The Only Acceptable Offering

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:5-8)

What is the “EVIL” that “grieved” the “heart” of the “LORD”?

Well, you need to have read the first four chapters to know, but to summarize, the first child born to Adam and Eve was Abel, and the second was Cain. In the course of time both Cain and Able brought an "offering" to God.

"So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. And Abel also brought an offering--fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor." (Genesis 4:3-5)

Our works can never be acceptable "offering". Our only salvation is to find  “grace in the eyes of the LORD”. The "EVIL" that grieves the "heart" of God is to trust in the works of men, and not is the provision of God.  And what do we see today? 

The "high priests" of today, the Political and Religious institutions, are like Cain, working hard to save mankind.  But it is Jesus who "offered" himself for our sin, once "for all" to save mankind from sin.  God planned and approved of this "offering".

"After He had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...not as the high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself." (Hebrews 7:27)

As a result mankind has found "Grace in the eyes of the LORD". Any other offering, no matter how sincere, is unacceptable and continues to grieve “His heart”. God will destroy this world again, in spite of mankind's noble works to prevent it. 

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and ITS WORKS will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

As for mankind,  because we are still a bunch of self-righteous sinners, God is still "sorry that He made" us. He did so only because it was necessary to demonstrate His love.  

"For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

And “all” mankind's "works will be burned up" when it "is destroyed with intense heat" sometime in the future.  But this time "all mankind" will find "grace in the eyes of the LORD" because the “Lamb of God”, our Lord Jesus Christ, brought himself as an acceptable "offering" to God of behalf of mankind. He is the “mediator between God and mankind”, and offered himself “as a ransom for all”. 

“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time”. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

God provided the acceptable "offering" – His Son – and that “offering” was "for all". This is the good news that the political and religious institutions reject, preferring their own offering of works. Nevertheless this "sin of the world" - its UNBELIEF - has been taken away...

“Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world…He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world…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 mankind, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Return To Paul

This is what E. W. Bullinger said about the teaching of the Apostle Paul…

“In the apostle’s own lifetime the most spiritual of all the assemblies “turned away from” him (II Timothy 1:15). Some used to tell us to go back to the first three centuries to find pure Christianity ... But our answer is that we cannot go back to the first century; for the very assembly (which received his longest ministry, “so that all they that dwell in Asia heard the words of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10), were the first to turn away from him and his teaching.”

So what teaching did the churches (assemblies) turn away from? And has the modern day church returned to that teaching? No they have not.

The "teaching" of Paul can be seen in the following verses from his first letter to the Corinthians…

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and became the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death…that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

The Church is to have a "ministry" that shares this good news.  Paul further explains this good news in his second letter to the Corinthians…

“And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

The "ministry of reconciliation" that God “has committed unto us” is the good news of the salvation and reconciliation of all mankind by and through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

It is that teaching that the “assemblies” turned from more than 1950 years ago. And no, they have never returned. They remain turned from this message of pure grace to a mixture of grace and the works of free will. They have been turned from the truth of a completed salvation of mankind by Christ Jesus, to a great but hopeless commission placed on the churches to save the world. And in the process formulating man-made doctrines such as:

Free will
Substitution Theology
Eternal conscious torment
Immortality of the soul
The Trinity

I was over 50 years old before I begin to see the teaching of Paul which Christianity turned from. I fought it for the same reason most of you do. How could so many wise men be so wrong?

The battle ended for me when I believed the truth and rejected the doctrines of men, and the truth set me free.  The gospel of grace resulting in the salvation and reconciliation of all is now my teaching as it was for Paul. It gives me peace and a blessed hope for the world God loves. 

