Is Ravi Zacharias in Hell?

[KingJ]

Very interesting discussion. They are discussing the Ravi Z scandal that came
out after his death.

Full report on the investigation is here.

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/rzimmedia.rzim.org/assets/downloads/Report-of-Investigation.pdf

Reminds me that we are all sinners and need to guard our hearts and beware of giving the devil any foothold in your life.

Our faith is in Jesus, not in our leaders, yet we need to be honest with our struggles and ask for help if we are struggling with sin.

If all the evidence is true, which most often it is not as we saw with the ridiculous smear campaign of Trump, then probably, no.

As Christians, if we carry on like that, we need to grasp the fact that nobody in heaven will want to live next to us......God included.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

If Ravi was doing this, and never repented.

THAT would be an exceedingly large "IF", of course.
The bottom line is that NEITHER OF US has any idea what Ravi repented of or when He did it.

 

[Cactus Kitten]

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

How does that apply to the thread?

Ravi was a Christian. His sins are covered under the blood of our Savior Jesus.

 

[Cactus Kitten]

If Ravi was doing this, and never repented. There is no forgiveness. ( Acts 3:19; )

Where does it say this in scripture?

 

[B-A-C]

Where does it say this in scripture?

Actually a couple of dozen places, but Acts 3:19; and 1Cor 6:9; are two off the top of my head.

Matt 5:27-32; Matt 19:9 and Heb 13:4;

 

[Waggles]

Ravi was a Christian. His sins are covered under the blood of our Savior Jesus

Not for deliberate and continued sinning against the knowledge of God.
Both Jesus and the apostle give numerous warnings about failing to overcome.
Jesus Christ will judge Ravi according to his righteousness and as God knows everything about Ravi, even the secrets of his heart.
Washed clean by the blood of Jesus is for those who repent and turn away from evil - not continue in unrighteousness.
Romans 6:
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 Be it not so. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
11 Thus ye also reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:
13 neither be presenting your members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as weapons of righteousness to God.
14 For sin shall not lord it over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? Be it not so.

 

[B-A-C]

Heb 10:26; For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27; but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

 

[Waggles]

Ravi was a Christian. His sins are covered under the blood of our Savior Jesus.

Hebrews 10:
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no more sacrifice remaineth for sins,
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.
28 One that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:
29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified common, and hath insulted the Spirit of grace?

 

[Cactus Kitten]

All great scriptures save for one thing we might consider.
Allegations are not proof. Atheist Steve Baughman is said to be the one that exposed Ravi to the world.
However, I think we who are living err when we focus on the scandalous allegations after Ravi's passing and cannot defend himself from those, while forgetting all those unknown people who came to Christ due to RZ's ministry.

What does it say about us if we perpetuate the scandelous allagations after Ravi's death? And believe we know Ravi is going to Hell? When Jesus knows his own, who can say any one of us is bound for Hell when it is opened to receive those condemnd?
Rather than focus on departed Ravi's alleged sins in this matter, shouldn't we make sure we don't sin in perpetuating allegations against a dead Christian?

 

[Downunder]

Rather than focus on departed Ravi's alleged sins in this matter, shouldn't we make sure we don't sin in perpetuating allegations against a dead Christian?

Some of the posts have written to this thought. Go back and read the thread. Not all have condemned Ravi. And in the end we need to be concerned with our own salvation with fear.

 

[Brad Huber]

All great scriptures save for one thing we might consider.
Allegations are not proof. Atheist Steve Baughman is said to be the one that exposed Ravi to the world.
However, I think we who are living err when we focus on the scandalous allegations after Ravi's passing and cannot defend himself from those, while forgetting all those unknown people who came to Christ due to RZ's ministry.

What does it say about us if we perpetuate the scandelous allagations after Ravi's death? And believe we know Ravi is going to Hell? When Jesus knows his own, who can say any one of us is bound for Hell when it is opened to receive those condemnd?
Rather than focus on departed Ravi's alleged sins in this matter, shouldn't we make sure we don't sin in perpetuating allegations against a dead Christian?

They were all what if's... what if he did... then what... And one thing left out is God's mercy on the underserved which is left up to Him only. Not us.

 

[KingJ]

Rather than focus on departed Ravi's alleged sins in this matter, shouldn't we make sure we don't sin in perpetuating allegations against a dead Christian?

I agree with all your thoughts except for the above line. A Christian is to judge all things 1 Cor 2:15. Both Ravi and our ''perpetuating allegations'.

The facts we are presented with suggest he did terrible things. This opens up a very important discussion for Christians to have.

1. Will a Christian who continues in sin go to hell?
2. We all sin, so what specific sin must we not continue in?

Nobody here has taken a stab at the second. We all quick to say ''sin is sin'' and somehow ignore the elephant in the room .

If it was reported that Ravi had immoral thoughts for five minutes on Tuesdays and was caught looking at a woman's legs for more then the allowed two seconds, would we have a thread like this?

 

[Sue D.]

@KingJ -- the passage you shared 1Cor. 2:15 " But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one." The verses surrounding this vs. "vs 13 - 16 "For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him/" But we have the mind of Christ."

