Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 249

Adam,

I want to be very clear regarding our works.

If we believe that God saves us BECAUSE we have in some way been obedient to the Law of God, i.e. good works. That is a gospel of Grace plus Works. That is not the True Gospel of the Bible.

The passages you reference in James and others are proof that if God has indeed saved us there will be evidence in our life that this is so by our increasing obedience to the Law of God because we now have a resurrected soul that desires this and is no longer in rebellion against God. But our resurrected soul, which cannot initiate sin, still resides in a body that lusts after sin and so, until God completes our salvation at the Last Day by giving us our resurrected spiritual body, we will not obey God's Law perfectly, and can indeed even fall into grievous sin, like David did, as we take our eyes off Christ. But we see David's reaction to this in Psalm 51.

The bottom line is that if God has saved us, if we have become a "new creature in Christ", we will find in our life an Ernest Ongoing desire to be obedient to God. This will be the RESULT of our salvation but not the CAUSE. This is why we are commanded to "crucify the flesh and its desires". It is only God's Mercy if He has saved us because we do not deserve that salvation in any way.

If we do not see this attitude and repentance from sin in our life it may be that we have not become saved. As God warns us to "examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith".

But as long as we have the breath of life or until Christ returns at the Last Day, we may still cry out to God for His Mercy, as did the Ninevites, that God might save us.

"A broken and contrite heart I will not despise".

Our salvation is 100% the work of Christ, God Himself. Our works cannot and do not contribute to our salvation in any way.

Hi S Spencer

We are not in the millennium it is after His second coming. He defeats the ten kingdoms/countries the army of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet at Armageddon the great supper of God, Rev. 16:12-16 Rev,17:12-14 Rev. 19:11-2. Then Satan is put in the bottomless pit, Rev 20:1-3.

Judgment of those in the first resurrection who will reign with Jesus Rev. 20:4-6, the kingdom is set up and will last for 1000 years, then Satan is released and deceives the world and gathers them, the number as the sands of the sea around the camp of the saints at Jerusalem to the last battle. Fire comes down from heaven and devoured them and Satan is cast into the lake of fire,

Then the white throne judgment of all who were not in the first judgment will be judged and all whosoever was not found in the Book of Life were cast into the lake of fire. Dan. 12:1-3 Matt. 12:36 John 5:28-29 Acts 17:31 Eccl. 12:14

We cannot put the people in 70 AD and the prince in the future. The door of the ark, the men of the city, the lambs of the flock, these things cannot be separated. It is the people that shall come, who are of the prince and this prince is not some future being who had nothing to do with 70 AD.

We know by scripture Jesus confirmed the covenant and we know by scripture He was cut off/crucified and we know by scripture by His death there is no more offering for sin, they ceased, Heb. 10:14-18

Matt. 24:14-15 can also have been for those in 66-70AD history records the believers in Jesus got out and went to Pella, Luke 19:43-44 Luke 21:20-21. My other posts should show my understanding is Dan. 9 does not apply to the end times it was a prophecy of the Messiah, Jesus, and the amount of time given to Daniel's people, the city of Jerusalem, and the temple, and the judgment for their abominations.

After the 70 weeks, the mystery of the Gospel that was hidden was revealed to the Gentiles, Acts 8:54-57 Acts 9:3-15 Acts 10:9-16 Rom. 11:25

God bless,

RLW

Hi Adam.

part 2.

God name is at stake when he deal with his people.

Look how God deals with Israel even after he Judged/punished them.

Ezekiel 36:19-23. And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.

And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.

But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

Therefore say unto the house of Israel,

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I DO NOT THIS FOR YOUR SAKES, O house of Israel, BUT FOR MINE HOLY NAME'S SAKE, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

AND I WILL SANCTIFY MY GREAT NAME, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Also;

Isaiah 48:9-11.

Many more examples.

I will continue at another time.

God bless

Hi Adam.

Thanks for your response.

I don't think you will find it worded the way you worded it in your post with the actual word "Immediately".

But salvation is immediate when one truly believes and throughout the scripture it teaches that.

Actually in your original post you mentioned "some saying this before judgment".

I believe in your past posts you believes no one knows they're saved until Judgment.

The response from most of us is that a Christian is not part of that Judgment.

However we won't get into that here.

Here's what I will like to declare yo you.

I honestly believe there has been verses given that declares what you are looking for. And the Bible as a whole speaks on this aspect.

God spoke also in types that speaks on this.

Here's a few examples;

When God destroyed Sodom, When was lot saved?

When he left?

To answer that we would have to ask, When was he declared righteous.

