Question: How does "grace" apply in Matthew 7:21-23?
Tue, 14 Nov 2000
“Renee Giron”
Dear Bob:
I’ve been delving into this whole idea of grace (even though I grew up in a “grace” school, this concept still eludes me on a consistent basis, obviously clouding my approach to God) and there is one particular passage in the Gospels that I can’t get a handle on AT ALL!! The verses in Matthew 7:21-23 confuse me on a regular basis. Especially because the verses preceding it deal with a trees good or bad fruit. It really leads me to a number of different conclusions, none of which jive with what I thought I believed about salvation or how God sees us. The whole sermon on the mount deals with the motives of our hearts first, then our actions and so I think I understand where Jesus felt like the real battle needed to be fought....so where does Matthew 7 fit in? If these people are following the Lord and “producing” the good fruit were does that leave them? Who are they? I asked my former pastor about it and he gave me some answer about the passage referring to the “man of lawlessness”. Great - but I don’t know who that is.
What’s your take on this? Is there some obvious point that I’m missing? Thanks for your response!
Renee
Answer: (click here to view the
answer)
Dear Renee,
Always remember, the context is the most important thing you can look at to understand a passage. Christ was talking about the leaders, who seemed to be good, but Christ made it clear that many of them were false prophets. No matter what they did, they did not obey the Father. Mat 7:15-29 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” 28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Mat 7:21 is the most important part of this passage: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” But, what was the will of the Father in that dispensation? Let’s look in other places in the gospels to see what they say.
First, we see that they will believe Christ’s doctrine if they are doing the Father’s will: John 7:16-19 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wants [This is an act of the will. The Greek word is thelei, he wills] to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”
Next we see that those who believe in the Son are doing the will of the Father: John 6:40-47 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” 42 And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. 47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
But, we have to evaluate how they can believe. Can
all believe, or can only a few chosen ones believe? I believe they all
had a choice. God puts in everyone the ability to believe. 1 Ti 2:4 God “wills all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.” 2
Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His
promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not
counseling any to perish but all to have room for repentance.
Earlier in Jo 5:37-47, He said they had a choice, but in the first place, they didn’t believe Moses. Second, they didn’t want to come to Christ. John 5:37-47 “And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 And you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you; Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses (2nd class), you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
Christ was showing these unbelieving Jews that they were not His sheep because they were unwilling to come to Him for eternal life. He told them their fate in Mat 8:12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. They had the opportunity to hear and learn from the Father.
But I’ve raised some issues here that I have to discuss. Let’s look closely at Jo 6:33-45. Christ was talking with the ones He fed (John 6:26). John 6:33-45 “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.” By this unbelief, they conformed themselves to the apostate nation. Then, in verse 37, He said, “All” — But the extent of this all depends. John 6:37-40,44,45 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”
The Father gives all those of verse John 6:45, everyone who hears and learned, but not those of verses 64,65, who do not believe:
John 6:64,65
“But there are some of you who do not
believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who
did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore
I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted
to him by My Father.”
Further, one of those who were given to Christ, Judas, according to John 17:12 was lost. John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition. Judas was one of “those whom You gave Me”, but he did not continue and was lost. Compare this with John 15:6: If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
When I said that Judas did not continue in belief, implying that he had been a believer, I based that on John 2:11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. When it says His disciples believed in Him, this would include Judas.
Now let’s read the rest of John 6:37-39 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. When He says, “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing,” this “all” refers to those who listened and learned, but especially the apostles.
Notice how John 17:6 and 18:9 substantiate this. John 17:6 I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
John 18:8-9 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore , if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me (He is quoting John 6:37-40 and 10:29.) I have lost none.”
Judas thwarted God’s will for him to be saved, so we see they had to continue in belief. John 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. Now we know how it was granted by the Father. Everyone who was willing to hear and learned was granted by the father to come to Christ. John 6:64,65 But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning [The beginning of their unbelief.] who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’”
I’m sorry I got so far off of the subject, but one thing led to another.
In Christ,
Bob
Question: Is gambling okay in your opinion?
Zeke Jacobo <jocobo@pacbell.net> wrote: >Please tell me where gambling is mentioned or taught from in the bible. I have a friend who is a christian as I and she has invited me to go play slot machines in a casino. I feel it is wrong and she thinks it's >okay and fun. Is gambling okay in your opinion???? and if so is buying a lottery ticket and playing quarters at a slot machine in a casino in the same (gambling)??? Your opinion and biblical answer is much >appreciated
..Adella...
