20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
There is only one time that I am aware of where a literal heaven was spoken against; in this case a book on Postmillenialism. I don't have the book with me at present (it may be buried in a box somewhere). I should note that one good point was in that book; namely that many of the PreMil camp tend to state or act as though the gates of hell are too powerful; rather than holding out to the promises that they will not prevail until the end ( Matthew 16:18). In the proper context (as opposed to a Dominioninsm mentality) this is a valid criticism of many who are hiding out waiting for the Rapture and not occupying until He comes ( Luke 19:13).
In regard to hell; however of course there are many more professing believers who have convinced themselves that it is merely a symbolic statement. Such often tend to hold on to a cessation mentality; that is of a human soul before the final Resurrection presumably at the end of the Millennium or at least the Rapture. They think that someone will simply wake up thinking it was just a moment before that they died at the Resurrection; thus making the suffering of the lost delayed into the future to assuage their conscience (often if not for their own fate for that of their loved ones at present who have died). Of course; in light of verses such as 2 Corinthians 5:8; and Hebrews 9:27 among others this seems like a ridiculous concept. I would argue this point of a belief in literal hell is important enough that we cannot consider fellowship with other believers who don't agree at least in our own place of corporate worship. Again; we can try to witness to them the truth. This is needed doctrine because we need to explain the grave state of the lost; and that there is NO peace for the wicked. ( Isaiah 48:22 and many other passages). Hell not being literal is due to a misunderstanding of the meaning for the grave and sheol (the land of the dead).
Happy Sunday. Some verses that jumped out at me...
1 Timothy 3:16
Colossians 1:14-20
John 14:6
Isaiah 48:12, Revelation 22:13
My interpretation: Jesus is a big deal. Probably bigger than we realize and He loves us and died for each of us that we may choose to follow Him. God bless.
Matthew 13:24-43 discusses the parable of the wheat and the tares; ending with a private discussion with the Disciples. This necessity of such a condition WITHIN the professing church also must exist along with the general contrast between believers and unbelievers. Therefore; in general we must not only have confession but POSSESSION of the Holy Spirit in order to have genuine salvation (see Ezekiel 36:26). This principle in scripture cannot be overemphasized; if Christ found His greatest resistance from the "religious" leaders among the Jews of that day; we can be certain much of our opposition will come from those calling themselves Christians. Surely judgment begins at the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17).
If we are honest with history there are errors that can be found with fallible human beings even in the best denominations (sometimes despite truthful doctrines). I call Satan the "equal opportunity destroyer" because he doesn't discriminate as to what means of deception he uses and hence it fits his character hating everyone created in the image of God. He only hates the most those who are a threat to his kingdom; those who can see past the veil over all mankind ( 2 Cor. 4:3-6). His methods are myriad-mind control; fear; temptations; bondage; etc. People are used according to his purpose and we should be aware that his web is everywhere in this current world system. Things can and must get worse; worse than in all human history as Jesus promised for the end times to come for God's plans to come to fruition ( Matt. 24:21). Of course the world wants to hear that peace is coming "peace; peace when there is no peace." ( Jeremiah 6:14). There is no peace; however for the wicked as God states in Isaiah 48:22 and other places in that book and the rest of scripture as well.
Incredibly the world will fall for "the lie" ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). Whatever utopia is offered (AI or otherwise) God will use to purge the dross
The word says that scripture has to be understood by applying other scriptures to it.
The NEW COVENANT, the gospel, was preached to THEM as well as unto US.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, salvation is of the Jews.
Romans 2:29 For he is a JEW, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is in the heart, IN THE SPIRIT .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST, has made us free from the LAW of sin and DEATH ...
This same gospel was preached to them as well as us.
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are the UNDEFILED in the way ( John 14:6) who WALK in the LAW OF the LORD ( Romans 8:2).
Ezekiel 36:27 I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to WALK in my STATUTES, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in HIS WAYS.
Psalms 119:5 Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy STATUTES!
The Spirit CAUSES us TO DO his will, the words that come out of our mouth, are his words, the works of our hands, are his works.
Isaiah 48:18 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this, I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am I, and HIS SPIRIT HAS SENT ME ( Romans 8:2).
John 14:24 ...and the word ye hear are not mine, but the Father's which sent me ....
Mark 10:8 And they TWAIN shall be ONE FLESH: so they are no more TWAIN, but ONE FLESH ...
The same SPIRIT that sent Christ and raised him up, and we as JOINT HEIRS, abides in us, our words are not ours by the Father's that anoints us.
The wages if UNBELIEF is DEATH.
The GIFT of BELIEF is IMMORTAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTAL LIFE......
Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the "Alpha and Omega" in
Revelation 1:8;
Revelation 21:6; and
Revelation 22:13.
Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
It's common to use the first and the last letters of the Hebrew alphabet to denote the whole of anything from beginning to end. Jesus as the beginning and end of all things is a reference to no one but God!
This statement of eternality could apply only to God.
It is equivalent to saying He always existed and always will.
The phrase also identifies Him as the God of the Old Testament. Isaiah ascribes this aspect of Jesus' nature as part of the triune God in several places. "I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last I am He" Isaiah 41:4.
"I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God"
Isaiah 44:6.
I am he; I am the first, I also am the last" Isaiah 48:12.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMIGHTY. Revelation 1:8
Continuing with the thought on deliverance; there are verses which state we are not to be hasty in laying on of hands with someone ( 1 Tim. 5:22). Obviously; the extended conversations with demons that are almost always on camera are not needed most of the time based on how Christ operated. It is often obvious this is for entertainment value; and certainly isn't helpful if someone is in need of deliverance to toy with the demons in them or keep them waiting. It is rare but not unheard of to see a person who is going through great grief be prayed for that is NOT possessed; or perhaps just oppressed.
