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Holy Spirt states 1John 2:1 children do not sin, & if you do. Indicating their state
Then in 1John 2:12-14 Holy Spirit distinguishes the maturity of the believers, as children who sins are forgiven for His name sake, the young men who have overcome the wicked one & the fathers that have known Him from the beginning, each according to the measure of the Spirit they received in their growth in Christ.
1Pet 5:1 Peter here makes a distinction, in exhorting the elders that are among them
1John 2:6
Your wrong it does imply this, as plenty of Scriptures confirms this.
Rom 8:29, conformed to the image of His Son,
1John 3:3 pure as He is pure
Gal 2:20 not I but Christ lives in me, only the pure in heart see & experience this on the spiritual level Paul is speaking from here.
we think, talk & walk as He did. 1Cor 2:16 we have the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5
2Pet 1:3 freely has given us all things,
Luke 10:19 He's not talking about physically hurt here, as the Scriptures give witness too.
Luke 12:5 & that fear is to depart from evil, sin along can hurt us.
Col 3:10 Ephesians 4:23,24 the renewing of our minds in the knowledge after the image of Him that created him,
"the new man", is the work of Sanctification of the Spirit, bringing us into ever increasing measures of growth to maturity in Christ, the divine nature, fruits of the Spirit & ultimately being born again of the Incorruptible Seed,
your comparisons paragraph
you end with "how are you going to walk differently? You answered your own question
quoting you "I DON'T always in the human perfectly follow" one's not abiding in the Vine & according to this Scriptural statement, one has transgress against the Light, which the Spirit declares in the contest of these Scriptures is that one is still a child, for the young men have overcome the wicked one & the fathers have likewise.
Last par; Yes, this is the heart of the Father in sending His Son, Christ being the first born among many brethern
As humans He created, we cannot attain to His infinite and boundless Holiness, but in Christ we will become perfected in the life to come to have perfect holy humanity without sin any longer. The angels are also holy and without sin, but they are creatures and thus not holy in the sense of being separate
Friend, its not God's holiness that in dispute here, but our inheritance in Christ, now in this life.
The holy, innocent, pure, blameless, unreproachable life of Christ is our inheritance Rom 8:29 becoming partakers of His Divine Nature, the Fruits of His Spirit which against such there is no law, In Christ, the Father withholds nothing of Himself from us, for Luke 12:32
Its is a perfection of holiness that can be added too, as one grows in knowledge & understanding through the appearance of Grace in our hearts 2Cor 4:6,7
It's known, felt, consummated & possess in this life & is rewarded in the next. 2 Timothy 4:7,8
Christ prayer is answered John 17:21-24
Holiness is none other than being engrafted into God, union & oneness with Him in heart, mind & soul, for He along is Holy
This is the greatness of the salvation Christ purchase, that Hebrews declares "ought not to be neglected".
For 1Thessalonians 4:7 2Thessalonians 2:13,14
G4047 Obtaining: acquisition, possession (the act or the thing); by extension, preservation, peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.
Concerning angels Mark 8:28
G40- most holy, consecrated
They are separated, Rev 19:10 "I am thy fellowservant, & of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus, worship God"
Your quote is unscriptural,
you are advocating a life of continuous in sin & repentance for life term, there's no fellowship, union or knowing Him in this state according to Scriptures, this teaching becomes a stumbling block to the babes in Christ, Whom God is leading in the Way of holiness, your directly contradicting the teaching of Christ who says deny self & "sin not" & put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Part four,
2 Peter 2:20. They had the knowledge of the Lord and Savior; they were saved and had escaped the pollutions/sins of the world. Can we escape sin outside of Christ? They choose to go back to a life of habitual, intentional, and willful sin. And their punishment will be worse, Luke 12:47-48.
Galatians 6:9 This to me is obedience, It says unless we faint, to me that is to give up, quit, intentionally turn away, we reap life everlasting. Colossians 1:23 "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel". If we continue that is a choice, we must make that is not given that is our obedience.
Jude 1:21 We are to keep ourselves, the Holy Spirit helps us, but this is something we do and if we do, He will keep us from falling. 2 Peter 1:10 If we do, it is not done for us, we have been given but it is up to us to obey and do, if they have forgotten they had to know it to forget it. If We Do!!! we shall never fall. Hebrews 6:13-16 What Abraham did, in his faith, he waited for a long time he endured. He did not faint or grow weary or turn his back to God, the evidence of his faith, just like when he drew back the knife.