Answer: (click here to view the
answer)
Dear Adella,
The Bible does not speak to the issue of gambling. Personally, I don't think it is wise to gamble. There seem to be principles in the Bible that show we should work for the money we get and should provide for our household.
Although I am not strongly opposed to anyone giving a specified (fun) money to the gambling houses, I think we should put it to better use.
The Bible does say, “whatever is not of faith is sin.” If this is one of those doubtful things for you, then don't do it. If there were Scripture that specifically dealt with gambling, I would list it and explain what I thought it meant. If you have other questions that the Bible speaks to, I will be glad to answer them.
In Christ,
Bob Hill
Question: Do you think God made more than just Adam and Eve?
Tue, 31 Oct 2000
More just for the fun of the idea, Do you think that God made more than just Adam and Eve? 17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son -- Enoch. If Cain killed Abel and he is the first son of Adam and Eve, did God make his wife just as he made Eve?
Jon
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Jon,
No, I believe God created just Adam, and made Eve from Adam’s flesh, his side. Adam and Eve had many children. Cain married one of his sisters. They lived very long lives before the flood.
Grandpa
Question: How do you explain 1 John 3:9?
Tue, 31 Oct 2000
How do you explain 1 John 3:9? 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
Jon
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Jon,
When we read two different passages in 1 John, it will help us figure out what is going on in 1 Jo 3:9:
1 Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jo 3:6-9 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who is doing righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who is doing the sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Everyone who is born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
From this we see that 1 John shows that they sin and don’t sin. That can’t be the case, so what is going on? Some want us to think that the seed is the new nature, and the new nature cannot sin. According to Bullinger, “This new nature has, like the old, several names. These stand in contrast and opposition the one to the other. . . . this new nature, being divine in its origin, is called . . . DiviNE NATURE (2 Pet. i.4). This is why it is said to be “perfect”, and unable to commit sin. 1 John iii. 9, “Every one that has been begotten of God does not produce sin [as his fruit], because His seed [the new nature] abideth in him: and he [the new man] cannot sin, because of God he (or, it) has been begotten.” 1 John v. 18, 19, “We know that everyone that has been begotten of God does not sin; but he (i.e., the new man) that was begotten of God keepeth him, and the evil one toucheth him not. We know [as a matter of fact] that we are of God; and, the whole world lieth in [the power of] the evil one.” The new nature is personified and spoken of in the masculine gender. It cannot refer to the believer as a whole; for, if we say that “we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John i. 10): and our sins are provided for in 1 John ii. 1,2. But the new nature is born of God and does not sin, and does not lie in [the power of] the evil one. The new nature, therefore, being “spirit”, and being begotten or produced in the believer by the power of the Holy Spirit, is Divine. (Bullinger, The Two Natures in the Child of God,)
The first problem with Bullinger’s explanation is his use of 2 Pe 1:4, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” This was their potential. We have already been baptized into Christ. Theirs is conditional. As Peter continued addressing these circumcision believers in 1:5-10, he showed that potential sin was a real problem: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”
“Stumble”, means “be ruined, be lost . . . of the loss of salvation,” and may also have the meaning, “to make a mistake, go astray, sin,” as well. Since Peter warned them to make their election sure, we can see that their calling and election were conditional. This passage shows that they could sin. This is in accord with the conditional nature of the gospel associated with the covenant of circumcision. They were participating in a process of salvation. As long as they were abiding in Christ, they would not sin, but even that seems true only for high handed sins when we consider 1 Jo 1:9 again, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The high handed sin had no sacrifice for it. That’s what it say in Num 15:29,30, “You shall have one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them. 30 But the person who does anything presumptuously [with a high hand], whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the Lord, and he shall be cut off from among his people.
This is similar to Heb 10:26,27: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”
When Bullinger quotes 1 John 3:9 with his bracketed comments, he takes liberties not sustained by the sentence structure. “1 John iii. 9, ‘Every one that has been begotten of God does not produce sin [as his fruit], because His seed [the new nature] abideth in him: and he [the new man] cannot sin, because of God he (or, it) has been begotten.’” The most important thing we must observe is this: The person who was born of God, allegedly the new nature, has His seed, also allegedly the new nature, in him. Therefore, the new nature has the new nature in him. That’s nonsense. Instead, we should be able to see that “Whoever has been born of God” is referring to a human being. Within this human being, God’s seed remains, and he cannot sin. Bullinger did not believe in the indwelling of the person of the Holy Spirit and was forced to the conclusions he presents. But we all must be careful not to jump to erroneous conclusions. When we look at the use of this word, born, or begotten, we see that people who believe are born of God. John 1:12,13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again” in John 3:3-8: Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit [I believe this is water baptism, but even if it is the water of birth as some declare, it is still the human being who is born of water and Spirit.], he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You [Who? The man, Nicodemus.] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Even though this shows it is the human being who is born of God, I want to list one more passage, 1 Jo 5:1,2,4,5,13-18: “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” Then, how can 1 Jo 3:9 be true? When we look at the context of the book of 1st John, we see the conditions for not sinning. We don’t have to go far. 1 Jo 3:6 says, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” Yet, we know from many passages in 1st John that they do sin. What’s the answer? The key is found in 1 Jo 3:24, “Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” But he’s talking about which commandments?