But, like Paul, to embrace it came with a price - rejection from those "assemblies". Nevertheless, God is the Savior of the whole world. He “will have all men to be saved” from death by the resurrection whether the "assemblies" teach it or not.  Even they will eventually "come to a knowledge of the truth". As Paul says…

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time...Trustworthy is the saying and worthy of all welcome, and it is for this we labor and suffer reproach, because we have placed our trust in the living God, who is the savior of all mankind...These things command and teach.” (1 Timothy 2:3-6; 4:9-11)

Ministry - Declaring the Whole Purpose of God

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God... Therefore I testify to you this day...I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God..." (Acts 20:24, 26)

Jesus had revealed to Paul that he was chosen for the "ministry" of the "gospel of the grace of God". Paul was persecuted for doing so but he understood that teaching the truth about the grace of God was the only way to be "innocent of the blood all men". He was compelled and chosen to reveal to all mankind "the whole purpose of God"...which included the following...

1. That Jesus is "...the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature..." and that through Jesus God will "reconcile all things to Himself...whether things on earth or things in heaven...he made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention...the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth." (Ephesians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:15-20)

2. "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation." (1 Corinthians 5:14)

3. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...that God may be All in All" (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

4. "By grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God..." Ephesians 2:8-10)

5. "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life..." (Romans 6:23)

6. "For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:19)

And my personal favorites...

7. "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Timothy 1:15)

8. "...God our Savior...will have all men to be saved...there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all...I am telling the truth, I am not lying..." (1Timothy 2:1-7)

9. "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." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Did Paul ever "testify" about ...

1. Eternal conscious torment in hell
2. The trinity
3. The Immortality of the soul
4. Self determination (free will)
5. Vicarious/Substitutionary atonement?

No he did not because those doctrines are not part of the "whole purpose of God".  Neither should anyone else who claims to be a believer.

The Destiny of Believers and Unbelievers - From The No Spin Zone

It seems to me from reading the Bible that there are three groups of people talked about…

Group 1: Hebrew Believers - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants who believed what God told them down through the years, and

Group 2: Gentile Believers -All other people who heard from God and believed what He said to them down through the years

Group 3: Unbelievers - Everyone else.

The destiny of Groups 1 and 2 are to rule and reign with Christ Jesus during the two ages following this present age in which we live. The first age is referred to as the KINGDOM of Heaven and will last 1000 years.  This age is what Jesus was talking about when he told ISRAEL at his first coming…

"The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15)

From the Old Testament we know that he is referring to the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom promised to Israel. But only a few in Israel repented and the majority followed their religious leaders and rejected Jesus and had him crucified. So Jesus told them…

"Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see me until you say, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.” (Matthew 23:38-39)

So Israel was blinded and the age of the 1000 year Kingdom is postponed. We know this from the question to him from his Jewish followers just before he ascended into heaven…and from Paul’s letter to Rome.

“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority… a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Acts 1:6-7; Romans 11:25))

It is the book of Revelation that tells us that this Kingdom age will last 1000 years…

“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)

As to when it will begin no one knows the exact date at this time…only the Father…

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)

So what about the Age following the 1000 year Kingdom - The Age of the New Heaven and New Earth.  This age comes after the resurrection of Group 3.

“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended...” (Revelation 20:5; 21:1)

This age will be one of righteousness...

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells...I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away" (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1)

Group 3 (all unbelievers down through the years) will be those being reigned over during the age of the New Heaven and New Earth.  They will NOT be in some fictitious Greek Underworld named Hell by some religious men and their various religions.  They will be reigned over in righteousness by Jesus and believers on the new earth. They will reign "until" every knee has bowed and every tongue confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord...

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign UNTIL he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For God has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when it says, all things are put in subjection, it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all...God exalted him to the highest place, and gave him the name above all names that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28;Philippians 2:9-11)

The ages are then concuded and God will be "All in all".  The details of what follows those ages is hidden by God.  But Paul assures us that...

"Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Rather, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:6-10)

Just the simple truth from the no spin zone.  Pretty simple - until religions start spinning it.

Uninformed Brethren

Do we choose to do stuff by our own free will, or are our choices simply God working in us according to His will?

“I do not want you uninformed brethren…” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

The truth is that God is working all things out “according to his good pleasure”. We are just “uninformed” about why He allows us to make bad choices.  

