Continuing with conviction of the Spirit vs man made manipulation.
In light of John 16:8 it is hard to understand the concept of bending over backwards to have people feel comfortable and "fit in" to a church. In fact; I would even go so far as to say it wouldn't be a bad slogan for a church to say in their bulletin that people should "plan to feel UNcomfortable" in their services. How can the fear of the Lord be something which is entertaining to anyone?
How can to so called "hole in men's hearts that only God can fill" appeal to anyone who doesn't conceive their own hopelessness before a righteous and Holy God who they have offended and continue to do so as long as they are unregenerate? ( Psalm 7:11-13). God is angry with the wicked every day; and it is truly sad that many don't get that to appreaciate His love; mercy; and kindness that we have to understand who we are and what great cost it was that He had to send His only Son to die in our stead.
We need something powerful enough to stand against an intractable foe; who seeks to kill; steal and destroy. Let's be real; if a church wants to seek and save the lost they won't be focusing so much time on flashy entertainment; and expensive building projects but will focus on missionary efforts. Many have bought into either careless giving with unscrupulous ministries that are not biblically sound or doing a bunch of service projects without the MAIN priority being presenting the Gospel. We can't err on the other side either with resources; but I have found it is often individual efforts of laypersons on a consistant basis that have more effect than occasional outings where everything tends to be rather scripted. And of course there is the BIG issue of cult personalities where noteriety becomes a snare; sadly that seems to have occured with Billy Graham when he didn't protest having a star in hollywood with his name on a pavement. SEE LUKE 16:15. We don't need approval of politicians or the world.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. ( 2 Cor. 7:10).
Giving careful thought to the subject at hand I thought I would mention some more scripture. Romans 14:17 says:
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Understanding sin; first of all has to go beyond what we are used to in this world. Our actions are sinful; and our bodies corrupted but nothing is inherently evil about the physical part of man; indeed we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" ( Psalm 139:14). Jesus demonstrated as a perfect man that he could weep; eat; drink; and sleep as others did but set an example of serving rather than being served ( Matthew 20:28). All things are right in their place; physical intimacy in the marriage bed ( Heb. 13:4) is one good example. Killing a man in defence of a family or serving in the armed services is diametrically opposed to murdering someone out of spite.
As believers; we should find not only repugnant the desires we once had of the world flesh and the Devil but also find that what was once the obsession of our daily lives; although we are to work diligently to serve the Lord and continue with our families whenever possible the everyday procedures are strangely dim; as it were to our heavenly hope which we have now "seated in heavenly places" ( Eph. 2:6). Our focus goes away from OURSELVES and to the Body of Christ as well as seeking to reach the lost. Proverbs 11:30 says The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Again; as per some of my older posts in regard to the Christian "music industry" as well as many megachurches or those supposedly exercising "manifestations" which of these exactly is causing conviction of sin to occur and is focused on God's righteousness? Finally where is the Godly fear of His wrath; that is what brings revival
8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." ( Revelation 5:13)
"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." ( John 20:29).
Starting with the middle verse; I thought it interesting to consider that IF this is to be taken chronologically; IMMEDIATELY after the Rapture and before the onset of the first seal being opened; everyone will praise God and Christ. I had originally noted that this occurs at the sixth seal; when mankind runs away from God and realizes His judgments have begun. This brings to mind what was said in the passage from John; we don't want to wake up in the Tribulation and have to face the horrors of that time and martyrdom to boot which will be the basic change once everything is revealed; the church age is over and the saints are to be overcome ( Daniel 7:25).
The Spirit reflects Christ in its operation. When Jesus spoke it was often in regard to bringing out the full meaning of the law (lust and anger) as general teaching to the crowd; or specific allegations to a group of Pharisees in particular as well as lawyers.
The Spirit causes individuals to have a general conviction of sin because we have a sense of God's holiness against our own condition. The end result of sin is death ( Romans 6:23) and hell. Godly sorrow brings repentance (and life) worldly sorrow death.
God"s Word says: "Walk in the Spirit and you'll not fulfill the lusts of the flesh," ( Galatians 5;16) Romans 14:23 says that everything that is not of faith is sin", so it is not possible to walk in the Spirit without being in the word of God. Only you know if you've ever really repented of your sins, which is the only way of entering God's eternal Kingdom. Asking Jesus into the heart is not repentance, which is done so often today, by a person speaking words for someone else to repeat, which might sound like some kind of confession, but is nothing other than empty words, not coming from the heart of the one repeating them, as required for real repentance, as called for in scripture! God's Word says:"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation! Such asking of Jesus is directly against a very clear commandment of Jesus, in John 16:23, as to him telling his disciples that they were not to ask anything of him, after his death, burial, and resurrection, but rather to ask of the Father in his name, the name of Jesus.
"And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, i say unto you, Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name He will give it you." John 16:23
Dear One. The precious name of Jesus, is your access to the Father's Throne of Grace, to ask forgivness, if you've never done so, If you have so repented, it is still the Father to whom you are to direct all prayer, as Jesus early on gave his disciples the LORD's prayer as to how they were to pray to the Father! Prayers for you, here, unto the Father.
he will give it you.God's Word says:"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
It seems you are struggling with the fruit of salvation.
This is an area we all struggle with to some degree.
However if you are a born again believer and truly "TRUSTING IN THE WORK OF CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICIAL WORK ON THE CROSS" those wages has been paid in full.
Sin brought on death.
That's why we are to be born Again by the working of the Holyspirit. This is more precisely "Born from above"
Now we have Christ spirit working in us.
John 16:8 says the Holyspirit will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
He will reprove it or show it to be wrong.
No amount of preaching, pleading, or pointing of fingers will bring about the conviction of sin, unless the Holy Spirit is at work in the sinner's heart!
So God bless you Bryanna!
The most basic sin of which the world is guilty is unbelief.
Once a person responds to the Spirit's conviction and turns to faith in Christ, the other sins he practiced will be taken care of. It is the sin of unbelief "a refusal to trust in Jesus is what is primary.
Romans 6:20-22 reads,"For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?
for the end of those things is death.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Justification, Righteousness and Sanctification.
We have "been justified by his blood" ( Romans 5:9), and part of that justification is an imputation of His own righteousness.
Christ righteousness has been imputed over to us.
Romans 5:8-10. 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Romans 3:22
sums it up as well.
That does not mean we automatically do what is right, that will come through the process of sanctification.
If we don't have assurance of salvation then of course we are fickle in any witnessing endeavors and it is hard to reflect the hope within us ( 1 Peter 3:15). We must have confidence and as Phillipians 1:28 states And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
Part of this is giving a bold defense of judgment to come as John 16:8 states is how the Spirit works on men's hearts. If we doubt ourselves because of what men think; or somehow think we can dodge verses that state categorically that what is stated in 2 Timothy 3:12 about all who are Godly suffering persecution we are only fooling ourselves. Society today has gone to great lengths to ensure we don't offend anyone but the Gospel IS an offense ( 1 Peter 2:8). Having a proper foundation of scripture is necessary to give a sound testimony. Hell and judgment should be taught with fear and trembling; not with a proud attitude but nonetheless must be preached.
We have made too much of presentation in form rather than substance with a sideshow of music and a "two spoonfuls of sugar make the medicine go down" to quote an old tune probably not familiar to young folks here. Revelation 10:10 states that although it tastes sweet it was bitter in the stomach (in regard to the prophetic words John was to speak). When we are surrendured to the Spirit we will see reactions like the jailor in Acts 16:30 "what must I do to be saved?" NOWHERE in scripture to we see pleading and cajoling for any individual to be saved. God draws all those who He eventually saves; so we should let Him do the work and get out of the way ourselves and any agenda that isn't Biblically sound. Only the Spirit convicts of sin and until it does that work we can only sow a seed. The numbers game where prizes are offered when a certain number of new converts a day make a confession is an abomination.
