Yet, Hebrews 9:26 states, "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself". Writing about the yearly sacrifices made by the OT High Priests, the writer explains that Jesus' Sacrifice was different even in this respect: Jesus came only once to deal with the sin problem forever. If His Sacrifice applied to the OT faithful living in those days as well, then Jesus' Crucifixion had to begin from those days, & done often.
This tells us that before Jesus came & gave His Life, all Israel were under the Law & remained condemned for their sin. But God chose to be merciful to them through their obedience in sacrifices. Though those sacrifices looked ahead to Jesus' Perfect Sacrifice, His Sacrifice had no bearing upon them at that time, or else as the Scripture gives, "He must often have suffered since the foundation of the world". And Jesus would have had to "suffer" often, as the OT Covenants were in force & the New Covenant in His Blood had not occurred. But He didn't suffer & die for them at that time, but only after "he appeared (now once in the end of the world) to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself"; only at Calvary, the price of sin (for those of the OT & latter days) applied. Even if the Gospel preached unto them was of Jesus' Sacrifice, it would have not been understood by them & not even applied to them - until Jesus finally came & secured those OT saints & us post-Cross, to His praise.
Thank you GiGi for your view on this passage. And I did sense that you would align with David's thoughts on it, as mine appear to be wholly dispensational in understanding. True, "we don't know all of what God told the OT saints", and in fact Isaiah 53 might be the most detailed prophecy we have of a coming suffering Messiah, so it can only be one's viewpoint as to what Gospel (whether one of the Cross or of eternal Rest) that was given & what the people understood of it. In any case, the point in our discussions (with David0921) was, if it was the Gospel of Jesus' Sacrifice that was preached to them (as you also accept), then those who came under the sound of it, who obeyed God in faith, had that salvation applied to them; i.e. they were saved, eternally secure - they were born again at that time.
So our problem here is threefold: 1. what was the nature of the Gospel brought to the OT saints; 2. whether their faith in God (and the Gospel brought to them), actually saved them from that time on; and 3. was the Holy Spirit given to them as well (to save them, making them new) which then begs the question, what was the need of the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost? This pouring out wouldn't then be necessary, as everyone (OT & NT) who puts their faith in God through the eternal Sacrifice of Jesus ("slain from the foundation of the world"), would be born again & automatically receive His Spirit. Onto Page 2.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think what was confusing me was the way the statement is structured. Just looking at light doesn't really make your body full of light in any concrete way, or your heart either. Just looking at evil doesn't make your body full of darkness. But if you take it in the context of the passage that comes before (don't store up treasures on earth), and the passages that comes after (no one can serve both God and finance and don't worry about your earthly needs), it becomes more clear that the eye focused on the hereafter has different priorities than the eye focused on getting ahead in the world.
Gigi, your comment is very relevant. Wasn't looking at the context of the two passages which come before and after the statement. They help to contextualize where our sights should be set.
Thank you David0921 for those great Scriptures, which we have raised between us over these past days. I believe them as you do, but it's in their application where we have disagreement. GBU.
Where did I judge you personally? I re-read my post and I nothing I said indicates that I judged you. And in my last post to you I said that such judgment is God's realm, not mine. So, let's be at peace today.
I have given you what I believe concerning God from Scripture. Many on here have given long lists of Scripture verses that illustrate that God is Triune. I will not do so here. But one can find such verses easily if they do a search: verses that illustrate the Trinity. As to your question about in order for one to be a Christian they must believe in Jesus as Savior and also in the Trinity, I choose not to answer because I think this is God's realm to determine who is truly saved. We are all in process of learning more and more of Who God is, which Jesus said that eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom the Father had sent. Eternal life is only received from God and Jesus said to those who believe in Him He will give them eternal life.
I do not know how God will judge those who do not believe in the Trinity, or that Jesus is not God, or who worship Jesus, but say that He is not God (which would be idolatry if true). But I am confident that those who believe in Jesus as Savior and believe that the Godhead is Triune are definitely saved because they worship the true God revealed in the Bible.
