[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Yes, I know I stressed the "as". I was trying to show that to stress that as I read it it is saying "as if" by fire. Meaning he esaceped fire. One of the words you gave in explaination to Mack was "from", That is how I see it, when you study it along with the rest of God's Word, not just taking one verse by itself. Add the Heb. verses I quoted and things get alot clearer. I notice no one has commented on the Perfected Forever verse:)

Becky

Becky

[JMJ333]

I did comment on it. I said that perfection would be complete upon entrance to heaven, but that before one entered heaven one goes through a cleansing process, as taught unchallenged for the first 1500 years of Christianity. Also, do you have a reply for post 73?

If I don't answer it just means I went to bed and will answer tomorrow. =)

[Theresa]

I can't remember who it was that posted something about Jews praying for the dead. I think they do. Does Kaddish count? From a Jewish web site.

In memorium of our dear Jewish brethren who perished in the Holocaust, we say Kaddish, which has in it the power to keep those precious souls alive, and link us to them in a most appropriate manner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Throughout the millenium, Jews have remembered their loved ones with the recitation of the Kaddish. Kaddish is the most caring and respectful way we can manifest our undying love. Kaddish is the way we actively demonstrate that a Jewish soul is never forgotten. If you or members of your family are unable to fully tend to the spiritual needs of your dearly departed -- let us help. "Grant atonement to your nation Israel whom you have redeemed." (Deut:21:8) The Rabbis explained in the Pesikta: " ... this refers to the dead who can receive atonement thorugh the charity of the living." Thus we learn that the dead derive benefit from charity which the living give on their behalf ... This also applies to one who recites KADDISH or any blessing publicly in the synagogue. (R' Bachya, Deut:21:6) If you or members of your family are unable to fully tend to the spiritual needs of your dearly departed -- let us help. Is it difficult for you or your friend to go to Shul (attend a service in a synagogue) to say Kaddish? Do you know someone who would like Kaddish to be recited yearly on the Yahrzeit for parents, grandparents, in-laws or a friend? Rabbi I. Kurlander and his dedicated rabbinical staff will personally say Kaddish for the soul of your beloved. To find out more about the origin of Kaddish and the special power it has to perpetuate every Jewish soul, please call or write to The Kaddish Foundation. Rabbi Kurlander and his staff are available and most willing to assist you, 24 hours a day. This foundation is approved and highly endorsed by leading Rabbis in America, Canada, and Israel.

[Theresa]

"That is how I see it, when you study it along with the rest of God's Word, not just taking one verse by itself. "

The RCC has been studying the bible for 2,000 years but well, okay, if you want to give advise on how to study the bible, fine but...I am going with the RCC on this one. ;o>

[Siobhan]

That is how I see it, when you study it along with the rest of God's Word, not just taking one verse by itself. Add the Heb. verses I quoted and things get alot clearer

I completely disagree. To put it simply, the Greek original does not agree with your interpretation of 1 Cor 3:15. The earliest commentary as well as even some protestant editions of the Bible do not use the Hebrew quotes in ref. to this verse. Quite to the contrary, they ref. the verses from Job, Psalms, and Jude which I posted above.

To put it clearly, The New Living Translation (hardly a Catholic Bible) renders it thus: 1 Corinthians 3 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames. I won't belabor this point further.