God told Abraham he wouldn't destroy it if he found so many righteous. But do you notice the Angels wouldn't do anything until Lot was out of there!!

Genesis 19:21-22.

So was Lot saved before or after Judgment?

Let's look at Noah's Ark in the same light. When was Noah declared righteous?

When the Ark doors opened and closed or when God told him to start building it? Genesis 6:8. (The ark is a type.)

Adam, Galatians 4:28 says "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

When we look at the story of Abraham getting ready to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice, If you study that carefully you'll see Abraham had faith before he started his journey! In Genesis 22:7-8 Isaac asked Abraham where is the Lamb for the burnt offering?

Abraham said, God will provide himself a burt offering!!

Abraham knew Isaac was the Child God promised would be his heir and he would have to raise him from the dead.

We're children of promise also!

By faith we're joint heirs of the promise with Abraham. God keeps his covenants and promises.

We're saved now.

God bless.

Yes , satan is a seducer , he tells lies and tells us what we want to hear , he uses smooth words and wants us to love and worship him and not God . This about sums up human arrogance and pride I think , especially the scientific community . Many scientists do actually believe that there must be a creator but most seek to out do God and prove themselves superior to Him . This is just my thoughts on the matter , we will know all things for sure one day . Until then may we all walk in love and learn from each other :) .

When you say that he is satan himself , what form will be take ? If he looks like some horrific demon with horns and a pointy tail then I can't imagine anyone wanting to be on his side ! He's a seducer , he tells lies , he tells humans what they want to hear , he wants the glory due only to God . My guess is that he will take a man's heart just like he did to Judas and even to Peter briefly . He will look like one of us and present himself as some kind of saviour , he will have ' created ' something , something to do with life , health etc , something that will fool the unbelievers into thinking that God definately doesn't exist . An open vision of a monster isn't going to attract many followers , even atheists and idolaters wouldn't follow a monster . He's a wolf in sheep's clothing don't forget , he will invent something that gives him great glory and disproves ( or so he will think ) the existence of God . We shall all find out eventually if we are still alive . Thank you for your posts David , I always enjoy them , you are insightful and polite :) .

He's much better this morning :) thanks .

But that would mean that those sinners in hell are in some form or other still alive ? How can they live forever when eternal life is the gift of God to those who believe in His Son ? The wages of sin is death , so surely that means that those who die in their sin are dead , not alive and on some level conscious in a place of torture . That's a contradiction that I can't come to terms with . We will all know all things eventually S Spenser and just because some of us disagree on some points doesn't mean that we can't all still learn something from each other , at least I hope that's the case :) . Blessings to you .

Yes , I agree with you . Have you noticed though that unbelievers are never 'asleep ' they are always dead in their sins , this sleep seems to only ever be applied to the faithful .

Titus 3: 5

Please read titus 3: 1-11

I pray God's peace be upon you.

Love you all

JESUS said to the Jews: John 5:43-47KJV:

43 - I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if ANOTHER(AN IMPOSTER - Who's is him?) shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Paul apostle prophesied about that IMPOSTOR, saying - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and 9 :

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (See Revelation 13:11-14)

John 1:11KJV - JESUS came unto His own, and His own received Him not.

Philippians 2:6 - 6 Who, being in the form of GOD, thought it not robbery to be equal with GOD:

May our Lord GOD bless and keep us, and give us His protection

Amen

Acts 4:11-12KJV reveal there is none other NAME under heaven EXCEPT JESUS whereby we must be saved :

11 JESUS is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other NAME (except JESUS-the Word made flesh-the Word is GOD) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

JESUS explained : Matthew 11:27KJV - ... No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; NEITHER KNOWETH any MAN the FATHER, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. (As said John the Baptist, angel of the Lord : "No man hath seen GOD at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the BOSOM of the Father, He hath declared Him (made Him known) . John 1:18KJV

Hallelujaaa!!!

I now understand Adam as to what you're seeking. I equated Biblical statements about one's salvation the same as if one stated specifically that salvation was their present possession. But if you require other Scriptures, including the Luke 19:9 you gave, as well as Luke 23:42,43, we could include Acts 16:30-34 (they rejoiced, not because that salvation would be in the future, but by believing they would be saved now). Also, Acts 10:44-48 (the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles, not just for the Jews; & they spoke in other tongues & were water baptized). Though we don't hear these people (the jailer & Cornelius) saying the words that you require, yet Luke records what he observed, that a transformation had taken place.

As to the "dozens of verses supporting a future salvation", one could examine those verses you gave & find that there is a differing understanding whether those verses speak of a future salvation or of victoriously living out one's present salvation & of eternal rewards.