The indwelling Spirit is counted as one with the man. Jesus assured,"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:/Of sin, because they believe not on me."( John 16:8-9). This being the case whosoever follows strange doctrine does so at his own peril. He has effectively quenched the Holy Spirit. The Parable of the Five foolish virgins explain it. Number Five shows this unity of the Spirit whereby the man anointed by the Spirit is five. Grieving Holy Spirit doesnot let off the guilty.
In Ezekiel We see the glory of God departing the house. In vv.14-17 "So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of theLordwas strong upon me." This foreshadows the anointing of the Holy Spirit because of which his sheep are to be restrained in the house as Ezekiel was. "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."
As witnesses for Christ are we doing our job well?
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house."(Ez.3:24). The risen Christ has left 'his house' and every one of us to be watchful and faithful. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house," and "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."He.3:6)
Scripture Interpretation: Part 2 on introduction to the law and differences in Old and New Testaments
A general concept as pointed out in my last post is that the Old Testament law and sacrifices had temporal methods and sufficiency and were based on behaviors of Israel as to whether blessings or cursings resulted. The Spirit of God was more transient and was no guarantee of salvation such as seen in the example of Saul's prophesying as well as Baalam's repeated attempts to curse Israel and being overtaken to make proclamations under the influence of the Holy Spirit. David even asked God not to remove His Holy Spirit as apparently happened with Saul who needed David to play music for a temporary "fix" to his bizarre disorders.
John 16:8 essentially gives indication of permanent residence of the Father and Son in a believer and thus sealing them until the Day of Redemption. What we cannot do is glibly assume we are saved without testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith; and certain behaviors especially illustrated in Corinthians show the result of sickness and death with communion taken unworthily and the case of the man sleeping with his father's wife. There is always hope of repentance if someone is alive; but we cannot continue a LIFESTYLE of sin and be presumptuous thinking God will overlook our sin as an exception to His rule for the rest of mankind.
Matthew 5:17 states that Christ came not to abolish but fulfill the law and the prophets. This is a segway into the second theme in this introduction: Prophecy...
INTRO.
Prophecy begins with Genesis 3:15 in the garden with the serpent being told that he would receive a deadly wound and that Christ would recieve a wound on the heel (the seed of the woman representing the virgin Birth and the wound that of His piercing on the cross). Jesus was the end of Prophecy as THE Prophet; but in real time we still see Him as the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1; and we still see 2 Prophets in Rev. 11.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.
We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.
Romans 2:9 states: There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile..
(NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).
Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).
Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
Today people are often identified by their political affiliation or the community that they identify as "politically correct". In reality this often makes a particular sin the sum of their identity (such as those in the pro choice or same sex attraction crowd.) We don't see such titles given for individuals committing such activities in scripture; where infanticide was performed by those who would identify as idol worshippers (Molech worshippers for example); or sodomites would often be classified by their social status as to who was the perpetrator and who was the victim of such atrocities in the time of Christ. 1 Kings 14:24 talks in general about sodomites and the abominations that they were involved with; and it seems that they did live in the same area as we see with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah thousands of years before Christ.
We need to take heart; as we see in the story of Jonah that even the most wicked people can repent. Today it seems mainly with individuals who are "detransitioning" for instance that the Lord indeed can change people; and when we see legislation against preaching such truths those who used to live that lifestyle of course are most affected. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 identifies those now sanctified as believers who used to live sinful lifestyles. While it is true that there are particular sins; such as shedding of innocent blood that God particularly hates ( Proverbs 6:16-19); all sin leads to death. Clearly at this point the world doesn't celebrate someone who identifies themselves as a thief; extortioner; murderer and some other things but we should expect that it will once we get to the Tribulation or perhaps sooner when "anyone who kills you will think that they are doing God a favor." ( John 16:2).
We need also to get beyond the stereotypes the world is giving us of those in the LGBTQ+. Some are conservatives and some liberal politically for instance. More later.
The Holy Spirit-the God of the earth-Re.11:4-take a look,he does not confound himself with what He Himself speaks and writes, with the things the spirit that is in man also speaks and writes, according the spirit of man that is in him,it means, in the mind or heart of man.Heb.4:12-13 reveal how he discerns thoughts and intents of the heart(of man). What does the Word of GOD say? John 3:31-34:
31 He that come from above is above all(the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth sent by JESUS who proceede from the Father- John 15:26 combined with John 16:12-15.Take a look):he that is of the earth is earthly,and speaks of the earth.He that comes from heaven is above all.
32And what he has seen and heard,that(only that)he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that GOD is true.
34For he whom GOD has sent speaks the words of GOD:for GOD gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.
That said,who will believe in the messenger sent here by JESUS from the part of the Father-Joo 15:26-, to announce the everlasting gospel,unto them that dwell on the earth,and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people?(Re.14:6 combined with Re.11:15-18,and 1Thes.4:16,and Daniel 12:1-3,and Luke 18:8, and 21:24,and Re.11:2.Take a look)
What is the message of the everlasting Gospel?The angel MUST walks in the midst of heaven(heaven?Eph.1:3-8),having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people,SAYING: Re.14:7, with a loud voice,Fear GOD,and give glory to Him;for the hour of His Judgment is come(the righteous Judgment of GOD, the Judgment Seat of of Christ):and saying:worship Him that made heaven(next heaven, the 3rd- Luke 20:35-36),and earth(Israel-the true Israelites saved and sealed-Re.7:1-8:),and the sea(Gentile nations-peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues)and the fountains of waters(the Holy Scriptures- John 7:38.Take a look.
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,"
Here Jesus spells out to the church at Philadelphia what he means by works. Jesus in his majesty refers to the word of my patience. One we can speak with authority. He is shown having the key of David. It is a hint to the church his message is as the king of kings so the temporal powers cannot prevail upon them. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."( John 16:33).Persecution of the church from the Jewish brethren (synagogue of Satan), as as from the Imperial Rome must be set in context of his words of comfort. Jesus addresses them of an open door set before them. It is open and in the context of his assertion,"I am the way" we can rest assured that the door shall never be closed since it is according to the Scriptures. His usage, "Behold" also helps us understand he is the Word become flesh and he is now speaking as the overcomer. What he has opened no power on earth shall close it. He is the Savior of the world.
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
While speaking of patience we have another word of comfort, "In your patience possess ye your souls."( Luke 21:19) Of what worth is your soul and what does the earthly tabernacle signify for you are pendent upon patience which as made manifest in Jesus Christ. It is part of works while you are dead in Christ and abide in him. This is Christian Living. There is no cultural osmosis with the world required. It is a simple question whether one takes the open door. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture./The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life."
Chris, my belief regarding JESUS sat at the right hand of the Father, it is not by your very poor testimony of Him, but by the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD Himself, GOD the Father, understand? Hebrews 1:1-3 among other biblical references.Take a look. The testimony of the Word -the Word is GOD - it is greater than yours, understand? Or isn't it?
You called God "(Theos); Father (Patter;Abba-more intimate); Lord(Kurios), well, by the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD, you are saying nothing, your testimony about GOD in your post is irrelevant, insignificant, it was not by the Spirit of Christ, and it was not by the Spirit of Truth and John 16:12-15 confirm / endorse what I am just saying. Unfortunately you keep snaking in devilish doctrines and tares sowed by the Wicked one. --> By the way, "It is GOD that sitteth upon the circle of the Earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers- Isaiah 40:22. Indeed, this revelation which GOD did give to Isaiah explains or suggests why there is not Life in whole Universe except in the Earth, I mean out of the Earth there is not in whole Universe the variety of Life that there is in the Earth, because GOD is sat upon the circle of the Earth.
To finish, you have cited in your posts the NAME of GOD as being the esoteric, and kabbalistic, and spiritist JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YHWH, ADONAI, EL SHADAI, HaSHEM, so I quoted John 17:6 where my Lord JESUS in His prayer said to the Father that He had MANIFESTED His NAME to the MEN that He, GOD the Father, had given to Him, So I asked UNTO you: What is the GOD's NAME my Lord JESUS MANIFESTED to the men?
