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You quoted Revelation 15:4 in your post which will LITERALLY be fulfille from now on, day after day, and Revelation 6:15-17 reveal that
15 The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid(wiil hide)themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 saying to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the WRATH of the Lamb:
17 For the great Day of His WRATH(the seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium) is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Matthew 25:34 and 41 NS 46
34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels: 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
2 Peter 3:11-12 and 7-8
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be DISSOLVED(dismantled), what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of GOD(the Lord's Day, the seventh Day or seventh millennium), wherein the heavens being on fire shall be DISSOLVED(i.e. the two Covenants will be DISSOLVED), and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?(Yes, GOD is a devouring /consuming fire-See Isaiah 33:12-14)
7 But the heavens(two Covenants)and the earth(Israel,the dry land,the clay),which are now,by the same Word are kept in store,reserved unto fire against this Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But,beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years,and a thousand years as one Day.
The battle is/will be against three unclean spirits like frogs-Re.16:13-15-(why frogs?)
Get ready
This seems pretty clear to me and hard to misunderstand it unless someone tries to twist it.
If someone doesn't believe punishment is eternal then maybe someone should likewise question whether heaven is eternal, because this verse states them both as being everlasting / eternal.
The Bible says the soul will die, the 2nd death, perish, etc. But how do you know that's not the eternal part, or how can you prove that God allows someone to actually suffer without a soul, etc. Basically people are just speculating, and its not going to get very far.
But perhaps we can all agree that hell is bad and heaven is good? Hell is punishment and something to be avoided, and we need Jesus to avoid it. John 3:16 says this.
Revelation 20:10 - And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
You can safely say some will be tormented day and night for ever and ever, because that's literally what this verse says.
Mark 9:43-48 - unquenching fire- you can safely say that hell isn't immediately going away, either. It's likely in full operation.
Revelation 14:11 - And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Daniel 12:1-2 ever lasting life vs ever lasting contempt
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 everlasting destruction. This might debunk the human reasoning idea that death or being destroyed must only happen in a short timeframe. This says it can happen 'ever lasting' which seems long term or eternal. So, this verse now explains all the other verses where it makes sense.
Revelation 14:11 smoke of their torment for ever and ever. That doesn't sound immediate or short term to me, but forever.
God bless you.
(Part 3):
Matthew 25:30 says to cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where is this place and who goes there? How can someone who cease to exist weep or gnash their teeth?
Daniel 12:2 says that many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. This is obviously speaking of two classes of people, believers and non-believers. If one (or both) cease to exist when they die, how can this be?
In Ephesians Chapter 4, when Jesus descended into the lower regions of the earth, what was that for? Why would He go there? Who were these captives that He loosened?
Luke 12:5 says, "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." If a person just ceases to exist when they die, why would they have to fear being cast into Hell?
I realize that these are a lot of questions, but what you are presenting here, I think would cause many believers to have questions. Again, if you choose to answer these questions, I do appreciate your time.
(Part 1):
Where in the bible does it say that the soul will cease to exist? If anyone ceases to exist when they die, can you please answer these questions. I will be the student here, so you have my attention. If you choose to answer these things, I do thank you ahead of time.
In Matthew 25:46, Is this not describing two classes of people, those who received Christ and belong to Him, and those who have rejected Him? If those who reject Him die and cease to exist, how can they go away into eternal punishment if they do not exist?
Revelation 14:11 says that the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night. How can this be for someone that does not exist?
Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. How can anyone who dies and ceases to exist be judged since this judgment comes (after) death?
Revelation 21:8 identifies a class of individuals who will end up in the lake of fire, and it also mentions that this is the second death. If they went through the first death and ceased to exist, how can they experience a second death if they do not exist?
2 Thessalonians 1:9 says that they will suffer the punishment of (eternal destruction), away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. How is ceasing to exist considered suffering?
Jema, since Romans 6:23 has been quoted which says that the wages of sin is death, how do you get cease to exist out of this word death when the Greek word used (Thanatos) means separation, not cessation of life? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to say that at death, there is a separation from our physical body since this is what the word death means?
Revelation 14:10 talks about being tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Who is this for and how long will this torment last?