This is not about a Christian who is struggling and battling sin regardless of how long they struggle they are still in the race and if they repent and return in the light will be forgiven and in the grace of God. As David said restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, Psalms 51:12. We all are in a battle with our flesh and sin daily. We can lose the joy of salvation and if we come under repentance, we will still be in God's grace but without repentance, we will be cut off.
See part 5.
I discussed the other day about the Rosh Hashanah last trump concept that made it plausible that the Rapture would be this weekend. Clearly it went by again with no Rapture.
When we look at various events in scripture; we see the surprise element. Surely those watchmen who are asleep or not preparing others will be surprised when He comes (as many will be watching on high holidays such as this and Pentecost).
( Luke 12:35-40). The enemy camp is taken easiest this way in a successful ambush. Watching and waiting with patience is more than a one or two day spectator sport. It does seem that SOME warning comes before the bridegroom arrives ( Matt. 25:6); although some say this is deliverance perhaps before the second coming or even the midpoint of the Tribulation for the Jews or those on earth at that time. In any event; the idea that the Lord delays His coming brings laziness and sin ( Matthew 24:48-51) and results it appears becoming a statistic stuck in the Tribulation at best in verse 51 if not lost forever.
I am a Pre Trib person because it seems clear to me DECADES ago the enemy could have taken over the whole world and certainly we are on "borrowed time" today; the "restrainer" in 2 Thess. 2:6 has to be the Spirit working through the church.
The fact that only a few are really living fully surrendered today shows why in large part the salt and light has reduced to allow the level of ecil we see widespread today. This is in the world as expected but in the Laodicean church that typifies Western churches and that of many other countries in the world today.
Let us continue to warn others to flee the wrath to come ( Luke 3:7); whether it be imminent unexpected death or being stuck in the Tribulation. Remember that Christ comes as a thief to take His precious treasure ( 1 Thess. 5:2; Malachi 3:17). A thief such as this doesn't care about the profane; just the sacred objects of His affection.
Agape.
The attitude of a believer to the spirit of life is demonstrated in this incident "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?/ But he(Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of./ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."( Luke 9:54-56) John was for imitating the exploits of Elias while Jesus was for fulfilling the will of God. John and James had to learn which would come by and by, and only after they received the Holy Spirit. As many as are led by the Spirit are the children of God.
Water and fire are two witnesses to which Jesus alluded in Luke 12:54-56
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control so symbols, emblem and events are all in accordance so God is in control. The fourth beast in the vision of Daniel is about to fulfill in not so distant future. "Even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows". Well my readers say hello to the High Tech! Meet the killer robot and AI he is a little gizmo, little horn that has eyes and mouth to speak. " I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them."(Dan.7:20-21) It is the same spirit of Satan even as he gave the beast power to blaspheme. It came out of the ten horns, which indicate he is under judgment.
Who but a man makes a robot works? He cannot work with wisdom of heaven which is the significance of God being with Moses, "And I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Ex.4:12). "Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments./For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods"(Ex.7:11-12) The eternal Word in control.
Luke 12:49-56
Two Witnesses
"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?"(v.56).
This could be Jesus asking in our times and with the climate on a crisis mode how apt it is! In continuation to the series we have just covered we shall begin with the face of the sky and face of the earth representing two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. An overcomer has to handle both worlds as one, and no other way. It is hypocrisy to set divisions on the face of the earth and expect the Christians to be part of the same body of Christ. Hunting with dogs, ('Beware of dogs') and running with hares during revival meetings shall have only one winner, and it is Satan. But Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. In the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun the 10 horns of the great dragon tell that he is under judgment. So whosoever backs his gospel and his anti-christ is doomed for destruction.
