The recordings of our Father Creator of all, have yet to be discovered.
The Jews story is a plagiarized account of the Sumerian and Emerald Tablets and much more. Man and Woman was already here of earth when the Elohim arrived.
The entire Jewish story from Adam to Abraham, then to the twelve tribes and to Christ, is all a copy? All that detail and documented accounts of ancestry, sacrifices, judges, kings, locations, cities, actions, and specific people are all a copy. Not possible...its the other way around.
You only say that because you haven't read the Sumerian and Emarald Tablets written thousands of years before people call themselves jews and the chosen ones.
Study up from the Elohim (Anu, Enki and Enlil) the ones that first said let us create man. Created Eden, Adam/Eve, Serpent, building plans for the Ark, selection of the family to survive the Great Flood, collection of animals, release of the bird in search of land, and so much more. Remember Abraham and Sahra were Sumerians, and their King was Gilgamesh, the offspring of the Elohim. They also knew of the Anunnaki.
when the ones you call Jesus walked this earth no one knew him by that name. ?That was a made-up name the Greeks gave him them omitted most of his exciting life from the Bible Ages 13 to 32 yrs. old with the Roman's help. The truth of mankind's history is amazing.
..........used to be intellectual . Used to desire knowing all that attracted attention myway . Today it's an Onion w the never ending layers, distinct layers, but inter-connected too. And being an avg-dumbass , i guess i see that i Can't See ...........soooooo it's all there , but the 'rocket-science' was maybe put in Scripture to entertain us on the one hand as well as a way to talk w Satan and let Big S know that upon whatever level u make this contest it is all signed, sealed, delivered - - for u at the Top all the way down to simple mankind-folk . Written in words and upon their hearts for them, but to u Satan (who has insufficient heart) written into Scripture in great detail and formalized there cuz u like to get technical at times . ......... .... shalom to all
Satan has been working through humans since the beginning. So we certainly have free will to choose Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection and be free of Satan as our master.
To live in the celestial (spirit) body forever separated from God is a hell we can't imagine here in our terrestrial (mortal) bodies. I think the representations of hell in the bible try to get close to how tortuous this will be.
Victoria yes. Hell is so unbearable because there is absolutely no water. One is in utter darkness and completely void and separated from God eternally. The angst and such emptiness and despair that they experience would be devastating. And this was is their eternal state of mind.
I don’t know which Bible these other folks are reading and they don’t understand evidently the 3 Baptisms that Christ spoke of in Israel’s program.
The first 2 were water and then the 2nd was baptism of Holy Spirit at Pentecost for Israel for the believing remnant. This sealed the believing remnant.
The 3rd Baptism is of fire and it is for the unbelieving members of Israel and will be for the unbelieving Gentiles in this dispensation that heard the Gospel revealed to Paul and rejected it or basically tried to change it and believed a modified version, basically a corruption of Gods Word.
The 3rd Baptism is the Baptism of Fire.
Unfortunately I have a lot of relatives that were born, raised and educated in the same cult as I was. They were taught a God of love would never create a hell. They also discredited Paul’s ministry because they believed a false Prophet’s teachings who was absolutely a Luciferian and a Freemason. This Satanic Prophet convinced them that they had to ask daily for the forgiveness of their sins and they had to keep the 10 Commandments and all of the dietary laws of the Jews. Needless to say. They we’re basically practicing Judaism disguised as Christianity. They absolutely didn’t understand Galatians.
Unfortunately they are not in a good place when they have left this world. It is too late. Their poor choices and not trusting the Word of God. I am very fortunate because Christ gave me such a love for His Word. Once a person believes a lie you can try 1,000 times to show them the actual truth in the Word but they are blinded. I used to grieve and grieve for a deceived soul. Now I just turn away as the Bible instructs to do and thank God for opening my eyes and delivering me from the SDA cult I was raised in.
Saved by Grace through Faith. It is a free gift for all who believe. Praising God all Day Long🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Veracity, wow! Jesus came to save sinners and He accomplished His mission according to Him, yet you say that people will be punished for the very sins that Christ died for. Paul wrote Colossians 1:15-20, Romans 5:18-19, 1 Timothy 4:10, 1 Corinthians 15:21-28, etc. and you think he taught eternal hell. You have not presented any scripture, just your wild opinions. Read the scripture I mentioned above without your wild tradition and you will see the power of the cross and the fact that Paul teaches that all are eventually saved through Christ's death for sin, His entombment and His resurrection. In fact, righteousness is a result of salvation, not the other way around.
There is a lake of fire, and you get there by free will. Look who gets tossed there at the end of the age: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” This is in Revelation 21 and is the last thing that happens before the Bride of Christ is revealed.
You are right that the lake of fire is the 'second death.' However, Christ Jesus abolishes death, all death, in 1 Corinthians 15:27. 1 Corinthians actually tells of the future after the lake of fire when God is All in all. The Lake of Fire is mentioned in Revelations but that does not mean it is the end for those beings. It is not. All enemies, including the lake of fire, is abolished by Christ. Thus making 1 Corinthians 15:28, 1 Timothy 4:10, Colossians 1:20, Romans 5:18, all true. Grace and peace.
One, I don't have any followers. This is an article. Two, where in scripture does it say its eternal? In fact, scripture says that the lake of fire is the 'second death' and scripture says that 'death' is abolished by Christ (1Corinthians 15:27). I wouldn't worry about what happens when I face Christ, that's between me and Him. I would worry about claiming that the cross was not powerful enough and that those that Christ went to the cross to save, will spend an eternity without God. In essence, the cross wasn't powerful enough to save. So, Christ needed VERACITY's contribution. You believe in 'self' unfortunatley and not Christ. Read what scripture actually says. Grace and peace.
Hell is an English word that has no place in scripture. The Hebrew word used is 'sheol' which is the grave. 'Hades' is the Greek equivalent. The word Jesus spoke was 'Gehenna' which is a physical place just outside of Jerusalem. 'Tatarus' has nothing to do with human beings. These words are all translated to mean hell, which is incorrect. Our curse is not hell, it is death. Christ Jesus eventually abolishes all death and saves all creation (Colossians 1:15-20, I Corinthians 15: 21-28). Grace and peace.
Here is the issue I have with all these temple accounts. In my reading, particularly with Paul in Romans. All past physical elements in Judaism have transferred to a spiritual interpretation. Thus, the type and atypical representations.
Paul explained that the chosen Jew became the spiritual Jew and became open to all nations, or gentiles, since the Jewish nation rejected the Messiah. From the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, God no longer recognized them as his chosen and, through the prophets, told them they would have calamity after calamity, which is precisely what happened. In the meantime, a great spiritual Jew was developed, and this group is available to everyone.
This is my belief and opinion, and I'm only expressing it as a matter of FYI and certainly not trying to be argumentative in any way.
So IMHO, the Jewish nation is not essential, not a physical temple, because a spiritual temple has been developed from all the nations, not just one nation.
Today, the only reason the US supports Israel is because they are a military base Protecting American interests in the region. All the talk of people and religion is a front to gain support for spending billions in a military US outpost. As Biden has said many times that, if Israel did not exist, America would invent one
What you have written is I think what Christ meant when He looked down over Jerusalem and wished that He could gather the people as a hen would her chickens. But instead He said their house would be left to them, desolate. So the Jewish nation was scattered, the temple destroyed, and the entire sacrificial system was ended having fulfilled its purpose. Israel today is the Israel of God - the assembly of the saints with Christ as the great High Priest.
John in Revelation 11 refers to the temple of God being opened in heaven. Satan's finale I think is a final assault on Heaven itself to set himself up in place of Christ and for people to worship him instead of the Lord Christ. Satan will have his minions of course but he is the usurper not a mere man.
You see. This is how I interpret the Bible. The past, or Old Testament, is a literal representation of future events. As an example, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only begotten son signified God willing to sacrifice his. All things led to Christ through the Jewish system. All the laws, etc, were fulfilled in Christ. With Christ instituting a new Covenant with his Apostles, that ended the Old Covenant that was with Abraham.
