Isaiah 66:4 says "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."
This reminds us of the sobering verse of 2 Thessalonians 2:11 on "The lie" which no doubt means Antichrist and his false prophet ultimately in the Tribulation.
John 10:38 states that we can believe in Christ simply because of the miracles He does; but many others warn of thinking He is anything other than God's Son which itself is only revealed by the Father in heaven to whom He chooses.(see Matthew 16:13-20; and Matthew 11:27 just a couple chapters back as well as much of the Gospel of John for further study on these truths.)
Isaiah 53:2 dispels all the images made of Christ which are venerated. The opposite of not believing Him and the potential of committing the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Spirit ( Matthew 12:31) is elevating Christ to that of any other man; as the Son of Man is greater than His creation. We see other verses where He excoriates those in the cities where He did many miracles and stated the punishment for unbelief would be greater than that of Sodom. With Peter we see how the thoughts of man no matter how "noble" they may have seemed in respect to Jesus not dying on the cross because of His notoriety brought the stern rebuke against Satan himself who was operating through Peter at the time; remarkably very shortly after Christ revealed that Peter could only have recieved revelation as to who He truly was from God Himself.
We can look at many in the ministry today as we approach the last days judgment of the church before the rest of the world is judged and see how many traps lead men to perdition. We need to be real and believe Jesus when He states the narrow road is only followed by a few; especially when Christianity is "politically correct."
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.
Q: "Both breath of God and the Spirit of Christ go into the making of a man So soul explains him "after our image" but what precisely makes him predestinated?
A: Let us take each according to the word given in the scripture. God formed man of the dust of the ground," and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." In terms of after our image the Son is the soul of God a Spirit. The body of man is from the earth, the world made to appear. The earth abides forever since the day is decreed for the Son. This brings the Law of the Spirit into it. The Law is life that explains the Father Son relationship. "but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." This is life the context in which the covenant was drawn up between the two. So what determines 'in the beginning' ? The Law which is God. The Word was with God and 'in the beginning' establishes the Logos aspect of Jesus Christ. "I and my Father are one" ( John 10:30;He.13:8) is established by the Law. By the same token in the fulness of time underpins the Law of the Spirit.
The Law of the Spirit is figuratively expressed as Ancient of days. Seven is the command number for Law with which the red dragon shall be judged/ The seven heads stamp him as the embodiment of the law of sin/ (Re.12:3) Ancient of days sets the judgment "And the books were opened."Dan.7:10). The book of life lists all who were chosen, "in him before the foundation of the world,."(Ep.1:4-6). Those who entered into the covenant by faith are new creation and abiding in Christ as the Lamb in Re.5:6 are shown having sen horns and seven eyes. The risen Jesus as the Son "he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." Parallelism of the Father Son establishes that we are predestinated.
Q: It is plain that Jesus Christ is established as the Son of man but what purpose does 'one like unto' him serve?
A: Much in every way. The Spirit in organising the two worlds on a single standard of the word of God serves the sign aspect of the sound (the voice of the Lord) stand out for the believer. The vision of Daniel refers to one like unto the Son of man. It is in context of the Ancient of days. When God sent his only begotten Son to the world he referred himself to the Son of man. "And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."(Matt.8:20) In the inaugural vision the Spirit sets in place of Ancient of days so the Son serves not as one sent by his Father but as God in his own authority. Having fulfilled the will he declares "I and my Father are one." ( John 10:30) Does it matter the context and place in which he announced to the people who would have stoned him? He carried in him the role of the Apostle, the Mediator and the High Priest.(He.3:1) As Ancient of days he presented himself so he was the Law of the Spirit in isual terms. When he refers," Fear not; I am the first and the last:/I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death./Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."(Re.1:17-19) In view of v.19 his charge to John we have the genesis of the special role of the book. He is the Law of the Spirit."For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:/And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.:(Re.22:18-19
Yes, we do disagree on this, but it is always nice to speak with you. You have always shown respect, and I have much respect for you also. I understand the phrase "Son of God" as a title just the same as I understand "Son of Man" also being a title. One thing I notice is that John never refers to Jesus as TEKNON. And as far as I know, Jesus is never called a TEKNON in the bible. He is referred to as a HUOIS, one who inherits all things from the Father. I think we both agree that once we are born of God's Spirit, we become joint heirs with Christ. In other words, we are co-inheritors.
I thank you for sharing your understanding of 1 John 2:23. Please allow me to also share my understanding. From what I have read and studied over the years, they had problems back then about people believing in God the Father, but not believing in the deity of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in John 5:23 that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent Him. In John Chapter 5, Jesus said that all authority has been conveyed to Him. He is to judge all people. And He is to be honored equal to the Father. Most religions will believe in a god and might even call him father. But they will not believe that Jesus Christ is equal.
The person that denies the Father (and the Son), whosoever denies the Son, the same does not have the Father. Jesus said in John 10:30 (the chapter about the sheepfold), He said I and my Father are one. To me, this says that we can't have one without the other. I think the main disagreement we have is whether or not Jesus is God, which I firmly believe He is.
I do want to thank you for taking the time to read my "Biblical Greek Perspective" posts. Blessings to you my brother in Christ Jesus!
Q: Day of Christ is set in context of the conflict and the outcome is determined. In what way does it relate the Lamb in the vision of John and the breaking of seven seals?
A:The Lamb slain signified what was determined according to the word of God. Each seal releases events in heaven and on earth while Jesus Christ in the inaugural vision presents himself as the Law of the Spirit and seven messages encapsulate the falling off among the body of Christ so heresies mentioned there are part of the delusion the churches have to face. The church of Ephesus having fallen from their first love has to contend with "the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate." Similarly with Smyrna, How true are the so called believers? What shall he say of mega churches, "And I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." or of prosperity theology,"because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,"(2:9,14). What is the mystery of iniquity? It just means that it is an inside job, "seat of satan" to which Jesus warned,"The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." Jesus as the good shepherd gave his life for his sheep.( John 10:13)
2 Th.2:7-8 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way./And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth." The spirit of his mouth is the sword. "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations." (Re.19:15). The Ancient of days in the vision of Daniel leads us to Christ in the midst of the seven churches. He shall lead his saints, "And the armies which were in heaven"-'the clouds of heaven'.(19:14) It is the brightness of his coming and it is in mid-air. It is his spirit to which we read,"and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
The righteousness mentioned here in Isaiah 32:17 is not man's, but it is the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel. This is the righteousness of Christ, which is made over to us and gives us a standing before God. It cannot be improved upon because it is perfect, and it cannot be disturbed because it is given to the lost sinner who trusts in Jesus.
God wants all who trust the work in Christ to come to a place in experience where each can say with confidence, boldness, and much assurance, but with true humility:
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. ( 2 Timothy 1:12)
To fall short of this goal is to miss the best that He has for us. It reveals a defect in our understanding and in our appreciation of His "so great salvation" ( Hebrews 2:3).
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ( John 10:27-29)
He never lets go. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your salvation. Someone has said, "All the way to heaven is heaven."
Why Do We Doubt?
There are many reasons why believers do not have the assurance of their salvation. Let us look at some of the principal ones.
Fear.
Some are frightened souls who received the gospel in trembling and fear. The gospel was presented partially, and they were not told that they could have any assurance. There is always a serious doubt whether folk like this have ever been saved. The instability and inconsistency of the lives of many who live in the atmosphere of uncertainty do not reveal a thoroughgoing conversion. It is interesting to note what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians concerning the preaching of the gospel in their city:
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. My interpetation: Blessings of restoration Romans 6:23 KJV
'For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
Jesus Christ is God that is forgiveness of sins.A God that is a free gift that is better then nothing(zero) I did myself too
(A God that is forgiveness of sins, A God that is a free gift. Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)
If only we would honor God's intentions he will give us authority same as position of authority.