I hope this answer satisfies you and I hope it does not offend you. Either God has revealed that He is Triune (1 X 1 X 1 = 1) or singularly One person and being (1-=1). We will find out on judgement day. So I will leave it at that for today.
I believe that one is saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father who was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus' sacrifice is eternally efficacious for forgiving sin and paying the just penalty for our sins because He is God. Only God can save us and only God can forgive sins. Jesus declared to people that their sins were forgiven, so He is claiming a right that only God possesses. I believe that the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father AND the Son. In Scripture, the Father speaks of Himself as an "I" and about Jesus and the Holy Spirit as "you". Likewise, Jesus speaks of Himself as "I" and of the Father and the Spirit as "you". The Spirit speaks to us about Jesus and brings glory through us to the Father. These truths from Scripture show me that there are three distinct "persons" in the Godhead but, as the Scriptures also say, there is only one Being who is God.
The Scriptures tell us that God is Love. Since He does not acquire any attribute but possesses all of His attributes fully, infinitely, and eternally. Therefore, before creation, the Godhead loved each other and were in relationship to one another as "I"s, "You"s, "We", and "Us". If there is only One Person in One Being then who did God love before creation since His attributes are a description of how He acts?
For me, the God I worship is Triune, Three Persons (Who one is) in One Being (or essence-what one is-Deity). All three are fully Deity and possess all that Deity is equally without dividing up the Divine essence. The Persons are distinct from one another, but united in one Essence(Deity). So there are not three gods, only One, but the Godhead lives as three Persons.
I know that some who profess to be Christian do not believe this way. I think that believing in the Triune Godhead is essential to one's Christian faith. If one does not believe in the Triunity of God, then they worship a different god than I and others who believe this. ..cont
In my last reply to you I said this doctrine was placed equal in value with, there is only salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, and without this doctrine one cannot be saved, I ask you if I was wrong, please tell me. Your comments to Chris seem to affirm this is your belief. Sorry you did not tell me. I know history as well. I forgive you of your judgement of me.
I am asking for prayers for me and my two kids . I am asking that we come together as a family and to show love and care for each other despite our differences. Also for healing of my arthritic knees as I don't want an operation . Also for my family to draw closer God in these challenging times . I am asking for a big financial break through before the end of this year . May God bless you .
I agree 100% what you have said that OT Israel knew nothing of a coming Messiah's Sacrifice of His Life for them & substitutionary payment. Hence, the word 'Gospel' mentioned in Hebrews 4 is not the same Gospel they received as is the complete Gospel that the Apostles preached post-Cross. (Perhaps not in the way it is preached in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
I believe the OT saints did what was required of them at that time to make them just with God. Their temporal rituals and sacrifices exemplified the Gospel and perhaps the resurrection was preached by "type" when Issac was offered as a sacrifice by Abraham. Hebrews 11:17-19.
However, could they have perceived it, being that Jeremiah 31:31-34 have not taken place yet?
When we study Hebrews in its entirety, we know that this new covenant was not to come under the Levitical covenant. This is clearly seen in Hebrews Ch 7 and 8.
So, when we look back at this, Israel mind was blinded and there was a veil upon their hearts, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament, which vail is done away in Christ.
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless when "it" shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (The "it" mentioned here is their hearts.)
When Israel turns their hearts to God the veil and the blindness shall be taken away.
This is what Paul is saying in Romans 11.
Israel was incapable of receiving the revelation of the Gospel under the Levitical High Priest and if you study the Gospels carefully, neither could the Apostles until the death of the one that filled the role of the Levitical Priesthood at the Cross.
(I believe this is what John's baptism was all about)
The resurrection began the new covenant under the new Priest hood. ( Hebrews 7:15-16.)
We have the victory, Lord will bless thee, God favor is peace...
God will bless and keep thee, HisFace will shine upon thee, Psalm 31:16.
I want the favor of God in my life. Blessings of the Lord will not bring sorrow. The joy of the Lord is my strength. He will keep you in perfect peace whose mind on
Him...looking for God's favor. His in favor I'd life. Thank God for His favor!!! Joy is coming in the morning. We are winners. It is God's mercy that I am not consumed!!!