Now, now, from your knowledge you said here the names mentioned above are NAMES of GOD, so I wanted to know which of these NAMES of GOD my Lord JESUS would have manifested to the men? The question is mine, not yours, I'm waiting you response.
It is true Ronald, that most of those Scriptures you've cited certainly show that there is only One God & none else. I can wholeheartedly agree with that belief, that we together share in.
You also mentioned the Holy Spirit. Without introducing the Holy Spirit into this thread but for the sake of comparison & meditation, I'm sure you wouldn't deny that God sent out His Spirit to accomplish His Work in the World & in hearts ( John 16:7-11, & others). How can God send out His Spirit, & yet be Who He is, without being grossly deficient in His Being? Is God now Spirit-less since the Holy Spirit has been sent into the World & how can the Spirit also be dissected into millions of 'parts' (Spirits), filling each true believer with Himself, i.e. with God's Presence in them? Likewise, if God can do so with His Spirit & still be Spirit Himself, & this is a mystery to us, can He not also do so with His Word? Does this leave God devoid of knowledge, speech or thought, because He sent out His Word first by the prophets, then in & through His Son? ( Hebrews 1:1-3). The difference here now is, this Word was not just a spoken Word, but the "Word was made flesh". We couldn't say this, nor have read that any prophet of the OT, having received the Word, was made flesh.
With the many Scriptures that have already been given, I find it very reasonable to believe that this Word was treated just as God did with His Spirit. God sent out His Word in the olden days via His prophets, but the time had come when His Word would be sent out in His Son. If all we had was the account in Matthew 1:20-25 that Mary gave birth to a special Son, from the Holy Seed of God, then yes, this appearance of this One called Emmanuel & Jesus, was indeed a fresh creation by God to bring out His Word, not just in speech form, but in demonstration of the Holiness of God, His Power, His Love, & ultimately, His Sacrifice. Onto Page 2.
Our Lord JESUS always said in advance what would go to happen to Him. For example Matthew 16:21: ->From that time forth began JESUS to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Well, by the same Spirit of our Lord JESUS, we can say that each passing day His people, the believers, get closer to the beginning of the last seven years of the Devil's world- Matthew 24:15-25, and will also enter within the worst of evil environments, created and established by the Devil in whole Earth.
Get ready, yeah, get ready
Re.2:25-29
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a ROD of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him HEAR what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Re.9:1-3 & 6 & 11-12
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
12 One WOE is past; and, behold, there come TWO WOES woes more hereafter. --> John 16:12-15
Your second question: "If Jesus was preexisting, an immortal being, God the son. How can an immortal being die?" There are varying beliefs about Jesus' position in Heaven prior to His incarnation. I rather simply accept John 1:1-18, John 14:10,11, John 16:27,28, 1 John 5:7, that Jesus came forth from God. Did He come out as a Divine Being in the presence of God, to be made a human for the sake of death, or did God take His Own Word & give Him flesh for this very purpose? We don't have a problem of God sending out His Spirit & the Spirit's indwelling in every believer (can He even be dissected?), but to send His Word out, clothe Him in a body, unnerves many.
"How can an immortal being die? How can God be tempted...How can God die?" God is Spirit - He is Immortal - He can never die. No one, having a spirit from God, can die - the body will perish, but who can destroy the spirit which cannot be touched by age or man's devices? But if the immortal is given a body, as Jesus received, or even as we also have to house our spirits, then the body will die but the spirit lives on. Can God take on flesh? A mystery no human can fully fathom, but truly "a body hast thou prepared me" ( Hebrews 10:5-7, taken from Psalm 40:6-8). So Jesus could be tempted & could die whilst in the body, and so in His complete identification with sinful men in need of salvation, Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us:
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." "thought it not robbery" = Jesus didn't grasp onto/retain His equality with God, but 'emptied Himself' ('ekenosen'), laying aside His Glory, to become a Man, obedient to death that which was the Father's Plan.
Good to hear from you, very good question. First, the Roman Church elevated Mary to the queen of heaven the same title as Tammuz's mother we see Israel worshiping. They say she ascended to heaven and much more. If we look at Acts we see Paul said that David is still in his tomb and has not ascended to heaven, Acts 2:29 and Acts 2:34. Many believe after Jesus was resurrected saints were also resurrected and are in heaven and many pray to them. My understanding is no one has been resurrected all are in the grave asleep in death.
When God through His Spirit the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead He placed Jesus above all that is in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, Philippians 2:9-11. God placed Jesus on His right hand on the throne of God, therefore giving Jesus the power of the throne.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Jesus also said John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
God the Father and Jesus will dwell in us by the Spirit, not in temples made by hands like Jesus said in John 4:21-23 and we see in 1 Corinthians 3:16. We see in 1 John 4:12-16 it is by the Spirit that Jesus who is sitting on the right side of God on the throne of God as the only mediator between us and God has been given the power of the throne until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:27-28.
My humble understanding it is by the Spirit of God/Holy Spirit that Jesus can see and hear all. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and His God is our God the Father as Jesus said to Mary John 20:17.
Hello Adam. I consider your question through two separate perspectives: one, before the incarnation of the Word of God and the other, after it. From my readings of the whole Word of God, I don't believe that the writers of the OT nor their hearers would have understood any other concept or acceptance of the God's Nature other than 'He is One & there is none beside Him' (e.g. Isaiah 45:5.6).
Even the "Shema Yisrael" ( Deuteronomy 6:4,5) is Israel's central belief & affirmation on the singularity of God's Person, & any suggestion of a 'compound' Nature of God would be anathema. Also Isaiah 53:1-12 and Isaiah 9:6,7 references to a coming Messiah, which should clearly reveal the Divine Nature of a Coming One, is discarded by them, then & now. So, anything of a Triune God must be rejected by the Jew, & only the operation of God by His Spirit (i.e. God revealing Himself & working before them) should be acceptable to them (e.g. Psalm 51:10,11; Isaiah 11:2; & many others). As believers though, we can see the Triune God in operation in the whole Bible, but Israel is blinded to this Truth & their hearts hardened.
When Jesus came & spoke (e.g. John 16:27,28; John 17:5), He declared His Divine Nature, that which was not revealed before. So your reference ( Matthew 22:32), speaks primarily of the One Nature of God; but to those who believe, having received salvation through Jesus Christ, know that the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob was always the Triune God, Who would one day manifest Himself fully to a needy world: God's Word first by the prophets, now given through His Word made flesh ( Hebrews 1:1-3) . What Israel knew of the One God then, should have revealed the full Nature of a Triune God at the appearance of their Messiah. But their eyes were blinded & hearts hardened. Therefore, as Christians, I believe that we should see God (in the OT & NT) as a Triune God, manifesting Himself also as His Word and His Spirit going forth to accomplish His Will over His creation.
To quote 'we are looking at the name from the standpoint of God. He named the heaven, the earth and so on. So holiness of God as testified by his Son reflects on the name he acquired above every other name.' In the Book of Genesis' after making Adam a living soul God brings his creation to Adam. "And whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof."(Ge.2:19) As mentioned earlier the Spirit presents from the standpoint of the Father and the last book is about the fulfillment of the will of his Father. He is in his majesty and he promises the churches as an overcomer.
Jesus Christ was the Word become flesh and he overcame the world."In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."( John 16:33). So holiness of God, "Be ye holy for I am holy" is the characteristic of the holiness where his grace and truth rounds off each one. The name of the Father is written on His servants. The first fruits, " having his Father's name written in their foreheads.: have their new song. What Jesus Christ promised is the seal of righteousness like the amulet, "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death;"(The Song 8:6; Re.14:1-3)
Genesis began with, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." and the same after Jesus Christ has fulfilled the divine Will is seen from the POV of the church. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth." It is not God but John is recording it.