Point #1 Will a Christian who continues in sin go to hell? The only thing that sends a person to hell is their not accepting God's way to stay out and go to heaven. If, after a person has made a profession of faith and then continues to live the same way as before. No change at all. THEN there is room for concern. And lovingly, privately talk to that person. Befriend him / her -- maybe all they need is to know someone really Does care about what they are doing. It's never a good idea to leave a new Christian on their own to navigate life on their own.

#2 -- We all sin, so what specific sin must we not continue in? Would it not be the willful practice of a particular sin / sins -- making a lifestyle Of such? There Are some sins that involve another person and that is harming both people and then there are things like glutony -- that comes to mind. It damages a person's health and there are probably reasons For the escessive eating. And sometimes a person Does need help in conquering those problems.

But with Ravi Zacharias -- he's been a reknown apologist, And sometimes it's easy to point a finger in a negative way towards him. It's easy to point a negative finger at him. I'm just thinking of King David in the Old Testament -- if ever there was a man who really messed up it was him. But, God used him greatly. Has he been waiting all this time in hell to be resurrected and answer for his sin and then cast into the future lake of fire and brimstone. I don't think so.
Or C.I. Scoffield -- he Really messed up / sinned/ and God still used him in a great way. After his life got straightened out.

We tend to want to play the Holy Spirit in people's lives.

I tend to agree with Cactus Kitten.

 

[B-A-C]

2. We all sin, so what specific sin must we not continue in?

There are a few threads about this.
An active one right now is about pre-meditated, (habitual addictive) sin, verses unintentional stumbling.

 

[Downunder]

I discern some appeal to OSAS doctrine - a false doctrine that will deceive the many ...
James 1:
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

 

[Sue D.]

@Downunder -- what do the verses that you've included have to do with eternal security of the believer.

And what about Ephesians 1:13 - 14 "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. vs 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."

That is eternal security -- the Holy Spirit coming to indwell the believer at the moment of their salvation and keeping them in Christ until we are with Jesus Christ.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit Does change a person's desires, etc. the person is no longer a slave to his sinful nature. Has a new nature in Christ Jesus.

 

[Downunder]

James 1:12-15 teaches us all that OSAS is not true.
As for Ephesian 1:13-14 that is not about eternal security - guarantee is a mistranslation of the Greek word in the ESV
Ephesians 1:
13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise,
14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto redemption of the possession, unto praise of his *glory.
(Weymouth) that Spirit being a pledge and foretaste of our inheritance, in anticipation of its full redemption--the inheritance which He has purchased to be specially His for the extolling of His glory.

earnest [not guarantee] > G728 ἀῤῥαβών arrhabōn
Of Hebrew origin [H6162]; a pledge, that is, part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest: - earnest.
Total KJV occurrences: 3
earnest > a deposit to hold onto goods intended to purchase > a deposit to secure a future purchase

 

[Downunder]

earnest > a deposit to hold onto goods intended to purchase > a deposit to secure a future purchase

Rats! the web servers are playing up and I cannot edit my post
a down payment like you do for a layby of goods.

 

[Cactus Kitten]

I agree with all your thoughts except for the above line. A Christian is to judge all things 1 Cor 2:15. Both Ravi and our ''perpetuating allegations'.

The facts we are presented with suggest he did terrible things. This opens up a very important discussion for Christians to have.

1. Will a Christian who continues in sin go to hell?
2. We all sin, so what specific sin must we not continue in?

Nobody here has taken a stab at the second. We all quick to say ''sin is sin'' and somehow ignore the elephant in the room .

If it was reported that Ravi had immoral thoughts for five minutes on Tuesdays and was caught looking at a woman's legs for more then the allowed two seconds, would we have a thread like this?

Where in scripture does it tell us to propagate gossip and false witness? We are perpetuating allegations and allegations are not evidence. Therefore, as in man's court, there is no thing to judge among God's people.

Someone could say of me,after I'm dead and unable to personally respond and correct error, because the Bible also tells us if we have an issue with a brother or sister in the church we're to address them personally first. And if nothing comes from that, bring them, not allegations about them, before the Ekklesia. None of that was done in the case of brother Zacharias and especially since his initial accuser is someone who does not believe in what RZ preached; God.

And now that he's departed this world, no such thing is able to be done before the Ekklesia. Instead, sites about the Net are there judging RZ as pertains to gossip and unfounded, non-evidentiary, allegations against him! And worse? Some are going so far as to play God by implying they're able to judge as doth God and declare Ravi shall go to Hell for....the sins gossip and unfounded non-evidentiary allegations against him purport to be credible just because they're said in public and BY AN ATHEIST FIRST!

And lastly? The intent of that unrepentant damned sinner Atheist would appear to be what is happening across the Net as pertains to this slander. It's overshadowing the decades of commitment Ravi dedicated to serving God and bring the gospel to the lost. A gospel I might add that his atheist accuser holds no respect for.

Look to ourselves that we not sin in damning a brother because an atheist called us to criticize and judge a brother dedicated to the God that atheist believes is not there.

 

[Admon Mikha'el]

Is Ravi Zacharias in Hell?
The answer is no. Ravi sleeps awaiting for either the first resurrection [the dead in Christ] or for the second resurrection.
As for us still here ...
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Soul sleep?