The word JUDGMENT is a scary word in the world of religious thought. So I decided to do some studying and thinking about what the Bible says about it. Here is what I found…
The Greek word is “krisis” from which we get our English word crisis. And crisis simply means a critical time where something very important happens or is happening. In other words it is a turning point in time. It seems to me that the equivalent Hebrew word is “mishpat” and is used in the following OT verses…
“…to keep the way of Yahweh to do what is right and duly just (mishpat)." (Genesis 18:19)
“...the Judge of the entire earth, would He not execute right judgment (mishpat)?” (Genesis 18:25)
Scripture views judgment as a turning point where the judge is suppose to do what is right. Judgment made by a human is not always right. But God has given the final Judgment to His Son, Christ Jesus who will do what is right.
“For neither is the Father judging anyone, but has given all judging to the Son.” (John 5:22)
“He assigns a day in which He is about to be judging the inhabited earth in righteousness by the Man Whom He specifies, tendering faith to all, raising Him from among the dead." (Acts 17:31)
He will judge and do what is right, exposing the motives of the heart and then, almost unbelievably, each will receive praise from God.
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)
How can that be? How can both good and bad people receive praise from God? I think the answer lies in the following verses…meditate on them for a while….
“…it is I who have created the destroyer to destroy.” (Isaiah 54:16)
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7)
“The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Proverbs 16:4)
The LORD takes responsibility for creating evil, the destroyer, and the wicked. Don't you think he will do the right thing by them in the end - and save them. Are they not lost and are they not included in the prayer of Jesus while hanging on the cross…
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost…Father forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 19:10; 23:34)
Yes God will eventually save all, not because I say so, but because the Scripture could not be more clear...
"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)
I think it is time for Christians to stop thinking too highly of themselves.
“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” (Romans 12:3)
When the final judgment is made it will be based on love, for God is love.
“God is love" … "Love is patient, love is kind...and it keeps no record of wrongs...Love never fails….” (1 John 4:8, 18; 1 Corinthians 13:5-13)
For my wife, children and grandchildren..and anyone else who may be interested!
Showing posts with label judgment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label judgment. Show all posts
Kindness and Tolerance
"Do you suppose, O man…that you will escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:3)
Paul is talking to everyone here, both believers and unbelievers. So, what judgment is he talking about that they will not escape? The Scripture says that the judgment of God on sinners is death.
"For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)
The only reason we are not dead yet is His "kindness, tolerance and patience."
"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Understanding and acknowledging this "kindness of God" leads us to repentance in this present age. Repentance includes thinking differently about God. To think of Him as our Father who loves us and provides the final sacrifice for our sin. In Old Testament times, God laid all the sin of Israel upon a sacrificial animal once a year on the Day of Atonement, which cleansed them all from year to year. But the blood of Jesus, the true lamb of God "that takes away the sin of the WORLD", has washed every sinner, both Jew and Gentile, clean for all time.
"Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world…not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place ONCE FOR ALL, having obtained eternal redemption." (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:12-26)
Repent of sin, sure, but also think differently about our Father God. He is not the stern, angry, false god of man made religions. Rather, He is a loving Father, full of GRACE whose "kindness and tolerance and patience...leads you to repentance". And this "lovingkindness is everlasting" - a phrase repeated 26 times in Psalm 136 alone.
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting...the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ of Lord" (Psalm 136:1; Romans 6:26b)"
Paul is talking to everyone here, both believers and unbelievers. So, what judgment is he talking about that they will not escape? The Scripture says that the judgment of God on sinners is death.
"For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)
The only reason we are not dead yet is His "kindness, tolerance and patience."
"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Understanding and acknowledging this "kindness of God" leads us to repentance in this present age. Repentance includes thinking differently about God. To think of Him as our Father who loves us and provides the final sacrifice for our sin. In Old Testament times, God laid all the sin of Israel upon a sacrificial animal once a year on the Day of Atonement, which cleansed them all from year to year. But the blood of Jesus, the true lamb of God "that takes away the sin of the WORLD", has washed every sinner, both Jew and Gentile, clean for all time.
"Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world…not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place ONCE FOR ALL, having obtained eternal redemption." (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:12-26)
Repent of sin, sure, but also think differently about our Father God. He is not the stern, angry, false god of man made religions. Rather, He is a loving Father, full of GRACE whose "kindness and tolerance and patience...leads you to repentance". And this "lovingkindness is everlasting" - a phrase repeated 26 times in Psalm 136 alone.
