In reality why we are not to condemn others who may be against us today or living in deep sin/evil etc. Obviously we are to judge righteously in what is right and wrong. Make known these things though to try and save that person from their sin in where it may lead them. Not to condemn them as only God knows the exact time for every person, that is His, and there is a reason for it that we may not be able to understand. God knows everyone better than we know ourselves.
As said we are only able to plant or water though it is God that gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7-8.
In this life it is truly not easy to see other people, even in your own family, that don't seem to listen to our words even though we are only spreading God's Word for their good. Though as two of the fruits of the Holy Spirit are patience and longsuffering as in the end of Galatians.
Even looking at Paul who condemned and murdered followers of Christ though he turned out to be the one who wrote most of the epistles in the NT. As you stated that some may be with the Lord from their childhood and some may accept the Lord when they are at the end of their life. Connecting to Matthew 20:16.
As there are some who never accept the Lord and, even more saddening is, people who were with the Lord then reject Him and go back to the world.
Stay close to the Lord, put all your trust in Him, and pray fervently without ceasing.
The scripture doesn't say Christ came to "change" the world. He came so those who receive him might have life, and that's "EVERLASTING LIFE" and fellowship with the Father.
Now he put his Spirit in us/ believers and the Holyspirit spirit changes us, ( providing his Spirit dwells in us ).
Here's just a few of many scriptures:
1 John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Matthew 20:28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:5-6. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Lets start with Hebrews 6:4-6 with the view you can loose your salvation.
4: For it is ""impossible"" for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5: And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6: If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
That sounds like they're saved right? Right.
So if you read that verse carefully with the mind you can loose your salvation "you got one shot at it!!" ( For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened....) ( If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;...)
You can take this passage and say if you were saved and some how stumbled "a small lie, got angry, ect.." it is impossible to renew you to repentance!! your forever Lost!! Read it again with the view you can loose your salvation.
That does not sound right so now take the passage with the view you cant loose your salvation and say these people was not really saved, "The Calvinist view"
It seems they suffer the same fate! Whether professors or not 'they were once enlightened'.
It is "Impossible" ( for those who were once ""enlightened,"" and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;...)
The unsaved premise seems to also fails. they also got one shot!
I believe the writer is writing to believers, he addresses them that way in Ch 3:1. "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling",
I don't think this is talking about salvation at all, it don't say renew them again to salvation, it say repentance. The writer is writing to the Hebrews and urging them to maturity, the burden of the writer is not to return to Judaism. Legalism, them becoming fruitless
This is a repost to the 2 links that I pasted, Something went terribly wrong!!
Isaiah 32:12-13. They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:
"PARRELLELS WITH HEBREWS 6:8".
HERE'S THE 2ND
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (KJV) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
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.
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
S Spencer on Hebrews Ch 6 on Matthew 20 - 3 years ago
PG 2.
Lets revisit the text starting from-
Hebrews 5:11-14. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Paul is urging them towards maturity.
Now lets take up Hebrews 6:7-9.
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Verse 8: But that which ""beareth thorns and briers"" is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
THE KEY IS IN VERSE 9.
Verse 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and ( things that accompany salvation,) though we thus speak. WHAT ACCOMPANIES SALVATION? FRUIT AND REWARDS.
Verse 8 parallels with
Isaiah 5:6-7. And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Rev robert, may the Spirit grace you with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Revelation 14
Revelation 15
Revelation 16
This is the work of CHRIST DEATH on the cross and the work of HIS RESURRECTION and the battle ( Revelation 16:14) we are caused to fight to come to this TRUTH IN CHRIST. Being fulfilled for the last 2000 years as the Fathers draws us to CHRIST and CHRIST gives us HIS UNDERSTANDING to overcome. ASK HIM he will cause you to understand; but it HIS time frame. We have been in the day of the Lord now for 2000 years. He is harvesting HIS FRUITS as they become first ripe (firstfruits) ( Revelation 14:14-20) ( Matthew 20:1-16)
When the sixth seal was opened ( Revelation 6:12) Christ was crucified; prophecy of ( Joel 2:31). The old testament saints and the children of the resurrection were raised with him ( Isaiah 26:19),( Revelation 20:5-6) and ( Matthew 27:52-53). The old testament saints were sealed with the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ ( 1 Timothy 6:16)( Revelation 7:3-8). There was silence in heaven for one half hour ( Revelation 8:1) between the sixth and seventh seal. This is the 45 days between Christ resurrection and pentecost ( Daniel 12:11-12) 1335 days minus 1290 days. No one could enter into the temple (into Christ) until the seven plagues were pour out on Christ (he took God's wrath for us). now we can be ONE IN CHRIST ( Revelation 15:6-8). The four living creatures before the throne ( Revelation 4:6-8) is all creation. God made a covenant with Noah that they would never be destroyed again ( Genesis 9:9-12) man, cattle, beast and fowl. ( Ezekiel 1:10) ( Revelation 4:7). ALL CREATION will worship God. The lake of fire is how Christ cleanses and purifies us.
