Q: The city of God is foursquare, so is the altar of incense? In the volume of each believer there must be certain golden ratio so a believer grows from glory to glory, Does it not?
A: Certainly. The altar has a certain position so has the city of God in the new heaven and new earth. What God specified for the tabernacle is after the pattern shown to Moses. (Ex.30:2) Let us consider these. An altar is "A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof." Father and Son as Jesus said, "My Father and I are one. "Two cubits shall be the height thereof" denote the two commandments Jesus taught us. (Matt.22:40). The golden ratio therefore sets these relationship in relation to the world without. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." So how shall we consider the altar, as dress to change for occasions or as a living sacrifice? Paul exhorts,"that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."(Ro.12:1-2)
"And thou shalt put it before the vail" The altar is set before the vail representing the face, "and the firmament sheweth his handywork" and the glory of heaven interfaces with earth so it iis a face; it is in this sense Paul writes here, "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." In short our heart is a kind of glass which adds to our understanding, "that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."(2 Pe.1:4-8)
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."(2 Co.3:18) This liberty has freed us from law of sin.
As I mentioned in the first ever discussion, you are free to disagree and unless grace is given from above many things to discern the right from wrong can cause divisions. In essentials unity, and in non-essentials charity. You have to determine yourself which is which.
Sheep is likely to go astray and the good shepherd at times shall hold the lamb close and it is for the lamb's safety. Jesus is the true vine and branches are running like sheep saying once saved is saved. The branches abide in the vine drawing nutrients and the goodness of the tree. Third analogy I can cite: God commanded Moses to make the altar of incense. "And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal."(Ex.30:4) The body of a believer is a living sacrifice. You are not to remove the rings ever. You are not free to burn strange mixture of incense therein. Instead the incense has to be of precise mix so you shall be a sweet smelling savour to God. Think it over.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Ephesians 1:3-12
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
I stand in position with you on eternal security, or the permanency of salvation. Amen! I believe that salvation is something that cannot be taken away or lost. You mentioned that you disagreed with everything that he (Bennymkje) said.
Even though I am not in agreement on everything said, there was something said that I find some truth in. The statement that "Once saved is not forever saved without committing your life 100% to be born by him" does have some truth to it.
Here's why I say so:
When I look at this statement with the key word being "without," it tells me that a person cannot be saved forever (eternally saved) unless they commit their life completely to Christ and are born of God's Spirit. In other words, for you and I and all those who believe in eternal security, once saved is indeed forever saved once we have completely surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ and been born of His Spirit.
Unless that was not the intent of that particular statement, I have to agree that if one completely commits their life to Christ (Surrenders their life to Him), and is born of His Spirit, that person is saved forever. Eternally saved! At least that's how I read that statement.
But if the message is that a born-again believer can lose their salvation, then I stand with you in disagreement. I know this is a sensitive topic and I suspect I might take some heat for this, but I know where I stand in my relationship with Christ. We have a salvation that can never be taken away from us and a Savior who has promised to keep us by His power until the day that He comes to redeem us! If our salvation is dependent upon us, we're in trouble.
May the Lord bless you as you continue in fellowship with Him and His Word!
You asked that I read the whole sentence. I posted the whole sentence.
However you added to the sentence when you stated;
(The sheep has to abide in the hand of Christ.)
Bennymkje the sheep is not holding on to Christ.
Christ is holding on to them. That's what a shepherd does!
If a sheep gets lost he go get them! Christ sheep never get lost!
If they get out of line he has a staff!
I suppose you put the same conditions on Jude 1:24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Bennymkje sorry but we will have to agree to disagree.
Read the whole sentence, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Eternal life comes with condition. The sheep has to abide in the hand of Christ.
It is sandwiched between two verses,"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" and the other,"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."(v.29)
Now what have we here?
'My sheep hear my voice," and follow him all the way. My father gave them (the sheep)and it is what the everlasting covenant states. Sheep are entrusted to the Son by Father. St Paul says,"God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:/According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world." (Ep.1:3-4) Abraham and you included are thus given over to his Son. Prayer of Jesus ( John 17) also makes it clear. Once saved is not forever saved without committing your life 100% to be born by him. The other is the voice of robbers and hirelings. They also speak eternal life and line their pockets.
The same group that tell you that a believer will be judged again for their salvation is often the same group that says you can lose your salvation.
They often ignore scripture such as John 10:28-29 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. and Jude 1:24 "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
This comes from a lack of understanding the nature of salvation/Justification.
However there are many deceived amongst us in any congregation and will to be judged "by" their works and face condemnation "BECAUSE" they never truly trusted Christ and sought to add their own justification to the gift of Christ.
As S Spencer has said this is not about salvation, through Jesus we have the gift of eternal life. Please do not be confused, the truth is in the Scriptures with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many are looking to be taken to heaven before the great tribulation of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet.
We all will be judged Acts 17:31Hebrews 9:272 Corinthians 5:10
There will be two resurrections; the first is when Jesus returns, after Satan, the beast, and the false prophet have their 3.5 years of tribulation, Revelation 13:1-5Matthew 24:29-312 Thessalonians 2:1-5.
When Jesus returns with His angels, the first resurrection, the battle of Armageddon, the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire, Satan is locked in the bottomless pit and Jesus will set up the kingdom, and those chosen, and faithful who are first resurrected will rule with Jesus, Revelation 16, 17, 18, 19. After the battle, in Revelation 20:5 we see Thrones and judgment is given to them who were in the first resurrection and given the honor to reign with Jesus during the 1000 years.
We see in Revelation 20:5-6 the rest of the dead lived not until after the 1000 years and the blessing on those who will be priests of God who will reign with Jesus in the millennium on earth, not heaven. There will be different rewards for the saved who will live in eternity with God and Jesus.
In Daniel 12:2-3 we see some will shine greater than others and also, we see those in this resurrection, there will be those who will awake to everlasting life, and some who will awake to everlasting contempt. We also see in John 5:28-29 and Matthew 25:31-46 what we see in the white throne judgment, Revelation 20:11-15 the rest of the dead, some will go into eternal life and some who are not found in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire.
There is much more to study, you should study for your conscience, we must not be deceived Matthew 24:4.