If we look at the example of the parable of the seed and sower in Matthew 13:20 we see immediate joy at the Word without a root. Nonetheless we are to confess with our mouth AND believe in our heart that Christ is Lord; both mind and soul are involved. ( Romans 10:9). Since our heart is deceitful ( Jeremiah 17:9) above all things and desperately wicked; we need a new heart as Ezekiel 36:26 states. I have pointed out before that unless we realize that we are being delivered from an enmity with God we aren't going to be drawn toward Christ; we are going to shrink back and eventually fall away. ( Romans 8:7 as well as in many other passages!) BUT; as with anything else joy is the second attribute of good fruit that the Spirit MUST begin to place in our souls after love as the first ( Gal. 5:22). Note that the THIRD attribute is peace; so if we are truly saved we start to overcome fear; on the other hand there is no peace for the wicked. ( Isaiah 48:22; and other parts of Isaiah and Psalms; etc.)
Part of maturity in Christ is knowing the difference between spiritual fruit and our emotions. Seeing Paul's example of joy in extreme suffering certainly is a good example of this as well as Christ's love for us that He would suffer as He did to fulfill the Father's will.
Fellowship should balance mind and heart worship rightly
With respect One eighty, you are taking your 'rationale' too far away from what has been presented to you by both others here and me.
I believe Richard H Priday provided another good example of answering your question where he said:
"God did create hell as well; but originally it was meant for the Devil and his angels. ( Matt. 25:41). Clearly; men enter in there because they are following their master; namely Satan rather than God. Therefore; all things work out for the good for those who love God ( Romans 8:28); but conversely; there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; other passages)."
For you to reject these Bible-based 'Contrasts' depicted in the Bible to then ask questions like:
- Would you agree that whenever Light enters darkness, the darkness is abolished?
- If yes, then if God is darkness as He is Light, then He must be capable of abolishing Himself.
- Light abolishes darkness merely by showing us the darkness is not there. If this is true and God is responsible and the Source for both Light and darkness, then He would literally abolish Himself into non existence.
COMMENT: It seems your desire is to enter into "...foolish questions...and contentions" that I am not prepared to enter into on the following basis:
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." ( Titus 3:9)
Sorry, One eighty, but I m trying to be helpful here and not offensive.
There are verses where it says that God dwells in thick clouds; i.e. a form of darkness. ( 1 Kings 8:12; also see Psalm 97:2). Darkness in the physical realm is simply the opposite of light. We could say in terms of evil that calamity is created by God for His purposes; although the Lord allows evil spirits to have some authority in that situation (such as the trials with Job). As with Job; the Tribulation also is predetermined to be a time of greater evil than has ever occurred before; or will ever be afterwards. ( Matt. 24:21). Such a trial can be escaped ( Rev. 3:10) by those who are walking in the Spirit as Jesus declared to the Philadelphia church. Those who will endure the Tribulation will be given the strength to overcome; and all those NOT written in the Book of Life will worship the Beast ( Rev. 17:8). In short; physical death represents overcoming; while preserving one's life causes one to ultimately lose it; in terms of eternal life ( John 12:25). This means as a believer it makes sense to "die daily" ( 1 Cor 15:31) which opposes the flesh which desires the opposite.
God did create hell as well; but originally it was meant for the Devil and his angels. ( Matt. 25:41). Clearly; men enter in there because they are following their master; namely Satan rather than God. Therefore; all things work out for the good for those who love God ( Romans 8:28); but conversely; there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; other passages).
Those who truly know Christ have already gone from darkness into light ( 1 Peter 2:9; etal). We also are able to escape any of the second death ( Rev. 20:7). It is in men's hearts where the god of this world has blinded them; not in the physical realm at this time ( 2 Cor. 4:4). Therefore the darkness of spiritual blindness is basically the essence of evil; so in that sense if we aren't careful what we consider light is really darkness ( Luke 11:35).
Deuteronomy 29:29 shows how we can't fathom God's hidden counsel.
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.
Further insights on coming of the Lord and 2 Peter 3:9
When we consider how God is patient and wanting to see no one to perish we certainly are aware of different perspectives of this statement. A Universalist; for example would take this to mean that eventually all will be made right with Christ (i.e all will be saved). This; of course is a spurious argument for what should be obvious by many other verses such as Matthew 7:13-14.
A second thought is that God is waiting to give everyone opportunity to "choose" whether or not to "accept Christ as their personal Savior." I am not going to use this space to delve into that argument either; I will leave it at this; in the end a set number will come to Christ and the same can be said for those who aren't ultimately saved. No matter how you slice it; Christ is already Lord and King of Glory whether or not we decide to acknowledge it; and if He truly is Lord then we can no longer dictate our own lives as to the terms of redemption or how we choose to live our lives after we are saved.
It makes more sense to me to look at those who are called and chosen as to their whole time frame (pre and post their statement of faith). We need to keep in mind that we were all following the god of this world before coming to Christ and therefore enemies of God. As such; we are under the mercy of His Divine Lordship as to being offered terms of peace and reconciliation through the means of the atonement. So His longsuffering is just as much for His people as for the unsaved masses in general in forestalling His judgment (and I would argue more so).
Whether we sling the term "common grace" to the fact that there is some comfort for the unregenerate while still in this earthly existence or not; we all need to realize that if saved we are dead to our old nature and lives on this earth. Pleasure only is for those He has called out ( Psalm 16:11) and there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22 and many other verses).
They could be basing their claim on any one of the following pieces of scripture:
John 1:1, John 1:14, John 8:24, John 8:58, John 10:30-33, John 20:28, Hebrews 1:8, Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:5-8, Psalm 45:6.
The Bible tells us that we are to worship God alone, and yet Jesus received worship and never rebuked anyone who worshipped Him. We see evidence of this in Matthew 2:2, Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 28:9, John 9:35-38, Hebrews 1:6.
Isaiah 44:6 reads, "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides me."
In Rev 1:17, it says "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as a dead man." In Daniel 10:8-9, Daniel did the same thing. When he saw this vision of Christ, he fell down as he was dead. In Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel sees the vision and he falls down as a dead man. It goes on to say "Fear not; I am the first and the last: (the designation of God, found in Isaiah 41:4, and Isaiah 48:12).