Jesus chose 12 disciples to indicate his ministry was of the Servant-King, as Son to his heavenly father.(See under N-numbers, command)
Principle of Association established a new order where it was enough that a servant was an associate as his master "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord".(Matt.10:25;40)
(See under S- servant)
Discipleship is a loaded word. It is not simply delivering doctrine of God to the world as heard of him. As associates of Jesus Christ it was the Life, which as Jesus declared was his logos aspect. Not only the Word but of the Son. One sign of their adequacy came when they could enter into the heart of the parables." His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God."( John 16:29-33) Their growth was begun when they stayed on trusting. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.( John 6:67-68)
Jesus declared that his doctrine was not of his own but that of his Father. He established the cardinal principle of discipleship: Man is the massage. Jesus set an example and he promised a double portion because he was going to his father.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."( John 14:12)
We had this point earlier also discussed in this forum. Macheira in Greek is knife and in the context of the account as set down by the Spirit it was not everyday life he is placing emphasis as with an eye towards their calling. "I have overcome the world"( John 16:33) is a direct statement from Jesus. So it is appropriate to take it as sword, a ceremonial one at that. With joy and peace,
Jeremiah 17:8 along with Psalm 1 bring out the benefits of a tree whose roots are planted near the water. This steadfast faith in the Lord is contrasted in the next verse which describes the vicissitudes of the heart of unregenerate man. These vital concepts describe the state of a soul; who needs to be vigilant to bearing fruit and testing themselves to see if they are in the faith is a necessary prerequisite ( 2 Cor. 13:5). Those who do not bear fruit are cut off and burned; a figurative statement describing a very real state of the lost at Judgment Day (see John 15:2).
Surely all flesh is as grass ( 1 Peter 1:24) and like a vapor this life soon passes away ( James 4:14). Eternity is in men's hearts showing that indeed the nature of man is for their spirit to live forever after the body and soul perish ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). This means their legacy is either eternal glory and recognition of those things done while living for the Lord; or eternal damnation for the lack thereof. (see Matthew 25:34 and associated verses).
There is some hope for us who still are producing works of wood; hay and stubble ( 2 Tim. 2:21-23) to change to better works if we have a foundation in Christ ( 1 Cor. 3:11). This results in varying degrees or levels in the harvest and subsequent reward for those who are saved (see also Mark 4:20).
Those in the flesh and not Born Again can only interpret what they see around them in the world (the actions of others who serve as their peers and interpreted through their own understanding). God alone as I see it through predestination determines who will be saved. On our end it takes a fair evaluation of who we really are as compared to a righteous God which then leads to godly sorrow and repentance (which is indeed a gift from God as about half a dozen scriptures indicate). John 16:8 must enlighten us to our desperate plight that SHOULD be aided by proper evangelism appealing for individuals to repent.
I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine who is a young Pastor last week. In it; he was lamenting an individual who claimed that Christ died for him (or her). This was because the evidence of it through this person's behavior would indicate otherwise. It is indeed true and necessary that we all have a personal understanding and experience in regard to salvific faith and repentance granted in regard to being one of God's elect if indeed we are saved. Clearly "accepting" Christ as Lord isn't really doing anything beyond what demons do and shudder ( James 2:19). Confession with the mouth and belief in the heart must coexist ( Romans 10:9-10); it is more than just a verbal declaration of facts. Nonetheless there should be some understanding of the atonement; as well as evidence that the heart has been changed with the spirit convicting of sin; righteousness and judgment to come ( John 16:8). As the Lord states "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" ( Matt. 12:34 and other related verses in New and Old Testament). What John 3:16 is indicating is a state of belief; not merely a one time thing (as translated correctly). Enduring to the end shows that it isn't our own strength which brings about this result; since we all struggle with sin as long as we live ( 1 John 1:8). Nonetheless we have the capacity to live a life of Holiness; since greater is He within us than he who is in the world ( 1 John 4:4).
There are variations of strengths and weaknesses that we all have; some are steeped in doctrines but rather cold in affection towards God; others seem to be caught up in experiences at the expense of wisdom from the Word; and often they seem to have little grasp of repentance or deem it not worthy in very much discussion. There is ample substance in the Word for the Spirit to enlighten us; and any personal vision or dream must be subject to the Word; if in variance then it must be discarded.
Isaiah 30:10 warns about people wanting to hear "smooth things" being prophesied. Such may be the case for those who wish to invoke blessings on themselves for any other reasons than scripturally backed statements. Galations 5:19-21 is one of about ONE HUNDRED verses warning us about those who do NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. This is something also found in Ephesians 5:5; the book of 1 Corinthians; Hebrews; Romans; Revelation AND the Gospels.
To remind God of blessings promised in the Scriptures; if done in the correct way is honoring to God. Without discernment; however we may not be aware of what this means; and also if we are living in a sinful lifestyle we are trying to deliberately ask for something we cannot have as long as we refuse to submit to the Lord and we are producing bad fruit.
The church much like Israel has certain CONDITIONAL as well as unconditional promises. The POSSESSING church (that is those who have the Holy Spirit and are truly saved) is and always will be a subset in this age of the confessing or professing body of believers (i.e. the church). The difference is there are some who believe in the true God and others in a God of their own imaginations; fitting the parameters that a person finds reasonable; or comfortable living with by mentally cherry picking what appeals from the Word and filing the unpleasant verses somewhere in the cobwebs in the back of their mind.
God is no respecter of persons ( Acts 10:34 also Romans 2). He does whatever He chooses and we know for certain that He desires glory for Himself and no other. (See Isaiah 42:8). John 16:10 shows how God seeks glory for the Son; therefore His desire for worship is never selfish as He always does the Father's will. This is selfless love and shows an example of how we are to live. If we thank God for things in our lives that bring us into sin such as excess money for greedy gain ( Titus 1:11); we are only heaping greater condemnation on ourselves.
In the last of the three chapters we are examining the doctrine of God as Jesus applied in his own life so we look our own lives under the true Light and it is like a candle we search our inner lives by the in-house tutor. (Pr.20:27). He assured us,"ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."( John 16:24). Joy is fruit of the Spirit. If this is the truth one need seriously examine wherefore joy is missing from abiding life. St Paul testified amidst all kinds of adversities and perils, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."(Ph.4:4)
Abiding life means we have let the risks and irksome minutiae of swimming against the currents into our Redeemer Lord and let our faith go along with His lead. He is our Good Shepherd. There is no split in our eye of faith and what our natural eyes behold. Where such a contrary worlds a believer creates we have the situation found in our key text. He has a public persona which is completely odd with his inner vision. He professes like a lamb but if let he is ready to shred whosoever stands in his way. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." The proof is in their fruits, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."(7:16-20)
There is no escaping from God the Father of lights who in giving his Son the redemption of our souls expect clarity in our purpose and walk. Do not expect one may indulge Jesus talk and fool all but God is not fooled by his crooked shadow.
Thank you for your reply. However, my point is what JESUS said and what we have learned from Him establishing here the 2nd Covenant. By the way, remember what my Lord JESUS said: Matthew 12:42
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the Judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
My Lord JESUS said that "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you- John 16:13-15.
About works of men, JESUS said: Maatthew 12:34-45
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
I would respectively disagree here; as filthy garments vs unspotted and unwrinkled ones (see Eph. 5:27). We are responsible as believers who; upon salvation would receive white; clean garments to maintain them. This is what differentiates us from the O.T. as you brought out; now we have Christ's righteousness available to us through the Spirit; but we can allow ourselves to become tarnished from the world; flesh and the Devil. Dying to self now involves daily discipline and perseverance through trials; and for some martyrdom.