God got it under control!!!! He is able.. I got favor of God over me!!!
God's favor will change your life. Psalms 5:12... Proverbs 3:1-6
Stay under the Blood. Keep living right for the favor of God, God is faithful, Wait on God. Corinthians 16:23
Prof. Veith. In depth study of Revelation. In 1798, France recognized the United States of America as a world power. The 1st beast is the Vatican,and the 2nd beast is the United States of America;[ military & federal reserve ] There are 2 popes. The white is the Vatican which is visible to humanity. The Black pope is in the shadows,but visible if you know what to look for. [ symbols,numbers,astrology,gematria,ect ]. The black pope and his army are the jesuit order. When the C.I.A. and the F.B.I. were 1st established both men were trained jesuits. ALL secret society's, freemason's , knight's templer ,counsel on foreign relations,the buildeburg group,club of rome,scientology,moormans,ect..all whorship lucifier . But God. ALL those that are born again through the power of the Holy Ghost know that this is not our home. Lord Jesus come Quickly.........God Bless
I know that Gospel means good news. But I don't think that the gospel is the rest as much as it is the gospel of Christ our Savior and this verse tells that both the NT people and OT people heard the same gospel. In the NT I can't recall the gospel ever being spoken of as anything other than who Jesus is and what He did to save us, and because of this gospel, those who believer by faith will have this rest spoken of in Hebrews. The good news is Jesus, the giver of eternal life, the gift is the rest-salvation of our souls.
In the case of Mary, I think she spoke out of puzzlement, not necessarily out of doubt. Zechariah doubted, but both were given grace by God. Jesus was conceived in Mary as the angel had said and John was conceived in Elizabeth by Zechariah, something they had always wanted to occur in their lives. Gabriel was sent to announce what was going to happen. It did not depend on Mary's or Zechariah's faith or doubt. God's election stands true in both cases.
I am hopeful that some things are starting to progress. Apparently constipation is one sign of neurovirus type thing with the abdomen; and some other issues are exascerbated when I'm fighting something. Anyway my mom thankfully at 90 still knows what to do.
I owe you one. Someday in heaven I'll give you a hug if that's ok.
looking at the conversation of angel Gabriel to both Zacharias and Mary, we see that Mary is actually a carrier of grace .The word of the lord says I will have mercy on whom i will have mercy on. Both Mary and Zacharias did doubt the message of God but only Zachariah was punished, it was only when Mary received confirmation of how the child was going to be conceived that her faith or believe came into work. Let's take a look at verse 18 "whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. These were the words spoken by Zachariah to the angel, now let's look at verse 14. How shall this be? seeing I know no man" see right? They asked almost the question, but the fact that either Zachariah was a priest and should know better than doubting the word of God or the fact that Mary carries grace and lord Jesus Christ was coming from Mary and she needs to be pampered, angel Gabriel took time to explain to Mary, this only explains that we have grace more than ourselves. As a student I shouldn't follow the footstep of my friend who doesn't read but passes because grace differs, there are also those who will read more than I do but still pass more than them, that is what the scripture calls grace, when grace is in use, all protocols are broken.
" 1. Let us fear, as long as the promise of entering His rest (it means Heaven) is left (it means it is still valid), any of you seems to come short
2. For we were told the good news {in grk "esmen evengelismenoi"}like them, but the word they heard didn't benefit them, not being mixed (it means joined) with faith in them that heard it."
Here Paul makes a comparison between people in OT that heard the good news of entering their rest (land of promise) but didn't believe those news, and hence they never entered the land, and those in the NT who may be in the same situation, not believing the good news of entering the real rest (Heaven) and hence they are in risk of not entering it'
The phrase in the KJV "the gospel preached" has the meaning "the good news we heard, we were told", the word gospel here has its initial meaning which is good news.
Heavenly Father, we lay before You today, in the name of Jesus, these medical issues of Richard's body. We ask that You will bring swift healing and relief from the discomfort of these symptoms. Help the Doctor to find out the reason for the symptoms and to have a way to treat the underlying problem that is showing forth in these symptoms. Clear up the infection in his body and cause his body to rebuild immunity and the body defense against viruses, bacteria, and other agents that bring sickness to Richard. Lord God, we ask You to take care of all these medical issues and bring him health and resilience. We are thankful that You are a Father Who hears us and answers our prayers. Amen.