In addition to the above consider this verse,"whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord."(2 Co.5:6). This is about believers who died to sin so they walk by faith and not by sight. "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God./When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Col.3:3-4) Here ye are dead because your faith arises from believing that you are blessed according to the covenant under seven days.(Ge.1:28)
Much of the confusion arises from approaching the Bible piecemeal. Instead of understanding the covenant blesses a believer in his Son some see it arising from Abraham. There is only one salvation and judgement."And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (He.9:27) Christ as promised has gone to prepare a place for us. This is what ark of his testament signifies and it is heaven. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven," (Re.11:19) So St Paul groans "earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:/If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked."(2 Co.5:2-3)
. In the rapture when Christ appears in mid-air then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Millennial reign is with in heavenly places. Christ is not coming for the honour of lording over the earth purged by fire, contaminated by nuclear fall out. It is for the mingled people, the heathen, and they are consigned to the outer darkness. Ezekiel at the end of the books telling where to look for. The Lord is up there and not in the outer darkness which is for the mixed people, Jews and Christians alike.
" For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." For good and the bad alike but not at the same time. For its significance see v.9 "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." Our faith, ministry and works are for "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matt.25:21)
Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Pelya have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior?
If so, do you think the blood of the God provided Lamb was adequate? Yes it was!
Christ took your place on the cross and God didn't spare him.
Christ was Judged in your place.
For you to be judged again, Christ died in vain!
John 5:24 reads "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Believers will be judged for their works AFTER salvation NOT "for salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:14-15.
Pelya Eternal life is something you have NOW, it's not something you get later!
The same Spirit that saves you, it also seals you! Ephesians 4:30.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:24.
Much of the confusion arises from approaching the Bible piecemeal. Instead of understanding the covenant blesses a believer in his Son; instead some see it arising from Abraham. So helter-skelter matters arising from the text present judgment. There is only one salvation and judgement."And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (He.9:27) This is with regards to the sons of Adam. Second Adam is the Lord from heaven. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."(1 Co.15:22) This living soul of Adam has death for his disobedient. In the day he ate the fruit according to the literal meaning of God's commandment Adam should have died. No his death was to come before the white Throne Judgment. "and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."(Re.20:12)
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God./When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Col.3:3-4) Here ye are dead because you have entered into the fellowship of God with Man, the covenant under seven days and are blessed.(Ge.1:28) You have come under the Law of the Spirit so the flesh is dead, and the law of sin has no hold over you. There is therefore no condemnation over you.(Ro.8:1) You live in heavenly places already, your soul and inner man in His safekeeping. In the rapture when Christ appears in mid-air then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Millennial reign is with in heavenly places. Christ is not coming for the honour of lording over the earth purged by fire, contaminated by nuclear fall out. It is for the mingled people, the heathen, and they are consigned to the outer dakness. Ezekiel at the end of the books telling where to look for, "The Lord is there." (Ez.48:35)
Abel is not forgotten and this verse indicates its certainty. "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake."(8:5) The voices, and thunderings, and lightenings assure us that His judgment is just. The Gospel has spoken. The blessed shall go to the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. By the same reckoning the wicked shall be sent to the everlasting fire.
Jesus asks, "how can ye escape the damnation of hell?/ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:/That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar./Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. "(Matt.23:34-36)
The seven angels with seven trumpets are about to pronounce judgment which shall go on as prophesied by the Son of man.
Q: "The seven angels are yet to begin sounding their trumpets. What does the activity around the altar in vv.3-5 signify?"
A: Jesus referred to everlasting fire, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matt.25:41) By the same everlasting covenant for the blessed has another place prepared for them. " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (25:34) This is the kingdom to which the covenant has been drawn up between God and Man, and of the latter we discussed already. In order to indicate his earthly ministry the Spirit gives us a sign, which is silence in heaven 'about the space of half an hour.'
Judgment upon the covering cherub follows "from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." The same day covers the works of man. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (1 Co.3:13). The same fire judged the two sons of Aaron. "the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not./And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord." God judged similarly the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The Altar of incense metonymically refers to the body of a believer. Curse on man was fixed after the murder of Abel. God tells Cain, "the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground./And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand."(Ge.4:10-11). In Re.8:4 we read,"And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." Abel is not forgotten by God
Q: Is the angel in Re.10:1 in the same sense as other instances?
A. The Revelation is about the testimony of Jesus Christ. Another angel as a narrative mode is a cue to us that there is a going back to the transition of worlds unseen from what is revealed. Thus the silence of half an hour spelled the beginning of Gospel and the age of grace given to the peoples on the earth. Here it is the Angel of the Lord. "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire." The Spirit having presented Jesus Christ as the Law of the Spirit so the inaugural vision of John leads us from the Ancient of days in the vision of Daniel the Seer. Here he commands the Apostle to eat as with Ezekiel and "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."(10:11). Also see Re.18:1 where the angel carries the narrative forward,"and the earth was lightened with his glory." The Spirit is referring to the glory of the Gospel. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee./For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee./And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."(Is.60:1-3) This is Zion as fulfilled, "And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it."(Re.21:24)
For other instance of the narrative mode we have several instances in ch.14.
1 John 5:15 - in my opinion supports asking for anything. It doesn't mean God will say yes. But if done in faith, and if genuine and not a selfish request then I think its likely to be a yes. I personally have prayed and I thought I checked both boxes and was denied. This can feel devastating to someone's faith at times. But we don't know the answers to everything. There is suffering in this world, especially as Christians. We aren't here to have everything totally comfortable and to serve us.
For example, a friend prayed for safety for racers before a race and someone ended up dying. That was a total shock to me. It was an unselfish prayer for people's safety but that prayer wasn't answered as a yes that particular time. The Bible says our life is as a vapour, so I think our real life is after this life.
Q: The Spirit while setting up a vision before John presents a scene and begins with the expression another angel doing yet something else. In Ch.7:1 we read,"I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth,." The next verse we have,"And I saw another angel ascending from the east." Yet again in ch.8:2 "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God". Next verse we have,"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer." What has trumpets to do with altar?"
A: An interesting question. First we shall take up the four corners of the earth in Re.7:1 Four is the command number of the Word. Heaven is set word-based so east west north south the Law of the Spirit reigns supreme. The angel 'another angel' ascending from the east refers Eden, which is associated with the Garden of God.(Ez.28:13-14). Judgment comes from the north; "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden" so east refers to the blessing associated with the Son. By inference another angel signifies to the Son of man. The 144,000 as a group are 'servants of our God' and for these reason the four angels should not do a thing," till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."(7:3). They have stepped into the breach of the nation of Israel. The 'another angel' is narrative mode to go back to the transition of the worlds framed by the word of God. In this case from the calling of man into the fellowship of God with Man the servants of our God have to be sealed from condemnation.