The New Testament then recorded the New Covenant with a New Jewish State, spiritually, not a literal nation of race. That ending was then literally displayed in 70 CE, with the literal temple being destroyed. The new temple would then be a spiritual temple or an anti-type of that first.
So, in my view, the literal Jewish system no longer has any significance other than being used as a representation. I know this crosses many people's views and beliefs, but it seems pretty evident in the writing of the New Testament. This is why the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit as new members of the Christian congregation and became the backbone of the New Covenant instituted by Christ. The wedding illustration was also used with Christ being the Bride Groom and the members of the New Covenant being the Bride. This new spiritual arrangement was used to bring humans back into a relationship with the father that Adam lost.
A couple of paragraphs I used to explain my views are not even close to sufficient and need several books. But I hope this clears up how I look at it, for whatever that is worth. I appreciate the conversation and your thoughts. Thanks, Phil.
You are correct - a couple of paras are not even close to sufficient. We are on very similar pages.... Part of the problem today is that many are taught that the OT no longer applies when in fact, without a solid grounding in the OT, it is tougher to understand the NT especially Romans and Hebrews. Yes, the OT system of worship was "types and shadows" to point to Christ. Those who even today continue to follow that system are denying the work of Christ. "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith, apart from the works of the Law". "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness". (Genesis 15:6).
The covenant of works was made with Adam in Genesis 2; 16-17. It was very quickly broken by Adam, and then God brought in the covenant of grace in Genesis 3:15. Salvation has never been through works at any time - it was always through grace.
There were always "Gentiles" in the church even in the OT. Nebuchadnezzar for example. Psalm 87 refers to people from other nations who were among those who knew God. The conversion of the people of Nineveh in Jonah's time - despite his unwillingness to go and preach to them.
Dispensationalist teaching has led to great errors within the church, ranging from teaching that the moral law (as in the ten commandments) no longer applies, to the whole idea of the church being "raptured" and taken from the earth before a period of tribulation; the rebuilding of a physical temple in Jerusalem, the red heifer, and other unscriptural teaching. This (IMO) has partly led to the problems we have now in the Middle East, notwithstanding the machiavellian politics that are involved.
Truly, the two beasts of Revelation 13 are hard at work.
Amen! Amazing thoughts. I completely agree that you can't understand the new testament without understanding the old testament. The festivals are the best example. We miss out on so much that is so rich by setting this aside. In my opinion, you can't get very far in seeking God without understanding the Torah; he lays so much out here.
I appreciate the kind nature to your comment. I do strongly disagree with the spiritual Israel concept. God is on pause with Israel and will pick up with them again when the fullness of the gentiles comes in. This is explained in Romans ch 9-11. Ephesians chapter 2 talks about the fact that those of the nations are no longer subservient to Israel based on Paul's message. Israel will still rule the earth as declared in scripture, those of the nations will rule the heavens based on Paul's revelation. Grace and peace.
Oct 29, 2023·edited Oct 30, 2023Liked by Scott Hicko
This was good...an important distinction. I am saved through Jesus Christ and Christ only. I am so thankful that God chose me to come to belief in this life...I often wish it were sooner, but that would ultimately be "self" as well, now wouldn't it? :) God bless.
Jesus tells us in John 17 that eternal life is this: knowing God the Father and Jesus His Son. It isn't a choice we make to accept Him in our hearts. And we have to be invited in to know Them; by and through the Holy Spirit.
No. They both make a relationship with God the Father and His Son difficult, if not impossible. And Jesus tells us in John 17 that this relationship is eternal life.
One more wonderful scripture explaining we will be spared from the wrath to come in the tribulation.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Hope you find comfort in these wonderful verses. All my understanding and wisdom comes from the Word. It is my all and all. It is my everything. Giving Thanks and Praising God All Day Long 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
For me it is really important which Bible ones read. There absolutely is hell. Jesus himself discussed hell 15 times in the Gospels and the most important mention of it is this:
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Salvation today is given to us, through grace through faith. And is only available to those who believe and trust Christ as their Saviour. He did all the work for the payment of our sins in full. All He asks is that
we believe. It is gift, freely given. He will not accept performance based salvation.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
From what scripture says is that once the Church, The Body of Christ is Raptured. Then and only then will Israel’s program resume and the tribulation will kick in and begin.
The Occult wants to confuse the masses to make everyone believe that we are living out Revelations. But my Bible is very clear that Israel’s program was suspended at the stoning of Stephen. Then Christ ushered in this program directly to the Gentiles at the conversion of Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus. Israel’s program will be reinstated when the Church is raptured. The Church, The Body of Christ, will be spared from the wrath to come.
I realize this is not a popular view. But my understanding comes from studying the Bible as God instructs us to. 2nd Timothy 2:15 - 17, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.
All scripture is for our learning and to give us hope In Christ Jesus. Roman 15:4. But today Christ is only working in Roman’s through Philemon. That is where we get our instructions today to do His will. When we are raptured and the remnant of Israel’s eyes are open according to Jeremiah 31:31-34, then Hebrews through Revelation kicks in. That is why the next book after Paul’s epistles is called Hebrews. Because it is written to directly to the believing remnant of Israel, the believing remnant that will now have their eyes 👀 opened and will believe. And they are told that Jesus Christ is the Son and God. Hebrews, Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
And Hebrews picks up where Acts 7 ended before the Dispensation of Grace was ushered in and also known as the Mystery of Christ. At the fullness of the Gentiles the church will be raptured and now the tribulation kicks in.
All the power in heaven and earth has been legally given to Christ as He tells us in the Gospels and reminds Israel in Revelation that He now has the keys to hell and death.
A lot to absorb but that is my understanding of the Bible and today Christ is sitting at the right hand of the father and the world is under subjection to him.
The Holy Spirit is holding back the man of lawlessness. That is the point of the mystery of iniquity. Roman 13 is clear that all governmental authorities are put into power and ordained by God. Hard to digest but that is what my Bible says. God is not orchestrating the evil, but He is allowing it. I also believe that the fullness of the Gentiles as explained in Romans Chapter 11 is about to be fulfilled. So yes the world is trying to ramp up for the end times agenda. But the tribulation will not begin until after we are raptured. I am sorry if you don’t believe that. But I see it very clearly in the scriptures.
There are clearly 2 key programs that God has in view in the Bible. We are not to commingle them. I am thankful for my salvation and that I have been grafted in as a member of the Body of Christ of which Christ is the head. Through this program Christ is taking back the dominion of the heavenly places. Through ISRAEL’s program God will take back dominion of the earth and will soon bring His Kingdom down and will reign on this earth. This will all lead to the fullness of times as explained in Ephesians 1:10, which will happen after Christ reigns here in earth for 1000 years.
Here is my prayer and hope for anyone who doesn’t understand what I have conveyed
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
I will close with these wonderful verses. I was born into a cult who raised me to believe we are spiritual Israel. Praise God He gave me a desire to study His scriptures which clearly states that we absolutely are NOT spiritual Israel today. We are clearly the uncircumcision and we were not circumcised by hands but in our heart.
I am so thankful I will be spared from the wrath to come that the remnant of Israel will have to endure. The two programs have 2 different purposes all pointing to Christ.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
We will be spared from the wrath to come for those who accept God’s Grace and believe by Faith the Gospel of our Salvation as revealed to Paul, by Lord Jesus Christ ♥️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the distress of those days
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
No the rapture happens while we are going about our daily life. No man knows the hour or the day. All those left behind will see him when he comes after the tribulation .
Scott, Paul’s letters are the most important message to you today. It is unfortunate that you don’t understand this. The Gospel that Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul who is the Apostle and Minister specifically to the Gentiles, this Gospel is the only gospel that can save you today.
Another conversation you will be having with Jesus. It is unfortunate when one believes they are smarter than Christ. Not a very good place to find oneself.
I absolutely agree with you that Paul's message is for me. His message is my salvation through and only through Christ's death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection. What would give you the idea that I did not believe this? Of course its the only way to be saved. Not sure why you would accuse me of thinking I'm smarter than Jesus? You make no sense.
Okay, I reread your comment. I see that you do believe in the Rapture and it is correct that is the only place we are taught about the Rapture. I believe we have a picture type of it with Enoch.