Revelation 5 I believe is symbolic of believers that need to purify themselves through martyrdom. Whether these are believers who are lukewarm and left behind certainly seems plausible to me. If it is new believers; it shows that the only real way to bear fruit at that time is through death; unlike now when we have the opportunity to do so through functions we practice largely in the corporate Body but not exclusively. There simply will not be room for compromise; and at that time as the book of Daniel indicates the saints will be overcome; unlike now when the gates of hell will NOT prevail against the church. This will be at the time when ALL nations will hate us; and kill us thinking they are doing God a favor ( John 16:2). This as I see it is likely with the Apostate church who will be the only organized religion after the Rapture; and likely this is a separate event from the martyrs who refuse the Mark of the Beast later on; after Satan goes after all the false AND true religion to get all the glory for himself; thus overthrowing the "Mystery Babylon" system.
I will agree that fear and spiritual oppression are what really cause defeat; many times fear of death and persecution. Yet it is true freedom and release and nothing to fear to die in Christ once we pass this earthly existance. Some; I feel are hidden and God will use the Tribulation to violently sift the wheat so to speak to bear fruit (Tribulum concept)
In light of John 16:8 it is hard to understand the concept of bending over backwards to have people feel comfortable and "fit in" to a church. In fact; I would even go so far as to say it wouldn't be a bad slogan for a church to say in their bulletin that people should "plan to feel UNcomfortable" in their services. How can the fear of the Lord be something which is entertaining to anyone?
How can to so called "hole in men's hearts that only God can fill" appeal to anyone who doesn't conceive their own hopelessness before a righteous and Holy God who they have offended and continue to do so as long as they are unregenerate? ( Psalm 7:11-13). God is angry with the wicked every day; and it is truly sad that many don't get that to appreaciate His love; mercy; and kindness that we have to understand who we are and what great cost it was that He had to send His only Son to die in our stead.
We need something powerful enough to stand against an intractable foe; who seeks to kill; steal and destroy. Let's be real; if a church wants to seek and save the lost they won't be focusing so much time on flashy entertainment; and expensive building projects but will focus on missionary efforts. Many have bought into either careless giving with unscrupulous ministries that are not biblically sound or doing a bunch of service projects without the MAIN priority being presenting the Gospel. We can't err on the other side either with resources; but I have found it is often individual efforts of laypersons on a consistant basis that have more effect than occasional outings where everything tends to be rather scripted. And of course there is the BIG issue of cult personalities where noteriety becomes a snare; sadly that seems to have occured with Billy Graham when he didn't protest having a star in hollywood with his name on a pavement. SEE LUKE 16:15. We don't need approval of politicians or the world.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. ( 2 Cor. 7:10).
Giving careful thought to the subject at hand I thought I would mention some more scripture. Romans 14:17 says:
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Understanding sin; first of all has to go beyond what we are used to in this world. Our actions are sinful; and our bodies corrupted but nothing is inherently evil about the physical part of man; indeed we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" ( Psalm 139:14). Jesus demonstrated as a perfect man that he could weep; eat; drink; and sleep as others did but set an example of serving rather than being served ( Matthew 20:28). All things are right in their place; physical intimacy in the marriage bed ( Heb. 13:4) is one good example. Killing a man in defence of a family or serving in the armed services is diametrically opposed to murdering someone out of spite.
As believers; we should find not only repugnant the desires we once had of the world flesh and the Devil but also find that what was once the obsession of our daily lives; although we are to work diligently to serve the Lord and continue with our families whenever possible the everyday procedures are strangely dim; as it were to our heavenly hope which we have now "seated in heavenly places" ( Eph. 2:6). Our focus goes away from OURSELVES and to the Body of Christ as well as seeking to reach the lost. Proverbs 11:30 says The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Again; as per some of my older posts in regard to the Christian "music industry" as well as many megachurches or those supposedly exercising "manifestations" which of these exactly is causing conviction of sin to occur and is focused on God's righteousness? Finally where is the Godly fear of His wrath; that is what brings revival
8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." ( Revelation 5:13)
"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." ( John 20:29).
Starting with the middle verse; I thought it interesting to consider that IF this is to be taken chronologically; IMMEDIATELY after the Rapture and before the onset of the first seal being opened; everyone will praise God and Christ. I had originally noted that this occurs at the sixth seal; when mankind runs away from God and realizes His judgments have begun. This brings to mind what was said in the passage from John; we don't want to wake up in the Tribulation and have to face the horrors of that time and martyrdom to boot which will be the basic change once everything is revealed; the church age is over and the saints are to be overcome ( Daniel 7:25).
The Spirit reflects Christ in its operation. When Jesus spoke it was often in regard to bringing out the full meaning of the law (lust and anger) as general teaching to the crowd; or specific allegations to a group of Pharisees in particular as well as lawyers.
The Spirit causes individuals to have a general conviction of sin because we have a sense of God's holiness against our own condition. The end result of sin is death ( Romans 6:23) and hell. Godly sorrow brings repentance (and life) worldly sorrow death.
God"s Word says: "Walk in the Spirit and you'll not fulfill the lusts of the flesh," ( Galatians 5;16) Romans 14:23 says that everything that is not of faith is sin", so it is not possible to walk in the Spirit without being in the word of God. Only you know if you've ever really repented of your sins, which is the only way of entering God's eternal Kingdom. Asking Jesus into the heart is not repentance, which is done so often today, by a person speaking words for someone else to repeat, which might sound like some kind of confession, but is nothing other than empty words, not coming from the heart of the one repeating them, as required for real repentance, as called for in scripture! God's Word says:"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation! Such asking of Jesus is directly against a very clear commandment of Jesus, in John 16:23, as to him telling his disciples that they were not to ask anything of him, after his death, burial, and resurrection, but rather to ask of the Father in his name, the name of Jesus.
"And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, i say unto you, Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name He will give it you." John 16:23
Dear One. The precious name of Jesus, is your access to the Father's Throne of Grace, to ask forgivness, if you've never done so, If you have so repented, it is still the Father to whom you are to direct all prayer, as Jesus early on gave his disciples the LORD's prayer as to how they were to pray to the Father! Prayers for you, here, unto the Father.
he will give it you.God's Word says:"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
It seems you are struggling with the fruit of salvation.
This is an area we all struggle with to some degree.
However if you are a born again believer and truly "TRUSTING IN THE WORK OF CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICIAL WORK ON THE CROSS" those wages has been paid in full.
Sin brought on death.
That's why we are to be born Again by the working of the Holyspirit. This is more precisely "Born from above"
Now we have Christ spirit working in us.
John 16:8 says the Holyspirit will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
He will reprove it or show it to be wrong.
No amount of preaching, pleading, or pointing of fingers will bring about the conviction of sin, unless the Holy Spirit is at work in the sinner's heart!
So God bless you Bryanna!
The most basic sin of which the world is guilty is unbelief.
Once a person responds to the Spirit's conviction and turns to faith in Christ, the other sins he practiced will be taken care of. It is the sin of unbelief "a refusal to trust in Jesus is what is primary.
Romans 6:20-22 reads,"For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?
for the end of those things is death.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Justification, Righteousness and Sanctification.
We have "been justified by his blood" ( Romans 5:9), and part of that justification is an imputation of His own righteousness.
Christ righteousness has been imputed over to us.
Romans 5:8-10. 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Romans 3:22
sums it up as well.
That does not mean we automatically do what is right, that will come through the process of sanctification.
See part 2.
If we don't have assurance of salvation then of course we are fickle in any witnessing endeavors and it is hard to reflect the hope within us ( 1 Peter 3:15). We must have confidence and as Phillipians 1:28 states And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
Part of this is giving a bold defense of judgment to come as John 16:8 states is how the Spirit works on men's hearts. If we doubt ourselves because of what men think; or somehow think we can dodge verses that state categorically that what is stated in 2 Timothy 3:12 about all who are Godly suffering persecution we are only fooling ourselves. Society today has gone to great lengths to ensure we don't offend anyone but the Gospel IS an offense ( 1 Peter 2:8). Having a proper foundation of scripture is necessary to give a sound testimony. Hell and judgment should be taught with fear and trembling; not with a proud attitude but nonetheless must be preached.