These scriptures say and has giving me authority to believe God ( Romans 10:9-10) identifying as Christian. Luke 9:1 KJV, Luke 10:19 KJV
Luke 9:1 KJV
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Luke 10:19 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Me being Christian and honoring God has blessed me with authority&restoration by spending time with God, prayer, worship, gratitude, using my God-given gifts,talents,abilities to serve others. Making God number one in my heart.Being generous,treating others with dignity.
My identity being Christian helped me in life listening to God ( John 10:18 KJV) honoring God is symbolic of both a literal and spiritual kingdom.
John10:18 KJV
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
9/8/24AMEN
Interpetation and Word spoken by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
"reads, " I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved!!!
Now they follow him!
They follow him BECAUSE they belong to him. "THEY AND ONLY THEY" HEAR HIS VOICE.
Those that are not his does not hear his voice and they don't follow him."
So what happens to those who don't hear his voice and they don't follow Him (through no fault of their own since they don't have free will)? I have asked this question many times of people who believe this and I've never received an answer.
I also don't believe we are already "PREDETERMINED" to go to hell or heaven.
In regards to my post on John 10:9 I believe if any man enter in, he shall be saved!
And after you are saved, you are now able to bare fruit. ,
We are now to be guided and moved by the Spirit that dwells in us.
Without Christ Spirit we can do nothing that pleases God.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jon 15:5.
John 10:27-28, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.:
So who are those that God chooses? The answer is those who are going to hear (and accept) His calling, voice, and follow Him.
Pay attention to that "follow Him", it doesn't say just to hear but to follow Him as well. Following Him produces a fruit in their lives. In John 15:2 in the parable of the vineyard it says, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.". So one must stay in the vineyard, in Christ? This means to stay in His Word and do what He commands. Also to stay in His grace because otherwise one does not have the power to obey Him.
Going all the way to end is essential. An atlhete may run well during most of the race, but if he doesn't finish all that in vain.
1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.". LAY HOLD.
Colossians 2:22-23, " And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciledIn the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;"
Jesus will present us holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (and this is very important) IF we continue in the faith grounded and settled, and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel. That IF...
Finishing our race in victory will give us the eternal life which we were promished.
"If God be for us, who can be against us?/ He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
It is with him that God gives us 'all things'. James in his epistle tells we were made a new creation not of ourselves but of his own will." Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...."(Jas.1:17-18). Firstly these things delineate the fulness of God in him for his glory, so Constantine I using it to ensure his claim to the throne of Caesars, was not according to his purpose. " All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," claimed by the Caesar Constantine did not work together for his son whom on some specious charge he had killed. Neither did it good for the empire since it was soon split into two and the same controversy followed the Mother church at every turn. God had cast off the nation of Israel and as warned by his Son. Yet the Pope would create a holy war in order to retrieve Jerusalem, a conflict that haunts to this day.
The second century church father's homily, coming down to us "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church,"has become a double edged sword with the inquisitions, religious wars so the evil that was outside simply got within, so we may well heed the warning of Jesus, "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep./ The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." ( John 10:12-13) For the robbers and thieves, 'all things' have been what is tangible, wealth titles, landed property megachurches, power over life and death over men and pomp and circumstance of their cloth. Jesus would call them,"for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, "(Matt.23:27)
John 10:36 - Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
I hope you make the connection? They didn't say to Him "It is because you said you are the Son of God." It says because you said you are God. That's because as I have mentioned to you before, the title "Son of God" is to the Jew a title of God Himself!
The word "son" in Greek does not mean somebody who is a son by birth. It is never used of Jesus in the scripture. He is not the son of God in that there's "father God," and "mother God," and they had a child named Jesus.
John 11:16 - Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Didymus means "The Twin."
John 11:47 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
This would be the Sanhedrin, the highest council of the Jews, both of civil and religious affairs. 70 priests and scholars plus the high priest make up the Sanhedrin.
John 12:2 - There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
The word "sat" is not a correct translation. How they ate in those days, they didn't sit in chairs. They had a table close to the ground and they would lean on the table with their right arm, and they would have their legs and feet spread straight out. They were actually leaning (reclining) on the table.
Some translations of the New Testament actually use the word "reclining" because that's how they used to recline at the table.
So, Jesus' feet were facing the back. And so, she pours (she anoints) the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
John 10:12 - But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Literally in the Greek text, a hireling is a person who is hired to spell the shepherd so that he can have some time off. He's a hireling. Now two things about him: First of all, it's his job to do. And secondly, the sheep don't mean that much to him. It is only a job!
This is the proverb that represents leaders in professional positions, and especially the leaders that Jesus is talking to here. A hireling is a hireling. You hire them and you pay them to do the job. As far as risking their life for the sheep, no way, it is just a job!
John 10:19 - There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
The word division is schism, (SCHISMA) in the Greek.
John 10:20 - And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
The word "mad" is the Greek word for insane.
John 10:30 - I and my Father are one.
Literal translation from the Greek text is "I and the Father are one!"
Please notice that I didn't read it the way we have it in the King James. It's not "I and my Father are one" It is "I and the Father are one." He's saying, "We are the same." It is quite a statement to make!
John 10:34 - Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
The Key Verse is Psalm 82:6. The term "gods" is just a general reference. That is not God's name. It's a general reference.
ELOHAE in the Old Testament singular, or ELOHIM plural. But in the Psalms, the judges who sat in the courts of Israel that represented God's law, they were called gods, with a small 'g".
They were called ELOHIM because they represented God. And so, they had all of this authority. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? Notice He didn't say, the scripture said you are gods. "I said you are gods!"
John 10:6 - This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
And this proverb, and keep in mind that it says parable in the King James, but John is presenting a proverb, not a parable. This is a well-known proverb in the area or in the land. He spoke unto them: but they did not understand what things that he spoke unto them.
There were saying "Okay, we know the proverb, but what does that have to do with anything?" They don't understand what's going on here.
First, John 10:1-6 is known as "The Proverb of the Sheepfold." This is a translation error. Please know that I am not putting down the King James but I wanted to share this just so you know this is not a parable. It is not the parable. Verse 6 tells us "This parable spake Jesus unto them:" except in the Greek text it is a different word which means proverb, not parable. John does not use the word parable here. He uses the word proverb.
In fact, it is the Septuagint name for the book of Proverbs. So, this is a Proverb. These are things that are known around the country and this is a famous Proverb that is used, but Jesus is going to interpret it for them a little differently than they are used to.
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
First of all, the term "good." There are a few words in the New Testament for the word good. This is the word KALOS. In comparison to the hirelings, and the thieves and robbers, the Lord is the Good Shepherd.
From the human comparison standpoint to the thieves and robbers and hirelings, they are not good at all. They are KAKOSE. Jesus said I am the good shepherd in contrast to the human hirelings.
John 10:3 - To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
The genuine or true shepherd is the only one to whom the porter opens. The Greek word for porter means doorkeeper. The doorkeeper opens only to the shepherd of the sheep, never to the thief or the robber. When the shepherd stands in the doorway, his sheep hear his voice, factual statement in the Greek. It literally says his sheep ARE hearing his voice.
The shepherd calls his own sheep by name. That's how intimate it is. And in John Chapter 11 when Jesus calls Lazarus from out of the tomb, He says, "Lazarus come forth." He called him by name. He knows His sheep!
