Name: Ginger
Question: Regarding the recent question about 2 Esdras chapter 7 by a previous person. (Dorthy I believe) So in the verses you have provided as answers, it’s states basically that everyone who is on the wrong side of the gulf doesn’t have any chance at life. (Period) What about the Millennium where those who missed the mark, so to speak, will have a chance to be taught by the real Priests of the Zadok for 1,000 years? Like as in without Satan’s influence or traditions of men? Seems that’s what the Millennium is all about, according to my studies, is those who missed the mark would have a second chance if they then listen. I’m not sure if 2 Esdras touches on this as I have not read the whole book yet. Thank you in advance for your answer.
This answer discusses 2 Esdras 7 which is a part of the Apocrypha. It was included in the original 1611 KJV Bible until it was removed in 1885. We are discussing 2 Esdras, as it adds detail to what we already know about Scripture. Yet, the Holy Bible is always our source for truth.
Answer: Ginger, thank you so much for the question.
You are referring to, What Are Your Thoughts On 2 Esdras 7?
Not everyone on the wrong side of the Gulf in Heaven is going to die, (Luke 16:26). Some people have been misled by false doctrines. Some have been conditioned to the ways of the world and never had a true opportunity to hear and understand the Word of God. Then you have some who have never heard it at all and I am sure there are a million other examples we could come up with.
Regardless, everyone on the wrong side of the Gulf in Heaven is placed there by God as they were not found to be righteous, they did not follow Christ as we have been instructed, (see: Is Hell Forever?). He is the only way to our Father and Eternal Life, (John 3:16-17).
The Wrong Side Of The Gulf In Heaven
We are going to cover three verses from that last Bible Q&A, but let us take our time reading these three verses and I believe you will find comfort in it.
2 Esdras 7:78
Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High.
This verse lines right up with Ecclesiastes 1:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:7-8. When we die here on earth, our spirit returns to our Heavenly Father. At that time, we either enter the right or wrong side of the Gulf in Heaven, (Luke 16:26).
Now pay close attention.
2 Esdras 7:79
And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law, and who have hated those who fear God.
Ginger, this is your takeaway. We have the powerful word, “if” here. So not all of those on the wrong side of the Gulf, but only those who fit the qualifier.
2 Esdras 7:80
such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways.
“Such spirits,” those spirits, those people who have passed on, who are now on the wrong side of the Gulf and “wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways” are:
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- Those who have “shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High”.
- Those “who have despised his law”.
- Those “who have hated those who fear God”.
These are people who hate everything about God.
- They hate Him.
- They hate His Law.
- They hate those who love God.
Those are the people who “wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways” on the wrong side of the Gulf.
Look, there is a big difference between someone who loves God and has been misled by false teaching.
There is a big difference between someone who has been brainwashed by the world and never accepted God. Christ is the Judge, but I think through common sense and good ol Scriptural insight we can figure a lot out, (John 5:22).
I still believe those on the wrong side of the Gulf are going to be sweating no matter who they are, no matter what they did on earth. They are going to see the righteous on the right side of the Gulf and they are not apart of it. The important thing to understand is not everyone on the wrong side of the Gulf in Heaven will perish. Only those who fit those three bullet points, those who have taken pleasure in unrighteousness, (Romans 1:32, 2 Thessalonians 2:12).
The Millennium
To be clear, since the dawn of time it has basically been a time of teaching. Moses placed the Word in writing when he wrote the first five books of the Bible and it has been with us since.
Unfortunately, the Word of God has been distorted and perverted, but that is one of the reasons why we have the Millennium which will be the greatest time of teaching in the history of the world, (Revelation 20:4-6). It is meant to set things in order and right wrongs.
I must say, I do not believe the Bible describes second chances. However, some people never had a chance to truly learn about God. While some of us were born into Christianity and had to iron out some things we were taught, others were born with other faiths or no faith at all. That is a lot to overcome, especially when one’s family is deeply rooted in their belief system. That is why we must work diligently to spread the Gospel, to help those in need.
Regardless, the Millennium will be the final test for those on the wrong side of the Gulf, those who will either earn rewards and Eternal Life, or be damned to the “second death”.