“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)
God's ultimate plan for mankind is to prosper us and not harm us. He will save all mankind. We have been studying the book of Revelation in Sunday School and this past Sunday we ended that study with the following promise from God...
"...and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away...Behold, I am making all things new." (Revelation 21:4-6)
There is to be a consummation of God's purpose for those ages. At that point in time both friends and enemies, believers and unbelievers will have been reconciled to God and love Him. All will then be immortal with its abundant, eternal life. We do not know much about that except that....
“...as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
But we are not there yet. For now we have all kinds of problems and heartaches. We just do the best we can with the hand we are dealt...with Hope in a better Future.
For my wife, children and grandchildren..and anyone else who may be interested!
God Does Not Dwell In Church Buildings
“The Most High dwells not in Temples made with hands. Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me says the Lord? Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things? You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised” (Acts 7:48-51)
Think about that for a minute…now consider what we generally refer to as “the house of God”.
God does not DWELL there!
Godless men have attempted to banish him to those buildings, and those who attend rarely object. Many of them simply view church buildings as a place they can go occasionally, sing a few hymns, get their sins forgiven, and thus feel better about themselves for an hour or two.
I think God prefers to be worshiped and honored in homes, businesses and places of entertainment where people live, work and play. By worship I am not talking about inviting people to church, or piously praying out loud, or trying to get people saved while in those places. I am talking about acting like God when we are in those places by treating people right...and condemning those who don't, whether they go to church or not.
It seems to me that constructing ever more buildings to attend which we call “God’s House” or "Family Life Centers" is rarely a good thing, especially if the presence of God is undetectable in our houses, businesses or public places. God dwells everywhere in His creation and attending a building with a pulpit in it is just another one of those places.
I have played golf with a group of guys almost weekly for a number of years and after we are done we enjoy our favorite beverage in the 19th hole when we get done, and laugh and talk about our round. God DWELLS there and I have yet to see one of those guys fail to treat each other with kindness and respect. A lot of kidding for sure but you can tell they care about one another, and that is Godly worship in my opinion...and I suspect Jesus would prefer that company to some religious meeting places...
"The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32)
Look closely at the Scripture and you will notice that it was always the religious "Pharisees and their scribes" who Jesus called to repentance. The "sick" that Jesus was referring to was not those with whom he was eating and drinking. The "sick" were the judgmental religious Pharisees. They needed to repent and spend more time on the golf course and 19th hole. And in my opinion it is the modern day Pharisees who "need a physician".
Our words and actions are the only God that some people will ever see. And it is how we act toward others that will be judged, not how many hours we spend in a church building. What message are we sending when we assume God likes us better because we regularly gather in a building with a steeple on it and "grumble" against those who don't?
“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God… and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…for we also are His children. Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man…” (Acts 17:26-29)
Think about that for a minute…now consider what we generally refer to as “the house of God”.
God does not DWELL there!
Godless men have attempted to banish him to those buildings, and those who attend rarely object. Many of them simply view church buildings as a place they can go occasionally, sing a few hymns, get their sins forgiven, and thus feel better about themselves for an hour or two.
I think God prefers to be worshiped and honored in homes, businesses and places of entertainment where people live, work and play. By worship I am not talking about inviting people to church, or piously praying out loud, or trying to get people saved while in those places. I am talking about acting like God when we are in those places by treating people right...and condemning those who don't, whether they go to church or not.
It seems to me that constructing ever more buildings to attend which we call “God’s House” or "Family Life Centers" is rarely a good thing, especially if the presence of God is undetectable in our houses, businesses or public places. God dwells everywhere in His creation and attending a building with a pulpit in it is just another one of those places.
I have played golf with a group of guys almost weekly for a number of years and after we are done we enjoy our favorite beverage in the 19th hole when we get done, and laugh and talk about our round. God DWELLS there and I have yet to see one of those guys fail to treat each other with kindness and respect. A lot of kidding for sure but you can tell they care about one another, and that is Godly worship in my opinion...and I suspect Jesus would prefer that company to some religious meeting places...
"The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32)
Look closely at the Scripture and you will notice that it was always the religious "Pharisees and their scribes" who Jesus called to repentance. The "sick" that Jesus was referring to was not those with whom he was eating and drinking. The "sick" were the judgmental religious Pharisees. They needed to repent and spend more time on the golf course and 19th hole. And in my opinion it is the modern day Pharisees who "need a physician".