There seem to be three commandments that are high handed sins when they are broken in the tribulation: Blaspheming the Holy Spirit; Breaking one of the ten commandments; Receiving the mark of the beast. Sinners may be forgiven the lesser sins if they continually confess them (1 John 1:9). In 1 John 5:16-19, notice the consequences when a brother sinned one of these sins: “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”
Therefore, I believe the person who has the knowledge of the new covenant (1 Jo 2:20-27) and is abiding in Him and focusing on Him will not, is unable to sin. But if he goes too far and does what is mentioned in 2 John 8,9, he’s in trouble: “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses [goes too far, or deviates] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” Just like the person in Hebrews 6, he will fall away. No one will pray for him, because he can’t be restored.
I hope this answers your question,
Question: Where in the Bible does it say that the serpent was Satan?
"Jeffrey Yim"
This is a basic question, but where in the Bible does it say that the serpent was Satan.
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Jeffrey,
The Bible specifically tells us in two places in the book of the
revelation of Jesus Christ that satan is the serpent. Rev 12:7-9 And
war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon;
and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor
was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon
was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who
deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were
cast out with him.
Rev 20:1-3 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
Question: Why would God save us but not the angels?
"Jeffrey Yim"
I thought angels were heavenly beings with no free-will which is what I thought to separate humans from angels, but since Satan and other angels rebelled against God I guess they do have free-will also. Can you give me the Biblical reference for the story of their rebellion? And I guess skeptics would ask, why would God make a way for us to be saved, but not the rebellious angels?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
We can draw conclusions from the Scriptures, but it doesn’t say that 1/3 of the angels rebelled against God.
In Rev 12:1-10 it says, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
From this we can deduce that the 1/3 of the stars were 1/3 of the angels since in Rev 1:20, it says, “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” Then, as we saw in Rev 12:1-4, “a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.”
These evil angels would like to harm us, but Paul wrote in Rom
8:38,39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor
angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to
come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able
to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” It even says in 1 Co 6:3, “Do
you not know that we shall judge angels?” The present status of these
fallen angels is shown in 1 Pe 3:21,22, “Jesus Christ, 22 who
has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and
authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”
God will not make a way for the rebellious angels to be saved because their closeness to God and His glory gave them too great a knowledge of Him. They were without excuse. That’s why it says in Rev 2:14-16, Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.” In fact, God made hell for the devil and his angels, Mat 25:41, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
This is
why I believe the devil’s angels are not redeemable.
In Christ,
Bob
Question: Once sin entered the world, were all born sinful?
"Jeffrey Yim"
Another topic is that I have always been taught that once sin entered the world, all were born sinful. Is this Biblical?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
In the OT we find that little children had no knowledge of good
and evil. Deu 1:39 “Moreover your little ones and your
children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of
good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they
shall possess it.” The fulfillment of God’s promise was held over
for the next generation, those who were still children. They were too
young to make responsible choices (they today
have no knowledge of good and evil).
In the Immanuel prophecy
found in Isaiah, we find that the age of accountability, knowing good
from evil, was part of the account. Isa 7:14-16 “Therefore
the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. 15 Curds and honey He
shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16
For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the
good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings.”
In the prophecy of Jonah, we have an interesting account of the
number of people in the city. Jonah 4:11 “And should I not pity
Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and
twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and
their left.” It is generally calculated that the young children of
any place are a fifth of the inhabitants, and consequently the whole
population of Nineveh would amount to about 600,000.
Further, when Christ called a little child to Him in the gospels,
He showed they were innocent. They believed unquestioningly. When they
reach the age of accountability, they become responsible for their own
sins because that’s when they start sinning. Mat 18:2,3 “Then
Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and
said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you
are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter
the kingdom of heaven.’” This concept was reiterated shortly after,
in Mat 19:13,14 “Then little children were brought to
Him that He might put His
hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus
said, ‘Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” An
account similar to the Matthew 18 incident is found in Luke
18:16,17 “But Jesus called them to Him
and said, ‘Let the little children come to
Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter
it.’”