I have more questions to follow. Thank you for your time.
I takes the whole word of God to understand any part of the word.
Romans 7
It takes other truths in God's to understand Romans 7.
If ones does not believe other truths in the word then he want understand Romans 7.
One truth that always has to be applied to any scriptures we study in the word IS:
Hebrews 4:3 .... the WORKS were finished from the foundation of the world ......
Revelation 13:8 ... the LIFE of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world .....
Matthew 25:34 ..... the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world .....
Matthew 13:35 .... things which have been keep secret from the foundation of the world ....
So, all this, the WORKS being done before the foundation, we come to this truth:
Hebrews 4:2 ... unto them was the GOSPEL PREACHED, as well as UNTO US ...
One of the truths of the gospel is your sins are forgiven, therefore their sins were forgiven from the foundation of the world.
The prophets declared this to them as well as us:
Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our SINS from us.
They didn't BELIEVE, as most today don't BELIEVE these words of God, God has not seen our sins from the foundation of the world.
So, what is this SIN that kept THEM and KEEPS us from God: his word tells us:
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of UNBELIEF.
So, what's God's solution for UNBELIEF and the mystery keep secret from the foundation of the world.
The SPIRIT of TRUTH, pour out on man at pentecost.
John 16:8 When he is come, he will REPROVE the world of SIN ....
John 16:9 .....of SIN, because they BELIEVE NOT ......
You can believe in God, and yet, NOT BELIEVE his words.
1 Peter 1:23 You are BORN AGAIN, by the WORDS of God ....
I'm out of characters.
Meditate on these truths and we will continue on to Romans 7.
God BLESS YOU!
John
John
What does the Word of GOD say? 2Peter 3:8 - 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one Day.
So, what matters and prevails is the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD, self-executing, understand?
We should know that 6000 years after Adam are pointing midnight at GOD's clock, so it is the turn from the sixth to the seventh Day, and Day of GOD's rest, so it is the END of the sixth and beginning of the seventh and last millennium, or seventh and last Day, the LORD's Day. But actually have already passed around 23 years, something like minites at GOD's clock.
Wake up, be careful, and get ready - Matthew 25:6. Take a look.
Lord JESUS will return in the day 1335 of this current millennium according the Word of GOD. The Word is GOD, self-executing.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand- Daniel 12:10.
If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 1 Corinthians 14:8
So, in this current millennium, the seventh and last millennium, or seventh and last Day, the LORD's Day, all things in whole world are under JESUS's control, nothing random happens, understand?
Matthew 25:31-34 and 41&46
31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels(true believers- Luke 20:35-36.Take a look) with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:
32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another(this will be literally be fulfilled from now on), as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the KINGDOM prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ( Revelation 11:15-18. Take a look.)
41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels(messengers):
46 And these shall go away into EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT: but the righteous into life ETERNAL.
The EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT was previously determined to start in this current time, precisely in this beginning of the seventh and last millennium, so it will NEVER END from now on, it's for EVER.
When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh. Woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in these days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and WRATH upon the people. These are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory- Luke 21:26-27.
"But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
Firstly the grk says "presence" not "coming". Does it make any difference? Maybe.
The verse says that Christ is the firstfruit and then those who are Christ's at His presence. Those who are His, NOT all people. The rest will come next.
One may say that the saints will be resurrected just before Jesus comes back and then alltogether will come down to earth to fight the fight of Armaggedon.
In Matthew 25:31-46, the final Judgement is described. If those on Jesus' right are the saved ones (as it seems they are) which are the saints, then this is very strange. Why? Because the saints will be resurrected just before Jesus descending onto earth with them. In Rev 19:7-8, which describes that moment, the saints are given the white garments which means that they are judged and saved. So how come they go through a 2nd Judgement after the fight of Armaggedon?. It doesn't make sense, in a case of a post tribulation rapture.
Greetings in Christ JESUS
You said that you "don't know if the angels can see the Father, or if for all eternity they saw the Godhead in the Son even before He was incarnated".