“…work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

Our "salvation" is secure despite our bad choices.  You can't "work out" of something you do not have.  Religion wants us to work FOR our salvation, but God wants us to WORK OUT our salvation by faith in it - not fear and trembling that we won't get saved, but in awe and reverence that we HAVE been saved as a gift from God by His grace and not by our works. 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works...we are God's handiwork...you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ..." (Ephesians 2:8-13)

God has informed us that we have been "predestined" to be saved.  This is "the gospel of your salvation" which was once a "mystery of His will"...

“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him we have also obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14)

Politicians and Religions tell us to work to save ourselves.  God says He has already predestined our savation and those informed of it are to to work out this salvation with fear and trembling - and hope.  A few in this life are chosen by God to be “the first to hope in Christ”. Rejoice if you happen to be one of them, but don’t condemn or get frustrated with those who are not – it is just God’s “good pleasure” to leave them “uninformed” until their resurrection – when all will be "made alive" and thus become aware of their "redemption".

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ, all shall be made alive...that God may be all in all...so it will be with the resurrection of the dead... (1 Corinthians 15:22-28,42)

Who Will Jesus Deny?

"Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

The context is NOT salvation. Jesus was speaking to the house of Israel concerning the promise of God to Israel to reestablish the Kingdom of Israel ON THE EARTH at some time in the future. The JEWS who do not confess that Jesus is their Messiah will be denied entrance into that Kingdom when it is restored by Jesus at his 2nd coming. The timing of this restoration of the Kingdom was the last thing the JEWISH apostles asked Jesus about before he ascended into heaven after his resurrection.

"So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:1-10)

After the ascension of Jesus, Peter told the JEWS that if THEY would repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus he would immediately return and restore the Kingdom as promised by their "holy prophets from ancient time".

"...repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you (Israel), whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time...It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant of God made with your fathers" (Acts 3:20-25)

We Gentiles have no part in this covenant, and Israel did not repent and eventually blindness came upon Israel and remains today - nearly 2000 years later. Paul tells us that this blindness was a "mystery", but Jesus would someday return and "all Israel shall be saved".

"For I would not, brethren that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Romans 11:25-26)

The Bible is full of the details of what happens just before the return of Jesus to restore the Kingdom to Israel. That is what the book of Revelation is all about. But even that age and Kingdom ends after 1000 years.

"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection...but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)

Israel is the only nation whom God assigned "priests", despite the so called "priesthood of the believer" doctrine taught in some denominational churches.

As far as the "salvation" of ALL mankind from death (both Jew and Gentile), the knowledge of it was brought to ALL mankind when Jesus came the first time. 

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men..." (Titus 2:11)

This "salvation" will be manifested only when those who are still dead after the "first resurrection" are raised to immortal life, and so all death is "destroyed". 

"And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, even the veil which is stretched over all nations. He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken...This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation...The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (Isaiah 25:7-9; 1 Corinthians 15:26)

What is left after death is "destroyed"? Life. Abundant, immortal LIFE - for ALL! That is the good news we are supposed to be sharing.

So, to whom will Jesus deny this salvation? Not one soul.

"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 mankind, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Is that what is taught and believed where you assemble together? 

A place where they "prescribe and teach these things" is hard to find...I'm still looking. I agree with Jesus when he said...

"...when the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

Very little it seems to me.

God Is For Us

Life and death. These are choices that God has reserved for Himself. And we should remember that "God is for us"...

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered him over for US ALL, how will He not also with him freely give US all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)

People do not get to choose whether they will be born, nor do they choose whether they will die. At best, people may choose the timing of death by their lifestyle - either sooner or later - but eventually we ALL die.

"And inasmuch as it is appointed for people to die once and after this - 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 awaiting him." (Hebrews 9:27-28)

What happens after death has been the great question for most people. The word judgment is "krisis" in the Greek language of Scripture, and simply means in this context, "a Devine decision". So what is the Devine "judgment" that awaits people after death?

