Hebrews
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Revelation 20:14 "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." That hell fire is God's light, taking darkness away forever. Wicked see that light as vengeance - wrath. Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire." James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Malachi 4:3 "And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts." No one will see God as the fires of hell, when death is no more. Revelation 20:5 "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. They are the wicked. I am working on reducing that number. The size of the lake of fire depends on the number of lost people and souls. There will be a lake of fire. Fallen angels will be destroyed." Eternal torment, made people to make tormenting laws against people. God says fear not, don't be afraid, and don't worry through people, and in person. Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the LORD God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. The saved will have charity, being prefect, not being offended by what is seen, being peaceful. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7, KJV. Giving unto the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house has nothing to do with the giving of money.
I haven't spent a lot of time letting the Spirit teach me the things in Genesis that have to be SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED. I KNOW there are THERE because EVERYTHING LITERAL has a PARALLEL that has to be SPIRITUALLY discerned. I know part of them because you can see them quite clearly; as JESUS was the first created light.
I spend most of my study in the prophets and Revelation and their relation to the New Testament and how we become the the likeness and image of Christ; which also has to be spiritually discerned. How and when we will be the judges with Christ in the kingdom of God. None of this can be seen, but is as REAL as God himself.
Ecclesiastes 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
1 Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural, and afterwards that which is spiritual.
Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the REMOVING of those things that can be SHAKEN, as of those things that are made, that those things which CANNOT BE SHAKEN shall remain.
I BELIEVE from reading you comments you understand that the literal has a parallel and that is what's REAL, the literal will DISAPPEAR.
When you have time, look at the story of Jacob (the literal) and the ladder to heaven, and replace Jacob with Jesus the REAL.
Genesis 28:10-22
John 1:51
I will study the seven days of creation in Genesis more; in the mean time; God willing, let us keep digging for the treasures of God's word (living and written), as the Spirit reveals them to us.
Numbers 3:13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the Lord.
Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the FIRSTBORN ....
Exodus 22:29 Thou shall not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons thou shall give unto me.
We are the tithe unto God.
Your question was: When we are gathered one by one where do we go.
It's not as much a question of where do we go: BUT who do we become.
I BELIEVE we become sons of God when we depart this body of earthly flesh.
Matthew 24:40
I BELIEVE the one taken becomes a son of God and the one left stays on earth confined to death and the grave, awaiting the second resurrection.
Luke 17:37
I BELIEVE the battle of Armageddon has been going on for 2000 years. It's the battle of worldly flesh against Spirit. Your fleshly mind has to be DESTROYED. The eagles (vultures) eat flesh. I BELIEVE it's happening now, you just can not see it because it is a spiritual battle. I BELIEVE Revelation 19; along with many other scriptures, describes this DESTRUCTION of the flesh as a necessity before the the marriage of the bride (can't be seen). Flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God.
Christ said my words are SPIRIT; the words being fulfilled, can't been seen.
Hebrews 12:18 For we ARE NOT COME unto the mount that can be TOUCHED ....
Hebrews 12:22 But you are come unto mount Sion (can't be touched or seen) (the battle for the kingdom can't be touched or seen), and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (can't be touched of seen), and to an innumerable company of angels,
Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to spirits of JUST men made PERFECT (mature).
If you have come into full maturity (being made perfect) then you are EXACTLY like the SEED you came from.
Luke 8:11 The parable is this: the SEED is the WORD of God.
You are a SON OF GOD. (but never with the glory of the firstborn, JESUS)
Various Scriptures (e.g. Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 12:23) speak of Christ being the "firstborn of creation & the firstborn of the Church". He was first to give birth to His creative work & by definition, entitled to be pre-eminent with highest honour & rank over all. And by virtue of His Death & Resurrection, the first to bring Deity & humanity together in one, i.e. to His Church, as He is now in the flesh as well.