Rom 9:10,11 attests to the innocence of the very young.
“And not only this, but when
Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 for the
children not yet being born,
nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to
election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.”
Rom 5:12-18 shows that Christ died for the original sin of
Adam that had “spread to all men, because all sinned in
Adam.” “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world,
and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all
sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not
imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to
Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of
the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But
the free gift is not like the
offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the
grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ,
abounded to many. 16 And the gift is
not like that which
came through the one who
sinned. For the judgment which
came from one offense resulted in
condemnation, but the free gift which
came from many offenses resulted
in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned
through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of
the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus
Christ. ) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment
came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s
righteous act the free gift
came to all men, resulting in
justification of life [for Adams original sin].” Just as Adam
caused all to be sinners, including little children, the 18th
verse shows that Christ’s death resulted in justification from
Adam’s original sin for all men. Therefore, if a child dies before
he reaches the age of accountability, he will go to heaven.
However, we all have a thing in us called flesh. The flesh is
always lusting against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. When
we reach the age of accountability, we all make choices contrary to
God’s will. We all sin. What we must do because of this is revealed in
Rom 5:17: “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned
through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of
the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus
Christ.” We don’t die for Adams sin, we die for our own unless we
trust Christ as our Savior.
In Christ my Savior,
Bob
Question: Is God so holy that He cannot be in the presence of sin?
"Jeffrey Yim"
And also I thought God is so holy that He cannot be in the presence of sin and that is why we must be saved because we would surely die as Isaiah said he would since he saw God and was a man of unclean lips.
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
God is totally holy, but the idea that He cannot be
in the presence of sin comes from what I consider a misinterpretation of
Hab 1:13. Instead of the inserted italicized words You are, I
believe it should be translated "Are you of purer eyes than
to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness." Why do I believe
that? The nest sentence would negate the "You are"
statement. notice, "Why do You look on those who deal
treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person
more righteous than he?" In Gen 6:5 it says that God looked
at wickedness. "Then
the Lord saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that
every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually." We read this all through the Bible. How could God
judge if He couldn't look at sinners? He couldn't.
Bob
Question: Is it wrong in this situation to have an abortion?
Mon, 23 Oct 2000
Tammy Dorsett
I just wanted to ask a question. My husband has a handicapped child from a previous marriage, the child is physically and mentally handicapped. My husband served in Desert Storm and believes that his child is like this because of him serving in Desert Storm. We are talking about having a child together and my husband is very scared that he might have another child with the same problems, and I am terrified also. My question is if we were to get pregnant and had tests done to see if the baby will be the same as his child and they told us that it will be physically and mentally handicapped is it wrong in this situation to have an abortion.
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Dear Tammy,
My heart goes out to you. Children are such a blessing. Even handicapped children many times are a blessing. Since your husband is very scared that he might have another child with the same problems, and you are terrified also, I would recommend that you adopt. But, since miscarriages are common and couples who have had miscarriages have had healthy children, and, if it were I, I would take the chance to have a baby. Our second baby had 2 heads and died at 7 months. Our 5th baby was born with a hearing handicap, but she is a wonderful godly woman with a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful teenage daughters. We also had 2 more children 8 years after our handicapped daughter. They also are wonderful girls. Our six children are a real treasure to us. My answer to your question is: Yes, it is wrong to have an abortion.
Sincerely in Christ,
Question:
Theresa Wilkinson
What is your view on prayer in the kingdom program?
Was the guarantee of getting what one asked for simply because the believers had the gift of knowledge and would be able to pray within the will of God? Some verses qualify the promise, and others do not. I don’t understand how it worked/will work.
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Terry,
I believe you are right. We know from 1 Jo 2:20,21,27 that they know all spiritual things: 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
If they prayed outside of that knowledge, I think it would be against God’s will. 1 Jo 5:14,15 shows that: 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
We have to take the context of all Scripture of that dispensation that deals with the subject.
Bob
Question:
Sun, 15 Oct 2000
Candy Feliz
When Enoch and Elijah were taken up - Did they go to Heaven as I thought no one entered Heaven until after Jesus’' Crucifixation and Resurrection as His blood atoned for our sins and then the saints were released from the compartments of Hades in Abraham's bosom??? Please answer - do I return to this address for the answer or do you e-mail me at my address? Candy_Johnfifteen5@hotmail.com???