Our words and actions are the only God that some people will ever see. And it is how we act toward others that will be judged, not how many hours we spend in a church building. What message are we sending when we assume God likes us better because we regularly gather in a building with a steeple on it and "grumble" against those who don't?
“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God… and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…for we also are His children. Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man…” (Acts 17:26-29)
The Promise of the Spirit
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law…so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14)
What is the curse of the Law?
“…sin is the transgression of the law...the wages of sin is death” (1 John 3:4: Romans 6:23)
The curse of the law is DEATH and we all will eventually face and experience that curse.
But Christ Jesus came and has "redeemed us from the curse". Therefore we will not stay dead but will "receive the promise of the Spirit".
"The Spirit gives LIFE; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and LIFE....the letter kills, but the Spirit gives LIFE..The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly." (John 6:63; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 3:6)
“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:21-23; Romans 6:23)
What is the curse of the Law?
“…sin is the transgression of the law...the wages of sin is death” (1 John 3:4: Romans 6:23)
The curse of the law is DEATH and we all will eventually face and experience that curse.
But Christ Jesus came and has "redeemed us from the curse". Therefore we will not stay dead but will "receive the promise of the Spirit".
So what is the promise of the Spirit? LIFE...Abundant, Everlasting LIFE.
"The Spirit gives LIFE; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and LIFE....the letter kills, but the Spirit gives LIFE..The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly." (John 6:63; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 3:6)
It really is that simple. Mankind are sinners and the wages of that sin is death, but nevertheless, sinners have been "redeemed" from that curse as the free gift of God. When resurrected, we will "receive the promise of the Spirit"...Abundant and Eternal LIFE.
“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:21-23; Romans 6:23)
So what does he mean when he says we receive the promise "through faith"? Is it "faith" that seals the deal?
NO, the grace of God seals the deal. Eternal life is a "free gift of God". Faith is the means of enjoying "the promise of the Spirit" until it becomes a reality.
For now, the "promise of the Spirit" is just that - a PROMISE. And we can only receive the promise if this life by believing it is true. We can have the JOY and PEACE of knowing that after we die, the SPIRIT will give us abundant, eternal life.
Friendship With God
"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." (Romans 5:10-11 NLT)
I was a City Councilman at one time when a disgruntled man came to a meeting and expressed his displeasure by telling us that he hoped “we would all burn in hell”. At least he was honest in expressing his feelings.
Mankind does not have the capacity to love those we deem our enemies, in spite of the pious, self-righteous rhetoric of some folks. We generally prefer to “nuke” our enemies. There is nothing wrong with expressing our feelings. I like an honest view.
The problem is assuming that God feels the same way about His enemies.
However, unlike us, God actually LOVES His "enemies" , SAVES them, and calls them FRIENDS.
Religion makes friendship with God a matter of submitting to a god or gods they have created. But to realize that you are a friend of God, you just may have to free yourself from the religious dogma of men. And as Christ Jesus put it….
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32)
I was a City Councilman at one time when a disgruntled man came to a meeting and expressed his displeasure by telling us that he hoped “we would all burn in hell”. At least he was honest in expressing his feelings.
Mankind does not have the capacity to love those we deem our enemies, in spite of the pious, self-righteous rhetoric of some folks. We generally prefer to “nuke” our enemies. There is nothing wrong with expressing our feelings. I like an honest view.
The problem is assuming that God feels the same way about His enemies.
However, unlike us, God actually LOVES His "enemies" , SAVES them, and calls them FRIENDS.
Religion makes friendship with God a matter of submitting to a god or gods they have created. But to realize that you are a friend of God, you just may have to free yourself from the religious dogma of men. And as Christ Jesus put it….
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32)
I Find No Guilt in Him
“For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. Pilate said to Him, What is truth?” (John 18:37-38)
Error does not become the truth just because it is taught by a Rabbi, Pastor, or Ulama. It is simply educated error. Nor does error become truth because it is the traditional teaching in the Synagogue, Church or Mosque. Many times truth becomes much more difficult to find because of the respect the common man gives to the doctrinal errors of educated religious teachers.
So what is the truth as I understand it?
"Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD, Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool…The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!…Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (Isaiah 1:18; John 1:29; John 14:6)
Pilate asked Jesus - what is the truth?
“And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, I find no guilt in Him” (John 18:38)
So what is the truth as I understand it?
"Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD, Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool…The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!…Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (Isaiah 1:18; John 1:29; John 14:6)
Pilate asked Jesus - what is the truth?
“And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, I find no guilt in Him” (John 18:38)
Neither do I find guilt in Him. He has finished what he came to do.
The truth for me is that Jesus has "taken away the sin of the world!"
The End of the Age
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50)
I find it hard to believe that bible teachers cannot seem to understand the context of the above passage. If they would just read and study the above along with Mark 13, Luke 21, Matthew 24 and 25 and the books of Daniel and Revelation they would not apply the above verses to their horrible views about a mythological “hell” being the "furnace of fire" and a place of eternal torment for all mankind except Christians.
The above passage and those related to it deal with Israel as a Nation, the chosen people of God among all the people of the earth, most of whom rejected Jesus as their Messiah at his first coming. And at "the end of the age" (this age in which we are still living) most in Israel will still be rejecting Jesus as they are today. All who reject Jesus are wicked for such rejection and will be excluded from reigning with Jesus when Jesus returns to establish the Kingdom on this earth. Instead, they will be cast out into the figurative “furnace of fire”, and they will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth” because they have been excluded from reigning with Jesus. They will all die during that age and not resurrected until the end of that 1,000 year Kingdom Age. Those who followed Jesus and have believed during this age will be resurrected to immortality at the beginning of the Kingdom Age to rule and reign with Christ for the ages of the ages.
However, God is not done with unbelievers, for they will later be “made alive” and “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”, all to the “glory of God” who will then make “all things new”.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write, for these words are faithful and true." (1 Corinthians 15:22; Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 21:1-5)
I find it hard to believe that bible teachers cannot seem to understand the context of the above passage. If they would just read and study the above along with Mark 13, Luke 21, Matthew 24 and 25 and the books of Daniel and Revelation they would not apply the above verses to their horrible views about a mythological “hell” being the "furnace of fire" and a place of eternal torment for all mankind except Christians.
The above passage and those related to it deal with Israel as a Nation, the chosen people of God among all the people of the earth, most of whom rejected Jesus as their Messiah at his first coming. And at "the end of the age" (this age in which we are still living) most in Israel will still be rejecting Jesus as they are today. All who reject Jesus are wicked for such rejection and will be excluded from reigning with Jesus when Jesus returns to establish the Kingdom on this earth. Instead, they will be cast out into the figurative “furnace of fire”, and they will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth” because they have been excluded from reigning with Jesus. They will all die during that age and not resurrected until the end of that 1,000 year Kingdom Age. Those who followed Jesus and have believed during this age will be resurrected to immortality at the beginning of the Kingdom Age to rule and reign with Christ for the ages of the ages.
However, God is not done with unbelievers, for they will later be “made alive” and “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”, all to the “glory of God” who will then make “all things new”.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write, for these words are faithful and true." (1 Corinthians 15:22; Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 21:1-5)
Believe and Enter His Rest
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His REST, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have BELIEVED do enter that REST.” (Hebrews 4:1-3)
God has made a promise that when the gospel is “BELIEVED” the believer can have “rest”. This belief has nothing to do with obtaining salvation, that is a "free gift" from God. Believing gives us “REST” and peace. Some, however, “come short of” believing the good news of their salvation and therefore do not experience “His rest” in this life.
God has made a promise that when the gospel is “BELIEVED” the believer can have “rest”. This belief has nothing to do with obtaining salvation, that is a "free gift" from God. Believing gives us “REST” and peace. Some, however, “come short of” believing the good news of their salvation and therefore do not experience “His rest” in this life.
He is talking about "rest" and peace that we can have NOW, in this present world, while we wait for the gospel (good news) of our salvation to be manifested when Christ Jesus returns to resurrect the dead. It is now our "blessed hope” ...
"looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13)
We have peace when we believe the "promise" and are"looking for" him to appear. When he appears our salvation, the escape from death, will be a reality. It is this gospel (good news) that enables us to “rest” when it is believed. For Christ Jesus…
“…has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself…And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time FOR SALVATION without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him (are resting by believing)” (Hebrews 9:27-28)
Jesus came the first time and dealt with sin as the great high priest and sin bearer. He is “the lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He will come the second time to deliver mankind from death just as he himself was delivered from death.