Therefore, I would rather think that it's not the "DNA of Christ" that is in all atomic matter, but His Spirit Who was in Him & now given to those who call upon His Name. As we know, our composition is spirit, soul & body and that spirit has, since the fall, been devoid of any attachment to the Spirit of God. Yet, it is to that same spirit of man that the Holy Spirit attaches when re-birth has taken place. Then what we read in Acts 17:28, given to the unsaved Athenians, finds its perfect fulfilment in Romans 8:1, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 1:3, etc., where once we were just the "offspring of God" receiving life & breath from God, but now, through Christ the firstborn of His Church, we receive spiritual life & the ministry of the Deity in manifold ways. I can't see that His 'DNA' is in all living creation, which after all, have been created from dust, but His Spirit is given to those coming to Him via the Cross.
I can agree though with your last paragraph concerning "the Lamb being slain from the foundation of the world". What was in God's Will to occur, will occur, & can be treated as fact even before they happen. Christ's crucifixion was real in God's Plan & became a physical reality at Calvary. Thank you Leon for sharing your thoughts.
Revelation 3:14. We see this expression ("the beginning of the creation of God") only here. I would include Colossians 1:15-18 which speaks of Christ being "the firstborn of all creation - for by Him were all things created - through Him & for Him". Even though the Greek for 'beginning' & 'firstborn' are very different, I think the same application is implied: that Christ is the Creator (the beginning) of all creation: both of the original creation & then being the forerunner of those IN Christ (the firstborn (& by implication, the Creator) of the new creation) - also Romans 8:29; Hebrews 12:23. Blessings.
The day that CHRIST IN YOU arrived, a living FIRE was ALSO kindled IN YOU (for our God is a consuming FIRE Hebrews 12:29).
If you have ever watched a trash pile be burned, you know it takes time. Even after the flames died down the coals stay alive under the surface. If other trash is put upon the coals the flame appears and destroys them also. CHRIST IS OUR FIRE; live in peace of this knowledge; you will become PERFECT, like him. He will DESTROY the unwanted trash in you. He knows exactly when and how. We are the POT he is the POTTER; be still and behold THE SALVATION OF GOD. Knowing the END (you will be created in the IMAGE OF GOD) CAUSES us through Christ's GRACE to ENDURE.
When CHRIST IN YOU arrived the ACCUSER was cast out.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is SALVATION, and strength, and the kingdom of GOD (CHRIST IN YOU), and the power of his Christ: for the ACCUSER of our brethren is CAST DOWN, which accused them before our God day and night.
Philippians 4:7 And the PEACE OF GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall KEEP your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:14. Follow peace with all men and Holiness without which NO MAN shall see the Lord.
to the general assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven
Before you can understand Revelation you have to BELIEVE a few things.
Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND. You have to believe that it is relevant right this minute; that it's instructions on how our flesh is destroyed so be can inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 15:50 ...flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God..
Revelation 1:1 ...and he sent and SIGNIFIED it...
You have to believe that most nouns represent something other than what a dictionary defines them as.
Romans 8:20 For the creature (man) was made subject to vanity....
We start life with no faithfulness to our creator (husband); therefore, we are the WHORE. We have no knowledge of the word of God; therefore, we are the false prophet, we have no love or mercy; therefore we are the BEAST. We are the only beast that buys and sells. We are flesh; therefore, we are Anti Christ (opposed to Spirit).
When Revelation is finished with us we will be the FULLNESS OF CHRIST.
Romans 8:3 ....God sending his own Son in the LIKENESS of sinful flesh (us)...
Sinful flesh (us) was crucified with Christ; Christ arose and we arose with him.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.... they shall shall reign with him a thousand years.
You have already died to the mark you were born with (the beast) (flesh).
Revelation 13:15 ....as many as would not worship the the image of the beast (themselves and things of the flesh) should be killed.
Revelation 9:18 By these three were a third part of man killed, by FIRE, and by smoke, and by brimstone...