John 10:4 - And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
That is a statement of fact, not they should, or they might. It says the sheep ARE following Him. And then next, they ARE knowing his voice. Factual statement!
John 10:5 - And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
A stranger they will not follow. In the Greek, there's a double negative. They will never follow a stranger, factual statement with a double negative. It doesn't say they shouldn't, but they will never follow a stranger. Not only will they not follow him, they will flee from him. They will run! Lastly, they do not know the voice of strangers.
Applying it spiritually to us, Jesus is the true Shepherd and is introduced by the Holy Spirit. Of course, one of the vessels used was John the Baptist, but the Holy Spirit is the one that testifies of Christ and brings people to Christ and points to Him.
All others are thieves and robbers. When He stands there and calls for His sheep, His sheep are hearing His voice. It's impossible for the Lord to stand in front of the sheepfold and call for His sheep, and one not be paying attention and get left behind.
John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Literally, "Before Abraham was in existence, I AM in existence!" Before Abraham was in existence, I was already in existence, and always had been. The "I AM" of the Old Testament!
John 9:27 - He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
It says, "will you also be his disciples? In the Greek text it expects the answer no.
John 9:34 - They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
That is the official term for excommunication. They kicked him out!
John 9:40 - And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
The Greek text says that they expected the answer no. We are not blind also are we, looking to Jesus?
John 10:1 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Thief and robber, very interesting words in the Greek text! The reason why there are two different words here that pretty much represent the same thing is because there are two different words in the Greek New Testament.
Some people get confused about this. They believe that that Jesus died between two thieves, but in the NIV, in the gospel of John, it says that He died amongst criminals, which is true. It doesn't say anything about thieves.
Well, Matthew, Mark and Luke, they mention the fact that He died amongst robbers. That is where we get that part of it. The only difference between a thief and a robber is that a thief will steal by stealth or by deception. A robber does it by force. So, thieves and robbers, these are depicted in the Jewish proverb as false Christ's and false teachers.
1. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ, for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. [ Col 2:9]
2. All of God is in Christ. [To wit, that God was in Christ] 2Co 5:19]
3. All the fullness of the Father dwells in Christ. [For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, Col 1:19]
4. Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. 1Ti 3:16]
5. God dwelt among us. [And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, Joh 1:14]
6. Jesus is the Mighty God and the Everlasting Father. Isa 9.
7. All things were created by Jesus. Col 1:16.
8. Jesus is God with us (Immanuel). Matt 1.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one omnipresent God, consistent with His Law. In Exo 20:3. He tells us to have "no other gods before me." ( Exo 20:1-3) Those who deny God's omnipresent nature on earth have another god.
Other references that support "one triune God" and not a "trinity of three" are: Isa 9:6-7; 1Tim 3:16; Mat 1:23; Joh 14:9; Joh 1:1-14; Lev 11:44; Joh 4:24; Mar 14:62; Joh 8:24; Exo 3:14; Joh 10:30-33; Rev 1:7-9; Rev 1:18; Mat 28:17; Heb 13:8; Joh 6:61-64, and there are more.
1 Thessalonians 5:23- 28 confirms our triune nature. "May the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole (1) spirit, (2) soul, and (3) body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Being made in the image of God means we cannot be separated; otherwise, we are dead like all idols. But praise His holy name, our one omnipresent tripartite God has appeared in the Old and New Testaments in the image of man,
Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
John 10:30: I and my Father are one.
John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (One God)
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."
Jesus Christ declared, "I am the door" and it is not for shutting the sheep in for the night but to find fresh pasture. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." This is the open door.( John 10:7-9) Robbers and thieves have their own agenda and earlier we have heard of them instituting Inquisition on the idea,"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."(1 Co.5:5). Jesus had empowered his little ones the power,"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."(Matt.18:18). Jesus was emphatic on this point. Instead the robber-prelates would burn the heretics' and duly confiscate their property. They not only replaced the pure speech of the Lord but also whitewashed their covetousness, which is idolatry.
Jesus set this door while Moses set the same idea which is one and the same. "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil." Moses is set as the double for the Son. Not only he aligns with the Son in the manner God laid 'the chastisement of their peace' on this servant of God but also in the word. The same word was in the heart of man; for God fashioned their hearts alike. Moses pointed to 'this day' which is the day of Salvation. Jesus on the other hand extends the significance to 'that day' and it is a pasture. It is called the day of Regeneration. The Supper of the Great Good must begin with the intimacy each believer holds with Jesus Christ. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."(Re.3:20)
Lest we forget that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh-as you stated in a previous post, He is the Divine Son of God. He has both a divine nature and a human nature, but is only one person, the divine Son who is God. As God, He cannot be tempted by sin nor ever commit sin. But in His human nature He could be tempted by sin as Heb 4:15 says. However, sin He has no sin nature like us, all temptations to sin come from outside of Himself. Although He was indeed tempted daily by sin, His divinity did not allow Him to give into sin because the divinity of Jesus could not sin and the divinity and humanity of Jesus are two natures united in the one Person of the Divine Son of God.
In the wilderness, the devil did tempt Jesus repeatedly trying to get Him to sin in both His divinity and humanity. One of the things Jesus said to the devil in Luke 4:12 was that thou shall not tempt the Lord your God, both identifying himself as the God mentioned in the OT quotation Deut. 6:16 and He was telling the devil that He, Himself was the Lord HIS God. Jesus was God over the devil. He is God over every creature He created and that the devil was sinning against God when He tempted Jesus.
The humanity of Jesus was indeed tested, but in His humanity and in His divinity, He always obeyed the Father because the fullness of God dwelled in the incarnated humanity of the divine Son, Jesus. Jesus said that He and the Father are one and if You have seen Jesus you have seen the Father. Also He said that He, Jesus was to be honored just as the Father is honored, meaning they are equally God and share the same glory and deserve the same honor as God. ( John 10:30; John 14:19: John 5:23)
Jesus' humanity was filled with the Spirit without measure, His divinity had all the fullness of the Father and the Spirit as the divine Son in unity of the Godhead. No human is like that and every mere human has a sinful nature (not Jesus) and can still will to sin even with the fullness of the Spirit
Thank you, brother, I agree, giving our understanding even if we do not agree cannot be offensive. My understanding of Scripture has grown from discussions we have here, I have benefitted from you, S Spencer, Chris, Giannis, GiGi, and others here. Many sites unless you say you follow the Nicene Creed you cannot even post.
I understand some Bible verses can support the Trinity doctrine. I can see where in John 10:33 it says they said Jesus blasphemed because "being a man, makest thyself, God". In John 10:22-42 they first asked Jesus "If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly" and Jesus said, "I told you, and ye believed not:". So, Jesus told them He was the Messiah, they did not even accept that, but they were not His sheep, because they did not hear His voice.
We see in John 17 that the Father gave Jesus power over all flesh to give eternal life so that they/us might know the only true God and Jesus Christ/the Messiah whom the Father sent. In John 10 Jesus continues saying His Father is greater than all and the works Jesus did were the Father's works, not His, and Jesus said this in John 14:28. Jesus said, "I and my Father are one". Jesus also said in John 17 "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
John 10:34 Jesus quotes Psalms 82:6 where the judges of Israel who exercised the authority of God, are gods, gods here is the same Greek word in verses 33 and 36 where it is makest thyself God. In verse 36 Jesus rebukes them "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
What I see the works Jesus did were not His works, but the Father's works done through the Holy Spirit that Jesus was anointed with without measure. That is why Jesus said this, in John 14:17 and John 16:7.
