The following appendices offer further discussion of specific issues that have been more briefly touched upon in the main text:

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• Appendix A – How Long is an Aeon?

  ‘Aeon,’ or ‘Eon,’ is a translation of the Hebrew word, ‘olam’; the original meaning of which was ‘an unknowably remote period in the past or future’ or ‘in perpetuity.’ And this is the sense in which it is used throughout the Old Testament; with the possible exception of a very few texts in the last O.T. books to be written. But in later Rabbinic discussions and liturgy, dating from the middle or late Second Temple period (c.300BC or later), it began to be used in the sense of ‘the age’ or ‘world’,

  We struggle to grasp the concept of unending time; even whilst finding ourselves forced to admit that, for God, this must be an inevitable aspect of his nature. The prospect of never-ending bliss sounds great: but the converse, with no prospect of relief, sounds so awful that we instinctively resist such an idea. As the English ‘aeon’ derives from the Greek ‘aion’ (the meaning of which has varied more over time) many commentators tend to favour translations which downplay either the eternal significance of ‘olam’ or else its punitive associations.

  The question that concerns us here is how these gradual changes in word use should affect our understanding of the New Testament texts.

• Appendix B – The Buck stops Where?

  We live in a world that is so complex we can mostly only guess the consequences of our actions. And when we consider the possibility of an unending chain of events, stretching from now to eternity, we begin to realize the possibility of an unlimited liability for the devastating consequences of what may have seemed to us, at the time, to be minor acts of negligence or self-interest.

  Faced with such a possibility, might we not prefer instant annihilation? But would it be OK for someone to inflict unspeakable pain and suffering on others, and then quit this life without ever facing the consequences? Would that be ʻjusticeʼ?

  So where does the buck stop and how can we find freedom from the penalty we deserve and our legacy of guilt? At the cross! This is the point at which God, in the person of Jesus, formally took upon Himself the ultimate responsibility and endured the consequences for all the evil that has ever been committed. This is the only place where all are condemned, all can be forgiven; and none can stand in judgement against any other.

• Appendix C – Is Death Forever?

  We all know that normal human death usually takes time, and the degree of suffering involved may vary considerably. But Jesus’ teaching is founded on the revelation that bodily death is not the end; and that all who die will ultimately face God’s judgement. At that point it will be determined whether a person will be admitted to God’s heavenly kingdom, the beauty of which will be beyond imagination.

  But, for those who are not, there will come the shocking realization that they have wasted their life seeking their own fulfilment, only to now lose it all and be forever barred from heaven. These will be condemned to ‘Outer Darkness’ in the ‘Lake of Fire’; also known as the ‘Second Death’. The Lake of Fire will continue to exist as a permanent memorial to the effect of evil. ‘The Devil and his angels’ will suffer there for ever. So also will those humans who deliberately sided with ‘the Beast’ against God in the final years of his reign. But for the rest of sinful humanity their fate is described as ‘destruction.’ How complete that will be and how long it will take is not defined. But is it is not reasonable to expect that its duration or intensity will depend on the suffering they themselves have caused?

• Appendix D – The Unforgivable Sin

  Though seldom discussed amongst Christians, Satan loves to fill our hearts with the fear that, in some way, we have been guilty of an ‘unforgivable sin’; and are therefore forever condemned to Hell. Many, including great men and women of God, such as John Bunyan (of ʻPilgrims Progressʼ fame) as well as novice Christians (such as myself) have fallen foul of this particular trap; which can manifest in various disguises to snare those of a tender conscience, the carelessly over-confident and all those in between.

  Satan is the ultimate expert in misusing and distorting God’s Word. His favourite tactic is to subtly misquote and misapply even the truths spoken by God himself; not to mention the words spoken by godly men and women who have only imperfectly understood what they have heard from God. He is devious and determined; whereas we are often vulnerable to his threats and deceptions. But we do not ever need to live in fear that we will fail because of our weakness or lack of faith. The whole Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – are committed to seeing us through to the end.

  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)