If there are many and then fewer blows, we are speaking of differing intensity of suffering and differing length of time they are given. So in my mind this is not speaking of the Lake of Fire.

One of the sufferings that proceed from Divine wrath is termed the darkness, or the outer darkness.

And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30—NIV)

As far as I know, only the Lord's servants are driven into the darkness, not the unbelievers. The Lord's servants are placed there because they did not serve the Lord as they should.

Whether or not this is the same as the Lake of Fire and whether it is an eternal placement remains to be seen. In any event, the believer who is driven from the light of Christ's Presence into the darkness will be tormented by the memory of what could have been had he or she been faithful to the Lord.

I think the weeping will proceed from remorse, and the gnashing of teeth from anger. I think these people will have been under the impression Christ was accepting their behavior. Now they are raging because God has treated them this way.

In America today the Christian teaching is incorrect. It is not warning the believers they are going to reap what they are sowing. The average American Christian has no idea that in the day of resurrection he is going to be clothed with a house from Heaven that has been fashioned from his conduct on the earth.

He has been taught that he has been saved by "grace," and whether or not he lives a righteous, holy life he will go to Heaven to live in a splendid mansion. The unscriptural doctrine of the "any-moment rapture" has been added to this false, lawless grace so the believer is not preparing himself for the time of trouble that is at hand.

Multitudes of American Christians are unprepared for the devastating judgment that is at hand. They will scream in terror, and then turn on their teachers who told them they had nothing to worry about. Some may become furious at God.

If I am hearing the Lord correctly, numerous Americans will be slain by war and terrorism in the near future. God will punish America until the people who remain are willing to discard the abominations that are being practiced because of the manner in which the Constitution is being interpreted.

I believe God is going to preserve America, but not until the incredible wickedness and perversity have been crushed. Perhaps the coming destruction will prove to be the wounding of one of the heads of the Beast, mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

The Beast is Antichrist, that is, the spirit of man-centeredness, man being his own god, that currently is endorsed in the United States.

Yet God will preserve the nation for a space of time, if I am hearing correctly.

To be continued.