A Reminder

I have to return to the basics sometimes in my meditations about God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I remind myself of the good news (gospel) of God concerning his Son (Jesus) delivered by the Apostle Paul. Here are the basics:

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, died for the sins of mankind

He was buried and remained in the tomb for three days and three nights

He was resurrected to life

"Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it...I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said." (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4)

When I believe those three things I feel blessed and have peace, joy and hope. When I question or am tempted to stop believing those three things, I lose hope.

"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with HOPE to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say." (Titus 2:11-15)

It is sad that many go to church filled with the peace, joy and hope of salvation only to leave with a load of guilt piled upon us by well meaning, but wrong minded, pastors, evangelists, teachers and friends.

God finished the work of Salvation at the cross. It is ours to rest in and enjoy. We should share this good news with other sinners without adding anything to it. Then daily thank Him for such a wonderful free gift and try to live life in appreciation for what he has done for us.

"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

"...love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:35-36)

It has been a long time since the simple gospel has been preached in the Church. As best I can tell it left the church on June 19, 325 AD when the Council of Nicaea was called to order, yet it remains on the pages of Scripture in Paul's letters (Romans through Philemon) should anyone be inclined to search it out.

June 19th - Don't Be Myth-taken

“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord...instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths… It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:1-20)

You can search all you want but you will not find a single verse in the Bible that says the penalty for sin is Christianity’s morbid concept of “hell” eternal conscious torment). It is a myth. The penalty for sin is DEATH in the Bible.

"The wages of sin is death..."  (Romans 6:23)

Jesus came into the world to save sinners from DEATH - the penalty for sin. But for more than 1900 years there have been an abundance of leaders in the church, like “Hymenaeus and Alexander”, who are shipwrecked in regard to their faith by strange doctrines and myths. In embracing the myth of eternal conscious torment they blaspheme God it seems to me. In effect they deny that Jesus is the Savior of the World.

It is not that anyone will escape judgment or condemnation. It is just that all of God’s dealings with mankind in regard to judgment is with a view to the eventual reconciliation of ALL humanity, even Hymenaeus and Alexander and their modern day counterparts. That is if you read and study the Bible, not some commentary or sermon of "Myth-taken" men (pun intended).

“…through Him 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...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...” (Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5)

There is absolutely no thought in the minds of the writers of Scripture with regard to eternal conscious torment in hell. Such punitive retribution was introduced centuries ago by corrupt theology and is being passed on as truth by many today. Churches are full of good people doing some good things, but teaching myths and strange doctrine is not among them.

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

May 26th - Joy To Replace Our Despair

Political and religious differences of opinion seem to have fostered such disunity among our American citizens that I fear nothing short of war, and maybe not even that, will bring us together. It is depressing to me at times so I find myself feeling that God is not paying attention. So, I go back into the Bible for encouragement. Here is what I found this morning that helped restore some joy in the midst of these turbulent times.

"This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven..." (Matthew 6:9

Jesus came into the world to introduce a perceived distant God, as “Our Father”. All that is going on around us is simply preparing us all for the good that "Our Father" will when He gathers His family at the great reunion He will host for humanity one day. He is, after all, tHE “Father of all”. 

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:6)

"Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named...For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family ^a in heaven and on earth derives its name." (Ephesians 3:1-6, 15).

Our Father is the One who gives beauty to replace our ashes, joy to replace our mourning, and the praise to replace our despair.

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joyinstead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

God knows exactly what He’s doing. And He says that the best is yet to come!

“Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 2:15).

Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

“Fear not, for I am with you…” (Isaiah 41:10)

Most of the world is united in the opposite.

Out of this FEAR they have…

Shut down schools; cancelled sporting events, concerts, and almost all other public entertainment; bankrupted small and large businesses dependent on social gatherings; hoarded resources; watched fearmongering news organization 24-7; and, prayed like God is just waiting on X number of prayers before He decides to have some pity of us.

One thing God IS DOING. He is allowing this whole crisis to escalate beyond what was necessary if people would have a little faith in God. Reminds me of Jesus when He lamented to the folks of His day…

“…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth.” (Luke 18:6)

Not if He came today!

Sorry if that offends you, but we can do nothing better than to use common sense and place it all in God’s hands. He obviously allowed it to happen and He will allow us to find a remedy without all the fear we see on the news.