Jesus the Christ "will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin" to those "who sleep in death"...and those "awaiting" his return.

"...in my father's house are many dwelling places...I go to prepare a place for you...I will come and get you, so that you may be where I am...Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death...for the Lord himself will come down from heaven...and the dead in Christ will rise...and so we will be with the Lord forever. Comfort one another with these words." (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Depending on where and in what religious environment people are born, they will grow up being taught something about life after death. The Bible clearly teaches that "God is for us" - not against any of us. All people are the beneficiaries of the "love of God", and will not be condemned by what they grow up believing. The Good News for all is that we are the "elect" of God, elected "for salvation without reference to sin" when Jesus appears the ”second time for salvation“.

"Father forgive them...Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is he who died, yes, rather who was raised, and who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Luke 23:34; Romans 8:33-36)

Jesus forgave from the cross all those who crucified him, and in that death, saved them. Yep, God is for us all, even the bad guys - so we will all win the victory over sin and death!

Is There A Good Time To Offend Folks?

"There is a time for every purpose under heaven...a time to be silent, and a time to speak." (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

The problem is determining when to speak up! 😇

"Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, Listen and understand. A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it. Then the disciples came to Him and said, Are You aware that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?...

Jesus was talking to the crowd about the Jewish religious leaders of his day.  They were defiling themselves and the crowd by what they taught, not by what they ate or drank. These "Pharisees" were "offended" by what Jesus said, and the "disciples" of Jesus asked him about it...

"But Jesus replied, Every plant that My Heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots. Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:10-14)

The "plant" that was being "planted" was the teaching of these religious leaders. The "plant" is not the person, but what comes out of our mouths.  

I am aware that my faith in the salvation and reconciliation of all mankind has "offended" some folks.  But there is a time when I had to "disregard" what had "defiled" me in favor of the truth that set me free. At 67, being closer to my death than my birth, it is no longer "a time to be silent", but "a time to speak". I am reminded of Jeremiah's lament...

"I thought, I'll forget him; I won't mention His name. But there's an intense fire in my heart, trapped in my bones.  I'm drained trying to contain it; I'm unable to do it."  (Jeremiah 20:9 CEB)

There is only a "narrow gate" "that leads to life", and only "a few find it" in this present evil age, even among Christians. Jesus is that "narrow gate", and the only road to salvation is on the "grace" of God highway.  All mankind will eventually enter that gate and arrive at their appointed destination - salvation, but many will first have to "fall into a pit". 

"For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all...Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it...They worship me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men." (Titus 2:11; Matthew 7:11-14; 15:9)

The broad road to the "pit" of "destruction" is the "precepts of men" and there are many who are blindly being led down that super highway to heaven - only to "fall into a pit".  They will eventually realize that Jesus was the Savior of the whole world and confess...

"Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior 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.." (John 4:42; 1 John 2:2)

And yes, I am aware that "many" think I am the "blind" one motoring down the broad way of destruction.  One thing is for sure, one of us is "blind", and "if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into pit". 

When Do We Get To Heaven?

"...you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die...the wages of sin is death..."  (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23a)

Good old Grandpa Adam and Grandma Eve believed a lie....and it was Satan who told the lie.  Once we start believing that a lie is the truth, it is almost impossible to convince us otherwise...Christians included. And of course the whole purpose of lies is to hide the truth, right. Sooo....What was that first lie?

"...you surely will not die...but when you eat...you will be like God." (Genesis 3:4)

I was taught in Church that Christians go immediately to Heaven when they die. But after I began to seriously study the Scripture, I found that I was believing and teaching something that was not true...a lie.

The truth about when we get to heaven comes from Scripture, such as the following.  Note the "will be", the "after that" and the "at his coming":

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all WILL BE made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, AFTER THAT those who are Christ's AT HIS COMING....The last enemy that will be abolished is death...the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ..." (1 Corinthians 15:22-26; Romans 6:23b).