In Revelation 1:18, it says I am He that lives, and this is another designation of God found in Psalm 84:2, and Joshua 3:10.
I am He that lives. God presents Himself to the Jews as the living God. He says I am He that lives, and was dead; literally, and became dead, and behold, I am living forevermore, His resurrection, His eternalness.
And then it reads, Amen; and I have the keys of hell and of death. Keys are a symbol of authority. Those who were in charge of the temple had the keys to the temple. We are told later on that the Lord (Jesus) will be in control of hell and death.
In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks His disciples who do you say I am? Peter had the perfect answer. Peter said "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Peter was Jewish. The phrase "Son of the living God" from a Hebrew standpoint is a phrase used for God. To a Jew, claiming to be the Son of God was considered blasphemy, but that was Peter's response to who Jesus was
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ (Christ is the word, so there shall arise false words), and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE (but is not possible), they should deceive the very elect.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, WHO WERE ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION .....
God says he himself has caused this and brought it to pass.
Luke 22:31 ....Satan has desired to have you, THAT HE MAY SIFT YOU as wheat ....
Luke 22:32 But I WILL PRAY FOR YOU: that your faith (the faith of Christ) fail not .... IT'S CHRIST'S WORKS ....
Isaiah 28:21 ....that he may do HIS WORK, HIS STRANGE WORK; and bring TO PASS his act, HIS STRANGE ACT.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it, What makest thou? OR THY WORK, He hath no hands?
Isaiah 48:10 Behold I have refined the, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself; but endureth for awhile, and when tribulations and persecutions ariseth because of the WORD, by and by he is offended.
Christ had many disciples, but when the words became to hard for them they went the way of the world.
Matthew 13:23 ..... and false prophets, shall show great signs and wonders .....
Revelation .... and with him the false prophet ....were cast alive into the a lake of fire burning with BRIMSTONE
Isaiah 30:33 ....the breath of the Lord, like a stream of BRIMSTONE, doeth kindle it.
Isaiah 33:14 ...Who among us SHALL DWELL with the devouring fire ( Hebrews 12:29)? who amongst us SHALL DWELL with everlasting burning?
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 9:18 ...and the people shall be the fuel of the fire .....
Have you considered Revelation 21:6-7? God the Father appears to also say He's the Alpha and Omega and He says "I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
Also, besides Revelation 22:13 Jesus saying He's first and last, God the Father also says he's first and last in Isaiah 48:12.
Also peculiar is how Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 is called "The mighty God" and "The everlasting Father."
I think its likely that the 3 are more 'one' than separate. There is only one God and we're talking about micro separations or personalities within the one God. And the most separation that occurred was temporarily when the Son transformed into a temporary man. This is where Jesus prayed to the Father, but people make inferences and draw assumptions based on that as if that's status quo, when in reality it's not. The Son is a spirit (not a man) that has always been John 1:1-3 and is one with the Father. I think many times God or LORD is used in the Bible is likely talking about the Godhead or trinity. That is why it says 'we' and 'us' plural.
Chris gave a good answer, I'd like to add to the discussion. Please note the verse right before, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 29:10, sometimes we want GOD to change our situations "right now", sometimes HE does, but I believe this promise, is for GOD's people when we need the encouragement for the troubled times & endurance in longer seasons. Notice in Daniel, he & his companions had went through many difficult moments but GOD in miraculous ways delivered them, protected them & even encouraged them. I believe it was after Daniel was thrown in the lions den that he fasted & humbly prayed about the promise made in Jeremiah 29:10,11, Daniel 9:1,2,3, still waiting on that promise of 70 years,
note Daniel 6:1,2,3, (for why I place the timing, seemingly after lions den) the noted scriptures referring to about Daniel's encouragement, & companions, some say "the greater the trial the greater the miraculous": Daniel 1:8,9,17, Daniel 2:12,13,17,23Daniel 3:12-27, Daniel 4:19,24,25, Daniel 5, Daniel 6:7,10,16,22,28, Daniel 9:23, Daniel 10:11,12,18, Daniel 11:1,
Luke 10:19, there are moments that are painful but when we look at Salvation, the pruning, witness to strengthen the Body of Believers, then we realize it didn't "hurt us".
I hope these scriptures give you strength & hope= 1Peter 4:12,13, 2Corinthians 1:3-7, John 15:1-2, 1Corinthians 4:5, 2Corinthians 3:2, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3, 2Timothy 2:10, Psalms 30:5,
Endure even undue trials= 2Timothy 2:3, 2Timothy 4:5, remember Timothy was with Paul in ministry during persecution. 1Peter 2:19, Mark 13:13, James 5:10,11,
Jesus speaking in context : Mark 10:13-31, notice he started with the little children that were being pushed aside._.. Notice too he says many not all. Luke 18:17, Mark 10:15,
Giannis says Israel, that seems very contradictory to the WORD: Romans 11, whole chapter. Notice, Luke 13:22-35, note Luke 13:27, iniquity, Matthew 7, Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 48:12, Matthew 24:48-51,
Matthew 20:1-16, again arrogance & expecting more reward than another? Again if you go back a little in context Jesus is telling them don't forbid the children to come to Him. Matthew 19:14, continued the same event follows. Matthew 19:14-30, so Matthew 20, is repeating the teaching of 1st, & last; meekness, in another perspective same teaching. Matthew 10:22,24,25,42, Matthew 10:5-42, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:44, Matthew 20:27, Matthew 18:3,4,5,
Not to debate you on this because to hold the view you hold you would have to ignore 2 thirds of scripture.
Here's just a few.
Ezekiel 11:17-20 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Jeremiah 32:37-40. Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
Isaiah 48:8-11. Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I KNEW THAT THOU WOULDEST DEAL VERY TREACHEROUSLY, AND WAST CALLED A TRANSGRESSORS FROM THE WOMB.