I do thank you for discussing this with me, we can let it rest if you want to.
GOD is Spirit,the Word- John 1:1.He is greater than JESUS- John 14:28,and 5:19-20,and 12:49.GOD Himself,the Word,is self-executing, JESUS is not- John 5:30.They are One in Spirit,but not in existence personal->GOD the Father,and the Word MADE FLESH-JESUS,both are DISTINCTS Persons- Philippians 2:6-9.
GOD has put all things under the feet of JESUS- 1Corinthians 15:27, but Hebrews 2:8-12 say:...8But now we see not yet all things put under Him.9But we see JESUS,who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death,crowned with Glory and Honour; that He by the Grace of GOD should taste death for every man.
1Corinthians 15:27-28
27For GOD has put all things under JESUS's feet.But when GOD saith all things are put under JESUS,it is manifest that GOD is excepted, which did put all things under JESUS.
28And when all things shall be subdued unto JESUS,then shall the Son also Himself be SUBJETED unto GOD that put all things under JESUS,that GOD may be all in all.
JESUS is the Spirit-GOD-MADE FLESH->GOD-Christ.Great mystery- John 1:14 combined with Colossians 2:9 and Philippians 2:6-11.Both are one Spirit- John 10:30,but two DISTINCTS Persons being the same Spirit Creator-GOD,having the SAME IMAGE,the image of the Spirit-GOD,one is invisible, and one is vsible- John 14:8-10.JESUS said: John 5:30->I can of mine own self do nothing:.
JESUS as the Greater Light,He commented about the lesser Light-the Person of the Holy Spirit-saying he is the Comfort,the Paraclete,and revealed what is the the mission of him here: John 16:7-15:(By analogy,the moon receive light from the sun,the moon has not ligh in it itself;the person of the Holy Spirit,the Comfort,he has not light in he himself,so he cannot speak anything if does not receive from JESUS- John 16:13.JESUS SAID:he shall receive of mine,and shall shew it unto you- John 16:14,and he shall take of mine,and shall shew it unto you- John 16:15)
JESUS commented about the mission of the Holy Spirit- John 16:7-15
Before the foundation of the world God predetermined that he would destroy sinful man from the face of the earth, and conform them to the IMAGE of his SON.
Matthew 25:34 .... Come, ye blessed of the Father, INHERIT the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
He chose the cross as his instrument.
He was going to do this ONLY ONCE.
In the fullness of time God sent his SON to take all the wrath of God for mankind, not to take the place of mankind, mankind had to also died on that cross.
Three days latter, to fulfill God's words, God resurrected CHRIST, and ALL mankind was resurrected as HEIRS OF CHRIST, his IMAGE, as he is the IMAGE of the Father.
He came to fulfill all the scriptures that were written about HIM, the kingdom of God.
There is more than enough of his speaking to the multitudes to come to the conclusion what his death and resurrection would accomplish: man becoming HIS IMAGE.
John 17:21 That they ALL may be ONE; as thou, Father, art IN ME, and I IN THEE, that they may be ONE IN US; that the world may believe thou has sent me.
Mark 10:8 And they twain, shall be ONE FLESH: so then they are no more twain but ONE FLESH.
Ephesians 2:15 ..... for to make in himself of twain ONE NEW MAN ......
John 10:34 Jesus answered them, IS IT NOT WRITTEN in your law, I SAID,Ye are gods?
Psalms 82:6 I have said: Ye are gods; and ALL OF YOU the children of the most high.
Psalms 82:7 But ye shall DIE LIKE MEN, and fall like one of the princes (Satan).
This was fulfilled on the Cross of Christ.
Isaiah 41:23 Shew the thing that are TO COME HEREAFTER, that we may know ye are gods ......
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was JESUS, which had made him whole.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute JESUS, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these things on the sabbath day.
17 But JESUS answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I WORK. John 10:30- I and my Father are One.
It was the fourth Day or around 4000 years after Adam.--> Genesis 1:16- GOD made two great lights; the Greater Light to rule the day( 1Thessalonians 5:4-6), and the Lesser Light to rule the night: He made the stars also. JESUS said: John 12:46 -->I am come a Light into the world (like the Sun), that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
And the Lesser light: Who is him? The lesser Light receives light from the Greater Light because he has no light of his own (like the moon). So, who is him?
And the stars, who are them? By the way, the red Dragon with his TAIL drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. Who are them?
Furthermore, the woman is clothed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars-Re.12:1
I like so much to decipher biblical enigmas/puzzles.
Matthew 5: 5 and 14 -
5- Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
14- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
All I can say is wow, that is real about the realities of marriage. Marriage is a very serious covenant ordained by God. God honors marriage. Having been married, and widowed myself, I learned that open and honest communication along with prayer will help the marriage to work. As believers, we should love what God loves. Many have come to a conclusion of irreconcilable differences. Before a couple gets married irreconcilable differences should be discovered and sorted out. If differences are sorted out during courtship or engagement then not only can divorce be avoided and God honored but the couple may change and discover that they should not pursue marriage a particular person. Some times believers wanting a spouse may feel that God has forgotten them or that they can't seem to find the right spouse. God, our Farther, creator of the heavens and earth, knows where a believer is and has the power to make the believer know who their ordained spouse is if a believer will be patience and seek God for his will concerning their marriage journey.
I also, believe that God deals first with the man, who he should marry, then with the woman who she should accept. So a woman doesn't have to go about searching or hunting for a husband. God will reveal to each man and each woman and will make His will clear to both, collectively and as individuals as they seek God.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 KJV
Seeking God is so very vital because the adversary is always awork interfering with not only marriages but those that God has ordained to be married. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10 KJV
Marriages where the husband and wife are working together in the household is vital to Christendom and makes a strong foundation for communities.
Conclusions for now on assurance of salvation and "eternal security".
I have gone on for some length now on an attempt to best explain the doctrines of grace as to Predestination along with our responsibility to respond to the Lord's promptings at every stage; from His initial calling to us to be saved to our deathbed.
It is clear that sin can affect us and even destroy our witness and end our life prematurely; but someone truly saved; although making it as though through the fire will not LOSE their salvation.
As to assurance of salvation we have understanding with the MIND of Christ ( 1 Cor. 2:16); thus just as natural man knows and understands that he exists and is conscious of the world around him; a true believer is aware of the Lord living in him as His sheep hear His voice and know Him and will not follow another ( John 10:27-28).
There are warnings in scripture as pertaining to those who would claim miracles in Christ's name and yet aren't saved. Surely Judas Iscariot would be one example of this. For someone who is out for themselves it doesn't matter to them whether it is God or the Devil who is making these supernatural phenomenon occur. It brings money; prestige; influence etc to those who are propegating falsehood (megachurch type persona especially) and naturally the goats want to rake in the financial benefits (decieving and being decieved ( 2 Tim. 3:13). This is more than the case of the Corinthians who were in disorder utilizing spiritual gifts for if we read carefully it was not for false manifestations or for the gifts themselves that they were reprimanded.
Hopefully this series of postings brings encouragement to someone. Doctrine matters; but indeed it is the case that the more we know the more questions can seem to arise. The truth is we can't totally understand the Lord or His truths. We can take confidence in God's covenants as He never breaks them and in that mindset know that a true believer has passed from death to life
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me:
9 Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
John 10:30- I and my Father are One.
But,
no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Matthew 11:27
Luke 10:22 - no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him.
Isaiah 66:4 says "I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."
This reminds us of the sobering verse of 2 Thessalonians 2:11 on "The lie" which no doubt means Antichrist and his false prophet ultimately in the Tribulation.
