Page 65 - Gods Plan of the Ages

his soul for My sake will find it."

The very same Greek word, "apollumi" is used in both verses.

Matthew 10:28
"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him
who is able to destroy (apollumi) both soul and body in Hell."

As we look at these two verses side by side, we find that God has provided two
methods by which the soul of man might experience "apollumi." The soul can be subjected
to the rule of Christ in this age by yielding fully to Christ as Head of one's life, or the soul
can be brought to this same place of subjection in Hell.
Please do not pass over what was just stated. It is a very critical matter. The process
of "apollumi," diminishing and subjecting the soul to the rule of the Spirit, is the purpose
of Hell and the lake of fire. This fiery purging and transformation in the next age
accomplishes the same work as those fiery trials encountered by Christians who voluntarily
surrender their lives by taking up their cross and following Christ in this present age.
We see in these words of Christ that Hell is not simply a place of torment for the
adversaries of God as the church supposes. It is designed to accomplish that same work as
the disciple's cross. It will bring an end to the rule of the soul. The saint can be spared the
lake of fire if they will submit to the Headship of Christ now. The saint who rejects the
suffering of the cross in this life, will most assuredly have to experience the lake of fire in
the age to come.

Revelation 2:11
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes
will not be hurt by the second death."

These words are written to "the churches." The second death is the lake of fire. He who
overcomes; he who works out his salvation with fear and trembling; he who embraces the
cross now in this age; he who does not shrink back from the experiences of suffering Christ
will lead him to, will not be hurt by the second death. The overcomers will attain to the first
resurrection, and will not be cast into the lake of fire, for their names are recorded in the
Lamb's Book of Life. All who are born again of the Spirit of Christ have their names
recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life, but those who do not walk as overcomers will have
their names removed.

Revelation 3:5-6
"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name
from the Book of Life..., He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches."

This again is Christ's word to the churches. What happens to those Christians who
walk unworthily of Christ, who do not experience the crushing of their soul life in this age,
and who have their names blotted out of the Book of Life?

Revelation 20:15
And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the
lake of fire.