Remember that John the Baptist was an angel( Isaiah 40:1 to 14 reveal who is his person combined with Malachi 3:1), angels are born by the Power of the Word of GOD, by prophecy, even our Lord JESUS affirmed this( Matthew 11:9-10), and John the Baptist, the angel of the Lord, knew JESUS before His birth, as even he testified: John the Apostle wrote about the testimony of John the Baptist, saying: John 1:18 - 18 No man hath seen GOD at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.
By the way, we must know with certainty through the Word of GOD that the TRUE BELIEVERS will be angels of GOD from now on, by the transformation and changing of the nature of them all, the Word of GOD will do it in the true believers, do you understand? Because they was born from GOD-from the Word-the Word is GOD- Philippians 3:20-21 combined with 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 and Romans 8:18-25, Believest thou this?)
Our Lord JESUS said: Luke 20:35-36-
35 - They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world (next world-the Kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15-18) and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are EQUAL UNTO THE ANGELS; and are the children of GOD, being the children of the resurrection.
Matthew 25:29 - For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Matthew 25:4-6
4 - The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and SLEPT. (Similar Genesis 2:21-25)
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; GO YE OUT(yes, GO OUT)TO MEET HIM.
Come up hither- Revelation 4:1
Hallelujah, praise our GOD
"In the beginning God created the heaven(s) and the earth." Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of GOD(the Word is GOD, self-executing), so that things which are seen WERE NOT MADE of things which do appear.
In the beginning-in JESUS- GOD the Father created the 1st,2nd,and 3rd heavens(this is the next to be established- Luke 20:35-36, combined with 2Corinthians 12:1-4, and Revelation 11:15-18), and the heaven of the heavens. By the way, "the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE against the Day of Judgment (this Day arrived, that is the seventh and last Day, or seventh and last millennium) and perdition of ungodly men. NOTE: The heavens which will be burned from now on is the 1st and 2nd heavens, the 3rd will be established, and "unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath"- Matthew 25:29.
Furthermore, GOD revealed the creation to Moses around 2.500 years after Adam or 1500 years BC. JESUS, the Greater Light- Genesis 1:16- came in the fourth Day, around 4.000 years after Adam. John 5:17 - JESUS said: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. According Chistian calendar from JESUS until the present time passed more around 2.000 years, so we are living in the beginning of first century of the seventh and last millennium or seventh and last Day, the LORD's Day. Therefore, GOD RESTS DOWN FROM HIS WORKS FROM NOW ON.
"In the beginning-IN JESUS- GOD -the Father - created the heaven(s) and the earth - earth here is Israel, still in the embryo, and not the planet Earth where GOD sits Himself - Isaiah 40- ,for Israel as a nation was created around 2500 years after Adam.
John 1:3-5
The light shineth in darkness;and the darkness comprehended it not. All things were made by JESUS; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
I will try to answer your points.
1. You are right about that "Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, "I know you not."
But lets remember that this event described by Jesus takes place on the Judgement Day.
In this life His is our Father. We are His children. Good or bad ones we are still His children, He will do anything to bring us into His Kingdom, even through fire which means repentance at the very last moment of our lives. In this life we may be His prodigal sons and daughters who their Father is waiting patiently to return back home. But after we die we will fall into 2 categories. The saved ones, the ones who successfully finished their course in this life and the ones who failed.
So God is our father in this life and also in the future life as long as we enter His Kingdom. But those who will fail will face Him not as a Father but as a Judge. Those who will be cast out into the lake of fire won't be His childen any more, and He will not be their Father any more. He will ignore their names, since those names will be erased from the Book of Life, which is God's written record (literal or figurative) which includes all the names of all saved people since the creation of mankind. In Matthew 25:41 Jesus calls those people "cursed". Names unknown, just like the name of that rich man in the story of the rich man and Lazarus where Jesus didn't even bother to give us his name. No reason for that, he got lost for ever. Like those who will not finish their course in victory.
2. The parable of the 10 virgins.
Lets gather all points of interest from this parable.
Firstly all of them are virgins, which means christians. Virgins are not married people, like we are now, we are engaged to Jesus and we are waiting for our marriage. There is no way Jesus calls the sinful world virgins, people who commit all sort of sin and adultery and fornication. Can christians commit adulltery (figuratively)?.