So, we come back to the whole understanding of salvation by faith, the Work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, & living a life presently but not knowing whether God will or will not bring about a salvation at Judgement time. These points would certainly take us away from the point you're raising, but I believe they are necessary so as to understand what takes place when a person repents, believes, & gets baptized by the Spirit. Does the Spirit really even baptise him? Does the Spirit leave & enter him at will? What place does Holy Spirit Power hold in a believer's life? Can we even call him a believer - maybe just a follower of Christ awaiting/hoping for approval on that future day of salvation? These are some of the questions that disturb me if I'm not an assured believer & accepted by God on the merits of His Son's Sacrifice - an adopted child of God now. The question then is: am I saved right now or not till later - maybe?

Hi Brother S Spencer,

Some of those questions may be answered in God's Word.

The purpose of my original question posted is to collect verses and I still only have 1 supporting salvation now which is the one I found. Of the verses posted I don't see any saying we're saved immediately on earth before judgment. Some cited being born again and being a new creature which are great verses but being transformed is not salvation.

Simply evaluating this on a Biblical support basis there are far more verses supporting future salvation instead of the present one people commonly cite. I believe I listed 7 to 1 before and I found more that support future too, so it might be 10 to 1.

So if there are no other verses supporting this why does a majority of believers believe in something so hardly supported by the Bible? Could it originate from cultural factors? Funerals for example- often people try to comfort others by saying they're in heaven right now despite Daniel 12:2, Job 14:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, Matthew 9:24.

Just because there are questions does the questions themselves do not invalidate the truth of God's Word. God bless.

It sounds like you're conflating being born again with salvation. Does the Bible say these occur at the exact same time? If so, please share those verses.

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

Jesus said this. Jesus emphasized obedience and keeping His commandments. Those who are so opposed to obeying Jesus should probably be afraid of the upcoming judgment, because someone who doesn't obey Jesus might not be a Jesus follower.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 KJV

How can anyone believe the Bible, read this Bible verse and then believe obeying God is bad?

"But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." Luke 12:5 KJV

JESUS' own testimony about Himself is wonderful, and reveals to us in depth the mystery of His existence here in the greatness of the Universe created by GOD, the Word, GOD the Father, full of heavenly bodies, and here on Earth, specifically, He populated the planet with living beings, and sat in the circle of the Earth, as is written in Isaiah 40:21-22KJV:

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is GOD that sitteth upon the circle of the Earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; ...

That said, we must remember what JESUS said from His own existence: - John 17:4-5KJV: as follow:

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. ( John 1:3, and 5:17, and Hebrews 1:1-2KJV testify about this that JESUS said. Take a look.)

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the WORLD was. (John the Baptist, the angel of the LORD, testified about this, saying: John 1:18KJV- 18 No man hath seen GOD at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.)

Paul testified, saying: Colossians 1:14-16KJV:

14 In JESUS we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the INVISIBLE GOD -the Word- the Word is GOD- , the firstborn of every creature (the Word made flesh):

16 For by Him -by JESUS- were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: ( John 1:3, and 5:17, and Hebrews 1:1-2 confirm)

David0921

The antichrist is a man. He is called (that man of sin) and (son of perdition) in ( 2 Thess. 2:3).

He is called (the beast) in ( Rev 13:1-5) v2 and v4 clearly tells us the dragon gave power to (the beast). They are not the same.

In ( Rev. 19:20) (The beast) and the false prophet are cast Alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

In ( Rev. 20:1-3) Satan is bound for a thousand years. (The beast was just cast into a lake of fire).

In ( Rev. 20:10) The devil is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone ((where (the beast) and the false prophet are)).

They are not the same.

Satan will possess him just like he did Judas Iscariot in ( Luke. 22:3) and in ( John. 13:27) as the 1st son of perdition ( John. 17:12) The only other time the words "son of perdition" is in the Bible is ( 2 Thess. 2:3)

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun" ( Ecclesiastes. 1:9)

If the 1st son of perdition (Judas Iscariot) was possessed by Satan. then the 2nd son of perdition in ( 2 Thess. 2:3) who exalteth himself above all that is called God, and sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God ( 2 Thess. 2:4) will also be possessed by Satan.

Truth matters.

Adam,

I would add one other thing.

The process of becoming Born Again is absolutely an instantaneous process of which God is entirely in control. It is a true miracle as God replaces or changes (we can't understand the mechanics) our spiritual dead soul (i.e. our stony heart) with a new resurrected soul. (Read Ezekiel 36:26,27). This can occur even before we are born (John the Baptist) or in the last moments of our life (thief on the cross) or any time in between, but always on God's time table, not ours.