Why I make my comments is that you don’t take the KJV of the Bible at face value. I see it clearly is the only inherent, inspired Word in the English language. I didn’t come to this understanding hap hazardly. I am someone who was born into a cult that manipulated the Word of God by those who did not take every word in the Bible literally.
I see that you don’t have a solid understanding of Death and what it means when Christ abolished death
Hell is very real. I those who find themselves in hell when they leave this world are there by their own free will. It starts with pride. They didn’t believe truth and would rather believe a lie.
Scott many will unfortunately find themselves in Hell for eternity. You will be surprised how few are actual saved souls. It is always about a remnant. The Devil is so cunning and knows how masterfully to get souls to mishandle the Word and believe that they are smarter than God by translating from the Greek etc. Be very careful when you question the English translation of the Word.
God was pretty smart. The KJV was translated at the height of the English language before mankind started dumbing down society. I have a very old dictionary and it would blow you away what has been omitted in the modern updated versions. Here is a text I am going to share with you. I believe Christ is putting it on my heart to share with you.
2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
Much more I could share but not on substack. I love the Word of God it is what gives me wisdom and understanding.
I take every Word in the KJV literally and it is translated exactly how Christ meant it to be.
Revelation 16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Christ at the Rapture will meet us in the clouds. Then at the end of 7 year tribulation He will come down to the earth for quote The Day of The Lord. The phrase the Day of the Lord is mentioned 26 times in the KJV Bible. It is always referring to when Christ comes at the end of the Tribulation. Here are the verses, Isaiah 2:12; 13:6; 13:9; 34:8, Jeremiah 46:10; Lementations 2:22; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1; 2:11; 3:14; Amos 5:18; 5:20; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:8; 1:14; 1:18; 2:2; 2:3; Zechariah 14:1; 1st Thessalonians 5:2; 2nd Peter 3:10.
Now 1st Thessalonians 5 is one of Paul’s Epistles where we get our instructions to day in order to do God’s will and do what Christ is doing today. Paul is educating us about the Day of the Lord. He is talking about Israel’s program. This is not talking about the Rapture. That is why he starts out in verse 1 that there is no need to write to us about times and seasons. Because , times , seasons , signs and wonders etc are for Israel’s program. We walk by faith and not by sight see 2nd Corinthians 5:7. They need signs and wonders etc. The thief in the night scripture is for Israel and it is referring to the Day of the Lord. 2nd Thessalonians 5:9 is very clear that we will be spared from the wrath to come are salvation we HAVE obtained by our Lord Jesus Christ. Have means we already have salvation.
When we trust and believe by faith we are saved. We have received salvation. We are sealed Ephesians 1:13 and we are waiting for our purchased possession, our glorified bodies. See 8:15-17; 8:23; 2nd Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30; We have received our inheritance and are waiting for our possession which is our redemption of our glorified bodies. Philippians 3:20-21.
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Notice our conversation, citizenship is NOW in Heaven. That is the whole point of this Dispensation. It is the formation of the Body of Christ which was a Mystery, hid in God and not revealed until Lord Jesus Christ revealed it to Paul. We are now a spiritual manifestation In Christ, His Church of which He is the head. That is why we are sealed. All of our trespasses were forgiven and his righteousness was imputed to our account. It is His righteousness not of ourselves, but his, that saved us.
No flesh and blood can enter heaven. 1st Corinthians 15:50 - 54. Rapture occurs at the sound of the last trumpet. Not as a thief in the night which is referring to the Day of the Lord, Gods day of wrath and vengeance.
The verses that explain about the Rapture say we will meet him in the clouds at the sound of the last trump.
Have you studied out the Mystery of Christ doctrines?
It is important to understand why this program today the Dispensation of Grace and the formation of the Body of Christ is not the same as the program of Israel and the Kingdom Gospel. Read Ephesians Ch 2. None of Israel’s program covenant promises, oracles of God etc were given to us. We were aliens to Christ. But now, Christ has gone directly to the Gentiles through the ministry He gave to Paul.
Here is a ministry that will help break all of this out to one who is seeking. www.enjoythebible.org. Click on the media section. There are many Bible studies you can listen to.
Highly recommend “Basic Bible Comprehension “. It is not Basic. One needs to be pretty proficient in the Word to be able to fully comprehend this message.
Also the Essential Doctrines is excellent.
One more thing. I would not have you ignorant, brethren. These are very important doctrines to understand. Most of Christendom do not understand them. Roman 1:13; 11:25, 1st Corinthians 10:1; 12:1; 2nd Corinthians 2:11; 1st Thessalonians 4:13.
Also Mystery of Christ doctrines.
Ephesians 1:9-14
Ephesians 3:3-8
Ephesians 3:9 - 12
Ephesians 6:19 - 20
Colossians 1:24-27
I hope I have answered your question. There is so much more to share. I pray Christ gives you understanding.
Awesome! It's going to take a while to digest all this. I like to read some of the old guys on prophecy, Arno Gaebelein, Clarence Larkin and John MacArthur is good.
Hell is an English word and Jesus did not speak English. So, He never once mentioned the word hell. To understand what Jesus did say, we have to look at the Greek in which the New Testament was written. Jesus actually spoke of the Valley of Hinnom which in the Greek is Gehenna. Gehenna was a physical place outside of Jerusalem when Jesus lived and you can go there today if you want. It is a place where dead bodies where thrown, not a place of eternal conscious torment. This place will be operational in the 1000 years as well but all death will eventually be abolished by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:27). Hell as we have been taught is a lie.
"God gives realization (belief) to some now. The rest of humanity will miss the glorious agelong life but is eventually saved through judgement or correction when they too, will come to the realization that Christ is their Savior and God is God."
So...if everyone is saved and what we do doesn't matter... what's the point?
Exactly this lioness is actually. A wolf on Sheeps clothing
Didn't know she was so out to lunch
A calvinist I guess and so much more 🚩
Wake ip folks
Bible talks of end time deception
How funny she's calling others decieved when in fact SHe is the one most deceived.
And on that note I'm unsubbing
Enough trash on internet don't need one more false teacher
Folks study this out
As YOU all pride SELF for being so awakened on Covid YOU are more decieved on more important issues.. the spiritual eternal ones
Covid jabs may kill body but just like that sly old devil and his tricks,
This lioness is drawing you into another gospel vi Covid truths
She's in the dark on the more important things.. and yr soul is at stake
Flew her warped theology
All are saved?!!
I'm done arguing with Calvinists and the like
But y'all would be wise to engage her
Been there done that.. it's futile
But God!
So glad my eyes awakened to this subsrack and will now unfollow
Just as I called out dr Jane ruby who says fell in love with the light and spirit of Sean stone🤌🚨
What the hell is going on in the " truther camp ..
I see the devil masquerading S angel of light deceiving those that body having discernment of Covid yet in bed with new agers who channel the demonic like dr Jane does
She just said to God he or she? She? It shows she is biblically illiterate and desperate to follow anyone that can promise long life
In fact all these folks seem to think they can escape what's coming with prepping this n that and doing this n that for the body
Self self self glorification n perseveration
No trust in almighty God
It's all works to keep Thai temple alive and strong
And the devil wrongs his hands and laughs as the church and new age walk hand in hand
Wake up saints ! Ask God for wisdom n discernment
Flew lioness n dr Jane ruby and dr Ana mikalcea who channels a supposed Ramtha 30,000 yr old being( aka demon) who cares if they all have some Covid truths
That's how they lure you in and once in they bring in other damnable heresies and way leads on to way
A Calvinist doesn't believe that Christ Jesus saved all creation as the following scripture proves: Colossians 1:15-20, 1 Timothy 4:10, Romans 5:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15: 21-28, and many many more. A Calvinist doesn't believe in the power of the cross, apparently neither do you. Your tradition is not truth my friend and maybe you should do deeper study into what scripture actually says. You said you where going to unsub, then wrote much more. Not going to read it but go ahead and unsub. Grace and peace to you and your journey.