Jesus said in the above mentioned text,-and he gave a strong indication of the great tribulation his Advent would mean but the life of men called to be witnesses in a wicked world has to be by the light he represents. It is a fire already kindled to which we shall cite the destruction of Sodom and the cities of the plains. God lives in unapproachable light but also as we see in the night vision of Daniel is a consuming fire. (Dan.7). We shall begin with his quote: "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?/ But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"(vv.49-50)
In the previous post titled "With the Remnant of Her Seed" we had mentioned two witnesses namely water and fire. The two pillars that served the Israelites till they reached Canaan were forerunner of the baptism of which the various sects are mostly taken up with only that of water. (1 Co.10:1-3)
Nothing is hid from God's presence, "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known".( Luke 12:2). Face in the parlance of the Spirit is simply a term to define a surface that is open before God, and implies beginning of a process, as in the face of Cain. God asks him, "The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?" (Ge.4:6-ESV). His 'countenance' (KJV) or face was open before him.
By the same token the creation account presents, "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters".(Ge.1:2). Its reaction we have in this verse, "The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled" (Ps.77:16).
From the convulsions the deep presented before the Spirit we can infer that the face holds a quality. As God tells Job ' it is turned as the clay to the seal.'( Job 38:14) This explains the manner God framed the worlds by his word. He commanded 'Fiat Lux' and consequently the things, which came to the surface were seen, as hidden depths of Cain's heart were mirrored in his face. The will of God brought the earth as clay to the seal. It is as finished as the will of God shall be complete and wanting nothing more. So we have this certainty, "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."(Ro.11:29-NKJV)
Face is the presence of God, which St Paul annotates in this verse, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."(2 Co.4:6) Coming back to the creation account the Spirit of God moving upon the waters gave every water vapor a certain ability to know the glory of God, ( Jas 4:14). Ro.1:19-20. "So we are without excuse."
Instead of a veil the Ch. 4 we have 'a sea of glass like unto crystal'. (cf.Ez.1). When Lamb opens the fifth seal "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held (Re.6:9)." We have a great congregation to whom Psalmist speaks of. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;"(Re.5:11) (Ps.40:9) " have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest."
Each believer witness before this great congregation.These are cloud of witnesses (He.12:1) and they figure in the night vision of Daniel."A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him"(Dan.7:10)'
It is for this reason Jesus warned," For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known./ Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."(( Luke 12:2-3) Elisha for this reasonwhould know what King of Syria had planned(2 Ki.6"12-17)
What is our heart but a Spiritual space where truth serves as our guide. Indwelling Spirit serves us as an in-house tutor. As many as are led by it are the sons of God for whom the third heavens serve as the presence. 'My presence shall go with thee and give thee rest.(Ex.33:15)'
I agree this should not cause any division, we must always treat each other with care and love of growing in faith and knowledge of the word of God.
Everlasting punishment, I once understood the same as you on this when we read Matt. 18:8 Matt. 25:46 and 2 Thess. 1:9 they seem to support it. And the verses that have "weeping or wailing and gnashing of teeth" that I cringe every time I read them. So, after the white throne judgment, all the wicked and unsaved people will be cast into the lake of fire the everlasting fire Rev. 20:15 Rev. 21:8 and they have a conscious eternal, everlasting, forever and ever suffering.
On the other hand, we have Matt. 10:28 God can destroy both soul and body in hell/geenna. This carries us back to that other topic the immortal soul. In John 3:16 and Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The wicked will perish, be destroyed, and be consumed. If the wicked are to be tortured in the lake of fire forever, they would also be given eternal life.
The fire is everlasting, it is permanent they will be destroyed and never come back they will not ever live again. We see what eternal fire can do in Jude 1:7 with Sodom and Gomorrha they were destroyed and have never returned.
Rev. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
You may see this verse differently but "shall have their part in the lake" I understand as God's fair justice, like stripes in Luke 12:48. Just punishment for their works or should be said their wickedness. If the wages of sin is death I believe the second death is everlasting death, forever to be no more, not everlasting punishment.
Just my understanding thanks again for your replies.
God bless,
RLW
Love. The last thing the flesh wants to hold on to is eros love and all the tentacles of seduction affecting the eyes; body and soul from the world; flesh and the devil ( James 3:15). Our hearts need to heed His voice; and stay within the confines of the partner God has given us in a covenant marriage only for expression of these affections. Many other things such as loving God's creation more than the Creator Himself; loving our own family and friends above the Lord; and any other emotions that distract us from our walk with God must be culled. This involves music in particular; recreational drugs and alcohol as well as anything good or bad that is not under control of the Spirit. ( Colossians 3:23).