In the second instance (Re.8:2-3) we have the seven trumpets while another angel stood before the altar. The Spirit is going back to the judgment beginning with the covering cherub, "therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.' (Ez,28:16) Altar is associated with fire as the two sons of Aaron was judged by fire from God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 says ALL will be judged- everyone. I don't buy into this white throne narrative people are claiming. There's only one judgment day and everyone will be judged on that same day according to what the Bible says. The root of a separate VIP judgment seems to be another attempt to trick people into avoiding moral responsibility- assuming they're in some special VIP club or something. Yeah, right- the first will be last and the last will be first. God opposes the proud. Pride is before the fall. Many will cry Lord, Lord in the end, and they will be so shocked they don't get the VIP treatment they expected, even demanded, because they assumed God existed for them, not them for God.
In these final days people are saying all kinds of crazy untrue things and we are to be on our guard for the enemy's deceptive tricks. He uses people to deceive us and the word says there are many antiChrists who deny Christ but try to trick us through smooth and appealing talk.
A: Breaking open seven seals set off events in heaven and earth. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." Silence in its primary sense indicates fulness of time. What were unseen until now shall be made to appear. The Spirit began his narrative with the phrase, 'in the beginning.' With the seventh seal it reached the fulness of time. In the secondary sense what The writer to the Hebrews uses to signify "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son."(He.1:2) This half and hour belongs the timescale,- Time, times and a half (Dan.12:7) separating the beginning and the last days. This silence indicates the earthly ministry of the Son shall be on earth. It is in this sense St Paul refers to the birth of Jesus. "But when the fulness of the time was come"(Gal.4:4).
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" What shall proceed in heaven where seven angels step out with seven trumpets refers to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. (Re.12:14)
The Bible describes a sequence of events related to the rapture and judgment, and there are different interpretations among Christians regarding these events. Here are some key points based on Scripture:
1. **The Rapture**: The rapture refers to the event when believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This is described in ** 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17**: "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."
2. **Judgment**: After the rapture, believers will face the **Bema Seat Judgment** (or Judgment Seat of Christ), where they will be evaluated for their works and faithfulness, not for salvation. This is described in ** 2 Corinthians 5:10**: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
3. **Who are Saved**: Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. ** John 3:16** states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are considered saved and will be with Him.
4. **Final Judgment**: There is also a final judgment for those who are not saved, often referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment, described in ** Revelation 20:11-15**. This judgment is for those who have not accepted Christ and will result in separation from God.
In summary, after the rapture, believers will be with the Lord and will face the Bema Seat Judgment based on their works, while salvation is granted to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. If you have more questions or would like to explore this topic further, feel free to ask!
I always say that when His Spirit is in alignment with our spirit then we can ask whatever we will in His Name and He will answer it. In other words; His desires become our desires; and certainly He will give us the Holy Spirit ( Luke 11:13) and I would say in increasing levels as we commit more to obedience and our love of serving Him. His spiritual gifts are things as Paul indicated we should seek with emphasis on certain gifts over others.
Another way of looking at this is our place in the Body of Christ. Therefore hopefully many of our requests are for others rather than ourselves. Obviously there are big things such as a husband or wife that are personal wants that we should bring to God unless He has clearly directed our lives elsewhere. It should be clear as well that we should continue to pray in all of our relationships rather than just figuring once it is answered there is no further need for it; especially if we want to maintain a healthy marriage and family. Sadly in my situation that didn't continue shortly after matrimony; due to many of my own faults.
It is helpful in my opinion to say the following; anything we would be ashamed to pray in front of others is probably something we should not pray on our own. In other words in the above example; if we pray for a spouse the Body of Christ should be supportive; along with material needs. Naturally we shouldn't hang around those we may have a crush on to pray for us for a boyfriend; or try to manipulate people in asking them to pray for material needs just because we think they should loosen their pursestrings.
Of course the basic concept I am sure you are familiar with; God either says yes; no or not yet. More often than that He wants us to learn patience and to learn of His ways so that we can communicate more effectively and understand how He often chooses to answer requests. As I stated with someone else on the subject of anxiety (Phillippians 4:6-7) thanksgiving is key!
Be anxious about nothing but with prayers and supplications make your requests to be known by God...ok here's the full quote.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Seems I left out thanksgiving; a big no no. Must be late and I am poor on scripture memory discipline I should have remembered the last part which of course is relevant to your situation.
True love casts out fear (1 John I'll let you find the verse).
The verse John 16:8 comes to mind but not in the main meaning but what it implies; namely that those who are truly Spirit filled are not under judgment and their sins are not going to be held against them. We are on the right side of His righteousness as His Spirit lives in us and the world flesh and the Devil have no hold on us. On the other side of the equation is the world; the flesh and the Devil of whom I am sure I don't need to inform you as to the constant interference and torment they so often try to afflict us with.
The accuser of the brethren ( Rev. 12:10) is the enemy's main tactic to render us ineffective in the battlefield. So it should go without saying that we examine ourselves to see if there is any offense which gives the enemy the legal authority to go after us as a means the Lord Himself will use for our discipline. Spiritual warfare certainly is the overarching force that leads to emotional side effects. The Lord will use others to encourage us; and we should bring our requests to the Lord as well as sharing with those who He will use to minister to us. I have found just as helpful when running into strangers who are believers; something which spiritual discernment often has made clear to me.
The worst thing the enemy can do is convince us that we are still of this world and doomed to hell. If TRULY saved it is a lie.
Both believers and non-believers will be judged. There is a judgment for believers, and there is a judgement for non-believers. Believers are judged at the Bema Seat judgement of Christ. Non-believers will be judged separately at the Great White Throne judgment.
So, the answer to your question is no, we (born again believers) will not be judged at the Great White Throne judgment. That is reserved for the wicked dead only. Revelation Chapter 20 speaks about the Great White Throne judgment. It seems pretty clear that all those at this judgment will be cast into the lake of fire.
Please think about this: You mentioned the rapture and as you probably are aware, this is for believers only. In 1 Thessalonians Chater 4, it tells us that the dead (In Christ) will rise from the grave. It doesn't say anything about the wicked dead rising in the rapture.