John 10:38 states that we can believe in Christ simply because of the miracles He does; but many others warn of thinking He is anything other than God's Son which itself is only revealed by the Father in heaven to whom He chooses.(see Matthew 16:13-20; and Matthew 11:27 just a couple chapters back as well as much of the Gospel of John for further study on these truths.)
Isaiah 53:2 dispels all the images made of Christ which are venerated. The opposite of not believing Him and the potential of committing the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Spirit ( Matthew 12:31) is elevating Christ to that of any other man; as the Son of Man is greater than His creation. We see other verses where He excoriates those in the cities where He did many miracles and stated the punishment for unbelief would be greater than that of Sodom. With Peter we see how the thoughts of man no matter how "noble" they may have seemed in respect to Jesus not dying on the cross because of His notoriety brought the stern rebuke against Satan himself who was operating through Peter at the time; remarkably very shortly after Christ revealed that Peter could only have recieved revelation as to who He truly was from God Himself.
We can look at many in the ministry today as we approach the last days judgment of the church before the rest of the world is judged and see how many traps lead men to perdition. We need to be real and believe Jesus when He states the narrow road is only followed by a few; especially when Christianity is "politically correct."
John 13:33-14:6 KJV
Jesus is the only way to the Father and to the full-My interpetation meekness and earth. JOHN 10:10 KJV
John 3:16 KJV Reveals Jesus Christ God the Father love is enough to have what you say and listen to holiness and do what said or asked.
I give God thanksgiving for allowing me to speak in holiness to have what I say and ask.
Word spoken and written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
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.
Q: "Both breath of God and the Spirit of Christ go into the making of a man So soul explains him "after our image" but what precisely makes him predestinated?
A: Let us take each according to the word given in the scripture. God formed man of the dust of the ground," and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." In terms of after our image the Son is the soul of God a Spirit. The body of man is from the earth, the world made to appear. The earth abides forever since the day is decreed for the Son. This brings the Law of the Spirit into it. The Law is life that explains the Father Son relationship. "but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." This is life the context in which the covenant was drawn up between the two. So what determines 'in the beginning' ? The Law which is God. The Word was with God and 'in the beginning' establishes the Logos aspect of Jesus Christ. "I and my Father are one" ( John 10:30;He.13:8) is established by the Law. By the same token in the fulness of time underpins the Law of the Spirit.
The Law of the Spirit is figuratively expressed as Ancient of days. Seven is the command number for Law with which the red dragon shall be judged/ The seven heads stamp him as the embodiment of the law of sin/ (Re.12:3) Ancient of days sets the judgment "And the books were opened."Dan.7:10). The book of life lists all who were chosen, "in him before the foundation of the world,."(Ep.1:4-6). Those who entered into the covenant by faith are new creation and abiding in Christ as the Lamb in Re.5:6 are shown having sen horns and seven eyes. The risen Jesus as the Son "he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." Parallelism of the Father Son establishes that we are predestinated.
He has by death resurrection fulfilled the Law.
Q: It is plain that Jesus Christ is established as the Son of man but what purpose does 'one like unto' him serve?
A: Much in every way. The Spirit in organising the two worlds on a single standard of the word of God serves the sign aspect of the sound (the voice of the Lord) stand out for the believer. The vision of Daniel refers to one like unto the Son of man. It is in context of the Ancient of days. When God sent his only begotten Son to the world he referred himself to the Son of man. "And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."(Matt.8:20) In the inaugural vision the Spirit sets in place of Ancient of days so the Son serves not as one sent by his Father but as God in his own authority. Having fulfilled the will he declares "I and my Father are one." ( John 10:30) Does it matter the context and place in which he announced to the people who would have stoned him? He carried in him the role of the Apostle, the Mediator and the High Priest.(He.3:1) As Ancient of days he presented himself so he was the Law of the Spirit in isual terms. When he refers," Fear not; I am the first and the last:/I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death./Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."(Re.1:17-19) In view of v.19 his charge to John we have the genesis of the special role of the book. He is the Law of the Spirit."For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:/And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.:(Re.22:18-19
Yes, we do disagree on this, but it is always nice to speak with you. You have always shown respect, and I have much respect for you also. I understand the phrase "Son of God" as a title just the same as I understand "Son of Man" also being a title. One thing I notice is that John never refers to Jesus as TEKNON. And as far as I know, Jesus is never called a TEKNON in the bible. He is referred to as a HUOIS, one who inherits all things from the Father. I think we both agree that once we are born of God's Spirit, we become joint heirs with Christ. In other words, we are co-inheritors.
I thank you for sharing your understanding of 1 John 2:23. Please allow me to also share my understanding. From what I have read and studied over the years, they had problems back then about people believing in God the Father, but not believing in the deity of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in John 5:23 that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent Him. In John Chapter 5, Jesus said that all authority has been conveyed to Him. He is to judge all people. And He is to be honored equal to the Father. Most religions will believe in a god and might even call him father. But they will not believe that Jesus Christ is equal.
The person that denies the Father (and the Son), whosoever denies the Son, the same does not have the Father. Jesus said in John 10:30 (the chapter about the sheepfold), He said I and my Father are one. To me, this says that we can't have one without the other. I think the main disagreement we have is whether or not Jesus is God, which I firmly believe He is.
I do want to thank you for taking the time to read my "Biblical Greek Perspective" posts. Blessings to you my brother in Christ Jesus!
Q: Day of Christ is set in context of the conflict and the outcome is determined. In what way does it relate the Lamb in the vision of John and the breaking of seven seals?
A:The Lamb slain signified what was determined according to the word of God. Each seal releases events in heaven and on earth while Jesus Christ in the inaugural vision presents himself as the Law of the Spirit and seven messages encapsulate the falling off among the body of Christ so heresies mentioned there are part of the delusion the churches have to face. The church of Ephesus having fallen from their first love has to contend with "the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate." Similarly with Smyrna, How true are the so called believers? What shall he say of mega churches, "And I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." or of prosperity theology,"because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,"(2:9,14). What is the mystery of iniquity? It just means that it is an inside job, "seat of satan" to which Jesus warned,"The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." Jesus as the good shepherd gave his life for his sheep.( John 10:13)
2 Th.2:7-8 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way./And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth." The spirit of his mouth is the sword. "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations." (Re.19:15). The Ancient of days in the vision of Daniel leads us to Christ in the midst of the seven churches. He shall lead his saints, "And the armies which were in heaven"-'the clouds of heaven'.(19:14) It is the brightness of his coming and it is in mid-air. It is his spirit to which we read,"and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
Part 4.
The righteousness mentioned here in Isaiah 32:17 is not man's, but it is the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel. This is the righteousness of Christ, which is made over to us and gives us a standing before God. It cannot be improved upon because it is perfect, and it cannot be disturbed because it is given to the lost sinner who trusts in Jesus.
God wants all who trust the work in Christ to come to a place in experience where each can say with confidence, boldness, and much assurance, but with true humility:
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. ( 2 Timothy 1:12)
To fall short of this goal is to miss the best that He has for us. It reveals a defect in our understanding and in our appreciation of His "so great salvation" ( Hebrews 2:3).
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ( John 10:27-29)
He never lets go. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your salvation. Someone has said, "All the way to heaven is heaven."
Why Do We Doubt?
There are many reasons why believers do not have the assurance of their salvation. Let us look at some of the principal ones.
Fear.