God did not give us a "spirit of FEAR".

“God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind...” (2 Timothy 1:7)

A “sound mind” given by God simply uses common sense in these situations, not the insanity that we are witnessing. A “sound mind” given by God knows that…

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me...” (Psalm 23:4)

Few are trusting God while walking through this “valley”, but for those of you who do – buckle up, drink up, and light up while you watch in the peace of God as FEAR temporarily drives this insane world!

“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… and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… 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.” (Romans 8:18, 28, 38-39)

Can an immortal become mortal?

Is it possible for an immortal created being to become mortal?

If Jesus really died on the cross, then the answer is yes. And He did die, or the Bible is false and the evangel which Paul accepted is false.

“Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved, if you are retaining what I said in bringing the evangel to you, outside and except you believe feignedly. For I give over to you among the first what also I accepted, that Christ DIED for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was ENTOMBED, and that He has been ROUSED the third day according to the scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, thereupon by the twelve." (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)

But how is it possible for the immortal Son of God to become mortal?

Only in the context of the space time continuum which He created. 

"In the beginning was the Word...In the world He was, and the world came into being through Him...And the Word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 10, 14)

“Grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… Who is the Image of the invisible God, Firstborn of every creature, for in Him is all created, that in the heavens and that on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or sovereignties, or authorities, all is created through Him and for Him, and He is before all, and all has its cohesion in Him...in Him the entire complement delights to dwell, and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens." (Colossians 1:2, 15-20)

I think of creation as a game app with Jesus, the immortal Son of God, as the game developer. I have named the game “God’s Plan for Humanity”. 

The interesting thing about the game is that the developer, the immortal Son of God, lays aside His immortality and enters the game as a mortal human being named Jesus. This mortal saves Humanity from sin and death and reconciles humanity and all other characters in the space time continuum to God His Father. This salvation and reconciliation are accomplished by Jesus dying on a cross, shedding His blood for the characters in the game app.

So, how does the Son of God regain His IMMORTALITY?

Like all apps, the developer writes the code for the game outside the framework of the game. As the developer,  Jesus wrote into the code a BACKDOOR that could only be opened by His Father after Jesus died. That backdoor was His resurrection.

Now that He is again immortal He is developing a NEW heaven and earth. When finished He will return to earth to raise humanity from the dead and change theminto new immortal spiritual beings. Together, they will travel throughout this Univerwe reconciling all to God. When finished, God the Father will be "All in all" and the game will come to a end.

“Now, if Christ has not been roused, vain is your faith - you are still in your sins!" Consequently, those also, who are put to repose in Christ, perished." If we are having an expectation in Christ in this life only, more forlorn than all men are we." Yet now Christ has been roused from among the dead, the Firstfruit of those who are reposing." For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a Man, also, comes the resurrection of the dead." For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified." Yet each in his own class: the Firstfruit, Christ; thereupon those who are Christ's in His presence;" thereafter the consummation, whenever He may be giving up the kingdom to His God and Father, whenever He should be nullifying all sovereignty and all authority and power." For He must be reigning until He should be placing all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy is being abolished: death. For He subjects all under His feet. Now whenever He may be saying that all is subject, it is evident that it is outside of Him Who subjects all to Him." Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:17-28)

Yep, the immortal Son of God became mortal - all for the glory of God!

Look Up!

“…turn back to God from idols,to be slaving for the living and true God, and to be waiting for His Son out of the heavens, Whom He rouses from among the dead, Jesus, our Rescuer out of the coming indignation.”  (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

Believers have been waiting for Jesus to return for about 2,000 years. It is not surprising then that we wonder if He will really come from time to time. Before Peter died, he warned that in the “last days” there would be those doubting that Jesus would return.

“…knowing this first, that in the last days scoffers will be coming with scoffing, going according to their own desires and saying, Where is the promise of His presence? For since the fathers were put to repose, all is continuing thus from the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:3-4)

The fact that there are more "scoffers" in the Church than ever before is actually a sign of the "last days". Regardless of when, the Scripture is clear that Jesus will return.

“...and as they were looking intently into heaven at His going, lo! two men stand beside them in white attire, who say also, "Men! Galileans! Why do you stand, looking into heaven? This Jesus Who is being taken up from you into heaven shall come thus, in the manner in which you gaze at Him going into heaven."(Acts 1:10-11)

2,000 years is a long time to wait but it is clear that He is coming. The wait will then be over and there will be no more scoffers. 