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting...the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ of Lord" (Psalm 136:1; Romans 6:26b)"
All Creation Will Rejoice
"Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness" (Psalm 96:13)
ALL rejoice when Christ Jesus the Lord comes to judge, not just a few Christians.
The primary word translated “judgment” in the NT is from the Greek word "krisis". This Greek word “krisis” is where we get our English word crisis. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “crisis” as “a crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.” Divine judgment is God's appointed “turning point.” At this turning point all will be made new and "free from the law of sin and death". And this Divine turning point comes after our Resurrection.
Note he above verse in Psalm 96 indicates it is a time of rejoicing for "all creation". This is in great contrast to what Christians have been taught for centuries. They have been taught that the judgment is a day and time of almost unmitigated horror and dread for all but a few Christians. But if one reads and studies the entire Biblical record to discover God's plan and purpose in the ages, it becomes clear that the Psalmist is correct and traditional teaching in error. God will be "All in All" of his creation (1 Corinthians 15:29)...that will truly be a time for “all creation” to “rejoice before the LORD”.
The joy we have when we become aware of our salvation will be no less joy than for those who discover it at the judgment seat of Christ, or the Great White Throne. The GRACE and MERCY in the Judgment of God will truly bring rejoicing to "ALL creation".
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death...it is by Grace you have been saved...we have put our hope on the living God who is the savior of all people...the faithful love of the Lord never ends for His mercies never cease, they are new every morning..." (Romans 8:2; Ephesians 2:8; 1Timothy 4:10; Lamentations 3:22 )
ALL rejoice when Christ Jesus the Lord comes to judge, not just a few Christians.
The primary word translated “judgment” in the NT is from the Greek word "krisis". This Greek word “krisis” is where we get our English word crisis. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “crisis” as “a crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.” Divine judgment is God's appointed “turning point.” At this turning point all will be made new and "free from the law of sin and death". And this Divine turning point comes after our Resurrection.
Note he above verse in Psalm 96 indicates it is a time of rejoicing for "all creation". This is in great contrast to what Christians have been taught for centuries. They have been taught that the judgment is a day and time of almost unmitigated horror and dread for all but a few Christians. But if one reads and studies the entire Biblical record to discover God's plan and purpose in the ages, it becomes clear that the Psalmist is correct and traditional teaching in error. God will be "All in All" of his creation (1 Corinthians 15:29)...that will truly be a time for “all creation” to “rejoice before the LORD”.
The joy we have when we become aware of our salvation will be no less joy than for those who discover it at the judgment seat of Christ, or the Great White Throne. The GRACE and MERCY in the Judgment of God will truly bring rejoicing to "ALL creation".
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death...it is by Grace you have been saved...we have put our hope on the living God who is the savior of all people...the faithful love of the Lord never ends for His mercies never cease, they are new every morning..." (Romans 8:2; Ephesians 2:8; 1Timothy 4:10; Lamentations 3:22 )
Grace vs. Judgment
Before the great worldwide flood described in Genesis God made this statement concerning mankind…
"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5)
God had told Adam and Eve what the judgment for sin would be in the 2nd Chapter of Genesis…
“…you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." (Genesis 2:17)
In His destruction of mankind by the flood God simply accelerated this judgment to rid the world of evil…
"So the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth" (Genesis 6:7)
But God also introduced His ultimate plan for mankind in the way He dealt with Noah and his family…
"But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8)
Mankind has not changed and evil is still a part of our nature. The Bible tells us that the judgment of God on sin is still death, but His GRACE still trumps His judgment and God has determined in His GRACE to give eternal life to sinners…
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life…for the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Titus 2:11)
The ARK delivered Noah and his family from the flood but they eventually died. God is the Savior of all sinners and His Son Jesus came to tell us about it and show us how it will be done – the Resurrection. The ARK was a type of this salvation, but Jesus will deliver all mankind from death into “eternal life”. That is the promise of God, whether mankind believes it now or not.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly…it is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-6; 4:9-10)
"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5)
God had told Adam and Eve what the judgment for sin would be in the 2nd Chapter of Genesis…
“…you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." (Genesis 2:17)
In His destruction of mankind by the flood God simply accelerated this judgment to rid the world of evil…
"So the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth" (Genesis 6:7)
But God also introduced His ultimate plan for mankind in the way He dealt with Noah and his family…
