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SECOND CHANCE |
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Not Specified
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ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION AND REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT, WILL THEY HAVE A SECOND CHANCE TO BE SAVED IN THE TRIBULATION PERIOD? WILL THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON THEM. |
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SECOND CHANCE |
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Rev 7:1
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ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION AND REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT, WILL THEY HAVE A SECOND CHANCE TO BE SAVED IN THE TRIBULATION PERIOD? WILL THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON THEM. |
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SECOND CHANCE |
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Rev 7:1
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Revelation 7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind should blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads." 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 5 from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6 from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7 from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed. (NAS)
These 144,000 "Triblation Saints" are still on Earth after the rapture. They have the seal fo God so they won't be harmed. |
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What does this mean? |
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Mark 6:5
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"Mark 6:5 '...He could do no mighty work there...' Compare Matt 13:58. This is not to suggest that His power was somehow diminished by their unbelief. It may suggest that because of their unbelief people were not coming to Him for healing or miracles the way they did in Capernaum and Jerusalem. Or, more importantly, it may signify that Christ limited His ministry both as an act of mercy, so that the exposure to greater light would not result in a worse hardening that would only subject them to greater condemnation, and a judgment on their unbelief. He had the power to do more miracles, but not the will, because they rejected Him. Miracles belonged among those who were ready to believe." (MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1470) |
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How do you then interpret the verses... |
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Luke 8:13
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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION? (continued from previous message)
Occasionally someone will suggest that God's election is based on His foreknowledge of certain events. This argument suggests that God simply looks into the future to see who will believe, and He chooses those whom He sees choosing Him. Notice that 1 Peter 1:2 says the elect are chosen "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," and Romans 8:29 says, "whom He foreknew, He also predestined." And if divine foreknowledge simply means God's knowledge of what will happen in advance, then these arguments may appear to have some weight behind them.
But that is not the biblical meaning of "foreknowledge." When the Bible speaks of God's foreknowledge, it refers to God's establishment of a love relationship with that person. The word "know," in both the Old and New Testament, refers to much more than mere cognitive knowledge of a person. Such passages as Hosea 13:4-5; Amos 3:2 (KJV); and Romans 11:2 clearly indicate this. For example, 1 Peter 1:20 says Christ was "foreknown before the foundation of the world." Surely this means more than that God the Father looked into the future to behold Christ! It means He had an eternal, loving relationship with Him. The same is true of the elect, whom we are told God "foreknew" (Romans 8:29). That means He knew them--he loved them--before the foundation of the world.
If God's choice of the elect is unconditional, does this rule out human responsibility? Paul asks and answers that very question in Romans 9:19-20. He says God's choice of the elect is an act of mercy. Left to themselves, even the elect would persist in sin and be lost, because they are taken from the same fallen lump of clay as the rest of humanity. God alone is responsible for their salvation, but that does not eradicate the responsibility of those who persist in sin and are lost--because they do it willfully, and not under compulsion. They are responsible for their sin, not God.
The Bible affirms human responsibility right alongside the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Moreover, the offer of mercy in the gospel is extended to all alike. Isaiah 55:1 and Revelation 22:17 call "whosoever will" to be saved. Isaiah 45:22 and Acts 17:30 command all men to turn to God, repent and be saved. First Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 tell us that God is not willing that any should perish, but desires that all should be saved. Finally, the Lord Jesus said that, "the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:37).
In summary, we can say that God has had a special love relationship with the elect from all eternity, and on the basis of that love relationship chosen them for salvation. The ultimate question of why God chose some for salvation and left others in their sinful state is one that we, with our finite knowledge, cannot answer. We do know that God's attributes always are in perfect harmony with each other, so that God's sovereignty will always operate in perfect harmony with His goodness, love, wisdom, and justice.
For further study:
John MacArthur, The Love of God (Dallas: Word, 1996).
J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1961).
© 2000 Grace to You
. . . (article by John MacArthur at www.gty.org - listed in Issues and Answers archives) |
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Is repentance required? |
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Ex 20:13
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Amigo, If you consider repentance to be a single event, then admitting your sinful nature produces salvation from hell when accompanied by confessing Christ Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. However, repentance means to 'turn away' from sin. Certainly we must admit sin in order to begin repentance, but we must also change our hearts and our actions. The Holy Spirit will guide you to this end. I seems that God is pleased if we continue to fight against sin, repenting and changing. We cannot 'purchase' our salvation in this manner, but certainly our Father will be proud of us if we stop sinning. Returning to the original question about suicide, I believe it is possible for 'self-murder' to be forgiven. However, the final say is in God's hands, we can only trust in His mercy. Please remember that this does not make suicide an option. God is not 'required' to do anything, certainly not behave according to our interpretation of Scripture.