Karen, may the SPIRIT grace you with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
The BIG QUESTION? If you don't accept Christ in your physical life time are you cut off forever? Or go to hell?
Most BELIEVE in this assumption.
If the scriptures are studied as a whole and verses are not picked and apply in direct opposition to other verses we see a different truth than the above.
The scriptures assert that THE WORKS OF GOD are divided into different ages or generations.
So what's taking place in the age we are presently living in.
Scripture says that God through Christ is CHOOSING a few to rule and judge in HIS KINGDOM and they with HIM will bring all creation INTO CHRIST.
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensations of the fullness of TIMES he might gather together in one ALL THINGS in CHRIST........
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature WAITETH for the manifestation of THE SONS OF GOD.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself ALSO SHALL BE DELIVERED (by Christ and his elect).......
Romans 11:30-31 For as ye in times past HAVE NOT BELIEVED GOD, yet have obtained mercy through THEIR UNBELIEF:
(vs 31) Even so have these also NOT NOW believed, that through YOUR MERCY they also MAY OBTAIN MERCY.
1 Corinthians 15:28 And when ALL THINGS shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great; but the labourers (OF GOD'S WORKS) are FEW.....
Matthew 20:16 many are called, FEW are chosen....
Why are they called and not chosen; because they didn't BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAID.
Yes they are saved; but want be a judge in the kingdom.
This is only a few of the instances. Is someone doubting that Jesus was risen on the third day or something? The Bible says it all over the place, so if someone is trying to claim otherwise, they have a whole mountain of scripture against them.
Each of these parables, in fact most that Jesus told, start off, "The kingdom of heaven is like..." Each of Jesus parables generally is being used to illustrate one point in a way as to make it memorable. One thing to remember about the majority of Jesus' ministry: His message was directed to the Jewish people
In the first case, the landowner offers the same wage to each worker regardless of the length of their workday. The ones that worked the longest were the Jews. The one who work only one hour are the Gentiles. They both are welcomed into the kingdom despite all the work the Jews did for centuries, now the Gentiles will be able to share in the blessings of the kingdom.
In the latter case, the invitees spurned the invitation to the wedding of the king's son. Jesus, The Kin if The Jews, invited His own people to accept Him as their Messiah. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"Joh 1:11-12 (KJVA)
As many as receive Him, Jew or Gentile, must come, clothed in The Righteousness of Christ. It is not our own righteousness. "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" Php 3:9 (KJVA)
So the man who was judges, was not clothed in Jesus' righteousness.
The call was made to the Jews. But for a few Jewish believers, the vast majority rejected their Messiah. Many were called. Only a few were chosen. In this, the Church age, the call is universal to MANY. But Jesus states "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Mat 7:13-14 (KJVA)
Read John carefully, you'll find more about God's choosing.
Mat 20:1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
The landowner hires laborers at various times during the day, each agreeing to the wage that was offered. Finally, one hour before quitting time, he hires more workers at the same wage.
When those hired early heard that the latecomers got the same wage for 1 hour that they got for working all day, they indignantly accused the landowner of being unfair and demanded "fairness" of wage. The landowner replied, "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." Mat 20:13-16 (KJVA)
In Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus tells another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come." Mat 22:2-3 (KJVA)
However the people who were invited, refused to come and the king destroys them for snubbing the marriage of his son. Then the king told his servants to go out to the streets and invite those who had not been invited to the wedding. Now all those who came to the wedding were given a special garment to wear. On guest refused to wear the special garment and the king said to him, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." Mat 22:12-14 (KJVA)
I'm not sure any amount of Scripture searching or study will help you to be more of what you're aiming for, though I do think of 1 Corinthians 10:24, "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." In other words, to seek another's welfare & esteem before yourself.
I feel that you already understand where you are falling short & where you'd like to be, so it's really a matter of just getting on & doing it, allowing God's Spirit to lead you & equip you. If for your problem of selfish desires, then seek opportunities to help someone else or give for another's needs: both you & them will be blessed for this act of Christian love.
Ambition is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you're wanting to elevate yourself or trample over others to achieve your goal, then give others the opportunity to get there first (maybe by first discussing it with them) & if they decline, then go ahead; in this way, you won't feel that you're forcing yourself to go higher.
Getting involved in some Church ministry: with kids, youth, church camps, sharing in Bible studies, will also help in placing yourself in a 'servant' category, rather than one to be served (see Matthew 20:25-28; Philippians 2:2-8: examples of the Servant-hood of Christ & of his children).
Any involvement with your Church Fellowship will foster opportunities to serve others & gradually allow the Spirit to give you that spirit of being a true servant of the Lord to others & not to keep yourself in your focus.