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
In 2 Ki 2:1-11, it says Elijah was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind: 1 And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” 4 Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho. 5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
In Gen 5:21-24 we find that God took Enoch: 21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
The account in 2 Kings, when Elijah “went up by a whirlwind into heaven” could mean that he was taken up into the atmospheric heaven, but I believe both Elijah and Enoch went to the good part of Sheol. That was similar to Lazarus’ place when he was in a place of honor in Abraham’s bosom in Luke.
I think you are right that no one went to heaven until Christ died and then “led captivity captive” in Eph 4.
In Christ,
Question:
Sun, 15 Oct 2000
Candy Feliz
Can you tell me if you think Judas was saved or do you believe he is in eternal hell??
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Candy,
It looks like he went to Hades and will be cast into the lake of fire according to Acts 1:25, “to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
In Christ,
Bob
Candy Feliz wrote:
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Question: Was Job a contemporary of Abraham?
Theresa Wilkinson
Question #4: Job 19:25-26 has been used to support the position that the Israelites were looking for an earthly kingdom. It has also been suggested that Job was a contemporary of Abraham. That would mean that he was not an Israelite. How do pre-Abraham believers fit into the kingdom?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
When we read your passage, we see that Job is sure of redemption. Job 19:25-26, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.” We also see that he lived in Uz. Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
He may have been a son of Issachar. Gen 46:13 The
sons of Issachar were Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron. If he
was, then, he would be after Abraham and actually one of his
descendants. But we are not certain. These are the Scriptures that
mention this name. We cannot make a strong decision on this question.
In Christ,
Bob
Question: Is Isa 44:5 talking about Jews or about Gentiles who have joined themselves to Israel?
Theresa Wilkinson
Question #3:
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Terry,
When we read the passage before the 5th verse, we see that God is talking about Israel only. Isa 44:1-5 “Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. 2 Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; 4 They will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.’ 5 One will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.”
These are all Jews.
A new creation in Christ,
Bob
Question: Please explain Isa 19:23-25.
Theresa Wilkinson
Question #2: Please explain Isa 19:23-25. These verses make it sound like Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will be equals. I know that that isn’t true but don’t know of a good explanation for the passage.
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Terry,
We read what it says about Israel in this passage: Isa 19:24,25 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria— a blessing in the midst of the land, 25 whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
This passage seems to be referring to the millennium. There will be a lot of people born of those Gentile nations who were judged in Mat 25 and rewarded with the kingdom for treating God’s people well in the tribulation. The children born will have to become saved. Enough of them will not be saved that satan will be able to go out and deceive them according to Rev 20:7-9 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
But, in the final analysis, Israel is God’s inheritance. In Deu 28:12-14, it says “The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”
Many of His promises are conditional – like this one is. God’s goal is to make them “the head and not the tail.”
In Christ our Redeemer,
Question: What does Rev 5:9-10 mean when they say they have been made priests?
Theresa Wilkinson
Question #1: What does Rev 5:9-10 mean when the twenty-four elders say that they have been made priests out of every nation? My understanding of prophecy was that Israel would be a nation of priests and that Gentiles could be saved but had to go through Israel. If people of other nations could also be priests, what made Israel different than the other nations?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Dear Terry,
The following is my translation. Rev 5:9,10 And
they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and
to open its seals; Because You were slain, and have redeemed us
to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and
nation, 10 and made them kings and priests to our God; And
they shall reign on the earth.”
But, now, we have to look at the textual criticism
on this passage.
The us of verse 9 is struck by the Critical Text (CT) with the support of the
Alexandrinus (A). Because this agrees with the readings of them
and they of verse 10, I think this harder reading is the text.
The them of verse 10 is supported by the whole Majority Text (MT),
Sinaiticus, and A. I believe strongly that this is the correct reading.
The they of verse 10 is the ending of the Greek verb “they shall
reign.” This ending is attested by in either a present or future tense
by both the CT and MT against the Textus Receptus alone. Again, I
believe strongly that this is the correct reading.
Now I want to quote a passage from Isa 66:18-21 “For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. 20 Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. 21 And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,” says the Lord.
The 24 elders are not made priests of God. The children of Israel are the ones who God will make priests and Levites. This is in accord with 1 Pe 2:4-6,9-12 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Therefore, I believe Gentiles were not made priests to God. They were all of Irael.
In Christ,
Bob
Question: Why wasn’t the blood of bulls and goats capable of taking away our sin?
Sat, 7 Oct 2000
Bob,
My question is;
(1) Why couldn’t God have just forgiven our sin?
(2) Why did Jesus Christ have to die—in other words
(3) Why wasn’t the blood of bulls and goats capable of taking away our sin as it says in Hebrews 9 &10? Bob, I would like your answers from the Word of God and not just your thought without Biblical support, if you know what I Mean.