Speaking in finish line, what does the Word of GOD say prophetically? Daniel 12:12 - Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (that is 45 DAYS after the period of the 2nd half of the last week be finished-1260 days-plus a gap of 30 days, according to the calendar). Get ready, "For we are saved by hope- Romans 8:24- but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not- Romans 8:25-, then do we with patience wait for it. By the way, "hope maketh not ashamed (hope does not bring confusion); because the love of GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.
May our Lord GOD bless and keep us, and give us His protection
Amen
P.S.
Now, in the TURN of sixth GOD's Day to the seventh and last Day, or seventh and last millennium, we are living in the beginning of sorrows, so there will be only and only severe punishiments in the world of Devil as a whole (JESUS listed them- Matthew 24:3-8 and they fulfill LITERALLY), and the true believers will suffer a lot as JESUS warned us- Matthew 24:9-14. And the worst will happen successively in sequence- Matthew 24:15-25-.
Let's remember: Our GOD CURSED the Devil, and JESUS has already CURSED BY WRITTEN the betrayers- Matthew 25:41&46-, but "
upon the earth there be distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea (peoples, and nations, and multitudes of all tongues)and the waves(generations) roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which ARE COMING on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken- Luke 21:25-26 combined with Romans 2:9&11 -->9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 11 For there is no respect of persons with GOD.
Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? Isaiah 33:14
God is a loving God and does not want anyone to perish, but He is also a just God. In Romans 14, I say this in love, we should consider the context. Would not Universalism possibly do what Paul is teaching against? My understanding of Romans 14:11 is this will be at the judgment, every tongue will confess, whether it be good or bad, and the results will be eternal life or damnation, not all will be saved.
My understanding is these verses do not mean there will not be some who will not bow and accept Jesus's authority. Just a couple of verses and if all will be saved how do we understand this?
Matthew 25:40-41 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
God bless,
RLW
One of the most if not the greatest warnings from JESUS for exactly these current days is Matthew 25:6: -> 6 And at midnight(isn't it a NEW TURN turn of GOD's Day, 2Peter 3:8?) there was a cry made; Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.
Are you really going although your lamp is trimming? By the way, the beginning of sorrows is already running- Matthew 24:3-8.
The bridegroom will came very soon and the door will be shut, therefore, those which are ready will go in with Him to the marriage- Revelation 19:7-9 , take a look. The door will be shut for ever.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven(into the 3rd heaven), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? It was around year 33AD and now shall COME in like manner, right? after two Days, right? Hosea 6:2-3 and John 2:19-Take a look- , and the SAME CLOUD that received Him will again be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all as JESUS WARNED: Matt. 25: 6-13.
May our Lord GOD bless and keep us, and give us His protection, now, and for ever.
Amen
IN FACT, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is a revealing letter from Paul the Apostle.
By the way, all GOD's people must remember Acts 1:11 - Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into HEAVEN(into the 3rd heaven. HEAVEN? Ephesians 1:3 combined with Philippians 3:20-21 among other biblical references. Take a look.), shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen Him go into heaven(3rd heaven, that is the next world- Luke 20:35-36. Take a look). JESUS was on Mount called Olivet in the day when He was taken up, right? and shall COME in like manner( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and the SAME CLOUD will be there in His return, understand? For better understand, compare with Matt.17:5 and Isaiah 4:5.
What does the Word of GOD say? The Word is GOD, self-executing, understand? The Word says: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Dan.12:v.12 - Yeah, day 1335, the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable day, the day 1.335. Hallelujaaah!!! It means: 45 days after the period of 1290 days. Get ready you all, as JESUS WARNED: Matthew 25: 6-13.