But when? 

The generation which sees "the fig tree" sprout.

"Now from the fig tree learn a parable: Whenever its bough may already be becoming tender, and the leaves sprouting out, you know that summer is near. Thus you, also, whenever you may be perceiving all these things, know that He is near-at the doors. Verily, I am saying to you that by no means may this generation be passing by till all these things should be occurring. Heaven and earth shall be passing by, yet My words may by no means be passing by." (Matthew 24:32-35)

It is true that no one knew the day or hour of His return 2000 years ago, not even Jesus. 

“…concerning that day and hour no one is aware, neither the messengers of the heavens, nor the Son; except the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

But certainly, Jesus knows now, and Paul says those watching will know when the time comes.

“…the day of the Lord is as a thief in the night -- thus is it coming!… now you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day may be overtaking you as a thief, for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness…be watching and be sober…” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, 9)

Again, that there are scoffers now is a sign of His coming. To these scoffers He will return like "a thief” – but not to those of us who “watch” - we will know.

“And there shall be signs in the sun and the moon and the constellations, and on the earth pressure of nations in perplexity, at the resounding of the sea and the shaking, at the chilling of men from fear and apprehensiveness of that which is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then they shall be seeing the Son of Mankind coming in a cloud with power and much glory.Now at the beginning of these occurrences, unbend and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28)

So, I am looking up because I have looked it up. 😇

When did Jesus Save the World?

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)

Jesus said this to a Samaritan women at Jacob's well. From that conversation she came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah and went into town to tell her friends. Some of those friends came to the well to visit with Jesus over a two day period and concluded:

"...we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

What did they mean by "Savior of the world"?

It has been almost 2,000 years and the world is not saved any more than it was at that time. Therefore it must be saved in the future or Jesus is not the Savior of the world.

What does all humanity have in common?  They all die.

The wages of sin is still "death" no matter how many religious organizations you join or how many times you tell people to "repent or perish".

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God...The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 3:23; 6:23) 

No one has ever prevented their death by "repenting of their sins" or "confessing with their mouth that Jesus as Lord" or "believing in their heart that Jesus is Lord". These acts, if you really know who Jesus is, are simply expressions of one's faith that Jesus is in fact "the Savior of the World". 

So when will Jesus "save" the world?

The bible teaches that it is when humanity has been resurrected from the dead. And it is in that "truth" that we "MUST" worship. All other worship is just the vain babbling of religious men.

Humanity can worship in this truth now, but it cannot "worship in spirit" until after all the dead have been resurrected into a immortal spiritual body.

"For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.... But now 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....so that God may be ALL in ALL....But someone will say How are the dead raised? and with what kind of body do they come?....It is sown a natural body, it is raised a SPIRITUAL body....Just as we have borne the image of the earthly, we will also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthians 15:16-49)

Only after ALL have died and ALL have been resurrected from death to immortality will humanity be able to worship God both "in spirit and truth".

Then every knee will have bowed and every tongue will have confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

“For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God….of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11)

Then humanity will all know that "this One is indeed the Savior of the world".

DearGod

Dear God:

It’s me again. I finally retired from my job and have had more time to study the Bible. Read it through several times and wrote down what I think you’re telling me for my family and the few friends I have left. It is really good news for humanity! Thanks for letting me know about it. That something in me I asked you to strengthen seems to be working out. The Bible calls it your Spirit and just wanted you to know how much it helps me.

But it seems a lot of folks don’t like it. Especially the Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and most Christians. But I wanted you to know I believe you anyway. Here is a copy of what your Spirit says to me. Again, thanks.

Jrwlbook.blogspot.com

P.S. Let me know if I missed something.

I love you a lot,

Robert

First Class Ticket - What's it Worth?

Of what value was a first-class ticket on the Titanic?

Such is how I feel about life on this planet in general. It really doesn’t matter whether you go economy or first class. It is good to work to go first class if you can but remember that the trip through this world ends in tragedy for all – and a new life for all in Christ Jesus.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Eternal life beyond the Titanic is what we can be assured of because God loves humanity – even liberal, Trump hating Democrats – and all of us will be changed at the mysterious last "trump" (pun intended).