When we do become Born Again there will very quickly be a change in our personality, in that our new Resurrected Soul is going to have a real problem with our sin infected body that still lusts after sin. And we will find in our life a growing desire to know and do God's will and turn away from sin. This is called Growing in Grace.

This is guaranteed to occur with every one of God's elect at some point in their life.

Read the account of the salvation of the Ninevites in Jonah where God saved 120,000 of them.

Jema:

Your comment sums up antichrist.

As David0921 said, there is only two kingdoms on earth, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.

The Kingdom of God of God is the Spirit of TRUTH, LIFE and LIGHT: CHRIST.

The opposite of Christ is antichrist.

The kingdom of Satan, the spirit of deception, death, and darkness.

It's not ONE antichrist in that kingdom, it begins with ALL men.

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist; wherefore you have heard that it should COME, and even NOW already is it in the world.

Most Christians confess that Christ came the first time in the flesh, FEW confess that he came the second time as the LIFE in the body of man.

Christ is still on the earth in the FLESH, in YOU his body; YOU, sinful flesh DIED on the cross, ONLY Christ arose to indwell YOU, his flesh.

John 16:8 And when he (the SPIRIT of Christ) is COME (Christ second coming as the Holy Ghost) HE (Christ) will reprove the WORLD OF SIN (unbelief).

Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery .... Christ in you ...... a NEW CREATION ......

God bless you

I absolutely love Psalm 18! Such a powerful, promising, and encouraging Psalm!

Jema,

We love cats as well. They are one of

many great comforts and blessings that God in His Mercy provides to mankind.

Glad to hear that CJ is doing well.

Adam,

What you are suggesting is a gospel of Grace plus works. And God warns against that very strongly in Galatians and Romans and in many other passages. The True Gospel is a gospel of Grace Alone. Once God has "saved", us our good works are the RESULT of having become Born Again. Our good works are NEVER THE CAUSE nor the REASON for our salvation.

2 Cor 5:17 is speaking about the very nature of salvation and that conclusion is supported throughout the Bible.

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Both of these passages are absolutely speaking about being Born Again in our Soul existence which is every bit a part of us as our Body. And that is what happens to every True Believer when God applies His salvation to their life.

Hi Ronald.

Concerning part 1 of your reply.

Rome destroyed the city.

The prince that shall come will rise out of the Romans empire. This empire was never overthrown.

I showed the connection between ch 2 and ch 7 and 9. on into Revelation.

In most of these passages they use the exact same terms and description.

You said you see of Matt. 23:37-38 is a consummation of Dan. 9:27.

But in Matthew 24:14-15 Jesus place Daniel 9:27 towards the end times!

( And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Concerning Daniel 11:31. That was Antiochus Epiphanes, this happened around 170 BC,

However, Jesus points this to a end time event.

Ronald if you will, refresh my memory of your view on the end times.

Where and when is the Millennial Kingdom?

Are we in it or is it future?

If future, can you give me your view chronologically?

This will help me understand where you are coming from.

God bless.

Hi Jema.

Thanks for replying.

You said your faith is in Christ's sacrifice for your sin's. and that's where it should be.

Abram believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Romans 4:20.

In Genesis 15:6-18 God made an unconditional promise to Abraham and performed it alone.

The ritual that constitutes the covenant where they cut these animals in half and walk between them together and if one renege on the covenant what happened to the animals would happen to that person.

God cannot lie so he was protecting Abraham when he entered the covenant alone.

Issac was Abraham's heir and Abraham knew that God keeps his promises and he knew that God would have to raise him from the dead to keep his promises.

God is Love but he is also a righteous judge. There is no where in scripture it says God saves us by his love. It says God so loved the world He provided us a savior and that savior was his Son. John 3:16.

The bible teaches us the wages of sin is death and the gift of God through Christ is eternal life. Romans 6:20-23.

The lost sinner's heart is energized by the ( Everlasting evil Spirit of this unrepentant world that is being held back by restraint of the Holyspirit.

I believe in hell and those who go there will be tormented.

Weeping and gnashing of teeth. Unquenchable fire.

There would have to be an awareness of pain and agony to Weep and Nash teeth.

And "Unquenchable fire" is unnecessary if it's unquenchable for no one.

Matthew 22:13

Psalm 112:10.

The bible describes hell as a place of torment.

You have to be awake to be tormented.

God bless.

Hi Adam.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. This speaks on a person present condition once he heareth Christ word, and believeth on him that sent him,

To be able to hear the word is a condition.

This is the blood tipped ear mentioned in scripture and also what's meant in John 10:27-28.

These verses along with many of what have been shared by others suggest that you are saved now not later.