You were raised with Christ and now Christ lives in you.
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming FIRE.
You now live in the purifying fire of CHRIST where the beast and false prophet are:
Revelation 19:20.. cast alive into FIRE; cast alive into Christ.
The battle of Armageddon is a battle as real as any battle; yet this battle isn't with natural weapons of warfare. Study Isaiah 9, it's a prophecy about Christ, the kingdom of God, and the battle we fight to obtain the kingdom (CHRIST IN YOU).
Isaiah 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood, but this (battle) SHALL BE with BURNING and FUEL OF FIRE.
Isaiah 9:19 ......And THE PEOPLE shall be the FUEL OF THE FIRE (CHRIST)....( Hebrews 12:29)
Revelation 9:18 By these three was a third part of man killed, BY THE FIRE (CHRIST)( Hebrews 12:29) ....
Ezekiel 5:3 Thou shall BURN a third part in the fire (IN CHRIST) ....
Ezekiel 5:4 Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the FIRE (IN CHRIST), and burn them in the FIRE (IN CHRIST)....
Isaiah 4:4 When the LORD (FIRE) shall have washed away the filth of the DAUGHTERS OF ZION, and shall have purged the blood of (new) Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT and the SPIRIT OF BURNING.
Zachariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the FIRE (CHRIST) .....
Malachi 3:2 Who shall abide the day of his coming (CHRIST IN YOU)? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiners FIRE.....
Matthew 3:11 ....he will baptise you with the HOLY GHOST and FIRE:
Revelation 21:8 But the FEARFUL, and MURDERS ( 1 John 3:15).....and ALL LIARS shall have their part in the lake that burneth with FIRE (JUDGED IN CHRIST)...
Joel 3:14 Multitude, multitudes, in the valley of DECISION: for the DAY OF THE LORD (TODAY) is near in the valley of DECISION.
But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Luke 22:69
Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Acts 5:31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Mark 16:19
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Hebrews 10:12
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
1 Peter 3:22
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Romans 8:34
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 22:44 (see Psalm 110:1)
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Revelation 5:7
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
The danger of believing that we cannot lose our salvation is that a person may thus not take seriously the importance of carefully safeguarding our "faith" and not giving in to "willful" sin that can rupture our relationship with God. John 15:10 ; Jude 1:21.
2 Peter 3:16 "As also in all his (Paul's) epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they...wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION."
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I KEEP UNDER MY BODY, and bring IT INTO SUBJECTION: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a CASTAWAY."
2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I" (Paul) have fought a good fight, "I" (Paul) have finished my course, "I" (Paul) have kept the faith: HENCEFORTH there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
To say that a person who stops believing and obeying God was never really a Christian is superfluous. God promises that if a person repents and believes in Christ, he will have his sins forgiven. Acts 3:19. When gentiles did this, they received the Holy Spirit from God and were baptized in water. They became part of the Church. Acts 10:44-48. However, they must now be careful not to abandon their faith (apostatize) or give in to the sinful flesh with no care or repentance.
Hebrews 12:15-17 Looking diligently lest any man FAIL OF THE GRACE OF GOD; lest any ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP trouble you, and thereby many be DEFILED; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat SOLD HIS BIRTHRIGHT. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, HE WAS REJECTED: for he found NO PLACE OF REPENTANCE, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Good day, Richard.
Thank you for your response.
I commend you for citing verses that clearly show that Paul is talking to actual believers. They were "Holy Brethren". They had believed in Jesus Christ and were very surely baptized in water. That would make them part of the Church.
However, very serious warnings are given to not lose faith and to not stop trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Please take specific note that the Apostle Paul does not say "you" but "we". In other words, he includes "himself" in those warnings.
Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore WE ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which WE have heard, lest at any time WE should let them slip."
Hebrews 2:3 "How shall WE escape, if WE neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"
Hebrews 3:12 "Take heed, BRETHREN, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of UNBELIEF, in DEPARTING from the living God."