Other emotions. Generally; good or bad fruits show opposing traits for those under the control of the Spirit as compared with the flesh. Hetred; strife; and enmity for example being bad fruit; love; joy and peace good fruit with many other expressions listed in scripture as well. As with any addict who is recovered any believer has to realize that we indeed have no power to stop the downward spiral into these behaviors once intoxicated with them; whether it leads to violence or self destructive results.
Planning for our future. Greed and covetousness is a sin and to be avoided. (see 10th Commandment; Luke 12:15). However; taking loans on high interest and high credit card debts to get the thrill of material items now basically robs ourselves. It is good and honorable to have an inheritance for family members; but of course we should always prioritize for the Lord in supporting missions as well as our local church. Wise planning brings prosperity; but the love of many things the opposite ( Deut 17:17)-Solomon may have had record wealth; but Ecclesiastes shows how all is vanity if God doesn't come in first and how other things crowd out the desire for God.
the rapture that everyone is talking about in today Christendom is a myth, divise from a theological cemetry in Dallas Tx if I understand right & yes I meant cemetery, cemetery & seminary are spiritual synonyms
Jesus prayed, John 17:15 John 17:20
Titus 2:11-14 appearing of the Great God & Savior is the Grace of God that appears to all mankind, His spiritual appearance in everyones heart, making it possible for all the other Scriptures you quoted possible.
The tribulations are our spiritual inward trials & suffering as Christ breaks thru the darkness that we're captivated too,& redeems, delivers & translate us into the kingdom of His dear Son, through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Spirit unto the new creature, culminating the work of sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of of the Blood/Life of Jesus within us. When were truely born again, experientially Matt 3:11,12 He gathers us unto the Garder, seeing Him spirituallly come in the clouds in great glory. We're still here on earth, but we're spiritual conscious of heaven 2Cor 2:17
The writers of the NT were speaking in the present tense, they said "we" it would be a cruel hoax to tell them to look for Him when it would be over 2000yrs later. Jesus said Luke 17:20-23 Luke 9:27 to those who were with Him then.
Luke 11:2 Luke 12:32 here & now, this is the exceedingly great glory of the Christ sacrifice John 17:21-24
In Love & Truth
Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
May the Lord bless you & keep you, may His Light shine upon you & give you peace..
in Love & Truth
Frankie J
"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
I believe we have a all knowing God who can't be surprised who stands on the outside of time looking in!
Anything you are going to do next week or next year, in God's view you did it yesterday!
How can we know his judgments?
We know that he's just and we're all guilty.
He's righteous, Merciful, longsuffering and he's just, beyond what we can comprehend.
With that being said our minds don't measure up when trying to understand his Judgments.
So if we use his attributes along with what is consistent throughout ALL scripture as a principle to guide us we should come to conclusion hearing and receiving the word of God or refusing to hear and rejecting the word of God plays the primary role in God's Judgment.
So there must be an age of maturity enough for one to understand they need an savior because little two year old Billie is a sinner and he don't know it.
An accountability is likely when one matures and have understanding of some sort of consequences for sin, Some acknowledgement of the need for a savior.
And I believe God judges them according to what they receives.
Here's a few scriptures according to those basics.
Luke 10:13-14
Matthew 10:14-15.
Luke 12:47-48.
God shall judge righteous.
You see a picture of how he uses discretion in judgment in
Genesis 18:23-32.
Genesis 18:35 should be considered along with God's sovereign and foreknowledge and circumstances.
I believe there's a lot more going on in this dark world than what is on the surface and these things should be taken into consideration when questioning God's decision to destroy nations.
We could never fully understand God's methods of Judging but we can take what we do have in scripture and say one would have to be able to comprehend more than what a child is capable of to receive judgment without mercy.
Example.
DEUTERONOMY 1:39
Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day HAD NO KNOWLEDGE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL..
GB.
Thank you for your recent responses. I believe that currently, we have a differing view on the subject of death, and hell. This subject comes up from time to time, and a fresh new thread may be beneficial at some point going forward. This thread is getting a little long so I will try keep this a short response without additional scripture.
You stated that Jesus spoke in parables, yes He did, but much that he spoke about was not in parables, and He can be taken very literally. An example is the verse that I gave you below:
Luke 12:4-5
4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5But 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.