So where are the wicked dead after the rapture? While we are with Christ, they are still in Hades awaiting their final judgment which in Revelation 20:13, it says that the sea gave up the dead (wicked dead) which were in it; and death and hell (this is actually Hades, not Hell), delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Please know that these are the wicked dead, not believers. Revelation 20:14 gives us their fate. It says, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." Again, this is Hades. Right now, no believers are in Hades. They were released with the Lord's message to them.
But the non-believers were left there. And that's where the non-believers go today, until the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ, which after that they will be judged (at the Great White Throne) and cast into the lake of fire. So, this judgment (Great White Throne) cannot be for believers.
Dear Peyla: This question typically involves Post Millenial and often Reformed believers who don't believe in the Millennial rule of Christ as coming after the Tribulation; they believe Christ returns instead and the new heaven and earth immediately commence.
There are many reasons that I disagree with that eschatological viewpoint but I won't elaborate here except to say that a literal interpretation of passages in Isaiah and Revelation in particular should make it clear enough that a literal 1000 year rule and reign of Christ will occur on the earth; as many allude to being like the seventh day of creation in the seventh millenium of earth which according to the Jewish calendar is near 6000 years at present (and supposedly off by about 200 years).
Anyway; the principal difference is that those whose works are judged are cast into the lake of fire which would indicate the unsaved status of those in that judgment from all the lost dead from all ages of earth. I have pointed out that the exception to those whose names weren't in the Book of Life would be the physical survivors for the entire Millennium period; who no doubt would live as Methuselah and Noah did over 900 years. Those who would die at 100 are considered accursed ( Isaiah 65:20).
This group would likely enter heaven as the old heaven and earth pass away.
As for those mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10 we see a purging of believers based on their works whether they were good or bad. This is not a salvation issue; but a reward one. Loss of rewards will no doubt be painful and the effects particularly pronounced during the Millennium when we rule as kings and priests on the earth ( Rev. 1; etal). This fire is for our final purification not hellfire which is eternal and doesn't bring any purification.
Let us be open to pruning and purification now ( John 15:2). This comes with sufferings and trials which all true believers are promised according to numerous scriptures.
Acts 12:10 - When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
The term "own accord" in Greek is the word automatically. It just opened! And they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.
Acts 12:20 - And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
And Herod was highly displeased. It's made up of a couple of Greek words. THUMOS for passion, and MACHOMAI to fight. Literally he was fighting mad. Highly displeased almost sounds like a gentleman's term. But Herod was fighting mad with them of Tyre and Sidon:
Why he was upset with them we really don't know. Tyre and Sidon are right on the coast up from Jerusalem and Judea. And up the coast in Tyre and Sidon, even David the king, he sent food to them, and they exchanged supplies. For some reason, they made Herod angry, and he cut off their food supply. He was fighting mad at these people!
Acts 12:21 - And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
And upon a set day Herod, and it is kind of interesting that Herod would agree with this and say "Okay, okay, but stay in town because we are going to have a special day to honor Herod."
So, upon a set day Herod, arrayed (or clothed) in royal apparel, sat upon his throne. That's not the word THRONOS. That's the word BEMA. It's on his judgment seat! And made an oration, or a speech unto them.
Tyre and Sidon, everybody that was in town could come. But he wanted to make this pronouncement on them that he would continue to supply food to them. This was a very big deal!
Acts 12:4 - And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
So, they put him in prison. But notice, and if you are reading from the King James, it says to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. There is no word Easter. It is the word PASKA for Passover.
Many people have had questions over the years because "Easter" is mentioned in the bible. Well, in the English yes, but in the Greek text, no!
Ashtaroth was a pagan festival where we get our term Easter. Their celebration of life was the bunny and the Easter egg.
Acts 12:8 - And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so, he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And the angel said unto him, Gird yourself, (that is, put your belt on), and bind on your sandals. And so, he did it. And he saith unto him, Cast your garment around you (your outer coat), and follow me.
"And follow me" is in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek. Be continually following me! You would think that the angel was like Peter's mother, like he didn't know how to get dressed!
The emphasis here is that Peter didn't wake up and the angel had to "get him up." The angel had to tell him how to get dressed and what to do.
And the angel says now continuously follow me! No matter where we go, you just keep following me. It won't be for another 30 minutes before Peter realizes and wakes up and goes, "Wow, I thought that was a dream!" There is nothing about Peter that made any of this happen.
Acts 12:9 - And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not, (meaning he did not know) that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he was seeing a vision.
Acts 11:24 - For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
For he was a good man. This is the word AGATHOS meaning he was good spiritually. He was a good man and he was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.
Acts 11:29 - Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, and it's the word prosper. Now the Greek terminology for prosperity is anything beyond necessity. Every man according to as he prospered, determined to send relief unto the brothers which dwelt in Judaea:
Acts 12:2 - And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
The word "killed" is not the normal word for put someone to death. It is the word for beheading. He beheaded James the brother of John with the sword.
Interesting! This is James and John, the sons of Zebedee. James will be the first apostle who has been martyred now.
But I think it is kind of interesting that James and John are brothers, and remember they are the ones that their mother approached Jesus and said can my sons sit one on your left and one on your right-hand side, and Jesus said are you worthy to participate in the baptism that I'm baptized with?
He meant the baptism of persecution and suffering. And they said, "Yes we are." It is interesting that James would die first. He's the first martyr. And his brother John would be the last apostle to die. Very interesting!
Acts 11:18 - When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Verse 18 says that when they heard these things, they held their peace. Literally, they were silent. What are you going to say?
And they were glorifying God, (Imperfect Tense), meaning continuously. They were continuously glorifying God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles has granted repentance unto life. You can't argue against God! You can argue against man. You can argue against the works of people. But you can't argue against the works of God.
If God's Spirit, if Jesus saves somebody, you can't speak against it. It's His work! If somebody's life is changed and transformed, what are you going to say?
Acts 11:19 - Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
The word "scattered" in our text shows that they were scattered. But this word has become an official title of a group that is called the DIASPORA which is the Greek word for scattered. James wrote to the DIASPORA, to the 12 tribes, but in the Greek text it is the DIASPORA. The Hebrew literature, (Hebrews through Revelation) is written to the DIASPORA, the Jews who have been scattered outside of Jerusalem.
After the stoning of Stephen, they travelled as far as Phenice, which is actually on the coast right where you have Sidon and Tyre. That whole area is Phenicia. And talking about the migration that took place from out of Jerusalem up to Cesarea and beyond, and if you see Antioch on the map, it is 300 miles from Jerusalem.
Acts 10:46 - For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. This will be the second of three places in the book of Acts where it talks about people, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues.
The word "tongues," GLOSSA in the Greek, is the word for language, a known language. All of those that were in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came, every one of them heard the disciples speaking their own language in which they were born.
God gave them the ability to speak in various languages, not having any ability to know that language. In Acts Chapter 10, they spoke in languages. They are not talking about some "mystical gift" or some "babbling noise." That's why the believing Jews were saying "we're astonished." You've received the Holy Spirit just like we have. What confirmation do they have of that? It's that they all spoke in the 70 known languages of the world. Interesting!
Acts 11:16 - Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Then remembered I the word of the Lord. Peter said when this happened, I remembered how that He said, and the word "said" in Verse 16 is called an Imperfect Tense meaning the Lord said it many times.
Acts 11:17 - Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Forasmuch then as God gave them the "like" gift. The word "like" in Greek means equal. It is the word ESOS. It means equal and it is the same word used in John 5:18, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Jesus because He not only broken the Sabbath day, but said also that God was His father, making Himself "equal" with God."
Q: The city of God is foursquare, so is the altar of incense? In the volume of each believer there must be certain golden ratio so a believer grows from glory to glory, Does it not?
A: Certainly. The altar has a certain position so has the city of God in the new heaven and new earth. What God specified for the tabernacle is after the pattern shown to Moses. (Ex.30:2) Let us consider these. An altar is "A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof." Father and Son as Jesus said, "My Father and I are one. "Two cubits shall be the height thereof" denote the two commandments Jesus taught us. (Matt.22:40). The golden ratio therefore sets these relationship in relation to the world without. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." So how shall we consider the altar, as dress to change for occasions or as a living sacrifice? Paul exhorts,"that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."(Ro.12:1-2)
"And thou shalt put it before the vail" The altar is set before the vail representing the face, "and the firmament sheweth his handywork" and the glory of heaven interfaces with earth so it iis a face; it is in this sense Paul writes here, "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." In short our heart is a kind of glass which adds to our understanding, "that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."(2 Pe.1:4-8)
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."(2 Co.3:18) This liberty has freed us from law of sin.
As I mentioned in the first ever discussion, you are free to disagree and unless grace is given from above many things to discern the right from wrong can cause divisions. In essentials unity, and in non-essentials charity. You have to determine yourself which is which.
Sheep is likely to go astray and the good shepherd at times shall hold the lamb close and it is for the lamb's safety. Jesus is the true vine and branches are running like sheep saying once saved is saved. The branches abide in the vine drawing nutrients and the goodness of the tree. Third analogy I can cite: God commanded Moses to make the altar of incense. "And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal."(Ex.30:4) The body of a believer is a living sacrifice. You are not to remove the rings ever. You are not free to burn strange mixture of incense therein. Instead the incense has to be of precise mix so you shall be a sweet smelling savour to God. Think it over.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Ephesians 1:3-12
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
I stand in position with you on eternal security, or the permanency of salvation. Amen! I believe that salvation is something that cannot be taken away or lost. You mentioned that you disagreed with everything that he (Bennymkje) said.
Even though I am not in agreement on everything said, there was something said that I find some truth in. The statement that "Once saved is not forever saved without committing your life 100% to be born by him" does have some truth to it.
Here's why I say so:
When I look at this statement with the key word being "without," it tells me that a person cannot be saved forever (eternally saved) unless they commit their life completely to Christ and are born of God's Spirit. In other words, for you and I and all those who believe in eternal security, once saved is indeed forever saved once we have completely surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ and been born of His Spirit.
Unless that was not the intent of that particular statement, I have to agree that if one completely commits their life to Christ (Surrenders their life to Him), and is born of His Spirit, that person is saved forever. Eternally saved! At least that's how I read that statement.
But if the message is that a born-again believer can lose their salvation, then I stand with you in disagreement. I know this is a sensitive topic and I suspect I might take some heat for this, but I know where I stand in my relationship with Christ. We have a salvation that can never be taken away from us and a Savior who has promised to keep us by His power until the day that He comes to redeem us! If our salvation is dependent upon us, we're in trouble.
May the Lord bless you as you continue in fellowship with Him and His Word!
I disagree with everything you said.
You asked that I read the whole sentence. I posted the whole sentence.
However you added to the sentence when you stated;
(The sheep has to abide in the hand of Christ.)
Bennymkje the sheep is not holding on to Christ.
Christ is holding on to them. That's what a shepherd does!
If a sheep gets lost he go get them! Christ sheep never get lost!
If they get out of line he has a staff!
I suppose you put the same conditions on Jude 1:24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Bennymkje sorry but we will have to agree to disagree.
God bless.
Read the whole sentence, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Eternal life comes with condition. The sheep has to abide in the hand of Christ.
It is sandwiched between two verses,"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" and the other,"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."(v.29)
Now what have we here?
'My sheep hear my voice," and follow him all the way. My father gave them (the sheep)and it is what the everlasting covenant states. Sheep are entrusted to the Son by Father. St Paul says,"God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:/According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world." (Ep.1:3-4) Abraham and you included are thus given over to his Son. Prayer of Jesus ( John 17) also makes it clear. Once saved is not forever saved without committing your life 100% to be born by him. The other is the voice of robbers and hirelings. They also speak eternal life and line their pockets.
The same group that tell you that a believer will be judged again for their salvation is often the same group that says you can lose your salvation.
They often ignore scripture such as John 10:28-29 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. and Jude 1:24 "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
This comes from a lack of understanding the nature of salvation/Justification.
However there are many deceived amongst us in any congregation and will to be judged "by" their works and face condemnation "BECAUSE" they never truly trusted Christ and sought to add their own justification to the gift of Christ.
As S Spencer has said this is not about salvation, through Jesus we have the gift of eternal life. Please do not be confused, the truth is in the Scriptures with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many are looking to be taken to heaven before the great tribulation of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet.
We all will be judged Acts 17:31 Hebrews 9:27 2 Corinthians 5:10
There will be two resurrections; the first is when Jesus returns, after Satan, the beast, and the false prophet have their 3.5 years of tribulation, Revelation 13:1-5 Matthew 24:29-31 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5.
When Jesus returns with His angels, the first resurrection, the battle of Armageddon, the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire, Satan is locked in the bottomless pit and Jesus will set up the kingdom, and those chosen, and faithful who are first resurrected will rule with Jesus, Revelation 16, 17, 18, 19. After the battle, in Revelation 20:5 we see Thrones and judgment is given to them who were in the first resurrection and given the honor to reign with Jesus during the 1000 years.
We see in Revelation 20:5-6 the rest of the dead lived not until after the 1000 years and the blessing on those who will be priests of God who will reign with Jesus in the millennium on earth, not heaven. There will be different rewards for the saved who will live in eternity with God and Jesus.
In Daniel 12:2-3 we see some will shine greater than others and also, we see those in this resurrection, there will be those who will awake to everlasting life, and some who will awake to everlasting contempt. We also see in John 5:28-29 and Matthew 25:31-46 what we see in the white throne judgment, Revelation 20:11-15 the rest of the dead, some will go into eternal life and some who are not found in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire.
There is much more to study, you should study for your conscience, we must not be deceived Matthew 24:4.
God bless,
RLW
Much of the confusion arises from approaching the Bible piecemeal. Instead of understanding the covenant blesses a believer in his Son some see it arising from Abraham. There is only one salvation and judgement."And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (He.9:27) Christ as promised has gone to prepare a place for us. This is what ark of his testament signifies and it is heaven. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven," (Re.11:19) So St Paul groans "earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:/If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked."(2 Co.5:2-3)
. In the rapture when Christ appears in mid-air then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Millennial reign is with in heavenly places. Christ is not coming for the honour of lording over the earth purged by fire, contaminated by nuclear fall out. It is for the mingled people, the heathen, and they are consigned to the outer darkness. Ezekiel at the end of the books telling where to look for. The Lord is up there and not in the outer darkness which is for the mixed people, Jews and Christians alike.
" For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." For good and the bad alike but not at the same time. For its significance see v.9 "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." Our faith, ministry and works are for "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matt.25:21)
Consider these verses.
Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Pelya have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior?
If so, do you think the blood of the God provided Lamb was adequate? Yes it was!
Christ took your place on the cross and God didn't spare him.
Christ was Judged in your place.
For you to be judged again, Christ died in vain!
John 5:24 reads "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Believers will be judged for their works AFTER salvation NOT "for salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:14-15.
Pelya Eternal life is something you have NOW, it's not something you get later!
The same Spirit that saves you, it also seals you! Ephesians 4:30.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:24.
God bless you.
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God./When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Col.3:3-4) Here ye are dead because you have entered into the fellowship of God with Man, the covenant under seven days and are blessed.(Ge.1:28) You have come under the Law of the Spirit so the flesh is dead, and the law of sin has no hold over you. There is therefore no condemnation over you.(Ro.8:1) You live in heavenly places already, your soul and inner man in His safekeeping. In the rapture when Christ appears in mid-air then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Millennial reign is with in heavenly places. Christ is not coming for the honour of lording over the earth purged by fire, contaminated by nuclear fall out. It is for the mingled people, the heathen, and they are consigned to the outer dakness. Ezekiel at the end of the books telling where to look for, "The Lord is there." (Ez.48:35)
Abel is not forgotten and this verse indicates its certainty. "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake."(8:5) The voices, and thunderings, and lightenings assure us that His judgment is just. The Gospel has spoken. The blessed shall go to the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. By the same reckoning the wicked shall be sent to the everlasting fire.
Jesus asks, "how can ye escape the damnation of hell?/ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:/That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar./Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. "(Matt.23:34-36)
The seven angels with seven trumpets are about to pronounce judgment which shall go on as prophesied by the Son of man.
Q: "The seven angels are yet to begin sounding their trumpets. What does the activity around the altar in vv.3-5 signify?"
A: Jesus referred to everlasting fire, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matt.25:41) By the same everlasting covenant for the blessed has another place prepared for them. " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (25:34) This is the kingdom to which the covenant has been drawn up between God and Man, and of the latter we discussed already. In order to indicate his earthly ministry the Spirit gives us a sign, which is silence in heaven 'about the space of half an hour.'
Judgment upon the covering cherub follows "from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." The same day covers the works of man. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (1 Co.3:13). The same fire judged the two sons of Aaron. "the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not./And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord." God judged similarly the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The Altar of incense metonymically refers to the body of a believer. Curse on man was fixed after the murder of Abel. God tells Cain, "the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground./And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand."(Ge.4:10-11). In Re.8:4 we read,"And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." Abel is not forgotten by God
Q: Is the angel in Re.10:1 in the same sense as other instances?
A. The Revelation is about the testimony of Jesus Christ. Another angel as a narrative mode is a cue to us that there is a going back to the transition of worlds unseen from what is revealed. Thus the silence of half an hour spelled the beginning of Gospel and the age of grace given to the peoples on the earth. Here it is the Angel of the Lord. "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire." The Spirit having presented Jesus Christ as the Law of the Spirit so the inaugural vision of John leads us from the Ancient of days in the vision of Daniel the Seer. Here he commands the Apostle to eat as with Ezekiel and "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."(10:11). Also see Re.18:1 where the angel carries the narrative forward,"and the earth was lightened with his glory." The Spirit is referring to the glory of the Gospel. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee./For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee./And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."(Is.60:1-3) This is Zion as fulfilled, "And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it."(Re.21:24)
For other instance of the narrative mode we have several instances in ch.14.
For example, a friend prayed for safety for racers before a race and someone ended up dying. That was a total shock to me. It was an unselfish prayer for people's safety but that prayer wasn't answered as a yes that particular time. The Bible says our life is as a vapour, so I think our real life is after this life.
Q: The Spirit while setting up a vision before John presents a scene and begins with the expression another angel doing yet something else. In Ch.7:1 we read,"I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth,." The next verse we have,"And I saw another angel ascending from the east." Yet again in ch.8:2 "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God". Next verse we have,"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer." What has trumpets to do with altar?"
A: An interesting question. First we shall take up the four corners of the earth in Re.7:1 Four is the command number of the Word. Heaven is set word-based so east west north south the Law of the Spirit reigns supreme. The angel 'another angel' ascending from the east refers Eden, which is associated with the Garden of God.(Ez.28:13-14). Judgment comes from the north; "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden" so east refers to the blessing associated with the Son. By inference another angel signifies to the Son of man. The 144,000 as a group are 'servants of our God' and for these reason the four angels should not do a thing," till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."(7:3). They have stepped into the breach of the nation of Israel. The 'another angel' is narrative mode to go back to the transition of the worlds framed by the word of God. In this case from the calling of man into the fellowship of God with Man the servants of our God have to be sealed from condemnation.