"But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8)
Mankind has not changed and evil is still a part of our nature. The Bible tells us that the judgment of God on sin is still death, but His GRACE still trumps His judgment and God has determined in His GRACE to give eternal life to sinners…
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life…for the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Titus 2:11)
The ARK delivered Noah and his family from the flood but they eventually died. God is the Savior of all sinners and His Son Jesus came to tell us about it and show us how it will be done – the Resurrection. The ARK was a type of this salvation, but Jesus will deliver all mankind from death into “eternal life”. That is the promise of God, whether mankind believes it now or not.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly…it is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-6; 4:9-10)
Building on a sure Foundation
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
This was written almost 2000 years ago by the Apostle Paul. Several years ago I decided to learn from Paul’s letters exactly what he, the wise master builder, had laid upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Then compare it to the doctrines of Christianity, both Catholic and Protestant. The result was surprising and disappointing and I had to “renew my mind” and rid it of much false doctrine which the church had built upon Jesus Christ. In my opinion there are five such doctrines, two of which are the worst of the “wood, hay and stubble” that need to be deleted from the mind in the renewal process. For in my view they will bring the most “loss” of “reward” in “the Day” when the truth of what we believed are “revealed with fire”.
1. Eternal conscious torment in hell
2. Self-determination (free will) with regard to the salvation of mankind.
The above are doctrines of men which have been built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Jesus, nor Paul the “wise master builder”, taught any such doctrines. These institutions of men which have built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ with this "wood, hay and stubble" will be consumed in the flame in my opinion.
The "rock" and “sure foundation” of our faith is obvious…
So is Jesus your savior or is your free will choice your savior?
Will the rock of your salvation assign those who do not join your institution to eternal conscious torment, or will he save ALL sinners?
Are you going to build upon this ROCK with the "wood, hay and stubble" of men, or with precious "gold, silver and costly stones" of God and exalt the Savior of all mankind?
Will the rock of your salvation assign those who do not join your institution to eternal conscious torment, or will he save ALL sinners?
Are you going to build upon this ROCK with the "wood, hay and stubble" of men, or with precious "gold, silver and costly stones" of God and exalt the Savior of all mankind?
I have renewed my mind and placed the destiny of all those I love in the hands of the ROCK, the "sure foundation" and "Savior of ALL mankind" - and it has set me free!
“If you continue in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will…" (John 8:31-32; Romans 12:2)
Missing The Mark
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ of Lord” (Romans 6:23)
I have been thinking about sin as that term is used in the Bible. It occurs in many forms and for individuals it ranges from innocently missing a free throw in basketball to murder in the first degree. But the greatest sin of the past 1700 years or so, in my opinion, is not individual sins, but the collective sin of most institutions of Christianity with respect to His plan in Christ Jesus to save the world.
Jesus Christ was sent by God to atone for and take away the sins of the world and he is proclaimed in the Bible to be the "Savior of the world".
"John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world… he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world…we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world… God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:14; 2 Corinthians 5:19)
Since about 325 AD the institutions of Christianity have encouraged others to accept an “offer” to save, and added their own twist that anyone who refuses that offer will suffer eternal conscious torment in the lake of fire. There is no "offer" to save the world but the finished work of Christ in saving the world.
I sometimes wonder if it is this sin which will trump them all when Christians stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it has robbed the world, NOT of salvation which Jesus secured for all mankind, but of the KNOWLEDGE of the finished work of our Savior…
“This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things…And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming...For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ of Lord” (Romans 6:23)
“Thus says the LORD God of Israel—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, says the LORD…your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants." (2 Chronicles 34:26-27)
Seventeen years ago on October 4 I and several other men from Sayre stood together with over one million other men in Washington DC on the National Mall in an event sponsored by the Promise Keepers organization. It was termed a sacred assembly and labeled “Stand in the Gap”. An aerial picture of that assembly hangs on the wall of my office today. The purpose was for Christians and Messianic Jews to collectively confess the sin of our Nation to God and ask for His Mercy. I was convinced that God would hear our prayer and defer judgment on the USA like He had done for Israel. Whether it made a difference for the USA I do not honestly know…but it had a lasting impact on me.