Look at Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 18:9; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Jude 1:7; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10,14,15. These do not speak of an annihilation, but of torment. And what were "their works"? Works of sinful lives, of self-glorification, of being God-haters & Christ-rejecters. If we remove the eternal suffering of Hell, we've lost a great part of our Gospel message, i.e. we not only won't have a Gospel to preach, we won't even need to preach the Gospel. Jude 1:23, "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
If the preacher hasn't got the awful image before him of souls for whom Christ died, going into an eternity of torment, then that preacher is preaching a watered down Gospel, one that tickles the mind but doesn't wrench the heart - a Gospel that only requires a glib acceptance of a lowly Jesus but not weeping in sorrow for sin's wretchedness before an Holy God. Christ didn't give up His Life only to bring sinners into Heaven, but to save them from His Father's Judgement sending them to an eternity of suffering. This is why the cost of Salvation had to be so great - it took the Son of God to come between an Holy God & a hell-deserved, hell-bound sinner. We all have to die one day - but through Christ, not all have to be consigned to Hell.
My earlier segment started discussion on the concept of the state of a soul determining the experience of the time in the Tribulation. Thus; the sufferings that the 144,000 go through (possibly allegorically stated in Matthew 25:36-40) would be still better than that of the unregenerate. They are protected from the judgments during much of the trumpet judgments because of the seal of God ( Rev. 7:3); although subject to imprisonment; famine and thirst. They will be given endurance whether living or dying (can't clearly tell) until they appear before God ( Rev. 7:16). The rest of the world; however by the sixth seal will be terrified ( Rev. 6:12-17). Contrast this with the state of the two prophets in Rev. 11:1-14. Death is swift and there is no fear of what comes thereafter for the saved; for the lost there is of course no peace ( Isaiah 57:21).
I am not attempting to minimize the appalling conditions which come by the unsealing of the seals by Jesus Himself for anyone; but am stating that our spiritual condition determines if we are in terror of God; or are a centerpiece of displaying His glory despite going through the fire at the time of Jacob's sorrow (see Jeremiah 30:7 and surrounding verses for that description).
Now; going back to the Rapture and Resurrection event at or near the first seal event. Matthew 25:1 COULD be thought of as representing those who are either not walking in the Spirit or unsaved. A key verse is at the end in verse 12. Does it mean Christ doesn't KNOW us intimately (know you not) mean the same thing as Matt. 7:21-23 where He NEVER knew us; or could it signify a church like the Ephesians who forget their first love ( Rev. 2:4)? Other interpretations exist-we will leave it there.
No matter who misses the Rapture and is left behind it seems clear is too late to be part of the Bride of Christ ( Eph. 5:27). Nonetheless there will be the final revival in that time ( Rev. 7:9).
Greetings in Christ JESUS
It's impressive, but it has been two thousand years since JESUS came here, think well about it, passing two thousand years is a gigantic space of time, in fact a huge gap or interval in space and time, but it passed, but will continue to pass. The time is infinite, like the space is infinite too.
And now JESUS WILL RETURN AGAIN HERE IN THE SAME PLACE from where He ascended to the third heavenly environment and a cloud RECEIVED Him ( Acts 1:11) , yes, He will again return now to the same place from where He ascended, and He will reign and lead us in new celestial environment ( Ephesians 1:3) by His power, for a period of 1.000 years(the cloud also will appear again, understand?) , as it is revealed in Philippians 3:20-21: -->20 For our conversation is in heaven (heaven? Ephesians 1:3. Take a look.)-; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself. By the way, He made it very clear when He said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth- Matthew 28:18.
Get ready, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him- Matthew 25:6 - .
Lets pray
Unfortunately , there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I work with the Word of GOD. The Word is GOD, self-executable. Daniel 12:10 says: Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
JESUS said: For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Matthew 25:29. (This will be LITERALLY fulfilled from now on)
1 Corinthains 13:9-10 & 8
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
8 ... But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail (be annihilated); whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
The kingdoms OF THIS WORLD are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever- Revelation 11:15.
And the NATIONS were (will be) angry, and GOD's WRATH is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be Judged, and that GOD should give reward unto His servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear His name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth.
Get ready
Greetings in Christ JESUS
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5KJV combined with Revelation 5:10
It's impressive, but it has been two thousand years since JESUS came here, think well about it, passing two thousand years is a gigantic space of time, in fact a huge gap or interval in space and time, but it passed, but will continue to pass. The time is infinite, like the space is infinite too.
