The following excerpt was taken from a discourse by Brother Robert S. Seklemian entitled, “Thus Saith the Lord”

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures; and said unto them, Thus it is written.”–Luke 24:45, 46

The expression, “Thus saith the Lord,” is used over 400 times in the Bible plus many similar expressions such as “It is written,” or “The word of the Lord came unto me,” or “I, the Lord, have spoken it.” They call attention to specific statements, messages and lessons from God. It is as though the prophet, or other spokesman, is telling us:

“Now hear this! What I am going to say now, is not merely my opinion, or of my own wisdom, but thus saith the Lord; it is God speaking; these are his words.”

This is a wonderful expression and full of meaning for Bible Students. We have a reverence for God’s word and a “Thus saith the Lord” is the end of all controversy with us. It seems so very simple, doesn’t it? All we have to do is to prove everything by the word of God. All we have to do is to accept what is in harmony with that word and reject that which is not. But it is not as simple as that. If it were, everyone would understand the truth and there would be no false doctrines. But there are false doctrines, hundreds of them. Each one is claimed to rest upon the word of God. For every false doctrine many of which are hideous in the extreme, there is a purported “Thus saith the Lord.”

Let us consider one of these and a few of the scriptural passages, which it is claimed support it. Afterward we will prove that this doctrine is indeed scripturally false.

First and foremost we have the incredibly cruel and God-dishonoring doctrine of Eternal Torment, the very thought of which is a blasphemy against God’s good name and character.

The following are a few of the scriptures upon which this repulsive doctrine is based:

“And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day or night.” Rev 14:10, 11

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt 25:41

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone … and shall be tormented day and night, for ever and ever.” Rev 20:10

“Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than, having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thy eye offends thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” Matt 18:8, 9

These are perfectly good scriptures–“Thus saith the Lord!”—and they seem to clearly teach eternal torment. But do they? Is that what the Lord is really saying?

To determine what the Lord is really saying we must often dig beneath the surface. We must analyze, divide, compare, and assemble: “Here a little, and there a little.” We must interpret and coordinate. We must apply certain inflexible rules and guides. When in doubt, we must consider the preponderance, or weight of evidence. We must also arrange scriptures chronologically and not confuse one age with another. Above all, we must remember that the scriptures declare God’s plan. We must learn to think from God’s standpoint according to his plan. His plan is not subject to change at our whim:

“The Lord of Hosts hath sworn, saying, surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” (Isa 14:24)

We must learn to think like he does. “Come now, and let us reason together,” he says. We must be filled with his spirit of truth and approach the scriptures in that spirit –humbly, prayerfully, and reverentially, fearing greatly to misinterpret, and perhaps mislead and stumble others. The penalty for stumbling others is extremely severe. This is the great Creator’s word we are dealing with, his sacred word, which is not to be handled carelessly and flippantly. This is not for fun; it is serious. As we read in Isaiah:

“Thus saith the Lord: the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool … For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord. But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.”– Isa 66:1, 2

In order to understand what God is saying, we must study God’s word topically, in orderly steps. As we read:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. “Order my steps in thy word.”–Psalms 119:105, 133

God has not given us an understanding of his word to satisfy idle curiosity. It is given to us for a purpose, for the development and completion of the church, the body of Christ. As Paul said to Timothy:

“All scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable … that the man of God may be perfect [or complete], thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”–2 Tim 3:16, 17

This being the case, we are expected to pursue our studies in a methodical and workmanlike manner to be approved by God as we are told:

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”– 2 Tim 2:15

The Diaglott says, “Rightly treating the word of truth.” The interlinear is, “Cutting straight the word of truth.” This is what we must do to ascertain what the Lord is really saying, what he is really telling us, that “Thus saith the Lord!”

If the only reason you study God’s word is to impress your friends and neighbors with your (supposed) knowledge and understanding, you are deceiving yourself, for God does not grant true understanding to the selfish and conceded. Many believe they possess true enlightenment when in truth all they really have are the “vain babblings” of men.

The following is a Checklist for Interpreting Scripture

This list of tests may be applied to interpretations of scripture to help determine its real meaning. You may think of other tests also.

Does it square with the ransom?

Is it in accordance with the divine plan?

Is the scripture correctly translated?

Is it spurious in whole or in part?

Does the proposed interpretation comport with God’s character?

To what age or time does the scripture apply?

To what class of persons does it apply?

Is it merely historical, having already had a total fulfillment?

If already fulfilled, does it have a secondary application or fulfillment to come?

Is it literal or symbolic?

Does it have a typical significance?

Does its context vary its apparent meaning?

Is it intended to be ironic or sarcastic rather than literal?

Does it employ an archaic idiom not in use today?

Is its correct application suggested by partially fulfilled prophecies?

Does it teach something by inference?

Is the subject really what it appears to be?

Are the events given in correct chronological order or has the order been purposely altered or reversed to prevent understanding before the due time?

Does incorrect punctuation alter the true meaning?

Does the scripture conflict with other scriptures on the same subject?

Is there another scripture, or another witness, to confirm the proposed interpretation?

Next we will go back and review the scriptures that were cited as supporting the false doctrine of eternal torment, and when we do let us apply some of these tests to determine what the Lord really says, and let us thus prove that this doctrine is not supported by a “Thus saith the Lord!,” although it may appear so on the surface.