I have since learned, however, that it is in the loving, righteous JUDGMENT of our heavenly Father that will finally rescue MANKIND from this present evil age to become what God intends for mankind to be. Paul writes….
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might RESCUE us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen” (Galatians 1:3-5)
I still pray for my family and friends, but I no longer pray for God to withhold his judgment on the world. I trust Him to do whatever is necessary, IN HIS TIME, to bring to a conclusion this present “evil age”, so that in the ages to come God can receive from His creation the sincere and unforced Love that is due.
The JUDGMENT of God on the whole world is coming. Revelation and other portions of Scripture tell us about it in great detail. But His judgment will CLENSE mankind, not eternally condemn them. It will RESCUE mankind from itself, not enslave them to God for all eternity. It will PREPARE mankind for its eternal destiny to be made into the very IMAGE of God…full of love, grace and mercy. Then there will be no more evil or sin for God will make all things new…
“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 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. Then He said to me, it is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life WITHOUT COST…” (Revelation 21:4-6)
The Bible closes with the following words which remains the hope of mankind…
“Yes, I am coming swiftly…Come, Lord Jesus. The GRACE of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21)
Seventeen years ago on October 4 I and several other men from Sayre stood together with over one million other men in Washington DC on the National Mall in an event sponsored by the Promise Keepers organization. It was termed a sacred assembly and labeled “Stand in the Gap”. An aerial picture of that assembly hangs on the wall of my office today. The purpose was for Christians and Messianic Jews to collectively confess the sin of our Nation to God and ask for His Mercy. I was convinced that God would hear our prayer and defer judgment on the USA like He had done for Israel. Whether it made a difference for the USA I do not honestly know…but it had a lasting impact on me.
I have since learned, however, that it is in the loving, righteous JUDGMENT of our heavenly Father that will finally rescue MANKIND from this present evil age to become what God intends for mankind to be. Paul writes….
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might RESCUE us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen” (Galatians 1:3-5)
I still pray for my family and friends, but I no longer pray for God to withhold his judgment on the world. I trust Him to do whatever is necessary, IN HIS TIME, to bring to a conclusion this present “evil age”, so that in the ages to come God can receive from His creation the sincere and unforced Love that is due.
The JUDGMENT of God on the whole world is coming. Revelation and other portions of Scripture tell us about it in great detail. But His judgment will CLENSE mankind, not eternally condemn them. It will RESCUE mankind from itself, not enslave them to God for all eternity. It will PREPARE mankind for its eternal destiny to be made into the very IMAGE of God…full of love, grace and mercy. Then there will be no more evil or sin for God will make all things new…
“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 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. Then He said to me, it is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life WITHOUT COST…” (Revelation 21:4-6)
The Bible closes with the following words which remains the hope of mankind…
“Yes, I am coming swiftly…Come, Lord Jesus. The GRACE of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21)
“In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)
The only way mankind will finally KNOW that the LORD is GOD is when the situation is such that they humble themselves before God and realize they are in trouble. Not many do so in this life. But there is coming an event when ALL mankind, collectively, will humble themselves before the LORD their GOD and wonder…are we in trouble?
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it…And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne…the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and the graves gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.” (Revelation 20:11-13)
Imagine if you can such an event. All of the dead throughout history raised from the dead and are standing before the resurrected Jesus to account for what they have done…whether good or bad. Can you imagine even one person NOT being humbled by such an event and distressed? I can’t.
So what happens? Isaiah put it this way…
“By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity, a word that will not be revoked: Before Me EVERY KNEE WILL BOW; by Me every tongue will swear. They will say of Me, In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength…” (Isaiah 45:23-24)
And Paul added some additional information concerning the role of Jesus in the deliverance of mankind…
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so 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, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)
Every man humbled, every man bowing, every man confessing Christ Jesus is Lord. Some say it is too late but that is NOT what the Bible says. That is religious men wanting God to treat them better than everyone else. However God says…
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you…” (Psalm 50:15)
The only way mankind will finally KNOW that the LORD is GOD is when the situation is such that they humble themselves before God and realize they are in trouble. Not many do so in this life. But there is coming an event when ALL mankind, collectively, will humble themselves before the LORD their GOD and wonder…are we in trouble?