FOR MY NAME'S SAKE WILL I DEFER MINE ANGER, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
FOR MINE OWN SAKE, EVEN FOR MINE OWN SAKE, WILL I DO IT: FOR HOW SHOULD MY NAME BE POLLUTED? And I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY UNTO ANOTHER.
God's name is tied to the existence and restoration of Israel.
I would defer here to the Matthew Henry comment listed on this site as a particularly poignant analysis of Psalm 88. The first verse; indeed declares that God is of his salvation; that is the writer of the psalm. No doubt; the fate of Korah himself and some of his sons could fit into this narrative as well. We do well to heed to the warnings of the fate of the afterlife for the lost; as Matthew Henry points out-there is at least there is some natural light in this life. The lamp for the wicked goes out; as other verses state ( Job 18:15; Proverbs 13:9; etc) after death. There is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22). As believers; Satan can accuse us and oppress us; to steal our joy and effectiveness. Once the Spirit refreshes us and we repent for misdeeds; then we recognize our Shephard and once again follow the straight and narrow. This is something foreign to the world at large. A self righteous man will never surrender his "righteousness" to God; even in hell; and at that time there is no more grace available. God will simply continue to be an enemy for all eternity. Regeneration; therefore must happen now; in this lifetime. Those who are not one of His children will never desire Christ without Divine revelation and that comes being one of His elect.
The obstinance of those of the "house of Jacob" known as Israel is much as the Pharisees in the New Testament; they were deaf to His Truth; and obstinate (v. 4) Idol worship is implied in this section as well (v. 5) which never helps in any understanding of the truth. God; as always keeps from total destruction and will refine His people for His own sake (v. 9-11). This was the case in Isaiah's time with the nation of Babylon and certainly will be the case in the time of Jacob's trouble in the Tribulation in the future ( Jeremiah 30:7).
God's role in Creation is in the following two verses; and verses 14 to 15 reiterate the theme also from Jeremiah that God was using other nations to judge Israel and indeed shows favor so that their invasion is ensured to succeed in His timing. Then verse 16 talks about God and states "and now the Lord God; and His Spirit hath sent me." This shows the whole Godhead; with Christ being the one sent. Verse 17 shows God leading Israel; even when they are in exile He still is there and they are to return back after 70 years. Verse 18 reminds us of Christ when He said that as little birds He would have led them but they refused; they didn't know the day of their visitation. The multiplying of the nation according to verse 19 would have been quicker had they remained obedient. God promises provision in their diaspora (verse 20-21); which could also refer to the time He protects them in the wilderness in Revelation for 1260 days. Finally; the last verse indicates that there is no peace for the wicked; which is repeated in Isaiah 57:21; and similar themes in Psalms and elsewhere.
Perhaps reading Genesis chapter 1 to them. Let the word convince them by the power of God. Deuteronomy 6:4.
Isaiah 48:12-13, 46:9-11, 45:20-25, 44:6-9 all speak of the God of the Bible being the one and only God in all of time and creation. There is no other, and never will be another. So, for me. I would read these to a person (perhaps not all in one sitting) and let God do the rest.
There are probably many more verses you can find by searching key words. I will pray that God will prepare te hearts of those you will share with so that the true Word of God will be received by faith.
To add to discussion I just recently replied but felt led to add to my post. Just recently in Daniel I believe GOD revealed to me Daniel & his friends may have been, as captives of war made Eunuchs by Nebuchadnezzar- Daniel 1:1-3, Daniel 1:7-9, Daniel 1:10-11, each time it states those who were put over Daniel & his companions that title was given them 'over the Eunuchs' . There is no account of them having children that I've found. Futhermore when Nebuchadnezzar threatened people in his brutal way= Daniel 2:5, Daniel 2:12-13, Daniel 3:28-29, it was probably a very viable threat & intensely reality. Which now not only puts new light on Nebuchadnezzar's threats but his way of thinking.
Recently GOD's been showing me more in these scriptures. Daniel also is the only one that I've found where an angel says was greatly beloved, Daniel 10:11, Daniel 10:19, there seems to be a distinction in this address. GOD knows us & everything thing we have suffered, everything taken from us, even wrongful sterilization. He loves us! Hopefully this is also encouraging in a deep way as it has been to me. Yes I believe GOD addresses people personally & callings differ. Moses, Hosea, Ezekiel are few examples Daniel another. Sometimes HE calls us to do things others have not been called to nor had precedence for. Like Noah. In my life I've been reminded of this scripture more than once [1 Kigs 13:8-10,15,16,17,18,21,22,*24,] 1 Kings 13:1-32, we must obey GOD ALMIGHTY in what HE calls us to do personally.
When I say a distinction the wording is a little Different than Isaiah 48:14, 2 Samuel 2:24, 1 Kings 10:9, Revelations 1:5, Revelations 3:9, John 14:20, Mark 10:21, & even Matthew 3:17 because CHRIST is the SON, THE WAY TRUTH & LIGHT, LIFE. If I had my Exhaustive Concordance at hand, I would study it more fully.
I believe this is a principal that is biblical when we look into GOD's promises, HIS WORD, the accounts where GOD moves in & stops evil, changes events that seem impossible, overcoming. Exodus, Genesis, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Ester, etc.
Mathew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33, Psalm 37:1-40,
Simple said: "Where does Jesus identify himself as God ? He does not ."
So you want us to disregard all of this scripture?
Isaiah 44:6
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
Isaiah 48:12
"Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last."