We have made too much of presentation in form rather than substance with a sideshow of music and a "two spoonfuls of sugar make the medicine go down" to quote an old tune probably not familiar to young folks here. Revelation 10:10 states that although it tastes sweet it was bitter in the stomach (in regard to the prophetic words John was to speak). When we are surrendured to the Spirit we will see reactions like the jailor in Acts 16:30 "what must I do to be saved?" NOWHERE in scripture to we see pleading and cajoling for any individual to be saved. God draws all those who He eventually saves; so we should let Him do the work and get out of the way ourselves and any agenda that isn't Biblically sound. Only the Spirit convicts of sin and until it does that work we can only sow a seed. The numbers game where prizes are offered when a certain number of new converts a day make a confession is an abomination.
Thank you!
I have to remember the scripture
you sent. John 16:33
The other post had a misspelled word.
Sorry.
I have to rennet that one. Amen!
The indwelling Spirit is counted as one with the man. Jesus assured,"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:/Of sin, because they believe not on me."( John 16:8-9). This being the case whosoever follows strange doctrine does so at his own peril. He has effectively quenched the Holy Spirit. The Parable of the Five foolish virgins explain it. Number Five shows this unity of the Spirit whereby the man anointed by the Spirit is five. Grieving Holy Spirit doesnot let off the guilty.
In Ezekiel We see the glory of God departing the house. In vv.14-17 "So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of theLordwas strong upon me." This foreshadows the anointing of the Holy Spirit because of which his sheep are to be restrained in the house as Ezekiel was. "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."
As witnesses for Christ are we doing our job well?
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house."(Ez.3:24). The risen Christ has left 'his house' and every one of us to be watchful and faithful. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house," and "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."He.3:6)
A general concept as pointed out in my last post is that the Old Testament law and sacrifices had temporal methods and sufficiency and were based on behaviors of Israel as to whether blessings or cursings resulted. The Spirit of God was more transient and was no guarantee of salvation such as seen in the example of Saul's prophesying as well as Baalam's repeated attempts to curse Israel and being overtaken to make proclamations under the influence of the Holy Spirit. David even asked God not to remove His Holy Spirit as apparently happened with Saul who needed David to play music for a temporary "fix" to his bizarre disorders.
John 16:8 essentially gives indication of permanent residence of the Father and Son in a believer and thus sealing them until the Day of Redemption. What we cannot do is glibly assume we are saved without testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith; and certain behaviors especially illustrated in Corinthians show the result of sickness and death with communion taken unworthily and the case of the man sleeping with his father's wife. There is always hope of repentance if someone is alive; but we cannot continue a LIFESTYLE of sin and be presumptuous thinking God will overlook our sin as an exception to His rule for the rest of mankind.
Matthew 5:17 states that Christ came not to abolish but fulfill the law and the prophets. This is a segway into the second theme in this introduction: Prophecy...
INTRO.
Prophecy begins with Genesis 3:15 in the garden with the serpent being told that he would receive a deadly wound and that Christ would recieve a wound on the heel (the seed of the woman representing the virgin Birth and the wound that of His piercing on the cross). Jesus was the end of Prophecy as THE Prophet; but in real time we still see Him as the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1; and we still see 2 Prophets in Rev. 11.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.
We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.
(NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).
Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).
Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
Today people are often identified by their political affiliation or the community that they identify as "politically correct". In reality this often makes a particular sin the sum of their identity (such as those in the pro choice or same sex attraction crowd.) We don't see such titles given for individuals committing such activities in scripture; where infanticide was performed by those who would identify as idol worshippers (Molech worshippers for example); or sodomites would often be classified by their social status as to who was the perpetrator and who was the victim of such atrocities in the time of Christ. 1 Kings 14:24 talks in general about sodomites and the abominations that they were involved with; and it seems that they did live in the same area as we see with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah thousands of years before Christ.
We need to take heart; as we see in the story of Jonah that even the most wicked people can repent. Today it seems mainly with individuals who are "detransitioning" for instance that the Lord indeed can change people; and when we see legislation against preaching such truths those who used to live that lifestyle of course are most affected. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 identifies those now sanctified as believers who used to live sinful lifestyles. While it is true that there are particular sins; such as shedding of innocent blood that God particularly hates ( Proverbs 6:16-19); all sin leads to death. Clearly at this point the world doesn't celebrate someone who identifies themselves as a thief; extortioner; murderer and some other things but we should expect that it will once we get to the Tribulation or perhaps sooner when "anyone who kills you will think that they are doing God a favor." ( John 16:2).
We need also to get beyond the stereotypes the world is giving us of those in the LGBTQ+. Some are conservatives and some liberal politically for instance. More later.
The Holy Spirit-the God of the earth-Re.11:4-take a look,he does not confound himself with what He Himself speaks and writes, with the things the spirit that is in man also speaks and writes, according the spirit of man that is in him,it means, in the mind or heart of man.Heb.4:12-13 reveal how he discerns thoughts and intents of the heart(of man). What does the Word of GOD say? John 3:31-34:
31 He that come from above is above all(the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth sent by JESUS who proceede from the Father- John 15:26 combined with John 16:12-15.Take a look):he that is of the earth is earthly,and speaks of the earth.He that comes from heaven is above all.
32And what he has seen and heard,that(only that)he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that GOD is true.
34For he whom GOD has sent speaks the words of GOD:for GOD gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.
That said,who will believe in the messenger sent here by JESUS from the part of the Father-Joo 15:26-, to announce the everlasting gospel,unto them that dwell on the earth,and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people?(Re.14:6 combined with Re.11:15-18,and 1Thes.4:16,and Daniel 12:1-3,and Luke 18:8, and 21:24,and Re.11:2.Take a look)
What is the message of the everlasting Gospel?The angel MUST walks in the midst of heaven(heaven?Eph.1:3-8),having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,and kindred,and tongue,and people,SAYING: Re.14:7, with a loud voice,Fear GOD,and give glory to Him;for the hour of His Judgment is come(the righteous Judgment of GOD, the Judgment Seat of of Christ):and saying:worship Him that made heaven(next heaven, the 3rd- Luke 20:35-36),and earth(Israel-the true Israelites saved and sealed-Re.7:1-8:),and the sea(Gentile nations-peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues)and the fountains of waters(the Holy Scriptures- John 7:38.Take a look.
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,"
Here Jesus spells out to the church at Philadelphia what he means by works. Jesus in his majesty refers to the word of my patience. One we can speak with authority. He is shown having the key of David. It is a hint to the church his message is as the king of kings so the temporal powers cannot prevail upon them. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."( John 16:33).Persecution of the church from the Jewish brethren (synagogue of Satan), as as from the Imperial Rome must be set in context of his words of comfort. Jesus addresses them of an open door set before them. It is open and in the context of his assertion,"I am the way" we can rest assured that the door shall never be closed since it is according to the Scriptures. His usage, "Behold" also helps us understand he is the Word become flesh and he is now speaking as the overcomer. What he has opened no power on earth shall close it. He is the Savior of the world.
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
While speaking of patience we have another word of comfort, "In your patience possess ye your souls."( Luke 21:19) Of what worth is your soul and what does the earthly tabernacle signify for you are pendent upon patience which as made manifest in Jesus Christ. It is part of works while you are dead in Christ and abide in him. This is Christian Living. There is no cultural osmosis with the world required. It is a simple question whether one takes the open door. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture./The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life."
You called God "(Theos); Father (Patter;Abba-more intimate); Lord(Kurios), well, by the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD, you are saying nothing, your testimony about GOD in your post is irrelevant, insignificant, it was not by the Spirit of Christ, and it was not by the Spirit of Truth and John 16:12-15 confirm / endorse what I am just saying. Unfortunately you keep snaking in devilish doctrines and tares sowed by the Wicked one. --> By the way, "It is GOD that sitteth upon the circle of the Earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers- Isaiah 40:22. Indeed, this revelation which GOD did give to Isaiah explains or suggests why there is not Life in whole Universe except in the Earth, I mean out of the Earth there is not in whole Universe the variety of Life that there is in the Earth, because GOD is sat upon the circle of the Earth.