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Racial Purity, Is |
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Deut 7:3
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Amigo, For some reason God chose the children of Israel to be His people. They were never very good at obeying His command to be a pure race. In the New Covenant there is no longer this command. Our purity is to be of heart and faith (and according to James, action). It is interesting to note that God, in His mercy, used many of those disobedient to this command to be examples of faith. |
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What does Bible teach on election? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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I didn't always understand it either. It used to make me think of God as harsh. The problem was I was thinking of God as way too small and my sinfulness as way too little. All I recommmend you do is go through it a little at a time. Keep your heart open to the Spirit of God, and let the Scripture speak for itself. You may just find, as I did, that God cannot be kept in a box. He is bigger than I ever dreamed, and his mercy and grace mean far more to me than I ever imagined. Don't rush and enjoy the discovery. Feel free to ask any questions either here or via e-mail. |
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Was there any other human being in Node |
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Genesis
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Adam and Eve had more children than just Cain and Abel. They just weren't recorded in the Bible. God, even in their sin, did not want them to stop reproducing (if God were sure to end it there, He would have, but even then He was demonstrating His grace and His mercy!) Of course, He handled things with Noah and the flood, but that's another story for another time. Anyway, Cain married one of his siblings. |
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How can we influence who is saved? |
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1 Pet 2:9
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Forgiveness and mercy are available free. But we must recieve it.God gives salvation free.This is preordained.He knows. Superceding this is the free will God created in us. We are preordained to be saved not condenmed.All are created for His fellowship and pleasure.Otherwise creation and teachings of Jesus in Gospels seem invalid.But anyone can walk out of this,which is not preordaind. |
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Is masturbation wrong? |
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1 John 2:16
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If one does not have any possibility for legitimate sex and beyond scope of further self control what else to do.It depend lot on the overall person , where his eyes look and the maturity.It is not lawful,but mercy of God is to be trusted. |
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Who is NOT saved? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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charis you had go back on read it properly and read the Question in the first place.we are talking christian families! therefore i use scipture that deal for Christian families.for the covering of their children.You seem to negate the debate by not quoting Scripture or is it your own hard hearted attempt to push the Logos on to others.The Spirit brings life. you had better get on your knees and ask the Lord for mercy cause we are going to reap what we sow, and the Lord has shown Me heaps of love and mercy. |
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Who is NOT saved? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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Peace upon you, O 'king of Salem (Peace)' This Forum is going to give you a heart attack if you are not careful of your temper. You are correct, I did get off the subject. I was commenting on 'automatic' salavation-by-kinship or marriage, which was connected to your comments on I Corinthians 7. For this slip, I humbly apologize. I do hope that the debate was not too negated. I will be more careful not to push the Logos on to unwilling others, and seek the Spirit of life. I often find myself on my knees asking God for mercy. I am happy for your heaps of love and mercy. Blessings upon you in Jesus' name. |
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How about faithful Jews? |
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John 14:6
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Dear charis,
What "New Covenant" would or could nullify the everlasting covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
Hardly is the everlasting covenant God made with Abraham nullified by the covenant in Christ (or by anything else). Galatians 3:27,28 clearly states that those who are in Christ do indeed participate in the everlasting covenant with Abraham. This is the same covenant God promised to Adam and Eve when he said "in your seed" not "seeds" referring to Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15). God has been consistent throughout the ages and remains consistent today.
The covenant that was changed was the Mosaic covanant. With Christ Jesus (from the tribe of Judah) as our High Priest, there was of necessity a change in the Law. The covenant with Abraham pre-dated the covenant established at Mt. Sinai. It remains intact. Hebrews 12:18-29.
Note: The covenant with Noah also will remain till the end of time.
God did not take away salvation by faith. Faith is the only way anyone has ever been or ever will be saved. "Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:1-15)
The first gospel message proclaimed salvation by faith (Acts 2:21,37,38)
God bless you with His abundant grace.
Sincerely yours by His grace and mercy,
SLSaltsman |
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GEt back up |
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Revelation
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I was not putting words in his mouth. I was asking him if he believed this. Hence, the question mark.
I know people who truly believe that once you are saved, you are always saved and say it all the time. You can not speak for everyone on this.