Thanks,
Joseph H. Jones.
Question: Why couldn’t God have just forgiven our sin?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
God is at war with satan. Christ’s death on the cross was the payment for our sin. It seemed to be necessary to release us from the slave market of sin and bondage to Satan. Further, He is able to aid us, according to Heb 2:14-18, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” God justifies by His grace, those who believe. God declares a person to be justified on the basis that the payment for redemption has been made by Christ Jesus.
Since God wanted us to have a mediator who could sympathize with us in our weaknesses. Christ became more than we could want. Heb 4:15,16 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Christ’s humility and subsequent exaltation is described in Phi 2:5-11 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
If satan were as smart as he thought he was, according to 1 Co 2:7,8, the rulers of this world, his fellow fallen angels, would not have crucified Christ. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Old Testament sacrifices were for the atonement of sin. Christ presented Himself as the atonement for our sin. This sacrifice was an act of propitiation. It made God favorable to us by removing our sin. This is validated by Rom 3: 21-28: “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
In the OT on the Day of Atonement, the blood of a goat was sprinkled on the mercy seat to cover Israel’s sins for another year. Christ’s death was the final sacrifice which satisfied God’s righteousness by paying for our sin. This is revealed to us in Rom 5:8-10 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
This is all summed up in Heb 9:11-15 & Heb 10:4-13. Heb 9:11-15 “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, [for a while] 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Heb 10:1-13 “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [They can only cover them.] 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” [In that dispensation, they must continue confessing their sins and make their calling and election sure.] 1 Jo 1:9 “If we [continue] confessing our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 2 Pe 1:5-10 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”
In contrast to them under the circumcision gospel, we, in our dispensation of grace/mystery, have the added blessing of eternal security because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption, which for us, is the rapture. Eph 1:13; 4:30 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Heb
10
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ ” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
3:25b-26. God’s purpose in Christ’s death was to demonstrate His justice (i.e., God’s own judicial righteousness, dikaiosyneµs; cf. comments on 1:17) because in His forbearance (anocheµ, “holding back, delay”) He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished (cf. Acts 17:30). Why did God not always punish sins in the past? Does this mean He is not righteous after all? Previously Paul said God was forbearing because He wanted to lead people to repent (Rom. 2:4). Here God is said to be forbearing because He anticipated His provision for sins in the death of Jesus Christ. Such forbearance was an evidence of His grace (cf. Acts 14:16; 17:30), not of His injustice.
Paul was so insistent that God’s righteousness be recognized that (Rom. 3:26) he repeated (from v. 25) the words to demonstrate His justice (dikaiosyneµs, “righteousness”). God’s purpose in the redemptive and propitiatory death of Jesus Christ was so that He could be seen to be just (dikaion, “righteous”) and the One who justifies (dikaiounta, “the One who declares righteous”) the man who has faith in Jesus. God’s divine dilemma was how to satisfy His own righteousness and its demands against sinful people, and at the same time how to demonstrate His grace, love, and mercy to restore rebellious, alienated creatures to Himself. The solution was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son, and the acceptance by faith of that provision by individual sinners. Christ’s death vindicated God’s own righteousness (He is just because sin was “paid for”) and enables God to declare every believing sinner righteous.
5:9-11. The participle translated have . . . been justified (“declared righteous”) ties these verses to the argument at the beginning of the chapter (cf. v. 1). The immediate connection, however, is with what preceded (vv. 6-8). God gave proof of His love by having Christ die in the place of humans “while we were still sinners.” Because of the sinner’s response by faith (v. 1) to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, God has declared him righteous. Certainly that now-declared-righteous person will not be forsaken by God’s love, which has been poured out effusively in his heart. Since the divine dilemma of justification (3:26) has been solved on the basis of Jesus’ shed blood (cf. 3:25), certainly Jesus Christ will see that justified sinners will be saved from God’s wrath. Believers will never be condemned to hell (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1) nor will they be the objects of God’s coming Tribulation wrath (1 Thes. 1:10; 5:9).
Here this same truth is repeated in different words (Rom. 5:10). Reconciliation, the third great achievement of Jesus’ sacrificial death on Calvary, is presented (also v. 11). This great triumvirate—redemption (3:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7); propitiation (Rom. 3:25 [niv: “sacrifice of atonement”]; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 [niv: “atoning sacrifice”]); reconciliation (Rom. 5:10-11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col. 1:22)—is totally the work of God, accomplished through the death of Jesus Christ. Redemption pertains to sin (Rom. 3:24), propitiation (or satisfaction) pertains to God (3:25), and reconciliation is for people (cf. we were reconciled). Reconciliation is the removal of enmity that stands between people and God (cf. “enemies” in 5:10; Col. 1:21). Reconciliation is the basis of restored fellowship between people and God (cf. 2 Cor. 5:20-21).
