Displaying all 11 Forum Posts for the Thread:

Idolatry

2010-05-22 09:19 PM

HilaryK
Denton, TX
Posts: 39

Is idolatry the worst sin you could committ?

2010-05-23 08:37 AM

MrWonder
Medium City, TX
Posts: 226

Hi Hilary,

That's a really good question. As I think on it, I believe it is. God is the greatest Person, so to sin against Him in such a basic and vital matter has to be the worst sin.

MrWonder

2010-05-24 09:00 AM

ChristyR
Denton, TX
Posts: 197

Hey Wonder,

Can you define worst sin for me? I mean, isn't there one level of sinning? Sin=Bad. Right? I mean, it's not like you can get away with less meaningful sins? Does quanity of sins matter? If so, where is the line?

Are you punished more harshly for worshiping two gods, instead of one? What if you worship no gods? Is that some how worse that worshiping 10 gods?

And if its the worst sin, can other sins stack up? Meaning.... if you killed 10 people, but worship God... Are you about even to the person that Worships 10 Gods, but wouldn't hurt a fly?

Thanks,

2010-05-25 04:26 PM

MrWonder
Medium City, TX
Posts: 226

Blasphemy is the worst sin because it is against God.

All sins are not the same. Some are worse than others.

There are degrees of punishment in hell and degrees of reward in heaven.

No murderer has eternal life.

No person worshipping 10 gods has eternal life either.

2010-05-27 10:31 AM

ChristyR
Denton, TX
Posts: 197

I have heard of the layers of Hell, many times over, thanks to Dante..... but you don't hear much about layers of Heaven. Please, enlighten me.

2 Corinthians 12:2 says “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.”

.... This doesn't really say much. It eludes to the fact that there are multiple layers of heaven, but it doesn't say that there is any difference between the layers...

Do you have scripture to prove that?

....From what I understand, both former murders and polytheist may repent against their sins and give their life to Jesus....

So is that what determines what layer of heaven you get to? Does the former polytheist get to spend his eternity with a gimp pair of wings, while the former murderer gets the "flyest" wings in the hood?

If they were both paralyzed from the waste down on earth, would only the former murderer be able to walk in heaven?

2010-05-27 11:49 AM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 119

If you go by Dante's Inferno, the lowest level of hell is reserved for betrayers and muntineers. So back-stabbing would be the worst sin according to that book.

2010-05-27 12:37 PM

MrWonder
Medium City, TX
Posts: 226

Hi Christy:

2 Corinthians 12:2 says “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.”

The first heaven is the atmosphere around the earth. Check the first couple of chapters of Genesis for confirmation.

The second heaven is what we call space, or outer space.

The third heaven is where God dwells. Thus the Apostle referred to the "third heaven". It doesn't mean three levels in heaven itself.

MrWonder

2010-05-27 12:43 PM

ChristyR
Denton, TX
Posts: 197

Alright, so what did you mean when you said layers of heaven?

2010-05-27 01:05 PM

MrWonder
Medium City, TX
Posts: 226

Hi Christy,

I didn't say anything about "layers". Wasn't that Shrek?

Seriously, I think you made the first mention and I was just answering your question.

MrWonder

2010-05-27 01:41 PM

ChristyR
Denton, TX
Posts: 197

:) Sorry, focusing on too many different things this morning...

You mentioned degrees of reward.... which, I somehow translated into layers of heaven.

Could you elaborate on the degrees of reward?

2010-05-27 02:04 PM

MrWonder
Medium City, TX
Posts: 226

Hi Christy,

For example, the Bible speaks of five different crowns that are available to believers in the judgment. The Bible also speaks of believers ruling and reigning with Christ, in the Millennial Reign, for instance. We understand that some will be given authority over several cities, while some will have responsibility for less.

Just as in the military, there is hierarchy. Some will have greater roles; some will have lesser roles.

MrWonder