Everything you do matters. Just because God ultimately is sovereign over all, it doesn't matter what we do? Just because God planned all doesn't mean that you don't live out each experience of your life the best you can. You are to work out your own salvation in fear and trembling, understanding that its God that works in you to will and to do of His Delight (Philippians 2:13). Grace and peace.
No this is not the Rapture doctrine. This is talking to Israel. John so much I would love to share with you. Who did Jesus come for when He was here?
Matthew 10:5 - 8. He is giving instructions to the 12 disciples before He sends them out to minister to Israel. Jesus is very specific who than can talk to and who they absolutely cannot talk to.
Now Paul explains why this is. Read Ephesians Ch 2. We were without Christ. Galatians 4:4-5 explains clearly that why Jesus came and that was to redeem Israel from the Law, we today also benefit from this. But Jesus came for Israel first as it was prophesied about and promised to Israel in the scriptures.
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Do you see WAS a minister to the circumcision. Was is past tense. Today He is not ministering to Israel He is only working through the program so the Body of Christ to the Gentiles today. He does not recognize Israel today. Jews have access to salvation today the same as the Gentiles and that is through the gospel that Jesus Christ revealed to Paul that is in effect today. When we are raptured Israel’s program will be reinstated and the tribulation will start.
I know once I was born in the Spirit and looked at my life honestly, I was always coming to Jesus. It was inevitable. It's clear. There was nothing I could do other than make the road harder and longer to travel (which I did) that could stop what happened. When I finally submitted and embraced what Jesus had done for us all, it was a homecoming like none other. Which I am so grateful for.
But I have a dilemma that when I talk with other people who haven't accepted Jesus and am honest with them that my path was always leading to Him, more than once someone has reacted as if I am rendering myself as "special" to God. I have been accused of arrogance over this.
I don't feel arrogant or "special" and know my salvation is only by the grace and mercy of God. I know I didn't choose my salvation by my own free will. It was bound to happen as God's will. Though I knew none of this until it happened.
How do I talk with people about this? Any suggestions? I want to represent as best I can.
Jesus promises us that we will be persecuted for our beliefs, just as He was. You are not doing it wrong.
Every time that you are wounded and persecuted for your testimony, take it to Jesus. Tell Him how you are hurting! Ask for Him to heal you!
I did this on Saturday morning when I was hurt by my wife. I took it to Jesus and asked Him to heal me. I don't know what it will do for our relationship (my wife and mine), but I KNOW that it will move things in a positive direction.
A big part of God's design is that injuries happen, and then the healing is a necessary part of growth; I can't think of any examples offhand, but I know this to be true.
I think that this is a really important part of becoming purified in Christ. This is a way of making the refining process move along well.
I agree suffering, turning it over to Jesus and letting it go is such an important skill set to develop. Forgiveness of slights and hurts become so much easier to forgive when I go through this process. Though I slip and stall in the doing of it sometimes.
I think what I'm trying to get to is - How can I communicate more fully to those who think my testimony makes them feel lesser than? Are there ways others have found to get past this? Or maybe their feeling of not being as deserving as I am (which I don't and never have thought I am) is something I can help them embrace? They aren't wrong in thinking they aren't deserving, only in thinking I somehow am deserving.
I want to inspire not alienate. I want to help them if I can.
That is beautiful. You are coming from such a place of love.
You are special to God. But it isn’t arrogance to state this, it is a fact.
And it isn’t unique to you. Whom ever you are speaking to is equally special to God. They just are not ready to accept this. It is easier to scoff at you than to realize that (to paraphrase Paul) everything that they now count as gain, they may one day count as loss.
On song with all that, brother, except the rapture thing which I used to believe was a thing until I realised that the scripture wasn't speaking to me, concerning this. But, the salvation of all? Amen brother! Now that's what I call Good News!! Where I am now, I do not even credit myself any longer with coming to belief, in the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. I didn't even do that much! It is all God, through His son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Great video and article! Thank you
I really appreciate most of your articles. However this cross post gets into theological debates that have continued for 1000s of years, and we aren’t going to solve it in an article, or a post.
But it’s important to realize that the position of no Human Free Will, means that it was God’s will that the Hammas Terrorists killed all those Israel in terrible ways.
I see heaven as a choice that everyone will have to make: will you kneel in front of Him and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to worship Him forever? Yes or no?
Hamas terrorists will be given that opportunity. God loves us all THAT much. We can all be forgiven and accept our place in God's family.
It's horrible and they will be judged just like all the wicked. They will get what's coming to them, but its not eternal. The cross is that powerful. I believe the greatest evil ever committed was the murder of God's Son. Yet, in Acts 4:27-28, God says it was His will to have Herod, Pilate, Jews, gents, to do what they did. Why? So that all humanity will be saved. God will justify every evil that He caused in the end. Only God can do this. Grace and peace.
If God is choosing whom He will save, then how is anyone actually accountable for rejecting Him? This is the God who “is love”? If I can’t choose to accept or reject His gift of salvation, then it’s not a legitimate choice. And if it’s not a legitimate choice, then it is wrong to hold me accountable for it. It maligns the character of God.
John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Great, great question. Here's how I see it (not that I am right). We all get a chance for eternal life (and so it is not a choice but a gift of salvation). All of us, saint and sinner alike, will kneel in front of Jesus and be given the chance to acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And then you will be asked: do you want to worship Him forever? Yes or no?
So it is both not a choice and then it is a choice.
Another thing… God, speaking in love to Israel, says in Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
Being willing or not means there’s a legitimate choice for which we’re held accountable. If God was actively denying them the capacity to choose Him, how could he also condemn them for not choosing Him? A good God, a God who IS LOVE, can’t operate that way.
Besides, love is not love if it is not also volitional.
I don't think (and this is how I read the essay, too) that God chooses people to be eternally separated from Himself. As you write, I don't think that God is actively denying anyone the capacity to choose Him. But there are some people that he taps before creation to do specific things for Him. He made us, He knows His creation, He knows each of our natures. And so some people are set up to do certain things.
So did He create some people to oppose Himself? Hm. He created someone to play the roles outlined in the end times. (Man of Lawlessness, etc.).
TexasRed, great comment. We do make a choice, it's just not a free choice. It doesn't malign God's character because He will eventually save everyone and those that are caused to reject Him will get unending joy based on what they learned and experienced in that rejection. Have you read Romans, chapter 9? Paul says that God hardens whom He wills and is merciful on whom He wills. The protester in verse 19 asks the same question, basically. He says 'Why, then is He (God) still blaming?" In essence, how can God judge us for what He caused us to do. I'll let you read Paul's response in Romans 9: 19-25. The entire chapter is a great answer to your question. Jacob and Esau's entire life was planned before they were even born. So, they made tons of choices, they just are all planned by God. God will justify each and every one of us. Judgement is not God yelling at us, its God giving us more understanding and joy through the experiences that He gave us...rejecting Him is one of them. Also, John 3:36 is not eternal life, it is agelong life. Research of the Greek word 'aion' and aionion' will clear that mistranslation. Grace and peace.
The recordings of our Father Creator of all, have yet to be discovered.
The Jews story is a plagiarized account of the Sumerian and Emerald Tablets and much more. Man and Woman was already here of earth when the Elohim arrived.
The entire Jewish story from Adam to Abraham, then to the twelve tribes and to Christ, is all a copy? All that detail and documented accounts of ancestry, sacrifices, judges, kings, locations, cities, actions, and specific people are all a copy. Not possible...its the other way around.
You only say that because you haven't read the Sumerian and Emarald Tablets written thousands of years before people call themselves jews and the chosen ones.
Study up from the Elohim (Anu, Enki and Enlil) the ones that first said let us create man. Created Eden, Adam/Eve, Serpent, building plans for the Ark, selection of the family to survive the Great Flood, collection of animals, release of the bird in search of land, and so much more. Remember Abraham and Sahra were Sumerians, and their King was Gilgamesh, the offspring of the Elohim. They also knew of the Anunnaki.
when the ones you call Jesus walked this earth no one knew him by that name. ?That was a made-up name the Greeks gave him them omitted most of his exciting life from the Bible Ages 13 to 32 yrs. old with the Roman's help. The truth of mankind's history is amazing.