In the second instance (Re.8:2-3) we have the seven trumpets while another angel stood before the altar. The Spirit is going back to the judgment beginning with the covering cherub, "therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.' (Ez,28:16) Altar is associated with fire as the two sons of Aaron was judged by fire from God.
In these final days people are saying all kinds of crazy untrue things and we are to be on our guard for the enemy's deceptive tricks. He uses people to deceive us and the word says there are many antiChrists who deny Christ but try to trick us through smooth and appealing talk.
Q: "What does this silence in heaven signify?"
A: Breaking open seven seals set off events in heaven and earth. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." Silence in its primary sense indicates fulness of time. What were unseen until now shall be made to appear. The Spirit began his narrative with the phrase, 'in the beginning.' With the seventh seal it reached the fulness of time. In the secondary sense what The writer to the Hebrews uses to signify "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son."(He.1:2) This half and hour belongs the timescale,- Time, times and a half (Dan.12:7) separating the beginning and the last days. This silence indicates the earthly ministry of the Son shall be on earth. It is in this sense St Paul refers to the birth of Jesus. "But when the fulness of the time was come"(Gal.4:4).
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" What shall proceed in heaven where seven angels step out with seven trumpets refers to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. (Re.12:14)
1. **The Rapture**: The rapture refers to the event when believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This is described in ** 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17**: "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."
2. **Judgment**: After the rapture, believers will face the **Bema Seat Judgment** (or Judgment Seat of Christ), where they will be evaluated for their works and faithfulness, not for salvation. This is described in ** 2 Corinthians 5:10**: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
3. **Who are Saved**: Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. ** John 3:16** states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are considered saved and will be with Him.
4. **Final Judgment**: There is also a final judgment for those who are not saved, often referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment, described in ** Revelation 20:11-15**. This judgment is for those who have not accepted Christ and will result in separation from God.
In summary, after the rapture, believers will be with the Lord and will face the Bema Seat Judgment based on their works, while salvation is granted to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. If you have more questions or would like to explore this topic further, feel free to ask!
Another way of looking at this is our place in the Body of Christ. Therefore hopefully many of our requests are for others rather than ourselves. Obviously there are big things such as a husband or wife that are personal wants that we should bring to God unless He has clearly directed our lives elsewhere. It should be clear as well that we should continue to pray in all of our relationships rather than just figuring once it is answered there is no further need for it; especially if we want to maintain a healthy marriage and family. Sadly in my situation that didn't continue shortly after matrimony; due to many of my own faults.
It is helpful in my opinion to say the following; anything we would be ashamed to pray in front of others is probably something we should not pray on our own. In other words in the above example; if we pray for a spouse the Body of Christ should be supportive; along with material needs. Naturally we shouldn't hang around those we may have a crush on to pray for us for a boyfriend; or try to manipulate people in asking them to pray for material needs just because we think they should loosen their pursestrings.
Of course the basic concept I am sure you are familiar with; God either says yes; no or not yet. More often than that He wants us to learn patience and to learn of His ways so that we can communicate more effectively and understand how He often chooses to answer requests. As I stated with someone else on the subject of anxiety (Phillippians 4:6-7) thanksgiving is key!
Agape.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Seems I left out thanksgiving; a big no no. Must be late and I am poor on scripture memory discipline I should have remembered the last part which of course is relevant to your situation.
True love casts out fear (1 John I'll let you find the verse).
The verse John 16:8 comes to mind but not in the main meaning but what it implies; namely that those who are truly Spirit filled are not under judgment and their sins are not going to be held against them. We are on the right side of His righteousness as His Spirit lives in us and the world flesh and the Devil have no hold on us. On the other side of the equation is the world; the flesh and the Devil of whom I am sure I don't need to inform you as to the constant interference and torment they so often try to afflict us with.
The accuser of the brethren ( Rev. 12:10) is the enemy's main tactic to render us ineffective in the battlefield. So it should go without saying that we examine ourselves to see if there is any offense which gives the enemy the legal authority to go after us as a means the Lord Himself will use for our discipline. Spiritual warfare certainly is the overarching force that leads to emotional side effects. The Lord will use others to encourage us; and we should bring our requests to the Lord as well as sharing with those who He will use to minister to us. I have found just as helpful when running into strangers who are believers; something which spiritual discernment often has made clear to me.
The worst thing the enemy can do is convince us that we are still of this world and doomed to hell. If TRULY saved it is a lie.
Both believers and non-believers will be judged. There is a judgment for believers, and there is a judgement for non-believers. Believers are judged at the Bema Seat judgement of Christ. Non-believers will be judged separately at the Great White Throne judgment.
So, the answer to your question is no, we (born again believers) will not be judged at the Great White Throne judgment. That is reserved for the wicked dead only. Revelation Chapter 20 speaks about the Great White Throne judgment. It seems pretty clear that all those at this judgment will be cast into the lake of fire.
Please think about this: You mentioned the rapture and as you probably are aware, this is for believers only. In 1 Thessalonians Chater 4, it tells us that the dead (In Christ) will rise from the grave. It doesn't say anything about the wicked dead rising in the rapture.
So where are the wicked dead after the rapture? While we are with Christ, they are still in Hades awaiting their final judgment which in Revelation 20:13, it says that the sea gave up the dead (wicked dead) which were in it; and death and hell (this is actually Hades, not Hell), delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Please know that these are the wicked dead, not believers. Revelation 20:14 gives us their fate. It says, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." Again, this is Hades. Right now, no believers are in Hades. They were released with the Lord's message to them.
But the non-believers were left there. And that's where the non-believers go today, until the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ, which after that they will be judged (at the Great White Throne) and cast into the lake of fire. So, this judgment (Great White Throne) cannot be for believers.
Hope this helps. God Bless!!!
There are many reasons that I disagree with that eschatological viewpoint but I won't elaborate here except to say that a literal interpretation of passages in Isaiah and Revelation in particular should make it clear enough that a literal 1000 year rule and reign of Christ will occur on the earth; as many allude to being like the seventh day of creation in the seventh millenium of earth which according to the Jewish calendar is near 6000 years at present (and supposedly off by about 200 years).