If (Rom. 5:10) may be rendered “since”; it assumes that the reconciliation through the death of His Son is true. In addition, reconciliation was done when we were God’s enemies (lit., “being enemies”). Since reconciliation was accomplished by Jesus’ death, certainly His life is able to insure the complete and final salvation of believers. “His life” is His present life (not His life on earth) in which He intercedes (Heb. 7:25) for believers. He died for His enemies; surely He will save those, His former enemies, who are now fellowshiping in Him. Because Christians, God’s reconciled ones, share in Christ’s life, they will be saved. Not only is future salvation assured, but we also rejoice in God (“but also boasting [kauchoµmenoi] in God”) here and now. This is what Paul already exhorted believers to do (Rom. 5:1-3). The assurance and guarantee of it all is the fact that through . . . Christ . . . we have now received reconciliation (lit., “the reconciliation”). Since God has reconciled godless enemies to Himself, they should enjoy that peace with Him.
D. Provided righteousness contrasted (5:12-21).
5:12. Paul had now finished his description of how God has revealed and applied to humans His provided righteousness on the basis of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ received by faith. One thing remains to be done—to present the contrastive parallelism between the work of Jesus Christ (and its results in justification and reconciliation) and the work of another man, Adam (and its results in sin and death). Paul began by saying, Therefore (lit., “because of this”; cf. 4:16), and started his comparison, just as; but he became concerned by other matters and did not return to the comparison until 5:15. Paul explained that sin (in Gr., “the sin”) entered (eiseµlthen, “entered into”) the world through one man; and, in accord with God’s warning (cf. Gen. 2:16-17), death (in Gr., “the death”) through sin. God’s penalty for sin was both spiritual and physical death (cf. Rom. 6:23; 7:13), and Adam and Eve and their descendants experienced both. But physical death, being an outward, visible experience, is in view in 5:12-21. Paul concluded, And in this way death (“the death”) came to all men. “Came” is dieµlthen, literally “passed or went through” or “spread through.” Eiseµlthen, “entered into” (the first clause in the verse) means that sin went in the world’s front door (by means of Adam’s sin); and dieµlthen, “went through,” means that death penetrated the entire human race, like a vapor permeating all of a house’s rooms. The reason death spread to all, Paul explained, is that all sinned.
The Greek past (aorist) tense occurs in all three verbs in this verse. So the entire human race is viewed as having sinned in the one act of Adam’s sin (cf. “all have sinned,” also the Gr. past tense, in 3:23). Two ways of explaining this participation of the human race in the sin of Adam have been presented by theologians—the “federal headship” of Adam over the race and the “natural or seminal headship” of Adam. (Others say that people merely imitated Adam, that he gave the human race a bad example. But that does not do justice to 5:12.)
The federal headship view considers Adam, the first man, as the representative of the human race that generated from him. As the representative of all humans, Adam’s act of sin was considered by God to be the act of all people and his penalty of death was judicially made the penalty of everybody.
The natural headship view, on the other hand, recognizes that the entire human race was seminally and physically in Adam, the first man. As a result God considered all people as participating in the act of sin which Adam committed and as receiving the penalty he received. Even adherents of the federal headship view must admit that Adam is the natural head of the human race physically; the issue is the relationship spiritually. Biblical evidence supports the natural headship of Adam. When presenting the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood to Aaron’s, the author of Hebrews argued that Levi, the head of the priestly tribe, “who collects the 10th, paid the 10th through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor” (Heb. 7:9-10).
5:13. Though sin entered human experience through the act of Adam’s sin (in which the entire human race participated seminally), sin expressed itself repeatedly in people’s actions (cf. Gen. 6:5-7, 11-13) from the point of its entrance “until” (not before, as the niv has it) the Law was given. However, as Paul had already said, “Where there is no Law there is no transgression” (Rom. 4:15). This does not mean that sin does not exist unless there is a Law. It means that sin does not have the character of being a transgression apart from Law and therefore sin is not taken into account (lit., “imputed, reckoned”) as such.