Jesus tells us to fear God because not only can He kill us, He can also send us to hell! I think you believe that Satan and his demons will go to hell.if so, this is the same hell.
If it is as you seem to believe; that when we die as a sinner, we just remain dead forever, Jesus would have plainly said that, and he did not. There would also be no need for a resurrection of "all souls" the just and unjust - for judgement - which is also stated plainly throughout the bible.
GB
Jesus tells us below - that we should fear God as He can cast us into hell.
Luke 12:4-5
4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5But 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.
Here a just a few of many verses stating that the unjust/unbeliever/unrepentant sinner will suffer for eternity in Hell.
Luke 16:22-25
Matt 25:41
Matt 3:12
Matt 25:46
Daniel 12:2
Mark 9:44-49
2 Thess 1:8-9
Rev 20:10
Rev 14:10-11
I know in the world we live in today, the popular belief among many preachers and Christians is that God is only good, kind, loving, and forgiving, and because of this - He will not throw anyone into Hell - to suffer for eternity. But that God will only leave us dead for eternity. This kind of teaching is false doctrine and does not conform to the bible, and Jesus own words. As Christian's we must always have a healthy fear of God.
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
God tells us Hell is real!
Read and Believe!
We see what appears in Luke to be a discussion of those fellowservants who are warning about the coming of the Lord and are "beaten by their fellow servants" ( Luke 12:45). We see that verse 39 and 46 indicate a house being "broken into" and verse 46 talks about being assigned in a place with the hypocrites and cut into pieces. That would be metaphorical language fitting into missing the Rapture; and going through the fire of the Tribulation from the way I see it.
Isaiah 10:5-6 discusses the "Assyrian" God's method of chastisement (one code word for Antichrist) who is used to judge a "hypocritical nation." Hence there is ample reason to at least ascribe this message to Israel as a rebellious nation who doesn't recognize their King until they realize that the one they trusted in turns against them.
There are ignorant people in churches today who God may still save or make their garments white in the Tribulation. Whether these are left behind believers or new believers as part of the witnessing campaign of the 144,000 it is martyrdom that is the test of all who truly believe in Christ. Those who know better and yet are truly His own of course (as with teachers) have a greater responsibility; hence the Lord will have to deal with them more harshly. I look at the Tribulation as being a massive campaign by God for fruit production; which He will get one way or another to His satisfaction. The word Tribulation apparently is related to "Tribulum" or the wheat being ripened and harvested rapidly in the blistering sun. It is good to look at such events in relation to the big picture; the worst persecution brings the greatest glory; and will be used to turn Israel back to the true Savior ( Zech 12:12; Rev. 1:7).
Luke 12:47,48
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Deuteronomy 25:1-3
If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.
How do these passages fit with the conventional understanding that God's Judgment for the wicked is conscious existence and eternal suffering that never ends in a place called Hell?
Would we not expect God's punishment for the wicked to be consistent with His Law and have a limit?
I would like to say that I don't do any grumbling or complaining; but alas then I would be lying. Thankfully anything but blasphemy against the Spirit can be forgiven. As Jesus pointed out to the self-righteous Pharisees; these bad fruits come from within. And 2 Peter 2:21 makes it clear that it is better not to have known the truth than to become reprobate. The blood of Christ is our only hope as Jeremiah 17:9 shows how sick the heart is.
There are Post Millennialists who dispute this; but I don't believe anyone from the church age who is a believer will be at the Great White Throne Judgment. I DO have the opinion that since the verse indicates that those who aren't in the Book of Life are going to the lake of fire; there is room for those who physically survive the Millennial period to go through that as saved people and hence be translated into heaven without dying.
In any event; 1 Corinthians 3:15 indicates that one can make it into heaven and suffer loss. That would be analogous to losing rewards as Revelation 3:11 warns. Paul indicates how we run for the prize. Only a few gain great rewards; as would be indicated by those making 100 fold as opposed to 30 fold returns or others ( Mark 4:20). We should not be confined to just the saved and lost divisions when scripture gives us admonitions for certain crowns that those who persevere; are martyred or are pastors as well as other situations are given for faithfulness.