There are a lot of words that aren't in the Bible that we hold as valid (ex. Trinity, eucharist, usher, american). So are you saying that because that word is not in the Bible people can't "slide back into sin" (that is the meaning of the word).
Neither do I base what I beleive on songs. I only referred to it as an example/definition.
I was not refuting, disagreeing, or denying anything in his statement. I was merely asking a question or clarification on his part. I take my faith and my salvation seriously and for you to imply otherwise is an insult to me personally. I was in no way trying to be flip or argumentative...just curious.
I am serve a God full of grace and mercy and believe that salvation is free to all who seek Him and forgiveness is avaliable who sincerly ask. Even to those who make mistakes. That is MY belief. I do nor will I force that on anybody else. If you dont' believe it that's fine too. But I know I have sinned and I KNOW I have been forgiven.
Now...you tell the person who comes to you broken, seeking redemption and forgiveness from God that they are going to hell anyway.
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Woe to us? |
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Matt 23:13
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No and very much so. The 7 Woes (actually 8 as you stated) are and admonition to Christian leaders of 2000 years ago. However you can definitly apply it today and learn from them. I will take them one by one and explain.
Woe 1) "You shut the kingdom of heaven in mens faces." How many dirty, smelly, unkept or drunk persons enter into the church who are turned away from the church or the fellowship of the church? v. 13-14
Woe 2)(this is considered by many to be a woe) "They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers."
the needy are still being oppressed in todays society. Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47
Woe 3) "You travel over land and sea to win a single convert,..." Some converts are taught to keep their focus on the rules and works but miss God and the idea of grace altogether. This makes them as legalistic as those who taught them. Also many of the leaders of that day sought out new converts more to gain merit than to lead those to Christ. v.15
Woe 4) to the blind guides. "You say, if anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing......"
The leaders of those days encouraged lieing and taught them that an oath was more binding than your word. Blind guides place their focus on the wrong things. v. 15-22.
Woe 5) "You give a tenth of your spices... but you neglect the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness." The Pharisees would strain out the a small sin such as not tithing the right amount but would then wallow the camel (gross ethical sins,lack of mercy, etc.) How many do you know who focus on the trivial things but ignore the important matters? v. 23-24
Woe 6) You clean the outside of the cup but on the inside they are full of greed and self indulgence." Cleansing the outside of the cup refers to traditional ritual purification. They made these rituals conspicuous. These people appear religious on the outside but inside the focus is on purely self. v. 25-26
Woe 7) "You are like white washed tombs"...on the outside people can appear to be righteous but on the inside they are vindictive, unforgiving, selfish, and mean spirited.
v. 27-28
Woe 8) "You build tombs for the prophets......." The Pharisees made a great show of honoring the prophets their ancestors murdered, swearing they would of never done it but they were when they were while the were stoning and putting to death those who preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. These people see what one person does and say they would never do it but they end up doing the same thing. v 29-32
(all verses taken from the New International Version.)
All of the things that Jesus admonished them about are quite alive in our churches today. I think that there is definitly something to learn here and they can be applied to our lives today. Jesus gives us here examples of the way Satan can sneak up and devour us without us knowing it. What are our true motives today for the things we do? |
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SECOND CHANCE |
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Rev 7:1
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I'd rather believe that God's grace will still prevail even in the Tribulation period. We have seen God's mercy upon the repentant thief who was crucified along with Christ and it's nice to believe that God's mercy will still be there even at the last minute but if only if the repentant sinner is sincere. |
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Do everyone get to hear God's salvation? |
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Rev 7:1
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Rev.7;1 teaches that when God judges the earth He will not destroy all of it. God in mercy seals the forty-four thousand which represent the redeemed humanity "the new people of God"-from this chapter we see not all mankind are spared the wrath of God. Only the elect hear the call of the Gospel and are saved. Others are left in their sins and will be judged for their sins on the Day of Judgement. |
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Did God know Adam would sin? |
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1 Corinthians
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Limiting God's power is like putting a fence around infinity. You just can't do it. God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, just like He knew Lucifer would crave the praise and worship that would rightly belong to God.
In order to look at God's relationship with us, like you stated, we must look at the relationship between a loving parent and His kids. What would be proven if God made everyone follow Him? The amount of free will that we would have would be severely diminished, and the amount of rebellion against God would (arguably) be a lot more than it is today, totally taking the God we know and love out of character. It would completely undermine Jesus' sacrifice, reducing its value to something worldly instead of something Heavenly.
