WEIRDO

Fraud government

2011-11-16T04:32:00.001-06:00

If you receive any assessment, invoice, fine or statement of account from Government, or any corporate source - these DO NOT constitute BILL as referred to in the Bills of Exchange Act. They constitute DEMANDS upon SLAVES made by the SLAVE OWNER. It is done under the PROPERTY RIGHT of the CROWN.
A contract can be equalized (settled) with a BILL. But, a BILL is not applicable to a slave owner demanding his or its property held in possession of an owned slave. Government sees you as a slave, and everything you possess as being the property owned by the Crown. But, you can try using the following method on Government bills for your own education or proof of your slave status, but they may not respond favourably.

It is worth a try using the 'promissory note' that is counted as a 'bill of exchange' (as is all Canadian currency) which is listed in Section 176 of the Bills of Exchange Act. (the CANLII webpage version is most readable).

This is a 'negotiable instrument' as described in the Financial Administration Act of Canada. Make the promissory note payable on demand, and note this statement on the front of the PN: 'Consumer Purchase'. Sign: 'for (strawman name). Attach to the bill, invoice or demand, and send to the receiver by registered mail. If they refuse to accept it, but don't return it to you, the bill is considered paid, as long as the promissory note is the exact amount of the debt.

My template for a Promissory Note is here.

If they don't return the refused promissory note, they are guilty of 'unjust enrichment' and breach of trust, criminal offenses that can be made through a justice of the peace (JP). [You may have to carry a big stick to convince a JP to do their duty - by threatening to report their treason to Her Majesty, for whom they have taken an oath of loyalty and obedience.

Section 57 of the BOE Act tells you that the signature gives the value (see below). The Promissory Note can be then be deposied into the receiver's bank account where it will be monetized into Canadian currency. According to the office of the Receiver General of Canada, the Robert Menard '96 is your fix' remittance in itself does not constitute a negotiable (bank being able to monetize) instrument according to the Financial Admin Act.

Statements of account, invoices, payment notice, and such that arise out of contract DO NOT constitute BILLs.

Return a copy of such document to the sender with a request for a True Bill signed in blue ink by an official of the agency or department of origin. State that you will comply with their request and settle the account upon your receipt of their bill.

If they do send you such a "Bill", [which they likely will not do], just write on the Bill the phrase "Consumer Purchase" and sign it with your cheque signing signature, putting 'for' before the signature, and send it to the billing party. The for means you are acting as an authorized scribe for the 'legal identity' and not assuming the debt responsibilities of it. The Bill is paid!

So, I repeat:

If the Government department or agency will not send a BILL, but repeatedly send something that may be called an assessment, fine, court order for payment, statement of premium, invoice or such, cross out the false heading and print a replacement heading called "BILL". Then follow the procedure above. If they continue their dunning activity against you, you have to conclude that the following is their basis for not obeying that Canadian law:

The obvious reason that Government will not send a BILL is that they are just acting as an agent for the Crown of the City of London, the claimant that you are a slave belonging to that corporate body [UNITED STATES in the USA]. Since a demand upon the slave [You] from the slave owner would be under the property right of the Crown [UNITED STATES in the USA], and not under contract equalization [completion], it is not a 'billing' issue. Your response would be a 'Freedom Of Information demand' requesting the date, circumstance, authority and method by which you, the free will adult man (male or female) became a slave belonging to the corporate body called 'The Crown" [or, UNITED STATES].

Slave? How did the Government make you a slave? Download the The Name Game, in RTF format.

Section 57(1) and Section 190 of the Bills Of Exchange Act Canada
[USA Uniform Commercial Code has similar]

Presumption of value

57. (1) Every party whose signature appears on a bill is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, deemed to have become a party thereto for value.
Présomption

57. (1) Toute partie dont la signature figure sur une lettre est réputée, en l’absence de preuve contraire, y être devenue partie à titre onéreux.
Consumer bill or note to be marked

190. (1) Every consumer bill or consumer note shall be prominently and legibly marked on its face with the words “Consumer Purchase” before or at the time when the instrument is signed by the purchaser or by any person signing to accommodate the purchaser.
Inscription obligatoire

190. (1) La mention « Achat de consommation » doit être inscrite, lisiblement et en évidence, au recto des lettres ou billets de consommation au moment de la signature de l’effet par l’acheteur ou par tout signataire complaisant, ou avant.
Further information on the topic? Download Explaining Bills Of Sale, in RTF format.

For a more indepth study regarding the subject, Bills of Exchange, download this file called UNCITRAL. Learn more about the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law HERE.

De facto

2011-11-16T04:30:00.001-06:00

Once the Government creates an “artificial-person” that simulates you (i.e. appears to be the same as you from your point of view), but is actually a contrivance of government laws and regulations — then they’ve got you, so to speak. And if you fill out paperwork and sign documents as if you were this artificial-person (create contracts), then they can make you totally subservient to all their rules and regulations:

Make you believe you are obligated to pay taxes,
Make you believe that you have to obtain a driver’s licence,
Make you believe that you have to work as an Employee.

2010-10-16T07:36:00.000-05:00

GOD'S LOVING RESTORATION EXTENDS EVEN TO SODOM

"And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL THINGS unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they are things in earth, or things in heaven" (Colossians 1:20).

Paul's unequivocal testimony is the reconciliation of "all things" that have been alienated from God. The context is abundantly clear – the "all things created" ARE the exact same "all things" RECONCILED. God will leave no corner of His vast and wonderful universe outside of His unfailing love.

This reconciliation is truly universal! No creature will be left out. Nothing will be left alienated or unreconciled to God. There will be an entire, universal "restoration of all things."

"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are ALL THINGS …" (Romans 11:36).

"And when ALL THINGS shall be subjected unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him Who put ALL THINGS under Him, that God may be ALL IN ALL" (I Corinthians 15:21-28).

Even Sodom!

Even Sodom, the great example of God's wrath and judgment, will not be exempt from the glorious restoration of God's Love.

"And your elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at your left hand: and your younger sister, that dwells at your right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. Yet you have not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, you were corrupted more than they in all your ways. As I live, says the Lord GOD, Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters. … When I shall turn back their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I turn back the captivity of your captives in the midst of them: … When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then you and your daughters shall return to your former estate" (Ezekiel 16:46-48, 53, 55).

Praise the Lord! He is indeed the Loving Lord of both the dead and the living.

"For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Romans 14:9).

Universal reconcilliation

2010-08-21T08:16:00.001-05:00

The Recognition of Universal Reconciliation - Part 1

Crack O' Dawn Report: The Bible's Greatest Evangelist Sucked At It

2010-08-15T11:02:00.000-05:00

Crack O' Dawn Report: Last Guys Finish First

2010-07-31T23:41:00.000-05:00

Crack O' Dawn Report: God Put Obama in the White House

2010-07-31T23:33:00.000-05:00

2010-07-22T08:49:00.001-05:00

Free Will and the "Oh Well!" creed

What is free will? Free will is a doctrine that teaches that man can act independently of God. This should already ring sour to the spiritually-attuned ear. The doctrine of free will teaches that man has the freedom to choose or reject God, never mind the verse that says no man is seeking God (Rom. 3:11).

But I remind you that we’re talking about free will; Scripture has nothing to do with this.

In other words, in the doctrine of free will, man becomes the deciding factor in his own salvation. Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, according to this doctrine, was only a potential salvation, not an actual one. According to this doctrine, the cross of Christ never saved anybody; the cross only saves those who decide to be saved. What about the verse that says no one can come to the Son unless the Father draws him? (Jn. 6:44). Never mind it. What about the verses that say God is the Savior of all mankind (1 Tim. 4:10), and that the blood of the cross will reconcile all to Him (Col. 1:20), whether those on the earth or those in the heavens? Never mind them. Then what about the verse that says God is operating all things in accord with the counsel of His will? (Eph. 1:11) Again, never mind. I have already told you. Scripture has nothing to do with this. We’re talking about free will.

Scripture is strong medicine

Reader, if you believe in the free will of man, please investigate the ninth chapter of Romans in any version you please, come back, then tell me if you still believe in it. If you still do, then read Romans 11:32. If you still believe in free will after that, take a little tea, massage your temples, and read John 6:44. You say you’ve read these verses and you still believe in free will? Very well; perhaps your neck needs cracked. If you do not know a good chiropractor, try it yourself. Place one hand on your head, another on your chin and yank. Ah! Now read Ephesians 1:4. Still? Perhaps bed is the answer.

Go to bed, rise tomorrow with a clear head, then read Proverbs 16:9, 19:21 and 1 Kings 22:22. If, for whatever reason—medical or otherwise—you still believe in free will, take Daniel 4:35, Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 21:1, Proverbs 20:24 and Isaiah 10:15 and call me in the morning. As long as you are neither pregnant nor nursing a baby, take two readings of Ephesians 1:11. Caution:do not exceed this recommended dosage. At higher doses, unbearable relief may occur.

Warning: these verses may cause excitability in theologians and seminary students. Avoid operating a motor vehicle while reading these verses. A persistent reliance on orthodox tradition may be a sign of a serious condition. If your belief in free will persists for more than a week, tends to recur, or is accompanied by rash, pride (or rash pride) and a general looking down on others, accompanied by a false estimation of self, consult your Savior.

Who chose who?

Don’t take my jolly humor the wrong way. I used to believe in free will myself. But then a brother asked me to exercise it by deciding not to sin the following day. I was determined to do it. My alarm clock went off and I reached for it, but it wasn’t there; Melody had moved it to her side of the bed. The day had hardly begun and already I had missed my alarm clock; the word sin, in the original Greek language of Scripture, simply means "to miss."

So much for my vaunted free will.

Deep down, many Christians believe that there is something about them that makes them smarter than others, able to make a better decision concerning God than others. Wouldn’t you agree that Christians who think this way would have something to boast in? They would if an account of their salvation began with the word "I."

Yet Paul says that, in the true gospel of grace, boasting is debarred. That’s Romans 3:27. "Debarred" means: shut out, excluded. Do you realize what this means?

This means that a believer cannot even claim credit for his or her ability to believe! (Quite true, I’m afraid. Read Philippians 1:29 and Romans 12:3. The first verse says that our belief in Christ is graciously granted us, the second that our very faith is a gift. You’re disappointed; I can see it in your face. But now you know the truth: You are no different than anyone else. If God hadn’t chosen you, you’d be an unbeliever, too, just like your stupid Uncle Harry. Take heart. Once your pride has recovered from this, you will exult in your Savior as never before; you will need Him as you never have. (If God has used me to save you from a fall and soften your opinion of Harry, I am happy.)

Think!

Now think about it. If a person begins an account of his or her salvation with the word "I," then he or she is boasting. That person may say they’re not boasting, but denial doesn’t change facts. Yet if they begin an account of their salvation with the word "God," they are practically repudiating the doctrine of human free will. What about you? Does an account of your salvation begin with the word "I" or with the word "God?" I hope that it begins with the word "God." If it does, then you have rejected the false doctrine of the free will of man and now believe in the free will of God. This is a good thing.

For who makes you different from anybody else, and what have you got that was not given to you? And if anything has been given to you, why boast of it as if you had achieved it yourself? —1 Cor. 4:7

But here we run into an apparently insurmountable problem, which also appears quite impossible to overcome. We now understand that God has given us the belief and faith necessary for salvation. But this leads us to a startling and seemingly troubling conclusion: He has not given this belief and faith to others. While this may be a hard pill to swallow at first (I recommend a little orange juice), it is nonetheless true. As I will show, this is not a problem. No, truth is never a problem. Discarding error is the problem.

Matthew 13:11 records these words Jesus spoke to His disciples: "To you has it been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, yet to those (the throng) it has not been given."

Hear Him in Matthew 11:25- "Jesus said, ‘I am acclaiming Thee, Father...for Thou hidest these things from the wise and intelligent.’"

What does the Master say of Jerusalem in Luke 19:42? "If you knew...what is for your peace! Yet now it was hid from your eyes."

Could it be that God purposely kept some from believing His Son? You may be tempted to think that the "wise and intelligent" nailed their own coffins, or that Jerusalem got stubborn apart from God’s influence. Resist this temptation. I challenge you to read what these verses say, not what the "wise and intelligent" tell you they say. God is a causer, not a reactor. Consider the above in light of the following:

Romans 11:8- "Even as it is written, God gives them (Israel) a spirit of stupor, eyes not to be observing, and ears not to be hearing, till this very day."

Romans 11:32- "For God locks up all together in stubbornness."

Romans 9:18- "Consequently, then, to whom He will, He is merciful, yet whom He will, He is hardening."

To the mind unprejudiced by traditional teaching, these verses say one thing: God is responsible for unbelief. Don’t shoot the messenger! This truth is probably causing yet another seemingly inescapable problem to trouble your mind. That is why I am about to place that problem on a sturdy table in front of you and offer a solution to it in the plainest possible language. I choose English.

Divine-inspired stubbornness

If you believe in either the annihilation or eternal torment of Uncle Harry, then you have encountered a serious problem. I have just shown from the Scriptures that God is responsible, not only for withholding Himself from Uncle Harry, but also for locking up Harry in stubbornness. Now look around you. The world is an oblate spheroid from the weight of people like Uncle Harry; the spiritually stubborn account for most of humanity. My question to you is: what happens when these people die in this condition?

You say everyone gets an opportunity to believe before they die? Let’s test this theory. Pause to consider Israel.

In Romans 11:8, Paul writes that, "even as it is written, God gives Israel a spirit of stupor" that remains "till this very day." Paul was quoting Isaiah 29:10. Israel’s divinely-inspired stubbornness, then, dates at least to Isaiah’s time. (See also Isaiah 63:17 and 64:7-8.) Paul wrote Romans around the summer of ‘58 A.D. Isaiah lived around 750 B.C. Here alone are approximately 800 years of God-inspired stubbornness. And what of the nearly 2000 years of stupor since? Folks, a lot of Jews have died unbelievers in 2800 years. And God, Who has not only made them stubborn (Rom. 11:8, 11:32) but also holds the keys of death (Rev. 1:18), is responsible.

I wonder if your theology has an answer for this. I’ve been staring at that throw rug over there by your rocking chair. All this time I thought that was your dog lying under it. Now I see that Boscoe is chewing on the sofa. That lump under your rug is all the verses I’ve just quoted that you’ve been sweeping under there for most of your Christian life. I think it’s time for a little spring cleaning.

The "Oh well!" creed

Calvinists (those folks belonging to a religion invented by John Calvin) ran into the same problem; they simply put their dogs outside. But besides this, they also had trouble with the idea of a sovereign God bringing billions of people into the world, only to send most to an eternity of torment. You see, the Calvinists at least saw the truth of the sovereignty of God; give them credit for relatively flat rugs. They acknowledged that members of Christ’s body are predestined for it long before birth, apart from personal merit. That’s easy enough to see; Ephesians 1:4-5 and Romans 8:29 say as much. So hooray for the Calvinists again.

But what of the billions of people who aren’t predestined for heaven? What about the horrible problem of a God who purposely feeds hellfire with divinely-hardened flesh? Well, the Calvinists finally devised a "solution" to that: they no longer considered it a problem! Today, one of their shortest creeds is: "Oh well!" This creed is repeated a great deal at funerals. Calvinism so infuses the heart with Christian love that its founder, John Calvin, once had a disagreeable Spanish theologian, Michael Servetus, burned at the stake in Geneva in 1553. Doesn’t that hurt? I guess only if you hold onto the match for too long.

Song and dance

At the other end of the problem stand the Arminians. These folks followed Jacobus Arminius, who rejected Calvin’s predestination teaching of pure grace. Arminius believed salvation was available to everyone—if they exercised their free wills and took it (i.e. "works"). The Arminians’ rug resembled a beret on the Matterhorn. But at least they relieved God of responsibility for His creation. God sent them a large "thank you" card, which can be seen at the National Free Will Museum in Meesavemyself, New Mexico. This museum is open only if you believe that it’s open.

"If you go to hell, it’s your fault!" is the Good News of the Arminians. This bogus gospel, passed down to the present, is believed and preached by millions. It even makes some people want to wear robes.

But the doctrine, "if you go to hell, it’s your fault!" does have an even more sinister side-effect than making people want to wear robes. That side-effect is: If you go to heaven, it’s your credit. This deduction is unavoidable. If going to hell is one’s fault, how can staying out of it be anything but one’s credit? I give up. If I can be stubborn enough to lose my salvation, it is self-evident that I can be savvy enough to gain it. This little song and dance is also called "salvation by works." But I wouldn’t tell people that this is what they really believe. Well—I guess I would. But they won’t like to hear it. And they sure won’t believe it.

So you say you want to get persecuted? That’s awesome. Then walk into your average evangelistic church today and suggest to them that the blood of Christ was shed for—and will ultimately save—everyone.

For some reason, this news will stab their hearts and they will hate your intestines.

Want to hear some sense?

Now I’m going to solve the problem and relieve your troubled mind. Don’t credit me—give God the glory. (But I do accept Red Lobster gift certificates.)

The problem, restated, is: 1) No one can believe in God unless God gives belief 2) He refuses to give belief to most of humanity, hardening hearts to boot, and—here comes the problem— 3) He allegedly sends those whom He has hardened (without the proper clothing, one would assume) to an eternity of hellfire.

You will notice that the Calvinist and the Arminian viewpoint have one common point: a belief in eternal torment. The Arminians ducked this horror by making God not liable for sending folks to orthodox hell. The ticket out? Free will. Free will is one of the easiest heresies to disprove from Scripture—but it doesn’t matter. Arminian-types who believe in eternal torment are in the embarrassing position of having to stare sovereignty-of-God verses in the face and deny them; I’ve witnessed the phenomenon. But at least, unlike Calvinists, they resist a God who damns people on purpose. Calvinists, delicate souls, simply recite the "Oh well!" creed and go home.

The common problem with these two errant beliefs is—eternal torment. In my next book, I will put together the correct part of Arminianism with the correct part of Calvinism (discarding the rest), to show you the truth.

Crack O' Dawn Report: How To Be A Consistent Human Free Will Type Person

2010-07-20T09:16:00.000-05:00

Adam

2010-07-03T11:23:00.001-05:00

Watch

An Atheist Meets God

2010-06-18T12:49:00.000-05:00

Crack O' Dawn Report: The Free Will of Ronald McDonald

2010-05-30T23:08:00.000-05:00

Kathleen singing

2010-05-26T13:02:00.001-05:00

Awesome

I dare you to watch this

2010-05-22T18:59:00.001-05:00

If your a Christian I dare you to watch this

I dare you to watch this

2010-05-22T18:45:00.001-05:00

If your a Christian I dare you to watch this

Haha...true

2010-05-22T13:42:00.001-05:00

This is sadly true of most believers, even some that I know

Our Bengal

2010-05-21T18:30:00.001-05:00

Yuppers

Our kitten

2010-05-18T14:35:00.001-05:00

Sleeping on lap

judge

2010-05-18T12:23:00.001-05:00

Do not judge or you too will be judged.for in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Neighbor kids with our three angels.

2010-05-17T16:17:00.001-05:00

Had a massive water fight, pigged out on hotdogs and chips and blasted the stereo. Great time had by all

Invited

2010-05-17T16:14:00.001-05:00

Lol. Your invited, no your not invited. Make up your mind people. Haha.

2010-05-10T12:24:00.000-05:00

This morning I was reading in Titus chapter 3 and something stuck out to me that really speak against the “us and them” mentality the church has taken as one of its major stands. By “us and them” I mean that they say God has made a way for about 5 to 10% to eventually enter into heaven while the remaining 90% or so will be damned forever.
In the first few verses of Titus 3 we see that it talks about those that lived in malice and envy, did numerous evil things, hateful etc. These are things that Paul took note of in order to show in his letter to Titus, that even though these things were in the society of that time, and of course still are prevalent in our society, he goes on to explain that an event had occurred that made it possible to look at all men in meekness and gentleness and to speak evil of no man. It actually says to show this gentleness and meekness to all men.
The “us and them” mentality almost seems to delight in that some will get what they deserve for their evil works and it leans towards that some are even glad that some will end up in a burning hell forever. Is this not what we see and hear from most that see this as an “us and them” human race? What if I and all others got what we all deserved? Would we not all be in the terrible situation of going to a lost eternity?
In verse 4 of Titus 3 Paul makes it clear to Titus that “after the kindness and love of God appeared” that even these people mentioned in the previous verses were now ok. In verse 5 he says it clearly that “it is not by works of righteousness which we have done” but it is “according to His mercy”. Wait a minute, does not the “us and them” mentality say we have to do something in order for this to be ours? What about the prayer at the altar, the repenting Sunday after Sunday, the church attendance, the Bible reading, the hours in prayer? Don’t these things count towards us making and entrance into heaven when we pass from this life? Not if it by grace.
In verse 7 again Paul makes it clear how we enter in. Being justified by His grace we are now heirs. If it is by grace, and we have all been told that grace is God’s free unmerited favor, than how can we have to do anything to receive it? Is God’s grace not freely given? How can it be grace when we attach any work or involvement on our part? The grace of God gives us and everyone else, even the “them” of the human race, something none of us ever did nor could ever deserve. It is not something we can do anything or work for. It is free, it has already been done and it is finished.
His grace was shed on us abundantly and we were washed and regenerated by His blood which He shed on the cross. It was totally apart from our involvement then and it is still totally apart from any of our involvement now. The grace of God has nothing to do with whether you believe or don’t believe, work or don’t work, go to church or don’t go to church. It was and is a total work of Jesus Christ our Lord and it has been freely shed upon every human being. If it is not on the entire human race, then it can not be called grace. The church must find another word to use because the “us and them” mentality is not God’s grace. God’s grace was sufficient for the entire human race and if it wasn’t then it is not grace.
How can we call it grace if I have to believe it in order for it to be true? Is God not big and powerful enough that His grace could cover every person on earth apart from their involvement? Again, if He isn’t then it is time we find another word other than grace. His grace was sufficient to justify every human being. It is finished.

2010-05-06T21:20:00.001-05:00

Remarriage Truth

In 1Corinthians 7:27, 28 it says, "Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned."

What we have been taught is that you can ONLY get remarried if your spouse is dead ? period! Therefore, let's apply this teaching to this scripture. "Are you bound (married) to a wife? Do not seek be loosed (to kill her or to put a contract out on her). Are you loosed from a wife (did you kill her or have her murdered)? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry another woman (after you had your wife killed) you have not sinned." Can you see the utter silliness of that rationale? This is the proper understanding: "Are you bound (married) to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed (divorced). Are you loosed (divorced) from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry (after you have been divorced), you have not sinned."

Next, direct your attention to 1Corinthians 7:8, 9 which says, "I say unto the UNMARRIED and the WIDOWS, 'it is good for them if they abide even as I(meaning to stay single). But if THEY cannot contain (having self-control to stay single) LET THEM MARRY: FOR IT IS BETTER TO MARRY than to burn (with passion for a mate)."

Religion has taught us that the "unmarried" in this Scripture does not refer to anyone who was divorced, only to those who where NEVER MARRIED. If "unmarried" means "NEVER MARRIED," then why did Paul the Apostle who wrote this letter continue only sixteen verses later say, "NOW concerning VIRGINS..."? Virgins (those who where NEVER MARRIED were NOT of those mentioned who where UNMARRIED. "NOW" he is talking about them?--the virgins?. Before he wasn't! Then Paul goes on to say that the virgins and those who are UNMARRIED ? "loosed from a wife" (divorced) are in the same category if they marry ? "THEY HAVE NOT SINNED."