I'm having UTI issues; as well as some effects of constapation from a virus. May have to seek medical attention tomorrow if it doesn't subside. Please pray for me.
In trying to understand the nature of salvation, we have to start with the condition of mankind before God applies his salvation to those whom he chooses to save. And we read that in Romans 3. "There is none righteous, no not one. There is none that seek after God."
Salvation of Old Testament believers and New Testament believers, throughout the history of the world, is by God's mercy and grace alone. And the basis, for that salvation is that God chose, whom he would save, paid for the sins of those whom he chose to save, and applied that salvation to their life, so that they become born again. and the efficacy of Christ's Atonement applies from the foundation of the world.
Mankind has no inherent faith that will please God, and result in salvation. The faith that we have is a gift of God and his part and parcel of the salvation that God applies to our life.
The old testament sacrifices never saved anyone.
But Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord. Just like every Old Testament and New Testament believer believer that God saves.
Asking for strong protection and breakthrough for us and all in need. Lord Jesus please fight our battles ( Ex. 14:14). Please grant more strength and encouragement. Thank you.
I have been reading your conversation and I will have to go by David's view since Hebrews 4:2 says that the gospel was preached to us as well as the OT Israelites. This wording implies that the gospel is the same gospel, not two types of gospel.
We do not know all of what God told the OT saints (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the prophets) we know just what was recorded in Scripture. But if the Word in Hebrews says that those in the OT had the gospel preached to them, then I think we should believe that it is the one true gospel of Jesus our Savior and His work for our salvation.
I never heard of Angel numbers until a few days ago. BUT in March 2018 God told me to watch my numbers. I did not know what he meant but I began to pay closer attention to the numbers I would see. A few days past and I received a text message from an unknown person it was a verse from the book of John but I could not see the whole thing. So I went to my KJV and looked it up oddly enough it was on page 1331. The verse was either 3 or 13 and the chapter was either 3 or 13. I can not recall with put finding my book that I wrote it in. Anyway it the complete number set was all 1s and 3s. The page number chapter number and verse number. What I read got me to thinking about birth days and events that had happened in my life. Well I was led to start calculating some of those dates and events on the 3rd day of studying the numbers I was standing at the washing machine when God reminded me of a birthday that I had not included so I went to my book and added that number when I did the result produced the same series of 1s and 3s only they were in reverse. Exactly reverse of the original number. Well it provided an answer to a question that I had said many times only God would know. I felt like it was a confirmation that my answer to the question was right. It began a series of events that lasted from 3/1/2018 until Thanksgiving 2018. The events ended with me spending 3days in the bathroom of my old family home riddled with fear and confusion begging God to kill me before the gang stalkers did. A lot transpired in those 3 days that I can not explain. On the 4th day when I emerged it was like I had been reborn and I felt 20 years younger. All the guilt and condemnation that I was feeling was gone. I was renewed. Then I became obsessed with a task that God had given me. He told me "The endtimes are officially here spread the message far and wide" prior to that I was not into social media but now I can't put it down. I have been spreading his message on several platforms.
Thank you, Chris for this addition to my post concerning the teachings of the early church.
There is much to learn of our history as a church built upon the rock of Christ. It has never been a static body without growth nor change as the centuries played out. Our church body today is much influenced by culture around us just as the church was throughout the centuries. There is much good and also much bad in the workings of the church throughout the ages. Today we see much false teachings as the leaders of the early church did. They openly refuted these heresies, especially those concerning the Godhead and the deity and humanity of Jesus. I am thankful that they did. Jesus promised to build HIS church and that it will endure through much trial and tribulation, as it has to this day.