Some are frightened souls who received the gospel in trembling and fear. The gospel was presented partially, and they were not told that they could have any assurance. There is always a serious doubt whether folk like this have ever been saved. The instability and inconsistency of the lives of many who live in the atmosphere of uncertainty do not reveal a thoroughgoing conversion. It is interesting to note what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians concerning the preaching of the gospel in their city:
See Part 5.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. My interpetation: Blessings of restoration Romans 6:23 KJV
'For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
Jesus Christ is God that is forgiveness of sins.A God that is a free gift that is better then nothing(zero) I did myself too
(A God that is forgiveness of sins, A God that is a free gift. Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)
If only we would honor God's intentions he will give us authority same as position of authority.
These scriptures say and has giving me authority to believe God ( Romans 10:9-10) identifying as Christian. Luke 9:1 KJV, Luke 10:19 KJV
Luke 9:1 KJV
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Luke 10:19 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Me being Christian and honoring God has blessed me with authority&restoration by spending time with God, prayer, worship, gratitude, using my God-given gifts,talents,abilities to serve others. Making God number one in my heart.Being generous,treating others with dignity.
My identity being Christian helped me in life listening to God ( John 10:18 KJV) honoring God is symbolic of both a literal and spiritual kingdom.
John10:18 KJV
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
9/8/24AMEN
Interpetation and Word spoken by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
Amen Bennymkje.
John 10:9
"reads, " I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved!!!
Now they follow him!
They follow him BECAUSE they belong to him. "THEY AND ONLY THEY" HEAR HIS VOICE.
Those that are not his does not hear his voice and they don't follow him."
So what happens to those who don't hear his voice and they don't follow Him (through no fault of their own since they don't have free will)? I have asked this question many times of people who believe this and I've never received an answer.
God Bless :)
Predetermination.
I also don't believe we are already "PREDETERMINED" to go to hell or heaven.
In regards to my post on John 10:9 I believe if any man enter in, he shall be saved!
And after you are saved, you are now able to bare fruit. ,
We are now to be guided and moved by the Spirit that dwells in us.
Without Christ Spirit we can do nothing that pleases God.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jon 15:5.
Blessings.
John 10:9 reads, " I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved!!!
Now they follow him!
They follow him BECAUSE they belong to him. "THEY AND ONLY THEY" HEAR HIS VOICE.
Those that are not his does not hear his voice and they don't follow him.
Also, his sheep only hears him.
There is no fruit barring unless he causes it.
They shall go in and out, and find pasture.
God bless.
If I may add the following:
John 10:27-28, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.:
So who are those that God chooses? The answer is those who are going to hear (and accept) His calling, voice, and follow Him.
Pay attention to that "follow Him", it doesn't say just to hear but to follow Him as well. Following Him produces a fruit in their lives. In John 15:2 in the parable of the vineyard it says, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.". So one must stay in the vineyard, in Christ? This means to stay in His Word and do what He commands. Also to stay in His grace because otherwise one does not have the power to obey Him.
Going all the way to end is essential. An atlhete may run well during most of the race, but if he doesn't finish all that in vain.
1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.". LAY HOLD.
Colossians 2:22-23, " And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciledIn the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;"
Jesus will present us holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (and this is very important) IF we continue in the faith grounded and settled, and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel. That IF...
Finishing our race in victory will give us the eternal life which we were promished.
"If God be for us, who can be against us?/ He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
It is with him that God gives us 'all things'. James in his epistle tells we were made a new creation not of ourselves but of his own will." Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...."(Jas.1:17-18). Firstly these things delineate the fulness of God in him for his glory, so Constantine I using it to ensure his claim to the throne of Caesars, was not according to his purpose. " All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," claimed by the Caesar Constantine did not work together for his son whom on some specious charge he had killed. Neither did it good for the empire since it was soon split into two and the same controversy followed the Mother church at every turn. God had cast off the nation of Israel and as warned by his Son. Yet the Pope would create a holy war in order to retrieve Jerusalem, a conflict that haunts to this day.
The second century church father's homily, coming down to us "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church,"has become a double edged sword with the inquisitions, religious wars so the evil that was outside simply got within, so we may well heed the warning of Jesus, "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep./ The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." ( John 10:12-13) For the robbers and thieves, 'all things' have been what is tangible, wealth titles, landed property megachurches, power over life and death over men and pomp and circumstance of their cloth. Jesus would call them,"for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, "(Matt.23:27)
John 10:36 - Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
I hope you make the connection? They didn't say to Him "It is because you said you are the Son of God." It says because you said you are God. That's because as I have mentioned to you before, the title "Son of God" is to the Jew a title of God Himself!
The word "son" in Greek does not mean somebody who is a son by birth. It is never used of Jesus in the scripture. He is not the son of God in that there's "father God," and "mother God," and they had a child named Jesus.
John 11:16 - Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Didymus means "The Twin."
John 11:47 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
This would be the Sanhedrin, the highest council of the Jews, both of civil and religious affairs. 70 priests and scholars plus the high priest make up the Sanhedrin.
John 12:2 - There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
The word "sat" is not a correct translation. How they ate in those days, they didn't sit in chairs. They had a table close to the ground and they would lean on the table with their right arm, and they would have their legs and feet spread straight out. They were actually leaning (reclining) on the table.
Some translations of the New Testament actually use the word "reclining" because that's how they used to recline at the table.
So, Jesus' feet were facing the back. And so, she pours (she anoints) the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
John 10:12 - But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Literally in the Greek text, a hireling is a person who is hired to spell the shepherd so that he can have some time off. He's a hireling. Now two things about him: First of all, it's his job to do. And secondly, the sheep don't mean that much to him. It is only a job!
This is the proverb that represents leaders in professional positions, and especially the leaders that Jesus is talking to here. A hireling is a hireling. You hire them and you pay them to do the job. As far as risking their life for the sheep, no way, it is just a job!
John 10:19 - There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
The word division is schism, (SCHISMA) in the Greek.
John 10:20 - And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
The word "mad" is the Greek word for insane.
John 10:30 - I and my Father are one.
Literal translation from the Greek text is "I and the Father are one!"
Please notice that I didn't read it the way we have it in the King James. It's not "I and my Father are one" It is "I and the Father are one." He's saying, "We are the same." It is quite a statement to make!
John 10:34 - Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
The Key Verse is Psalm 82:6. The term "gods" is just a general reference. That is not God's name. It's a general reference.
ELOHAE in the Old Testament singular, or ELOHIM plural. But in the Psalms, the judges who sat in the courts of Israel that represented God's law, they were called gods, with a small 'g".
They were called ELOHIM because they represented God. And so, they had all of this authority. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? Notice He didn't say, the scripture said you are gods. "I said you are gods!"
John 10:6 - This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
And this proverb, and keep in mind that it says parable in the King James, but John is presenting a proverb, not a parable. This is a well-known proverb in the area or in the land. He spoke unto them: but they did not understand what things that he spoke unto them.
There were saying "Okay, we know the proverb, but what does that have to do with anything?" They don't understand what's going on here.
First, John 10:1-6 is known as "The Proverb of the Sheepfold." This is a translation error. Please know that I am not putting down the King James but I wanted to share this just so you know this is not a parable. It is not the parable. Verse 6 tells us "This parable spake Jesus unto them:" except in the Greek text it is a different word which means proverb, not parable. John does not use the word parable here. He uses the word proverb.
In fact, it is the Septuagint name for the book of Proverbs. So, this is a Proverb. These are things that are known around the country and this is a famous Proverb that is used, but Jesus is going to interpret it for them a little differently than they are used to.
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
First of all, the term "good." There are a few words in the New Testament for the word good. This is the word KALOS. In comparison to the hirelings, and the thieves and robbers, the Lord is the Good Shepherd.