..........used to be intellectual . Used to desire knowing all that attracted attention myway . Today it's an Onion w the never ending layers, distinct layers, but inter-connected too. And being an avg-dumbass , i guess i see that i Can't See ...........soooooo it's all there , but the 'rocket-science' was maybe put in Scripture to entertain us on the one hand as well as a way to talk w Satan and let Big S know that upon whatever level u make this contest it is all signed, sealed, delivered - - for u at the Top all the way down to simple mankind-folk . Written in words and upon their hearts for them, but to u Satan (who has insufficient heart) written into Scripture in great detail and formalized there cuz u like to get technical at times . ......... .... shalom to all
Don't forget the Rocket Science of Enoch, Elijah, Ezekiel, and their travels into space with ETs. The Book of Enoch and the bible tells you so.
This is brilliant for so many reasons -- among them, it vindicates a rejection of man-made religion.
So with this belief it sounds like there is no Hell???
Satan has been working through humans since the beginning. So we certainly have free will to choose Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection and be free of Satan as our master.
how about hell is living in the illusion that there is no God, and being trapped in unbelief.
Yes but. Hell is as real as Heaven is and in the Bible it’s far worse then any hell on earth.
To live in the celestial (spirit) body forever separated from God is a hell we can't imagine here in our terrestrial (mortal) bodies. I think the representations of hell in the bible try to get close to how tortuous this will be.
I'm quite sure that even the worst of us will know heaven, in spite of ourselves.
All WILL be saved, as is the will of God.
Hell does not exist! Not a chance according to scripture.
Victoria yes. Hell is so unbearable because there is absolutely no water. One is in utter darkness and completely void and separated from God eternally. The angst and such emptiness and despair that they experience would be devastating. And this was is their eternal state of mind.
I don’t know which Bible these other folks are reading and they don’t understand evidently the 3 Baptisms that Christ spoke of in Israel’s program.
The first 2 were water and then the 2nd was baptism of Holy Spirit at Pentecost for Israel for the believing remnant. This sealed the believing remnant.
The 3rd Baptism is of fire and it is for the unbelieving members of Israel and will be for the unbelieving Gentiles in this dispensation that heard the Gospel revealed to Paul and rejected it or basically tried to change it and believed a modified version, basically a corruption of Gods Word.
The 3rd Baptism is the Baptism of Fire.
Unfortunately I have a lot of relatives that were born, raised and educated in the same cult as I was. They were taught a God of love would never create a hell. They also discredited Paul’s ministry because they believed a false Prophet’s teachings who was absolutely a Luciferian and a Freemason. This Satanic Prophet convinced them that they had to ask daily for the forgiveness of their sins and they had to keep the 10 Commandments and all of the dietary laws of the Jews. Needless to say. They we’re basically practicing Judaism disguised as Christianity. They absolutely didn’t understand Galatians.
Unfortunately they are not in a good place when they have left this world. It is too late. Their poor choices and not trusting the Word of God. I am very fortunate because Christ gave me such a love for His Word. Once a person believes a lie you can try 1,000 times to show them the actual truth in the Word but they are blinded. I used to grieve and grieve for a deceived soul. Now I just turn away as the Bible instructs to do and thank God for opening my eyes and delivering me from the SDA cult I was raised in.
Saved by Grace through Faith. It is a free gift for all who believe. Praising God all Day Long🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Veracity, wow! Jesus came to save sinners and He accomplished His mission according to Him, yet you say that people will be punished for the very sins that Christ died for. Paul wrote Colossians 1:15-20, Romans 5:18-19, 1 Timothy 4:10, 1 Corinthians 15:21-28, etc. and you think he taught eternal hell. You have not presented any scripture, just your wild opinions. Read the scripture I mentioned above without your wild tradition and you will see the power of the cross and the fact that Paul teaches that all are eventually saved through Christ's death for sin, His entombment and His resurrection. In fact, righteousness is a result of salvation, not the other way around.
That is a living hell. Lived in this mortal body.
There is a lake of fire, and you get there by free will. Look who gets tossed there at the end of the age: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” This is in Revelation 21 and is the last thing that happens before the Bride of Christ is revealed.
You are right that the lake of fire is the 'second death.' However, Christ Jesus abolishes death, all death, in 1 Corinthians 15:27. 1 Corinthians actually tells of the future after the lake of fire when God is All in all. The Lake of Fire is mentioned in Revelations but that does not mean it is the end for those beings. It is not. All enemies, including the lake of fire, is abolished by Christ. Thus making 1 Corinthians 15:28, 1 Timothy 4:10, Colossians 1:20, Romans 5:18, all true. Grace and peace.
Strongly disagree. The Lake of Fire is eternal. Scott you are misleading your followers. Not a good place to be when you face Christ.
One, I don't have any followers. This is an article. Two, where in scripture does it say its eternal? In fact, scripture says that the lake of fire is the 'second death' and scripture says that 'death' is abolished by Christ (1Corinthians 15:27). I wouldn't worry about what happens when I face Christ, that's between me and Him. I would worry about claiming that the cross was not powerful enough and that those that Christ went to the cross to save, will spend an eternity without God. In essence, the cross wasn't powerful enough to save. So, Christ needed VERACITY's contribution. You believe in 'self' unfortunatley and not Christ. Read what scripture actually says. Grace and peace.
Hell is an English word that has no place in scripture. The Hebrew word used is 'sheol' which is the grave. 'Hades' is the Greek equivalent. The word Jesus spoke was 'Gehenna' which is a physical place just outside of Jerusalem. 'Tatarus' has nothing to do with human beings. These words are all translated to mean hell, which is incorrect. Our curse is not hell, it is death. Christ Jesus eventually abolishes all death and saves all creation (Colossians 1:15-20, I Corinthians 15: 21-28). Grace and peace.
Definition of Death in the scriptures
Here is the issue I have with all these temple accounts. In my reading, particularly with Paul in Romans. All past physical elements in Judaism have transferred to a spiritual interpretation. Thus, the type and atypical representations.
Paul explained that the chosen Jew became the spiritual Jew and became open to all nations, or gentiles, since the Jewish nation rejected the Messiah. From the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, God no longer recognized them as his chosen and, through the prophets, told them they would have calamity after calamity, which is precisely what happened. In the meantime, a great spiritual Jew was developed, and this group is available to everyone.
This is my belief and opinion, and I'm only expressing it as a matter of FYI and certainly not trying to be argumentative in any way.
So IMHO, the Jewish nation is not essential, not a physical temple, because a spiritual temple has been developed from all the nations, not just one nation.
Today, the only reason the US supports Israel is because they are a military base Protecting American interests in the region. All the talk of people and religion is a front to gain support for spending billions in a military US outpost. As Biden has said many times that, if Israel did not exist, America would invent one
What you have written is I think what Christ meant when He looked down over Jerusalem and wished that He could gather the people as a hen would her chickens. But instead He said their house would be left to them, desolate. So the Jewish nation was scattered, the temple destroyed, and the entire sacrificial system was ended having fulfilled its purpose. Israel today is the Israel of God - the assembly of the saints with Christ as the great High Priest.
John in Revelation 11 refers to the temple of God being opened in heaven. Satan's finale I think is a final assault on Heaven itself to set himself up in place of Christ and for people to worship him instead of the Lord Christ. Satan will have his minions of course but he is the usurper not a mere man.
You see. This is how I interpret the Bible. The past, or Old Testament, is a literal representation of future events. As an example, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only begotten son signified God willing to sacrifice his. All things led to Christ through the Jewish system. All the laws, etc, were fulfilled in Christ. With Christ instituting a new Covenant with his Apostles, that ended the Old Covenant that was with Abraham.
The New Testament then recorded the New Covenant with a New Jewish State, spiritually, not a literal nation of race. That ending was then literally displayed in 70 CE, with the literal temple being destroyed. The new temple would then be a spiritual temple or an anti-type of that first.