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 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 shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

The “work of the Lord” was His giving Himself as a ransom for all. His death on the cross will save humanity – all of them.

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all mankind to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…” (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

”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)

We will abound in HIS work as we foolishly labor to go first class on the Titanic.

April 25th - We're Going To Be Like Him

”...God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

Love is His essence. His attributes are justice, power and wisdom. His essence is absolute, his attributes are relative. 

God was just to make the penalty for sin death.  God was also just when he "justified" the unjust through Christ "by his blood"; and, promised the "resurrection" of the dead. His essence would not be love if He did not use His attribute of omniscient power to save and change all of His erring children.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!” (Romans 5:8-9)

“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…Listen, 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. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-54)

I have chosen to believe the Bible which states that GOD IS LOVE! We are all children of God and will have to wait for the resurrection to be like Him, but humanity is assured that it will happen…

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)

Alexander the Coppersmith

"Alexander the coppersmith displayed to me much evil: the Lord will be paying him in accord with his acts --whom you also guard against, for very much has he withstood words of ours. At my first defense no one came along with me, but all forsook me. May it not be reckoned against them!. Yet the Lord stood beside me, and He invigorates me, that through me the heralding may be fully discharged, and all the nations should hear; and I am rescued out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord will be rescuing me from every wicked work and will be saving me for His celestial kingdom: to Whom be glory for the eons of the eons. Amen!" (2 Timothy 4:14-18)

Alexander the Coppersmith was most likely a witness for the prosecutor, and in his testimony brought "evil" accusations against Paul before the Roman tribunal.

Paul had to testify for himself and had no friends there to testify on his behalf. Alexander was being used as a witness to impeach the character of Paul, and was lying about him to do so.

But the Lord was on Paul's side, and Paul used it as an opportunity to share the evangel, which is really good news even for the Roman judge. Paul most likely told the judge what he told everybody about God...

"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 Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Paul was "being reproached" by Alexander, and warned Timothy to guard himself against such men. Nevertheless, the Lord would stand with them and their message of grace - so, whether convicted and thrown into to lion's den, or found not guilty and released, the Lord will be saving them for the "celestial kingdom" and will be with them for the "eons of the eons". 

As for Alexander, well, he misses out on the kingdom, and has to wait for his salvation until the end of those eons.

High Five!😇

Fear or Love

”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. Humanity is admonished 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 for loving God and our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

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

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear...” (II Timothy 1:7).

The choice to fear the Lord is the BEGINNING, not the end, of wisdom. It starts us on our journey to find that sin has been atoned for as the result of God's love and faithfulness.

”Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.” (Proverbs 16:6)

Unfortunately, the fear of God is where most Jews and Christians remain. But we are not to continue to fear God. We are to move on to the understanding that "God is love" - perfect love that sets us free from the bondage of fear.

 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love." (1 John 4:16)

The perfect love of God "keeps no record of wrongs", and the love of God "never fails".

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

That is the GRACE of God in action! In His grace, God gives us a "spirit of power, and of love, and a sound mind".

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

"This is how we know that we live in him and He in us: He has given us of his spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world..." (I John 4:14).

When we gain the wisdom that God is not just the Savior of some, but is the Savior of the whole world through Jesus, the love of God lives in us - driving out fear.

"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 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. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because HE FIRST loved us." (1 John 4:13-19)

Love and fear are not intended to occupy the same ground. There may be some of one and some of the other; but the more we fear "punishment", the less we know about the love of God. But when we grasp the love of God in saving the world, that "perfect love drives out fear".

It may be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God, but it is glorious thing to realize His anger lasts "only a moment" - while His love lasts forever.

"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Proverbs 30:5)

Fuel For The Fire

“…be filled with the knowledge of His will…” (Colossians 1:10)

19 years ago I began to pray the above prayer for myself. Soon thereafter I began to examine my doctrinal positions.  In doing so I had to face squarely a question I had avoided for the most part - Is it really God’s WILL to separate Himself from unbelievers, keeping them alive eternally to punish and torment them? 

I was determined to be "filled with the knowledge of His will" even if it meant to embrace this doctrine which seemed to me to contradict the love of God. And for 5 years I studied Scripture, and the more I studied, the more it became obvious that this doctrine was not in the original language of His Word.

When the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to punish the people of God who had refused to worship him, he had them thrown into a furnace of fire...