To finish, you have cited in your posts the NAME of GOD as being the esoteric, and kabbalistic, and spiritist JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YHWH, ADONAI, EL SHADAI, HaSHEM, so I quoted John 17:6 where my Lord JESUS in His prayer said to the Father that He had MANIFESTED His NAME to the MEN that He, GOD the Father, had given to Him, So I asked UNTO you: What is the GOD's NAME my Lord JESUS MANIFESTED to the men?
Now, now, from your knowledge you said here the names mentioned above are NAMES of GOD, so I wanted to know which of these NAMES of GOD my Lord JESUS would have manifested to the men? The question is mine, not yours, I'm waiting you response.
Be careful or else get ready
It is true Ronald, that most of those Scriptures you've cited certainly show that there is only One God & none else. I can wholeheartedly agree with that belief, that we together share in.
You also mentioned the Holy Spirit. Without introducing the Holy Spirit into this thread but for the sake of comparison & meditation, I'm sure you wouldn't deny that God sent out His Spirit to accomplish His Work in the World & in hearts ( John 16:7-11, & others). How can God send out His Spirit, & yet be Who He is, without being grossly deficient in His Being? Is God now Spirit-less since the Holy Spirit has been sent into the World & how can the Spirit also be dissected into millions of 'parts' (Spirits), filling each true believer with Himself, i.e. with God's Presence in them? Likewise, if God can do so with His Spirit & still be Spirit Himself, & this is a mystery to us, can He not also do so with His Word? Does this leave God devoid of knowledge, speech or thought, because He sent out His Word first by the prophets, then in & through His Son? ( Hebrews 1:1-3). The difference here now is, this Word was not just a spoken Word, but the "Word was made flesh". We couldn't say this, nor have read that any prophet of the OT, having received the Word, was made flesh.
With the many Scriptures that have already been given, I find it very reasonable to believe that this Word was treated just as God did with His Spirit. God sent out His Word in the olden days via His prophets, but the time had come when His Word would be sent out in His Son. If all we had was the account in Matthew 1:20-25 that Mary gave birth to a special Son, from the Holy Seed of God, then yes, this appearance of this One called Emmanuel & Jesus, was indeed a fresh creation by God to bring out His Word, not just in speech form, but in demonstration of the Holiness of God, His Power, His Love, & ultimately, His Sacrifice. Onto Page 2.
Well, by the same Spirit of our Lord JESUS, we can say that each passing day His people, the believers, get closer to the beginning of the last seven years of the Devil's world- Matthew 24:15-25, and will also enter within the worst of evil environments, created and established by the Devil in whole Earth.
Get ready, yeah, get ready
Re.2:25-29
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a ROD of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him HEAR what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Re.9:1-3 & 6 & 11-12
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
12 One WOE is past; and, behold, there come TWO WOES woes more hereafter. --> John 16:12-15
Your second question: "If Jesus was preexisting, an immortal being, God the son. How can an immortal being die?" There are varying beliefs about Jesus' position in Heaven prior to His incarnation. I rather simply accept John 1:1-18, John 14:10,11, John 16:27,28, 1 John 5:7, that Jesus came forth from God. Did He come out as a Divine Being in the presence of God, to be made a human for the sake of death, or did God take His Own Word & give Him flesh for this very purpose? We don't have a problem of God sending out His Spirit & the Spirit's indwelling in every believer (can He even be dissected?), but to send His Word out, clothe Him in a body, unnerves many.
"How can an immortal being die? How can God be tempted...How can God die?" God is Spirit - He is Immortal - He can never die. No one, having a spirit from God, can die - the body will perish, but who can destroy the spirit which cannot be touched by age or man's devices? But if the immortal is given a body, as Jesus received, or even as we also have to house our spirits, then the body will die but the spirit lives on. Can God take on flesh? A mystery no human can fully fathom, but truly "a body hast thou prepared me" ( Hebrews 10:5-7, taken from Psalm 40:6-8). So Jesus could be tempted & could die whilst in the body, and so in His complete identification with sinful men in need of salvation, Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us:
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." "thought it not robbery" = Jesus didn't grasp onto/retain His equality with God, but 'emptied Himself' ('ekenosen'), laying aside His Glory, to become a Man, obedient to death that which was the Father's Plan.
Good to hear from you, very good question. First, the Roman Church elevated Mary to the queen of heaven the same title as Tammuz's mother we see Israel worshiping. They say she ascended to heaven and much more. If we look at Acts we see Paul said that David is still in his tomb and has not ascended to heaven, Acts 2:29 and Acts 2:34. Many believe after Jesus was resurrected saints were also resurrected and are in heaven and many pray to them. My understanding is no one has been resurrected all are in the grave asleep in death.
When God through His Spirit the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead He placed Jesus above all that is in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, Philippians 2:9-11. God placed Jesus on His right hand on the throne of God, therefore giving Jesus the power of the throne.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Jesus also said John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
God the Father and Jesus will dwell in us by the Spirit, not in temples made by hands like Jesus said in John 4:21-23 and we see in 1 Corinthians 3:16. We see in 1 John 4:12-16 it is by the Spirit that Jesus who is sitting on the right side of God on the throne of God as the only mediator between us and God has been given the power of the throne until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:27-28.
My humble understanding it is by the Spirit of God/Holy Spirit that Jesus can see and hear all. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and His God is our God the Father as Jesus said to Mary John 20:17.
God bless,
RLW
Even the "Shema Yisrael" ( Deuteronomy 6:4,5) is Israel's central belief & affirmation on the singularity of God's Person, & any suggestion of a 'compound' Nature of God would be anathema. Also Isaiah 53:1-12 and Isaiah 9:6,7 references to a coming Messiah, which should clearly reveal the Divine Nature of a Coming One, is discarded by them, then & now. So, anything of a Triune God must be rejected by the Jew, & only the operation of God by His Spirit (i.e. God revealing Himself & working before them) should be acceptable to them (e.g. Psalm 51:10,11; Isaiah 11:2; & many others). As believers though, we can see the Triune God in operation in the whole Bible, but Israel is blinded to this Truth & their hearts hardened.
When Jesus came & spoke (e.g. John 16:27,28; John 17:5), He declared His Divine Nature, that which was not revealed before. So your reference ( Matthew 22:32), speaks primarily of the One Nature of God; but to those who believe, having received salvation through Jesus Christ, know that the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob was always the Triune God, Who would one day manifest Himself fully to a needy world: God's Word first by the prophets, now given through His Word made flesh ( Hebrews 1:1-3) . What Israel knew of the One God then, should have revealed the full Nature of a Triune God at the appearance of their Messiah. But their eyes were blinded & hearts hardened. Therefore, as Christians, I believe that we should see God (in the OT & NT) as a Triune God, manifesting Himself also as His Word and His Spirit going forth to accomplish His Will over His creation.
To quote 'we are looking at the name from the standpoint of God. He named the heaven, the earth and so on. So holiness of God as testified by his Son reflects on the name he acquired above every other name.' In the Book of Genesis' after making Adam a living soul God brings his creation to Adam. "And whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof."(Ge.2:19) As mentioned earlier the Spirit presents from the standpoint of the Father and the last book is about the fulfillment of the will of his Father. He is in his majesty and he promises the churches as an overcomer.
Jesus Christ was the Word become flesh and he overcame the world."In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."( John 16:33). So holiness of God, "Be ye holy for I am holy" is the characteristic of the holiness where his grace and truth rounds off each one. The name of the Father is written on His servants. The first fruits, " having his Father's name written in their foreheads.: have their new song. What Jesus Christ promised is the seal of righteousness like the amulet, "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death;"(The Song 8:6; Re.14:1-3)
Genesis began with, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." and the same after Jesus Christ has fulfilled the divine Will is seen from the POV of the church. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth." It is not God but John is recording it.