However, just say if we are wrong, how do we stand in the day of judgement?

God is a righteous Judge and requires perfection. No one can present that!

If we're to be judged, what sins is he going to pardon?

How many times can we get away with sinning before we're condemned?

What role did the cross play in our salvation?

Why didn't he just stick with the old sacrificial systems if the blood of Christ couldn't take away sins?

These are valid questions if we are to be judged with the dead.

Jema,

The anti-Christ is Satan himself. Throughout history many have tried to identify the anti-Christ as some tyrant or other dastardly human being. But none of that fits when we understand that there are only two kingdoms that God is primarily concerned about. These two kingdoms are the Kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan. And the warfare that exists between these two kingdoms is a Spiritual warfare. It is not national, political or social.

All of mankind throughout history ultimately belongs to one of those two kingdoms.

And much of the language that God uses in speaking about those two kingdoms is parabolic in nature.

We must remember:

Mark 4:9-13 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Mark 4:33,34 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

David....

I perceive you have a desire & zeal for God, but not according to a true knowledge. Rom 10:2; I would like to discuss this futher with you if you like, but on one condition, every statement be back up with the Holy Scriptures & sound reasoning. Pro 30:6 This way, Truth alone may be exalted, for Truth is not a subject here, but a Person, personalified in Christ.

in love & truth

Frankie J

Jema,

We have to make a distinction between our physical body and our soul. Both are very, very real. And together make up who we are. Before God applies his salvation to our life, we are spiritually dead and subject to eternal death in body and soul. When God applies salvation to our life, i.e. when we are Born Again in our soul. God gives us a new resurrected soul in which we have eternal life. Our Resurrected soul will never die.

But nothing has happened to our body yet. Our body is still lusting after sin. And is still Subject to physical death, just like the body of an unsaved person. So when a believer dies physically, their soul goes to live with Christ in heaven, because that is the part of them that has been "saved". And their body goes into the grave and decays just like any unsaved person's body. But at the Last Day, Christ returns with all of the believers that are with him in heaven in their soul existence, and the bodies of all believers are resurrected alt, a glorified spiritual body, and reunited with their resurrected soul to form a complete personality, which will live and reign with Christ in the new heaven and new earth eternally. Or, if we have not already died physically when He returns, our body of flesh and bone is changed, in the twinkle of an eye, into a glorified spiritual body.

Our salvation is only partially complete at the time we have become Born Again. Our salvation is completed when we receive our glorified spiritual body at the Last Day.

Our finite minds cannot grasp the full extent of the glory and wonder of God's Salvation plan nor its mechanics. But we read in the Bible what God has revealed to us and we accept it in faith.

Regarding the resurrection of the unsaved, that will also occur at the Last Day but it is not a resurrection to life or consciousness existence. That must be discussed in the context of God's overall Judgment process which is complex and I'm not prepared to address that at this time.

Hi Adam,

If you think you already have the answers, I don't see it as appropriate to test folks. It can spread doubt. What you need is some good dispensational teaching. The belief originated from the understanding of the New Testament Pauline soteriological doctrine as a whole.

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" ( Ephesians 1:13-14). Being sealed is the same as being saved.

Judgment and salvation are the opposite. There are three judgments in the New Testament: sheep and goats ( Matthew 25), the judgment seat of Christ ( 1st Corinthians 3), and the great white throne judgment ( Revelation 20). Only one of those will a Christian experience-the judgment seat of Christ. The other two are for the unsaved. We are not immediately judged after we die. The judgment seat of Christ occurs after the rapture so that the works of the flesh are able to be viewed. Some people do believe that we are judged immediately after we die (e.g. amillennialists).

I must give God the glory and the thanks . I've just got a fourteen year old cat , five weeks ago . His name is CJ and he's been poorly for a few days and had become worse today . I prayed to God and asked Him to restore CJ 's health and happiness . He doesn't like to be handled and doesn't know me that we'll yet , I felt compelled to get hold of him and try to look at his mouth , so after a slight struggle I did just that . He had something , I don't know what , small hanging from inside his mouth , out of and over his bottom lip . I gently removed it and saw that it had probably been stuck in his bottom gum , causing his mouth to bleed and stopping him from eating . He's eating fine now , only chews on his right side of his mouth but at least he is eating and whatever it was I managed to get it out of his mouth . I must thank my God . Many people believe that God thinks less of animals than He does of people , I don't know if that's true or not , I think He may love them somewhat as He made them and made them so beautiful . I thank Him for taking pity upon me and my husband in our distress for our cat and for taking pity on CJ and helping me to help him . Thanks to God in Heaven for His tender mercies to us all .