2010-04-24T19:01:00.001-05:00

God Saves The Helpless by Martin Zender

 Helpless:(help'lis), adj. 1.unable to help oneself; weak or dependent. 2. deprived of strength or power; powerless; incapacitated.   According to many theologians, God offers helpless sinners a general invitation to accept His Son. Did you catch the contradiction in asking helpless people to do something? Great. Then you're already far ahead of trained professionals. Keep moving.  Romans 3:11says that, "Not one is seeking out God." Is this anyone's fault? No. Romans 11:32 says, "God locks up all together in stubbornness." We are all born stubborn, and apart from divine intervention, we stay that way.  Some may be upset by the previous paragraph, wondering why God would purposely make all humankind stubborn. It will greatly help to know this: It's also God's intention to have mercy on the same all He locks up in stubbornness (this is the second half of Romans 11:32). Anybodycan rescue someone halfway in a boat. God actually rescues those who fight Him all the way.  In Acts, chapter nine, an extremely stubborn and helpless (to save himself) person named Saul of Tarsus is en route to Damascus to arrest and kill Christians. Here is a perfect field for a demonstration of amazing grace; don't think God hasn't thought of it.  Before he could even say, "Praise the Lord," Saul was on the ground beholding Christ's glory. This was not a "general invitation" to fall off a horse. Saul (Paul) wrote later: "The grace of our Lord overwhelms" (1 Tim. 1:14). "Overwhelms" reminds me of Niagara Falls, and causes me to now wonder: Does a person walking out from under Niagara Falls need to "make a decision" whether or not to get wet?  Paul became the rule for salvation, not the exception. He told Timothy he was "a pattern of those who are about to be believing on Him" (1 Tim. 1:16). This doesn't mean that everyone gets pitched off a pony. But the principleis the same: Salvation operates in spite of us, not because of us.  Some think we need to get unhelpless long enough to call on God. Nonsense. Remember? "Not one is seeking out God." We are so helpless that God has to give us the very faith we need to seek Him (Romans 12:3). Don't I believe in the free will of man? No. I believe in the free will of God.  Here is what the so-called "general invitation" doctrine is saying: God pulls into your driveway and, finding your house burning down, honks the horn a couple times. Being a hands off God, He then closes His eyes, plugs His ears and starts humming loudly to Himself so He won't be tempted to influence your decision to either get into or not get into His car. From this point on, it's entirely up to your strength and your wisdom to open the door and get in. Never mind that you're upstairs lying unconscious on the floor (see "helpless," Rom. 5:6). And you better hurry, too, because this buggy's moving on. Once God pulls out of the driveway, your chance to get in the car isover. (As if God leaves Christ's work on Calvary to chance!)  The really crazy part about this "general invitation" business is that those who believe it call it "salvation by grace." Hmm. Sounds to me more like "salvation by being strong enough and smart enough to get into God's car while God is closing His eyes, plugging His ears and humming to Himself."  Romans 5:6, layman's termsThisis salvation by grace: God pulls into your driveway and, finding you nowhere in sight and your house burning down, lays His own neck on the line and runs up the stairway, through the flames and into your bedroom. Finding you unconscious on the floor in your underwear, He picks you up, carries you out of the house, down the sidewalk and out to His car. At the car, He cradles your limp frame in His left arm while opening the door with His right hand. Then He straps you into the front seat next to Him, slams the door and starts off to glory. Once you come to, He does let you say "I believe! I believe! I confess Your name!" Due to His gracious nature, He also lets you check the rear-view mirror for Him occasionally, run the power windows up and down and fool with the radio. This is called being a "fellow worker with God" (1 Cor. 3:5-9).  Helpless people being saved? The logical conclusion is this: Personal belief and confession are reactions to salvation, not causes of it. We believe because we are saved, we are not saved because we believe.  

2010-03-27T11:03:00.000-05:00

WATCH THIS VIDEO...I DARE YOU

hurt

2010-03-07T11:16:00.001-06:00

Hurt by God

Jim March 7th, 2010

Have you been hurt by God?

These days people are leaving church, shedding religion, deconstructing their faith, and re-thinking all things God. Sometimes conversations about this center around spirited exchanges about concepts, doctrines, and theology. Let the best ideas win!

But I have a “Dear Jim” gmail folder, which is filled with emails from people, pouring out their wounded hearts over God. It’s not ideas and concepts and doctrines…it’s personal…deeply personal…painfully personal!

It makes sense. We are not computers that simply collect and synthesize data. We are humans, right? We feel…we desire…we hope…we trust…we are vulnerable…we want and seek love…we are susceptible to hurt, pain, and heartache. Perhaps with God the wounds are always worse. After all, he’s the guy who was supposed to always come through.

So, I’m wondering…were you hurt by God? Forget the theology of that, I’m asking if it felt or feels that way to you. Were you hurt by God? Is there a very real way God wasn’t the guy who always comes through for you? Did you pour yourself into relationship with God, and felt silence, unresponsiveness, perhaps even rejection? Were you the person out there giving everything to God, and then it all caved in and went up in smoke?

Do you have a God wound? Do your feel your trust or faith in God was betrayed? Did you knock on the doors of heaven in despair, and get no response? Do you feel like you got the rug pulled out from under your feet…by God? Was it like suddenly the rules changed and you never got the memo from God?

God wounds are not easy to share. I know. And yet, there’s a way we might be able to support and encourage one another forward if we could be honest with each other, and share our hurts and heartaches with God. Would you be willing to share yours?

No judgment here. As far as I am concerned there’s no place with God you need to be. Wherever you are right now with faith, God, whatever…fine. Let’s not rush in and try to fix others or talk them out of where they are right now with God. Let’s just share openly and honestly, and try to understand where each other is coming from.

Have you been hurt by God?

2010-03-05T20:11:00.001-06:00

THE UNKNOWN GOD
The Message of Mars' Hill (Acts 17), Part 3

Paul begins to talk to the pagans on Mars' Hill regarding something about which they evidently had an extreme interest: idols. The interesting thing is what he said to them. He said that they worshipped God – the true and living God – but that they just did so ignorantly.

"Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you."

Ignorant Worship

He wanted to talk to them about the God Whom they worshipped, although ignorantly. The word "ignorantly" is an adverb that tells us how they worshipped God. They worshipped Him for sure – it was simply done in ignorance! So said Paul.

Think of that. If we had been there with Paul, would we have accused the Athenians of not worshipping God at all, because they did so before idols?

Let's bring this into our own culture. Would we accuse Catholics (or those of various Protestant denominations) of not worshipping God, just because they might do so ignorantly? Do they not indeed worship, just like those on Mars' Hill, even if it is in ignorance?

What about Jehovah's Witnesses, or Mormons? What about Jews? Or, dare we say Muslims? Could these be any "worse" worshippers than the idol worshipping men of Athens? Is it not true that they worship God, just ignorantly?

What a different perspective this puts on things! Paul said "let me tell you about Him!" This would surely seem like high-heresy to one raised in Christian fundamentalism. I know. I would never have thought I would see things this way; but here we have the very words and example of Paul himself.

Those who "worship" in ignorance nonetheless worship the true and living God. Thankfully, ignorance is curable – and sooner or later "every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God" (Romans 14:11).

The truth of this would do away with denominational and religious division and hostility in the heart of the believer. I do not speak here of ecumenicalism, but of being outside of all religious barriers and bondage, and being free to love, accept and minister to others, exactly where they are.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
Bible Student's Notebook
© 2009, 2010

2010-02-27T10:37:00.001-06:00

THE GRAVE

Contrary to popular opinion, all go to the same place when they die: the grave.

"For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even one thing befalls them: as the one dies, so dies the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man has no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again" (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20).

The Dead Are NOT in Heaven

No man is in heaven, but "the man Christ Jesus."

"And no man has ascended up to heaven, but He Who came down from heaven, even the Son of Man Who is in heaven" (John 3:13).

Not even the patriarch David is in heaven.

"Men and brothers, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. … For David is not ascended into the heavens" (Acts 2:29, 34).

Death Does NOT Take One to Be with the Lord

Death is not the gateway to heaven. Resurrection is the gateway to heaven. Death is an enemy ("the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" – I Corinthians 15:26). The only way believers can go to heaven and be with the Lord is for Him to return and take them there at His coming.

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven … So shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:17).

The Dead Are IN Their Graves

The Scriptures are clear as to where the dead are: they are in their graves.

"… All who are in their graves shall hear His voice" (John 5:28).

"… Them who sleep in the dust shall awake …" (Daniel 12:2).

"… You who dwell in the dust …" (Isaiah 26:19).

The Dead Are ALAWYS Said to Be Where Their Bodies Are

The dead are never in a different place than their bodies.

Sarah was buried, not just "the body of Sarah."

"… Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah …" (Genesis 23:19).

Abraham was buried, not just "the body of Abraham."

"… There was Abraham buried" (Genesis 25:10).

David is dead and buried, not just his "body."

"So David slept with his fathers, and was buried …" (I Kings 2:10).

"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day" (Acts 2:29).

Solomon slept (that is, he died), and was buried, not just "the body of Solomon."

"And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father …" (II Chronicles 9:31).

Stephen was buried, not just "the body of Stephen."

"And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him" (Acts 8:2).

Man Is NOT Immortal

Men are mortal. Regardless of what theology teaches, the Scriptures teach that no one has immortality, except the Lord Jesus Christ Jesus.

"Who only has immortality" (I Timothy 6:16).

"Death of the body" and "resurrection of the body" are not biblical expressions. Death is the death of the person. Resurrection is the resurrection of the person. In the Bible it is the person who is said to die, not their bodies.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
The Salvation of All
© 2005-2010

2010-02-24T14:24:00.000-06:00

"HELL" IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES

A serious problem with many English translations of the Bible is the word "hell." It is the cause of great confusion and misunderstanding.

Our English word "hell" is the translation of one Hebrew and three Greek words.

The English word "hell" is a translation of the single Hebrew word she'ôl (sheh-ole', or sheol).

In the King James Version, she'ôl is translated:

"grave" (32 times)
"hell" (31 times)
"pit" (3 times)

How can the same word that is translated as "grave" be almost equally translated as "hell"? Were the translators confused? Is the average reader aware that "grave" and "hell" are both translations of the Hebrew word she'ôl? Do the words "grave" and "hell" mean the same thing to the average reader? Talk about confusion!

Concerning she'ôl, E.W. Bullinger has written,

"As to the rendering `hell,' it does not represent sheol, because both by dictionary definition and by colloquial usage `hell' means the place of future punishment.

"Sheol has no such meaning, but denotes the present state of death. `The grave' is, therefore, a far more suitable translation, because it visibly suggests to us what is invisible to the mind, viz., the state of death. It must, necessarily, be misleading to the English reader to see the former put to represent the latter.

"The student will find that `THE grave,' taken literally as well as figuratively, will meet all the requirements of the Hebrew sheol: not that sheol means so much specifically `A grave,' as generically, but `THE grave …'

"Sheol therefore means the state of death; or the state of the dead, of which the grave is a tangible evidence. … It may be represented by a coined word, `Gravedom,' as meaning the dominion or power of the grave."

2010-02-23T08:59:00.001-06:00

PAUL ON "HELL"

Since Paul is God's spokesman for us today, we should always consult his teaching when considering any subject. "Hell" is no exception.

We may be in for a great surprise. Have we ever stopped to consider that Paul, our Apostle, never once even used the word "hell"? He didn't use the word "hell" in any recorded messages from the Book of Acts. He didn't use the word "hell" in any of his epistles. Not once! Get your concordance and, like the Bereans, check to see if this is so.

How could this possibly be? How could Paul have conducted his entire teaching ministry – one that brought glory to God – and yet never even once used the word "hell"? Isn't the traditional, orthodox doctrine of "hell" at the very foundation of our religious creeds?

How could Paul have been so negligent in his solemn teaching responsibilities? How could he have gone through his entire ministry forgetting to use such a crucial word? What was up with that?

Or, was it possible that Paul understood something Christendom doesn't? Consider Paul's declaration found in the Book of Acts:

"Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:26-27).

The plain and simple fact is that Paul was not negligent in his teaching ministry. This passage makes that abundantly clear. Paul clearly states that he was "pure from the blood of all men," because he had declared "all the counsel of God" – a counsel which obviously DID NOT include "hell" at all. Period!

Wasn't Paul presented as a pattern (I Timothy 1:15-16)? Didn't Paul tell us to follow him (I Corinthians 4:15-17; 11:1; Philippians 3:17)?

Didn't Paul tell us to,

"Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 1:13)?

Did we hear "hell" from Paul? Was it a Pauline form of "sound words"? Have many been duped into accepting a religious tradition contrary to the sound scriptural teachings of our Apostle?

Wouldn't we be Pauline if, like Paul, we also EXCLUDED "hell" from our teaching? Or, more pointedly, could we possibly be truly Pauline in our teaching if we continued the use of a theological system that includes the traditional "hell"?

Why not just follow our Apostle in teaching a pure grace gospel that has no place for, nor need of a religious "hell"?

Christendom is steeped in the traditions of men, and not in the traditions of Paul.

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (II Thessalonians 2:15).

We are to hold Paul's traditions, "whether by word, or our epistle." Holding to Paul's very words and epistles will remove "hell" from your teaching.

2010-02-10T20:28:00.000-06:00

Here’s the idea:
1) There is God
2) We can have “relationship” with God
3) Through this relationship with God we experience love…God’s love…God’s perfect love.

So, I’m wondering/curious…

Are there people out there who bought into this idea of “relationship with God” and found that it didn’t work or wasn’t real for them. Maybe you tried and tried and tried to have this “relationship,” and often used the phrase “relationship with God” to describe your reality but being honest with yourself you realized that this God “relationship” and God “love” wasn’t real.

I realize there are people who feel they have a relationship with God and experience God’s love. I get that and I’m not questioning it. But I’m wondering about the people out there who just didn’t find this “relationship with God”-thing to be real. Like maybe it sounded good on paper or rolling off your tongue but didn’t really happen. Maybe you even tried to tell yourself it was happening but it wasn’t.

For many people the big “aha moment” was discovering that “Christianity isn’t a religion but a relationship.” I want to hear from any people who tried Christianity as a “relationship” but found it lacking, empty, or futile.

I really want this blog to be a place where people can be honest about their experiences with God. Maybe you poured (or currently pouring) a lot of energy into the idea of a relationship with God. Maybe you feel it’s a load of crock. Maybe you are silently disappointed with the whole “relationship with God” thing. It’s okay! Let’s hear it. Be honest. Truly, I want to know. Are you really experiencing this relationship with and perfect love of God? If not, say so.

DONT-GIVE-A-DAMN-GEAR

2010-01-09T21:46:00.001-06:00

I’m STILL learning how to live. I’ve got a life. It’s been going on for a while now. Days have turned into weeks, into months, into years. But I’m still learning how to live. I don’t really have the hang of it yet. I have glimpses and I’ve tasted it but then I lose it. Choosing to live pushes every button I have, and it would be SO much easier to wus out and go back to simply existing.

I’m such an idiot! The things that hold me back are absolutely ridiculous! It’s scary to think of how much of life I forfeit for all the mental and emotional energy I expend, worrying about what others think of me or being misunderstood. It can be paralyzing. There are some days I’d rather just stand still and not move because taking a step forward is risking the rejection, judgment and misunderstanding of others. I see now that in order to live life, one needs a I-don’t-give-a damn gear. One thing I admire about Jesus is that he had this gear and used it often! He pretty much had to do most of his life in the I-don’t-give-a-damn gear.

It feels like I’m constantly needing to shift into the I-don’t-give-a-damn gear! I’m finding that living my life often involves risking the approval and acceptance of others, choosing a path that challenges “the way it’s supposed to be,” or just facing the plain and simple fear of screwing up. Oh, how I wish I could do life without dealing with any of that! It would be great if I could live life AND everyone be happy with me, live life AND fall into line, live life AND be guaranteed that everything I fear could happen won’t happen. Sign me up!

But it doesn’t seem to be that way. My life is like driving a stick in Chicago bumper-to-bumper traffic. You can’t just coast along; there’s a lot of shifting going on. Seems like I’m constantly shifting down into the I-don’t-give-a-damn gear. It’s a little jerky. Maybe the deal is that I trade in my stick for an automatic. Maybe each day when I get in the car I just put it in “D” – not for “drive” but for “don’t-give-a-damn.” Maybe you just have to live life in “D.” No, I don’t mean a mean-spirited, cruel, heartless I-don’t-give-a-damn gear but a you’ve got to choose life and the cards are often stacked against that choice I-don’t-give-a-damn gear.

Do you have that gear? Do you use it? Are you good at it? I need a little help here. If you have any experience driving in that gear I’d like to know about it. I don’t think there’s a driver’s education class for this sort of thing but maybe we could help us out a little here.

2010-01-09T13:48:00.000-06:00

1. Identity Theft – Adam was told he would be like God if he ate of the Tree. When the TRUTH was he already was like God and made in the very image of God. The serpent stole Adams identity. In the same way the serpent sought to steal Jesus’ identity by saying, “IF you are the Son of God then do this or that to prove it.” Satan’s biggest trap is to try and get people to prove something by their actions and beliefs. (Even well meaning Christians and Christian leaders do the same when they tell others that a “good” Christian does this or doesn’t do that) Jesus knew who He was and did not fall to the temptation of proving who He was by His actions and deeds. And why is that? Because of his knowing His Identity before the Father. The Father had already told him at His Baptism that “THIS IS MY SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED” He was pleased with Jesus before Jesus did ANYTHING! In the same way we must let people know that they are pleasing to the Father before or if they NEVER do anything. And why is He pleased? Because when He looks at us He sees His Son and His Righteousness and not our own. It is the message that is and will set people free.

And because of Identity Theft the following takes place:

2. Sin Consciousness is preached instead of Righteousness Consciousness – The New Covenant Good News Message should cleanse the mind of the Old Covenant Sin Consciousness and instead instill a Consciousness of Righteousness. But the church continues to preach sin and sin consciousness instead of righteousness and righteousness consciousness. When sin consciousness (Moses) is preached a veil is let down over a person’s mind and the completeness of Christ and His sacrifice CANNOT BE SEEN!

And the preaching of Sin Consciousness leads to this:

3. People attempting to fulfill the biggest desire of the flesh, which is to be justified by what they think, say or do. More than any other thing the flesh or human ego or self if you will desires to be justified by what it thinks, says or does. And in doing so will either approve of themselves and others or disapprove of themselves and others. People who attempt to please God through their actions, words and deeds are some of the most judgmental and hate filled people on planet earth. Sin consciousness NEVER leads to peace. It always leads to guilt and condemnation of self and mostly of others. Why of others? Because a person who is trying to please God through their actions, words and deeds will always compare themselves to those who seem to be not doing as they are.

What is the answer to this? The following:

4. Quit believing and trusting in your own personal faith and belief and embrace the faith and belief “of” Christ. Accept that you are righteous perfect and holy in the beloved. Accept God’s view and opinion of yourself and not the world’s view or the church’s view and opinion of yourself. What is the difference? The church mostly teaches that you are pleasing or unpleasing to God through your actions, words and deeds. God says you are righteous, perfect and holy because of what Jesus did regardless of your actions, words or deeds. And God also says there is NOTHING you can do or not do to change that view. So in the end will you believe in your belief in your self or God’s belief about you? It is only when we are freed from our own belief about ourselves and others that we see Jesus.

5. Embracing the faith “of” Christ – It is at the end of our belief about God that we meet Him and His belief about ourselves and others. What we believe about God does not matter. It is what He believes about us that will set the captives free to be free. What an individual believes about God can NEVER set that person or anyone else free. But when that person hears about God’s view and opinion about themselves through the Cross and Blood of Christ regardless of words, action or deeds. The soul comes to rest and know that He alone is God.

6. Remember Sin NO MORE – I have seen it over and over the past 4 years that when a person keeps the thought that they are righteous and holy EVEN WHEN THEY FALL OR FAIL that person will have and experience vices and desires fall off them like dead leaves from a tree in autumn. Things that they tried for years to rid their life of cease because of a Righteousness Consciousness. It makes no sense to the religious mindset because the religious mindset is trying to please God through the flesh. Something that was done by Jesus for us, the religious mindset tries to do for itself. And if you tell this to the religious they will rise up to kill you just as they did to Jesus. It may not be a physical death but they will attempt to destroy your ministry or you as a person.

is this how YOU feel? (this is Jesus speaking to you)

2010-01-09T13:39:00.002-06:00

“God’s kingdom is now within your reach _____(put your name here)! But grasping it will push you beyond the boundaries of what you normally think and feel about yourself, God, and life. It will even call into question certain religious notions you have learned. You don’t feel deserving of the life, peace, and freedom God wants to give you. Press beyond those feelings _____(name).

The truth is, God loves you and freely offers all of this and more. _______(name), you think and act as if your daily performance and behavior determines your good standing with God. The truth is, there’s nothing you could ever do or not do that would alter your worth, favor, and acceptance to God. Wherever you are now on the journey, you are loved and accepted by God. You feel inadequate to know and understand God and the things of God. Consider this _____(name), you have the Spirit within to guide you into all truth. Pay more attention to the ways of a child and you’ll get it. You are a son of God. I was resurrected from the dead within you. When it all works right, you won’t even know where “you” end and “I” begin. It will be like the life you are living is me living in and through you. You tend to think of your separateness from God, I want you to feel and experience your oneness with God. Trust me _______(name). You’re just scratching the surface. There’s more to it than you think. I’m always at my work within you. Rest in me.”

2010-01-04T20:42:00.000-06:00

If the Law that God provided could not make us righteous what makes the church think they can do a better job of coming up with another standard for correct performance?

LIFE WITHOUT SIN. BY boldgrace.com

2010-01-03T13:15:00.001-06:00

If someone were to ask me “Just what is at the root of your happiness?”, I would have to say “The realization that the power of sin is no longer a consideration in my life.” Unfortunately the organized church is still preaching a message of sin and it’s power but the reality is that sin and it’s power has been defeated. Paul said:

Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Well, the church is going to have to make its mind up weather we should be under law or under grace. It really is that simple. For me sin is no longer an issue because my mind has been saved from the illusion of sin. I think that’s what John was talking about in the following scriptures.

1 John 3:1-6 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

When John said: “Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him”, I believe he was talking about people who are still living in the illusion that sin has some sort of power over us, but the reality is that he defeated sin and all it’s power at the cross making us all ONE NEW MAN in Christ. We are PERFECT and the sooner we realize that the sooner we can enjoy a peace even in this life that is indescribable.

Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Did you get that? The law made NOTHING perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope DID. WOW! The better hope DID bring perfection and that’s a power we can all live by.

Phil 3:14-15 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

And even if I understand something in my mind that is less then perfect GOD SHALL REVEAL EVEN THIS TO ME.

Life without sin is not only possible it is truly the ONLY reality.

What does man need saved from?

Answer: From any message that teaches the Power of Sin over the Power of Grace.

For me and my house, we trust in God’s PERFECT LOVE FOR ALL.

Posted by Cliff on Sep 19th 2007 | Filed in Cliff, Freedom, Grace, Truth

GRACE by www.boldgrace.com

2010-01-03T10:11:00.000-06:00

As I live says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. Rom 14:11

I used to read this and I was convinced that these were the knees of those who lived their lives choosing not to believe that God could really love us as much as he does. I prided myself on not being one of those who would need to bow down before God at some later date because I was convinced that I already believed in his awesome grace and understood how deep his love was. And then a funny thing happened, I was reading a book called “Furious Pursuit” by Tim King & Frank Martin. In the last part of the book they list some sacred vows that God (the bridegroom) wants us to hear from his heart to ours. They are very simple and at first I didn’t put much into their profound meaning to my heart.

Here they are:

I have always been there for you, and I always will be.

I will walk with you forever—-just the two of us.

I will always understand you.

I will always be kind to you.

You will always be my own personal concern.

I love you. I always have, and I always will.

Now here is the strange thing. After mulling these over in my mind I found myself asking “Is God that loving?” “Can he really accept me with all my flaws?” “Don’t I have to do something to at least show him I love him?” And then I found myself going back to read these vows over and over again, and I began to weep, not because of how great his love is, but because I realized that his love is so great that as long as I am a human in the flesh I will never really be able to comprehend his love for me. Then it struck me that until we lose this body of clay that is so subject to weakness of all kinds we will never truly be able to appreciate everything God really is to us.

Yes, I do believe in God’s Love for all mankind, and I want others to believe it too, but I also know a time is coming for all of us when we will shed this body made from dust and we will see God with clarity for the first time, and when that happens we will all bow our knees and give the truest form of praise that we have ever given. We will be witnessing the brightness of his glory and we will be doing it without all our questions, and doubts, and divisions, and weaknesses of our flesh.

And at least for me I think I really know now what Paul meant when he said: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

I have worked so hard NOT to judge my brother, and I will continue to do that, but now I also realize NO human being can really fathom how unbelievable God’s love is for us. Yes, that means me too. And guess what? It feels great to know that as much peace as I feel right now, it’s even going to be greater, grander, and beyond my wildest imaginations.