So, in my view, the literal Jewish system no longer has any significance other than being used as a representation. I know this crosses many people's views and beliefs, but it seems pretty evident in the writing of the New Testament. This is why the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit as new members of the Christian congregation and became the backbone of the New Covenant instituted by Christ. The wedding illustration was also used with Christ being the Bride Groom and the members of the New Covenant being the Bride. This new spiritual arrangement was used to bring humans back into a relationship with the father that Adam lost.
A couple of paragraphs I used to explain my views are not even close to sufficient and need several books. But I hope this clears up how I look at it, for whatever that is worth. I appreciate the conversation and your thoughts. Thanks, Phil.
You are correct - a couple of paras are not even close to sufficient. We are on very similar pages.... Part of the problem today is that many are taught that the OT no longer applies when in fact, without a solid grounding in the OT, it is tougher to understand the NT especially Romans and Hebrews. Yes, the OT system of worship was "types and shadows" to point to Christ. Those who even today continue to follow that system are denying the work of Christ. "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith, apart from the works of the Law". "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness". (Genesis 15:6).
The covenant of works was made with Adam in Genesis 2; 16-17. It was very quickly broken by Adam, and then God brought in the covenant of grace in Genesis 3:15. Salvation has never been through works at any time - it was always through grace.
There were always "Gentiles" in the church even in the OT. Nebuchadnezzar for example. Psalm 87 refers to people from other nations who were among those who knew God. The conversion of the people of Nineveh in Jonah's time - despite his unwillingness to go and preach to them.
Dispensationalist teaching has led to great errors within the church, ranging from teaching that the moral law (as in the ten commandments) no longer applies, to the whole idea of the church being "raptured" and taken from the earth before a period of tribulation; the rebuilding of a physical temple in Jerusalem, the red heifer, and other unscriptural teaching. This (IMO) has partly led to the problems we have now in the Middle East, notwithstanding the machiavellian politics that are involved.
Truly, the two beasts of Revelation 13 are hard at work.
Amen! Amazing thoughts. I completely agree that you can't understand the new testament without understanding the old testament. The festivals are the best example. We miss out on so much that is so rich by setting this aside. In my opinion, you can't get very far in seeking God without understanding the Torah; he lays so much out here.
You're right I think. Israel is a people not a piece of dirt.
I appreciate the kind nature to your comment. I do strongly disagree with the spiritual Israel concept. God is on pause with Israel and will pick up with them again when the fullness of the gentiles comes in. This is explained in Romans ch 9-11. Ephesians chapter 2 talks about the fact that those of the nations are no longer subservient to Israel based on Paul's message. Israel will still rule the earth as declared in scripture, those of the nations will rule the heavens based on Paul's revelation. Grace and peace.
This was good...an important distinction. I am saved through Jesus Christ and Christ only. I am so thankful that God chose me to come to belief in this life...I often wish it were sooner, but that would ultimately be "self" as well, now wouldn't it? :) God bless.
Jesus tells us in John 17 that eternal life is this: knowing God the Father and Jesus His Son. It isn't a choice we make to accept Him in our hearts. And we have to be invited in to know Them; by and through the Holy Spirit.
Have you done any research into what the Quran says, and how it might support or differ from your original thoughts?
The Koran and Calvinism share much.. let that sink in!🤌🚨
I’m new to this entire thread and learning more. If my understanding is correct, then that would be a good thing?
Sorry what would be a good thing?
The Quran and Calvinism sharing much
No. They both make a relationship with God the Father and His Son difficult, if not impossible. And Jesus tells us in John 17 that this relationship is eternal life.
One more wonderful scripture explaining we will be spared from the wrath to come in the tribulation.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Hope you find comfort in these wonderful verses. All my understanding and wisdom comes from the Word. It is my all and all. It is my everything. Giving Thanks and Praising God All Day Long 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
For me it is really important which Bible ones read. There absolutely is hell. Jesus himself discussed hell 15 times in the Gospels and the most important mention of it is this:
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Salvation today is given to us, through grace through faith. And is only available to those who believe and trust Christ as their Saviour. He did all the work for the payment of our sins in full. All He asks is that
we believe. It is gift, freely given. He will not accept performance based salvation.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
From what scripture says is that once the Church, The Body of Christ is Raptured. Then and only then will Israel’s program resume and the tribulation will kick in and begin.
The Occult wants to confuse the masses to make everyone believe that we are living out Revelations. But my Bible is very clear that Israel’s program was suspended at the stoning of Stephen. Then Christ ushered in this program directly to the Gentiles at the conversion of Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus. Israel’s program will be reinstated when the Church is raptured. The Church, The Body of Christ, will be spared from the wrath to come.
I realize this is not a popular view. But my understanding comes from studying the Bible as God instructs us to. 2nd Timothy 2:15 - 17, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.
All scripture is for our learning and to give us hope In Christ Jesus. Roman 15:4. But today Christ is only working in Roman’s through Philemon. That is where we get our instructions today to do His will. When we are raptured and the remnant of Israel’s eyes are open according to Jeremiah 31:31-34, then Hebrews through Revelation kicks in. That is why the next book after Paul’s epistles is called Hebrews. Because it is written to directly to the believing remnant of Israel, the believing remnant that will now have their eyes 👀 opened and will believe. And they are told that Jesus Christ is the Son and God. Hebrews, Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
And Hebrews picks up where Acts 7 ended before the Dispensation of Grace was ushered in and also known as the Mystery of Christ. At the fullness of the Gentiles the church will be raptured and now the tribulation kicks in.
All the power in heaven and earth has been legally given to Christ as He tells us in the Gospels and reminds Israel in Revelation that He now has the keys to hell and death.
A lot to absorb but that is my understanding of the Bible and today Christ is sitting at the right hand of the father and the world is under subjection to him.
The Holy Spirit is holding back the man of lawlessness. That is the point of the mystery of iniquity. Roman 13 is clear that all governmental authorities are put into power and ordained by God. Hard to digest but that is what my Bible says. God is not orchestrating the evil, but He is allowing it. I also believe that the fullness of the Gentiles as explained in Romans Chapter 11 is about to be fulfilled. So yes the world is trying to ramp up for the end times agenda. But the tribulation will not begin until after we are raptured. I am sorry if you don’t believe that. But I see it very clearly in the scriptures.
There are clearly 2 key programs that God has in view in the Bible. We are not to commingle them. I am thankful for my salvation and that I have been grafted in as a member of the Body of Christ of which Christ is the head. Through this program Christ is taking back the dominion of the heavenly places. Through ISRAEL’s program God will take back dominion of the earth and will soon bring His Kingdom down and will reign on this earth. This will all lead to the fullness of times as explained in Ephesians 1:10, which will happen after Christ reigns here in earth for 1000 years.
Here is my prayer and hope for anyone who doesn’t understand what I have conveyed
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
I will close with these wonderful verses. I was born into a cult who raised me to believe we are spiritual Israel. Praise God He gave me a desire to study His scriptures which clearly states that we absolutely are NOT spiritual Israel today. We are clearly the uncircumcision and we were not circumcised by hands but in our heart.
I am so thankful I will be spared from the wrath to come that the remnant of Israel will have to endure. The two programs have 2 different purposes all pointing to Christ.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
We will be spared from the wrath to come for those who accept God’s Grace and believe by Faith the Gospel of our Salvation as revealed to Paul, by Lord Jesus Christ ♥️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the distress of those days
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Is this the rapture?
No the rapture happens while we are going about our daily life. No man knows the hour or the day. All those left behind will see him when he comes after the tribulation .
I do not believe so. I believe this is the second coming. Only in Paul's letters do we hear of the rapture.
Scott, Paul’s letters are the most important message to you today. It is unfortunate that you don’t understand this. The Gospel that Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul who is the Apostle and Minister specifically to the Gentiles, this Gospel is the only gospel that can save you today.
Another conversation you will be having with Jesus. It is unfortunate when one believes they are smarter than Christ. Not a very good place to find oneself.
I absolutely agree with you that Paul's message is for me. His message is my salvation through and only through Christ's death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection. What would give you the idea that I did not believe this? Of course its the only way to be saved. Not sure why you would accuse me of thinking I'm smarter than Jesus? You make no sense.