5:14. The fact that sin did exist during the period from Adam to the Law is proved by the fact that death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses (lit., “from Adam until Moses”). And death also reigned over people who had not broken a command as did Adam (cf. “death reigned,” v. 17, and “sin reigned in death,” v. 21). Adam had disobeyed a specific command of God (Gen. 2:17) and committed a transgression, something that his descendants did not do when they sinned till other specific commands from God were received. But yet all Adam’s descendants had sinned with Adam (Rom. 5:12), and therefore death did reign (cf. Gen. 5:5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27, 31). Since death was present, that proved all had sinned in Adam (cf. comments on Rom. 5:12).
The mention of Adam by name (cf. “one man,” v. 12) brought Paul back to the point of referring to him, who was a pattern of the One to come. A parallelism exists between Adam and Jesus Christ as heads of groups of human beings (cf. 1 Cor. 15:45-49), but the parallelism is more contrastive than comparative.
5:15. The details of the parallelism between Adam and Christ (begun by Paul in v. 12 with the words “just as”) are given in verses 15-17. The apostle made clear the contrastive nature of the parallelism by stating, But the gift (charisma, “grace-gift”) is not like the trespass. What Christ “gives” contrasts with what Adam did, his “trespass” (paraptoµma, “false step”; also mentioned in 4:25; 5:16-18, 20). The point of the first contrasting parallel is the degree—how much more. The trespass of the one man brought physical death to the many, in this case the entire human race to date with two exceptions—Enoch and Elijah. By contrast, God’s grace—and the gift (viz., righteousness, as stated in v. 17; cf. v. 16) that came by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ—abounded to the many! If this latter “many” is identical with the first (the many who died, which is possible, but is not required by the text) and constitutes the entire human race, then “God’s grace and the gift” by means of “grace” abound in the sense of reaching and being available to all people, but not necessarily being appropriated by all.
Question: Does this mess with the ideas we have about the trinity?
Wed, 4 Oct 2000
“F. Wesley Brainard”
I’ve got a question about a couple of verses in Hebrews. Firstly, Heb 2:12 speaks about how Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. “He says, ‘I will declare your name to my brothers. . .And again, I will put my trust in Him.” Does that mean that Jesus was putting His trust in God the Father? Does this mess with the ideas we have about the trinity?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
God the Son is the firstborn of many brethren in the body of Christ. God used the same metaphor here to show His relation to the Son and also to the believers. As Christ, He paid the penalty for sin. When people were saved under any dispensation, God used endearing terms to describe the relationship. They are sons, now. Since the Word is God, became flesh, and then died, that didn’t affect His deity any more than when He put His trust in the Father. Especially since He said He could do nothing of Himself when He was on the earth.
Question: What does “we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did” mean?
In 4:2 it says, “we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did.” What does that mean?
Answer: When we read the whole context of this passage, we see the author of Hebrews was illustrating their condition with the condition of Israel in the wilderness. The promised land would be Israel’s rest. Being a believer would be the basis of entering into rest for those to whom the author of Hebrews wrote. Heb 3:12-4:10 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Chapter 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
The gospel was spoken to the author of Hebrews as well as those of old. But they did not believe. But he and the recipients of his epistle did believe. Therefore, they entered into the rest of the Lord.
Question: What about the rest, have we entered it?
There is a long part about the “rest”. Have we entered? Are we entering? Or, will we yet one day enter?
Thank you. Be blessed and favored!
Wesley Brainard
Answer: We are in the Body of Christ. We are accepted in the beloved, sealed by the Holy Spirit, seated in the heavenlies and completely sure of our salvation. We have much more than the rest they had, especially, since theirs was conditional upon them keeping their faith.
In Christ,
Bob
Question: Did God ever send an angle to a gentile-2?
Fri, 29 Sep 2000
"Mike & Missy Eagle" <eaglem1@infree.com>
Question:
Mike & Missy
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Dear Mike & Missy,
God sent an angel to Baalam in Numbers 22. However, it wasn’t a very good encounter for Baalam.
An angel went to Cornelius, a proselyte of the gate in Acts 10:1-8 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Besides these two events, I don’t know of any other account of an angel going to a Gentile.
In Christ,
Bob
Question: How could a lost Gentile become a Proselyte?
Mon, 2 Oct 2000
"Mike & Missy Eagle"
Can you please describe how a Gentile lost in the world without hope became a Proselyte in the promise of God? I thank you for your thoughtful answers. Love In Christ Body,
Mike & Missy
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Dear Mike & Missy,
The Jews would go to great length to convert a Gentile to Judaism. If a Gentile did convert, that did become circumcised and keep the law and vow that Jehovah was the only God, he would become a proselyte. here is the biblical evidence:
Mat 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
Acts 2:9-11 “And
how is it that we hear, each in our own language in
which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those
dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene,
visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and
Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of
God.”
Acts 6:3-7 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven m