Discuss Matthew 25 Page 13

Hello brother Earl,

Again I thank you for your replies. As it is our destiny to grow in the Spirit of Christ and see with His eyes.

As the ways of God are beyond what I could fathom. Truly my faith in God and Jesus Christ being, that whatever the way of the Lord is, I know it is the right way and I am His forever. Even if I don't understand. Keeping root in the Word with a pure heart and staying close to the Lord. He shall direct us down the straight and narrow path. His Will shall be done.

Weather we believe "hell" to be a place of eternal torment like stated in Matthew 25:46. Or as you explain. It is a place we do not want to go or have anything to do with. Christ stating in Matthew 10:28.

As we who are in Christ here are Blessed to have been chosen by Him to be His.

In 1 Corinthians 16:22 stating those who "love not the Lord"(not with the Lord) to basically let him be set aside for the coming Judgement of the Lord.

A couple about saving a soul. As we can only plant or water, it is God who gives the growth. James 5:19-20, Jude 1:23.

Again thank you for your time and posts brother. It means a lot.

God Bless you Earl. Have a wonderful day!

Page 2.

Re: the Lake of Fire. It is prepared for the Devil & his angels ( Matthew 25:41) but is also the place where all Christ-rejecters go to in the final judgement ( Revelation 20:10-15) & particularly verse 15, "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." And that includes not only the Devil & his angels but also the anti-Christ, the false prophet & all mankind that were not found in the Book of Life.

"Who created such a place?" I would say that God has done this. "Who does "the torturing in hell?" No one - it is a place of continual fire where the act of dying is continual but death that is longed for never comes ( Mark 9:43-48).

And these are not parables by Jesus; Jesus is telling us what lies beyond the grave. And that is why Jesus came to die on our behalf: that we might be spared God's Judgement to enjoy new life on Earth & then eternity in His Presence. As I mentioned before, if just dying & returning to dust was our punishment, the Gospel would be practically meaningless, as we all have to die & enter into such a state of 'oblivion'. But Jesus says that some will awake to "the resurrection of life & some to the resurrection of damnation" ( John 5:29). There is no permanent middle ground at the graveside - we all have to go somewhere else - and that's why the Gospel is so special & precious: it saves a person entirely, both in this life and the next.

Hi Richard,

I agree there is a hell. I believe it because the bible says it!

To teach otherwise can be dangerous, It sounds similar to Satan discrediting Gods word when Satan deceived Eve.

"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:" Genesis 3:4.

And here's scriptural proof they don't just cease from existing.

1st of all the resurrection, and the term we know as the 2nd death.

Acts 24:15. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a RESURRECTION of the dead, ( both of the just and UNJUST. )

What's the point in raising the unjust just to send them right back to the grave?

Matthew 25:41, 46 (KJV) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:...42..43..44..

...And these shall go away into EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT:

but the righteous into life eternal.

Hell was created for the devil and his angels but his children will go there also, and to take note,

YOU CAN'T WEEP AND NASH TEETH IF YOU NO LONGER EXIST, NEITHER CAN YOU ENDURE EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT.

Matthew 13:42-43. AND SHALL CAST THEM INTO A FURNACE OF FIRE: ""THERE SHALL BE WAILING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Revelation 20:14-15. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the Second death.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE.

HERE IT SEEMS TO BE A RELOCATION, AND DEATH ( AND HELL IS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE!! )

When the restrainer is taken out of the way

( Thes 2:7 )

you see how evil men really is. War against God ect.

Revelation 16:9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

They'll be just like their father the Devil.

No repentance. Forever tormented.

The scripture is clear.

GB.

Thank you Sacha for your comment. Now this thread you refer to, I do remember. I know that many don't believe in a literal place of suffering & eternal torment, as those who refer to themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses believe the same. All that we know of such a place is found in God's Word, so it boils down to whether we accept what is given or treat those passages as somehow lacking in actuality & just a vivid description of a soul's abandonment.

Sacha, you are well read in the Scriptures, so I need not list even some of those passages which speak of suffering & an eternal torment. I would say that many of the people I've spoken to who also don't believe in a place of suffering, usually cannot fathom how a merciful loving God could consign anyone to such a place - surely there must be some respite & future forgiveness or else, the sinner must just disappear into non-existence into the earth.

Simply put, why I believe in a literal place of punishment & torment is because OF THE CROSS. You & I know that all of mankind are sinners & our sins have separated us from God ( Isaiah 59:2). So why should God provide such a Sacrifice for us? Since we ALL have to die physically, why not just let us "eat, drink & be merry" for only the grave lies before us?

Did Jesus, the Son of God, willingly lay down His Life just to give us better option of deliverance than just returning back to dust? True, the prospect of living eternally in God's Presence ought to be our desire, but for me (& from the preaching of Jesus & the apostles), the CERTAINTY of eternal torment (for my sins & rejection of God's salvation) is equally compelling for me to flee the sinful life & cleave to the One Who gives new life & hope. If there wasn't a hell, then God fails as a God of justice, as death alone is insufficient punishment for sin. ( Matthew 25:41). The fact that God provided us a place at Calvary proves that His Love was so great that warranted our preservation from a place far worse than death.

Hi Earl,

Please forgive me to reply to this but I feel to. I understand you don't believe in Hell, or eternal damnation, though I do and to me it seems it was a very important thing Christ taught. To Repent from sins/iniquity and follow Him down the straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. As He is the way.

The Lord taught not all are going down that path. Matthew 7:13-14. Here He states not everyone is to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Matthew 7:21. As He stated there shall be some to go away to everlasting punishment but the righteous to life eternal Matthew 25:31-46. Numerous parables of the wicked being separated from the just in the end Matthew 13:37-50.

Though if Luke 16:19-31, is a parable what it states is not hard to see. The man who suffered and begged died and was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man who lived lavishly and did not help Lazarus died and was in Hades in torment. Even though he begged for a touch of water He did not receive it. Just being told how Lazarus who suffered was now comforted and he was now in torment. Even when he begged that a message be sent to his family that they repent so they would not end up as he did. He was told that if they hear not Moses and the prophets, they would neither be persuaded by one raising from the dead.

I also don't understand how you think the "fire" of God that tries/chastens us and our works it the same as "eternal fire, torment and punishment".

Could you please explain some of these things? As I see it very dangerous to say a place of eternal damnation does not exist.

Have you ever looked into people who have died, came back to life, and actually experienced a place that is worse than we could imagine? Usually calling it hell and has converted many people to believing in Christ. What would you say to them?

I would never think to tell anyone hell is not real. What if it is and you were wrong? Making people think it doesn't matter what they do?

Thanks God Bless.

God is different than man.

"But God, who is from everlasting, who is holy and righteous all together, cannot and never will change, for He is only truth, and out of truth no change can come.

With God, there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning ( James 1:17)."

"...God is different; He is outnumbered, outclassed , set aside, rejected, and spoken evil of when it is suitable to man's cause, but when He comes to the earth again as a Judge, He will still be different. The masses will be facing One whom they rejected in life as incompatible, unreasonable, and not fair. He will be the only One to speak: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of thy lord" ( Matthew 25:21). "...depart from me, ye that work iniquity ( Matthew 7:23)."

written by a brother minister in 1981.

The work is huge and as a worker, we must do our best to be the best. You have to be punctual in the house of God.

There must be difference between workers and students.

The workers were given talents to do business. we can see three main things:

1. Integrity - it is practice of being honest and consistence to principle tenent of faith. You must show uncompromising deal on the call of leadership

2. Stewardship - obligation of exercising the talent God has given to you.

3. Growing and developing

As a worker, we must use our talent judiciously

Brother Earl,

I very much enjoy reading your posts. Thank you kindly for your replies. It is a Blessing to be able to converse with you on things like this.

First I will start by saying exactly what shall happen is all up to God, and His Will, as you know. In reality I don't believe any of us can perceive how deep the thoughts, and plans, of God truly are. One day when we return to Him, after our physical death, then we shall know things not known in earth. Ecclesiastes 12:7.

As I'm still not positive if that you perceive ALL to be saved in the end but that's what I think.

If it is God's will that all shall be saved then I'm all for that. For His Will shall be done and whatever that is is what I want also. Though I have so many Scriptures that pertain to things like "the unsaved being cast into eternal damnation, it being better that Judas Iscariot was not even born, things of Heaven(which I believe to be the Spiritual Kingdom of God), our names written in the book of Life, that not everyone's name shall be written in this book, etc." Also of things like you stated how the wisdom of God shall fill the earth. Habakkuk 2:14.

I believe, from my aspect, that all have the choice and chance to be saved by God. His mercy and forgiveness is everlasting. No matter what we have done in our lives. Though it doesn't seem all choose that path or will be with the Lord for eternity. As even angels have sinned and turned against God.

I will just post all the Scriptures I have that I see these things in. As no man taught me about the Lord. God lead me to Jesus Christ who saved me.

About Judas Matthew 26:24.

Not all making it to Heaven Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Matthew 13:37-43, Matthew 13:47-50, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 21:7-8, Revelation 22:14-15, 2 Peter 2:1-9, 2 Peter 2:17,

Heaven Matthew 25:31-34, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:18.

2 Peter 1:20. May the Lord bring us closer together.

God Bless.

"Know ye not that...ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"We love him, because he first loved us" 1 John 4:19

"That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life" Luke 1:74-75

"If ye love me , keep my commandments" John 14:15

"If a man love me, he will keep my words" John 14:23

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" Matthew 1032-33

"This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in a like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" Acts 1:11

"And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" Matthew 24:30

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" Luke 21:27

"And before him shall be gathered all nations" Matthew 25:32

The sheep are being separated from the goats, the wheat from the tares. Keep steadfast in your faith my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Matthew 13:37-43 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 25:31-34 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

I Corinthians chapters 12-14

The Holy Spirit now in operation on earth since the day of Pentecost (book of Acts).

Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God; He delegated gift giving to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives the gifts of the Spirit, as He wills. He is the Spirit of Jesus Christ, on earth, now.

If it's in the New Testament, then it is New Testament living for now till Jesus comes back. This is a new and better Covenant. Each born again Christian is indwelled by the Holy Spirit. "Know ye not you are the Temple of the living God?"

If we don't read our Bibles beyond, Psalm 23, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51 or Genesis; Matthew 25:29-46, we'll miss seeing the Ministry Gifts.

The whole of the purpose of the Cross was to strip Satan of his power he stole from Adam; Ratify the New Covenant with His Blood. To deliver the Holy Spirit to the New Testament Church

(Pentecost). Jesus would then be in every born again believers, spirit. Fulfill all outstanding Prophesy; start writing the New Testament down

If we are skittish about Tongues, the Holy Spirit knows that. He's in us. We're the temple. Scripture says to desire the best gifts or operations, like: government, hospitality, missions, and more, like ministry gifts=prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists, apostles. Etc. It's written.

New Testament disciples and believers were saying things like, I follow Peter or Paul and others. It was new and that's how people think to identify. Herd mentality.

Habakkuk 2:2

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon table ,so that he may run that readeth it. (They didn't have paper notebooks then, or personal Bibles!)

You will find your identity in the pages of your Bible. I've said that for 36 years. Jesus will help us understand our particular equippings. He hasn't told me to scratch that one out and move along; so, it still stands as Rhema. Google that word...

Believe Jesus's words. Bible.

Lost in Adam and restored in Christ Jesus

Revelation 10:7

1 Thessalonians 4:16

1 Corinthians 15:44

Matthew 24:31

1 Thessalonians 4:17

1 Corinthians 15:32

Philippians 3:21

1 John 3:2

Matthew 13:43

Daniel 12:3

Revelation 21:4, 5

Colossians 1:20

John 10

Matthew 22:10

Matthew 25:34

Isaiah 65:17-19

2 Peter 3:13

1 Corinthians 2:9

Matthew 21:15

Psalm 8:3

Isaiah 65 19-25

Revelation 7:16-17

so much more...

:)

A good couple verses stating that "the law is not for the righteous". To be saved by Jesus Christ does not give us the right to live a life of willful sin as most here know. We are to remove ourselves from the world of sin and cleanse ourselves as the Holy Ghost is our helper. Living for the Will of God and doing what makes Him happy.

1 Timothy 1:5-10 5 Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

When we walk after the Spirit we are not under the law because there is no wrong in producing good fruit. The Lord knows our hearts and if our intentions are pure. He will forgive us if we make a mistake. Be humble.

God Bless.

Does the slothful servant go to hell

Darrin,

Feeling to reply to your post. I'm not sure what you mean in the first paragraph.

I am replying to your second paragraph. Now, believing "everyone gets everlasting life" is a nice thought and I myself do not want anyone to go to eternal damnation. Just as God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and wants all to repent from the sins of this world and turn to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. I pray every night for everyone. Even the wicked people in this world just as the good. This does not mean "everyone gets everlasting life" or "no one gets cast into the lake of fire". God is Love but God is also just, pure, holy, righteous and hates sin. Full of everlasting mercy and lovingkindness for you and me. There is only One Judge and we will all be repaid, and held accountable, for our deeds here in this life. What will exactly happen after death I can not tell you. Though I will do my best to live a holy life, separate myself from the sins of this world, produce good fruit of the Spirit, and live for the Will of God to make Him happy. There is a difference of what is good and what is bad. Doing my best to follow in the footsteps of Christ so that I can be sure my name will be in the Book of Life. And not just guess. This is not just me saying this it is over and over in Scripture.

Here are a couple Scriptures that states the lake of fire is for more than just "3 spirits" as you assumed. Also that not everyone shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. If you have problems with these Scriptures I pray the Lord shall Bless you with understanding and truth.

Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 25:31-46

Revelation 20:11-15

Maybe read the book of Jude. Read through all the Holy Scriptures for wisdom. That your soul shall be saved.

God Bless.

Looks like God hated Esau because sold his birthright. 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; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 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."

Greetings, Vicki.

Jesus has been teaching His disciples about the end of this age and what signs were to appear. This discourse is recorded by Matthew in chapters 24 and 25. He told them about these things just before He was betrayed and crucified.

There are a lot of details about the future that we have not been told. Some of what has been revealed is symbolic and not entirely clear. How these not-so-clear things are interpreted depends on one method of interpretation, where a lot of suppositions are in place before considering what the millennium really is, for instance.

Some Christians believe that there's no actual 1000 years, that the concept of the millennium is figurative. They are amillenialists.

Some Christians believe that Christ will return AFTER 1000 year or AFTER a long time where Christianity causes things to get better and better. They are postmillennilists.

Some Christians believe that Christ will return BEFORE the 1000 year millenium and Christ will rule the earth. Here's where things get even more complicated. Most premilenialists believe that there will be an actual Tribulation of 7 years. So The Second Coming, when Christ comes to the earth, probably to the Mount of Olives where He Ascended to The Father, may a be different event from The Rapture. So The Rapture may be before The Tribulation or sometime during The Tribulation or right after The Tribulation. It all depends on the assumptions you make in your method of interpretation.

If your head is spinning, don't worry. Whatever you believe, Jesus Christ will return. The dead in Christ will rise. We who are alive and remain will be caught up together to meet them in the air and we will forever be with The Lord.

The MAIN things are the PLAIN things.

Whether you are a, post or pre, if your trust is in Jesus and His saving work on the cross, you will be saved.

Hi Vicki,

During the millennium the devil will be chained for a thousand years. this period is taken place on earth. They are not in Heaven. I hope that helps

Hello, Charles,

Any time someone asks, "Why did God...?" or "Why did Jesus...?" I think of the question, "Why did God hate Esau?"

"I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness." Mal 1:2-3.

My answer to that question is, "Why did God love Jacob?" He was such a deceiver!

The fact is that in most cases, God never tells us WHY.

We could speculate, but for what good?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my 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." Isa 55:8-11

Why did Jesus send Paul to the Gentiles?

Which one was found in the Hebrew Torah:

Saviour or Savior?

Matthew 25:46 - Isn't eternal life where we have Christ's righteousness permanently and no longer live as mortal? How can these still live as mortals thru the Millennial reign if they have entered eternal life.

Acts 9:4b

OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

The response of Jesus Christ to Paul on his way to Damascus shows clearly our oneness with Him. Oneness with Him is the result of LOVE of GOD. You can't separate a believer with Christ (LOVE), ROMANS 8: 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? WE ARE IDENTIFY WITH HIM IN ALL THINGS, Matthew 25:42For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44And they too will reply, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You? our need is His need, our pain is HIS pain... absolute identity!

Suzanne,

Angels aren't robots or mere animals acting merely on pre-programmed instinct. They have freewill to choose. I believe this because the Bible says so. It clearly says satan was a cherub (angel) in heaven and he disobeyed and was cast out.

Sources:

Ezekiel 28:12-18

Isaiah 14:12-14

Matthew 25:41 says satan also has angels. So, if you believe no angels can sin, and since satan has angels, do you not believe satan is evil or commits sin?

Does your belief that angels don't sin come from the Bible? If so, where in the Bible do you think it says angels don't think for themselves, don't have freewill, and that satan wasn't an angel? Now that you know these verses above exist in the Bible, does that influence your perspective?

Please pray for my family to reunite, and please pray for deliverance for my daughter, she has many problems and troubled throughout her life, she is only 22 and has been beaten and misused by previous partners. she has mental health, she is a vulnerable adult and cant make the right decissions herself as too many friends and ex partners have control over her. she is a lost soul and needs prayers. she is a born again christian but just got led astray by different religioned group of friends.

Please help me to pray for her breakthrough and deliverance and also her to turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Please say a prayer for my brother. He has some medical problems right now. They found some masses in his in between his bladder and his prostate and they still aren't sure what it is. He had to go to Dr last night due the pain he was in but they just said he had a weak stomach and sent him home. I know there are good doctors but for whatever reason last night they didn't do all they could for him. I know that the main doctor is Jesus and I am praying that he will lay his hand on my brother. please help me pray for a healing in my brother. Thank you and God bless

What are the different types of covenants?

My comments about the H.G. The reason Ghost was added is b/c Christ had to die in order for our sins, to be remitted The Holy spirit was given to many ppl but not the HOLY GHOST , The scrip. says that the H.G was not yet given b/c that Christ was not yet Glorfied meaning being multiplied as the stars of heaven that was his glorfication to be multiplied as the stars of heaven i.e that great PROMISE That God made to his son saying i will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and God swore by his very self impling that God himself was gonna be multiplied. thats y jesus said to whom the word came ( his seed ) it made them Gods, This great Promise was actually about God himself being multplied as the stars of heaven that y Jesus is saying to to whom the word came his Seed it made them GODS ( THE h.g. ) . Even in the O.T. God said i have said ye are GODS MEANING HIS LIVING WORDS ( HIS VOICE ) ARE THE SEEDS OF GOD. his breath etc. Jesus breathe on them and they received the H.G. He multiplies after the Godkind ty Jesus. Thus we know that he is God the son . An absolute son .But Jesus cd not refer to the H.G as the Promise if he were not the multiplcation of God/Christ the Promise i.e an Israel of God ( the multiplcation of God in humanity via that good seed the living words of God. Father God is exactly like father abraham he wants a posterity thus the essence of the PROMISE which is multiplcation of Christ seed, a baby Christ is gonna be born in us which is the H.G. the Child of PROMISE THE GRANSON a heavenly Jacob . Everytime ya read about the H.G remember the Promise of multiplication of Christ the Promise Children. Our new innerman has to be born thats y Jesus is saying that which is born of the spirit is spirit thats the H.G. the CHILD OF Promise. Thats y he always refered to himself as the SON OF MAN mankind IS GONNA BRING FORTH FRUIT UNTO GOD VIA THAT GOOD SEED THE LIVING WORD. The Woman n rev 12 is the best example of FAITH her child is th H.G TH PROMISE CHILD.

Perhaps, they may have been scared. People are always scared of the unkonown espcially if they do not belong to our Lord.

I am homesick, too!