Jesus chose 12 disciples to indicate his ministry was of the Servant-King, as Son to his heavenly father.(See under N-numbers, command)
Principle of Association established a new order where it was enough that a servant was an associate as his master "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord".(Matt.10:25;40)
(See under S- servant)
Discipleship is a loaded word. It is not simply delivering doctrine of God to the world as heard of him. As associates of Jesus Christ it was the Life, which as Jesus declared was his logos aspect. Not only the Word but of the Son. One sign of their adequacy came when they could enter into the heart of the parables." His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God."( John 16:29-33) Their growth was begun when they stayed on trusting. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.( John 6:67-68)
Jesus declared that his doctrine was not of his own but that of his Father. He established the cardinal principle of discipleship: Man is the massage. Jesus set an example and he promised a double portion because he was going to his father.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."( John 14:12)
(See under D-double )
We had this point earlier also discussed in this forum. Macheira in Greek is knife and in the context of the account as set down by the Spirit it was not everyday life he is placing emphasis as with an eye towards their calling. "I have overcome the world"( John 16:33) is a direct statement from Jesus. So it is appropriate to take it as sword, a ceremonial one at that. With joy and peace,
Jeremiah 17:8 along with Psalm 1 bring out the benefits of a tree whose roots are planted near the water. This steadfast faith in the Lord is contrasted in the next verse which describes the vicissitudes of the heart of unregenerate man. These vital concepts describe the state of a soul; who needs to be vigilant to bearing fruit and testing themselves to see if they are in the faith is a necessary prerequisite ( 2 Cor. 13:5). Those who do not bear fruit are cut off and burned; a figurative statement describing a very real state of the lost at Judgment Day (see John 15:2).
Surely all flesh is as grass ( 1 Peter 1:24) and like a vapor this life soon passes away ( James 4:14). Eternity is in men's hearts showing that indeed the nature of man is for their spirit to live forever after the body and soul perish ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). This means their legacy is either eternal glory and recognition of those things done while living for the Lord; or eternal damnation for the lack thereof. (see Matthew 25:34 and associated verses).
There is some hope for us who still are producing works of wood; hay and stubble ( 2 Tim. 2:21-23) to change to better works if we have a foundation in Christ ( 1 Cor. 3:11). This results in varying degrees or levels in the harvest and subsequent reward for those who are saved (see also Mark 4:20).
Those in the flesh and not Born Again can only interpret what they see around them in the world (the actions of others who serve as their peers and interpreted through their own understanding). God alone as I see it through predestination determines who will be saved. On our end it takes a fair evaluation of who we really are as compared to a righteous God which then leads to godly sorrow and repentance (which is indeed a gift from God as about half a dozen scriptures indicate). John 16:8 must enlighten us to our desperate plight that SHOULD be aided by proper evangelism appealing for individuals to repent.
I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine who is a young Pastor last week. In it; he was lamenting an individual who claimed that Christ died for him (or her). This was because the evidence of it through this person's behavior would indicate otherwise. It is indeed true and necessary that we all have a personal understanding and experience in regard to salvific faith and repentance granted in regard to being one of God's elect if indeed we are saved. Clearly "accepting" Christ as Lord isn't really doing anything beyond what demons do and shudder ( James 2:19). Confession with the mouth and belief in the heart must coexist ( Romans 10:9-10); it is more than just a verbal declaration of facts. Nonetheless there should be some understanding of the atonement; as well as evidence that the heart has been changed with the spirit convicting of sin; righteousness and judgment to come ( John 16:8). As the Lord states "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" ( Matt. 12:34 and other related verses in New and Old Testament). What John 3:16 is indicating is a state of belief; not merely a one time thing (as translated correctly). Enduring to the end shows that it isn't our own strength which brings about this result; since we all struggle with sin as long as we live ( 1 John 1:8). Nonetheless we have the capacity to live a life of Holiness; since greater is He within us than he who is in the world ( 1 John 4:4).
There are variations of strengths and weaknesses that we all have; some are steeped in doctrines but rather cold in affection towards God; others seem to be caught up in experiences at the expense of wisdom from the Word; and often they seem to have little grasp of repentance or deem it not worthy in very much discussion. There is ample substance in the Word for the Spirit to enlighten us; and any personal vision or dream must be subject to the Word; if in variance then it must be discarded.
MORE TO COME
To remind God of blessings promised in the Scriptures; if done in the correct way is honoring to God. Without discernment; however we may not be aware of what this means; and also if we are living in a sinful lifestyle we are trying to deliberately ask for something we cannot have as long as we refuse to submit to the Lord and we are producing bad fruit.
The church much like Israel has certain CONDITIONAL as well as unconditional promises. The POSSESSING church (that is those who have the Holy Spirit and are truly saved) is and always will be a subset in this age of the confessing or professing body of believers (i.e. the church). The difference is there are some who believe in the true God and others in a God of their own imaginations; fitting the parameters that a person finds reasonable; or comfortable living with by mentally cherry picking what appeals from the Word and filing the unpleasant verses somewhere in the cobwebs in the back of their mind.
God is no respecter of persons ( Acts 10:34 also Romans 2). He does whatever He chooses and we know for certain that He desires glory for Himself and no other. (See Isaiah 42:8). John 16:10 shows how God seeks glory for the Son; therefore His desire for worship is never selfish as He always does the Father's will. This is selfless love and shows an example of how we are to live. If we thank God for things in our lives that bring us into sin such as excess money for greedy gain ( Titus 1:11); we are only heaping greater condemnation on ourselves.
In the last of the three chapters we are examining the doctrine of God as Jesus applied in his own life so we look our own lives under the true Light and it is like a candle we search our inner lives by the in-house tutor. (Pr.20:27). He assured us,"ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."( John 16:24). Joy is fruit of the Spirit. If this is the truth one need seriously examine wherefore joy is missing from abiding life. St Paul testified amidst all kinds of adversities and perils, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."(Ph.4:4)
Abiding life means we have let the risks and irksome minutiae of swimming against the currents into our Redeemer Lord and let our faith go along with His lead. He is our Good Shepherd. There is no split in our eye of faith and what our natural eyes behold. Where such a contrary worlds a believer creates we have the situation found in our key text. He has a public persona which is completely odd with his inner vision. He professes like a lamb but if let he is ready to shred whosoever stands in his way. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." The proof is in their fruits, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."(7:16-20)
There is no escaping from God the Father of lights who in giving his Son the redemption of our souls expect clarity in our purpose and walk. Do not expect one may indulge Jesus talk and fool all but God is not fooled by his crooked shadow.
Greetings in Christ JESUS
Thank you for your reply. However, my point is what JESUS said and what we have learned from Him establishing here the 2nd Covenant. By the way, remember what my Lord JESUS said: Matthew 12:42
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the Judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
My Lord JESUS said that "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you- John 16:13-15.
About works of men, JESUS said: Maatthew 12:34-45
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Revelation 5 I believe is symbolic of believers that need to purify themselves through martyrdom. Whether these are believers who are lukewarm and left behind certainly seems plausible to me. If it is new believers; it shows that the only real way to bear fruit at that time is through death; unlike now when we have the opportunity to do so through functions we practice largely in the corporate Body but not exclusively. There simply will not be room for compromise; and at that time as the book of Daniel indicates the saints will be overcome; unlike now when the gates of hell will NOT prevail against the church. This will be at the time when ALL nations will hate us; and kill us thinking they are doing God a favor ( John 16:2). This as I see it is likely with the Apostate church who will be the only organized religion after the Rapture; and likely this is a separate event from the martyrs who refuse the Mark of the Beast later on; after Satan goes after all the false AND true religion to get all the glory for himself; thus overthrowing the "Mystery Babylon" system.
I will agree that fear and spiritual oppression are what really cause defeat; many times fear of death and persecution. Yet it is true freedom and release and nothing to fear to die in Christ once we pass this earthly existance. Some; I feel are hidden and God will use the Tribulation to violently sift the wheat so to speak to bear fruit (Tribulum concept)