Noah found grace before any sacraficial laws were given , by God , to the Israelites . It isn't the sacrifice that bestows forgiveness , it's the faith in the sacrifice . God says : do this ( whatever this might be ) and I will forgive your sins . So , if we have faith , we believe what God says and we obey . Wether that is : believe in my Son , or wether it is : offer a lamb or touch the brasen serpent etc . We have to have faith in God's promises and then act accordingly . We have to believe that our sins are forgiven in Christ and then try to live as much as possible , as Christ did . Same with the animal sacrifices , God says clearly , offer these sacrifices and your sins will be forgiven , it's not the blood of the sacrifices , it's our / their faith in God's command and promise that will be fulfilled , if His command is obeyed .
Yet, Hebrews 9:26 states, "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself". Writing about the yearly sacrifices made by the OT High Priests, the writer explains that Jesus' Sacrifice was different even in this respect: Jesus came only once to deal with the sin problem forever. If His Sacrifice applied to the OT faithful living in those days as well, then Jesus' Crucifixion had to begin from those days, & done often.
This tells us that before Jesus came & gave His Life, all Israel were under the Law & remained condemned for their sin. But God chose to be merciful to them through their obedience in sacrifices. Though those sacrifices looked ahead to Jesus' Perfect Sacrifice, His Sacrifice had no bearing upon them at that time, or else as the Scripture gives, "He must often have suffered since the foundation of the world". And Jesus would have had to "suffer" often, as the OT Covenants were in force & the New Covenant in His Blood had not occurred. But He didn't suffer & die for them at that time, but only after "he appeared (now once in the end of the world) to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself"; only at Calvary, the price of sin (for those of the OT & latter days) applied. Even if the Gospel preached unto them was of Jesus' Sacrifice, it would have not been understood by them & not even applied to them - until Jesus finally came & secured those OT saints & us post-Cross, to His praise.
Thank you GiGi for your view on this passage. And I did sense that you would align with David's thoughts on it, as mine appear to be wholly dispensational in understanding. True, "we don't know all of what God told the OT saints", and in fact Isaiah 53 might be the most detailed prophecy we have of a coming suffering Messiah, so it can only be one's viewpoint as to what Gospel (whether one of the Cross or of eternal Rest) that was given & what the people understood of it. In any case, the point in our discussions (with David0921) was, if it was the Gospel of Jesus' Sacrifice that was preached to them (as you also accept), then those who came under the sound of it, who obeyed God in faith, had that salvation applied to them; i.e. they were saved, eternally secure - they were born again at that time.
So our problem here is threefold: 1. what was the nature of the Gospel brought to the OT saints; 2. whether their faith in God (and the Gospel brought to them), actually saved them from that time on; and 3. was the Holy Spirit given to them as well (to save them, making them new) which then begs the question, what was the need of the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost? This pouring out wouldn't then be necessary, as everyone (OT & NT) who puts their faith in God through the eternal Sacrifice of Jesus ("slain from the foundation of the world"), would be born again & automatically receive His Spirit. Onto Page 2.
Where did I judge you personally? I re-read my post and I nothing I said indicates that I judged you. And in my last post to you I said that such judgment is God's realm, not mine. So, let's be at peace today.
I have given you what I believe concerning God from Scripture. Many on here have given long lists of Scripture verses that illustrate that God is Triune. I will not do so here. But one can find such verses easily if they do a search: verses that illustrate the Trinity. As to your question about in order for one to be a Christian they must believe in Jesus as Savior and also in the Trinity, I choose not to answer because I think this is God's realm to determine who is truly saved. We are all in process of learning more and more of Who God is, which Jesus said that eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom the Father had sent. Eternal life is only received from God and Jesus said to those who believe in Him He will give them eternal life.
I do not know how God will judge those who do not believe in the Trinity, or that Jesus is not God, or who worship Jesus, but say that He is not God (which would be idolatry if true). But I am confident that those who believe in Jesus as Savior and believe that the Godhead is Triune are definitely saved because they worship the true God revealed in the Bible.
I hope this answer satisfies you and I hope it does not offend you. Either God has revealed that He is Triune (1 X 1 X 1 = 1) or singularly One person and being (1-=1). We will find out on judgement day. So I will leave it at that for today.