And now JESUS WILL RETURN AGAIN HERE IN THE SAME PLACE from where He ascended to the third heavenly environment and a cloud RECEIVED Him ( Acts 1:11) , yes, He will again return now to the same place from where He ascended, and He will reign and lead us in new celestial environment ( Ephesians 1:3) by His power, for a period of 1.000 years(the cloud also will appear again, understand?) , as it is revealed in Philippians 3:20-21: -->20 For our conversation is in heaven (heaven: Ephesians 1:3. Take a look.)-; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself. By the way, He made it very clear when He said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth- Matthew 28:18KJV.
Get ready, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him- Matthew 25:6KJV - .
Lets pray
Unfortunately , there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Firstly we start from the Old Testament.
Jesus has said the story of the rich man and Lazarus who lived in the Old Testament era, Luke 16:31.
They both (their souls) went down inside the earth but in different compartments. The poor man Lazarus went to a place called Abraham's bosom (which means together with Abraham and all the saints of the Old Testament) were he was comforted.. At the same time the rich man (the sinner) went to hell were he was tormented. Why didn't the righteous people like Lazarus go into Heaven? Because Jesus had not been sacrificed yet so no people had the right to enter Heaven. It is Jesus' sacrifice that actually erases people's sins (even those of people who strive to live a righteous life) and that had not had occured yet.
After Jesus was resurrected from the dead He took the souls of the righteous people from Abraham's bosom and carried them into Heaven. How do we know that? Because in Rev 6:9-11 we see the souls of righteous people in Heaven, under the altar (which means under Jesus' sacrifice) inside God's Temple in Heaven. The sinners remain in Hell.
At the end of this world, after the resurrection of all people who lived since the begining of mankind,the final Judgement will be done by God. The righteous will go to live with God in the new earth He is going to create for them living happily for ever and ever. And the sinners will be thrown into the lake of fire and will be tormented for ever. see Rev 21
Matthew 25:34, "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand (the righteous), Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"
Matthew 25:41, "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand (the sinners) Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"
GBU
Now, I have a query on what you had earlier written (& now), in discussion with Jema a few days ago: "So when we look at the nature of God's Judgment program very carefully, we find that the Final Punishment is annihilation, that is destruction". And I quote this as you also shared here, "When was the last time you heard a sermon that focused on the Judgment and Wrath of God for sin?" Obviously, I think I have misunderstood you, where it appears that you believe that the final state of man is, either he's enjoying eternal life with the Lord, or a cessation of all existence (annihilation, as you put it). And then the "Wrath of God for sin" as you now stated. Without making any further assumptions, maybe you could clarify your belief, as in my mind I'm unable to reconcile the two statements.
I believe that Matthew 10:28 was quoted as a reference to the complete destruction of soul & body, to which the Greek word does support; as it does to John 3:16 ("perish"), Romans 2:12, 1 Corinthians 8:11, 2 Peter 3:9, and many others. But reference wasn't made to Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 18:8,9; Matthew 25:46; Jude 1:7; Revelation 20:10,14,15; & others. In the light of these other Scriptures as well as the essence of the Gospel message which requires an eternal suffering, or else we don't have any Good News of salvation to give, how should we understand your statements? Blessings.
Jesus said that not all the towns would be preached to in Israel before the Son of Man came back ( Matt. 10:23). When we look at the seventy who went out ( Luke 10:1) we see what may be a prototype; so to speak of those sent out "two by two" in the future in regard to the two prophets in Revelation. The time of Jacobs trouble in Jeremiah 30:7 shows how the Tribulation is basically for testing of the Jewish people. In light of this; we see the 144,000 also fulfilling the role and God's judgment in Matthew 25:36 seems to be dependent on how people support or don't help out those evangelists during the Tribulation.
I have stated several times the significance that by the sixth seal everyone is aware of God and His Son in heaven and their wrath that is coming. I have also stated that even if the Rapture is hidden in meaning to some; the Resurrection and resulting emptying of tombs cannot be hidden. Thence the fear of the Lord will wake some up ( Psalm 40:3); while others harden their hearts beyond hope as we see the reactions in the Trumpet judgments (where idols continue to be worshipped); and the bowl judgments where ultimately Satan is sided with by all unregenerate to fight Christ in Armageddon ( Rev. 19; Psalm 2).