“But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” (Daniel 3:6)

Is our God like Nebuchadnezzar?

When Jesus’s Jewish disciples wanted to reign down fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans Jesus told them…

"You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56)

Of what spirit is the doctrine of eternal conscience torment? 

Paul had told Timothy...

"...instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths..." (1 Timothy 1:3-4)

So how did it become a doctrine of the church?

It came by mixing the gospel of Jesus, the Savior of the world with Greek mythology, Greek philosophy and Greek theology - which has brought the institutional churches to a sorry state. Listen to one of the Saints of the Catholic church from the middle ages...

"The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them." - Saint Thomas Aquinas

And hear part of two sermons by Jonathan Edwards, a Protestant preacher whose sermons are still quoted by misguided evangelists in our modern era.

“The view of the misery of the damned will double the ardour of the love and gratitude of the saints of heaven...The sight of hell's torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. . .Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell. . . I tell you, yea! Such will be his sense of justice that it will increase rather than diminish his bliss."

These men are insane and their words some of the most heretical blasphemy against God and Christ Jesus ever uttered. We were warned by Paul to avoid these servants of "Satan"...

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

And what will be the end of Saint Thomas and Jonathan Edwards?

"Anathema Maranatha!" (1 Corinthians 16:22; Galatians 1:9)

Meaning - such men are devoted to destruction at the coming of the Lord. They will be judged and cast into the lake of fire for their unbelief (the second death is the lake of fire, not eternal conscious torment although it would be poetic justice).

Paul specifically told Timothy what to "prescribe and teach"…

“As in Adam all die, even so, in Christ, shall all be made alive...this is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior WILLS all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who have Himself a ransom for ALL...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 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2:3-6; 4:10)

You are not one of the "believers" if you do not teach the above, nor can people be a "believer" who teach the opposite - the myth of eternal conscious torment. 

When I finally became a "believer", it freed me from these "doctrines of demons". 

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in subsequent eras some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

Rejecting the "doctrines of demons" is the only way to believe the clear statements in the Bible that it is the WILL of God that all be saved and the whole world reconciled to God. Read the Bible with the goal of harmonizing all of it with that WILL.  The truth is that God will be ALL in ALL His creation…according to His grace and mercy!

“...through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross" ... "that God may be All in All.” (Colossians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 15:28)

My faith has not been received well by the institutional church and I have found it is wasting time to argue. However, I will from time to time share my thoughts on the truth they ignore, and I will pray that those who read my thoughts will "ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will"...

“…ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.” (Colossians 1:10)

You cannot please God by believing He will allow eternal torment. Trying to build on Jesus, our "foundation", with such teaching composed of "wood, hay and straw" will fuel the fire that will consume those false teachings when we all stand before Jesus to give an account of what we chose to believe about God.

"Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God...For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the 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." (Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

My advice is to stop fueling the fire!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for ALL OF THE PEOPLE; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

The birth of Jesus is good news of great joy for “all the people”. Both Jew and Gentile are included in this salvation. And the savior would later tell how he would save us...

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32)

We should not celebrate the birth of our Savior without celebrating his love for “all the people”, which amazingly includes the "ungodly" for Paul tell us in his letter to Rome...

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” (Romans 5:6-9)

The wrath of God upon sinners is finished in death for we are told in Scripture...

“For all have sinned” and “...the wages of sin is death” and "it is appointed until men once to die” (Romans 3:23a; 6:23a; Hebrews 9:27)

But this little baby, born in Bethlehem of Judea over 2000 years ago, grew up and saved the world in His death, burial and resurrection. That is the true joy of Christmas, the gospel for "all the people", including his enemies.

“While we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life...For it is by Grace you have been saved and not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God...the FREE gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:10; 6:23b)

ALL YOU PEOPLE - HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

And Happy New Year! In it may you come to "a knowledge of the Truth"!

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who 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, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension." (1 Timothy 4:3-8)

The Deal Maker

"That ruler will have a firm agreement with many people for seven years, and when half this time is past, he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings. The awful horror will be placed on the highest point of the Temple and will remain there until the one who put it there meets the end which God has prepared for him." (Daniel 9:27 Good News Translation)

Daniel is an interesting book of the Bible. It is the only Scripture which gives a time line for God dealing with Israel. Daniel was a captive of and was living in Babylonia. He was studying Scripture and reading from Jeremiah. He began confessing the sins of Israel that had brought about their captivity and the destruction of the City of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians...