Matthew 6:19-21 shows us that our treasure is to be in heaven. And that means that He must trust us with earthly riches as well ( Luke 16:10-12) as a test; a prerequisite for heavenly riches. Our brothers in Christ that we support in the ministry will be able to enjoy the harvest with us (see John 4:37). That and personal witnessing are components of fulfilling the Great Commission to finish well.
These verses would apply:
1 Corinthians 15:52
Revelation 3:10
1 Thessalonians 5:9
Luke 12:40
Hope this helps!
According to 1 Corinthians 15:22 at the last trump the Lord comes for His church. Some say that Matthew 24:36 is referring to that day that no man knows the day and hour as being the Jewish feast of Trumpets. There could be something to that; with Christ fulfilling the Spring feasts already; namely the Passover lamb sacrificed for us; and the Pentecost ascension which; by the way was always celebrated on the "8th day" of the week.
As my last post indicates; there is little talk today among most professing believers of the Rapture. We see what could be an analogy of a separation or Rapture of some in Luke 12:45 where the watchmen is beaten by his fellow sorkers. There is even some say that same pattern in Song of Solomon 5:7.
Luke 21:36 instructs us to pray that we are worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man. The original language uses the word "agonia" or something to that affect. Clearly; not all believers are praying in such a manner which questions their walk with God as to either their salvation or their position of readiness. I have probably presented some ideas last year as to whether all Christians are raptured or if some have to go through some of the Tribulation. What is certain is that these warnings; along with Revelation 3:10 are for those who are awake and waiting which I contended in my last posting that Malachi 3:16 spoke of.
Whatever our eschatology; fearing God and anticipating His arrival isn't restricted to those who hold a Pretribulational and Premillenial viewpoint. I have fellowshipped with Amillenials and Post Millenials who had more conviction about Christ coming as well as the terrible judgments on the earth than those who claim what I espouse; namely the Rapture followed by the 7 Year Tribulation and a Millennial rule of Christ before the eternal new earth. Even if I could press my viewpoint it isn't worth splitting hairs; we should all look to the scriptures daily.
My last segment showed how Christ will confess us before the Father; Luke 12:8 further indicates that He will confess us before the angels in heaven. This; of course depends on if we are sheep or goats; wheat or tares. It could be argued the first example is at least focused on the Tribulation and reactions toward the Jews who will be persecuted worldwide at that time ( Matt. 25:36). In the scriptures on wheat and tares things are clearly at first glance identical with both such individuals. This would be focused on those who fall away as well as being of Satan all along; or false converts rather than necessarily the unbelieving world at large who may have no belief in God at all or follow some other faith rather than Christianity.
This key is vital; for once someone has been given enough knowledge they are held to a higher standard. Again; though for now and these scriptures it shows those who started off that way and continue to heap up a reward of evil for themselves until they are cut off (see Psalm 91:8). The harvest is of course known as to the result ahead of time by Christ. We should all agree whatever a final destination is it is known by God and He is a God of all truth and justice as well as righteousness.
Being that apart from Divine Grace we cannot save ourselves or know how to follow the truth; ( Eph. 2:8) we must recognize that even if we have committed no obvious sin for a long time we are in the end no better off than others; we are worse in a Pharisaical sense proud of our own righteousness thinking we can earn our way or find our own way to heaven. It also leaves us vulnerable to Satan who appears as an angel of light ( 2 Cor. 11:14-15). Often missing in the subject of sin is the Father of lies who is behind mens thoughts of evil bringing out the worst in them. ( John 8:44). I will peer into that subject in my next writing.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:8a
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...."
2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Lydia, before I was born again, I was a "half Christian" so to speak, sort of like you said, not 100%. The problem was, I believed and loved Jesus, but I didn't want to give up the world and my sins. I rarely read God's Word, etc. Something happened in my life, and I began reading God's Word...studying it, taking notes, everyday. I'm not kidding, I just started to change. I began to understand God's love for me, and what He wanted from me. I saw my sins for what they were and it broke me. I repented, and gave up the things I was hanging onto. I knew for the first time in my life, I was a true born again Christian. You have to get into God's Word, and be willing to turn from sin and the world. Look up "what is sancification", it's our Christian walk, learning and growing for the rest of our lives. The simple fact that you are asking for help, is your beginning.
The only way to heaven, is through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.