At his second coming the sins of the world will not be considered against them because they were “taken away” by the sin bearing “lamb of God” at his first coming. As the result, the “judgment” of God is to grant sinful mortal mankind immortality as a free gift “in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord….when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘death is swallowed up in victory’….thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Romans 6:23: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
Some are able to "REST" in the truth that the salvation of mankind is secure…knowing that although it cannot be earned, neither can it be lost…it is a “free gift" to all sinners who will have paid the wages for sin - death - and have also experienced the GRACE of God in saving them from that death by their RESURRECTION.
"looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13)
We have peace when we believe the "promise" and are"looking for" him to appear. When he appears our salvation, the escape from death, will be a reality. It is this gospel (good news) that enables us to “rest” when it is believed. For Christ Jesus…
“…has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself…And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time FOR SALVATION without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him (are resting by believing)” (Hebrews 9:27-28)
Jesus came the first time and dealt with sin as the great high priest and sin bearer. He is “the lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He will come the second time to deliver mankind from death just as he himself was delivered from death.
At his second coming the sins of the world will not be considered against them because they were “taken away” by the sin bearing “lamb of God” at his first coming. As the result, the “judgment” of God is to grant sinful mortal mankind immortality as a free gift “in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord….when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘death is swallowed up in victory’….thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Romans 6:23: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57)
Some are able to "REST" in the truth that the salvation of mankind is secure…knowing that although it cannot be earned, neither can it be lost…it is a “free gift" to all sinners who will have paid the wages for sin - death - and have also experienced the GRACE of God in saving them from that death by their RESURRECTION.
Believe and enter his rest now...it is a good place to be in these troubled times.
Donald Trump For President?
“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes...” (Daniel 4:17)
Donald Trump for President!
At first I did not know what to think about the guy. I could not see him clearly because his ego kept getting in the way. But now I am interested and warming up to him, ego notwithstanding. His slogan is “Make America Great Again”. Can’t argue with that for sure. And the only way I see it happening is to get a successful business person in the white house, get rid of professional Political "lifers" in Congress, and for the American people to start trusting their own opinions rather than those of the professional network and cable news Journalists and their regular pundits. Politicians and network Journalists are the most despised folks in all the country…with Lawyers coming in a close third. Donald Trump is not one of those and he could care less what those professionals think. Me neither.
Trump wants to make America great again the same way that he built a successful Company. He did so, among other things, by employing people who are not too lazy to work and firing people who were. Reminds me of the following words of wisdom from Paul which sounds like the condition of a lot of folks in the US...
"For when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies...we command and urge to settle down and earn the food they eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)
Donald Trump for President!
At first I did not know what to think about the guy. I could not see him clearly because his ego kept getting in the way. But now I am interested and warming up to him, ego notwithstanding. His slogan is “Make America Great Again”. Can’t argue with that for sure. And the only way I see it happening is to get a successful business person in the white house, get rid of professional Political "lifers" in Congress, and for the American people to start trusting their own opinions rather than those of the professional network and cable news Journalists and their regular pundits. Politicians and network Journalists are the most despised folks in all the country…with Lawyers coming in a close third. Donald Trump is not one of those and he could care less what those professionals think. Me neither.
Trump wants to make America great again the same way that he built a successful Company. He did so, among other things, by employing people who are not too lazy to work and firing people who were. Reminds me of the following words of wisdom from Paul which sounds like the condition of a lot of folks in the US...
"For when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies...we command and urge to settle down and earn the food they eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)
So until Donald Trump changes his mind or starts bowing to his Political rivals I will remain interested in his views. I would love to see him negotiating with Mexico, China, Japan and especially Iran and the other turban headed countries. One thing for sure, he will not be bowing to any fanatical religious groups, especially those wearing turbans, or a yarmulke for that matter.
Can’t wait for the debate Thursday night to see how he does against the established politicians and how he responds to the mind numbing questions framed by the journalists at fox news.
Back to the above Scripture from Daniel. It is God who will determine the winner in this and all elections. Like it or not, if the Bible can be trusted, it clearly states that GOD has already decided who our next President will be.
