Her Gates Will Never Be Shut: Hope, Hell, and the New Jerusalem Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

This book reveals the heart of God in a way I had never seen before. I found myself laughing and weeping and shouting, “yes, yes.” Dallas Willard says that eternity doesn’t begin when we die. It was around long before we were. Jesus wants us to experience that eternal life now, while we’re alive. We step further into that life, the abundant life, as we seek him and know him. The holy spirit held Bradley Jersak’s hands while he wrote this book. Prepare to get to know God a little better and be blessed.

This book offers options for hope instead of Destruction. I for one have done a complete 180 in the way I believe. I have gone from fearing the possibility of hell to understanding God's love for me, and living life fearlessly (more so now than in the past). It is in great part because of books like this one.Bradley Jersak is becoming one of my favorite writers. In his book, a more Christ-like God, you will find even more revelation of who God really is, versus what we generally portray him as in modern Christendom. Finding out that God the Father is a lot like his son, Jesus​ is very liberating. In fact, it can change your life. I find that what I believe about God is what I become.I am rambling. Both these books should be in your library.

Back in 2012, I wrote my master's thesis on the topic of hell. This book was not yet on my radar... but I wish it had been. Jersak does a great job of forcing both infernalists and annihilationists to take Christian universalists seriously. Or, to put it better, Jersak does a great job of showing how the Bible itself forces us to take universalism seriously.It's not a dogmatic book. Jersak is not a dogmatic author. "Scripture is richly polyphonic on the topic of hell and judgment-- as if by design" he says. He's honest about the fact that there are verses that seem to point in different directions. He doesn't see this as a deficiency. Scripture leaves room for the hope that all will be saved, but not enough certainty to presume.The book includes clear evidence of careful study by its author. He's handled the relevant biblical material (and given us some helpful charts along the way!). He has the knowledge to help the reader understand some key words. The book really does build as it goes... and what I mean by that is that the academic material gives way to pastoral and human application, even prophetic zeal.Jersak's chapter on Revelation 21-22 was my personal favorite. As I said above, this Scripture forces us to leave room for optimism. I myself, being an open theist, don't think it's settled in stone what will happen to every individual after judgment. But I have more reason for optimism and hope than I did before I read this book.

This book changed my whole outlook on what I have been traditionally taught about Hell, God's love and his mercy. Men have a tendency towards manipulating the words of the bible to fit into a preconceived mold to serve their paradigm. Read it with an open mind seeking God's truth, not your pastors'. You just might find a God worth serving and Loving, not from terror, but from gratitude.

From infernalism, annihilationism, universalism, to word choice of Gehenna, Hell, Hades, Tartarus then the variety of mythological influence; there is so much to digest in this book. It will take time and more than one reading to glean the knowledge. Jersak provides so many resources and so much information for the history of the different viewpoints. It is excellently written, however, quite academic.Whether you are questioning eternal conscious torment (infernalism) or are absolutely positive there is only one way to understand hell, you need to read this book. We all need to have more understanding of various viewpoints in order to help those with questions and to agree to disagree intelligently instead of condemning someone just because they have a different perspective.

Some excellent analysis of texts and approaches to texts though ultimately unsatisfying as it’s too boxed into a narrow world view. A few tentative steps away from full fundamentalist views.Metaphorically like examining religious feathers in fine detail while not noticing the religious goose is cooked.It would be like a Christian reading a book on Vishnu and Ganesha where the author seriously believes those gods are real. From a non Christian POV is unreadable at times. Repeated assertions of god this or god that are tiresome and silly.

Excellent biblical arguments and evidence for the eventual salvation of all. Confirmed a scripture that had caused me to wonder before ever considering the possibility that God loves all and will save all.The glorious vision of the nations coming out of the fire and into the City whose gates are always open to be healed by the tree in the midst of the city. So many scripture make sense that once made no sense when viewed from a universalist understanding of scripture. Rev 22:2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

I’m starting to think that Brad Jersak might be one of my favourite theologians. The way in which he takes on important, but not easy, topics and presents them in a clear and concise way speaks volumes of the time he has taken to earnestly grapple with them.And this book is no exception; as Brad takes on Hell. Or more specifically, the Bible’s language/imagery of Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, and the Lake of Fire. Helping us to think carefully about what these images conveyed in their own historical context, and helping us to wrestle with the idea of what they say about God’s character and judgement.Is there a Hell to come? Is it an eternal punishment, or a case of instant annihilation? Is it purgative, or punitive? Or, could it be, as Brad suggests (and that I’m particularly leant towards) that God’s love for humanity offers a Hope beyond this, a hope of an Ultimate, Christ-centred Redemption for all as we look at the imagery of a New Jerusalem?Brad does an excellent job of reviewing the biblical texts which have been used to scaffold both the Infernalist and Annihilationist visions of Hell. And also does a great survey of the differing views/concerns of the the Church Fathers, Reformers and modern Theologians.All in all, I don’t feel that there’s anything inaccessible to any level of reader here. Brad keeps his language “tidy” of heavy theological jargon, but doesn’t avoid the depth that is necessary to such a study.Regardless of whatever stance you hold on the idea of Hell, I’d say that there is something to learn and take-away from this. It’s balanced, solid and based on a biblically inspired hope and not mere sentiment; though Jersak’s pastoral heart does shine through in a much needed way.I think *Her Gates Will Never Be Shut* is a book every thoughtful Christian, who seeks to understand and reflect the heart of God, should read. And once you read this, go check out Brad’s *A More Christlike God*. Both books will challenge, shape, and stir your heart with the portrait of God that they present.Well done Brad!—Tristan Sherwin, author of *Love: Expressed*

Theological book - MANY footnotes. This is not for the faint hearted. But if you want to know why heaven maywell always keep her doors open - even after death - and what scripture backs this up, you want to read this. This is a book of hope. That Godtruly is merciful. It does not gloss over scripture that teaches about Hell. But neither does it hide what many preachers do; God is a dichotomy and scripture DOES (seem) to contradict itself. But that God, Like Aslan in ‘The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe’ by C.S.Lewis, has a magic ‘deeper still’ that we often do not know (and many don’t want too). I had to answer a sobering question. WHY did I feel it necessary to want some one..at least one person....to go to hell....because I realised part of me felt safe (and upset) if they didn't...

This book is nothing short of life-changing. Reading it may be the second or third moment in my life when I felt as though my whole outlook had changed. It was like turning on a switch that left me able to breathe again. It makes sense of the God that I see revealed in Jesus.Brad presents a very well researched and detailed analysis of the whole subject of heaven and hell. His deep love for Christ come through this so clearly, as well as an incredible depth of wisdom and knowledge that will shake your world.

This book is well worth reading, whatever one's theological views. It certainly challenges the standard, "evangelical" doctrine of hell, which is no bad thing. It is written with humility - there is no dogmatism at all - and leaves the reader to draw his own conclusions. This is not a subject for knee-jerk reactions or quick decisions, and I shall re-read this book and consider again exactly where I stand.