Revelation 1:8
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:17-18
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 21:6-7
6 "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son"
Revelation 22:12-17 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
As I have visions and scriptures are shown as well I struggle with postive and negative voice I must trust God. I have been attacked by satan and redeemed by God . I also been protected by people. Confusing times. I feel love hate from people. I struggle with love and irritable behavior. I feel joy right now with tears . I feel loss and gain. I was terrorized so badly by an evil spirit that finally stopped with physical pain that was so intense I thought I would die. Right now I ask God to take this spirit from traveling from person to person and to do what is necessary. It has increased my appetite changed my appearance and attitude. I know it comes and goes there are more than one. One good one trying to be good. Help in Jesus name. I ask and I shall receive they also bring temptations of several kinds into lives with anger jealousy etc. Help the postive rebuke the negative the covid virus or corona is a enemy attack against our nation I rebuke. God showed me the Holy city several times different not by inner voice hand on bible led me for yrs on and off I have to trust isaiah I've been stuck since 2008 it involves my family blood relatives as well they may not know but they possible are on a spiritual walk. They know nothing about religion they can't read or barely I ask God to shield and protect to be there fortress there rock also psalm 91
Yes, certainly I am the first , but as is written in Isaiah 48:v.6 and 7:
6 Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
7 They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold,I knew them.
And Paul Apostle wrote:1Cor.2:v.9-11:
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love Him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of GOD.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of GOD knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Well, the battle is against THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS LIKE FROGS - A SATANIC TRINITY
And the angel of the Lord said- Revelation 17:v.15: The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Scripture is clear:This quoted verse reveals us the AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT of these spirits of demons like frogs which guide the peoples or rule the nations of all tongues in whole earth, through all kind of devilish systems, as religious systems (catholicism, and Judaism, and spiritism, budhism, islamism, among many others), and political systems, and military systems, and social and cultural systems, among others systems. In fact, Satan goes to and fro and from walking up and down among them.
By the way,the new NAME of Satan in the current time of Apocalypse is Dragon.Rev.12:v.9-And the great Dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his messengers(2Cor.11:v.13-15)were cast out with him.
10 Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the Power of His Christ...
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
Maranatha. Lord come soon!
Agape.
There is only one time that I am aware of where a literal heaven was spoken against; in this case a book on Postmillenialism. I don't have the book with me at present (it may be buried in a box somewhere). I should note that one good point was in that book; namely that many of the PreMil camp tend to state or act as though the gates of hell are too powerful; rather than holding out to the promises that they will not prevail until the end ( Matthew 16:18). In the proper context (as opposed to a Dominioninsm mentality) this is a valid criticism of many who are hiding out waiting for the Rapture and not occupying until He comes ( Luke 19:13).
In regard to hell; however of course there are many more professing believers who have convinced themselves that it is merely a symbolic statement. Such often tend to hold on to a cessation mentality; that is of a human soul before the final Resurrection presumably at the end of the Millennium or at least the Rapture. They think that someone will simply wake up thinking it was just a moment before that they died at the Resurrection; thus making the suffering of the lost delayed into the future to assuage their conscience (often if not for their own fate for that of their loved ones at present who have died). Of course; in light of verses such as 2 Corinthians 5:8; and Hebrews 9:27 among others this seems like a ridiculous concept. I would argue this point of a belief in literal hell is important enough that we cannot consider fellowship with other believers who don't agree at least in our own place of corporate worship. Again; we can try to witness to them the truth. This is needed doctrine because we need to explain the grave state of the lost; and that there is NO peace for the wicked. ( Isaiah 48:22 and many other passages). Hell not being literal is due to a misunderstanding of the meaning for the grave and sheol (the land of the dead).
1 Timothy 3:16
Colossians 1:14-20
John 14:6
Isaiah 48:12, Revelation 22:13
My interpretation: Jesus is a big deal. Probably bigger than we realize and He loves us and died for each of us that we may choose to follow Him. God bless.
Matthew 13:24-43 discusses the parable of the wheat and the tares; ending with a private discussion with the Disciples. This necessity of such a condition WITHIN the professing church also must exist along with the general contrast between believers and unbelievers. Therefore; in general we must not only have confession but POSSESSION of the Holy Spirit in order to have genuine salvation (see Ezekiel 36:26). This principle in scripture cannot be overemphasized; if Christ found His greatest resistance from the "religious" leaders among the Jews of that day; we can be certain much of our opposition will come from those calling themselves Christians. Surely judgment begins at the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17).
If we are honest with history there are errors that can be found with fallible human beings even in the best denominations (sometimes despite truthful doctrines). I call Satan the "equal opportunity destroyer" because he doesn't discriminate as to what means of deception he uses and hence it fits his character hating everyone created in the image of God. He only hates the most those who are a threat to his kingdom; those who can see past the veil over all mankind ( 2 Cor. 4:3-6). His methods are myriad-mind control; fear; temptations; bondage; etc. People are used according to his purpose and we should be aware that his web is everywhere in this current world system. Things can and must get worse; worse than in all human history as Jesus promised for the end times to come for God's plans to come to fruition ( Matt. 24:21). Of course the world wants to hear that peace is coming "peace; peace when there is no peace." ( Jeremiah 6:14). There is no peace; however for the wicked as God states in Isaiah 48:22 and other places in that book and the rest of scripture as well.
Incredibly the world will fall for "the lie" ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). Whatever utopia is offered (AI or otherwise) God will use to purge the dross
The word says that scripture has to be understood by applying other scriptures to it.
The NEW COVENANT, the gospel, was preached to THEM as well as unto US.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, salvation is of the Jews.
Romans 2:29 For he is a JEW, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is in the heart, IN THE SPIRIT .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST, has made us free from the LAW of sin and DEATH ...
This same gospel was preached to them as well as us.
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are the UNDEFILED in the way ( John 14:6) who WALK in the LAW OF the LORD ( Romans 8:2).
Ezekiel 36:27 I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to WALK in my STATUTES, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in HIS WAYS.
Psalms 119:5 Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy STATUTES!
The Spirit CAUSES us TO DO his will, the words that come out of our mouth, are his words, the works of our hands, are his works.
Isaiah 48:18 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this, I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am I, and HIS SPIRIT HAS SENT ME ( Romans 8:2).
John 14:24 ...and the word ye hear are not mine, but the Father's which sent me ....
Mark 10:8 And they TWAIN shall be ONE FLESH: so they are no more TWAIN, but ONE FLESH ...
The same SPIRIT that sent Christ and raised him up, and we as JOINT HEIRS, abides in us, our words are not ours by the Father's that anoints us.
The wages if UNBELIEF is DEATH.
The GIFT of BELIEF is IMMORTAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTAL LIFE......
God BLESS YOU!
Is God a universalist?
Isaiah 48:16 ...and HIS Spirit has SENT ME ......
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify, that the Father SENT his son to be SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD....
ONLY the carnal mind of man refuses to BELIEVE that Christ will not do what his Father SENT him TO DO.
Can one be the saviour of the world UNLESS he saves the world.
Hebrews 2:8 ... we see NOT YET all things put under him .....
Ephesians 2:8 .... that in the AGES TO COME ......
Is one foolish enough to believe this age is all there is, why is it so hard to believe Christ will save most in the AGES TO COME.
Your SAVED from DEATH.
God Bless YOU!
God speaking:
Isaiah 48:12 "Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last."
Jesus speaking:
Revelation 22:13 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Read and Believe!
Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the "Alpha and Omega" in
Revelation 1:8;
Revelation 21:6; and
Revelation 22:13.
Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
It's common to use the first and the last letters of the Hebrew alphabet to denote the whole of anything from beginning to end. Jesus as the beginning and end of all things is a reference to no one but God!
This statement of eternality could apply only to God.
It is equivalent to saying He always existed and always will.
The phrase also identifies Him as the God of the Old Testament. Isaiah ascribes this aspect of Jesus' nature as part of the triune God in several places. "I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last I am He" Isaiah 41:4.
"I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God"
Isaiah 44:6.
I am he; I am the first, I also am the last" Isaiah 48:12.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMIGHTY. Revelation 1:8
I hope this helps.
God bless.
Continuing with the thought on deliverance; there are verses which state we are not to be hasty in laying on of hands with someone ( 1 Tim. 5:22). Obviously; the extended conversations with demons that are almost always on camera are not needed most of the time based on how Christ operated. It is often obvious this is for entertainment value; and certainly isn't helpful if someone is in need of deliverance to toy with the demons in them or keep them waiting. It is rare but not unheard of to see a person who is going through great grief be prayed for that is NOT possessed; or perhaps just oppressed.
If we look at the example of the parable of the seed and sower in Matthew 13:20 we see immediate joy at the Word without a root. Nonetheless we are to confess with our mouth AND believe in our heart that Christ is Lord; both mind and soul are involved. ( Romans 10:9). Since our heart is deceitful ( Jeremiah 17:9) above all things and desperately wicked; we need a new heart as Ezekiel 36:26 states. I have pointed out before that unless we realize that we are being delivered from an enmity with God we aren't going to be drawn toward Christ; we are going to shrink back and eventually fall away. ( Romans 8:7 as well as in many other passages!) BUT; as with anything else joy is the second attribute of good fruit that the Spirit MUST begin to place in our souls after love as the first ( Gal. 5:22). Note that the THIRD attribute is peace; so if we are truly saved we start to overcome fear; on the other hand there is no peace for the wicked. ( Isaiah 48:22; and other parts of Isaiah and Psalms; etc.)
Part of maturity in Christ is knowing the difference between spiritual fruit and our emotions. Seeing Paul's example of joy in extreme suffering certainly is a good example of this as well as Christ's love for us that He would suffer as He did to fulfill the Father's will.
Fellowship should balance mind and heart worship rightly
I believe Richard H Priday provided another good example of answering your question where he said:
"God did create hell as well; but originally it was meant for the Devil and his angels. ( Matt. 25:41). Clearly; men enter in there because they are following their master; namely Satan rather than God. Therefore; all things work out for the good for those who love God ( Romans 8:28); but conversely; there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; other passages)."
For you to reject these Bible-based 'Contrasts' depicted in the Bible to then ask questions like:
- Would you agree that whenever Light enters darkness, the darkness is abolished?
- If yes, then if God is darkness as He is Light, then He must be capable of abolishing Himself.
- Light abolishes darkness merely by showing us the darkness is not there. If this is true and God is responsible and the Source for both Light and darkness, then He would literally abolish Himself into non existence.
COMMENT: It seems your desire is to enter into "...foolish questions...and contentions" that I am not prepared to enter into on the following basis:
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." ( Titus 3:9)
Sorry, One eighty, but I m trying to be helpful here and not offensive.
God did create hell as well; but originally it was meant for the Devil and his angels. ( Matt. 25:41). Clearly; men enter in there because they are following their master; namely Satan rather than God. Therefore; all things work out for the good for those who love God ( Romans 8:28); but conversely; there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; other passages).
Those who truly know Christ have already gone from darkness into light ( 1 Peter 2:9; etal). We also are able to escape any of the second death ( Rev. 20:7). It is in men's hearts where the god of this world has blinded them; not in the physical realm at this time ( 2 Cor. 4:4). Therefore the darkness of spiritual blindness is basically the essence of evil; so in that sense if we aren't careful what we consider light is really darkness ( Luke 11:35).
Deuteronomy 29:29 shows how we can't fathom God's hidden counsel.
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
When we consider how God is patient and wanting to see no one to perish we certainly are aware of different perspectives of this statement. A Universalist; for example would take this to mean that eventually all will be made right with Christ (i.e all will be saved). This; of course is a spurious argument for what should be obvious by many other verses such as Matthew 7:13-14.
A second thought is that God is waiting to give everyone opportunity to "choose" whether or not to "accept Christ as their personal Savior." I am not going to use this space to delve into that argument either; I will leave it at this; in the end a set number will come to Christ and the same can be said for those who aren't ultimately saved. No matter how you slice it; Christ is already Lord and King of Glory whether or not we decide to acknowledge it; and if He truly is Lord then we can no longer dictate our own lives as to the terms of redemption or how we choose to live our lives after we are saved.