I believe that one is saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father who was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus' sacrifice is eternally efficacious for forgiving sin and paying the just penalty for our sins because He is God. Only God can save us and only God can forgive sins. Jesus declared to people that their sins were forgiven, so He is claiming a right that only God possesses. I believe that the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father AND the Son. In Scripture, the Father speaks of Himself as an "I" and about Jesus and the Holy Spirit as "you". Likewise, Jesus speaks of Himself as "I" and of the Father and the Spirit as "you". The Spirit speaks to us about Jesus and brings glory through us to the Father. These truths from Scripture show me that there are three distinct "persons" in the Godhead but, as the Scriptures also say, there is only one Being who is God.
The Scriptures tell us that God is Love. Since He does not acquire any attribute but possesses all of His attributes fully, infinitely, and eternally. Therefore, before creation, the Godhead loved each other and were in relationship to one another as "I"s, "You"s, "We", and "Us". If there is only One Person in One Being then who did God love before creation since His attributes are a description of how He acts?
For me, the God I worship is Triune, Three Persons (Who one is) in One Being (or essence-what one is-Deity). All three are fully Deity and possess all that Deity is equally without dividing up the Divine essence. The Persons are distinct from one another, but united in one Essence(Deity). So there are not three gods, only One, but the Godhead lives as three Persons.
I know that some who profess to be Christian do not believe this way. I think that believing in the Triune Godhead is essential to one's Christian faith. If one does not believe in the Triunity of God, then they worship a different god than I and others who believe this. ..cont
In my last reply to you I said this doctrine was placed equal in value with, there is only salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, and without this doctrine one cannot be saved, I ask you if I was wrong, please tell me. Your comments to Chris seem to affirm this is your belief. Sorry you did not tell me. I know history as well. I forgive you of your judgement of me.
God bless,
RLW
Thank you
Veronica G
I agree 100% what you have said that OT Israel knew nothing of a coming Messiah's Sacrifice of His Life for them & substitutionary payment. Hence, the word 'Gospel' mentioned in Hebrews 4 is not the same Gospel they received as is the complete Gospel that the Apostles preached post-Cross. (Perhaps not in the way it is preached in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
I believe the OT saints did what was required of them at that time to make them just with God. Their temporal rituals and sacrifices exemplified the Gospel and perhaps the resurrection was preached by "type" when Issac was offered as a sacrifice by Abraham. Hebrews 11:17-19.
However, could they have perceived it, being that Jeremiah 31:31-34 have not taken place yet?
When we study Hebrews in its entirety, we know that this new covenant was not to come under the Levitical covenant. This is clearly seen in Hebrews Ch 7 and 8.
So, when we look back at this, Israel mind was blinded and there was a veil upon their hearts, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament, which vail is done away in Christ.
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless when "it" shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (The "it" mentioned here is their hearts.)
When Israel turns their hearts to God the veil and the blindness shall be taken away.
This is what Paul is saying in Romans 11.
Israel was incapable of receiving the revelation of the Gospel under the Levitical High Priest and if you study the Gospels carefully, neither could the Apostles until the death of the one that filled the role of the Levitical Priesthood at the Cross.
(I believe this is what John's baptism was all about)
The resurrection began the new covenant under the new Priest hood. ( Hebrews 7:15-16.)
Now Christ faith in them will give them rest.
Thats future for them as a Nation
We have the victory, Lord will bless thee, God favor is peace...
God will bless and keep thee, HisFace will shine upon thee, Psalm 31:16.
I want the favor of God in my life. Blessings of the Lord will not bring sorrow. The joy of the Lord is my strength. He will keep you in perfect peace whose mind on
Him...looking for God's favor. His in favor I'd life. Thank God for His favor!!! Joy is coming in the morning. We are winners. It is God's mercy that I am not consumed!!!
God got it under control!!!! He is able.. I got favor of God over me!!!