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it…And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne…the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and the graves gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.” (Revelation 20:11-13)
Imagine if you can such an event. All of the dead throughout history raised from the dead and are standing before the resurrected Jesus to account for what they have done…whether good or bad. Can you imagine even one person NOT being humbled by such an event and distressed? I can’t.
So what happens? Isaiah put it this way…
“By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity, a word that will not be revoked: Before Me EVERY KNEE WILL BOW; by Me every tongue will swear. They will say of Me, In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength…” (Isaiah 45:23-24)
And Paul added some additional information concerning the role of Jesus in the deliverance of mankind…
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so 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, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)
Every man humbled, every man bowing, every man confessing Christ Jesus is Lord. Some say it is too late but that is NOT what the Bible says. That is religious men wanting God to treat them better than everyone else. However God says…
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you…” (Psalm 50:15)
“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world...So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us…so that we may have confidence for the Day of Judgment…There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:14-18)
Let that sink in for a moment. John was most likely toward the end of his life when he wrote this. By that time he was familiar with the revelation of the salvation of all which Paul had received from the risen Jesus. And John was now certain that Jesus was the “Savior of the world”...not just Israel. And not just a possibility of being saved if certain choices were made…Jesus IS the Savior…of the whole WORLD.
And John says it is because God is LOVE. And there is no fear in the judgment that is to come when one actually understands and believes that God loves the world. When we come to realize and believe, as John did, that God is love…the fear of judgment is CAST OUT.
It is so frustrating for me to see so many Christians who “fear” the judgment of God and yet claim they know God loves them and say they love Him back. You cannot be “perfected” in love and still “fear” God. When you come to know the truth that Jesus is the "Savior of the world" because God loves the world…then you no longer "fear" for yourself or others.
Remember the word judgment just means to “make a decision”. God has made the decision. God decided to send his Son to SAVE the world …not scare the hell out us.
“…and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:14-15)
Let that sink in for a moment. John was most likely toward the end of his life when he wrote this. By that time he was familiar with the revelation of the salvation of all which Paul had received from the risen Jesus. And John was now certain that Jesus was the “Savior of the world”...not just Israel. And not just a possibility of being saved if certain choices were made…Jesus IS the Savior…of the whole WORLD.
And John says it is because God is LOVE. And there is no fear in the judgment that is to come when one actually understands and believes that God loves the world. When we come to realize and believe, as John did, that God is love…the fear of judgment is CAST OUT.
It is so frustrating for me to see so many Christians who “fear” the judgment of God and yet claim they know God loves them and say they love Him back. You cannot be “perfected” in love and still “fear” God. When you come to know the truth that Jesus is the "Savior of the world" because God loves the world…then you no longer "fear" for yourself or others.
Remember the word judgment just means to “make a decision”. God has made the decision. God decided to send his Son to SAVE the world …not scare the hell out us.
“…and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:14-15)
“24Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ὁ τὸν λόγον μου ἀκούων καὶ πιστεύων τῷ πέμψαντί με ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον, καὶ εἰς κρίσιν οὐκ ἔρχεται ἀλλὰ μεταβέβηκεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν. 25ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἔρχεται ὥρα καὶ νῦν ἐστιν ὅτε οἱ νεκροὶ ἀκούσουσιν τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ οἱ ἀκούσαντες ζήσουσιν. 26ὥσπερ γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ ἔχει ζωὴν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, οὕτως καὶ τῷ υἱῷ ἔδωκεν ζωὴν ἔχειν ἐν ἑαυτῷ: 27καὶ ἐξουσίαν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ κρίσιν ποιεῖν, ὅτι υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν. 28μὴ θαυμάζετε τοῦτο, ὅτι ἔρχεται ὥρα ἐν ἧ πάντες οἱ ἐν τοῖς μνημείοις ἀκούσουσιν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ 29καὶ ἐκπορεύσονται, οἱ τὰ ἀγαθὰ ποιήσαντες εἰς ἀνάστασιν ζωῆς, οἱ δὲ τὰ φαῦλα πράξαντες εἰς ἀνάστασιν κρίσεως. “(John 5:24-29)
This is the way the Greek reads which is the language spoken by most when Jesus was born. What WE have is umpteen opinions of men as to how to translate those words into English. Here is what I believe to be the best unbiased translation of the above into English, the Concordant Literal New Testament.