Jesus was the "first fruits" and the rest of us are made alive "at his coming". And listen to "these words" of "comfort" in Paul's answer when asked specifically what happens to loved ones "who are asleep"...

"Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, about those WHO ARE ASLEEP, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope...For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall be rising first, thereafter, we, the living who are surviving, shall at the same time be snatched away together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air...COMFORT one another with THESE WORDS." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 CLNT)

Paul's "words" of "comfort" were that we will be "made alive" when Jesus returns. He did not comfort them by telling them that those who had died were already in heaven...because that would have been a lie. Don't you think he would have told them that if it were true?

Now let's look at the two passages of Scripture used consistently in churches to teach that Christians go immediately to heaven upon death. Paul says...

"...I say and prefer, rather, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8)

and Jesus says to the man being crucified next to him...

"...today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43)

Paul was simply saying he preferred to be present with the Lord rather than continue suffering in this life.  The context shows that he wasn't teaching about what happens the moment a person dies.

And this is my paraphrase of what Jesus said "I assure you today, you will be with me in Paradise" (note the comma). He was assuring the man next to him that one day both of them would be in Paradise. Jesus himself did not rise from the dead for three days and three nights so he could not have been talking about that same day.

"...just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights." (Matthew 12:40)

Christians use these two verses to justify their believing a lie.  So what is the harm in comforting those grieving by telling them their loved is now in heaven? 

Well nothing unless you prefer the comfort of the truth to the comfort of a lie.

When I think of my Mom and Dad, I am comforted in knowing that they are at peace, resting in a long sleep, oblivious to the suffering of this present evil age. And when Jesus returns to wake them it will seem, to them, only as "the twinkling of an eye". 

"...the living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything... I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." (Ecclesiastes 9:5; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

In the "twinkling of an eye" Mom and Dad will rise with me and my family through the clouds to meet Jesus our Savior in the air, "at the same time"! 

That truth was given to Paul to comfort those grieving.  That truth is more comforting to me than the lie!

The Resurrection of Jesus Was A Miracle – But the Resurrection of Mankind Is Even More Miraculous

The resurrection of Jesus some 1984 years ago is the most important event in the history of mankind – up until now. But it is not the greatest event that will ever happen for mankind. 

Really, what could trump that?

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the chief messenger, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ wiil rise first, then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

The truth is that if Jesus doesn’t return and raise us from the dead, the resurrection of Jesus makes no difference does it. Yep, the greatest day for mankind is yet to come – it is the return of Jesus to complete the plan of God. A secret hidden by God until He revealed the mystery to the Apostle Paul who told us about it.

“…flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God…Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54)

I hear a lot of talk about the Kingdom, as if it is already here. It is not. For mankind is still “flesh and blood” and in this body we cannot see or enter the Kingdom. We must be “born again”. And I’m not talking about some religious doctrine that equates born again with being saved. I’m talking about what Jesus meant when he used the term – being born of the spirit, which occurs only at the return of Jesus to resurrect the dead.

“Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again…I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, you must be born again…So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.” (John 3:3-7; 1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

The transformation of the corpse of a fleshly sinful person into an immortal, spiritual, heavenly person is when we are “born again”. And it is that event which will be celebrated throughout eternity as the greatest event that ever happened to mankind!👋

Our Destiny - Sinning And Getting Saved

Following is a summary of what I was taught growing up in church…

When a child dies before reaching the age of accountability, that child goes to heaven.  However, if the child reaches the age of accountability he is lost and needs to be saved and it is the Church members Great Commission to save the lost.  The lost will be cast into hell upon death to be eternally punished and separated from God and that lost person's blood may be on the hands of a disobedient Church member who failed to tell them. To be saved the lost person must confess and repent of sin, and accept Jesus as his Savior by his own free will before he dies.  At that point the person becomes a new creature in Christ and will go immediately to heaven at death.  The church further emphasized that if a person is actually saved, he will want to join the Church, be baptized, observe the Lord's Supper, and fellowship primarily with others in the church, and of course, support the ministries of the church with a regular tithe of their income. 