Hebrews 3:14 "For WE (includes Paul) are made partakers of Christ, if WE HOLD the beginning of our confidence stedfast UNTO THE END;"
Hebrews 12:15-17 "Looking diligently lest any man FAIL OF THE GRACE OF GOD; lest any ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP trouble you, and thereby many be DEFILED; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat SOLD his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, HE WAS REJECTED: for he found NO PLACE OF REPENTANCE, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Hebrews 6:6 "If they shall FALL AWAY (apostatize), to renew them again unto REPENTANCE; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
2 Peter 2:20 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and OVERCOME, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
Overcome means definitely. No return.
Rejecting Jesus is the unpardonable sin
Luke 12:9
But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Speaking out against God isn't unpardonable, denying him is.
Luke 12:10
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
And if you are in Christ Jesus, you are not condemned to anything.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
If you confess your sins to him, he will forgive you.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And if by any chance you're scared God might take your wife or kids away, remember these:
Matthew 19:6
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Just confess your sins and ask for forgiveness and don't worry about them any more; God will forget them.
Psalm 103:11-12
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. [12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
But don't use that as an excuse to continue in sin..
God will chastise you.
Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Hebrews 12:6
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If you are ever tempted to sin again, read 1 Corinthians 10:13
May CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did FOREKNOW...
Very few will disagree that God creates every man; since, he created the reproductive process of man; therefore, he FOREKNOWS everyone.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did FOREKNOW, he did ALSO PREDESTINATE to be conformed to the IMAGE of his SON, that he might be the FIRSTBORN among many BRETHERN.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did PREDESTINATE, them he also CALLED (presently God is ONLY CALLING those that will be PRIEST in HIS KINGDOM) (the servants in the kingdom will be called at the second resurrection), and whom he CALLED, them HE JUSTIFIED: and whom he JUSTIFIED, them he also GLORIFIED.
Ezekiel 5:3 Thou shall also take thereof a FEW in number ....
Ezekiel 5:4 Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the FIRE (IN CHRIST; Hebrews 12:29), and burn (purify; Malachi 3:2-3) them in the FIRE (IN Christ); for thereof (the Priest) shall a FIRE (the saints judging the world; Revelation 21:8) come forth to the house of Israel.
NO ONE is going to alter GOD's PLAN; whatever God PREDESTINED that you are going to do in his kingdom, YOU WILL DO.
All is the works of God; he uses man to do the labour.
1 Peter 1:2
Ephesians 1:5
Romans 9:13
John 5:70
Ephesians 1:4
I think you've answered the question yourself. A Christian must continue to believe in order to be saved. We agree. However, that is our choice. We can continue to believe and trust or we could chose to stop obeying God. It is our choice.
Now, you say if he stops believing God, then he never really was a true Christian. Regardless, what is for sure is that a person has to continue believing and that we do have a choice in that.
Therefore, we have to fight the human sin in us and the appeal of the world that could lead us away from Christ. Example, we could be tempted to start practicing fornication. That is our choice. We either fight the flesh or we give in and fornicate. That is why Paul warned the Hebrew Christians to not give in and fornicate.
Hebrews 12:16-17 "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Maybe Paul was not fully saved. What if he did leave Christ and and became a willful sinner and fornicator? That question we will never know. All we can know for sure is that WE must chose to believe and obey God and continue doing so in order to inherit the blessing of eternal life.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I" have fought a good fight, "I" have finished my course, "I" have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Notice, Paul say "I" have fought a good fight. "I" have finished my course. "I" have kept the faith. It required a conscientious decision on Paul's part and a personal struggle to do so. For that reason, he had a crown of righteousness laid up for him.
A "Christian" who practices willful, serious sin will not be saved.
Kindly.