The challenge we each have while we are still in the flesh is to trust his love. His love is trustworthy, and even when we struggle with that trust He is greater then our heart and the day will come when He will take away all our doubts. I am going to read those simple vows more often, and when my time comes to lay down this tired old body of flesh, closing my eyes for the last time, I will be bowing my knees for the first time in perfect praise of my loving God.

As I live says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. Rom 14:11

AN ENCOURAGING WORD ABOUT DEATH

2009-12-11T07:59:00.000-06:00

AN ENCOURAGING THOUGHT ABOUT DEATH

Death has two different meanings that are essential for us to differentiate:

The ACT OF DYING or termination of life.

The STATE OF BEING DEAD.

All humanity will experience "the act of dying," but absolutely no one will ever experience the "state of being dead." And this is because:

"For the living know that they shall die but the dead know not anything…" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

This may be comforting to some, but scary to others. It all depends on your point of view; your perspective; your emotional stability; your up-bringing; your understanding. What I want to do in this little article is give you an encouraging perspective of death. "How can anything be encouraging when it comes to death?" you are probably asking. Well, let me try and answer that for you.

Virtually every time that I have read that verse (dozens of times), it was to prove to someone that we do not have an immortal soul that lives on after death of the body, nor do we have consciousness as is taught in Christendom. But this past year I took another look at this verse and saw something else that I had never contemplated before.

Not only is there no consciousness in death, but there is no consciousness OF death either. This is the encouraging part.

"The living KNOW that they shall die, but the dead KNOW NOT ANYTHING."

Let’s think about that for a few moments and see if this is not quite encouraging.

"The living KNOW… the dead know NOTHING." The dead don’t know that they are dead. When you die, you will NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE DEAD! But it gets better. Not only will you never know that you are dead at some point in the future, but from your perspective YOU NEVER EVEN LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. This to me was a marvelous revelation.

Once God creates consciousness in a human they will NEVER EVER know anything BUT CONSCIOUSNESS. From my perspective and from your perspective we will never "know" ANYTHING but life and feelings and emotions and consciousness. From our perspective we will never "know" what it is like to be dead. Oh we will probably die some day (assuming that the Lord doesn’t come first), but we will never know that we were dead; we will never know what it is to BE dead, or to BE unconscious. Others will know and sorrow (maybe?) that we are dead and gone, but from OUR perspective we will never lose conscious reality, and we will never "experience" being dead.

Now I didn’t say we would not experience "dying." Most (albeit not all) people who die, experience dying, but they do NOT experience death itself, nor will they ever. It is impossible for someone to experience the death state, seeing that where there is no consciousness, there is no experience, and therefore there is no memory of it. I will carry this one step further. Even if there was no such thing as a resurrection from the dead, the dead would never know that they died and would never know that they are dead.

This to me is an amazing thing. Once God created consciousness, cognizance, awareness, perception, sensation, emotions, and the like; we never ever loose it from OUR PERSPECTIVE, and after all, whose perspective counts the most when it comes to death—ours or someone else’s?

We may all go through the fear of dying or even the pain of dying, but there is no pain and no fear IN DEATH ITSELF. No one who is presently dead is aware of it, or experiencing it, or being frightened by it, or anything else.

DEATH IS SLEEP

I was tempted to make that caption: DEATH IS LIKE SLEEP, but that would be Scripturally inaccurate, as nowhere do the Scriptures state that death is "like" sleep, but rather that death IS SLEEP. God prepared Moses for death with the following:

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, you shall sleep [Heb: shakab—to lie down, to rest, to sleep, to decease] with your fathers…" (Deut. 31:16).

David said:

"Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death" (Psalm 13:3).

When Lazarus was dead (John 11:14), Jesus said:

"Our friend Lazarus sleeps: but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep" (John 11:11).

Do you fear when your children "sleep" at night? You know that they are safe in sleep. Even in sleep we have a slight awareness of life, especially when we are dreaming or falling in and out of sleep, but in death there is no consciousness nor sub-consciousness, and so you will never know that you are sleeping. You know that your children will awake in the morning. We all who died IN CHRIST, shall awake in the morning of resurrection. And when we do, we might remember dying, but we will not remember ever being dead.

On five different occasions I came very near to death. Three of the five times I was unconscious. For all practicality, I was dead. I remember what happened before and after being unconscious, but I remember nothing of BEING unconscious. Yet I knew that I was, but only after the fact by the evidence, not from my actual experience of having been under. The actual fact of death is no different from what I already experienced several times. And you have all experienced it already as well. We all sleep, and unless we have bad dreams, the experience of sleep itself is nothing fearful or painful.

Sleep is a way that God can set people aside for a little while as He works with our children and our children’s children. Centuries and millennia will pass for some, yet they will know no death, only consciousness. From our perspective we will never know anything but life and consciousness. Death won’t even be an illusion: it won’t be AT ALL. And that is because "The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything."

The Apostle Paul was familiar with this verse, seeing that he earnestly studied the Hebrew Scriptures. With relation to this concept that "…the dead know not anything," Paul made the following statements:

"For we know, That if the tent of our earthy dwelling be taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made by hands, aionian, in the heavens. For indeed to this we are groaning, earnestly desiring to be invested with that habitation of our which is from [not ‘in’] heaven: surely, having been invested, we shall not be found destitute.

For, indeed, those being in the tent are groaning, being oppressed; in which we desire not to be divested [naked], but invested [clothed], that the mortal may be absorbed by LIFE. Now He Who has produced this for this same thing is that God Who has given to us the pledge of the Spirit.

Therefore, being always confident, and knowing that being at home in the body [our body, in the flesh] we are from home [our real home, our immortal home], away from the Lord; for we are walking by Faith, not by sight [‘Blessed are they that have NOT seen, and yet have believed’ John 20:29] But we are confident, and well-pleased rather to be separated from the body, and TO BE [not instantly, but at a future time] at home [with our new spiritual bodies like Christ’s] with the Lord" (II Cor. 5:1-8, Emphatic Diaglott).

Yes, Paul knew that once he died the next waking moment would be in resurrection with a new body (I Cor. 15:49), and although it would happen in an instant (from this life to the next life without missing a heart beat), in the twinkling of an eye (less than a second), nonetheless, it would have to wait until "the LAST TRUMP’ (I Cor. 15:51). But to Paul from his perspective, it would only be but a moment in time, seeing that, "the living KNOW that they shall die, but the dead KNOW NOT ANYTHING."

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that SLEPT" (I Cor. 15:20).

Soon we too shall be like Him and see our Creator as He is:

"Beloved now are we the sons of God, but it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as HE is pure" (I John 3:2-3)

Make no mistake: death is an enemy, but it is "being ABOLISHED" (I Cor. 15:26) by the One who has already had victory over it. And although we will never experience being dead, we certainly experience the loss of our loved ones who have died, and they will experience loss when we die.

So take courage: If you are reading this little article then you are alive, and that is all you will EVER KNOW… LIFE!

HOME

2009-11-28T17:23:00.002-06:00

The Myth of Free-Will Exposed

There was a time when I too was hoodwinked into believing that man has a "free will." I believed free will to be man’s ability to make choices, change his mind, learn from experiences, etc. And since it is a fact that man can indeed do these things, it seemed evident to me that man has free will. But then I learned that these are not the definition of free will at all.

Free will does not actually and literally mean that one can make choices, create, change his mind, or reformulate ideas and data, etc., but that those choices and thought processes must themselves be free thoughts and free choices. "Free will" is only true if our choices are also free. But free from what? Why, free from being forced upon us against our will, or free from being caused by anyone or anything except our OWN will. And so, yes, man can think, process data, make choices, change his choices, etc. But none of these activities are free from internal or external CAUSES.

That man has a will, there is no debate. It is the teaching that man himself determines his own will, FREELY, without anything causing his will or his choices to be what they are. The idea of free will or free moral agency is that man can by himself unaided by anything else, originate his own choices of his will.

But does man actually possess such a power? And if he does, where is the proof? Now for all who have no confidence in the Scriptures, let me say that there is absolutely no scientific proof that man has a "free will" or the ability to make "uncaused choices." If such a freedom of the will existed, it should be possible to demonstrate it. But there is no such scientific demonstration that man can formulate thoughts and actions to which absolutely no cause whatsoever can be attributed.

And for all who do have confidence in the Scriptures, let me say equally dogmatically that there is absolutely no Scriptural proof for man having a "free will" or the ability to make "uncaused choices." In every case Scripture shows that it is God Who is behind the scene of all circumstances that influence and cause a man to make the one and only choice possible under any given circumstance. This law of "cause and effect" is stated and demonstrated time and again in Scripture. Ignorance of these behind the scenes causes does not disprove the fact that they are the actual and literal cause of our choices

There are laws of science that men do not wish to carry over into his private and spiritual life. Why? Well, because he doesn’t like the ramifications of these laws. He does not want to admit that he is bound and controlled by laws. He wants to be "free"—free to be his own god, free to determine his own destiny, free to override the rule and dominance of God, free to rebel or free to obey, but freedom of the will at all cost.

I will admit that it is a real shock when we first come to understand that of ourselves we cannot make one "free" choice to do good. Something must cause that choice, but the carnal mind hates to be "caused" to do anything. "God gave all men free will," he shouts. God gave man no such thing. Free will is a phantom illusion that has deceived the whole world.

But how could most of the population of the entire world for the whole history of the world believe something as fundamental as "free will," if such a thing does not even exist? Well, that’s a fair question, and before I get into dozens and dozens of specific proofs that free will does not exist, let me just show you two very broad and Scriptural statements that would certainly be indicators that maybe what is popularly believed and taught is generally not true:

1. Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [narrow] is the gate, and narrow [cramped or difficult] is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it [Gk: ‘are finding it’]" (Matt. 7:13-14).

2. "Where is the wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the disputer [debater] of this world? Has not God made foolish [Gk: ‘stupid’] the wisdom of this world?" (I Cor. 1:20).

Notice that it is not the "foolishness" of this world that God says is stupid, but rather it is the "wisdom" of this world that is stupidity to God! And one of the most profound philosophical and theological pieces of wisdom that is universally agreed upon in this world is the belief that man possesses free will or free moral agency. Virtually everyone in all ages have believed this teaching of free will, and yet not one of them has ever seen it proved either Scientifically or Scripturally.

WHY ALL THE FUSS OVER FREE WILL?

Why does it matter one way or the other whether man possesses free will or not? Would the future of the human race be changed somehow if man did or did not possess free will? Here’s how much it matters: If the basic free will doctrine and the eternal torture in hell doctrine taught by Christendom are both true, then man himself, and not God, is ultimately responsible for where he will spend eternity.

If man possessed a will that is free from internal or external causality, then it would be possible for all humanity to decide to choose God and be saved. Or all humanity could decide to not choose God and all would be lost. Or part of humanity could choose one way and part the other. It is the latter that is believed and taught by Christendom.

I receive emails on a regular basis stating that: "God doesn’t send anyone to hell. Man himself chooses to go to hell." Oh really? And do we have a chapter and verse on such heresy? I think not.

Statistically speaking, there has been relatively few of the world’s population that have ever heard of the name of Jesus Christ (which name is admittedly the only name under heaven by which men "must be saved," Acts 4:12). So what happens to all of the billions upon billions upon billions of boys and girls, men and women, who have never heard the name of Jesus? Let Dr. James Kennedy (probably the greatest Christian theologian alive on earth today—sporting six doctorates) answer this question for us:

"It is the light of Christ. It is the light of grace, and it is not incumbent upon God to extend it to everyone. Let us make it very clear that it is not incumbent upon God to extend it to anyone."

"But because God extends it to some does not mean He must extend it to any other. He must be just. He doesn’t have to be gracious or merciful to any guilty sinner…."

"So the idea that God owes to anyone some offer of mercy is totally foreign from [to] the Bible."

(Above quotations taken from a printed brochure of the sermon What About Those Who Have Never Heard? By D. James Kennedy. A.B., M.Div., M.Th., D.D., D.Sac.Lit., Ph.D., Litt. D., D.Sac. Theol., D.Humane Let. From the pulpit of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida).

Is this the way that God would have Christians believe that He cares and provides for billions upon billions of His creatures? By burning their flesh in some terrorist torture chamber for all eternity? For absolutely no redeeming reason or purpose? Dr. Kennedy says: "Hell is fair." Now I don’t mean to be unkind to Dr. Kennedy, but such sermons as this desperately need exposing. Millions are being deceived by such unscriptural nonsense and evil.

Let’s have a little sensibility in this matter: Even if man had a free will, in what possible way would he be free to choose Christ and choose heaven, should he be one of the billions of unfortunate people who has never heard of Jesus or heaven? But we are told that he does choose hell even if he never heard of heaven or hell, and doesn’t even know that there is a choice to be made in the first place. And so, the idea of a free will would be of no value to the salvation of the majority of humanity even if they did possess such a God-defying power.

DOES MAN REALLY CHOOSE TO GO TO HELL?

Maybe we should examine for a moment this idea of Christendom that man "chooses to go to hell."

Just how does man choose to go to hell, anyway? First a definition:

"choose v 1. To select from a number of possible alternatives" (The American Heritage College Dictionary).

How does one "select from a number of possible alternatives" unless he is presented with a number of possible alternatives? But then again, world famous preacher, John Hagee says, "You send yourself to Hell for rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ." How one actually rejects something that they have never heard of, however, presents its own set of problems.

My dictionary tells me that the word "reject" means: "To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of." Can anyone give me an intelligent explanation as to just how one would do all of those things with regard to something they have never ever even heard of?

Is there a place and time in every man’s life when he is presented with, and given an opportunity to select from either a place called heaven or a place called hell, where he will voluntarily live for all eternity? Such a proposition is absurd. People have lived and died by the billions not having heard of Jesus and Heaven or Satan and Hell.

In this life, most of humanity has had no firsthand knowledge of a place of eternal torture called hell. Neither have they had any firsthand knowledge of a place of eternal bliss called heaven. If you try to pin down a theologian on just how this choosing of heaven and hell actually occurs, their arguments become extremely fussy and unscriptural. No one can make an intelligent choice of anything without proper information on alternatives to be chosen. How many of my readers have actually thought more than a few minutes on any of these grand teachings of Christendom?

THE MAN OF SIN IS A BEAST WHO THINKS HE IS A GOD

Last Installment we learned that "the man of sin," spoken of by Paul in I Thes. 2, resides not in a physical temple of stone and mortar in Jerusalem, but inside of each and every one of us. This man of sin sits in "the temple of God whose temple ye are." And we learned that God calls this man of sin, "a beast".

What possible power does man believe that he possesses which causes him to

"…oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God [‘as a god’] sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God [‘is a god’]" (II Thes. 2:4)?

As long as this phantom god rules one’s heart, Jesus may only be "with us," but not really "IN us." For Jesus our King to sit in the heart of our temple, the man of sin must be put out, seeing that, "no man can serve two masters," and "what fellowship has light with darkness?"

EVEN THE DISCIPLES DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE BEAST WITHIN

Before the true spiritual conversion of Christ’s disciples, we read this:

"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him; for He dwells WITH you, and shall [at a future date when they are converted] be IN you" (John 14:16-17).

After years of following Jesus daily the apostles were not as yet converted. In the evening of the last Passover Jesus tells Peter:

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for you, that your faith fall not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31-32).

Yes indeed, "…when you are converted…." And just when might that be?

Up until the very last day with their Lord, the apostles all believed that they possessed the power of free will, which could enable them to choose their own destiny, and that they could and would have the strength of self determinism and free will to maintain that course. But Jesus told His disciples that they would all forsake Him. In other words, Jesus was foretelling of events that would cause (even ‘force,’ if you will) them to change their wills, against their previously stated wills. They of course, all denied that Jesus knew what He was talking about.

"And Jesus said unto them, all ye shall be offended because of Me this night; for it is written, I shall smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered" (Mark 14:27 & Zech. 13:7).

The disciples all said that they would remain loyal. But Jesus said that they would all be offended because of Him. Was there a reason for God causing the disciples to will loyalty to Jesus and then in the same night to will to deny Jesus? Does God do anything in vain without a reason? This was all part of their conversion process. God totally humiliated them by proving to them that their own will was not free to do what they wanted, but that

"…it is God [not man] which works in you BOTH TO WILL [God causes us ‘to will’] and TO DO [God causes us ‘to do’] of His good pleasure" to bring about His intentions (Phil. 2:13).

In just one night God smashed the presumed free will of all the disciples. They lost confidence in their flesh after that night. James later shows us just how well he learned this lesson of so-called free self determinism:

"Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, which appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:13-15).

Free will? Where?

James certainly agrees with Scripture and Science that man has the ability "to will." But he also fully recognizes that there are two things that constantly oppose and change the will of man, so that it cannot be said that the will is free to will its own destiny for even a day or an hour.

What are these two factors over which man has absolutely no control whatsoever?

1. Factor number one--CIRCUMSTANCES: What did the Holy Spirit of God inspire (cause?) James to explain as a major factor in what determines the true outcome of man’s will? Answer: "Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow."

God changes the minds and wills of mankind around the world, a billion times a minute, through circumstances that "you know not" are actually the cause of your choices and your changed choices. We are often if not most of the time completely unaware of what actually caused us to do or say or think as we do.

How did all the disciples will to remain loyal to Jesus no matter what, at one moment in time, and in the next moment in time, they all changed their will to forsake Him? What changed their wills? Circumstances. One moment they were at ease and safe in the upper room, and at a later moment they were in the garden surrounded by Roman Soldiers! Fear was the circumstance that caused their (un-free) wills to change.

So it was the presence of certain circumstances that caused the disciples to will as they did. But what caused the circumstances to be as they were to ensure that they would will appropriately to fulfill Christ’s prophecy concerning their denying and forsaking Him?

2. Factor number two—GOD’S WILL: Notice the second thing that the Holy Spirit inspired James to write regarding what will or will not happen on any given day to any given person. "…if the Lord will…"

Who was in charge of all these circumstances, which caused the disciples to change their wills? Why God, of course. They did not want to change their wills. They did not desire to deny their Lord and Saviour. They did not wish to make liars and fools of themselves. They did not want to be shown that they were all cowards. Well then, why did they change their wills if they did not wish to change their wills? Were they free to not change their wills? No, they were not free.

The fear inside of them caused and made (and yes, FORCED, if you will) them to change their will. And Jesus Himself told them that they would change their wills, so how pray tell could it have been otherwise? Yet I suppose that some are so spiritually stubborn that they will still insist that the apostles did not need to change their wills, that their wills were yet free to stay loyal in the face of these fearful circumstances.

When we argue with God like this, we demean Him. God has a plan, and God brings about His plan. God is not stupid. God knows exactly how to cause man (all mankind) to do exactly as He plans for them to do.

2009-11-28T09:39:00.003-06:00

2009-11-28T09:36:00.001-06:00

2009-11-27T18:59:00.003-06:00

A while back i wrote about family and my feelings on that. Well, I feel like re-opening that topic again. Since there are a lot of family that read my blog and rat it out to my dad and mom...i figure why not write about something again so they can continue their games.

Lets paint a picture. Lets say you were born into a family where religion is TOP priority. Where doing things that look good in front of others is key. Now, lets say for all your life your family has treated you well, not great but well. They talk to you and invite you over for all gatherings and parties. Now, lets say your first marriage was not healthy (i wont say why it was not healthy...you fill in the gaps) and your marriage ends. Now, you have a new love in your life and together your moving on cause your new love loves you the way you need, respects you and encourages you. Now, what if your own family cause of this new relationship calls your new love a "demon", can't stand this person, gossips about this person non stop, and wants NOTHING to do with your new love. Your family preaches how godly they are and how ungodly and lost you and your new love are. How there is NO way God would bless the two of you.

Now, you and your new love try to reach out for the last 2 years. Buy them thoughtful Christmas gifts only for them to be literally thrown in the garbage can. You admit to the family that your first marriage although very unhealthy and heading for split anyways, ended the wrong way and your new relationship started the wrong way, but that your moving ahead with GOD...only for them to inwardly scoff at that and reject you anyways.

Now, lets say that one of your parents is dying of cancer and most likely this will be their last Christmas unless God heals this person emails you and says that your STILL not welcomed to this years Christmas get together...but your EX is welcomed over. Oh yea...your family STILL after almost 3 years after the marriage ended invites the ex over weekly and goes on trips with the ex. (hurts eh) And what if your parent tells you that if the other parent dies of cancer that its partially your fault cause of the stress YOU bring them. Now, in all this hurt you speak boldly to them at times cause you are highly offended and feel ousted...rejected and your new love keeps getting slammed. understandable that you would speak out at times right? We are only human.

Not to mention, you have children. You have two kids of your own that clearly witness your family shutting you down and the kids start asking "what is wrong with the family for doing this and that?" The kids ask and they are hurt cause the LOVE your new love and wonder what on earth is wrong with them.

SO this is the painting...how would you repond? Would you be motivated in life? Would you continue reaching out to them? WOuld you want to "divorce" them as well?

In your life you talk with other people who are of the same faith as your family, some are the same age as you and some the same age as your family. Some are much more conservative than you and your family and some more progressive. But in your talks they KNOW your full situation and they embrace you fully, and wonder at the same time how twisted and sad your family is.

This is our life.

WINNING SOULS FOR JESUS?

2009-11-27T09:40:00.000-06:00

WINNING SOULS FOR JESUS?

[Two Billion Strong and Counting…?]

Are there really two billion faith-filled Christians in the world today? Have the Scriptures been proven wrong? Is prophecy way out of wack? Did Jesus’ gospel produce more fruit than He had anticipated in this present wicked age? Did Jesus miss-calculate how many believers would be here to greet Him upon His return? Do two billion professing Christians make Jesus a false prophet? Here is the prophecy from Jesus’ own mouth:

"…SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?"

Here is a prophecy of Jesus concerning how much faith He expected to find on earth when He comes to establish His Kingdom in the earth:

"And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall He find FAITH on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8).

The answer of course is: "Little: He shall not find but very little faith." But don’t take my word for it. Notice what Dr. Strong says regarding this word ara translated "shall" in the King James:

G687 a???a ara ar'-ah "A form of G686, denoting an interrogation to which a negative answer is presumed: - therefore."

This Greek word "PRESUMES a NEGATIVE answer." Jesus asked a rhetorical question the answer to which was obvious, and therefore needed no answer—OF COURSE He will find virtually no faith on the earth when He comes! That is because "many are called but few are chosen." And only among the "few chosen" do we find the "chosen and faithful" (Rev. 17:14).

Many of these two billion Christians are the result of huge winning souls for Jesus campaigns, rallies, revivals and conferences. They are counted as believers based on repeating some form of the sinner’s prayer. When tens of thousands are encouraged to repeat a sinner’s prayer at one of these evangelistic meetings, they are then pronounced "saved." But are they really? Only God is the final Judge, however, I have already shown you what the Scriptures say.

CAN YOU ‘WIN’ SOULS FOR CHRIST?

All my life I heard of "winning souls for Jesus." It is taught throughout the whole world of Christendom. Christians are taught they must "witness for Jesus" and in so doing will "win" some souls for Jesus. Many Christians feel a definite need to try and reach people for Jesus before they die. The Christian teaching is that if anyone is not reached and persuaded to accept Jesus as his personal Saviour before he dies, then he will at death immediately go into the pagan Greek hell of hades and be tortured in fire for all eternity. Even after learning many of the Truths of God on bible-truths.com, people continue to ask me how they can fulfill their obligation to witness for Christ and become effective teachers of God’s Truths to their family, neighbors, or fellow parishioners.

Shocking as it might sound to most, the Scriptures know nothing of "winning souls for Jesus." It is a man-made doctrine of the carnal mind.

But isn’t there a Scripture somewhere that speaks of "winning souls?" No, not really.

Once only do we find any words regarding "winning souls" in the King James Bible:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Prov. 11:30).

This verse, however, has absolutely nothing to do with saving the souls of those who believe in Jesus as their Saviour. The Hebrew word kal from which the word winneth was translated, is used hundreds of times in the King James, but only once is it translated into any form of the word "win." It means to, take, bring, fetch, acquire, rescue, etc., but "win" is a poor choice of words. Besides, spiritual salvation through Jesus Christ is not the topic of Proverbs 11:30. Two New Testament Scriptures:

In Phil. 3:8 we read, "…that I may win [Gk: ‘gain’] Christ…" and in I Pet. 3:1, "…they also may… be won [Gk: ‘gained’] by the conversation [conduct] of the wives…" The other dozen times this Greek word kerdaino is used, it is always ‘gain’ or ‘gained.’ Example: "…Lord you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained [Gk: kerdaino] two other talents beside them" (Matt. 25:22).