From the human comparison standpoint to the thieves and robbers and hirelings, they are not good at all. They are KAKOSE. Jesus said I am the good shepherd in contrast to the human hirelings.
John 10:3 - To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
The genuine or true shepherd is the only one to whom the porter opens. The Greek word for porter means doorkeeper. The doorkeeper opens only to the shepherd of the sheep, never to the thief or the robber. When the shepherd stands in the doorway, his sheep hear his voice, factual statement in the Greek. It literally says his sheep ARE hearing his voice.
The shepherd calls his own sheep by name. That's how intimate it is. And in John Chapter 11 when Jesus calls Lazarus from out of the tomb, He says, "Lazarus come forth." He called him by name. He knows His sheep!
John 10:4 - And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
That is a statement of fact, not they should, or they might. It says the sheep ARE following Him. And then next, they ARE knowing his voice. Factual statement!
John 10:5 - And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
A stranger they will not follow. In the Greek, there's a double negative. They will never follow a stranger, factual statement with a double negative. It doesn't say they shouldn't, but they will never follow a stranger. Not only will they not follow him, they will flee from him. They will run! Lastly, they do not know the voice of strangers.
Applying it spiritually to us, Jesus is the true Shepherd and is introduced by the Holy Spirit. Of course, one of the vessels used was John the Baptist, but the Holy Spirit is the one that testifies of Christ and brings people to Christ and points to Him.
All others are thieves and robbers. When He stands there and calls for His sheep, His sheep are hearing His voice. It's impossible for the Lord to stand in front of the sheepfold and call for His sheep, and one not be paying attention and get left behind.
John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Literally, "Before Abraham was in existence, I AM in existence!" Before Abraham was in existence, I was already in existence, and always had been. The "I AM" of the Old Testament!
John 9:27 - He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
It says, "will you also be his disciples? In the Greek text it expects the answer no.
John 9:34 - They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
That is the official term for excommunication. They kicked him out!
John 9:40 - And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
The Greek text says that they expected the answer no. We are not blind also are we, looking to Jesus?
John 10:1 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Thief and robber, very interesting words in the Greek text! The reason why there are two different words here that pretty much represent the same thing is because there are two different words in the Greek New Testament.
Some people get confused about this. They believe that that Jesus died between two thieves, but in the NIV, in the gospel of John, it says that He died amongst criminals, which is true. It doesn't say anything about thieves.
Well, Matthew, Mark and Luke, they mention the fact that He died amongst robbers. That is where we get that part of it. The only difference between a thief and a robber is that a thief will steal by stealth or by deception. A robber does it by force. So, thieves and robbers, these are depicted in the Jewish proverb as false Christ's and false teachers.
1. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ, for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. [ Col 2:9]
2. All of God is in Christ. [To wit, that God was in Christ] 2Co 5:19]
3. All the fullness of the Father dwells in Christ. [For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, Col 1:19]
4. Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. 1Ti 3:16]
5. God dwelt among us. [And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, Joh 1:14]
6. Jesus is the Mighty God and the Everlasting Father. Isa 9.
7. All things were created by Jesus. Col 1:16.
8. Jesus is God with us (Immanuel). Matt 1.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one omnipresent God, consistent with His Law. In Exo 20:3. He tells us to have "no other gods before me." ( Exo 20:1-3) Those who deny God's omnipresent nature on earth have another god.
Other references that support "one triune God" and not a "trinity of three" are: Isa 9:6-7; 1Tim 3:16; Mat 1:23; Joh 14:9; Joh 1:1-14; Lev 11:44; Joh 4:24; Mar 14:62; Joh 8:24; Exo 3:14; Joh 10:30-33; Rev 1:7-9; Rev 1:18; Mat 28:17; Heb 13:8; Joh 6:61-64, and there are more.
1 Thessalonians 5:23- 28 confirms our triune nature. "May the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole (1) spirit, (2) soul, and (3) body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Being made in the image of God means we cannot be separated; otherwise, we are dead like all idols. But praise His holy name, our one omnipresent tripartite God has appeared in the Old and New Testaments in the image of man,
Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
John 10:30: I and my Father are one.
John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (One God)
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."
Jesus Christ declared, "I am the door" and it is not for shutting the sheep in for the night but to find fresh pasture. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." This is the open door.( John 10:7-9) Robbers and thieves have their own agenda and earlier we have heard of them instituting Inquisition on the idea,"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."(1 Co.5:5). Jesus had empowered his little ones the power,"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."(Matt.18:18). Jesus was emphatic on this point. Instead the robber-prelates would burn the heretics' and duly confiscate their property. They not only replaced the pure speech of the Lord but also whitewashed their covetousness, which is idolatry.
Jesus set this door while Moses set the same idea which is one and the same. "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil." Moses is set as the double for the Son. Not only he aligns with the Son in the manner God laid 'the chastisement of their peace' on this servant of God but also in the word. The same word was in the heart of man; for God fashioned their hearts alike. Moses pointed to 'this day' which is the day of Salvation. Jesus on the other hand extends the significance to 'that day' and it is a pasture. It is called the day of Regeneration. The Supper of the Great Good must begin with the intimacy each believer holds with Jesus Christ. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."(Re.3:20)
Lest we forget that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh-as you stated in a previous post, He is the Divine Son of God. He has both a divine nature and a human nature, but is only one person, the divine Son who is God. As God, He cannot be tempted by sin nor ever commit sin. But in His human nature He could be tempted by sin as Heb 4:15 says. However, sin He has no sin nature like us, all temptations to sin come from outside of Himself. Although He was indeed tempted daily by sin, His divinity did not allow Him to give into sin because the divinity of Jesus could not sin and the divinity and humanity of Jesus are two natures united in the one Person of the Divine Son of God.
In the wilderness, the devil did tempt Jesus repeatedly trying to get Him to sin in both His divinity and humanity. One of the things Jesus said to the devil in Luke 4:12 was that thou shall not tempt the Lord your God, both identifying himself as the God mentioned in the OT quotation Deut. 6:16 and He was telling the devil that He, Himself was the Lord HIS God. Jesus was God over the devil. He is God over every creature He created and that the devil was sinning against God when He tempted Jesus.
The humanity of Jesus was indeed tested, but in His humanity and in His divinity, He always obeyed the Father because the fullness of God dwelled in the incarnated humanity of the divine Son, Jesus. Jesus said that He and the Father are one and if You have seen Jesus you have seen the Father. Also He said that He, Jesus was to be honored just as the Father is honored, meaning they are equally God and share the same glory and deserve the same honor as God. ( John 10:30; John 14:19: John 5:23)
Jesus' humanity was filled with the Spirit without measure, His divinity had all the fullness of the Father and the Spirit as the divine Son in unity of the Godhead. No human is like that and every mere human has a sinful nature (not Jesus) and can still will to sin even with the fullness of the Spirit
Thank you, brother, I agree, giving our understanding even if we do not agree cannot be offensive. My understanding of Scripture has grown from discussions we have here, I have benefitted from you, S Spencer, Chris, Giannis, GiGi, and others here. Many sites unless you say you follow the Nicene Creed you cannot even post.
I understand some Bible verses can support the Trinity doctrine. I can see where in John 10:33 it says they said Jesus blasphemed because "being a man, makest thyself, God". In John 10:22-42 they first asked Jesus "If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly" and Jesus said, "I told you, and ye believed not:". So, Jesus told them He was the Messiah, they did not even accept that, but they were not His sheep, because they did not hear His voice.