When I spoke to a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses a bit back, they tried to convince me that God, if He was truly a loving God, wouldn't let people suffer; to which I responded "Suffering builds character" (this was before I was TRULY saved).
In fact, let's take it to another level: If Adam had not sinned, how could we have truly appreciated God's grace and mercy? Would we thank Him everyday for sending His Son to die for our sins? We'd be just as confused as a child in a mall who doesn't know where Daddy is. Just like a parent who wants what's best for his children, God will not force us to follow Him; He wants us to seek a loving relationship with Him. It may seem simple for us Christians, but sometimes it's great to sit back and think about how great God is and how His foresight is beyond our comprehension. Ask that Jehovah's witness this: If God didn't know Adam would sin, then how could He have foretold Jesus' coming? (Gen 3:15, for those who are taking notes, hehe)The point is that God knew Adam and Eve would disobey, just like He knows He's going to win in the end. That, my friend, is where our ultimate victory lies and others' failures will be ultimately determined.
If you ever have to deal with that again, hit 'em with 1 Corinthians 10:13.
I know I'm long winded, but how can you NOT be when faced with God's awesomeness? |
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I need clarification please |
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1 Corinthians
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No, that is not exactly what I was saying. I wouldn't say that God "knew those who were going to sin and that punishment was planned for those individuals," but I do believe that God knew that Adam was going to disobey. He had already created a means of salvation for Adam and his descendants -- any who would repent of their opposition to God and believe in Him. This applied to Abraham (Gen 15:6, with commentary in Gal 3:6; James 2:23 and Rom 4:3,20-22), and it applies to us today.
I include myself among those who have brought God pain and suffering, but I know also that my salvation has brought (and brings) him great joy (Matthew 13:43-46 and 18:12-14).
Hell (also known as the "lake of fire" or the "second death"), which is the punishment that will be received, was prepared "for the devil and his angels" -- not for man. However, hell will also be the punishment of unbelieving men as well (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:12-15).
God, knowing that most people would reject him (which would result in their being merely "vessels prepared for destruction") did NOT choose to abandon his plan, but He endured such pain and rejection for the sake of showing forth his character of grace and mercy. He gave them the opportunity to live and prove themselves, and he endures their betrayal, rejection and arrogant defiance, knowing that he will eventually have to destroy them. This was done in order to show God's love toward those whom He knew would be converted (by the persistent conviction initiated and pursued consistently by His Spirit). (See Romans 9, particularly v.22) These would be brought to repentance, faith and love by God.
The blood of God the Son, who willingly sacrificed Himself for us all, has removed all sin but the blasphemy against the Spirit, which reveals such defiant unbelief as to result in a final rejection of the persistent, faithful and loving conviction of the Spirit and the evidence He brings to our attention. The one who utterly rejects the clear testimony of the Spirit has no hope of conversion.
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Questions for my Calvinists friends. |
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Job 38:1
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I have cut and pasted in your three questions and now will try to answer them "directly", as best I can.
1) If God pre-chose only some individuals that were to be saved, why did he destroy them in the flood? I guess you could always say the Noah and family were the only ones he chose but why then go to all the trouble of populating the world and wipe it out with a flood?
Answer: I'm not sure what you mean here. Who is the "them"? I suppose you refer to all of mankind dying in the flood. But this has nothing to do with election/free-will. To be blunt, everyone dies sooner or later. The only difference in this case (the Flood) was that all but 8 died all at once rather than just some each day. It is possible that some of them were elect and went on to paradise. Although this is doubtful in view of Gen 6:5-8 which seems to say that only Noah was found acceptable by God. But to imply a lack of election because of the timing and/manner of the physical deaths of many people is mixing apples and oranges. The same question could then apply to any case of mass slaughter of humans, some of whom may be elect and saved while others are not. Bluntly put, the question makes no sense. Sorry.
2) If God had his "Elect" already in mind and knew they were going to be saved because the could not resist God, why then did Jesus have to die?
Answer: Jesus had to die and rise again to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for the sins of the elect. The fact that a sinner has been chosen by God unto salvation is an act of a loving and gracious God showing forth his mercy towards someone who not only doesn't deserve mercy he actually deserves eternal punishment. But God is just as well as loving. Hence the penalty for the sin had to be paid by Someone who had no sin of His own to atone for. Hence the perfect sinless humanity of Jesus was an absolute requirement. He also had to be divine, infinite in His capacity to atone for the sins of more than just one person. God couldn't simply choose someone to salvation out of His loving nature without also satisfying His just nature. And to respond to one statement in your answer to your own question, Jesus was not sent to show us the path. He WAS/IS the path!