It makes more sense to me to look at those who are called and chosen as to their whole time frame (pre and post their statement of faith). We need to keep in mind that we were all following the god of this world before coming to Christ and therefore enemies of God. As such; we are under the mercy of His Divine Lordship as to being offered terms of peace and reconciliation through the means of the atonement. So His longsuffering is just as much for His people as for the unsaved masses in general in forestalling His judgment (and I would argue more so).
Whether we sling the term "common grace" to the fact that there is some comfort for the unregenerate while still in this earthly existence or not; we all need to realize that if saved we are dead to our old nature and lives on this earth. Pleasure only is for those He has called out ( Psalm 16:11) and there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22 and many other verses).
They could be basing their claim on any one of the following pieces of scripture:
John 1:1, John 1:14, John 8:24, John 8:58, John 10:30-33, John 20:28, Hebrews 1:8, Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:5-8, Psalm 45:6.
The Bible tells us that we are to worship God alone, and yet Jesus received worship and never rebuked anyone who worshipped Him. We see evidence of this in Matthew 2:2, Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 28:9, John 9:35-38, Hebrews 1:6.
Isaiah 44:6 reads, "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides me."
In Rev 1:17, it says "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as a dead man." In Daniel 10:8-9, Daniel did the same thing. When he saw this vision of Christ, he fell down as he was dead. In Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel sees the vision and he falls down as a dead man. It goes on to say "Fear not; I am the first and the last: (the designation of God, found in Isaiah 41:4, and Isaiah 48:12).
In Revelation 1:18, it says I am He that lives, and this is another designation of God found in Psalm 84:2, and Joshua 3:10.
I am He that lives. God presents Himself to the Jews as the living God. He says I am He that lives, and was dead; literally, and became dead, and behold, I am living forevermore, His resurrection, His eternalness.
And then it reads, Amen; and I have the keys of hell and of death. Keys are a symbol of authority. Those who were in charge of the temple had the keys to the temple. We are told later on that the Lord (Jesus) will be in control of hell and death.
In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks His disciples who do you say I am? Peter had the perfect answer. Peter said "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Peter was Jewish. The phrase "Son of the living God" from a Hebrew standpoint is a phrase used for God. To a Jew, claiming to be the Son of God was considered blasphemy, but that was Peter's response to who Jesus was
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ (Christ is the word, so there shall arise false words), and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE (but is not possible), they should deceive the very elect.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, WHO WERE ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION .....
God says he himself has caused this and brought it to pass.
Luke 22:31 ....Satan has desired to have you, THAT HE MAY SIFT YOU as wheat ....
Luke 22:32 But I WILL PRAY FOR YOU: that your faith (the faith of Christ) fail not .... IT'S CHRIST'S WORKS ....
Isaiah 28:21 ....that he may do HIS WORK, HIS STRANGE WORK; and bring TO PASS his act, HIS STRANGE ACT.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it, What makest thou? OR THY WORK, He hath no hands?
Isaiah 48:10 Behold I have refined the, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself; but endureth for awhile, and when tribulations and persecutions ariseth because of the WORD, by and by he is offended.
Christ had many disciples, but when the words became to hard for them they went the way of the world.
Matthew 13:23 ..... and false prophets, shall show great signs and wonders .....
Revelation .... and with him the false prophet ....were cast alive into the a lake of fire burning with BRIMSTONE
Isaiah 30:33 ....the breath of the Lord, like a stream of BRIMSTONE, doeth kindle it.
Isaiah 33:14 ...Who among us SHALL DWELL with the devouring fire ( Hebrews 12:29)? who amongst us SHALL DWELL with everlasting burning?
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 9:18 ...and the people shall be the fuel of the fire .....
God Bless YOU!
Have you considered Revelation 21:6-7? God the Father appears to also say He's the Alpha and Omega and He says "I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
Also, besides Revelation 22:13 Jesus saying He's first and last, God the Father also says he's first and last in Isaiah 48:12.
Also peculiar is how Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 is called "The mighty God" and "The everlasting Father."
I think its likely that the 3 are more 'one' than separate. There is only one God and we're talking about micro separations or personalities within the one God. And the most separation that occurred was temporarily when the Son transformed into a temporary man. This is where Jesus prayed to the Father, but people make inferences and draw assumptions based on that as if that's status quo, when in reality it's not. The Son is a spirit (not a man) that has always been John 1:1-3 and is one with the Father. I think many times God or LORD is used in the Bible is likely talking about the Godhead or trinity. That is why it says 'we' and 'us' plural.
Chris gave a good answer, I'd like to add to the discussion. Please note the verse right before, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 29:10, sometimes we want GOD to change our situations "right now", sometimes HE does, but I believe this promise, is for GOD's people when we need the encouragement for the troubled times & endurance in longer seasons. Notice in Daniel, he & his companions had went through many difficult moments but GOD in miraculous ways delivered them, protected them & even encouraged them. I believe it was after Daniel was thrown in the lions den that he fasted & humbly prayed about the promise made in Jeremiah 29:10,11, Daniel 9:1,2,3, still waiting on that promise of 70 years,
note Daniel 6:1,2,3, (for why I place the timing, seemingly after lions den) the noted scriptures referring to about Daniel's encouragement, & companions, some say "the greater the trial the greater the miraculous": Daniel 1:8,9,17, Daniel 2:12,13,17,23 Daniel 3:12-27, Daniel 4:19,24,25, Daniel 5, Daniel 6:7,10,16,22,28, Daniel 9:23, Daniel 10:11,12,18, Daniel 11:1,
Luke 10:19, there are moments that are painful but when we look at Salvation, the pruning, witness to strengthen the Body of Believers, then we realize it didn't "hurt us".