Okay, I reread your comment. I see that you do believe in the Rapture and it is correct that is the only place we are taught about the Rapture. I believe we have a picture type of it with Enoch.
Why I make my comments is that you don’t take the KJV of the Bible at face value. I see it clearly is the only inherent, inspired Word in the English language. I didn’t come to this understanding hap hazardly. I am someone who was born into a cult that manipulated the Word of God by those who did not take every word in the Bible literally.
I see that you don’t have a solid understanding of Death and what it means when Christ abolished death
Hell is very real. I those who find themselves in hell when they leave this world are there by their own free will. It starts with pride. They didn’t believe truth and would rather believe a lie.
Scott many will unfortunately find themselves in Hell for eternity. You will be surprised how few are actual saved souls. It is always about a remnant. The Devil is so cunning and knows how masterfully to get souls to mishandle the Word and believe that they are smarter than God by translating from the Greek etc. Be very careful when you question the English translation of the Word.
God was pretty smart. The KJV was translated at the height of the English language before mankind started dumbing down society. I have a very old dictionary and it would blow you away what has been omitted in the modern updated versions. Here is a text I am going to share with you. I believe Christ is putting it on my heart to share with you.
2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
Much more I could share but not on substack. I love the Word of God it is what gives me wisdom and understanding.
I take every Word in the KJV literally and it is translated exactly how Christ meant it to be.
Revelation 16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Does Jesus come as a thief twice?
Hi John,
Christ at the Rapture will meet us in the clouds. Then at the end of 7 year tribulation He will come down to the earth for quote The Day of The Lord. The phrase the Day of the Lord is mentioned 26 times in the KJV Bible. It is always referring to when Christ comes at the end of the Tribulation. Here are the verses, Isaiah 2:12; 13:6; 13:9; 34:8, Jeremiah 46:10; Lementations 2:22; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1; 2:11; 3:14; Amos 5:18; 5:20; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:8; 1:14; 1:18; 2:2; 2:3; Zechariah 14:1; 1st Thessalonians 5:2; 2nd Peter 3:10.
Now 1st Thessalonians 5 is one of Paul’s Epistles where we get our instructions to day in order to do God’s will and do what Christ is doing today. Paul is educating us about the Day of the Lord. He is talking about Israel’s program. This is not talking about the Rapture. That is why he starts out in verse 1 that there is no need to write to us about times and seasons. Because , times , seasons , signs and wonders etc are for Israel’s program. We walk by faith and not by sight see 2nd Corinthians 5:7. They need signs and wonders etc. The thief in the night scripture is for Israel and it is referring to the Day of the Lord. 2nd Thessalonians 5:9 is very clear that we will be spared from the wrath to come are salvation we HAVE obtained by our Lord Jesus Christ. Have means we already have salvation.
When we trust and believe by faith we are saved. We have received salvation. We are sealed Ephesians 1:13 and we are waiting for our purchased possession, our glorified bodies. See 8:15-17; 8:23; 2nd Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30; We have received our inheritance and are waiting for our possession which is our redemption of our glorified bodies. Philippians 3:20-21.
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Notice our conversation, citizenship is NOW in Heaven. That is the whole point of this Dispensation. It is the formation of the Body of Christ which was a Mystery, hid in God and not revealed until Lord Jesus Christ revealed it to Paul. We are now a spiritual manifestation In Christ, His Church of which He is the head. That is why we are sealed. All of our trespasses were forgiven and his righteousness was imputed to our account. It is His righteousness not of ourselves, but his, that saved us.
No flesh and blood can enter heaven. 1st Corinthians 15:50 - 54. Rapture occurs at the sound of the last trumpet. Not as a thief in the night which is referring to the Day of the Lord, Gods day of wrath and vengeance.
The verses that explain about the Rapture say we will meet him in the clouds at the sound of the last trump.
Have you studied out the Mystery of Christ doctrines?
It is important to understand why this program today the Dispensation of Grace and the formation of the Body of Christ is not the same as the program of Israel and the Kingdom Gospel. Read Ephesians Ch 2. None of Israel’s program covenant promises, oracles of God etc were given to us. We were aliens to Christ. But now, Christ has gone directly to the Gentiles through the ministry He gave to Paul.
Here is a ministry that will help break all of this out to one who is seeking. www.enjoythebible.org. Click on the media section. There are many Bible studies you can listen to.
Highly recommend “Basic Bible Comprehension “. It is not Basic. One needs to be pretty proficient in the Word to be able to fully comprehend this message.
Also the Essential Doctrines is excellent.
One more thing. I would not have you ignorant, brethren. These are very important doctrines to understand. Most of Christendom do not understand them. Roman 1:13; 11:25, 1st Corinthians 10:1; 12:1; 2nd Corinthians 2:11; 1st Thessalonians 4:13.
Also Mystery of Christ doctrines.
Ephesians 1:9-14
Ephesians 3:3-8
Ephesians 3:9 - 12
Ephesians 6:19 - 20
Colossians 1:24-27
I hope I have answered your question. There is so much more to share. I pray Christ gives you understanding.
Take Care 🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻
Awesome! It's going to take a while to digest all this. I like to read some of the old guys on prophecy, Arno Gaebelein, Clarence Larkin and John MacArthur is good.
Hell is an English word and Jesus did not speak English. So, He never once mentioned the word hell. To understand what Jesus did say, we have to look at the Greek in which the New Testament was written. Jesus actually spoke of the Valley of Hinnom which in the Greek is Gehenna. Gehenna was a physical place outside of Jerusalem when Jesus lived and you can go there today if you want. It is a place where dead bodies where thrown, not a place of eternal conscious torment. This place will be operational in the 1000 years as well but all death will eventually be abolished by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:27). Hell as we have been taught is a lie.
On a slightly different topic...
Just the other evening, while listening to Daniel (NKJV)..
Thank you for confirming the thought...
Wonder how many persons realize the "Tower" of Babylon was a SKYSCRAPER!
(Sorry for yelling) For 60 years, I have been thinking this was like a "cell tower" when in actuality,
while pondering Daniel realized the technology required alone, to design, construct such a skyscraper, is astounding.
This one concept, if presented to non-believers can ignite curiosity in prophecy, NOT religion...
- Stay focused folks.. IMHO when one can find "palm readers" newly installed at Whole Foods... better get 'wise'....
Do not be deceived...
"God gives realization (belief) to some now. The rest of humanity will miss the glorious agelong life but is eventually saved through judgement or correction when they too, will come to the realization that Christ is their Savior and God is God."
So...if everyone is saved and what we do doesn't matter... what's the point?
Exactly this lioness is actually. A wolf on Sheeps clothing
Didn't know she was so out to lunch
A calvinist I guess and so much more 🚩
Wake ip folks
Bible talks of end time deception
How funny she's calling others decieved when in fact SHe is the one most deceived.
And on that note I'm unsubbing
Enough trash on internet don't need one more false teacher
Folks study this out
As YOU all pride SELF for being so awakened on Covid YOU are more decieved on more important issues.. the spiritual eternal ones
Covid jabs may kill body but just like that sly old devil and his tricks,
This lioness is drawing you into another gospel vi Covid truths
She's in the dark on the more important things.. and yr soul is at stake
Flew her warped theology
All are saved?!!
I'm done arguing with Calvinists and the like
But y'all would be wise to engage her
Been there done that.. it's futile
But God!
So glad my eyes awakened to this subsrack and will now unfollow
Just as I called out dr Jane ruby who says fell in love with the light and spirit of Sean stone🤌🚨
What the hell is going on in the " truther camp ..
I see the devil masquerading S angel of light deceiving those that body having discernment of Covid yet in bed with new agers who channel the demonic like dr Jane does
She just said to God he or she? She? It shows she is biblically illiterate and desperate to follow anyone that can promise long life
In fact all these folks seem to think they can escape what's coming with prepping this n that and doing this n that for the body
Self self self glorification n perseveration
No trust in almighty God
It's all works to keep Thai temple alive and strong
And the devil wrongs his hands and laughs as the church and new age walk hand in hand
Wake up saints ! Ask God for wisdom n discernment
Flew lioness n dr Jane ruby and dr Ana mikalcea who channels a supposed Ramtha 30,000 yr old being( aka demon) who cares if they all have some Covid truths
That's how they lure you in and once in they bring in other damnable heresies and way leads on to way
Wake up church!