I taught most of this for many years myself until I discovered from my personal study of the Bible over the past 20 years that none of the above is true. Obviously I am not invited to teach in churches anymore. 😃

For those who care, and it is perfectly fine if you don't, following is a brief SUMMARY of my thoughts about what the Bible actually teaches with regard to the history and future of mankind, backed up by some of the many Scriptures on point…

1. SIN of mankind: Eve sinned and Adam joined in that sin and God determined that they and all their progeny would die for their sin. So the dying process passed through to all mankind. Hard work to sustain ourselves was also the result of that original sin.  All are appointed to suffer and eventually die and return to the dust from which our bodies are made…

"...you shall surely die...because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, you shall not eat from it, cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you…By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return….Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind...” (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 5:12)

2. SALVATION of all mankind: It is God’s WILL and responsibility to save mankind from death, and reconcile all Creation to Himself. No one can prevent God’s WILL from being accomplished. God loves mankind and provided a Savior, His Son Jesus. God, through His Son, has shown us that He will give us eternal life after death. This abundant life will come only after the resurrection.  After the resurrection of all mankind, death, the grave, and sin will be abolished. God will then be All in all mankind and the whole Creation at peace with God.

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...so that God may be All in all...God wills all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth...By grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God...the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord...through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (1 Corinthians 15:22, 28; 1 Timothy 2:4; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:20)

God says plainly that He will save mankind and reconcile all Creation to Himself through His Son Jesus, and he will do so because of His Grace alone. Faith gives us the knowledge and hope of this...

"We have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him...While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life...Just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people…just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act (of Jesus) resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous…where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28; Romans 5:1-20)

Since I am not holding my breath until asked to teach this truth in churches, I share my thoughts on Facebook.  A few years ago my daughter created a blog for me which can be accessed at jrwlakey.blogspot.com.  It is entitled Random Thoughts On The Really Good News and I post a link to that blog on my Facebook page from time to time. Thanks to those of you who are sleepy enough to read them. Nevertheless, I am not a fan of Facebook in general, or its founder, and I will most likely stop using it in the near future.  But you brave souls can still google my blogspot when you need something to put you to sleep. 😊💤

PS:  The Easter Bunny, Bambi and all pets are included in God's plan!

The Wisdom of God

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24)

The wisdom of God in planning the crucifixion of our Savior as part of the Salvation of every sinner, including the very sinners who had part in his crucification is an enigma. It is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greek philosophers and most everyone else. The Wisdom of God says...

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...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 reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself aa a ransom for all..." (2 Corinthians 5:19; Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:20;1Timothy 2:5)

It is not that the Jews, philosophers of most others will never see the salvation of all mankind as the power and wisdom of God. Most of them will not be made aware of it in this “present evil age” as Paul calls this life. But after this age ends with the return of Jesus, all will know the truth that has made them free. 

“…after that time, declares the Lord, 
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, Know the Lord, because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:10-12)

For now, in this "present evil age", the wisdom of the mystery that God will save all sinners by His grace has been revealed only to Paul and those who believe what Jesus instructed Paul to teach about the "grace" of God. 

"...you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery...which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men..to me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things." (Ephesians 3:2-9)

Blindness, for now, has happened to the Jews who stumble over Jesus and his cross. The Greek Philosophers never had a clue and continue to think it all foolishness. And religious folks just keep preaching sermons, and writing books and commentaries which "oppose" the mystery of the reconciliation and salvation of all mankind.  Nevertheless, it is "the wisdom of God" and the "unfathomable riches of Christ".

"Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith, ever learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:8)

Burn Up The Chaff

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: You brood of vipers! ...every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire…" (Matthew 3:7-10)

"Vipers" spew out poison from their mouths.  These "vipers" that John the Baptist is talking to are the religious leaders, not their congregations, or those outside which they termed sinners. Whatever they were spewing from their pulpits was not "good fruit".

