Is It Just a Small Misunderstanding?

 * Some people misread these inspired words: "There is an appointed time for everything under heaven . . .a time for birth and a time to die." They conclude that God has decided the exact moment when each human will die. (Ecclesiastes 3:2, 3) However, that passage is actually commentng on the style of life and noting that death is our common lot.  God's Word also teaches  that our own decisions can affect our life span.  For example, we read: "The fear of Jehovah prolongs life."  (Proverbs 10:27; Psalm 90:10; Isaiah 55:3)  How so? For instance, respect for God's Word will move us to avoid such unhealthy practices as drunkenness, and immorality. - 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9, 10.

* Some take the Bible literally when it states that the heavens and the earth are "reserved for fire," and they conclude that God will destroy this planet. (2 Peter 3:7)  But God promises that he will never allow the literal earth to be destroyed.  God "has established the earth on its foundations; it will not be moved from its place forever and ever." (Psalm 104:5; Isaiah 45:18) It is this corrupt world system of things, not the literal planet, that will meet it permanent end, as if destroyed by fire.  As  for the heavens, when the world is meant literally,, it may refer to the sky, the starry universe, or God's place of dwelling.  None of these will be destroyed. 

Next time: Is It Just a Small  Misunderstanding? - WHY IS THE BIBLE SOMETIMES MISUNDERSTOOD? 

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