3) Why would it be harder for a rich man to enter the Kindgom of Heaven?
Answer: One whose heart is set upon his earthly riches to the point that he prefers them to God is evidence that he has never been truly converted and has no real love for God (cf 1 Jn 2:15 and similar Scriptures). Hence, as it is obviously absurdly impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, it is even more absurd, or "harder", for the unconverted rich man to enter heaven.
This question, by the way, would probably fit in better with a Lordship/cheap-grace debate rather than election/free-will. But in many respects the two questions are closely linked, anyway. But that is another topic for another time.
Also, at the end of your comments you made a very telling remark that in effect contradicts your whole point. If God can over-ride the will (your words), then the will is not truly free, is it? And that is precisely the issue. Scripture, from beginning to end, shows that the will of fallen man always runs away from God rather than towards Him. (cf Rom 3:9-18; etc) The only way for God to save any person is to perform in such a way as to over-ride that evil will which is inherent to each and every one of us.
Hope I have answered you directly enough.
Ron
(A poor sinner saved by the gracious choice of a loving and just God!) |
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Why do we not keep the 7th day Sabbath |
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Col 2:16
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I think we are on the same page. I see what you were saying now. Faith does play a BIG part in our service and desire to study and develop a relationship with God. But I also believe a person has to work up to the point where their works, praise and study are the result of their love for God.
God uses different people for different reasons. We are all given talents and gifts along with a measure of faith that we must develop. These are to be used to fulfill God's divine plan. With some people (me in particular), God instills a yearning to seek Him. While still in the muck and mire, God placed inside of me a desire to know more about Him. It was not because of my love of God that I studied the word and sought His counsel. All my thoughts and plans for me life were contrary to what God had in store for me. As a result, everything I touched and tried to accomplish failed. It was because of this frustration and despair that I sought God. Through His infinite grace and mercy I found redemption and peace. From this my love of God developed. They more mercy He showed me then more I loved Him. Now I desire to worship Him and study His word because of the love that developed from this relationship.
Most would argue (and have) that this is not the way. I knew God in my head, but I did not know Him in my heart. I didnt' just wake up one morning and say "I love God so I am going to worship and praise Him". I was one of the heard headed ones He had to prove Himself to and I thank Him everyday for that patience and love. It brought me to the point where I can say I worship and praise God and study His word because I love Him. |
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I need clarification please |
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1 Corinthians
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Thank God for His mercy. He even grew the tree He knew would be the Old Rugged Cross, because He loved us so much. He was giving us a way out of sin, through the blood of His own son Jesus.He gave us a free will to choose to follow Him, He did not force us, He wanted our free true love. |
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Is God fair? |
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Ps 11:7
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I'm not trying to imply that God isn't fair in a detrimental sense, but what I mean is that in some ways, God ISN'T fair, as far as worldly examples are concerned (immediate retribution is what I mean). God is INCREDIBLY fair, but it's a fairness that, unfortunately, most of this world (and some of ourselves included) doesn't understand. Hence, you have some like Jehovah's witnesses among others who automatically deem God "unfair" because "if there was a God, why is there suffering in the world?" Jesus' perfect example of suffering and sacrifice for God's word are a model that we all should try to live by.
I was using the word "unfair" as a spin, as a higher meaning, if you will, stating that God's fairness is WAY beyond what the world would consider fair. In that case, it would be UNfair, for it's not what the world would consider fair. Our earthly vessels restrict us from truly understanding and fathoming God's grace, mercy, love, and fairness, and not seeking a personal relationship with Him just feeds the ignorance.
I'm just thankful that we serve an awesome and mighty God who's power, grace, love and mercy are at the least, stunning, and in the middle, overwhelming.