"O God, hear my prayer and pleading. Restore your Temple, which has been destroyed; restore it so that everyone will know that you are God." ( Daniel 9:20 GNT)

While praying something amazing happened. The Angel Gabriel was sent to tell him when the final "holy Temple" would be built and rededicated.  It would involve 490 years divided into one period of 483 years and one period of 7 years beginning with a "command" given to rebuild Jerusalem.

"Seven times seventy years is the length of time God has set for freeing your people and your holy city from sin and evil. Sin will be forgiven and eternal justice established, so that the vision and the prophecy will come true, and the holy Temple will be rededicated. Note this and understand it: From the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until God's chosen leader comes, seven times seven years will pass. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, and will stand for seven times sixty-two years..." (Daniel 9:24-25 GNT)

History records that Artaxerxes I of Persia gave the "command" to rebuild Jerusalem around 457 BC.  A second Temple and the City of Jerusalem was rebuilt during the next 483 years.  The Scripture written by Ezra and Nehemiah record the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the second Temple under Zerubbabel. We know from the New Testament Scripture that this second Temple was enlarged by Herod in the years just before the birth of Jesus.
  
"And at the end of that time God's chosen leader will be killed unjustly. The city and the Temple will be destroyed by the invading army..." (Daniel 9:26)

Jesus is the "chosen leader" that came to "rededicate" the Temple, but as foretold by Daniel, was "killed unjustly". Since Jesus did not "rededicate the Temple" at that time it remains to be done upon His return.  

Jerusalem and the second Temple were "destroyed" by the Roman Empire in 70 AD, and the Jews were scattered among the nations where they have remained for almost 1900 years. Around 1917 a remnant of Jews began returning to the land of Israel and declared its independence on May 14, 1948. They have fought with the surrounding Arab nations since that time. During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel gained control of the Temple mount for the first time since it was destroyed by the Roman Empire. Orthodox Jews have been trying to get the Israeli Knesset to allow them to build a third Temple ever since.  However, there are two holy shrines of Islam also on the Temple mount so the Israeli government has not allowed them to build the Temple in order to prevent a holy war with Islam.

There are 7 years left of Daniels 490 year vision to free Israel's "holy city from sin and evil", establish "eternal justice" and have the "holy Temple rededicated" by their Messiah Jesus.

Another Temple will be rebuilt soon. The plans are already complete and if you google the "Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement" you will find that Orthodox Jews are now prepared to start building on a moments notice.  

Daniel says a "ruler" will reach a "firm agreement with many people" which most likely will be the beginning of the final 7 years of Daniel's prophecy. That agreement will bring temporary peace to the region and allow the third Temple to be built along side the shrines of Islam.  However, in the middle of that 7 year deal, the agreement is broken and an "awful horror" will be placed on the "highest point" of the Temple.

"That ruler will have a firm agreement with many people for seven years, and when half this time is past, he will put an end to sacrifices and offerings." (Daniel 9:27)

If you want all of the details of what happens during the final 7 years read the book of Revelation.  Those of us who are "watching" for the return of Jesus should be looking for that deal to be made soon between Israel and the Arab nations.  All US Presidents beginning with President Carter, as well as the United Nations, have tried to get a peace deal between Israel and its Arab neighbors, but have failed so far.

Revelation Chapter 13 calls this "ruler" who negotiates the agreement a "beast". Nevertheless, He gets that deal made and will be praised by the whole world at first - even Republicans and Democrats will follow his advice and require all buying and selling under his "mark"...

"The beast forced all the people, small and great, rich and poor, slave and free, to have a mark placed on their right hands or on their foreheads. No one could buy or sell without this mark, that is, the beast's name or the number that stands for the name. This calls for wisdom. Whoever is intelligent can figure out the meaning of the number of the beast, because the number stands for the name of someone. Its number is 666." (Revelation 13:18)

This Deal Maker, the ruling "beast" of Revelation, will meet "the end which God has prepared for him" at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ! By the way, I wouldn't advice adopting his "mark" if you happen to be around when it is required - plant a garden!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

“…God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us (we also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), vivifies us together in Christ (in grace are you saved!) and rouses us together and seats us together among the celestials, in Christ Jesus, that, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace are you saved…it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:4-10)

Many refuse to believe the gift is free, yet Scripture is clear...