Anyway; the principal difference is that those whose works are judged are cast into the lake of fire which would indicate the unsaved status of those in that judgment from all the lost dead from all ages of earth. I have pointed out that the exception to those whose names weren't in the Book of Life would be the physical survivors for the entire Millennium period; who no doubt would live as Methuselah and Noah did over 900 years. Those who would die at 100 are considered accursed ( Isaiah 65:20).
This group would likely enter heaven as the old heaven and earth pass away.
As for those mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10 we see a purging of believers based on their works whether they were good or bad. This is not a salvation issue; but a reward one. Loss of rewards will no doubt be painful and the effects particularly pronounced during the Millennium when we rule as kings and priests on the earth ( Rev. 1; etal). This fire is for our final purification not hellfire which is eternal and doesn't bring any purification.
Let us be open to pruning and purification now ( John 15:2). This comes with sufferings and trials which all true believers are promised according to numerous scriptures.
Agape; blessings.
RHP
Acts 12:10 - When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
The term "own accord" in Greek is the word automatically. It just opened! And they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.
Acts 12:20 - And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
And Herod was highly displeased. It's made up of a couple of Greek words. THUMOS for passion, and MACHOMAI to fight. Literally he was fighting mad. Highly displeased almost sounds like a gentleman's term. But Herod was fighting mad with them of Tyre and Sidon:
Why he was upset with them we really don't know. Tyre and Sidon are right on the coast up from Jerusalem and Judea. And up the coast in Tyre and Sidon, even David the king, he sent food to them, and they exchanged supplies. For some reason, they made Herod angry, and he cut off their food supply. He was fighting mad at these people!
Acts 12:21 - And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
And upon a set day Herod, and it is kind of interesting that Herod would agree with this and say "Okay, okay, but stay in town because we are going to have a special day to honor Herod."
So, upon a set day Herod, arrayed (or clothed) in royal apparel, sat upon his throne. That's not the word THRONOS. That's the word BEMA. It's on his judgment seat! And made an oration, or a speech unto them.
Tyre and Sidon, everybody that was in town could come. But he wanted to make this pronouncement on them that he would continue to supply food to them. This was a very big deal!
Acts 12:4 - And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
So, they put him in prison. But notice, and if you are reading from the King James, it says to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. There is no word Easter. It is the word PASKA for Passover.
Many people have had questions over the years because "Easter" is mentioned in the bible. Well, in the English yes, but in the Greek text, no!
Ashtaroth was a pagan festival where we get our term Easter. Their celebration of life was the bunny and the Easter egg.
Acts 12:8 - And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so, he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And the angel said unto him, Gird yourself, (that is, put your belt on), and bind on your sandals. And so, he did it. And he saith unto him, Cast your garment around you (your outer coat), and follow me.
"And follow me" is in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek. Be continually following me! You would think that the angel was like Peter's mother, like he didn't know how to get dressed!
The emphasis here is that Peter didn't wake up and the angel had to "get him up." The angel had to tell him how to get dressed and what to do.
And the angel says now continuously follow me! No matter where we go, you just keep following me. It won't be for another 30 minutes before Peter realizes and wakes up and goes, "Wow, I thought that was a dream!" There is nothing about Peter that made any of this happen.
Acts 12:9 - And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not, (meaning he did not know) that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he was seeing a vision.
Acts 11:24 - For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
For he was a good man. This is the word AGATHOS meaning he was good spiritually. He was a good man and he was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.
Acts 11:29 - Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, and it's the word prosper. Now the Greek terminology for prosperity is anything beyond necessity. Every man according to as he prospered, determined to send relief unto the brothers which dwelt in Judaea:
Acts 12:2 - And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
The word "killed" is not the normal word for put someone to death. It is the word for beheading. He beheaded James the brother of John with the sword.
Interesting! This is James and John, the sons of Zebedee. James will be the first apostle who has been martyred now.
But I think it is kind of interesting that James and John are brothers, and remember they are the ones that their mother approached Jesus and said can my sons sit one on your left and one on your right-hand side, and Jesus said are you worthy to participate in the baptism that I'm baptized with?
He meant the baptism of persecution and suffering. And they said, "Yes we are." It is interesting that James would die first. He's the first martyr. And his brother John would be the last apostle to die. Very interesting!
Acts 11:18 - When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Verse 18 says that when they heard these things, they held their peace. Literally, they were silent. What are you going to say?
And they were glorifying God, (Imperfect Tense), meaning continuously. They were continuously glorifying God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles has granted repentance unto life. You can't argue against God! You can argue against man. You can argue against the works of people. But you can't argue against the works of God.
If God's Spirit, if Jesus saves somebody, you can't speak against it. It's His work! If somebody's life is changed and transformed, what are you going to say?
Acts 11:19 - Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
The word "scattered" in our text shows that they were scattered. But this word has become an official title of a group that is called the DIASPORA which is the Greek word for scattered. James wrote to the DIASPORA, to the 12 tribes, but in the Greek text it is the DIASPORA. The Hebrew literature, (Hebrews through Revelation) is written to the DIASPORA, the Jews who have been scattered outside of Jerusalem.
After the stoning of Stephen, they travelled as far as Phenice, which is actually on the coast right where you have Sidon and Tyre. That whole area is Phenicia. And talking about the migration that took place from out of Jerusalem up to Cesarea and beyond, and if you see Antioch on the map, it is 300 miles from Jerusalem.
(Acts Part 26):
Acts 10:46 - For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. This will be the second of three places in the book of Acts where it talks about people, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues.
The word "tongues," GLOSSA in the Greek, is the word for language, a known language. All of those that were in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came, every one of them heard the disciples speaking their own language in which they were born.
God gave them the ability to speak in various languages, not having any ability to know that language. In Acts Chapter 10, they spoke in languages. They are not talking about some "mystical gift" or some "babbling noise." That's why the believing Jews were saying "we're astonished." You've received the Holy Spirit just like we have. What confirmation do they have of that? It's that they all spoke in the 70 known languages of the world. Interesting!
Acts 11:16 - Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Then remembered I the word of the Lord. Peter said when this happened, I remembered how that He said, and the word "said" in Verse 16 is called an Imperfect Tense meaning the Lord said it many times.
Acts 11:17 - Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Forasmuch then as God gave them the "like" gift. The word "like" in Greek means equal. It is the word ESOS. It means equal and it is the same word used in John 5:18, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Jesus because He not only broken the Sabbath day, but said also that God was His father, making Himself "equal" with God."
Equal, the same, nothing different!