Why didn’t the King James translate this: "…behold I have WON two other talents…?" Surely even these translators could see the implications of increasing our God-given talents by gambling with them for higher ‘WINNINGS.’

Christians need to get all this gambling terminology out of their heads when it comes to the doctrines of God. Salvation has nothing to do with winning some; loosing some; betting on statistical odds; taking chances, and all such Las Vegas crap table nonsense.

Salvation is not a matter of a first chance or a second chance or any chance. Salvation is "sure."

"SURELY, He Who spares not His own Son, but gives Him up for us all, how shall He NOT, together with Him, also, be graciously granting us ALL? (Rom. 8:32, Concordant Literal New Testament).

GOD PREDETERMINES WHO GETS SAVED AND WHEN

"Now we are aware that God [Who? GOD. Men—ourselves? NO—GOD] is working all together for the good of those who are loving God who are called according to the purpose that, whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren. Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls also, and whom He calls, these He justifies also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also" (Rom. 8:28-30, Concordant Literal New Testament).

It is ALL OF GOD. It is not wrong to tell others of your knowledge of God and His Word. It is not, however, your responsibility to "get people saved." Only God can do that.

It is GOD who does the calling:

"For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen [Who? ‘GOD’] the weak things of this world to confound the things which are mighty…" (I Cor. 1:26-27).

It is GOD who does the dragging:

"No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent Me, draw him [Gk: ‘drag him’]…" (John 6:44).

It is CHRIST Who chooses from those His Father dragged:

"Ye have not chosen Me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU…" (John 15:16).

Eventually this will include all mankind:

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).

And all will respond to God’s judgments and chastisements:

"That at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those in earth, and those under the earth; And that EVERY tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11—See also Isa. 26:9b).

And let’s not forget:

"…no man CAN say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit" (I Cor. 12:3b).

Which is totally contrary to the horrible teachings of such men as John Hagee and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject. Herbert Armstrong said: "Yes, every knee will bow, and if they don’t GOD WILL BREAK THEIR KNEES." Oh the unscriptural foolishness of carnal—minded men.

But do orthodox Christians believe that these Scriptures mean what they say? Of course not, and that is why they quote Phil. 2:12 "…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," thinking that this takes Sovereignty away from God and places it back with man and his fabled "free will." Not so. They forget to read the next verse which tells us why we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling:

"For [‘for’ means ‘because’] it is GOD [Who? Man? NO! ‘GOD’] which works in you both TO WILL AND TO DO of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

WILL MORE MONEY SAVE MORE PEOPLE?

The belief among many is that if we (mere sinful mortals) don’t reach someone with Christ before they die, then they will spend eternity in some god-forsaken terrorist hellhole of eternal torture in fire. I heard Benny Hinn say on international television that there are people who will spend eternity in hell because not enough money is being sent in to reach them with the gospel. Imagine that! God (we’re talking ‘GOD’ here…) which owns the universe, doesn’t have enough MONEY to save His Children. Just how utterly stupid do these peddlers of God’s Word think we are that God can only save people if we give these peddlers our money?

And so I guess we could surmise that in good financial times, lots of people get saved, but in bad financial times few people get saved. Meaning salvation would have to depend on the financial stability of the economy at any given time. Just imagine how few must have been saved during the Great Depression! When will we ever wake up and see through this morally pornographic religious charade of organized money grabbers and personal kingdom builders? Does anyone in their right mind really believe that if the Apostle Paul were alive today, he would be spreading the gospel from his own $25,000,000 private executive jet at such exotic Gentile ports of call as Paris, Honolulu, and the French Riviera? Not to mention the $2,000.00 a night hotel suites when these jet set evangelists reach their destination. Give me a break.

I'm asked why I teach the Truths of God if "All is of God," and God does all the choosing and drawing? Because that is HOW God operates. God uses the foolishness of preaching as one of His means by which He communicates with His Elect:

"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Has not God made foolish [Gk: ‘stupid’] the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (I Cor. 1:20-21).

And it is God who grants us faith as His gift (Eph. 2:8), to believe this "foolish preaching" of God’s true servants of the Gospel.

Certainly we should all follow Peter’s admonition to:

"…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [reverence]" (I Pet. 3:15).

But God has not called all to be teachers:

"Not all are apostles. Not all are prophets. Not all are teachers" (I Cor. 12:29, Concordant Literal N.T.).

LIGHT AND SALT DON’T ARGUE OR MAKE NOISE

"Ye are the salt of the earth… Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:1,14,16).

Salt does not make any noise, and light does not argue Scriptures. Neither salt nor light makes any sound whatsoever. Maybe there is a lesson in there.

Too many people learn a few truths of God and think that they are ready to take on the world. They usually start by trying to embarrass their Pastor with their new-gained knowledge. Usually they fall flat on their face on the very first try. It’s all about motivation. If your motivation is carnal, God will not back you. Yes, I know, all of you are saying: "But my motivation is to show them God’s truths." Yes, sure, I understand, but THEY DON’T WANT TO HEAR GOD’S TRUTHS, and you already know this, so what is your point? Leave them alone and let them taste your salt and see your light and admire your good works, and perchance they will even praise God for your new-found humility,

You will never argue anyone into accepting the truths of God’s Word. As salesmen are often taught: "You might win the argument, but loose the sale," so don’t argue. And this: "He who is persuaded against his will; is of the same opinion still."

I receive a lot of emails from people who beg me to come to their rescue because they are about to have a second session with their pastor or friend, but have failed miserably on the first go-round. Now they want me to give them the ammunition they need to do a slam-dunk on their second attempt to embarrass their pastor or friend. Give it up—that attitude is wrong. Such a carnal exhibition of prideful flesh is akin to someone looking for a street fight merely because he has just acquired a black belt in karate.

HOW TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH

I personally know a man who has his little wife working two jobs to support their family so that he can study the Scriptures and enter into doctrinal debates with other Christians at the local Caf� as a perpetual hobby. Notice the admonition of the Apostle Peter:

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation [Gk: ‘conduct’] honest [Gk: ‘honorable’] among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may BY YOUR GOOD WORKS, [Not your clever Bible arguments], which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (I Pet. 2:11-12).

Your good works and righteous character will pay dividends to others eventually—if not in this life, then in the Judgment.

2009-11-24T00:40:00.001-06:00

Marriage Covenants
Are Conditional (NOT Unconditional)

A Marriage Covenant, Marriage Vows, a Marriage Agreement and a Covenant Marriage are all conditional. There is no such thing as an "unconditional" marriage covenant. The very terms: marriage agreement, marriage vows and marriage covenant all mean they are conditional. That is what a vow, covenant or an agreement is: a union based upon conditions.

By: Stephen Gola

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What is a Covenant?

The word "covenant" is defined as "a compact" which is an agreement between two or more parties. In our case, we mean a marriage covenant. Within the very meaning of the name "covenant" lies the essential fact that there are conditions to a covenant. A "covenant" is made up of conditions (terms of agreement) which each party has agreed to uphold, otherwise, there is no covenant. Covenants are legal documents or verbal agreements whereby oaths of faithfulness are expressed between two or more parties. A covenant carries legal authority in which all parties are constrained (obligated) by the conditions of the covenant. It is always conditional upon each of the parties involved to fulfill their part of the covenant. There is no such thing as an "unconditional" covenant. "Unconditional" means no conditions or that anything goes. This in itself would negate the very use of the word covenant. However, there is such a thing as a conditional covenant becoming a "permanent" covenant after all of the conditions of the covenant have been fulfilled.

Establishing a covenant is different than fulfilling a covenant. Establishing a covenant is the successful agreement of the parties involved regarding the terms and conditions of the covenant. Fulfilling the covenant is the actual carrying-out of that agreement.

Because a covenant depends upon each party fulfilling their agreed-upon part, it carries the legal authority that conditions must be met by all parties or the covenant is broken.When a covenant is broken without seeking remedy for reconciliation and restitution or both, the covenant obligations cease and the agreement is terminated. In the case of the marriage covenant when there is a divorce, there is actually an additional covenant which comes into play resulting from the children who are born within the marriage covenant. This additional covenant (the covenant between the children and the parents), continues despite the ended marriage covenant.

God Makes Conditional Covenants

Unconditional marriage covenants did not start with God, but with man by His church teaching (tradition) that a marriage covenant is indissolvable. Even when God first created man in the Garden of Eden, He made a conditional covenant with them. To enable the man and woman to prove their love to Him, God put a tree in the midst of the Garden called: The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God's only command to them was for them not to eat of this specific tree. Everything else in the world was theirs; otherwise, they would start dying both spiritually and physically. This was their proof of loyalty and love to God because of the awesome responsibility and authority He had given them over the entire universe. You cannot have true love unless you have the option not to love.

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." The keeping of the commandments (the conditions) of the covenant is the way we show God that we love Him. Without the keeping of the commandments of the covenant, there is NO display of commitment (love) to God. We have broken covenant! His justice requires us to e ither make restitution and/or reconciliation or else we break our relationship totally with God.

God only operates upon truth. Therefore, if it appears that God is not doing His part in our life it is because WE are not fulfilling our part of the covenant. Covenants are conditional.

One of the conditional covenants that God made is one that almost everyone in the world is familiar with, the covenant with the condition of circumcision. In Genesis 17:10, 14 the Lord said to Abraham, "This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised."Then in verse 14 the Lord gave Abraham the penalty for not fulfilling the condition of the covenant: "And the uncircumcised male child, WHO IS NOT CIRCUMCISED in the flesh of his foreskin, that person SHALL BE CUT OFF from his people; HE HAS BROKEN MY COVENANT."

Another example of God's covenants is the one He made with Israel: "Now therefore, IF you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, THEN you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine" (Exodus 19:5). When a covenant has to do with man, a covenant is always conditional if it is to be a covenant. God does not make unconditional or unbreakable covenants with fallible sinful man. However, He does turn a conditional covenant into a permanent covenant when all of the conditions of the covenant have been met. This can be seen in the case of the covenant God made with Abraham. The covenant was actually made with Abraham's Seed to come, Jesus. After Jesus fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the covenant (which included living a sinless life, taking the penalty for man's sins upon Himself in hell, and being rightfully raised from the dead forever incorruptible), God turned it into a permanent covenant. (See Galatians 3:16 and Hebrews 1:8-9).

Because God knows our sinfulness, He does not make unconditional or unbreakable covenants with man. Therefore, who are we as sinful man, to even consider that the covenants we make with each other (in this case, marriage), are indissolvable or unbreakable because of unsurpassing violations by the other party? Covenants are conditional; that is why they are called "covenants" because they contain provisions to protect the party of the agreement who do not violate the covenant.

Marriage Covenants

Unconditional, Defined

The very word "unconditional" means without conditions. In other words, it does not matter how many violations of the marriage covenant that a partner makes, the covenant is still intact. The word "unconditional" is a contradiction of the word "covenant." If a marriage covenant did not have conditions it would be like saying that one partner can abuse the other, or a spouse can have sex or play around with anyone outside of the marriage and always feel welcomed back into a safe, secure and happy relationship. This is too ridicules to even consider! Nevertheless, this is exactly what has been taught by the church in saying that a marriage is indissolvable! Because it has been taught as truth that "God hates divorce," it is implied that marriage covenants are unconditional and unbreakable and that NO violations of the terms of agreement will affect the covenant because there are NO conditions! To imply that a marriage covenant has no conditions is a corruption of the marriage institution itself! Whenever the conditions of the covenant have been violated, broken or not met, there is a breech of contractand the covenant agreement was not fulfilled as agreed upon. Therefore, restitution, reconciliation and/or dissolving of the marriage covenant is sought. Covenants always stand upon the foundation of justice, truth and love rooted in morality.

Marriage covenants Sacred? YES! Permanent? No!

Only in two places in Scripture is marriagedefined aspermanent and indissolvable. They are in Deuteronomy 22:13-30 where God has actually REMOVED the right to divorce; not allowing the violating spouseto dissolve the marriage covenant. This means that when needed, the right to divorce (the dissolving of the marriage covenant) has always been there. In these cases that right was abused, so God revoked it for the sake of the woman.

The first instance was when the husband claimed that his new wife was not a virgin, when in fact, she was proved to be so. Because the husband brought a bad name upon her, "...He cannot divorce her all his days" (Deuteronomy 22:19). The other case was when a man had sex with a virgin single woman. He must pay support money (the dowry of a bride) to her family, and by having sex with her he has taken her as his wife and "...[Was not] permitted to divorce her all his days" (Deuteronomy 22:29). But "if her father utterly refuses to give her to him [the marriage would be cancelled and father and daughter would keep the dowry]" (Exodus 22:16).

These are the only two cases where the covenant of marriage was NOT allowed to be dissolved. God removed the man's rights to dissolve the marriage in this case because he violated the woman without marrying her which was a greater violation. God forbad it to protect the woman so she would always be supported during her life. However, the wife still had the right to divorce her husband even though her husband could not divorce his wife. The right to divorce has always existed in the case of a marriage covenant being violated; however, in these cases, that right was lost. Thus, God recognizes that covenants are conditional.

Vows: Conditions of the Marriage Covenant

The vows of a marriage are the conditions of the covenant set forth before the marriage takes place. The marriage ceremony is the "place of agreement" where each partner takes a solemn oath to uphold the terms and conditions of the marriage covenant to which both parties have agreed. The "living together in a marriage union" is the environment in which the agreed-upon conditions of the covenant is carried out by both parties. Marriage IS a lifetime commitment; however, it is not a lifetime commitment without conditions. The ability to keep one’s promise to “love” (keeping the marriage vows) is rooted in godly character. (See articles on The Extreme Significance of The Fruit of The Spirit and God's ("Unconditional") Love: It's Moral Its Conditional.

Because the marriage covenant has been taught to be unconditional and unbreakable, it is powerfully inferred that there is no violation that can qualify for the covenant to be dissolved except in several far-reaching cases. Vows have come to mean nothing.

Let me give an example of an unconditional one-sided covenant agreement. It is your wedding day and you exchange vows with your beloved. The man says, "I take my wife, to have as I wish and to abuse if she does not listen, to meet all my needs, to hurt her as often as I desire because she is now my wife and cannot escape. I own her. I can have sex with anyone I desire and do as I please in complete disregard to her feelings." The wife says, "I take my dear husband to have and to hold, to cherish and to love, in sickness and disease, for better and for worse, always seeking ways to strengthen and grow our relationship till death do us part." NOBODY would ever consider such a vow; however, this is exactly what is taking place when the conditions of the marriage covenant are taught as being unconditional.

Covenant is Relationship

Covenant is relationship! "Relationship" in its very definition carries the fact that there is mutual caring andmoral obligations between each party, and the fulfilling of needs within each other.Simply because there is a relationship, they are in covenant.

Covenants are protected by the covenant partners. This results in a covenant that has conditions and can be violated. The covenant partners are to protect their covenant from those outside the covenant, namely, those who have not been invited to be a part of their relationship. In the case of marriage, it would be any person outside the marriage because that person does not have exclusive rights to sharing the depths of each others emotions, bodily contact and sexual enjoyment.

How the Devil Used the Errors of the Marriage Covenant Being "Unconditional"

The devil was able to spin a web of lies and deceit which drove couples away from the original marriage covenant because of the errors taught by God's church. Of course the church did not decide to teach error; rather, the truth has been lost through time.

Let me explain. I believe that because the truths of marriage, divorce, remarriage, submission and covenant have been lost through time, it gave the devil a powerful opportunity to actually use the errors that are being taught as truth within the church to enslave many of God's people in bad marriages. His church, the very people of God, who have been given the awesome responsibility to uphold these truths have become the very taskmasters enslaving God's people by ignorantly upholding the devil's agenda.

Somewhere down through history well-intended translators of the Bible have adopted these errors as truth. I believe some were done purposely to fit their desires, but most were probably through ignorance. Because the famous Scripture of Malachi 2:16 has been translated and taught as "God hates divorce" instead of its real meaning of "God hates a separation (to marry another person without getting divorced first)," the devil was able to convince us that marriage covenants are unconditional. If he could get the church to believe that marriage covenants are unconditional, he could use the church itself as a prison camp to enslave God's people thereby disabling them from fulfilling the calling of God on their lives because of fear, guilt and shame. Sadly, He has accomplished his mission, to a great extent.

The devil was also able to tie together the wrong translation and teachings of "God hates divorce" to the church teaching that there are no valid claims in which one can divorce (because marriage is taught to be an unconditional covenant). This has propagated the message that the marriage vows (the conditions of the marriage covenant), are useless and invalid, thus binding the victim of the violation into an indissolvable relationship. (See For Better or For Worse.)

As sin and lukewarmness have been escalating within society and particularly the church, more and more people have been making wrong decisions regarding which mate they choose, many times resulting in going off into very bad marriages and sin. Because of the great marital problems this has created, it has caused marriage to be viewed as a failing institution.

Thus, the devil has in many ways been successful in presenting God's institution of marriage to be a failure. Not only is it a failure but the devil makes it into a prison where a person is united in an unconditional, indissolvable covenant relationship with another person who can abuse them at will and they have no way out while the church leadership is ignorantly poised as the devil’s prison wardens. Because marriage is being now presented more like a prison than as a loving relationship, many have disregarded the original marriage structure, not because they wanted to, but because they were forced to safeguard their hearts in case of relationship violations. In other words, they have enacted their own covenant-relationship safeguards because the church has taken theirs away through ignorance and deception. The church can recapture the institution of marriage and again elevate it to its proper place and thereby pulling many from the fire; however, the restoration of these lost truths by God's leadership must come first. The church must acknowledge its failure in the teaching the errors regarding marriage, divorce and remarriage. In behalf of God's leadership, I ask you for forgiveness.

2009-11-23T21:29:00.000-06:00

Divorce and Remarriage

“Now the Spirit [of God] expressly says that in latter times [the days we live in now] some will DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies ...FORBIDDING TO MARRY…” (1Timothy 4:1,3).

“Forbidding [someone] to marry” after they have been divorced is a doctrine of the devil. The Bible is not saying that these people who hold to this belief are not true Christians, but that they teach out of ignorance — they don't understand God's heart in the Scriptures. Understanding God's heart only comes from the Holy Spirit revealing Him to us. Whenever we do not understand God's heart in the Scriptures, we have departed from sound doctrine.

This Scripture could not be talking about forbidding to marry in general. Nobody would listen to such nonsense preached. The desire that God put in man to have a companion and sexual partner is too great, especially if they were married before. In order that we don’t fall into “...sexual immorality, let EACH MAN have his own wife, and let EACH WOMAN have her own husband” (1Corinthians 7:2). “[For] IT IS NOT GOOD THAT MAN SHOULD BE ALONE…” (Genesis 2:18a).

The erroneous doctrine of forbidding one to marry after a divorce has been preached and taught in many churches. It has violated the conscience and hearts of those who’ve been divorced, driving them into a constant state of confusion and negatively impacting their lives. The only way for these people to come out of that confused state is to leave the church, and many have done just that. Not only do they leave the church to remarry, they also need to be able to make the right decision to divorce when it’s necessary in order to save themselves and their families before all is destroyed.

In order to understand that there IS marriage after divorce, we will examine the Scriptures in Matthew 19:3-12 focusing on the usage of the Greek word, apoluo. The Greek word apoluo that’s translated “divorce” or “to put away” is a general word. Its primary usage is: to “send” (apoluo) someone home when it’s getting late.11 When two people are leaving each other there is a “separation.” Apoluo is a separation in general, which does not involve the “legal” aspect of a permanent separation like a divorce. The common usage is seen in the Scripture “When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. SEND (apoluo) the multitudes away, that they may go unto the villages and buy themselves food’” (Matthew 14:15). The Greek word apoluo doesn’t have a legal aspect to it. It’s just a common word that means, “I’m going to go” or, “away from, to separate.” Because of our wrong beliefs about divorce, this key word was purposely translated (incorrectly) so it would not conflict with our beliefs.

When used concerning a marriage it means a separation and NOT a divorce. If a spouse separates intending never to return, then the next step comes into play; the spouse obtains a “certificate of divorce.” This is what the confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees (the religious lawyers of His day) was about in Matthew 19:3-12. The legal question was, “Do you just separate, OR do you separate AND give a certificate of divorce?” The Greek word used for divorce in these Scriptures means, to “send away” or separate from, NOT a finalized legal divorce.

The lawyers of God’s law tested Jesus. Their motive was to justify when they only separated from their wives and remarried without ever getting a divorce. They asked Him if God accepts a separation to get remarried without a divorce certificate for just any reason. Jesus responded that when a male and female come together in a marriage union, “...they are no longer two BUT ONE…” (Matthew 19:6a). Because the couple is still united, He doesn’t want “man” (the marriage partners) to just separate from each other and get remarried without a divorce. A SEPARATION ALONE DOES NOT BREAK THE MARRIAGE UNION. IT TAKES A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE, ALSO. So the question was NOT, “Can a spouse DIVORCE their mate for any reason,” but “Can a spouse get a SEPARATION from their mate for any reason and then remarry while just separated.”

When a husband just leaves his wife for another woman without ever giving her a certificate of divorce, this keeps the wife in limbo. She could not go back to her husband because he doesn’t want her; and she couldn’t “go and become another man’s wife” as Moses commanded because she is not legally divorced (See Deuteronomy 24:1-2). If she did remarry without a legal divorce, she and the man who married her would be committing adultery. This is why Jesus said, “...whoever separates (apoluo) from his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is [just] separated (apoluo) commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9 My Translation).

Because the Pharisees’ hearts were so hard “They said to Him [Jesus], ‘WHY then did Moses COMMAND to give a certificate of divorce AND to put her away [separate]?’” (Matthew 19:7). They agreed with the part of the law that said that you could leave your wife, but they didn’t understand that it was not right to keep their wives from getting remarried. A spouse with a hardened heart will not give the other spouse a divorce. They will want to control the person. A person who truly loves unconditionally will always give you a way out: an option not to love.

So it is with God; He always gives us the choice to not love Him. As we choose to love Him, it’s true love. At times the reason a marriage isn’t a truly unconditional loving marriage is because the partners feel that there is never a way out, if needed. If the marriage partners knew that there was a godly way to escape from a failing marriage it would give the couple the freedom to “choose to love,” even when it’s not convenient.

Jesus said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, PERMITTED you to divorce [separate from] your wives, but from the beginning IT [being separated without a divorce] WAS NOT SO” (Matthew 19:8). Notice in verse seven that Moses COMMANDED them to give a certificate of divorce AND to separate (put away) their wives. But in verse eight, because their hearts were so hardened against their spouse, Moses PERMITTED them to just separate without the husband giving the wife a certificate of divorce. The reason Moses commanded that a certificate of divorce be given was to guarantee that the wife could get remarried. Simply, Moses commanded to give a certificate of divorce AND to separate. But because of the hardness of their hearts, Moses permitted them to separate only. The permission to separate and remarry without a divorce was limited to sexual immorality. If the wife was unfaithful, the husband could leave without ever being “officially divorced” — by giving her a certificate of divorcement, and go take another woman as his wife. But if there was no sexual immorality involved, the husband could NOT separate from his wife without getting a divorce first. If he didn’t get a divorce and went to live with another woman or got remarried, they were committing adultery.

“Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed [for selfish reasons]. Are you loosed [divorced] from a wife? [In my opinion says Paul, the Apostle] do not seek a wife. BUT EVEN IF YOU DO MARRY, YOU HAVE NOT SINNED; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned” (1Corinthians 7:26-28a). Notice that the “virgin” AND the person “loosed [divorced]” are both put in the same category — they have “not sinned” by getting married. BOTH THE PERSON WHO WAS NEVER MARRIED AND THE PERSON WHO WAS DIVORCED ARE WITHOUT SIN IF THEY MARRY.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 tells of a situation where a man married a woman and then divorced her. This woman then married another man. The Scriptures go on to state that if the second marriage ends by her husband writing “...her a certificate of divorce ...OR if the latter husband dies…” (Deuteronomy 24:3,4), she could not remarry the first man she divorced because she had already married someone else. Therefore, if our spouse dies, or if we were divorced, we can get married again. Divorce and death are equal before God. The only stipulation in this Scripture is that if this is the second marriage, we cannot go back to the first spouse and remarry them because we married someone else after we divorced them.