I am very happy that you liked the post I put together of basically "sins or evil things" we should stay away from. I added a couple things though most of it is from the NT. I actually started taking notes of these things and have all the verses that I would like to share with you as it seems you are taking notes of these things also for your sermons. This will give you all the places, and a couple more, where I got those things I posted:
Mark 7:20-23, Romans 1:21-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:16-21, Ephesians 5:5, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, James 1:19-22, Colossians 3,
As some things are noted in several places so I had to delete things so they would not show up twice.
Knowing this may help you preaching to others I am very thankful to put in my little bit to help. All glory to the Lord.
God Bless you on your journey brother Gary.
I agree with you on not having to keep the "7th day Sabbath". Another verse I came across tonight to back that is Galatians 4:9-11. I don't know if I understand correctly your statement of "we are commanded the opposite". As I stated, my feeling, that to follow Christ is to be Holy as He is Holy as in 1 Peter 1:14-17, Hebrews 12:14. To strive to keep every day Holy retaining the Lord in us. That following love from a pure heart is what makes God our Father and Christ happy 1 Peter 1:22-23.
To the Ten Commandments. Like I stated I believe they are good and are throughout the NT, as to follow them, though all spread out. Here is one actually discerning it as a commandment of the OT Ephesians 6:1-2. Here are the rest in different places. Romans 1:28-32, Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Colossians 3:1-10. As you are able to go through all those epistles of the NT and see it notes the same things the Ten Commandments tells to us to stay away from. Even more as some are in the Mitzvot laws. As stated there are a lot that are void though just letting the Spirit guide you, you can see the ones that are moral and righteous.
Love from a pure heart is above all and shall never fail Colossians 3:12-17. Walking in the Spirit producing good fruit for the Lord. To keep us from the temptations and lusts of the flesh which leads to sin. Which no one is perfect and may slip and fall. To be vigilant and confess our sins in prayer they shall be forgiven. Though we are to strive to stay away(repent) from sin in our walk with the Lord to be Holy in this temple He has Blessed us with.
Just to make clear if anyone may perceive I'm stating that "good works" is what saves us. That is not true and not what I'm stating. Though we are called by God through Christ to good works Ephesians 2:10. Showing our faith and newness of life in the Lord. All glory to our Father and Jesus Christ. Amen.
God Bless you Michael.
HEAVEN
Flesh sees everything as natural. Heaven to natural eyes is out there somewhere. In Revelation where new Jerusalem is described; flesh sees this as a literal city with literal mansions and literal streets and literal trees and literal rivers. Bodies that have been glorified don't need houses or streets or walls or gates. We are the houses (mansions) of God, we are the streets of gold, we are the foundations of the city, we are NEW JERUSALEM. Revelation describes the foundation as twelve precious and costly stones. We are those (living) ( 1 Peter 2:4) stones that make up the city of new Jerusalem. We are the gates made of one pearl ( Psalms 23:9). Revelation represents something that is not LITERAL (which shall disappears)
Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, SIGNIFIETH the REMOVING of those things that are shaken, as of things that are MADE, that those things WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN REMAIN.
This is why you don't see prophecies of heaven; WE ARE HEAVEN, WHERE GOD DWELLS.
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven (you) shall be SHAKEN.
Job 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the WICKED might be SHAKEN out of it?
Mark 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
We are the stars of heaven (God's promise to Abraham that his seed would be as the stars of heaven)
The powers (of Satan that rules by natural flesh) in heaven (US) shall be SHAKEN (flesh will be destroyed and replaced by Spirit)
Revelation is all about the removing of the LITERAL and replacing with the SPIRIT.
A new heaven a new earth.
No need to be sorry, you have created no havoc. As the "everyone is to be saved" part I don't think I stated you said that. Just that I went through thinking that a while ago. Just in line with "no hell" which is what I think you believe.