Hence; we are seeing signs and wonders as in the Old Testament but we have Christians on earth. The church; however represented by kings and priests ( Rev. 5:10 and later scriptures in the same book) is separated as the Bride of Christ from the general throng of believers. THe type of gospel preached; therefore would much like Jesus preached to the spirits in 1 Peter 3:19; more of a declaration. There will be people saved; but as I see it many at least who have garments made white ( Rev. 7:14) may be lukewarm believers left behind or at the very least it is the requirement of those who wish to bear fruit at that time. Revelation 17:8 shows how predestination affects those lost; and those saved are in the Book.
Revelation 19 makes it clear that we shall follow Christ in heavenly armies upon His return in verse 14. All of our garments will be white suggesting purity; finally praise God our sins that often beset us will be removed; as well as our vile bodies transformed to ones befitting eternity in a glorified state ( 1 Cor. 15:40-50).
It appears that David Himself will rule with Christ in the Millennial period as a king ( Hosea 3:5). We also are "kings and priests" as seen in Revelation 1:6; 5:10 as well as 1 Peter 2:9 and likely elsewhere. Those who are faithful in few things will rule over many ( Luke 16:10); and that is in term of actual cities (See Matthew 25:21 and surrounding verses). Exactly how this will happen may not be fully known until that time; and being that some are diehard Postmillenials I certainly don't want to split hairs and be removed from posting here over this issue. How this affects the eternal reign after the 1000 years with God Himself coming to earth with the heavenly Jerusalem remains to be seen as well.
In the more immediate future; if we take Revelation in what appears to be chronological with the things "immediately after" ( Rev. 4:1) it would appear that we are represented before the 1st Seal as the "kings and priests" along with the 24 elders representing what most believe are the 12 Patriarchs and 12 Apostles. Physically present we would likely take an active part in the incense of the prayers of the saints as we see in 5:8 and 8:4 with the seal and trumpet judgments. We shall only behold the destruction of the wicked from afar ( Psalm 91:8 loosely translated).
Since we are already seated in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:6) we have much more going on than what we see now with our eyes.
May our conversation concerning all the evils of the world and our loathing of it be focused on the solution rather than the problem; namely prayer in the Spirit not that of Eccles. 7:10
My belief about Judas differs from that of Chris.
Many wonder why did God select Judas as an apostle while He knew he would betray Him?
The answer is, for the same reason that He selected Saul as the first king of Israel while He knew he would fail, for the same reason he selected Balaam as a prophet while He knew he would betray Israel, for the same reason that He selected Jehasi as a successor of Elisha while He knew he would later go after money, for the same reason He selected the sons of Aaron as high priests while He knew they would eventually dissobey His commandments by placing strange fire so they got punished. For the same reason He created mankind although He knew we would fall into sin and He would be compelled to sacrifice Himself to save us. For the same reason He selects today ministers in various churches and gives them talents to work for Him but some bury them and end up in the outer darkness( Matthew 25:14-3). For the same reason He saves people that would later leave him and end up in hell.
Because He is a fair and good God who gives opportunities to everybody; to people to serve him when he knows that they want to do that and they are in a good spiritual condition and have the ability to carry the load of the Lord. It is like a father who although knows that his son is a lazy boy who will probably never succeed anything in his life, still loves him and does everything he can to help him. Gives him all sort of opportunities and sacrifices a lot for him. Because he loves him and wants to see him happy in his life. But the result depends on the son, not on the father.
Judas resembles much to Saul the King. He was a good choice in the beggining. He was born again llike Saul was given the Spirit of God and prophesied. But later ended up loving money more than Jesus like Saul loved honor and fame more than the God who made him a King. At the end satan entered him like Saul got possesed by an evil spirit, they both ended up in hell. Very sad.
Do all believers repent at the end before death? The answer is no, they don't.