Nevertheless, I will pray for, and vote for, the one I want to lead this Nation. And it could be Donald Trump, I have not yet decided. But when I do, I can and will make my requests known to God. Who knows, maybe in this particular Presidential election my will and God’s may turn out to be the same.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God….I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” (Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Can’t wait for the debate Thursday night to see how he does against the established politicians and how he responds to the mind numbing questions framed by the journalists at fox news.
Back to the above Scripture from Daniel. It is God who will determine the winner in this and all elections. Like it or not, if the Bible can be trusted, it clearly states that GOD has already decided who our next President will be.
Nevertheless, I will pray for, and vote for, the one I want to lead this Nation. And it could be Donald Trump, I have not yet decided. But when I do, I can and will make my requests known to God. Who knows, maybe in this particular Presidential election my will and God’s may turn out to be the same.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God….I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” (Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-3)
The Blessing of Abraham
“…the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)
What is the “blessing of Abraham”? It was the promise to him that “...all peoples on earth will be blessed" (Genesis 12:3)
And what is the “promise of the spirit” that "all peoples" "might receive" and "be blessed"?
“…the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:28)
When people hear and believe they “receive" and are “sealed” with the "Holy Spirit". And as I said yesterday, the Bible teaches me that ALL peoples of the earth will eventually hear and believe…
“For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God….of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11)
This occurs, in my view, when all of the dead are gathered "before the throne" after the resurrection...
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away….and I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne…" (Revelation 20:11-12)
There "every knee shall bow" and "every tongue give praise to God" and all "will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. And to do so they will have had to be "marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" for…
“…no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
What is the “blessing of Abraham”? It was the promise to him that “...all peoples on earth will be blessed" (Genesis 12:3)
And what is the “promise of the spirit” that "all peoples" "might receive" and "be blessed"?
“…the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:28)
When people hear and believe they “receive" and are “sealed” with the "Holy Spirit". And as I said yesterday, the Bible teaches me that ALL peoples of the earth will eventually hear and believe…
“For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God….of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11)
This occurs, in my view, when all of the dead are gathered "before the throne" after the resurrection...
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away….and I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne…" (Revelation 20:11-12)
There "every knee shall bow" and "every tongue give praise to God" and all "will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. And to do so they will have had to be "marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" for…
“…no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
The Faith OF Jesus
"...the Scripture has confined ALL under sin, that the promise by the faith OF Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (Galatians 3:19-22)
Some poorer translations of the bible say faith "in" Jesus Christ but a look at the Greek shows it literally means out of "the faith OF Jesus Christ", not our faith.
Because of the faith "OF JESUS", not yours or mine, the promise will come to ALL men as they "believe". ALL of us have...
"...sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and "the wages of sin is death" and "it is appointed unto man once to die" (Romans 3:23; 6:23a; Hebrews 9:27)
So if we all die, what is the promise?
"...the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23b)
And when will ALL believe the promise?
Only a few of us believe in this life but the bible says that...
"...at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord..." (Philippians 2:10-11)
The above obviously includes everyone, so the bowing and confessing must come at the resurrection of the dead it seems to me. And I can't image anyone confessing "Jesus Christ is Lord" unless they "believe" at that time, can you?
So to summarize, because of the faith "OF Jesus", ALL sinners will eventually believe and be given eternal life as God's free gift...
"...as in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ ALL will be made alive...that God may be all in ALL" (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)
The same ALL who die are the ALL who will be made alive.
Some poorer translations of the bible say faith "in" Jesus Christ but a look at the Greek shows it literally means out of "the faith OF Jesus Christ", not our faith.
Because of the faith "OF JESUS", not yours or mine, the promise will come to ALL men as they "believe". ALL of us have...
"...sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and "the wages of sin is death" and "it is appointed unto man once to die" (Romans 3:23; 6:23a; Hebrews 9:27)
So if we all die, what is the promise?
"...the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23b)
And when will ALL believe the promise?
Only a few of us believe in this life but the bible says that...
"...at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord..." (Philippians 2:10-11)
So to summarize, because of the faith "OF Jesus", ALL sinners will eventually believe and be given eternal life as God's free gift...
"...as in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ ALL will be made alive...that God may be all in ALL" (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)
The same ALL who die are the ALL who will be made alive.
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