About the couple verses you stated for me as an answer to the first analogy I wrote "I just really see it as if we say there is a hell and there really isn't what wrong have we done" which is Christ quoting Isaiah 29:13. Which I can't quite link that to this. Then quoting the end of Revelation about changing the prophesies of the Bible. That is why I believe there is a place of eternal torment or "hell". Because the Bible says so. As you didn't reply to the second analogy in that "if people don't believe in "hell" though it really exists". How this could be dangerous to others in my eyes.
As Adam gave a good reply about to "fear God". This teaching is throughout the Bible as we are also to love Him. Say how you would love your dad but if you do something wrong you may be whipped for it and scared to know it's coming. Though this is much higher as with God. A couple more verses for you Psalms 34:9, Psalms 115:13, Proverbs 3:7, Luke 1:50, Romans 3:18, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 12:28, Revelation 19:5.
As I have over forty verses to love God.
To the last statement of "if they told you that they had had a near death or actual death experience that fully validated substantiated and confirmed all their religious beliefs ?" Well, as there are hundreds probably thousands of NDE's and some have no experience at all. I have never heard of someone meeting Buddah, Allah, or Muhammed etc. Though I have seen people converted to Christ from those other religions. Even Atheists who didn't believe. As there are many and all are personal and unique. There are many things that connect with the teachings of the Scriptures.
In kindness.
God Bless.
If Lazarus and and the rich man is not a parable; it makes Christ's words a lie:
Matthew 13:34 ALL these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in PARABLES;and without a PARABLE SPAKE HE NOT UNTO THEM.
Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest this parable unto us, or even to all?
The disciples walked with Jesus three and one half years and never understood a word he said; UNTIL he took them aside and explained the PARABLES to them. Today you can't understand the PARABLES; unless CHRIST IN YOU explains them to you. Ask and you shall receive.
Ezekiel 20:47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a FIRE in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming FIRE shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
Ezekiel 20:42 Then said I, Ah Lord God, Doeth he not speak in PARABLES?
Luke 12:49 I am come to send FIRE on the earth; and what will I, if it be ALREADY KINDLED?
Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how am I straightened till it be accomplished!
Matthew 3:11 ......he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost; and with FIRE.
John 10:6 Jesus spake this parable unto them: but they UNDERSTOOD NOT what things they were which he spoke to them.
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming FIRE.
So then chapter 12 comes into focus (for us). Seeing then that we are surrounded by such a great (eminent) group of witnesses, how are we to behave. So departing from the personal exhortation the Hebrews writer gave in chapter 10:22-25 towards holy living, he now implores us by the witness of these saints of old. Here, it is difficult to discern whether the writer believed that we have all these sages looking down upon us & our behaviour, or more likely, that we have yet another imperative to godly living because of the lives that these men & women lived, in spite of the odds against them. They didn't even consider their lives of any worth in comparison to what God had for them in the afterlife.
Hebrews 12:1,2 then reminds us that we not only have these great examples of faith, of perseverance & resilience before us, but even much more than all this, we have JESUS, Who not only is the Designer, the Forerunner & Completer of (our) Faith, but the One Who took the meaning of suffering to its fullest extent (much more than what those in chapter 11 had done), in that He willingly laid down His Life for us. "He Who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him".
But you are in conflict & despair as to what would have happened if you died whilst in a comatose state & were living in sin. This is a question no one here can answer, as salvation is "of the Lord" & is personal between Him (His Spirit) & you. Each person's state is only known by God, & what He does to bring a sinning Christian back to Himself, cannot be known by us. What concerned me was what you said, "if in our past after receiving salvation we were a good Christian for a while, yet this changed to a sinful nature." Again, only the Lord & you would know what took place at the time of salvation. When you heard the Gospel, when you responded to it, how you were taught in the Word, how you responded to the Holy Spirit's Work in you, are some questions only you can answer. If your salvation wasn't real at that time (i.e. without conviction of sin & your estrangement from God) or maybe you heard the Gospel in an incorrect/incomplete way, then when looking back at the attractions of the world & to fulfil your desires would be easy to do, without any sense of guilt or wrongdoing.