We see in John 17 that the Father gave Jesus power over all flesh to give eternal life so that they/us might know the only true God and Jesus Christ/the Messiah whom the Father sent. In John 10 Jesus continues saying His Father is greater than all and the works Jesus did were the Father's works, not His, and Jesus said this in John 14:28. Jesus said, "I and my Father are one". Jesus also said in John 17 "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
John 10:34 Jesus quotes Psalms 82:6 where the judges of Israel who exercised the authority of God, are gods, gods here is the same Greek word in verses 33 and 36 where it is makest thyself God. In verse 36 Jesus rebukes them "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
What I see the works Jesus did were not His works, but the Father's works done through the Holy Spirit that Jesus was anointed with without measure. That is why Jesus said this, in John 14:17 and John 16:7.
I do thank you for discussing this with me, we can let it rest if you want to.
God bless,
RLW
GOD is Spirit,the Word- John 1:1.He is greater than JESUS- John 14:28,and 5:19-20,and 12:49.GOD Himself,the Word,is self-executing, JESUS is not- John 5:30.They are One in Spirit,but not in existence personal->GOD the Father,and the Word MADE FLESH-JESUS,both are DISTINCTS Persons- Philippians 2:6-9.
GOD has put all things under the feet of JESUS- 1Corinthians 15:27, but Hebrews 2:8-12 say:...8But now we see not yet all things put under Him.9But we see JESUS,who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death,crowned with Glory and Honour; that He by the Grace of GOD should taste death for every man.
1Corinthians 15:27-28
27For GOD has put all things under JESUS's feet.But when GOD saith all things are put under JESUS,it is manifest that GOD is excepted, which did put all things under JESUS.
28And when all things shall be subdued unto JESUS,then shall the Son also Himself be SUBJETED unto GOD that put all things under JESUS,that GOD may be all in all.
JESUS is the Spirit-GOD-MADE FLESH->GOD-Christ.Great mystery- John 1:14 combined with Colossians 2:9 and Philippians 2:6-11.Both are one Spirit- John 10:30,but two DISTINCTS Persons being the same Spirit Creator-GOD,having the SAME IMAGE,the image of the Spirit-GOD,one is invisible, and one is vsible- John 14:8-10.JESUS said: John 5:30->I can of mine own self do nothing:.
JESUS as the Greater Light,He commented about the lesser Light-the Person of the Holy Spirit-saying he is the Comfort,the Paraclete,and revealed what is the the mission of him here: John 16:7-15:(By analogy,the moon receive light from the sun,the moon has not ligh in it itself;the person of the Holy Spirit,the Comfort,he has not light in he himself,so he cannot speak anything if does not receive from JESUS- John 16:13.JESUS SAID:he shall receive of mine,and shall shew it unto you- John 16:14,and he shall take of mine,and shall shew it unto you- John 16:15)
JESUS commented about the mission of the Holy Spirit- John 16:7-15
I would like to add to you comment.
Predestination is predetermining something.
Before the foundation of the world God predetermined that he would destroy sinful man from the face of the earth, and conform them to the IMAGE of his SON.
Matthew 25:34 .... Come, ye blessed of the Father, INHERIT the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
He chose the cross as his instrument.
He was going to do this ONLY ONCE.
In the fullness of time God sent his SON to take all the wrath of God for mankind, not to take the place of mankind, mankind had to also died on that cross.
Three days latter, to fulfill God's words, God resurrected CHRIST, and ALL mankind was resurrected as HEIRS OF CHRIST, his IMAGE, as he is the IMAGE of the Father.
He came to fulfill all the scriptures that were written about HIM, the kingdom of God.
There is more than enough of his speaking to the multitudes to come to the conclusion what his death and resurrection would accomplish: man becoming HIS IMAGE.
John 17:21 That they ALL may be ONE; as thou, Father, art IN ME, and I IN THEE, that they may be ONE IN US; that the world may believe thou has sent me.
Mark 10:8 And they twain, shall be ONE FLESH: so then they are no more twain but ONE FLESH.
Ephesians 2:15 ..... for to make in himself of twain ONE NEW MAN ......
John 10:34 Jesus answered them, IS IT NOT WRITTEN in your law, I SAID,Ye are gods?
Psalms 82:6 I have said: Ye are gods; and ALL OF YOU the children of the most high.
Psalms 82:7 But ye shall DIE LIKE MEN, and fall like one of the princes (Satan).
This was fulfilled on the Cross of Christ.
Isaiah 41:23 Shew the thing that are TO COME HEREAFTER, that we may know ye are gods ......
God Bless You
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was JESUS, which had made him whole.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute JESUS, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these things on the sabbath day.
17 But JESUS answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I WORK. John 10:30- I and my Father are One.
It was the fourth Day or around 4000 years after Adam.--> Genesis 1:16- GOD made two great lights; the Greater Light to rule the day( 1Thessalonians 5:4-6), and the Lesser Light to rule the night: He made the stars also. JESUS said: John 12:46 -->I am come a Light into the world (like the Sun), that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
And the Lesser light: Who is him? The lesser Light receives light from the Greater Light because he has no light of his own (like the moon). So, who is him?
And the stars, who are them? By the way, the red Dragon with his TAIL drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. Who are them?
Furthermore, the woman is clothed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars-Re.12:1
I like so much to decipher biblical enigmas/puzzles.
Matthew 5: 5 and 14 -
5- Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
14- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Very profound. GOD BLESS
Matthew 28:19
John 10:30
Colossians 2:8-9
Hebrews 1:8
1 John 5:20
John 10:30
etc
Try searching 'Godhead'
I also, believe that God deals first with the man, who he should marry, then with the woman who she should accept. So a woman doesn't have to go about searching or hunting for a husband. God will reveal to each man and each woman and will make His will clear to both, collectively and as individuals as they seek God.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 KJV
Seeking God is so very vital because the adversary is always awork interfering with not only marriages but those that God has ordained to be married. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10 KJV
Marriages where the husband and wife are working together in the household is vital to Christendom and makes a strong foundation for communities.
I have gone on for some length now on an attempt to best explain the doctrines of grace as to Predestination along with our responsibility to respond to the Lord's promptings at every stage; from His initial calling to us to be saved to our deathbed.
It is clear that sin can affect us and even destroy our witness and end our life prematurely; but someone truly saved; although making it as though through the fire will not LOSE their salvation.
As to assurance of salvation we have understanding with the MIND of Christ ( 1 Cor. 2:16); thus just as natural man knows and understands that he exists and is conscious of the world around him; a true believer is aware of the Lord living in him as His sheep hear His voice and know Him and will not follow another ( John 10:27-28).
There are warnings in scripture as pertaining to those who would claim miracles in Christ's name and yet aren't saved. Surely Judas Iscariot would be one example of this. For someone who is out for themselves it doesn't matter to them whether it is God or the Devil who is making these supernatural phenomenon occur. It brings money; prestige; influence etc to those who are propegating falsehood (megachurch type persona especially) and naturally the goats want to rake in the financial benefits (decieving and being decieved ( 2 Tim. 3:13). This is more than the case of the Corinthians who were in disorder utilizing spiritual gifts for if we read carefully it was not for false manifestations or for the gifts themselves that they were reprimanded.
Hopefully this series of postings brings encouragement to someone. Doctrine matters; but indeed it is the case that the more we know the more questions can seem to arise. The truth is we can't totally understand the Lord or His truths. We can take confidence in God's covenants as He never breaks them and in that mindset know that a true believer has passed from death to life
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me:
9 Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
John 10:30- I and my Father are One.
But,
no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him. Matthew 11:27
Luke 10:22 - no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him.