2009-11-20T20:45:00.001-06:00

It doesn't matter what your theological views are, nor does it matter what denomination your church is, no matter who you are, you are considered a heretic by some other group of Christians out there. But, of course, your views and denomination are right and everybody else's is wrong so it doesn't matter what they think, does it?

2009-11-19T17:38:00.001-06:00

Welcome to “Club Jesus”

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 11:28am -by Tim King

Welcome to “Club Jesus” – where the most important things are attendance, supporting everything the club believes in and, of course, tithing!

You may be wondering what you get for this. It’s simple, really – a guilt-free conscience in this life and salvation in the next! Where could you possibly find a better deal than this?

But wait, there’s more… for joining our white upper-middle-class group you’ll also get a multi-million dollar facility in a really nice up-and-coming part of town to brag to your friends about. It has all the amenities you could ever want and is comparable to the best of “Club Jesus” locations around the world.

For instance, we have a building separate from the sanctuary that would be the envy of any physical fitness facility in town – complete with sauna, Jacuzzi and Olympic sized swimming pool. We’ve got a gym with multiple basketball courts along with tennis and volleyball courts. We have fitness clubs that you can join – as a member, they’re free – all you have to do is agree to begin and end each session with a prayer and, while you’re at it, sign up for one of our ‘accountability’ groups. We have one for women and a separate one for men. All of our ‘accountability’ groups are led by spiritually mature Christians who have specialized in the art of putting their best false-self forward for decades. These spiritual giants will lead you into the deeper parts of “the Word” so that you’ll learn things like “cleanliness is next to godliness” and “God helps those who help themselves”! We’ll also teach you “Just War Theory” so you can feel good about all the reasons why we should invade other lands and exterminate ‘others’ who neither stand for what our great nation stands for nor serve the God we know.

To prove our ‘accountability’ group leaders are human, just like you and me, you’ll be encouraged by the nebulous and misdemeanor sins they’re capable of confessing; while practicing total spiritual voyeurism on the deepest darkest sins in your life. But don’t worry, all of this is done in complete confidence unless or until it is advantageous to make you the scapegoat for any differences you may develop with the organizational leadership as time goes by.

Well, that’s what’s in it for YOU… but Jesus also thought of others, so you’ll like what we have in store for them as well. You can take pride in knowing that 1% of our budget goes to foreign missionaries who are ‘winning the lost’ for Christ. As well, we pay to have a downtown satellite church to minister in the inner-city where people are really messed up. The beautiful thing is that once a year we have our members attend this missional outreach church for a special “We’re here annually because we care about your soul” service. Many people say that it’s one of the highlights of their year – second only to our annual golf fundraiser where all proceeds go to the upkeep and maintenance of our multi-purpose facility.

You can have this and much more just by “asking Jesus into your heart” and saying “the sinners prayer” which is nowhere to be found in Scripture. Sound good? Great! Then let’s get started…

2009-11-10T14:59:00.000-06:00

The James Dobson Nightmare

When answering a question concerning salvation in a recent Focus on the Family magazine, Dr. James Dobson wrote: "God will not force Himself on anyone." (Focus on the Family, December, 1994, pg. 5.) Hold onto that nightmarish thought, if you are able. Dr. Dobson is not alone in this, but he will serve as an example.

A distraught father had written Dr. Dobson concerning his teenage daughter. The girl was rebelling. Caught up with a fast crowd, she was mired in sin. The father had cried, pleaded, and prayed. Now he wrote Dr. Dobson. Is there hope? My God, is there hope for my daughter?

Dr. Dobson's answer, capsulated, was: It is up to her, my friend. If she accepts Christ, there is hope. If she does not, well, God will not force Himself on anyone.

Clean words. Neat words. Well-manicured theology, painted red to hide the dirt beneath the nails. Like those who pretended to see the Emperor's new clothes, Dobson's readership nods like sage puppets. No one questions it. We, however, must read between the doctor's lines and expose the bitter roots of his words. Were Dr. Dobson to bare the bones of this orthodox monster, this is what we would read:

Sorry, my friend, but, unless your daughter comes to her senses, she is lost. If this is to be, then your tears will mean nothing, for not even the perfect blood of Jesus Christ can save little girls who do not first love Him. Your precious daughter, I regret to tell you, is inches from eternal torment. The soft, golden hair you once stroked may be minutes from an eternity in the claws of Satan. I know that sounds harsh, but I must not shrink from telling it to you, for I am a minister of the Good News. From what you have told me, your daughter's salvation is quite doubtful. I'm sorry. Your daughter, of all people, needs God's blessed force. But God will not force Himself on anyone. He's a polite, eavesdropping God, a hopeful spectator in His own creation, waiting in the wings to see if we will like Him. He leaves these important decisions to us, my friend. I, myself, was wise enough to choose Him. Your daughter, apparently, is not.

Is she sorry enough for her sin? Personally, I don't believe she is. But for her sake, and for yours, I do hope things change. And soon. Good luck.

Crushing our well-walled world

Oh, Dr. Dobson. How were you saved, most knowledgeable sir? Your theology answers the question. It seems you have made the truly wise and remarkable decision to seek out and "appropriate" God's salvation for yourself. This is remarkable, for you have defied two universal laws, namely, 1) "Not one is seeking out God"—Rom. 3:11, and 2) "No one can come to Me unless the Father draws him"—Jn. 6:44.

Think about this, Dr. Dobson, for it is a truth: Men seek out God after they are saved, not before. I suggest writing that on a piece of paper and taping it in a conspicuous place, like the front of your Bible. It will damage the opinion you now hold of yourself, but the truth will heal after it hurts.

You did not choose God, Dr. Dobson; He chose you. Someday you will realize that. Had God not forced Himself upon you, you'd be like the rest of the people—like that man's daughter, for instance—whom you now believe to be too foolish or stubborn to know what's good for them.

For Christ, while we are still infirm, still in accord with the era, for the sake of the irreverent, died. Yet God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes." —Romans 5:6,8

Infirm people are helpless, Dr. Dobson. Sinners cannot save themselves. Thank God Almighty that the Son of His love forced Himself into our precious, self-sufficient lives to save us from ourselves. I would like to ask you, Dr. Dobson: if you were unconscious and drowning at sea, would you be offended later to discover that the Coast Guard forced itself on you with a rescue craft and six frogmen? Perhaps so. It is human pride that does not need to be saved, thank you. Don't call us, Mr. Savior, we'll call you. Yet Jesus Christ called you, Dr. Dobson, He saved you, while you were yet infirm, yet irreverent, yet in accord with the era. He died for your sake. He forced Himself into your well-walled world, crumbling the confines of your crippled heart.

And now you can thank God that He did.

The power of the cross

How did God force Himself upon us? He sent His Son, Who emptied Himself of His celestial glory to hang broken, bleeding, separated from His Father on a cursed tree—for our sakes. We watched Him there. We saw Him look upon those who had stripped Him of His last human garments and nailed Him to the cross. His eyes moved among them, from the height of the cross, first to one, then to another. His eyes possessed a tender fluidity, an unearthly love that was not of men. Then, with anguished breath, through a tongue swelled from thirst, He said, "Father, forgive them....."

Our knees began trembling when He said that. Why did He say that? How could He say that? Had He really said that? We knew then, deep down, that we were no better than the Roman soldiers, no better than the Jewish priests who delivered Him to death. His words undid us. We had been content to live our own lives, to go our own way, to seek scenes for our life that were easily more joyous, more blessed, more personally satisfying than this bloody hill. But then, we looked at Him.

Something about Him drew us. It was the Father, for none can come to Christ unless they be drawn by Him (Jn 6:44). And when we looked at Him, He was returning our gaze with those same eyes, fluid and celestial.

"God, no!" we cried, and it just came out of our mouths, we could not help saying it. We could not take it back. We had betrayed our weakness. Then we fell with an abandon foreign to us to the dust under the cross, holding our wet faces behind our fingers, weeping uncontrollable tears at the foot of the wood, heaving our shoulders against it. We could not have done that apart from the force of the cross. The cross was of God, and God was the cause of our falling tears.

While we are still sinners.

And thus did God, through His Son, force Himself upon us. He had done something so deep, so wonderful, so unlike anything we would have done, that, given tens of thousands of years, none of us would ever have dreamed it, let alone accomplished it, let alone applied its accomplishment to our enemies.

He rescued us. He reached down through the veil of our stubbornness and rescued us from ourselves. Thank God that He did. Without Him, what would we have? We need Him still, every moment of every day. We cannot afford an instant of self-sufficiency. What an ash heap of human pride is the saying: "God will not force Himself on anyone." That is the lie of Satan. Yet how many who claim the name of Christ believe and teach it.

No claim to competency

This prayer, then: Father, continue to force Yourself into our lives. If it was up to us, we would not have You. We do not know what is good for us. We, like the humbled Job, cannot arrange our case because of darkness. And as Jeremiah said, under inspiration of holy spirit, a man's way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Continue to overrule and override our foolish desires, our foolish ideas about how things should be. We are nothing without You.

Cause us to lean not on our own understanding, or to imagine that we could have done anything good apart from Your force. Cause us, in all things, to give place to You as the One Who orders our steps. Even the great apostle Paul said that You make us competent (Col. 1:12). This is wisdom from above. Our competency cannot originate, continue or consummate within ourselves. All praise and honor and glory to You, Father, the Force of the universe.

2009-11-08T19:55:00.003-06:00

There was a lady there who sat through the meetings. I am just going to tell you what she told me. She told me that she was from Kiev. She told me that she had been born again as a little girl, and believed in Jesus Christ all the way through her childhood. She's now in her forties or fifties. She said, "Mike, I got here and settled in and I wanted to go to church. I just thought that going to church in the Americas...Oh, how wonderful! I just can't wait to get to where the gospel is free." This is what she said. She said, "Mike, I went to a word of faith' church. I sat there for three months. I listened to everything that he said, and at the end of three months, I approached the pastor. With all the love that I had in my heart, I said, "Dear sir, I have listened to you for three months. And what you are preaching is no different than Communism." Think about it for just a minute. She said, "It's no different than Communism."

2009-11-08T18:28:00.002-06:00

Curious who is still reading my blog. If you are please leave a comment so I know its not for waste. I know I have family who read it who will I am sure NOT say they read it...chickens.

proof how our modern bible translations are missing the mark

2009-11-04T08:36:00.000-06:00

THE GREEK TEXT (This makes perfect sense)		POPULAR TRANSLATIONS (This is nonsense)
Mat. 13:22	" ... the worry of this eon ... "	" ... the cares of life... " (The Twentieth Century N.T.)
18:8	" ... eonian fire."	" ... everlasting fire." (Authorized Version)
24:3	" ... conclusion of the eon."	" ... the world will come to an end." (N.T. By: WmBeck)
28:20	" ... till the conclusion of the eon."	" ... every day to the end of time. (Rieu's Four Gospels)
Mark 4:19	" ... worries of this eon... "	" ... but worldly cares ... " (New English Bible: N.T.)
Luke 20:35	" ... that eon... "	" ... yonder world ... " (N.T.: A New Testament-Moffatt)
John 6:54	" ... has life eonian ...	" ... will live eternally ... " (N.T. By: Monsignor Knox)
8:35	" ... for the eon ... "	" ... remain permanently ... " (N.T. by: Montgomery)
8:35	" ... for the eon ... "	" ... in the house for ever ... " (Authorized Version)
8:51	" ... death for the eon ... "	" ... will never experience death ... " (N.T. by: Goodspeed)
Acts 3:31	" ... from the eon ... "	" ... from of old.." (Revised Standard Version)
I Cor 2:7	" ... before the eons ... "	" ... before time began ... " (New Testament by: O.Norlie)
8:13	" ... eating meat for the eon ... "	" ... from flesh meat perpetually ... " (N. T. By: Knox)
8:13	" ... eating meat for the eon ... "	" ... while the world stands ... " (Authorized Version)
Eph. 3:9	" ... from the eons ... "	" ... from the very beginning ... " (Living Gospels-Taylor)
3:11	" ... purpose of the eons ... "	" ... that timeless purpose ... " (N.T. by: J.B. Phillips)
3:21	" ... of the eon of the eons."	" ... all ages, world without end." (Authorized Ver.)
Col. 1:26	" ... from the eons ... "	" ... for centuries... " (Paraphrased Epistles-Taylor)
Titus 2:12	" ... in the current eon ... "	" ... here and now ... " (New Testament-J. B. Phillips)
Heb. 1:2	" ... makes the eons ... "	" ... made the universe ... " (Epistles of Paul-Conybeare)
1:2	" ... makes the eons ... "	" ... created all orders of existence ... " (New Eng. Bible)
1:2	" ... makes the eons ... "	" ... this world of time ... " (N.T. By: Monsignor Knox)
1:8	" ... for the eon of the eon ... "	" ... from everlasting to everlasting ... " (N.T.-Norlie)
6:5	" ... the impending eon ... "	" ... the eternal world ... " (N.T. by: J.B. Phillips)
6:20	" ... for the eon ... "	" ... made for all time ... " (Twentieth Century N.T.)
9:26	" ... conclusion of the eons ... "	" ... at the climax of history ... " (New Eng. Bible)
11:3	" ... eons to adjust ... "	" ... the whole scheme of time and space ... " (Phillips)
II Pet. 3:18	" ... for the day of the eon ... "	" ... the day of eternity ... " (N.T. by: R.F. Weymouth)
Jude 25	" ... eon, now ... for all the eons ... "	" ... before all time, ... and for ever more ... " (ASV)
Rev. 15:3	" ... King of the eons ... "	" ... King of the nations ... " (N.T. By; Henry Alford)
5:13	" ... for the eons of the eons ... "	*" ... the eternities of the eternities... " (Amplified N.T.)

" ... the eternities of the eternities ... " Now there's a strange rendering. I nonetheless give the translator credit for his stupid consistency. If aion means "eternity" then aions would mean "eternities." If someone can explain to me the meaning of "the eternities of the eternities" maybe this same man could also tell us about "hot ice," and "square circles."

So how did the translators handle a verse like Matt. 24:3, " ... conclusion of the eon ... ?" Remember they insist in other places that "aion" is "forever," and now they have to translate a verse claiming that this particular eon is going to end. How can forever "end?" Being in a fix, the translators changed the meaning of "aion" again, and translated this verse " ... end of the world ... " Now, think for a moment. Since they insist elsewhere that "aion" means "eternal" (which of course it doesn't), how could it possibly mean "world" here? It couldn't. The Greek word for world is "kosmos" not "aion."

Check enough English Translations, and you will find all of the following diverse words absurdly translated from the Greek word "aion:"

"beginning" and "end"	"first" and "very first"
"evermore" and "nevermore"	"before time began" and "end of time"
"of old" and "today"	"nations" and "saints"
"permanently" and "never while the world lasts"	"the world" and "the universe"
"for all time" and "before all time"	"ancient" and "here and now"
"immortal" and "never to the end of my days"	"end of the world" and "world without end"
"ancient" and "yonder world"	"always" and "never"

You are looking at an amazing thing, which is false translating in action. This is certainly not "a pattern of sound words" ( II Tim. 1:13-14)!

2009-11-04T08:21:00.001-06:00

IF GOD IS ALL POWERFUL...

... then can He make a rock so big that He Himself can't lift it? Perhaps someone has jokingly asked you this before. In fact, I recently saw this very question posted as a topic for discussion in a MySpace group. The correct answer, of course, is no. An omnipotent God cannot limit His own power, for He would then cease to be omnipotent, and cease to be God. But the Christian majority disagrees, for it teaches that God HAS chosen to limit His own power by giving men free will. I recently wrote the following story and posted it in a MySpace discussion group in an attempt to illustrate the fallacy of fundamental Christian theology, which basically says that God would not be "loving" if He did not allow men freedom of choice:

There were two scoutmasters who took two separate groups of ten boys on weekend camping trips in the forest. Now one scoutmaster was a strict disciplinarian, and made sure the whole group stayed together when they went hiking in the forest. These all returned safely home. But the other scoutmaster did not run such a tight ship, and would allow the boys to wander off on their own from time to time. One day this group also ventured out on a hiking expedition and soon came to a split in the trail: one path led back to camp, the other trail led deep into the mountains. Eight of the ten boys, including the scoutmaster, took the trail leading back to camp. But the other two were allowed to venture off on their own, where they soon ran into an overly protective bear of her cubs, and were ripped to shreds. When this scoutmaster was later asked why he did not insist that the whole group stay together, he replied, "Well, I didn't want to impose my will upon them, for that would not seem like the loving thing to do. Besides, I did return eight out of the ten safely home. That's a pretty good percentage in any league. Winning eight of its first ten games this season was good enough for first place in the AFC South for Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Likewise, eight out of ten is pretty good from the charity stripe as well. And who could argue against anyone batting .800 in the World Series?"

And this is Christian theology at its very best. But very few Christians even believe God will score eight out of ten when it comes to saving His children. Oh no. Most believe it is as little as five, maybe ten percent at best. Even if you subscribe to TBN's latest figures (which I don't), there are now about 2 billion people worldwide who have confessed the Christ the Savior as Lord. That's only about 30% of the current world population. The rest, they say, are eternally lost. So in other words, God's "supposed" adversary Satan is WINNING the battle for souls! Even though God clearly DESIRES to save all of His children (II Peter 3:9), He CAN'T. There's a new sheriff in town, and his name is human free will: the proverbial "stone so big that even God Himself can't lift it!"

CONCLUSION: So which of the two scoutmasters showed the greater love: the one who imposed his will upon his troop, or the one who gave his troop freedom of choice?

2009-11-04T08:18:00.001-06:00

TOP TEN REASONS TO RECONSIDER
YOUR BELIEF IN AN ETERNAL HELL

10. No mention of this doctrine can be found anywhere in the first five books of the Old Testament, or the Torah, the Law of Moses. In Deuteronomy 28, for example, the nation of Israel is given a list of warnings and curses in the event of their disobedience, yet not one of them involves this notion of eternal punishment in hell. If it were true, don’t you think God should have warned them? (see Amos 3:7)

9. Likewise, God commissioned the apostle Paul to deliver the gospel (good news) to the Gentile nations, but Paul never once mentioned this concept of “hell” anywhere in his epistles. Question: If it was Paul’s responsibility to warn the Gentile nations of this dread prospect, then why didn’t he? [1]

8. Several noted historians and scholars have testified [2] that the whole thing was contrived as an attempt to discourage criminal activity among the masses. Take a good honest look around you. Does it appear to be working?

7. Smith’s Bible Dictionary tells us (page 119) that the word “hell” was unfortunately used by the (KJV) translators to represent the Hebrew word Sheol [3], which is found in the Old Testament a total of 65 times, and would have been better represented exclusively by “the grave” or “the pit.” For whatever reason, this word is rendered by the English word “grave” a total of 31 times, by the word “hell” a total of 31 times, and by the word “pit” a total of 3 times. Why do you suppose all of the inconsistencies?

6. Words like “hell” and “damn” have completely different meanings today than they once had. Anyone with a good dictionary can find that this is true. Look up the word “hell” in your dictionary and you will soon learn that this word was derived from the Old English/Old High German word helan, which means to conceal. Likewise, the word “damn” came from the Latin word damnare, or damnum, and was strictly a legal term meaning a loss, damage, or fine. Nothing even remotely resembling eternal punishment in fire is associated with these words in their original sense.

NOTE: An excellent example of how a word can quickly take on new meaning can be seen with the word “gay,” which formerly meant (exclusively) to “be happy, or merry.” It has only been within the past 30 years or so that this word has become associated with homosexuals and homosexual activity. Do you see how someone today could easily be mislead while reading a pre-1970’s book containing a statement about a man being gay?

5. The Greek word “apoleia,” which has been rendered several times by the English word “destruction” (Example: “broad is the way that leads to destruction – Matthew 7:13), in its original sense meant “to suffer loss, or ruin” and never implied eternal damnation. Quite to the contrary, for example, I Corinthians 3:15: “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved!” [Please note that this idea of “loss” is consistent with the (original) Latin word damnare/damnum]

4. The Hebrew word “olam,” as well as the Greek word “aion,” once spoke exclusively of an indeterminate period of time, or an eon (age). Just as in the case of our previous example with the word “gay,” as time went by, these words also began to take on new meanings; in this case, the concept of endlessness, or eternity. Hence, the concept of “age-abiding” punishment (for the purpose of correction) was changed to mean “everlasting” punishment (without remedy). And this was done (admittedly!) as an attempt to keep the masses in fearful subjection to authority [2].

NOTE: By exerting a little study time in the Scriptures, it can easily be proven that the Hebrew word olam, as well as the Greek word aion, cannot represent the concept of endlessness, or God’s written word contradicts itself. [Be sure to read Five Questions Your Fundamentalist Pastor Will Not Be Able To Answer]

3. According to orthodox Christianity, the “lake of fire” is supposed to be the final abode of the wicked where there will be an eternity (without remedy) of weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Revelation 21:4, however, we are clearly told that “God shall wipe away ALL tears from their eyes!” Likewise, in Revelation 20:14 this lake of fire is also referred to as the “second death.” But once again, God’s precious word refutes the finality of this death: “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) The apostle Paul also testifies of this truth: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (I Corinthians 15:26) Whom will you choose to believe: God’s precious Word, or the misleading doctrines that are prevalent within orthodox Christianity? [Choose this day whom you will serve – Joshua 24:15]

2. God’s stated will for humanity is clear: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:3,4) God also tells us that He is working all things according to the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11) And the prophet Isaiah makes it perfectly clear that [God’s] counsel shall stand, and [He] will do (or perform) ALL [His] pleasure! (Isaiah 46:10) Once again, whom are you going to believe?

And the number one reason to reconsider your belief in an eternal hell:

1.a) GOD IS LOVE! (I John 4:8) Like any good parent who loves their children, discipline is always for the purpose of correction. If your children got out of line, would you lock them up in your basement and torture them unmercifully for sadistic reasons? Of course not! Those who teach that our loving heavenly Father will do so do not know the heart of God. [4] Likewise, it would be the height of hypocrisy for God to command us to love and to forgive our enemies, while at the same time unmercifully torturing His enemies for all eternity.

1.b) LOVE NEVER FAILS! (I Corinthians 13:8) If just one precious soul were to perish apart from the love of God, then that would mean that either a) God doesn’t love that individual, or b) that somehow God’s love has failed in that particular instance. And I can assure you that it is a tragic error to believe that the Love of God will fail! For God IS Love, and Love NEVER fails!