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

Most of humanity will have never heard the good news until it is a reality - after their resurrection when the “mortal has put on immortality”.

“...in Christ all shall be made alive…when this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying, death is swallowed up in Victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:22,54-55)

This is the season to celebrate the love of God.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. " (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Jesus is the Gift that keeps on Giving!

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Merry Christmas!

Prolepsis

Prolepsis is a figure of speech in which a future act or promise is represented as if presently existing or accomplished. It is used often in Scripture.

"For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died. And He died for the sake of all that those who are living should by no means still be living to themselves, but to the One dying and being roused for their sakes." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

That Christ Jesus died for the sake of all is a historical fact, however, the phrase "consequently all died" is prolepsis, a figure of speech in which all mankind is considered to have died when Jesus "died for the sake of all".  The result is that the "life" of all mankind is now "hid together with Christ in God".

"For you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God. Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)

The "our Life" refers to "all" mankind. That we will once again have "life" is a guaranteed future event which is so certain that the "new creation" is spoken of as if this primitive world has already passed by and "there has come new" - prolepsis.

"So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new! Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ, and is giving us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

When we grasp this wonderful truth and are at peace with God, we want to share the "word of conciliation" with the world as the "ambassadors" of Christ. Not from some pulpit, but everyday life - treating people the way Christ treated us. 

"For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified...For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching for Christ's sake, "Be conciliated to God!" For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God's righteousness in Him." (1 Corinthians 15:222 Corinthians 5:20-21)

God is at peace with mankind and we are to do our best to tell people about it so they can have peace toward God - not terrified about what He might do to them. Reconciliation is peace between two parties - mankind and God.  God has already made His peace with mankind at the cross - he is "conciliated" but it is a one sided peace until individuals make their peace with God - then there is "reconciliation" - a peace between all parties.  People experience the joy of reconciliation when in our mind we make peace with God.  And I am not talking about some free will choice to be saved from hell, that's religious myth.  I am referring to coming to a place where one realizes that God loves me with all my sin and is "not reckoning our offenses to us" - is NOT angry with us and has graciously saved us through the blood of Christ shed "for our sakes".

God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes." ..."and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavins." (Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:20)

I am saved, justified and reconciled to God - and so are you - but like Paul, I know it is a future manifestation.

"Not that I already obtained, or am already perfected. Yet I am pursuing, if I may be grasping also that for which I was grasped also by Christ Jesus. Brethren, not as yet am I reckoning myself to have grasped, yet one thing -- forgetting, indeed, those things which are behind, yet stretching out to those in front -- toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

I can speak of my salvation as if it has already occured, prolepsis - because the very Word of God is behind the promise.  That is good enough for me.

Freeing Fools

"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere" - Voltaire

Paul knew this first hand. He would say to the Galatians...

"O foolish Galatians! Who bewitches you?...for freedom Christ frees us!" (Galatians 3:1; 5:1)

Freed them from what?

Christ freed them from the impossible task of saving themselves by doing good works. Christ Jesus covered our sin with his blood and gives us righteousness before God "IN HIM".

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all mankind... Christ Jesus who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed" ... "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God IN HIM." (Titus 2:11,14; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

We do not become righteous by our good works or by OUR faith in Christ..but by "the faith OF Christ" Jesus...it is a gift from God "IN HIM".

"There is none righteous, not even one...being justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation, through Him." (Romans 3:10; 5:9)
Attention all political and religious "do-gooders", keep it up because it is a good thing - BUT - all the good works in the world will not make one person righteous before God.

"...a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith OF Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall no flesh at all be justified." (Galatians 2:16 CLNT)
I know, some translations have "IN" where the KJV and CLNT has "OF", i've read many of them - but the oldest and best Greek manuscripts read "faith OF Christ".

Our faith in him simply allows us to rejoice in what He has done on our behalf. So rejoice in the truth that you and those you care about have been Reconciled by the "BLOOD" OF CHRIST, Justified by the "FAITH" OF CHRIST, and will be Saved from death at the "RETURN" OF CHRIST to free us from death.

"For freedom Christ frees us".

And oh by the way - treat others like you appreciate it!