and even called him Beelzebub, the name for a despicable pagan god (a lord of the flies). Continually ongoing was their plot to kill him. And they knew Jesus was sent by God! But with zeal they lead the revolt and created false witness against him to be crucified. They didn’t care when Judas Iscariot returned the betrayal money to them--claiming he had sinned against innocent blood. They didn’t care that an actual criminal would be let go to accommodate their desires. They didn’t care when the Roman governor saw no cause to punish Jesus, and referred to him as a just man. They rallied all the more, wanting him to die. Why?
He made them look bad. He didn’t agree with their love for condemnation. He didn’t conform to their way of doing things. He didn’t join them in their comfort, pomp and circumstance. They cared nothing for loving the people or being kind, for they didn’t want to be like the common folk. They loved to sit in high places and have the protection of the Roman government. They were very contented to keep their world as it was, and didn’t want God to interfere with it. They knew that God was in their midst and rejected him. This is the unforgivable sin. Not unforgivable to God, as strange as that may sound. Unforgivable in that these hateful, religious men weren’t interested and wouldn’t be interested in being conformed in any way by God. They refused the hand of God extended in peace.
Rooted deep in their hearts was rebellion. This kind of rebellion even a sin offering cannot overtake, because there was no openness to repentance (a changing of our minds). They would have nothing to do with it. What made this attitude unforgivable was that they acknowledged God or KNEW that God was working. All unbelievers (the world) could not be guilty of this, for they do not know God yet. Also not guilty are followers of Jesus when they--in ignorance--are not able to acknowledge a new word or movement as being from God, and as a consequence persecute God’s messenger. When we don’t know that it is God working in front of us, God can still correct what is wrong--without condemnation. It’s the knowing that stops our approach to God. (Note: if we are fearful we are guilty, we aren’t! Fear causes God to draw near to us. The door is open for restoration.)
The sin condition that is unforgivable expresses itself in actions and words from a heart full of self love. It's a refusal of God's sovereignty while aware of who He is. A reckless mental persuasion has already replaced the Creator and become god. Could an atheist be one of these? Yes, if that person is a former believer who abdicated in this extreme way--denying deity; this is blatant rebellion. I personally believe that many atheists do believe in God--whether they have met the true one or not, and just throw out their power play by saying He doesn’t exist. Regardless, all rebellion will be subdued in God’s kingdom, but a cold, dead resistance may take a long time to thaw out and warm up. Thus the reference to “age-during” judgment (correction).
God is benevolent. He is merciful, loving and kind. He prefers to woo us to him. How can we be forced to love someone? We can be forced to serve, but love doesn’t result. Embracing God, loving him and approaching him cannot be forced. Crushing deep rebellion--a rebellion that spits in the face of divine love--will take drastic measures. Drastic in the sense of time. An age or two. God is not a sadistic despot, so his choices of corrective measures don’t involve long bouts on a torture rack to cause the victim to cry “uncle”. No conversion here, only submission (like a wrestling match). No change will come to the heart. God also takes responsibility for his creation and will not just annihilate a spirit/soul creation. But any darkness in us cannot co-exist with the presence of light. Father’s kingdom is about peace and order and love, and all darkness or disruptions to the flow of life will be overtaken and broken down. How might this happen?
Using the men who opposed Jesus as an example, they lived in the “age” of law. Jesus said they couldn’t receive forgiveness right then; most definitely not, because they wouldn’t lower themselves. So, the next age began when the law was fulfilled in the Son of God and--officially, when Jerusalem was destroyed. We are still in that age, I believe--or not, because Jesus came at the end of the Ages (Heb, chap 9). Whatever the case, ages are divided by specific happenings.
Many people have come and gone to the grave since the days of Jesus of Nazareth. Where did they go? Their souls didn’t disappear (even though their bodies died), and their spirits are intact with their souls. They just can no longer be seen by those of us who are alive and remain, but they exist, for true existence is spirit/soul; the body is for a visual of the invisible. The soul is the personality and continues on in whatever state it was at the moment of physical death. However, the soul in conflict with the spirt of God WILL NOT move forward, because it is in conflict with the only part of them that connects them to God: their spiritual essence.
Many people believe that when we die, we "go to heaven". But to ascend to the heavenlies, we must be perfected in attitude, just as Jesus was. Our spiritual house (new body) can only contain a pure vessel. Flesh and blood (nature) cannot enter in to the kingdom of God. In whatever spirit/soul state we are in when we "pass", will still be our status and we will still be available for schooling. The specifics are in God’s hands. And we must consider His ways. How is a rebellious child taught if it doesn’t want to learn? Human methods aside, what would be humane? What is scriptural?
“Be careful, therefore, how you hear; for whoever has anything, to him more shall be given, and whoever has nothing, even that which he thinks he has shall be taken away from him." Luke 8:18 (Weymouth)
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corin 3:11-15 (KJB; Note: “fire” from the original language speaks of a purging.)
These are serious exhortations about our own concepts and strongholds that are devoid of the life of God. Whatever of our soul (when our processing is over) has not been purified and restored to the divine state we came from will be eliminated. A purging will happen of all dark energy--like a computer chip with an error in the program. It can be corrected, or it will have to be erased and re-programmed. The more we gain the life of Christ in us, the more of us will remain. And vice, versa. A strong word, for sure. But God is slow to anger, and very merciful. His actions are not rash as humans’ are, and he is long-suffering.
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Not his spirit, his soul.) Matt 16:26 (NIV)
Imagine living a lavish life, totally caught up in doing our own thing, enjoying the intoxicating "high" of power, rebelling against God our whole life, just to die, have it all erased from our memory, then re-enter Eden (this realm, purified) when the "age" is correct, but having no knowledge of the former. Our soul will have been pruned (like a tree branch) so that we could willingly approach God. I call that an act of mercy! The mistaken identity was just a passing, lethargic experience anyway. But God gives us "time" to let it go and remember it in a new light, or not remember it at all.
The rebellious condition of some of the religious community in Jesus’ time was not unique, and has not been the only time humans have railed in blasphemy against God. When Jesus went to preach in “prison” to disobedient spirits from the days of Noah, we don’t know what their responses were.(1 Peter 3:19-20) Maybe they needed more time? The human nature contains a strong spirit to survive on its own. It has always been so. We should not be surprised that there exists in our world today--in the religious community, some of these same Pharisaical types. They love to stand for God, they love the acclaim and power, but were they to find out that God was changing his order, they would not be happy. But I pray when this happens they will bow to the King, repent, and embrace the correction.
We are born to bring God’s realm into this one through the enrichment of our spiritual journey. Everything we experience and all we know and love are part of the trip. We are spiritual beings having a temporary human experience that will turn into an exhilarating human/God experience right here. The conforming work of Jesus in our souls make this realm more vibrant and radiant. This is what is changing our world, and will continue to change it. The blanket of darkness called sin will be thrown off and dissolved by the brightness of His coming (in us). Rebellion will not hinder God, but it can affect how we view the ages.