2009-10-29T11:10:00.001-05:00

100 Scriptural Proofs That Jesus Christ Will Save All Mankind

by Thomas Whittemore (written in 1840)

edited by Gary Amirault


	GOD THE CREATOR OF MEN God is the Creator of all men. "He hath made of one blood, all nations of men, to dwell on all the face of the earth." Acts 17:26 He would not have created intelligent beings, had he known they were to be forever miserable. To suppose that God would bring beings into existence who he knew would be infinite losers by that existence, is to charge him with the utmost malignity. The existence itself would not be a blessing, but a curse; the greatness of which cannot be described. As God is infinite in knowledge, and as he sees the end from the beginning, he must have known before the creation, the result of the existence he was about to confer, and whether, upon the whole, it would be a blessing; and , as he was not under any necessity to create man, being also infinitely benevolent, he could not have conferred an existence that he knew would end in the worst possible consequences to his creatures. GOD THE FATHER OF MEN God is the Father of all men. "Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?" Mal. 2:10 A kind Father will not punish his children but for their good. God is evidently called the Father of all men in the Scriptures, and this is not an unmeaning name; he has the disposition and principles of a Father. He loves with a Father's love; he watches with a Father's care; he reproves with a Father's tenderness; he punishes with a Father's design. God is the Father of all men; and, therefore, he cannot make mankind endlessly miserable. GOD THE LORD, OR OWNER OF MEN All men, of right, belong to God. "Behold, all souls are mine," saith the Lord. "As the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine." Ezek. 18:4 God will not give up what belongeth to him, to the dominion of sin and Satan forever. All men are God's by creation; he made them all. They are his by preservation; he sustains them all. They were his at first, and they always have remained in his care. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." That God, who says to men, "If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel," can never abandon his own creatures. He will ever exercise a gracious care over them, as will be more fully seen in the following reasons. ALL MEN COMMITTED TO CHRIST'S CARE God hath given all things to Christ, as the moral Ruler of the world. "Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." Psalms 2:8 "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." John 3:35 "All things," here, means all intelligent beings. So say the best commentators. (The word things is in italics in the KJV which means it is not in the Greek. We are not talking about trees here.) God gave all beings to Christ that he might save them. "Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." John 7:2 This plainly evinces, that it was God's design, in giving Christ dominion over all flesh, that they should all enjoy eternal life. It is certain that Christ will save all that the Father hath given him. "All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out." John 6:37 These three propositions are irrefragable evidence of the final happiness of all men. 1st. God hath given all things to Christ. 2d. All that God hath given him shall come to him; and 3d. him that cometh he will in nowise cast out. All are given; all shall come; and none shall be cast out. What is the unavoidable conclusion? THE WILL OF GOD It is THE WILL of God that all men shall be saved. "Who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth." KJV 1Tim. 2:4 By "all men", in this passage, is undoubtedly to be understood all the human race. Salvation comes through the belief of the truth. God wills that all men should come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved thereby. God inspires the hearts of the good to pray for the salvation of all men, and say, as Jesus said, "Thy will be done." Matt. 6:10. Adam Clarke says, "Because he wills the salvation of all men, therefore he wills that all men should be prayed for; as in 1 Tim. 2:1. "I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men." Would God inspire the hearts of his saints to pray for the salvation of all mankind, if he knew they would not all be saved? Jesus came to do the will of God. "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 4:34 "Lo, I come to do they will, O God." Heb. 10:9 The will of God is, that all men be saved. This is his will, by way of distinction and preeminence. Jesus came to do this will. He came as the Savior, as the Savior of all men. He came as the good Shepherd, to seek and save that which was lost. He came to save all men, not only those who lived on the earth while he was here, but all who lived before, and all who have since lived, and all who shall live. Jesus gave himself a ransom for all; he tasted death for every man; and unto him, at last, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess him Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Such is the way in which Jesus does the will of God. The will of God cannot be resisted. "He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Dan. 4:35. Who can resist a being of Almighty power? What God wills to take place, must take place. He wills the salvation of all men because it is right. A God of purity cannot desire endless sin and rebellion. If he wills the salvation of all men, he wills all the means by which it shall be accomplished; it must therefore take place. God has no other will besides the will to save all men. "He is in one mind, and who can turn him." Job 23:13. THE NATURE OF GOD God is love and love worketh no ill. "God is love." 1 John 4:8. "Love worketh no ill." Rom. 13:10. This is a very forcible argument. God's nature is the very essence of benevolence, and benevolence cannot be the origin of endless evil. If love worketh no ill, God can work no ill; and, therefore, God cannot be the author of endless evil. God loves all mankind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." John 3:16: and, as Jesus died for all men, so God loves all men. This argument adds great force to the last. God loves even his enemies. For he requires men to love their enemies, which he could not do if he hated his. (Matt. 5:44) And Jesus declared, "for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." Luke 6:35. This is but an amplification of the preceding argument. If God loves his enemies, he certainly loves all men; for no one doubts that he loves his friends. And can God cause those to be endlessly miserable whom he loves? THE WISDOM OF GOD God is wise; and it cannot be a dictate of wisdom to create beings, and then make their existence a curse by entailing endless suffering to it. God foresaw all the consequences of our creation when he made us. He knew fully what the result would be to each individual. Is it possible, that infinite goodness could breathe life into unoffending dust, when it was clearly foreseen that endless evil would ensue? It was not possible. God must have created only to bless. "Love worketh no ill." The wisdom of God is "full of mercy," and "without partiality." James 3:17. "Full of mercy," says Adam Clarke, i.e. "ready to pass by a transgression, and to grant forgiveness to those who offend; and PERFORMING EVERY POSSIBLE ACT OF KINDNESS." Surely, a God of infinite power and skill, who "performs every possible act of kindness," will save his fallen creatures from their sins. "Without partiality," i.e. without making a difference. God is no respecter of persons. He is kind to all men, and he will perform every "possible act of kindness" to all men. THE PLEASURE OF GOD The pleasure of God is in favor of the salvation of all men; and therefore, neither death, sin, nor pain, can be the ultimate object of God in reference to man. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Ezek. 23:11. Death and sin and pain may exist for a time; but if God has no pleasure in them of themselves, they are not the end at which he aims, but the means by which he accomplishes that end. The end in which God rests as his pleasure, design, or purpose, must be essentially benevolent, because he is essentially a benevolent God. Neither death, nor sin, nor pain can be his ultimate plan or pleasure; they are the means by which his holy and righteous designs are carried into effect. God created all men expressly for his pleasure, and, therefore, not for ultimate death. "Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:11 Adam Clarke has a fine remark on this passage. He says, "He made all things for his pleasure; and through the same motive he preserves. Hence, it is most evident, that he hateth nothing that he has made; and could have made no intelligent creature with the design to make it eternally miserable. It is strange, that a contrary supposition has ever entered into the heart of man; and it is high time that the benevolent nature of the Supreme God, should be fully vindicated from aspersions of this kind." The pleasure of God shall prosper in the hand of Christ. "The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." Isaiah 53:10 Clarke says, on Isaiah 53:10, that the pleasure of God is, "to have all men saved, and brought to the knowledge of the truth." Compare this with the 20th section. God's pleasure shall surely be accomplished. "So shall by word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11. "I will do all my pleasure." 46:10 Does not this passage show that God's pleasure shall certainly be accomplished? His word shall not return unto him void: it shall accomplish what he please, and prosper in the object which he sent it to accomplish. God has no pleasure in the death or suffering of the sinner. That was not the object of creation. God created men for his pleasure, and his pleasure shall certainly be accomplished. God has purposed the salvation of all men. "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him." (Eph. 1:9,10) It is evident from this passage, that God has purposed to gather together all things in Christ. God's purpose agrees with his will or pleasure. He wills to have all men saved; he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; and accordingly he has purposed to gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth. This is God's purpose; this is what he has purposed in himself. And this is not the gathering together of those things only which are in Christ, but the gathering together of all things in him. "Unto him shall the gathering of the people be." (Gen. 49:10) And Jesus confirms this: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) Thus we see all things are to be gathered into Christ. They are all to have his spirit, and partake of his new creation; for "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17) By the phrase "all things," as Archbishop Newcome says, it meant, "all persons, all intelligent beings. See the neuter for the masculine, John 6:37,39." See more on this subject under the 78th section. The purpose of God cannot fail: it must certainly be accomplished. "The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, surely as I have purposed, so shall it stand." (Isaiah 14:24) "For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"( verse 27) "I have purposed it, I will also do it." (46:11) Now, whatever God purposes must take place. God can have no second thoughts; hence, Paul speaks of "the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel (i.e. the previous consultations or deliberations) of his own will." (Eph 1:11) What, then, shall hinder the accomplishment of this purpose? Has he formed a plan which he cannot execute? No; the concurrent testimony of the sacred writers is, that whatever God has purposed, SHALL BE DONE. So let it be, O Lord. THE PROMISES OF GOD God promised to Abraham, his servant, that he would bless all mankind, in his seed. "In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 12:3) "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 22:18) All the nations of the earth, all the families of the earth, according to this promise, are to be blessed in the seed of Abraham. The language is absolute: it is without any condition. "All the nations of the earth shall be blessed." And who is this "seed of Abraham," in whom all the nations and families of the earth shall be blessed? I agree with Dr. Adam Clarke on this matter. He says, in his note on Gen. 12:3, "in thy posterity, in the Messiah, who shall spring from thee, shall all families of the earth be blessed; for as he shall take on him human nature, from the posterity of Abraham, he shall taste death for every man; his gospel shall be preached throughout the world, and innumerable blessings be derived on all mankind, through his death and intercession." God made the same promise to Isaac. "I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham they father, and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 26:3,4) This passage is precisely of the same import with those quoted under section 23. It refers to precisely the same subject, and asserts the same facts. We repeat it here, because God saw fit to repeat the same promise to Isaac which he had made to his father Abraham; and it forms a distinct argument of itself. The same promise was repeated to Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. "and in thee, and in thy seed, shall all the families of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 28:14) The apostle Paul (and higher authority we do not wish) fully settles the question in regard to who is meant by the "seed of Abraham." He says, "Now to Abraham and his seed, were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, WHICH IS CHRIST." (Gal. 3:16) Christ, then, is the seed of Abraham; and in him ALL the nations and families of the earth shall be blessed. Peter, the apostle, understood this promise as referring to the salvation of men from sin, by Jesus Christ. "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, in thy seed shall all kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first, God, having raised up his son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:25,26) Here we have a third term,-kindreds. All nations of the earth, all families of the earth, and all kindreds of the earth, must certainly signify all mankind. The import of this absolute, unconditional promise is, they shall all be blessed in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul repeats this promise, and calls it THE GOSPEL. "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed." (Gal. 3:8) This is a further confirmation, that the blessing promised men in the seed of Abraham, is a spiritual, gospel blessing. There is no threatening of any kind whatsoever in the Scriptures, no law, no penalty, no punishment denounced, which when rightly understood does not harmonize with this promise, for the law is not against the promises of God. "Is the law, then, against the promises of God? God forbid." (Gal. 3:21) The law mentioned in this verse was undoubtedly the law given to Moses on Mount Sinai. God was specially careful to frame that law in such a manner, that not a single sentence or particle of it should contradict the promises made by him to Abraham. What those promises were, we have seen. It is equally true, that not a single threatening of punishment for sin, or for unbelief, not a denunciation of hell-fire, or condemnation of any kind of sin, is opposed to the promises of God. Now as those promises most explicitly assert, the final blessing of all nations, kindreds, and families of the earth with salvation from sin in Jesus Christ, so no portion of God's law, no threatening of punishment, should be so construed, interpreted, or explained, as to contradict this; and as the doctrine of endless condemnation for sin does explicitly contradict those promises, that doctrine we may be sure is not revealed in any portion of God's word. THE OATH OF GOD God hath confirmed his promise by an oath. See Gen. 12:16-18. Heb. 6:13. But the most striking passage, perhaps, is this-"I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear, surely shall say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength." (Isaiah 45:23,24) I think the words of Adam Clarke on the oath of God, are worthy of the deepest consideration. On the words of God, "he sware by himself," Clarke remarks, "He pledged his eternal power and Godhead for the fulfillment of the promise; there was no being superior to himself, to whom he could make appeal, or by whom he could be bound; therefore he appeals to and pledges his immutable truth and godhead." Com. on Heb. 6:13 And again, the same commentator remarks, "The promise pledged his faithfulness and justice; the oath all the infinite perfections of his godhead; for he sware by himself. There is a good saying in Beracoth, on Exodus 32:13. 'Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swearedst by thine own self.' What is the meaning of "thine own self?" Rab Eleazar answered, thus said Moses to the holy blessed God, Lord of all the world, If thou hadst sworn to them by the heavens and the earth, then I should have said, as the heavens and the earth shall pass away, so may thy oath pass away. But now thou hast sworn unto them by thy great Name, which liveth and which endureth forever, and forever, and ever; therefore thy oath shall endure forever and forever and ever." (Com. on Heb. 6:18.) THE POWER OF GOD God is almighty; nothing can resist his will; nothing can defeat his purpose; nothing can prevent the fulfillment of his promise. "What he had promised he was able to perform." (Rom. 4:21) If God were not almighty, then the world might not be saved; but he is almighty; "none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?" and therefore, in God's own time (and that is the best time), and by his own means, the whole world shall be saved. THE DEATH OF CHRIST Because God not only wills the salvation of all men; not only hath purposed to save them all; not only hath promised it; not only hath confirmed that promise by an OATH (see previous issues); but also hath provided the means, in the death of Christ, for the salvation of all men. Jesus died for all. "He gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim. 2:6) "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man." (Heb. 2:9) "And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2) Here are three expressions: 1st, "ALL;" 2nd, "EVERYMAN;" 3d, "THE WHOLE WORLD." It seems as though the sacred writers took the utmost care to guard against being misunderstood in this important particular. Some would have us believe (see Prof. Stuart's Com. on Heb. 2:9) that these expressions are to be understood only in a general sense, in opposition to the contracted opinions of the Jews, who confined the blessings of God to their own nation only; and that the words are intended to declare, that Jesus died for Gentiles as well as Jews. We cannot so restrict the sense. Look at the connection in which these passages are found, and it will be seen that the terms used, apply to all men, in the widest sense of these terms. Paul instructs Timothy to pray for all men; not for Jews and Gentiles in the general sense, but for kings and all in authority; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, who will have all men to be saved. So John says, "if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father." (1 Epistle John 1:1) Is not the language here designed to apply to all men: Who can dispute it? The labor of Christ will be efficacious for all for whom He died. "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied." (Is. 53:2) "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." (John 12:32) If the Redeemer died for all men, can He be satisfied with the salvation of a part only? Can He look back upon his work and say, it is well done? Will He not rather draw all men unto Him, by the power of His truth, and make them holy and happy forever? Are we not authorized to expect such a result, from the fact, that He gave Himself a ransom for all? And if they are all drawn unto Him, will they not all be saved? When Jesus was born, the angel said to the fearful shepherds, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." (Luke 2:10) The tidings of the Redeemer's birth, were certainly good tidings to all people. They should all hear these tidings, and to all they should be good tidings. But how can this be, if a part of the human race are never to be benefited by the Redeemer's sacrifice? The people who heard Jesus preach said, "we have heard Him ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." (John 4:42) Jesus cannot be the Savior of the world, if the world will never be saved. What Jesus taught the Samaritans, that induced them to regard Him as the Savior of the world, may be inferred, 1st. from His conversation with the woman at the well of Jacob, (John 4) and 2nd, from the exclamation of the Samaritans, in the 42nd verse. He evidently did not preach to them the doctrine of endless misery; for would they have concluded from the fact of his preaching that doctrine, that he was THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD?" John, the beloved disciple of Christ, said, "We have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14) This is the same character that the Samaritans judged the Lord to possess, from his personal instruction. (John 4:42) John says, "We have seen;" i.e. he knew it from his acquaintance with his Master. And do testify. We cannot hide this truth; we will proclaim to men, that Jesus is the Savior of the world. THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHETS All the holy prophets have spoken of the restitution of all things. "And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began." (Acts 3:20,21) This is an important passage of Scripture. "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, (but who hath been crucified, and hath ascended unto heaven, and ) whom the heaven must receive (or contain) until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." This "restitution of all things" is to take place, when Jesus comes down from the heavens, in the sense in which he had ascended into heaven. He had ascended into the heaven bodily; the heavens would contain Him until the times of the restitution; and then He would bodily visit the earth again. Now when shall he visit the earth again bodily? Answer, at the resurrection of the dead. (See Acts 1:10,11, and 1 Thess. 4:16) We conclude from this, that the restitution of all things is to take place at the resurrection of the dead. The learned Parkhurst gives this view of the subject, and quotes Stockius at large as agreeing with him. We do not understand, that the restitution shall not begin until the time, but that it shall then be completed, and filled up, so that it may be said, all things are restored. This is begun in part in this life; but it will be completed and finished at the resurrection. What is this restitution? It is the putting of things back into their original condition. See A. Clarke, on the passage. Man was originally created in God's image; but the divine image has been obscured by sin; and men now bear the image of the earthly. But at the resurrection, when Christ shall appear, the restitution of all things shall take place, and then mankind will be restored to the image of God again; for St. Paul says, that at the resurrection mankind shall be changed from the earthly to the heavenly image. (1 Cor. 15:49) This heavenly image which we have lost, we obtain back again at the resurrection of the dead; and to this the Saviour's language agrees, for He saith, that in the resurrection men shall be as the angels of God in heaven; i.e. they shall bear the heavenly image; (Matt. 22:30) that they can die no more, and "shall be the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." (Luke 22:36) This God hath spoken by all his holy prophets since the world began; not fully and clearly as He hath revealed it in the gospel; but He hath spoken by the prophets of the recovery of all things from the dominion of sin, and their reconciliation to God, and the gaining again of the heavenly image. The reader is referred to a long and excellent passage in A. Clark's Com. on Acts 3:21, which he closes by saying, "as therefore, the subject here referred to is that, of which all the prophets from the beginning have spoken, (and the grand subject of all their declarations was Christ and His words among men,) therefore the words are to be applied to this, and no other meaning. Jesus Christ comes to raise up man from a state of ruin, and restore to him the image of God, as he possessed it at the beginning." Moses, one of the earliest prophets, foretold the destruction of all evil, when he represented sin under the figure of a serpent, whose head the seed of the woman was to bruise. "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Gen. 3:15) David also said, "all the ends of the world shall remember, and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him." (Psalms 22:27) This agrees precisely with the promise of God to Abraham, that all the nations, families, and kindreds of the earth shall be blessed in Christ Jesus. David also said, :all kings shall fall down before Him (Christ), all nations shall serve Him,--men shall be blessed in Him, all nations shall call Him blessed." (Psalms 72:11,17) This is of the same import with section 38. David also said, "All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name." (Psalms 86:9) This must certainly include all the nations of the earth; God made them all, from Adam to the latest born. David also said, not less than twenty-six times, in that part of his meditations embraced in the 136th Psalm, "his mercy endureth forever." What kind of a mercy is the mercy of God, which is to endure forever: it is a universal mercy. See the next section. He also declared, that that mercy which is to endure forever, is over all the works of God. "The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all his works." (Psalms 145:9) God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. He also said, "all thy works shall praise thee, O Lord, and thy saints shall bless thee." (Psalms 145:10) Can all God's works praise Him, if a part are consigned to eternal fire? He also said, "the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalms 145:8) Can endless misery be ordained by such a god as this? He also said; "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide; neither will He keep His anger forever." (Psalms 103:8,9) This could not possibly be true, if God purposed to make any of His creatures forever miserable. If we allow that torment shall be endless, can we say, that "God will not always chide," nor "keep His anger forever?" Isaiah represented, that there was no sin which might not be pardoned. "Though you sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isa. 1:18) The evident intent of this language is, that there was no sin so deep-dyed in the soul, that it could not be washed away. That is here said of Israel, is true of every individual. It is said, that "all nations shall flow into the mountain of the Lord's house,"--a figurative representation of the covenant of the Gospel. (Isa. 2:2) In this mountain, the Lord of Hosts hath made for all people a feast of fat things. "And in this mountain, shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees; of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well-refined." (Isa. 25:6) By "mountain," here, is meant the covenant of the Gospel; the place of the establishment of the ark is made a metaphor, to signify the Gospel. Adam Clarke says, this feast is "salvation by Jesus Christ." Com. On the place. This salvation is prepared for all people; it is sufficient to supply the wants of all. "God will destroy, in this mountain, the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil, that is spread over all nations." (Isa. 25:7) This salvation is not uselessly prepared. Unbelief shall be done away. The darkness of the nations shall be removed. The covering cast over all nations shall be destroyed; they will then all see the truth. "God will swallow up death in victory. " (Isa. 25:8) This is to take place at the resurrection of the dead, for Paul quotes these words, and applies them to the resurrection of the dead, in 1 Cor. 15:54. "The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces: (Isa. 25:8) The work of the Gospel will not be fully done, until tears shall be wiped away from all faces. Sorrow shall cease. Paul applies the subject to the resurrection of the dead. Isaiah said, "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." (Isa. 40:5) This is the declaration of Yahweh, for the prophet adds, "the mouth of the lord hath spoken it." If the Lord hath declared, that all flesh shall see his glory together, surely it must be done. Isaiah represents the Gospel as being completely successful in accomplishing the purpose for which it was sent into the world"--that, as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and return not thither, but water the earth, and cause it to bring forth and bud, so shall the word of God be; it shall not return void, but it shall accomplish the divine pleasure, and prosper in the thing for which God sent it. (Isa. 45:10,11) Thus all who allow that God sent the Gospel to benefit all mankind, must here see, that that beneficent object will surely be accomplished. If any reject the Gospel, and are lost forever, can it be said in truth, that God's word does not return unto Him void? Isaiah, speaking in the name of Yahweh, said, of Christ, "I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." (Isa.49:6) In this verse, the prophet affirms, that the blessings of the Gospel should not be confined to the Jews. "I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles;" for what purpose? Answer; "that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." This expression is intended to signify the greatest possible extension of the blessings of the Gospel. Is this consistent with the supposed fact, that countless millions of the human race shall never hear of the blessings of the Gospel? Isaiah represented Yahweh as saying, "I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made." (Isa 57:16) Is this declaration consistent with the doctrine of endless misery? According to that doctrine, will not God contend forever? Will He not be always wroth? Yahweh saith, by Jeremiah, concerning the covenant He made with the house of Israel, " I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their heats; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his Neighbor, and every man his brother, saying , know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jer. 31:33,34) The spirit of the passage is universal grace. What God here saith He will do for the Jews, He will also do for the Gentiles. The former is a pledge of the latter. (See, for additional argument on this subject, section 88) Jeremiah bore testimony against the supposition, that God would inflict any punishment on His creatures which is not for their good. "THE LORD WILL NOT CAST OFF FOREVER. But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies, for He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." (Lamen. 3:31-33) O, what a precious declaration is this! Though God cause grief, yet He will have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies, for He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. This is the principle of the divine government. God does not afflict for the purpose of afflicting, but for the good of the sufferer. How, then, can endless torment be inflicted? Daniel said, of the reign of Christ, "there was given Him dominion, and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7:14) If all people, nations, and languages serve the Savior, will they be endlessly miserable? Will they not be endlessly happy? This passage should be applied, undoubtedly, to all for whom the Savior died. Jesus seems to have referred to the declaration of the prophets, in what He said after His resurrection. (Matt. 28:18) Hosea said, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave (or Hell, Sheol), I will be thy destruction." (Hosea 13:14) Let the light of inspiration guide us. St. Paul applies these words to the resurrection of the dead, at the last day. (1 Cor. 15:54,55) At the resurrection of the dead, then, God will destroy Sheol, HELL. He does not raise His creatures from the dead in order to punish them forever in sheol,(Hell) for sheol (Hell) shall then be destroyed. Micah said, of Yahweh, " He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy." (Micah 7:18) A most precious assurance! Altogether at variance with the doctrine of endless misery. THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS Jesus, when on earth, preached in such a manner that the people "wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." (Luke 4:22) This could not have happened, had he threatened the people with endless misery. He preached salvation to sinful, guilty man; he preached the love of God to the whole world; and declared, that God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but, that the world, through Him, might be saved. Well might the people wonder at his "gracious words." Jesus inculcated the strongest confidence in God; and reasoned in the most tender and judicious manner with the people, to dissuade them from taking anxious thought for the future. Read Matt. 6:25-34. This is one of the most striking passages in the whole New Testament. The object of the Savior was, to encourage, in the hearts of those whom he addressed, the most implicit confidence in God, for all future blessings. God is good; he is kind, even to the unthankful and to the evil; therefore said the Savior, "take no anxious thought." Be not afraid; God will do thee good. He has already proved his beneficence to thee. He takes care of the lower orders of beings; why shouldst thou doubt? He clothes the flowers of the field with beauty; why shouldst thou despair? Take not anxious, painful thought for the future. Sufficient unto the present is the evil therof. Such is the spirit of the passage, which is perfectly consistent with the doctrine of Universalism, but utterly inconsistent with the doctrine of endless misery. Jesus warned the people against the doctrine of the Pharisees, who are well known to have believed in endless punishment. Matt 16:6; compare verse 12. There is no doubt, that the doctrines of the Pharisees were of a partial nature. Jesus was impartial in his teachings. He was the friend of publicans and sinners, and for this the Pharisees hated him. This was the great point on which he differed from the Pharisees. Their doctrine peculiarly was a doctrine of cruelty, wrath, and partiality; his was a doctrine of love, compassion, and universal grace. No person, who will make the comparison fairly, can avoid coming to this result. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Jesus taught, that men in the future world will be like the angels of God in heaven,--holy, spotless, and pure. "In the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God in heaven." (Matt. 22:30 Luke 20:35,36) In what sense shall they be as the angels of God in heaven? Let the passage in Luke 20 answer this question. "Neither can they die any more, for they are equal unto the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Here are two points, in which they will be equal to the angels, viz. 1st. they will be immortal; and 2nd. they will be children of God, bearing a moral likeness to him. This will be the state of all who shall be raised from the dead. Jesus reproved the Pharisees for shutting up the kingdom of heaven. "Woe into you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (Matt. 23:13) These Pharisees were never charged with having shut up the kingdom of hell; that, they appear to have kept open. But they shut up the kingdom of heaven. Jesus desired to have all men enjoy his kingdom; and we are assured, that, at last, all shall know the Lord, from the least unto the greatest. They will then all have entered the gospel kingdom. THE TESTIMONY OF PETER Peter saw, in the vision of the vessel like a sheet knit at the four corners, that all men came down from heaven; that they are all encircled in the kind care of God, while here on earth; and , that "all will be drawn up again into heaven." (Acts 10:15; 11:5-10) THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL Paul represented the free gift of life as extending equally with sin. "As, by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." (Rom. 5:18) This is a very important passage. It teaches us, that the free gift of eternal life shall extend equally with sin. On the one hand we are told, judgment came upon all men by sin; on the other we find, that "the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." This free gift is eternal life, see Rom. 6:23. But, for a further view of the argument of the apostle in this place, see section 68. Paul also says, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." The same many that were made sinners, Paul declares "shall be made righteous." This certainly asserts the salvation of all sinners. Parkhurst in his Greek Lexicon, says, Oi polloi, the many, i.e. the multitude, or whole bulk of mankind, Rom. 5:15,19, in which texts oi polloi are plainly equivalent to Pantas anthropous, all men, verses 12, 18." The learned Dr. Macknight is to the same purport. "For as oi polloi, the many, in the first part of the verse, does not mean some of mankind only, but all mankind, from first to last, who without exception, are constituted sinners, so the many in the latter part of the verse, who are said to be constituted righteous, through the obedience of Christ, must mean ALL MANKIND, from the beginning to the end of the world, without exception." See his commentary on the place. The evident sense of the passage is this: For as the many, that is, the whole bulk of mankind were made sinners, so shall the many, that is, the whole bulk of mankind, be made righteous. What can be plainer than this fact? We agree with the authors of the Improved Version, who say, "Nothing can be more obvious than this, that it is the apostle's intention to represent all mankind, without exception, as deriving greater benefit from the mission of Christ, than they suffered injury from the fall of Adam. The universality of the apostle's expression is very remarkable. The same "many" who were made sinners by the disobedience of one, are made righteous by the obedience of the other. If all men are condemned by the offense of one, the same all are justified by the righteousness of the other. These universal terms, so frequently repeated, and so variously diversified, cannot be reconciled to the limitation of the blessings of the Gospel, to the elect alone, or to a part only of the human race." (Note of Rom. 5:19) Grace shall abound more than sin, and reign more potently, so that at last all shall end in everlasting life. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 5:20,21) What a blessed assurance! Grace shall conquer sin? In every heart where sin has reigned, grace shall set up its empire. Grace shall reign triumphantly and successfully. We see not yet all this done; but it shall be done at last. Paul teaches, that the same creature which was made subject to vanity, "shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Rom. 8:21) It is worthy of remark, that it is the same "creature," or creation, which was made subject to vanity, that is to be delivered. Rev. Thomas White, in his sermons preached at Welbeck Chapel, translates the passage thus: "For THE CREATION was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who subjected it; in hope that THE CREATION ITSELF also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God." (Horne's Intro. II. 540) Dr. Macknight decides, that creature, in the passage, signifies, "every human creature," "all mankind." Let us read the passage with such a rendering, as it undoubtedly gives it its just sense. For every human creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who had subjected the same in hope; because every human creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Paul teaches the eventual salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. "Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in ; and so "ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED." Rom. Xi. 25, 26. The terms, Jews and Gentiles, comprehend all mankind. Paul asserts the ultimate salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, that is, all men. What serious man can pretend, that by the fulness of the Gentiles he meant only a portion of them, and by all Israel, he meant only a small part of Israel? Was it such a view, that led Paul to exclaim, at the conclusion of his luminous argument on this subject, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God?" If God sought to save the whole, and succeeded in saving only a fraction, was the depth of his wisdom so surpassingly great? And remark what he says at the conclusion of the 11th chapter. "For of him (God) and through him, and TO HIM are all things," (Gr. ta panta) the universe ; as Dr. Whitby says, "For of him (as the donor) and through him (as the director and providential orderer) and to him (as the end) be all things." The argument is complete. Paul teaches, that whether living or dying we are the Lord's. "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live we live unto the Lord; and whether we die we die unto the Lord; whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Rom. xiv. 7, 8. Does Paul here mean to include all mankind? Does he here mean to assert, that all without exception, are the Lord's? We can come to no other conclusion. He adds, "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living," verse 9. The terms "dead and living," evidently signify all the human race. Of course, all the human race are Christ's for ever. Paul saith, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." I Cor. xv. 22. "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature." 2 Cor. v. 17. Hence, if all shall be made alive in Christ, they shall all be new creatures in the resurrection of the dead. Belsham says, "The apostle's language is so clear and full with respect to the final happiness of those who are thus raised, and that their resurrection to life will be ultimately a blessing, that the generality of Christians have supposed, that he is here treating of the resurrection of the virtuous only. But that is not the fact. He evidently speaks of the restoration of the whole human race. All who die by Adam shall be raised by Christ; otherwise the apostle's assertion would be untrue. The case then would have been this, as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall a select number, a small proportion, be made alive. But this is not the apostle's doctrine. His expressions are equally universal in each clause. ALL die in Adam. The same ALL, without any exception, without any restriction, shall by Christ be restored to life, and ultimately to holiness and everlasting happiness." Death, the last enemy, shall be destroyed. 1 Cor. xv. 26. If death be the last enemy, and if that shall be destroyed, there will be no enemies to the happiness of man remaining after the resurrection. Paul, in his account of the resurrection, does not admit of the existence of sin in the immortal state. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised incorruption ; it is raised in glory. it is raised in power; it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Cor. xv. 42-44. When the apostle cries out triumphantly, "O death ! where is thy sting?" he certainly means, that sin was absent, for "the sting of death is sin." Paul saith, "that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." 2 Cor. v. 19. It is not said, that God was in Christ reconciling himself to the world, for he was never unreconciled to the world; but God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. By "the world" in this place is undoubtedly intended all for whom Christ died. God was engaged in this work ; he had appointed the means for its accomplishment ; and we believe, under his wise direction, it will be done. Paul saith to the Galatians, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal. iii. 28, 29. According to what promise? Answer. According to the promise of God to Abraham, that in him, and his seed [Christ], all the nations, kindreds and families of the earth shall be blessed. In Christ, therefore, none of the distinctions are known of which Paul there speaks. "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus." That point being settled, he adds, "and if ye be Christ's [as he had proved] then are ye Abraham's seed, [that is, not by lineal descent, but spiritually], and heirs according to the promise." He saith, that to Jesus was given "a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philip. ii. 9-11. Professor Stuart, of Andover, says, in his "Letters to Dr. Channing," "Things in heaven, earth, and under the earth, is a common periphrasis of the Hebrew and New Testament writers, for the universe. What can be meant by things in heaven, that is, beings in heaven, bowing the knee to Jesus, if spiritual worship be not meant?" So much from Professor Stuart. Now if the universe [that is, all men without exception] are to render spiritual and divine worship to Christ, will they not all be holy and happy ? The foregoing reason is confirmed by the fact, that "if we confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in the heart that God hath raised him from the dead, we shall be saved." Rom. x. 9. It pleased the Father, by his son Jesus, "TO RECONCILE ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Col. 1:19-20) This is a similar periphrasis to that spoken of by Professor Stuart, [see section 78] which signifies the universe. The phrase, "all things," as Archbishop Newcome observes, signifies all intelligent beings. It is God's pleasure "to reconcile all things unto himself", -- an irrefutable argument in proof of the final holiness andhappiness of all men. Paul directed Timothy to pray and give thanks for all men, which was agreeable to the will of God to "have all men to be saved," who had appointed a mediator to give himself "a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:1-6) Paul's argument in this place is as follows: I exhort first, that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. None are excluded from the divine favor; all have something to be grateful for; for God is kind and good to ALL. He will have all men to be saved, which is the highest proof of his regard for all men, in execution of the divine purpose to bring all to the enjoyment of salvation. God is called "the Saviour of all men." (1 Tim. 4:10) This title is applied to Jehovah, because he is the source of salvation. He wills the salvation of all; he has purposed the salvation of all; he has promised salvation to all; and has confirmed that promise by an oath. Hence, he is originally the Saviour of all men. The "grace of God bringeth salvation to all men, and teacheth us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." (Titus 2:11,12) Adam Clarke remarks, "It cannot be said, except in a very refined and spiritual sense, that this Gospel had then appeared to all men ; but it may be well said, that it bringeth salvation to all men ; this is its design ; and it was to taste death for every man, that its author came into the world." Again, he adds ; "As the light and heat of the sun are denied to no nation nor individual, so the grace of the Lord Jesus ; this also shines out upon all ; and God designs that all mankind shall be as equally benefited by it, in reference to their souls, as they are in respect to their bodies, by the sun that shines in the firmament of heaven." Christ is to "destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." (Heb. 2:14) Christ will destroy all evil, and banish it entirely from the universe. Paul says, "we which have believed do enter into rest;" which could not be true, if they believed in the doctrine of endless misery. (Heb. 4: 3) "It is impossible for God to lie," who has sworn to Abraham to bless all the kindreds of the earth, in his seed, which is Christ. (Heb. 6:18) If God could be false to his own promise, then the world might not be saved ; but "it is impossible for God to lie." Therefore, all men, without exception, shall at last be blessed in Christ Jesus. Paul has repeated the testimony of Jeremiah, concerning God's covenant with the house of Israel ; "all shall know me, from the least to the greatest." (Heb. 8:11) This is a pledge of the previous salvation of the Gentile world. The word of God assures us, that the Gentiles shall be fellow-heirs with the Jews, of the blessings of the Gospel. God says, "all shall know me, from the least to the greatest." All the children of Israel, all the descendants of Abraham ; not those who may happen to be upon the earth at any particular time, but the whole posterity of the patriarch, without exception. This is similar to what Paul declares. (see Rom. 11:26) God never chastens us but "for our profit," causing all chastisement "afterward to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Heb. 12:10,11) How, then, can the doctrine of endless punishment be true? If God's chastisements afterward yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness, how can they be endless? "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from ALL sin." (1 John 1:7) There is no sin, that the blood of Christ will not wash away. Though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; and, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Jesus can save the chief of sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15) He has the will, no less than the power; therefore, all men will be saved by his grace. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) Sin is the work of the devil, and will be destroyed; but men are the workmanship of God, and will not be ultimately destroyed. Jesus shall destroy all sin ; he came into the world for that special purpose ; and, having begun the work, he will not give over, until it is completely accomplished. The record, which God has given of his Son, is this; "That God hath given to us eternal life ; and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11) Is this record true? it surely is. Who are called on to believe it? all mankind. If any man believe it not, he makes God a liar, by saying, that God's record is not true. God, then, has certainly given eternal life to all men in his divine purpose. John, the revelator, said: "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 honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever and ever." (Rev. 5:13) Here is another instance of the "common periphrasis" of the Hebrew and New Testament writers for the universe. Every creature shall at last pay divine honors to God and the Lamb. "If this be not spiritual worship," saith Prof. Stuart, "I am unable to produce a case, where worship can be called spiritual and divine." The same illustrious writer says: "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy ; for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." (Rev. 15:4) Does this mean only all those nations who may happen to be upon the earth at a certain time? or, does it mean "all nations," in the sense of the divine promise to Abraham? Judge ye. He also says: "The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Rev. 21:3) When this is fulfilled, all men will be reconciled to God. The Gospel is designed to make every heart the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit; and, when the purpose of the Gospel shall be fully accomplished, God shall reign in the hearts of all men. He furthermore declares, that "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, neither sorrow, nor crying ; neither shall there be any more pain ; for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:4) Thus, we see the doctrine of eternal weeping, eternal sighing, eternal sorrow, eternal pain, is false; false as the Bible is true. And, although we read, in the Scriptures, of the second death, yet, if we read of thirty deaths, it would be no argument against Universalism, since the time is to come, when "THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH." God induces all good people to pray for the salvation of all men, which he could not do, if it were opposed to his will; because, "if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us," (1 John 5:14) and because "the desire of the righteous shall be granted." (Prov. 10:24) Peter said; "Believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and FULL OF GLORY." Can it be possible that they believed in the doctrine of endless sin and misery? Would this have made them rejoice with unspeakable joy? Not unless they were demons in human form. All the threatenings of the word of God, when properly understood, harmonize with the doctrine of Universalism ; the punishments spoken of being limited punishments only, and no threatening or law extending sin, or its consequences, beyond the resurrection. Universalism is the only hypothesis in which the perfections of God can harmonize, -since, if men are lost forever by God's decree or permission, it impeaches his goodness; if, by his neglect or want of foreknowledge, it impeaches his wisdom; or, if sin be too mighty for him, and rebels too stubborn for him to subdue, it impeaches his power. Lastly; "All things shall be subdued unto Christ, -Christ shall be subject unto him that put all things under him, that GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL." (1 Cor. 15:28)