I hope these scriptures give you strength & hope= 1Peter 4:12,13, 2Corinthians 1:3-7, John 15:1-2, 1Corinthians 4:5, 2Corinthians 3:2, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3, 2Timothy 2:10, Psalms 30:5,
In correction= Isaiah 48:10,11, Malachi 3:2, Proverbs 3:11-35, Hebrews 12:7, 2Thessalonians 1:4,
Endure even undue trials= 2Timothy 2:3, 2Timothy 4:5, remember Timothy was with Paul in ministry during persecution. 1Peter 2:19, Mark 13:13, James 5:10,11,
James 5:13-18, 2Chronicles 7:14,
Hopefully these are helpful & encouraging
Giannis says Israel, that seems very contradictory to the WORD: Romans 11, whole chapter. Notice, Luke 13:22-35, note Luke 13:27, iniquity, Matthew 7, Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 48:12, Matthew 24:48-51,
Matthew 20:1-16, again arrogance & expecting more reward than another? Again if you go back a little in context Jesus is telling them don't forbid the children to come to Him. Matthew 19:14, continued the same event follows. Matthew 19:14-30, so Matthew 20, is repeating the teaching of 1st, & last; meekness, in another perspective same teaching. Matthew 10:22,24,25,42, Matthew 10:5-42, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:44, Matthew 20:27, Matthew 18:3,4,5,
Hopefully these are helpful
Not to debate you on this because to hold the view you hold you would have to ignore 2 thirds of scripture.
Here's just a few.
Ezekiel 11:17-20 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Jeremiah 32:37-40. Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
Isaiah 48:8-11. Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I KNEW THAT THOU WOULDEST DEAL VERY TREACHEROUSLY, AND WAST CALLED A TRANSGRESSORS FROM THE WOMB.
FOR MY NAME'S SAKE WILL I DEFER MINE ANGER, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
FOR MINE OWN SAKE, EVEN FOR MINE OWN SAKE, WILL I DO IT: FOR HOW SHOULD MY NAME BE POLLUTED? And I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY UNTO ANOTHER.
God's name is tied to the existence and restoration of Israel.
God's role in Creation is in the following two verses; and verses 14 to 15 reiterate the theme also from Jeremiah that God was using other nations to judge Israel and indeed shows favor so that their invasion is ensured to succeed in His timing. Then verse 16 talks about God and states "and now the Lord God; and His Spirit hath sent me." This shows the whole Godhead; with Christ being the one sent. Verse 17 shows God leading Israel; even when they are in exile He still is there and they are to return back after 70 years. Verse 18 reminds us of Christ when He said that as little birds He would have led them but they refused; they didn't know the day of their visitation. The multiplying of the nation according to verse 19 would have been quicker had they remained obedient. God promises provision in their diaspora (verse 20-21); which could also refer to the time He protects them in the wilderness in Revelation for 1260 days. Finally; the last verse indicates that there is no peace for the wicked; which is repeated in Isaiah 57:21; and similar themes in Psalms and elsewhere.
Isaiah 48:12-13, 46:9-11, 45:20-25, 44:6-9 all speak of the God of the Bible being the one and only God in all of time and creation. There is no other, and never will be another. So, for me. I would read these to a person (perhaps not all in one sitting) and let God do the rest.
There are probably many more verses you can find by searching key words. I will pray that God will prepare te hearts of those you will share with so that the true Word of God will be received by faith.
Recently GOD's been showing me more in these scriptures. Daniel also is the only one that I've found where an angel says was greatly beloved, Daniel 10:11, Daniel 10:19, there seems to be a distinction in this address. GOD knows us & everything thing we have suffered, everything taken from us, even wrongful sterilization. He loves us! Hopefully this is also encouraging in a deep way as it has been to me. Yes I believe GOD addresses people personally & callings differ. Moses, Hosea, Ezekiel are few examples Daniel another. Sometimes HE calls us to do things others have not been called to nor had precedence for. Like Noah. In my life I've been reminded of this scripture more than once [1 Kigs 13:8-10,15,16,17,18,21,22,*24,] 1 Kings 13:1-32, we must obey GOD ALMIGHTY in what HE calls us to do personally.
When I say a distinction the wording is a little Different than Isaiah 48:14, 2 Samuel 2:24, 1 Kings 10:9, Revelations 1:5, Revelations 3:9, John 14:20, Mark 10:21, & even Matthew 3:17 because CHRIST is the SON, THE WAY TRUTH & LIGHT, LIFE. If I had my Exhaustive Concordance at hand, I would study it more fully.
Mathew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33, Psalm 37:1-40,
2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 48:6, Revelation 21:5, 2 Peter 3:13, Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1,
Mathew 6:30-33
Hopefully this is helpful & encouraging.
So you want us to disregard all of this scripture?
Isaiah 44:6
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
Isaiah 48:12
"Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last."
Revelation 1:8
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:17-18
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 21:6-7
6 "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son"
Revelation 22:12-17 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Based on Scripture - Jesus is God.
God Bless.
According to Isaiah 48:18 water is liken to peace.
so possibly a peace of mind. Philippians 4:7
interesting choice. thanks
2 Corinthians 4:17
Hebrews 11:25
James 5:10
Isaiah 48:10
Psalms 22:24
James 1:27
Hopefully these are helpful
Yes, certainly I am the first , but as is written in Isaiah 48:v.6 and 7:
6 Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
7 They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold,I knew them.
And Paul Apostle wrote:1Cor.2:v.9-11:
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love Him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of GOD.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of GOD knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Well, the battle is against THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS LIKE FROGS - A SATANIC TRINITY
And the angel of the Lord said- Revelation 17:v.15: The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Scripture is clear:This quoted verse reveals us the AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT of these spirits of demons like frogs which guide the peoples or rule the nations of all tongues in whole earth, through all kind of devilish systems, as religious systems (catholicism, and Judaism, and spiritism, budhism, islamism, among many others), and political systems, and military systems, and social and cultural systems, among others systems. In fact, Satan goes to and fro and from walking up and down among them.
By the way,the new NAME of Satan in the current time of Apocalypse is Dragon.Rev.12:v.9-And the great Dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his messengers(2Cor.11:v.13-15)were cast out with him.
10 Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the Power of His Christ...