Percy writes:
Clearly Billy Graham is saying that if you don't accept Jesus you'll be killed. He's using threats and intimidation to win conversions. Anyone who thinks otherwise just does not fully appreciate what is being said. There's no ifs, ands or buts in that quote, just declarations. It's as clear as day to anyone who opens their eyes. He's attacking the beliefs of non-Christians by threatening them with death. He has no respect for the beliefs of other religions, just contempt.
Percy, I don't know the context from which the quote was taken, but knowing the in context NT doctrine on this and being very familiar with Billy Grahams preaching, having heard scores of his messages over the years, here's the NT texts from which he got this:
1. Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
2. Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgement."
3. Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection. On such the
second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."
Note also that he included himself in the original death sentence, lovingly preaching to his audience the Biblical remedy for deliverance from the sentence. Another verse that comes to mind is Romans 3:23, which says: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The word gospel depicts good news and what Graham and others preach is that good news of deliverance from the dilema of the 2nd death pronounced on all men. If Graham and the rest of us Christians really believe this, it would be very selfish of us not to share the
good news of deliverance with others.
Clearly, the "death" which Evangelist Graham was aluding to is the second death which comes after the judgement of all men.
Gravity is God's glue that holds his universe together.
™ Version 4.2