Dennis Caldwell

2009-10-27T21:35:00.001-05:00

Psa 65:2 (TNIV) You who answer prayer, to you "ALL PEOPLE" will come

This verse reveals the truth that it is certain that “ALL PEOPLE” will eventually come to the father. I am sure some will say “Oh yes, but that only means the Christians – the ones that have believed, prayed “the sinners prayer”, been baptized, and go to, and support the Church regularly. Well that is being quite presumptuous and “adding” a lot of “ifs” that I do not see here. Requiring all or any one of these negates this word of God all together. Now consider John 6:37-38 quoting Jesus as saying

“ALL that the Father gives me “WILL COME” to me, and “WHOEVER” comes to me “I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY”. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but “TO DO THE WILL OF HIM WHO SENT ME. And “THIS IS THE WILL” who sent Me, that of “ALL”which He has given Me I should “LOSE NOTHING”

We need to ask “how many did the Father give Jesus?” since ALL that Father God has given Him WILL COME and He will accept them and keep them, promising to “NEVER” drive them away, therefore “NOT LOSING ONE”. Remember the parable of the 99 sheep? “NEVER” here is translated from a compound Greek word - ou mē; A negative expression consisting of ou (G3756) = not, and mē (G3361) = not. A double negative, strengthening the denial, meaning not at all, no never, not under any circumstances will He lose one. Back to the question of “how many did the Father give Jesus?” John and Jesus answer that for us as a double witness to this truth. John says in John 3:35

“The Father loves the Son and has given “ALL THINGS” into His hand.”

Then of Jesus the scriptures later says in John 13:3

“Jesus knowing that the Father had given “ALL THINGS” into His hands, and that He had come from God and went to God,”

We now need to ask “what is the will of God for all people” since that is the subject here. Also Jesus said He came “TO DO” the will of the Father. Our brother and Apostle Paul answers that under inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes in 1Ti 2:3-4 (CLV)

“for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior, God, “WHO WILLS THAT” “ALL MANKIND” BE SAVED and come into a realization of the truth”

I believe that removes all disputes, requirements, regulations, and religiosities that would keep ALL PEOPLE from coming to God as Psalms 65:2 says and means. My question would be; “why would so many argue against such a plain and wonderful truth?”

by Eric Soto

2009-10-19T17:27:00.000-05:00

God cannot? or God will not?

Under all the controversial Greek words and different perceptions on key Bible texts, I really feel the universal salvation debate comes down to this; If God does not save all humanity, it is because He either cannot...or will not. All the opposing arguments that can be raised against Ultimate Reconciliation, boil down to one of those two morbid conclusions. And it seems to me that both conclusions are riddled with problems even just within themselves.

God cannot?

This is the conclusion we must come to, if the Arminians are correct(this is where most of mainstream theology falls). Because they propose that although God would really like all peoples to be saved, he cannot execute it because of "free" will. This is the more "friendly" conclusion of the two, since it paints God as sortof a hopeless romantic, rather than a big-fat-meanie-face. Yet I find it poses God as either very weak, or very in lack of priority.

In this view, He seems very weak because there is a force(ie human "free" will and or Satan) that can overcome His plans against His will, and for all eternity none the less. Either that, or He seems very in lack of priority because (as I stated in last weeks blog) He views human "free" will as the most sacrosanct thing in all the universe, even in the case of it doing irreparable destruction to ourselves. And as I said before, that would not be a demonstration of ultimate love, but a demonstration of ultimate apathy for His very own creations.

If we boil the "God cannot" theology down even father, we continue to find the same apathy. Because even though God isnt barring anyone from accepting his grace, He already knows that most will never accept or benefit from it. But if God knew that all humankind could not be saved(despite His desire to) that means He brought billions upon billions of people into existence, knowing that most would be forever doomed! You can pawn it on "free" will and the Devil all day long, but the bare bones of it is that He knew, yet still made...which seems no more responsible than two minimum-wage-earning adults, purposefully having more kids than their salary can obviously support...then blaming most the kids for their starvation, instead of themselves and their bad planning. I would grandly hope God is not that ridiculously stupid.

Some will argue that perhaps God does not actually know the future, or at least does not know who will be saved when all is said and done(one such idea is open theism). That would seemingly get God off-the-hook, except that that would mean God just took a huge gamble with the eternal destinies of mankind. God created humanity, and didnt stop its condemnation, knowing at least that the outcome could be less than all souls finding redemption. This poses God both as a cosmic gambler and a haphazard, inept creator...none of which can I believe God to be.

God will not?

This is the conclusion we must come to, if the Calvinists are correct. They propose that God will save all that He so desires(which is the "elect"), but God simply does not desire to save all people. He could save all, if He wanted, but He doesnt want to...thus He will not. So yet again were presented with the cosmic gambler, who rolls a big die in the sky on who He will love and who He will not. If youre lucky, God will lavish the knowledge of the truth to you and give you eternal paradise! But if youre not so lucky, you will become one of Gods eternal stress balls.

I find this view, deeply more disturbing. Partly because it doesnt have the human "free" will scapegoat to clean Gods hands of our big sin mess(which it wouldnt anyway, but I digress). But mostly because it means that God purposefully created people that He not only knew wouldnt be saved, but didnt want to save either and finds glory in their everlasting torture. God has the ability to cure all his offspring(through Christ), but chooses only some while disowning the rest and leaving them to die. And I cant help but ask, would that even be a god you could love with all of your heart? Many calvinists or reformed people claim so, but I honestly dont think I could.

In conclusion, this is the question I ultimately came to before knowing about universalism, and I think it applies to both the Arminian and Calvinist view: Why would God even create a single, precious soul, allow them to be born into sin and yet not want to rescue them or know he wouldn't be able to? If you do not believe in ultimate reconciliation, I really challenge you to chew on that question this week.

2009-10-12T11:53:00.000-05:00

Theologian’s Dictionary: Some “Biblical” Terms, as Defined by Hell Preachers

Posted in Calvinism v. Arminianism v. Universalism, Christianity, Theology with tags devil's dictionary, dictionary, hell preacher, sam starrett, theologian's dictionary, universal reconciliation, universal salvation on September 21, 2009 by samstarrett

All: 1. All human beings, without exception. This is the sense used when the Bible says how bad we all are, or how we all deserve God’s wrath.

2. A very small minority of people. This is the sense used when the Bible describes God’s love, mercy, or saving grace.

Church: A building. Visit the right one every week or you’re going to hell.

Death: The separation of soul and body, which renders God powerless and His gospel of no avail.

Eternal Death: A neat little made-up term to explain away the fact that most Hell Preachers teach the serpent’s lie “ye shall not surely die”.

Eternity: Something a person enters into at death which completely separates that person from God’s mercy.

Free Will: A nice excuse that allows an irresponsible parent to blame everything on his child. A justification for abdicating one’s parental responsibility to take care of one’s children.

Gospel: A vaccine for Hell. It can keep you from going there, but it cannot get you out. To avail yourself of it, you must love God with all your heart or he’ll torture you for eternity.

Heaven: Spending eternity with the God Who cast your loved ones into eternal fire for not knowing about Him.

Hell: Eternal separation from said loving God. Also a lake of fiery torment.

Holiness: An attribute of God, opposed to His love, which justifies any cruel and inhumane thing He is said to do.

Jesus: The Son of God Who died to save you. Unfortunately, unless you ask Him to do so before you die, He will fail you.

Justice: Vindictive unending punishment which accomplishes nothing. See also Holiness.

Lake of Fire: See Hell.

Mercy: An attribute of God, opposed to justice, which ceases to operate upon death.

Righteousness: 1. In humans, a bad thing. 2. In God, see Holiness.

Salvation: God’s free gift to all who are lucky enough to hear about it and smart enough to take it. The rest of you can go to Hell!

Savior of the World: Savior of believers.

Sin Nature: Something God puts in infants so He can justly send them to hell.

Soul: The essential nature of a person, which God created immortal so that He could torment it if the person screwed up.

Victory: He did the best He could!

Wicked: Evil, God-hating. Everyone from Joseph Stalin to Mother Teresa is born and lives this way, and thus deserves “eternal death”.

by: ERIC SOTO

2009-10-11T14:58:00.000-05:00

The Shack

Over the past week, I read the popular(yet controversial) book called The Shack. I had heard a lot about it for a few months now, but after seeing some of the book quotes and pastors on YouTube railing against it being "evil"...you know I just had to pick it up :).

Its a fictional story about a guy named Mack, whose child is abducted and brutally murdered in an abandoned shack. A few years later, Mack gets a note in the mail from God inviting him back to that very same shack...where Mack spends the weekend asking God all sorts of questions. The Trinity and the way it is presented, is probably one of the most controversial parts of it. Seeing as God the father is portrayed as a big black woman, the holy spirit is an Asian woman, and Jesus is well...a middle eastern carpenter(as you would expect him to be anyway lol). This caught me off guard at first, and sort of weired me out...but then I realized it would have been too cliche and stereotypical for it to be two bearded old men in robes, and a dove/tongue of fire floating around (hence the point was to break stereotypes). Anyway, I wont give all the details since, I think you should read it if you haven't yet. But I just wanted to take a minute to talk about some of my favorite parts out of it:

Before his youngest daughter (Missy) is murdered, Mack tells the story of a Indian princess who had to jump off a cliff, in order to save her people. Missy asks Mack if he would ever ask her to jump off a cliff, he replies,

"No , honey. I will never ask you to jump off a cliff, never, ever, ever"

"then will God ever ask me to jump off a cliff?"

"No, Missy. He would never ask you to do anything like that."

This is the first of many hints at universalism the book provides. Though it always does so in a manner that doesn't totally pin-point and complete the idea. It was also the first part of the book that made me teary eyed, because no loving human father would make their child jump off a cliff. And yet, so many people believe God will make most of His creations jump off a cliff into an everlasting, unpurposed, pit of torment.

God's voice had been reduced to paper, and even that paper had to be moderated and deciphered by the proper authorities and intellects. It seemed that direct communication with God was something exclusively for the ancients and uncivilized, while educated Westerner's access to God was mediated and controlled by the intelligentsia. Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?

This little bit made me giggle, because it made me think of a lot of fundamentalists I talk to that accuse me of not "properly" interpreting scripture. There seems to be this idea in religion that everything we think about God or the Bible needs to be tested and interpreted by the "proper" spiritual geniuses, whom have been apparently gifted with all the right beliefs. The thing that's funny to me about that though, is that the "proper" authority is apparently never the one that disagrees with your theology, only the one that disagrees with the person you're talking to. So when we throw around terms like right theology and proper interpretation, we're really just trying to prove something as true, according to our biases and personal perspectives...not according to some indisputable fact or method. Which at the end of the day, seems pretty silly.

This is a part where God (or Papa) is talking to Mack, and he says

"but your choices are also not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for the ultimate good and most loving outcome".

Then a page later the chapter ends with Mack saying

"I just cant imagine any final outcome that would justify all this"

"Mackenzie." Papa rose out of her chair and walked around the table to give him a big squeeze. "Were not justifying it. We are redeeming it."

I think its easy for us Christians to think that the most loving outcome is 5% of humanity being saved, while most are forever being incinerated, due to their bad choices(because common sense tells us that's what they really want). That God attempts to put out the forest fire that is our sin, and for the most part, fails. Then God sweeps the remains of billions under the rug of Heaven, smiles and shrugs. But perhaps, God is really more purposed and loving then that. Perhaps hes not trying to simply put a band-aid on the human condition, but rather was smart enough from the begining, to know how to ultimately redeem every single one of us despite our bad choices and misunderstandings.