But if you were saved at that time, the Holy Spirit wouldn't let you go - every thought, every act or desire of yours would bring about conviction because sin cannot be entertained in a holy vessel. Again, only you can discern what went on in you during that time of rejection of the Christ-centred life. And if you had struggles, indeed it was the Lord alerting you, calling & drawing you back to Himself. Maybe it was the coma itself that the Lord used to finally 'shake' you out of sin & complacency & you're now on the road to faithful godly living & real joy & peace in the spirit as you serve Him. Luke 15:10 & Hebrews 12:2.
Yet we also need to bear in mind Genesis 25:21-23. Here, we see that Rebekah enquired of the Lord about the "struggle she was experiencing in her womb". And the Lord spoke about the twins there & how the elder twin would one day serve the younger. It seems that Isaac wasn't aware of this Word from God, or else he, in his old age, had forgotten about it ( Genesis 27:33-37). And of course, Rebekah herself was right in the middle of this debacle & was equally guilty. So none of them are innocent in all this & yet God used the weaknesses of people (their fleshly desires & schemes) to fulfil His Purposes. Maybe, churches & Sunday Schools need to relate the complete story & learn from the mistakes of others & of course, the sovereignty of God.
As you know, Jacob, father of Benjamin, spoke these words of 'prophecy' before passing away. One would anticipate a word of blessing & comfort to his son & his progeny, but his words are what they are. In understanding them, Jacob is describing Benjamin as a wolf who is engaged all day long (morning and evening), in hunting after prey. He was fierce & turned out to be warlike in character and conduct (Judges chapters 20 & 21). As well to note, among Benjamin's descendants are Ehud, Saul, and Jonathan.
I would have great difficulty in seeing a personal application from this verse. Maybe, to not behave as Benjamin did: as he did wrong before God & the people and resorted to anger & had a propensity to battle. Rather, we should pursue righteousness, peace & holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord ( Hebrews 12:14).
Revelation 14
Revelation 15
Revelation 16
This is the work of CHRIST DEATH on the cross and the work of HIS RESURRECTION and the battle ( Revelation 16:14) we are caused to fight to come to this TRUTH IN CHRIST. Being fulfilled for the last 2000 years as the Fathers draws us to CHRIST and CHRIST gives us HIS UNDERSTANDING to overcome. ASK HIM he will cause you to understand; but it HIS time frame. We have been in the day of the Lord now for 2000 years. He is harvesting HIS FRUITS as they become first ripe (firstfruits) ( Revelation 14:14-20) ( Matthew 20:1-16)
When the sixth seal was opened ( Revelation 6:12) Christ was crucified; prophecy of ( Joel 2:31). The old testament saints and the children of the resurrection were raised with him ( Isaiah 26:19),( Revelation 20:5-6) and ( Matthew 27:52-53). The old testament saints were sealed with the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ ( 1 Timothy 6:16)( Revelation 7:3-8). There was silence in heaven for one half hour ( Revelation 8:1) between the sixth and seventh seal. This is the 45 days between Christ resurrection and pentecost ( Daniel 12:11-12) 1335 days minus 1290 days. No one could enter into the temple (into Christ) until the seven plagues were pour out on Christ (he took God's wrath for us). now we can be ONE IN CHRIST ( Revelation 15:6-8). The four living creatures before the throne ( Revelation 4:6-8) is all creation. God made a covenant with Noah that they would never be destroyed again ( Genesis 9:9-12) man, cattle, beast and fowl. ( Ezekiel 1:10) ( Revelation 4:7). ALL CREATION will worship God. The lake of fire is how Christ cleanses and purifies us.
Hebrews 12:29
Luke 12:49-50
Matthew 3:11-12
Isaiah 9:5
Isaiah 4:3-4
Malachai 3:2-3
Ezekiel 20:46-49
1 Corinthians 3:15