“...after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire… “ (Matthew 3:11)

Of course John is talking about Jesus. Those religious leaders needed a strong dose of his Truth, not the poisonous "precepts of men" they were passing out.

“They worship me in vain, they teach as doctrine the precepts of men." (Matthew 15:9)

When Jesus returns he will "baptize" them "with the Holy Spirit" which will burn up these "precepts of men" in "unquenchable fire"...

"...he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12)

The "chaff" John the Baptist is referring to were the venomous "precepts of men" that the Jewish religious leaders were teaching. It is the "chaff", not the wheat seed, which is going to be burned up. Chaff is the shell around the wheat seed. Even those "brood of vipers" are part of the "wheat" harvest, so they will be gathered "into the barn" and saved along with all the other wheat seed - all mankind. Paul puts it this way...

"For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed by fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man's work. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as one being snatched from the fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

There is much "chaff" around the "wheat" which make up Judaism, Christianity, and all other religions. The "good fruit", the truth, is that God through Christ Jesus has reconciled all creation to Himself at the cross, and will save all mankind out of death and into abundant immortal life. At that time all mankind will know the truth, even the "brood of vipers", and that truth will have set them free!

"You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free."  (John 8:32)

AMEN to that!

Everybody Gets Depressed - Even Jesus

King David was feeling depressed when he wrote… 

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” (Psalm 22:1)

Ever been there – I have. There are just sometimes in each of our lives when we wonder if God really gives a damn. In those times all we have is prayer and whatever "faith" God has given to us…for most of us it is just a “measure”.

“...God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

Jesus never sinned and yet was crucified, and in the hours just before he died, he experienced the anguish and depression that Kind David and all mankind experience from time to time...

“My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death...And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground...God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matthew 26:38; Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46)

Breaks my heart, yet in that necessary moment, God Himself, through His only begotten Son, felt the anguish and depression that people feel from time to time!  

Jesus, as the Son of God, could have done something about his situation...

"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53)

So why didn’t he? – you and I would have. 

It was to identify himself with mankind and show us that what we experience, even if it results in death, is not the end. The "thief" of depression, suffering and death may sometimes steal our joy in this life but death will be abolished and immortal abundant life will replace it!

“The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy, but I come that they may have life more abundantly....Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 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… this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality…death is swallowed up in victory…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (John 10:10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-57)  

Jesus had faith that God would raise him from the dead so he endured the agony of the cross to reveal to mankind that all creation will be delivered from the "sufferings" caused by sin and death...

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us...the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God."(Romans 8:18-25)

Yes, the resurrection will come to mankind, it is "the work of the Lord" - death will be "swallowed up in victory"!

“Cosole one another with these words…become settled, unmovable, superabounding in the work of the Lord always, being aware that your toil is not for naught in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 15:58)

It is not our work, but the “work of the Lord” - which gives us assurance that our suffering in this life, with its resulting depression, is not in vain.

Can God's Patience Run Out?

Many famous Christians seem to think so.  I heard Billy Graham's daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, say so in an interview on YouTube the other day.  That did not sound right to me so I looked into the Scriptures to see what they have to say.

“God is Love...Love is patient.” (1 John 4:16; 1 Corinthians 13:4)

“God is Spirit...The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…” (John 4:24; Galatians 5:22)

Since "God is love", and "Love is patient", His patience CANNOT run out. And since "God is Spirit" and the fruit"of the Spirit is...patience" – His patience CANNOT run out.

“…He is PATIENT with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance…Bear in mind that our Lord’s PATIENCE means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him…” (2 Peter 3:9,15)

And what was it that Paul wrote to them?

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense PATIENCE as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life...”(1 Timothy 1:15-17)

The reason all will eventually be saved is because God is “patient”, first with the “worst” sinner – Paul - then with all the rest of us. God"wills all mankind to be saved".  He has the "patience" so "bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation" for all who would otherwise "perish".