This is a part where Mack is in a room talking with what is supposed to be a projection/embodiement of Gods justice. They go through this whole conversation about judgment and then she tells Mack that he must choose two of his children to go to heaven, and three of them to spend eternity in Hell. He obviously, freaks out.

"Mackenzie, I am only asking you to do something that you believe God does. He knows every person ever concieved, and he knows them so much more deeply than you will ever know your own children. He loves each one according to His knowledge of the being of that son or daughter. You believe He will condemn most to an eternity of torment, away from His presence and apart from His love. Is that not true?"

Anyway, it goes on and Mack decides that he cant possibly decide between his children because,

For him, it wasnt about their performance; it was about his love for them

When I read this, it made me shed a few tears, because it reminded me of how many look at the concept of predestination and judgment in general. Many believe that God created all these people in the world, knowing all the things that entangle them to deception...yet only picked a few of them to be saved from it. No father could possibly pick amoungst his children, for some to be damned and some to be saved...yet we believe a God who is love would do so? More over, we call that perception of God "just" and "holy"? Sometimes, I wonder how I made those concepts work in my mind for all those years without completley shattering eachother in conflict.

Theres a part where Jesus says,

"Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims; some are Democrats, some Republicans and many dont vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions[...] I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa..."

"Does that mean," said Mack, "that all roads will lead to you?"

"Not at all. Most roads dont lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you."

This quote was actually one I was shown before hand, and made me want to read the whole book. And I think this, whether intended or not, sums up the universalistic position. Its not that all religions and beliefs are neccesarily correct, or that they all (in of themselves) lead one to salvation in God. Its simply that God is willing and able to travel any of those roads of belief or lifestyle to find that person and draw Him unto himself...be it in this life or afterwards, be it in the Christian religous structure or not. Jesus is not limited to the Christian religion we have created around His teachings, or other scriptures. And His will and unfailing purpose I believe is to find and redeem every person, regardless of the road of life they are on.

Anyway, there is alot more that I highlighted in the book, but this blog is getting long as it is. But Im sure I will bring up other parts of it in other blogs in the near future.

by ERIC SOTO

2009-10-11T14:56:00.002-05:00

"If everyone goes to heaven, whats the point?"

*(the picture of Bush has nothing to do with anything...I just thought his confused look was hilarious)

This is a question that seems to turn up in every objection to universalism Ive seen thus far, so I thought maybe id blog about it finally

If Hell is not eternal, and everyone eventually gets to be with God...whats the point of doing good or following God? Shouldn't we just do what we want now, since it doesn't matter anyway?

I think people ask this question (as I did too once) because the idea of Ultimate Reconciliation really causes us to reassess the foundations of the Christian faith. And in this case, it reassess our motivation to serve God. That motivation, I think, is often clouded by our evangelical conception; that following God in this life yields the "treat" of heaven, while failing to do so yields the "spanking" of eternal hell. So when universalism takes out eternal hell and replaces it with age-long chastisement, I suppose one could justify that they dont need to serve God, since the punishments are only temporary anyway.

But if a husband continually cheats on his wife, and justifies it by saying,"well, she wont leave me forever, she'll love me no matter what", is it fair to say that that man probably doesnt really love his wife?

In the same way, if the sole reason we serve God is because we are terrified of the idea of eternal punishments, is it fair to say that we dont genuinely love God at all? In that case, we would only be serving God out of fear...fear of punishment or abandonment, not out of love or willful obedience. The same can be said if we serve God only because of the reward of an eternal paradise, except that its not out of fear that we would be serving God, but out of lust for the reward itself. Its kind of like a dog standing on his hind legs at command, simply because he knows his master will give him a doggie treat for it. The dog probably doesnt do it out of love for the master, but rather a love for the taste of bacon-flavored bites.

Because of Jesus, all of the worlds offenses have been forgiven (1 john 2:2) and we are now under grace, not a system of rules in which we have to perform. But just because God loves us no matter what we do, doesn't mean we should just "party it up" and sin our lives away. I have never endorsed that view, nor do the scriptures appear to.

In fact, Paul talked about that very thing in Romans 6:15-17,

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means![...]

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.

Paul makes it a point to say that our obedience is from the heart, thusly I think that is the real underlining reason to serve God...because we want to do so, from the bottom of our hearts.

Another common question along the same lines is,

So whats the point in spreading the gospel, if everyone is just going to be saved anyway?

I think the first point to make here is that Jesus tells us to "go and make disciples of all the nations"(Matthew 28:19), so apparently God wants us to be apart of his truth-revealing process to the world. Secondly, but perhaps of equal importance, is the fact that it doesn't take a PhD to see that we live in a very broken world, in need of the knowledge that God loves them and died for their sins. All throughout the Gospels, Jesus's compassion for the lost was evident, Matthew 9:36-38 is a good example,

When he saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepard. Then He said, "The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord to send out laborers into His harvest".

Christ made "the harvest" possible through His blood shed, so as followers of Him (of which His spirit lives inside) we should be laboring in His name, and in the same vein of compassion He had for people. We shouldn't let people suffer their whole lifes, and through whatever "hell" is, before having a joyful and fulfilling relationship with Jesus. God revealed His goodness and grace to us, so why wouldn't we want to share that with others so that they too can experience it? The notion of Hell not being eternal, and being for a good and remedial purpose...doesn't discredit our faith, or our reason to share it. If anything, it should allow us to truly lay our hopes in Him...that its not up to us to save people, or always live perfect lives. God loves us no matter what and has a good purpose for us from now, til forever.

That's good news I feel like sharing, how bout you?

God is Love

2009-09-28T21:26:00.002-05:00

In the Church world, those in leadership, are also quite content with the idea of falling short of perfection. If one were to go to the leadership of the major Christian denominations and ask them what percentage of mankind will ultimately be in heaven the answers would vary greatly. First of all, most Church leaders would try to dodge the question. The more Fundamentalist ones would probably have the least number in heaven. Calvinists would tell you that only the elect will be in heaven which is typically seen as a small minority. Most of mankind, according to Calvinist/Reformed, was preordained to burn in Hell from the foundation of the world. God set it up that way according to them.

According to most Evangelicals, in order to go to heaven, one must be born again by placing their life into Jesus' hands in this lifetime. By default, all are automatically consigned to Hell, a place of everlasting tortures. A decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord AND fruit proving the decision was from the heart and that one was obedient to God's word is a requirement most Christian leaders teach must accompany those who will go to heaven. Surveying world history the greatest part of mankind has not confessed Jesus as Lord with their heart. The majority of them never heard the name of Jesus, let alone believed on Him.

There are roughly a billion Roman Catholics in the world today. For most of its history, this Church has taught salvation was only within it; all other forms of Christianity and other religions brought a quick trip to “Dante's Inferno,” that is, Hell.

During the Reformation, the Protestants considered the Roman Catholic Church anti-Christ. Of course, the favor was returned by the Pope and His Cardinals who considered all the Protestant sects that abandoned the One True Church established by the apostles -- anathema, that is, cursed. Recently, the Roman Catholic Church has changed its mind on that. Some Protestants might actually make it through the Pearly Gates. The Catholics and Protestants are probably cozier with each other today than any time in Church history.

Considering the history of mankind and all the lands in this world, most of the world never joined the Roman Catholic Church. And many that did were forced into it at the point of a sword. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest of Christian denominations. Perhaps its leaders are proud of that accomplishment. One billion members going to heaven from this generation. (Of course most of them, according to Catholic teaching, will have to spend a lot of time in purgatory for all their sins before they are permitted entry.) Perhaps the present Pope is quite happy with such a great accomplishment…but for Jesus, is that enough?

Is Jesus as much of an imperfectionist as the leaders of all the denominations of Christianity are? Is he happy with their results? Or is His standard MUCH higher than the Churches' or our own?

According to Scripture, what was the purpose of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection?

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)

And if anyone hears my words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world . (John 12:47)

Who comes down from heaven and gives Life to the world. (John 6:33)

The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. (Luke 9:56)

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

As you have given Him authority over all flesh , that He should give eternal life to as many as you have given Him. (John 17:2)

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. (John 3:35)

God, Who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things , through Whom also He made the worlds. (Hebrews 1:1,2)

His purpose is very clear: to reconcile all things back to His Father. (Col. 1:16-20)

Hmmm, save the world, draw all peoples, all things in his hands, heirs of all things…does that sound like a couple percent? Ten percent? Fifty percent? Ninety-nine percent? Based upon the above, it seems to me, that NINETY-NINE PERCENT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR JESUS!

What does the Bible say:

Christ, to whom, in whom, and for whom are all things will reconcile all things unto God (Colossians 1:15-20). He makes all things new. (Rev. 21:5) Hence His work is the restitution of all things (Acts 3:21); He is Heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2); in Him not only all nations will be blessed (Galatians 3:8), but even every family of the earth will be blessed (Gen 12:32; 28:14); for the Father has given Him authority over all flesh, to give to whosoever was given to Him eternal life (John 17:2); and so all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Luke 3:6) since the Father has given all things into His hands. (John 3:35) Therefore, contrary to popular Christian opinion, we do not find billions in a Hell cursing God but we find every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and UNDER the earth saying blessing and honour and glory and power be unto Him that sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb (Rev. 5:13). We find every knee of things in heaven and earth, and under the earth, bends to Him and every tongue confesses Him as their Lord (Philippians 2:10) and we know that no one can confess Jesus as Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). As we can see, ninety nine is not enough!

For God, Whose counsel is immutable (Hebrews 6:17), Whose attitude towards His enemies is love unchanging (Luke 6:27-35), will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV); and all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9); and has shut all up unto unbelief, in order that he may show mercy upon all (Romans 11:32); for (out) of Him, as Source, and unto (or into) Him, as End, are all things whatsoever (Romans 11:36); and He has, therefore, put all things into subjection under Christ's feet (Ephesians 1:22). As we can see, ninety nine is not enough!

And so we are assured that God will gather into one all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10); and His grace comes upon all men unto justification of life (Romans 5:18). So Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands (John 13:3), promises by His Cross to draw (drag in the Greek) all men unto Himself (John 12:32). For having, as stated, received all things from the Father (John 3:35), all that was given come to Him shall come to Him and He will lose absolutely no one (John 6:37-39); but if any stray, He goes after that which is lost till He find it (Luke 15:4). Despite the fact that many of God's chosen and elect believe God's hand is too short to save (Isaiah 50:2) God's hand is not too short to save (Isaiah 59:1; 63:5). As we can see, ninety nine is not enough!

He comes in order that all men may believe (John 1:17); that the world, through Him, may be saved (John 3:17); His grace brings salvation to all men (Titus 2:11); for He takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29); gives His flesh for it's Life (John 6:51); and, because the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance (Romans 9:29), He gives life to the world (John 6:33); is the light of the world (John 8:12); is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (1John 2:2); is the Savior of all men (1Timothy 4:10); destroys the works of the devil, not some of them only (1John 3:8); abolishes death (2 Timothy 1:10); puts all His enemies under His feet including death (1 Cor. 15:26), is manifest to put away sin (Hebrews 9:26); and thus subduing all things unto Himself (Philippians 3:21; the context clearly shows this subjection to be conformity to Himself); does not forget the dead, but takes the gospel to Hades (1Peter 3:19); of which He holds the keys (Revelation 1:18); for He is the same (Savior) for ever (Hebrews 13:8); thus even the dead are evangelized (1Peter 4:6). As we can see, ninety nine is not enough!

Thus all are made alive in Him (1Corinthians 15:22); for Christ finishes, completes His work (John 17:4; 19:30): restores all things (Acts 3:21); and there is no more curse (Revelation 22:2-3); for the creation is delivered from the bondage of corruption (Romans 8:21); and so comes the end when Christ delivers up the Kingdom to God, Who is then All in All because ALL God's enemies are defeated, the last enemy being death, NOT eternally alive being endlessly punished. (1Corinthians 15:24-28). As we can see, ninety nine is not enough!

Salvation is a gift from God, it is not of works lest anyone be found boasting (Eph 2:8) and that gift has been given to all men despite the fact that some of God's own people don't like such generous grace. ( Rom. 5:8; Matt. 5:1-16) As we can see, ninety nine is not enough!

We can be assured of all these wonderful and glorious things because nothing is too difficult for Him (Luke 1:37) and while many things are impossible with man, nothing is impossible with God. (Matt. 19:26) Furthermore, God is love (1 John 4:8), a love that love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8), a love that lays down His life for not only His own, but His enemies as well and commands His disciples to do likewise.. (Matt. 5:38-48) Therefore, for God to endlessly punish His enemies would make Him a hypocrite commanding less powerful and less loving human beings to do what He is not willing to do. (Matt. 23) As we can see, ninety nine is not enough!

There is nothing that can withstand His will and no plan of His can be thwarted. (Job 4:42) The Son came to save the world and not condemn it (Luke 5:59). Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him (all of us) (Luke 23:34) The Father has laid the iniquity of us all upon the Lamb of God (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus died for all of us. (John 1:29) To punish us now would be double jeopardy. Indeed, we can enter into His peace, believing that it is indeed finished! (John 19:30) The gift of life has been given to everyone. ( Rom. 5:18) As we can see, ninety nine is not enough! Can YOU now see, that ninety nine is not enough!

Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, let all things be established:

“And I, If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw (helkuo, drag in the Greek), all mankind unto myself.” (John 12:32)

“Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard him and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14)

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of ALL acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially those who believe. These things command and teach.” (1 Tim. 4:9-11)

As we can see, from these witnesses, NINETY NINE IS NOT ENOUGH!

Jesus said He finished the work and accomplished His purpose which was also the Fathers purpose…to be the Savior of the whole world…to reconcile everyone back to His Father and our Father! Not ninety nine percent -- 100 percent.

The early believers in Christ believed this glorious message. But then the Darkness came and plunged the Church into the Dark Ages filled with superstitions and traditions of men which make the word of God of no effect. (Matt. 15:6-9) Those humble souls who brought glory to the Savior of the World were soon killed or exiled by those who lusted for power. With this darkness, from Augustine and Constantine forward, it came gross distortions of the precious image of God. The glorious teaching of Universal Salvation gave way to teachings of corrupt imperfect men who invented teachings that conformed the Incorruptible Image of God to their own corruptible selves. The judgmentalism, racism, prejudice, superstitions, anger, hate and imperfections of their own beings were projected through their teachings and authority on to the image the Church would hold for hundreds of years even unto our day. The perfect image of God and His Christ suffer greatly throughout this time period. Obviously, we are still in this dark time period. The Church is still divided into tens of thousands of denominations and sects contradicting Jesus' and His apostles' command to be unified as One Body by His Love. The majority of the church still teaches that Jesus failed in His mission to save the world. It teaches that a few sheep saved and billions lost IS enough for God!

A few years back, I recall speaking with a Baptist minister who was beginning to see the light of Universal Salvation in his Bible. He went back to his Baptist church and preached a sermon entitled “Ninety-nine is not enough.” Of course, that ended his career as a Baptist minister. He is now a minister of Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. No walls, no denominationalism -- One Body with One Victorious Lord, Jesus Christ, Savior of the whole world.

This former Baptist minister has added his voice and light to the small remnant of sheep who have often suffered great persecution at the hands of their own brothers and sisters in Christ. There has been a Scarlet Cord of believers from the beginning of the Dark Ages through today who have kept this glorious light burning. Today that light is growing. Christians from all kinds of denominations are coming out and declaring this truth which is bringing light into the world. Will you add your light to this Eternal Light? Will you stand with the many thousands of believers in Jesus Christ who are trumpeting forth the glorious truth that “ NINETY-NINE IS NOT ENOUGH?! ”

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time. (1 Tim. 2:1-6) It is time to testify to the truth and put away learned “traditions of men which have made the word of God of no effect.” (Matt. 15:6-9)

HOLY MATRIMONY

2009-08-14T18:09:00.002-05:00

For three hundred years after Christ, the church viewed marriage as primarily a private matter not requiring ecclesiastical or state sanction. It was understood that marriage predated both religion and the state, and did not look to either for its legitimacy.

The early church devised liturgies to celebrate the Eucharist, Baptism and Confirmation, but no such liturgy was created for marriage. It was not important or required for a couple to have their nuptials blessed by the church. Men and women of responsible age could marry by mutual agreement in the presence of family and friends as witnesses.

The first detailed account of a Christian wedding in the West dates from the 9th century, and it was identical to the old nuptial service of Ancient Rome—looking to neither the church nor the state to authenticate the union. Of course, the members of a congregation took a great interest in the union of a young couple from their ranks, which is why those marriages were celebrated with family, friends, and fellow believers. But the right to marry was assumed to be a common-law right from the Creator, predating the church.

However, throughout the Middle Ages, churches often recorded the names and dates of marriages, as well as the children of that union. After printing became common, the old family Bible became the authentic record of births, marriages, and deaths.

Until 1545, all marriages in medieval Europe, including Christian marriages, came under the jurisdiction of common law. Holy matrimony occurred when two adults declared themselves to be husband and wife and then consummated the marriage in a one flesh union. Self-declared marriages were recognized as valid, even in the absence of witnesses.

The concept of a third party “marrying” a couple was foreign to them. For those living in that time, it was inconceivable that a man could have any authority to join a couple in holy matrimony. God was understood to be the one who “joined together” a man and a woman, and he had already established the point or kind of union and its primary purpose—sexual intercourse. It was understood to be within the power of a man and a woman to commence a life of union as they pleased. The couple would publicly promise themselves to each other—called a “verbum sap” (Lat. no more need be said)—and then assume the duties of husband and wife, and that was marriage. When family structure and economic conditions made it possible, there were wedding feasts and celebrations surrounding a marriage, but the blessing of an ecclesiastical or civil authority were unwarranted.

How did marriage come to be viewed as the domain of the church? In the sixteenth century, as many Roman Catholics were discovering justification by faith and leaving the fold to become Protestants, the Roman church launched a counter reformation. In an attempt to delegitimize Protestant marriages, the Roman Church abolished “clandestine” marriage at the Council of Trent (1545–1563), ruling that in the future, a marriage would only be valid if it were performed by a Catholic priest in the presence of two witnesses. Of course, this transferal of marital authority into the hands of the clergy did not affect those outside the Roman church, where marriage by common consent continued to be the norm.

Since it had become traditional for the Roman Catholic Church to recognize and record marriages, in the Protestant community separation from the old hierarchy left a vacuum that was soon filled by the Protestant states. By the 1600s, many of the Protestant European countries initiated the state’s involvement in the institution of marriage.

England abolished clandestine or common-law marriages in the Marriage Act of 1753, requiring marriages to be performed by a priest of the Church of England. This law did not apply to Jews or Quakers. It was an “inner church/state” act. All countries in Europe have now abolished “marriage by habit and repute”, with Scotland being the last to do so in 2006.

In the United States, new common-law marriages initiated in a state are still recognized in Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and the District of Columbia, and in Canada, several provinces recognize them.

Faith

2009-07-13T23:29:00.006-05:00

Do you have the Holy Spirit or does the Holy Spirit have you?

Growing up in the Mennonite church had its pros and cons. I dont know what church or denomanation you grew up in, so all I can comment on is which one I grew up in.

The pros of being in the Mennonite church in the past was they on the surface they seemed to get along. Shaking hands, smiling and asking how one was doing. Mennonites also know how to eat good, especially at the Church pot luck dinners.

The cons of the Mennonite church was the bubble you were in. Now again, I am speaking from MY experiance and yours may be entirely different...so keep that in mind as you read this. Now, although it was not taught, i grew up believing from what I saw that if you were not Mennonite then chances are you were not saved. If you did not look or dress or act like us, then something was very wrong in your walk with God.

I remember my first time at Cornerstone Music Festival in Illinois as a 15 year old kid. I remember wanting to leave as soon as i got there. Why? Cause it was full of 20,000 campers, a lot of which were skin head, mohawked, spiked hair, tattooed, body piercing freaks. I was out of my comfort zone and thought that it was evil cause it was not within my safe bubble that i knew back home. It took a full day or two, but i soon realized and witnessed more Christ IN them then the believers back home in my church. They were hugging one another while praying for their issues in the open. Laying hands and asking God for healing in the middle of all the crowds. I saw REAL conversations with people laughing and crying and REALLY living Christ to each other. THe best part...they were FULL of tattoos, piercings and so on. I know for a fact they would have been frowned upon in the church culture I grew up and also youth pastored in.

I remember after that one of my friends dressed up in a homeless outfit he got at a second hand store. He soiled it, poured beer on it and so on in the sun for a few days so it stank BAD. Then with his head covered he walked to the front of the church service late so know one knew him. Sadly...he was ushered out of the building only to take his hood off to prove to the church how badly they JUDGED him cause he looked, smelled and acted diff.

I also witnessed it first hand in the churches I youth pastored in over the years. One church even went as far to say at a congregational fight (meeting) that men with earrings were not holy or people with tattoos. So on and so on and so on. I recall silly arguments over how the church chairs were to be alligned. I even stood up and told the church that I would quit cause some "holy" people thought that a prayer class during sunday school was rebellious. (even though they KNEW they were praying for the leaders and sunday school leaders while they taught their classes) I told them that a church without prayer is a dead church and that i would quit on the spot if they cancelled that prayer meeting. (they dropped that fight fast)

I could go on and on about the religious mennonite churches that i have been a part of. Its sad. I know God must shake His head at times at the state of His bride today. SO many amazing people are being ushered out or turned off cause they dont feel welcomed. They feel judged or belittled cause of tattoos, piercings or the way they dress or talk. I had MANY letters from people in the pews that i better resign cause I challenged their "grace", saying we needed Hells angels bikers, goth teens and gang kids in our pews, not people who think they are good enough already.

So where does that leave me today? What church am I going to now? Well, the great thing is that EVERYDAY is church. If you and me were sitting talking about this, then encouraged each other and even prayed (oh no, not in public) at a coffee shop together OUTLOUD....well thats MORE church than most cement buildings are today. Dont get me wrong...some of you who are reading this go to AMAZING churches full of grace...then praise God for that.

I am not longer a product of a cookie cutting factory. I am no longer a "yes man" to my family or friends. I am far from perfect. My language is not always perfect nor is my attitude. But, I know who my saviour is and I praise and worship HIM alone.

You wanna know my faith...go to www.tentmaker.org and read some articles there.

Bless you all who read this...GOD adores you ALL.

WEIRDO

Fraud government

De facto

Universal reconcilliation

Crack O' Dawn Report: The Bible's Greatest Evangelist Sucked At It

Crack O' Dawn Report: Last Guys Finish First

Crack O' Dawn Report: God Put Obama in the White House

Crack O' Dawn Report: How To Be A Consistent Human Free Will Type Person

Adam

An Atheist Meets God

Crack O' Dawn Report: The Free Will of Ronald McDonald

Kathleen singing

I dare you to watch this

I dare you to watch this

Haha...true

Our Bengal

Our kitten

judge

Neighbor kids with our three angels.

Invited

hurt

Hurt by God

DONT-GIVE-A-DAMN-GEAR

is this how YOU feel? (this is Jesus speaking to you)

LIFE WITHOUT SIN. BY boldgrace.com

GRACE by www.boldgrace.com

AN ENCOURAGING WORD ABOUT DEATH

WINNING SOULS FOR JESUS?

Marriage Covenants Are Conditional (NOT Unconditional)

proof how our modern bible translations are missing the mark

GOD THE CREATOR OF MEN

GOD THE FATHER OF MEN

GOD THE LORD, OR OWNER OF MEN

ALL MEN COMMITTED TO CHRIST'S CARE

THE WILL OF GOD

THE NATURE OF GOD

THE WISDOM OF GOD

THE PLEASURE OF GOD

THE PROMISES OF GOD

THE OATH OF GOD

THE POWER OF GOD

THE DEATH OF CHRIST

THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHETS

THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS

THE TESTIMONY OF PETER

THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL

Dennis Caldwell

by Eric Soto

God cannot? or God will not?

Theologian’s Dictionary: Some “Biblical” Terms, as Defined by Hell Preachers

by: ERIC SOTO

The Shack

by ERIC SOTO

"If everyone goes to heaven, whats the point?"

God is Love

HOLY MATRIMONY

Faith

Marriage Covenants
Are Conditional (NOT Unconditional)