God's favor will change your life. Psalms 5:12... Proverbs 3:1-6
Stay under the Blood. Keep living right for the favor of God, God is faithful, Wait on God. Corinthians 16:23
I know that Gospel means good news. But I don't think that the gospel is the rest as much as it is the gospel of Christ our Savior and this verse tells that both the NT people and OT people heard the same gospel. In the NT I can't recall the gospel ever being spoken of as anything other than who Jesus is and what He did to save us, and because of this gospel, those who believer by faith will have this rest spoken of in Hebrews. The good news is Jesus, the giver of eternal life, the gift is the rest-salvation of our souls.
This is my understanding.
Good to hear from you again.
In the case of Mary, I think she spoke out of puzzlement, not necessarily out of doubt. Zechariah doubted, but both were given grace by God. Jesus was conceived in Mary as the angel had said and John was conceived in Elizabeth by Zechariah, something they had always wanted to occur in their lives. Gabriel was sent to announce what was going to happen. It did not depend on Mary's or Zechariah's faith or doubt. God's election stands true in both cases.
It certainly will be the best when we meet in heaven. That is the prize! Being with Jesus forever is our treasure. He is our glory forever.
I will certainly hug you and all from this site when we are all there. How wonderful is the inheritance of the saints!
I owe you one. Someday in heaven I'll give you a hug if that's ok.
Rich P
The precise translation of Hebrew 4:1-2 is,
" 1. Let us fear, as long as the promise of entering His rest (it means Heaven) is left (it means it is still valid), any of you seems to come short
2. For we were told the good news {in grk "esmen evengelismenoi"}like them, but the word they heard didn't benefit them, not being mixed (it means joined) with faith in them that heard it."
Here Paul makes a comparison between people in OT that heard the good news of entering their rest (land of promise) but didn't believe those news, and hence they never entered the land, and those in the NT who may be in the same situation, not believing the good news of entering the real rest (Heaven) and hence they are in risk of not entering it'
The phrase in the KJV "the gospel preached" has the meaning "the good news we heard, we were told", the word gospel here has its initial meaning which is good news.
Heavenly Father, we lay before You today, in the name of Jesus, these medical issues of Richard's body. We ask that You will bring swift healing and relief from the discomfort of these symptoms. Help the Doctor to find out the reason for the symptoms and to have a way to treat the underlying problem that is showing forth in these symptoms. Clear up the infection in his body and cause his body to rebuild immunity and the body defense against viruses, bacteria, and other agents that bring sickness to Richard. Lord God, we ask You to take care of all these medical issues and bring him health and resilience. We are thankful that You are a Father Who hears us and answers our prayers. Amen.
In trying to understand the nature of salvation, we have to start with the condition of mankind before God applies his salvation to those whom he chooses to save. And we read that in Romans 3. "There is none righteous, no not one. There is none that seek after God."
Salvation of Old Testament believers and New Testament believers, throughout the history of the world, is by God's mercy and grace alone. And the basis, for that salvation is that God chose, whom he would save, paid for the sins of those whom he chose to save, and applied that salvation to their life, so that they become born again. and the efficacy of Christ's Atonement applies from the foundation of the world.
Mankind has no inherent faith that will please God, and result in salvation. The faith that we have is a gift of God and his part and parcel of the salvation that God applies to our life.
The old testament sacrifices never saved anyone.
But Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord. Just like every Old Testament and New Testament believer believer that God saves.
I have been reading your conversation and I will have to go by David's view since Hebrews 4:2 says that the gospel was preached to us as well as the OT Israelites. This wording implies that the gospel is the same gospel, not two types of gospel.
We do not know all of what God told the OT saints (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the prophets) we know just what was recorded in Scripture. But if the Word in Hebrews says that those in the OT had the gospel preached to them, then I think we should believe that it is the one true gospel of Jesus our Savior and His work for our salvation.
There is much to learn of our history as a church built upon the rock of Christ. It has never been a static body without growth nor change as the centuries played out. Our church body today is much influenced by culture around us just as the church was throughout the centuries. There is much good and also much bad in the workings of the church throughout the ages. Today we see much false teachings as the leaders of the early church did. They openly refuted these heresies, especially those concerning the Godhead and the deity and humanity of Jesus. I am thankful that they did. Jesus promised to build HIS church and that it will endure through much trial and tribulation, as it has to this day.