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is there a specific scripture? |
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Matthew
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I don't know of any particular verse that describes angles, but some things can be inferred from the Bible. First, we were created with flesh bodies, we can't drop them and pick them up again (I mean the physical nature of flesh); angels seemingly can, they are all around us and at times show themselves to us, so they are not flesh in the sense we are flesh (and, for that matter, when they show themselves they may not be flesh at all, but they may simply open our eyes to the spiritual realm). So, I would interpret the Bible as saying that angels are not made like man, they are spiritual beings; whereas, man was created from dust (flesh) and our spirits were "breathed" into us from GOD. We also know that angels have the power of choice; because many angels "chose" to follow lucifer (satan) in his revolt. However, they may have more knowledge and understanding of GOD than we do, because they are offered no salvation, so they know the consequences of their actions, whereas, we sin against GOD, often, in ignorance. All these statements can be "inferred" from the Word. The first two statements are rock solid, the third may not be, GOD will show mercy to whom He will show mercy. So, the fact that the angels are not offered salvation, doesn't mean they know more about GOD. But, they do live with Him in heaven and hover around His throne, so it's a good bet.
By the way, where did you get the idea that angels were made in the same way as man? |
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I know that those |
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1 Corinthians
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I believe that those who reject Christ's sacrifice in this life will be subject to eternal judgment. I am not going to comment at this time on what that judgmnent is exactly but here are a couple passages from the writer of Hebrews that state plainly that judgment is eternal and that it is a more serious matter than we usually make it.
If you have bible software on your computer or have access to any I would make the suggestion of searching for words like "eternal" and "judgment," but don't stop there. It is critical that you also look for the authors intent and the cultural implications as well as the original meanings of the greek, and arimaic words. I would suggest finding a commentary from a known bible scholar who doesn't read into the meanings but translates the passage and gives the historical context.
I hope this has been helpful for you. It is how I go about any question of intent in the Scriptures.
In Christ
God's Servant
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And God permitting, we will do so.
Hebrews 10:22-31 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,
27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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What is guilt? |
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Rom 8:1
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The bible declares in Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus....The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin John 16.8. In Jesus we have peace (If you look up the word peace in your strongs #1515 it means well being, rest, an absence of strife..")
John 14:27 Jesus declares Peace I leave with you My peace I give to you, not as the world gives to you. Let your heart not be troubled neither be afraid. If you feel guilty confess your sins -known or unknown- and "stand" on Gods great and precious promises.. 2 peter 3 and 4. and 2 Cor 3-5.
Sometimes I feel guilt for something Im not even sure why. I ask God to forgive and then choose to stand in His grace and mercy. Jude 24, Psalm 37: 23, 2 tim 2:13 |
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What is guilt? |
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Rom 8:1
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Sometimes when I feel guilty, it’s because I’ve sinned and need to repent. Sometimes when I feel guilty, it’s because satan is accusing me and I really haven’t sinned. Sin, real or imagined, keeps me from the presence of God.
Take a look at 1 John 3:21-22:
“Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
I do not have confidence if I come before God with a guilty conscience. When I feel guilty, I repent and ask God to forgive me, and He does. I believe His word is true and in 1 John 1:9, He promises to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”).
I am the righteousness of God in Christ, so are all of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have right standing in the eyes of God, not because of anything I’ve done, but because Jesus took away my sin and in return gave me His righteousness. Because of His righteousness, I can come before God in prayer. Satan wants to keep me from prayer, because when I pray, I bring God into the matter and satan loses. He keeps me from prayer by stealing my confidence.
Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
And Hebrews 10:19-22, “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Satan is out to steal our confidence in order to keep us away from the throne of grace. Thank God that Jesus is our advocate so that when we sin we are forgiven. Believe that the word of God is true, and come confidently before his throne.
I think Romans 8:1 makes more sense when you combine it with the last part of Romans 8:4.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus … who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
I’ve noticed when I walk according to the flesh, I hear and feel satan’s accusations (and I’m more likely to sin). When I walk according to the Spirit, those accusations don’t reach me.
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double predestination con |
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Rom 5:12
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CHESTYFIRE,
Actually, the term "double-predestination" is more mistunderstood than understood. For the most part it refers to God predetermining who would go to heaven and who would go to hell. The "double" take on this is that God intentionally purposed some men to spend eternity in hell. As a Calvinist, I do not accept double-predestination as it has been erroneously taught by other Calvinists. They are wrong and I have stated so many times. Romans 5:12 clearly states that "ALL" men have sinned and have acquired the death penalty for Adam's likeness. We are all predestined to spend eternity in hell because of the fall unless we are saved by God's grace before our physical death. I do, however, believe that God elected a chosen race before the foundation of the world who would be called to receive salvation in the process of human time and history who would be shown His mercy and grace while not calling others. This does not negate their deserving hell anymore or less than those who are not called. All men are guilty and have sinned and fail to glorify God. All men are deserving eternal punishment and it is only by God's grace that any are saved. |
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