24 "Verily, verily, I am saying to you that he who is hearing My word and believing Him Who sends Me, has life EONIAN and is not coming into judging, but has proceeded out of death into life.
25 Verily, verily, I am saying to you that coming is an hour, and now is, when the dead shall be hearing the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall be living.
26 For even as the Father has life in Himself, thus to the Son also He gives to have life in Himself.
27 "And He gives Him authority to do judging, seeing that He is a son of mankind.
28 Marvel not at this, for coming is the hour in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice,
29 and those who do good shall go out into a resurrection of life, yet those who commit bad things, into a resurrection of JUDGING. (John 5:24-29 CLNT)
First note the words I have capitalized. If your English version says something different I believe it is wrongly translated.
Second note that whatever you think about this passage only those who “do good” works shall be involved in the resurrection of life, and those who “commit bad things” get the resurrection of judging. No sound bible believing Christian who has read the letters of the Apostle Paul could possibly think this is referring to being eternally saved or condemned.
Third, and most important is the context of the passage. Jesus has been traveling around Israel addressing JEWS ONLY with the message “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. What did he mean and how did the Jewish listeners understand what he was saying?
This is the way the Greek reads which is the language spoken by most when Jesus was born. What WE have is umpteen opinions of men as to how to translate those words into English. Here is what I believe to be the best unbiased translation of the above into English, the Concordant Literal New Testament.
24 "Verily, verily, I am saying to you that he who is hearing My word and believing Him Who sends Me, has life EONIAN and is not coming into judging, but has proceeded out of death into life.
25 Verily, verily, I am saying to you that coming is an hour, and now is, when the dead shall be hearing the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall be living.
26 For even as the Father has life in Himself, thus to the Son also He gives to have life in Himself.
27 "And He gives Him authority to do judging, seeing that He is a son of mankind.
28 Marvel not at this, for coming is the hour in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice,
29 and those who do good shall go out into a resurrection of life, yet those who commit bad things, into a resurrection of JUDGING. (John 5:24-29 CLNT)
First note the words I have capitalized. If your English version says something different I believe it is wrongly translated.
Second note that whatever you think about this passage only those who “do good” works shall be involved in the resurrection of life, and those who “commit bad things” get the resurrection of judging. No sound bible believing Christian who has read the letters of the Apostle Paul could possibly think this is referring to being eternally saved or condemned.
Third, and most important is the context of the passage. Jesus has been traveling around Israel addressing JEWS ONLY with the message “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. What did he mean and how did the Jewish listeners understand what he was saying?
They were Jews. The Jews had been promised in the Old Testament that a Messiah would come and reestablish ON THE PRESENT EARTH the Kingdom given to Israel.
Jesus was saying to these JEWS that those Jews who had believed God would be resurrected to life and reign with Messiah during the Kingdom Age (Revelation tells us it will last 1000 years). Those Jews who did NOT believe God and have died will not be raised to live during that period but would have to wait until the end of the 1000 years to be resurrected and be judged by Jesus at the Great White Throne. There he will determine which JEWS get to live and reign during the Age that follows the 1000 years, the Age of the New Heaven and New Earth. Some will get to live during that Age and some will be put to the second DEATH by means of the Lake of Fire…to await the abolishing of death by Jesus when all mankind will be “made alive” and God is then "ALL in all" of his creation (1 Corinthians 15:22-28).
This is NOT complicated, but it does require one to actually read, understand and harmonize ALL Scripture….and stop listening to those who do not.
Jesus was saying to these JEWS that those Jews who had believed God would be resurrected to life and reign with Messiah during the Kingdom Age (Revelation tells us it will last 1000 years). Those Jews who did NOT believe God and have died will not be raised to live during that period but would have to wait until the end of the 1000 years to be resurrected and be judged by Jesus at the Great White Throne. There he will determine which JEWS get to live and reign during the Age that follows the 1000 years, the Age of the New Heaven and New Earth. Some will get to live during that Age and some will be put to the second DEATH by means of the Lake of Fire…to await the abolishing of death by Jesus when all mankind will be “made alive” and God is then "ALL in all" of his creation (1 Corinthians 15:22-28).
This is NOT complicated, but it does require one to actually read, understand and harmonize ALL Scripture….and stop listening to those who do not.
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