The parable of the 10 virgins tells us that if just before Jesus comes for us (this can be also regarded as an individual departure through physical death as well as the rapture of the church as a whole) we must have light(sanctification) in ourselves. Otherwise we will not enter the marriage ( Matthew 25:1-12). Read what Jesus told them, He doesn't know them. But they were virgins(sanctified), they were expecting the Lord with the rest. Yes but they had a troubled christian life and they were not ready when Jesus came. Jesus doesn't recognize them, He only recognizes His children who look like Him in the character, it is them that He considers true children, the rest are just "bastards", Hebrews 12:7-8.
In the parable of the vine, John 15:1-8, in verse 2 says "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." in verse 6 says, "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.". I don't think a further explanation is needed
Finally in 2 Peter 1:5-11 what christians should try to succeed in their christian life. in verse 10 says, "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall"
Make our calling sure? Doing these things we will not fail? And here we come to what really all that is about.
It all begins with the relationship between grace and good works. There is where it all starts. Many christians through the ages could not understand that relationship. People like Luther even rejected Jame's epistle as fake because it didn't fit their beliefs.. For some grace has nothing to do with any human work at all. So they rejected good works, so what a man does bad or good has no consequence to their salvation.
I do my best not to be overly redundant in these posts; I do have some earlier Revelation commentary as to cross references that make a Pre-Trib (or my own variation on it) conclusion. I try to quote references when available; on this post I am assuming most people already have a fundamental understanding of the Bible verses either supporting or against such a viewpoint. I will seek to look to the integrity of the whole Word of God; New Testament and Old. There are a few verses in Isaiah and Psalms which seem to talk of God hiding His people until the indignation be past such as Isaiah 26:20. I used Psalm 40 also to show how many will see and fear when we are lifted up from the miry clay as a sort of tie in to verses such as Romans 11:25 on the time of the Gentiles coming "to the full" or other verses in that book on Israel being provoked to jealousy to indicate how a Rapture as well as Resurrection of the saints would finally wake some people up.
The first fundamental concept is interpreting the bride of Christ from the wedding party; and or wedding feast of the Lamb. This makes the discussion of the 10 virgins a warning for all of us; whether it is to make the Rapture; or be ready for Christ's return. My introduction quotes a verse in Revelation 16 which still seems to show that late in the Tribulation some need to be alert to Christ's coming. I think at this point I also want to emphasize something else I stated earlier; that oftentimes there is a tendancy just to separate believers from nonbelievers. This has several issues; first of all it makes us ignore verses such as Revelation 3:11 about not losing our reward to another; and many other verses indicating various levels of spiritual fruit production and consequent rewards or lack thereof. ( Matt. 13:8; Matthew 25:14-30; etc). As Paul stated we are to seek the prize of His high calling (Phillipians 3:14). That means many miss out.
Thanks again Jimbob. If I might take our discussion to anothe level. One great fact of the Church's Rapture, is not only its imminency but its suddenness. In the NT, the command was for readiness ( Matthew 25:13 (10 virgins); Luke 12:40; Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13), for Christ's coming. The early Church was expecting it & proclaiming it, but the scoffers, then & now have proved themselves right ( 2 Peter 3:3,4) - Jesus hadn't come, nor has history ever recorded such a 'parousia' ever taking place. But the Church still continues to wait, knowing that God's Word is True & that God's Time is never man's concept of time ( 2 Peter 3:8). Therefore the question: why should we await for the any-moment return of Jesus, if that return could be quite easily plotted by the 'falling away', the appearance of the anti-Christ, even the beginning of the Great Tribulation (of God's Wrath which you believe only includes those catastrophic events of Matthew 24:29; Revelation chapter 16)?
IG,
He says to give your money to the exchangers, and then at my coming, I should have received mine own with interest. That is what usury means, with interest.
Here is what I believe to be the moral of the story in Matthew 25:28-30:
God has left the Jews with the greatest commission that He could ever give. He left His word. The Jews should be out preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to whole world. But instead, Paul says in Romans Chapters 9 through 11 that the Gentiles have been grafted in. The Jews rejected their Messiah. So that's why we were brought in, and we are now preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But it says, so that they can be jealous because we have their Messiah. And eventually, at His second coming, all the Jews that are alive will be saved. And so basically what He is saying is, I left you with a commission, with an assignment. What did you do with it? I dug a hole and buried it. You will be cast in to outer darkness. That is hell.