“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.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Ann Graham Lotz and her father are good people, relatively speaking, but neither of them “command and teach these things”.  Therefore, I will side with Paul and the Scripture written by him on this one.

It is true that at some point Jesus will return and complete God's plan for His creation - to be All in All.  Jesus does not return because God runs out of patience, but because it is time to complete His plan to be "All in All".

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man,the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death...When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be ALL in ALL". (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

Everlasting Destruction - Not Exactly

"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed." (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

I had a friend who asked me to address some of the passages used to deny the eventual salvation and reconciliation of all, like the verses above. I wanted to say why? Most Christians only believe what they are told by theologians - and I am not one. And they sure don’t believe the clear teaching of the salvation of all, regardless of how many verses I show them that clearly teach it.

But for my friend, and the handful of others who give a damn about the damned, here is the explanation, in context, of the above verses.

Paul is speaking to his fellow JEWS who believed that Jesus was their Messiah.  These Jewish believers were being persecuted for their belief, being banned from the synagogues, and the non-believing Jewish leaders wanted them dead. He was not talking to Gentile believers.

"on the day he comes" is referring to the “Day of the Lord” (also known as the Great Tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble, and the 70th week of Daniel). It is mentioned often in the Hebrew Scriptures (old testament) and was well known to Jews as the time just before their Messiah appears to restore the Kingdom to Israel on this earth. At that time Jewish believers will be resurrected to rule over the entire earth with Jesus during this period. They are the “holy people”. All the unbelieving Jews will stay dead, along with all dead Gentiles, until the end of that age. They “perish” (stay dead) during that time only. And I mean DEAD, not confined in some mythological underworld of hell. The book of Revelation tells us that this earthy Kingdom will last 1000 years, at the close of which all dead people are resurrected and a New Heaven and Earth created. The Greek word mistranslated "everlasting" is “aionian” which means “pertaining to the age” and in this context is the 1000 year Kingdom age. The “destruction” is referring only to this period of time.

“They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years…” (Revelation 20:4-6)

However, even the unbelieving Jews who had Jesus crucified will eventually be saved when their blindness is lifted:

“Father forgive them, they don’t understand what they are doing…Blindness has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles is come, then ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED” (Luke 23:34; Romans 11:25-26).

God will save all mankind and He will be "All in All" at the close of the ages whether Christians like it or not. (1 Corinthians 15:20-29)

This teaching of the salvation and reconciliation of all is clear but has been hidden by the false teachers for 1700 years. And their students just don’t seem to care enough to question false teaching or study in detail the Bible for themselves. Guess that is part of the plan for now – but they will know someday!

Fear Less - Love More

”He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)

I found the phrase “fear of the Lord” 22 times in the New International Version of the Bible. It seems in each context that mankind is encouraged to fear the Lord as a conscious CHOICE. That choice to fear the Lord is the key to the treasure of finding a "sure foundation" in our Lord and Savior.

God does not GIVE us a "spirit of fear".

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).

Nevertheless, our choice to fear the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom. It starts us on our journey to find that God need not be feared, for His only begotten Son has atoned for our sin on the cross - a demonstration of God's love and faithfulness.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...there is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear...He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not ours only, but for the sins of the whole world...God demonstrated his love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Proverbs 9:10; 1 John 4:18; Romans 5:8)

Unfortunately, the fear of God is where most Christians remain.  They try to avoid the wrath of God by their good works. But the "fear of the Lord" is just the "beginning" of wisdom, so we are not to continue in fear. We are to move on to an understanding of the perfect love of God. We are set free from fear as we come to "know" of His unconditional Love and Grace!

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment…There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because HE FIRST loved us.” (1 John 4:16-19)

The "punishment" is not the heresy of hell. It is the "punishment" a Father gives out to His children in order to discipline them.

"For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." (Hebrews 12:6)

Fear and love are not intended to occupy the same ground. There will be some fear on our journey to the place where we find out who God really is - and that place will be where "love drives out fear".