Lioness is deceived and deceiving
A Calvinist doesn't believe that Christ Jesus saved all creation as the following scripture proves: Colossians 1:15-20, 1 Timothy 4:10, Romans 5:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15: 21-28, and many many more. A Calvinist doesn't believe in the power of the cross, apparently neither do you. Your tradition is not truth my friend and maybe you should do deeper study into what scripture actually says. You said you where going to unsub, then wrote much more. Not going to read it but go ahead and unsub. Grace and peace to you and your journey.
Everything you do matters. Just because God ultimately is sovereign over all, it doesn't matter what we do? Just because God planned all doesn't mean that you don't live out each experience of your life the best you can. You are to work out your own salvation in fear and trembling, understanding that its God that works in you to will and to do of His Delight (Philippians 2:13). Grace and peace.
No this is not the Rapture doctrine. This is talking to Israel. John so much I would love to share with you. Who did Jesus come for when He was here?
Matthew 10:5 - 8. He is giving instructions to the 12 disciples before He sends them out to minister to Israel. Jesus is very specific who than can talk to and who they absolutely cannot talk to.
Now Paul explains why this is. Read Ephesians Ch 2. We were without Christ. Galatians 4:4-5 explains clearly that why Jesus came and that was to redeem Israel from the Law, we today also benefit from this. But Jesus came for Israel first as it was prophesied about and promised to Israel in the scriptures.
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Do you see WAS a minister to the circumcision. Was is past tense. Today He is not ministering to Israel He is only working through the program so the Body of Christ to the Gentiles today. He does not recognize Israel today. Jews have access to salvation today the same as the Gentiles and that is through the gospel that Jesus Christ revealed to Paul that is in effect today. When we are raptured Israel’s program will be reinstated and the tribulation will start.
I know once I was born in the Spirit and looked at my life honestly, I was always coming to Jesus. It was inevitable. It's clear. There was nothing I could do other than make the road harder and longer to travel (which I did) that could stop what happened. When I finally submitted and embraced what Jesus had done for us all, it was a homecoming like none other. Which I am so grateful for.
But I have a dilemma that when I talk with other people who haven't accepted Jesus and am honest with them that my path was always leading to Him, more than once someone has reacted as if I am rendering myself as "special" to God. I have been accused of arrogance over this.
I don't feel arrogant or "special" and know my salvation is only by the grace and mercy of God. I know I didn't choose my salvation by my own free will. It was bound to happen as God's will. Though I knew none of this until it happened.
How do I talk with people about this? Any suggestions? I want to represent as best I can.
All glory to God.
God sent His Son to die for you. That does make you special, and me too!
And everyone who ever lived or will or is. It's hard to wrap the mind around for some.
Thank you and God Bless.
Jesus promises us that we will be persecuted for our beliefs, just as He was. You are not doing it wrong.
Every time that you are wounded and persecuted for your testimony, take it to Jesus. Tell Him how you are hurting! Ask for Him to heal you!
I did this on Saturday morning when I was hurt by my wife. I took it to Jesus and asked Him to heal me. I don't know what it will do for our relationship (my wife and mine), but I KNOW that it will move things in a positive direction.
A big part of God's design is that injuries happen, and then the healing is a necessary part of growth; I can't think of any examples offhand, but I know this to be true.
I think that this is a really important part of becoming purified in Christ. This is a way of making the refining process move along well.
I agree suffering, turning it over to Jesus and letting it go is such an important skill set to develop. Forgiveness of slights and hurts become so much easier to forgive when I go through this process. Though I slip and stall in the doing of it sometimes.
I think what I'm trying to get to is - How can I communicate more fully to those who think my testimony makes them feel lesser than? Are there ways others have found to get past this? Or maybe their feeling of not being as deserving as I am (which I don't and never have thought I am) is something I can help them embrace? They aren't wrong in thinking they aren't deserving, only in thinking I somehow am deserving.
I want to inspire not alienate. I want to help them if I can.
That is beautiful. You are coming from such a place of love.
You are special to God. But it isn’t arrogance to state this, it is a fact.
And it isn’t unique to you. Whom ever you are speaking to is equally special to God. They just are not ready to accept this. It is easier to scoff at you than to realize that (to paraphrase Paul) everything that they now count as gain, they may one day count as loss.
Thank you. What you've written helps and gives me new insights.
On song with all that, brother, except the rapture thing which I used to believe was a thing until I realised that the scripture wasn't speaking to me, concerning this. But, the salvation of all? Amen brother! Now that's what I call Good News!! Where I am now, I do not even credit myself any longer with coming to belief, in the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. I didn't even do that much! It is all God, through His son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Great video and article! Thank you
Thanks for the comment. You don't believe Paul was talking to you in Thessalonians?
I really appreciate most of your articles. However this cross post gets into theological debates that have continued for 1000s of years, and we aren’t going to solve it in an article, or a post.
But it’s important to realize that the position of no Human Free Will, means that it was God’s will that the Hammas Terrorists killed all those Israel in terrible ways.
But they’re going to be saved and go to Heaven?
I see heaven as a choice that everyone will have to make: will you kneel in front of Him and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to worship Him forever? Yes or no?
Hamas terrorists will be given that opportunity. God loves us all THAT much. We can all be forgiven and accept our place in God's family.
It's horrible and they will be judged just like all the wicked. They will get what's coming to them, but its not eternal. The cross is that powerful. I believe the greatest evil ever committed was the murder of God's Son. Yet, in Acts 4:27-28, God says it was His will to have Herod, Pilate, Jews, gents, to do what they did. Why? So that all humanity will be saved. God will justify every evil that He caused in the end. Only God can do this. Grace and peace.
If God is choosing whom He will save, then how is anyone actually accountable for rejecting Him? This is the God who “is love”? If I can’t choose to accept or reject His gift of salvation, then it’s not a legitimate choice. And if it’s not a legitimate choice, then it is wrong to hold me accountable for it. It maligns the character of God.
John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Hey TexasRed,
Great, great question. Here's how I see it (not that I am right). We all get a chance for eternal life (and so it is not a choice but a gift of salvation). All of us, saint and sinner alike, will kneel in front of Jesus and be given the chance to acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And then you will be asked: do you want to worship Him forever? Yes or no?
So it is both not a choice and then it is a choice.
Another thing… God, speaking in love to Israel, says in Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
Being willing or not means there’s a legitimate choice for which we’re held accountable. If God was actively denying them the capacity to choose Him, how could he also condemn them for not choosing Him? A good God, a God who IS LOVE, can’t operate that way.
Besides, love is not love if it is not also volitional.
I don't think (and this is how I read the essay, too) that God chooses people to be eternally separated from Himself. As you write, I don't think that God is actively denying anyone the capacity to choose Him. But there are some people that he taps before creation to do specific things for Him. He made us, He knows His creation, He knows each of our natures. And so some people are set up to do certain things.
So did He create some people to oppose Himself? Hm. He created someone to play the roles outlined in the end times. (Man of Lawlessness, etc.).
TexasRed, great comment. We do make a choice, it's just not a free choice. It doesn't malign God's character because He will eventually save everyone and those that are caused to reject Him will get unending joy based on what they learned and experienced in that rejection. Have you read Romans, chapter 9? Paul says that God hardens whom He wills and is merciful on whom He wills. The protester in verse 19 asks the same question, basically. He says 'Why, then is He (God) still blaming?" In essence, how can God judge us for what He caused us to do. I'll let you read Paul's response in Romans 9: 19-25. The entire chapter is a great answer to your question. Jacob and Esau's entire life was planned before they were even born. So, they made tons of choices, they just are all planned by God. God will justify each and every one of us. Judgement is not God yelling at us, its God giving us more understanding and joy through the experiences that He gave us...rejecting Him is one of them. Also, John 3:36 is not eternal life, it is agelong life. Research of the Greek word 'aion' and aionion' will clear that mistranslation. Grace and peace.