Jesus is not God, He is the Son of God, this is the start of being a witness unto him, where to start... 1 John 4:9-15, Ephesians 1:19-20, Luke 18:18-19, 1 John 5:1-11, John 5:17-47, Hebrews 10:12, John 6:38, Matthew 16:13-17, Romans 1:9, 1 Corinthians 3:23, John ch 14, John 10:36-38, Matthew 24:36, John 8:54, John 10:17-18, Hebrews 1:1-9, Matthew 27:46, Mark 14:36, Matthew 10:40, Revelations 3:21, Mark 12:35-39, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, Matthew 20:23, Revelations 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 1:18
Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
Jeremiah 31:11
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:6
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
The Hebrew calendar used at the time of Jesus counted a full day from sunset to sunset, not midnight to midnight.
The Hebrew 24 hour period of time is broken up into two 12 hour segments. The first segment is from 6 pm until 6 am. The second segment is from 6 am until 6 pm.
6pm - 6am = 1st set of 12 hours- "third hour of the night" Acts 23:23 (9 pm)
6am - 6pm = 2nd set of 12 hours- "third hour of the day" Acts 2:15 (9 am)
The "third hour" of the day in Mark 15:25 when Christ was crucified is 9 am
The "ninth hour" when He gave up the ghost is 3 pm.
Look at Sixth hour, Ninth hour, eleventh hour, Matthew 20:5
The correct answer for the question is Matthew 22:14 which says,"For many are called, but few are chosen."
And not Matthew 20:20 which says "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him"
God is not slack concerning His promises, as some men count slackness. Not willing any should perish but " all" come to repentance. A genuine love of God and a distaste for things in this world is gain by accepting Christ love for us. God created us in love, nothing in this world can seperate you from God's love, be encouraged. Trust God's love for you. Heavenly Father your daughter is in need of Christ divine intercession, provide the power of " Your Glory" to give her peace, meet her where she is. Remove the demonic forces that surrounds her. Remove the strength of all her weakness heal her heart, mind & body. Holy Spirit dwell in her. We humbly ask in the name & blood of Jesus.
Hey Peggy - Hit youtube and type in CUP OF THE LORD
see what pops up. there are a number of times the cup of the Lord is in the Bible.
Psalms 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
1 Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
A penny (then not now) was the days wage for an unskilled laborer.
Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Famine is the land in Revelation
Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
basically a loaf of bread for a days wage
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Genesus 1:26 Let US make man, Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
God surrounds you daily! All you have to do is ask Him in Prayer and read His word-- to know the Truth of what you have in Him. Thru His Love you will see!!!
Who was Jesus praying to? Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Matthew 20:1-17 is a parable about the equal fairness of treatment within Gods' kingdom in that no matter what point in life one enters into Gods' kingdom, we are to expect a fair and equal treatment and reward no matter at what point one enter, first or last, here the stated wage is a dollar per day so no matter in which part of that day one is hired, the wage remain the same. there for the first
I very much like this post as I agree.
In reality why we are not to condemn others who may be against us today or living in deep sin/evil etc. Obviously we are to judge righteously in what is right and wrong. Make known these things though to try and save that person from their sin in where it may lead them. Not to condemn them as only God knows the exact time for every person, that is His, and there is a reason for it that we may not be able to understand. God knows everyone better than we know ourselves.
As said we are only able to plant or water though it is God that gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7-8.
In this life it is truly not easy to see other people, even in your own family, that don't seem to listen to our words even though we are only spreading God's Word for their good. Though as two of the fruits of the Holy Spirit are patience and longsuffering as in the end of Galatians.
Even looking at Paul who condemned and murdered followers of Christ though he turned out to be the one who wrote most of the epistles in the NT. As you stated that some may be with the Lord from their childhood and some may accept the Lord when they are at the end of their life. Connecting to Matthew 20:16.
As there are some who never accept the Lord and, even more saddening is, people who were with the Lord then reject Him and go back to the world.
Stay close to the Lord, put all your trust in Him, and pray fervently without ceasing.
God Bless.
You stated "Christ died to change the world"
The scripture doesn't say Christ came to "change" the world. He came so those who receive him might have life, and that's "EVERLASTING LIFE" and fellowship with the Father.
Now he put his Spirit in us/ believers and the Holyspirit spirit changes us, ( providing his Spirit dwells in us ).
Here's just a few of many scriptures:
1 John 2:2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Matthew 20:28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:5-6. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Maybe there's others who would like to elaborate.
God bless you.
Lets start with Hebrews 6:4-6 with the view you can loose your salvation.
4: For it is ""impossible"" for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5: And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6: If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
That sounds like they're saved right? Right.
So if you read that verse carefully with the mind you can loose your salvation "you got one shot at it!!" ( For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened....) ( If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;...)
You can take this passage and say if you were saved and some how stumbled "a small lie, got angry, ect.." it is impossible to renew you to repentance!! your forever Lost!! Read it again with the view you can loose your salvation.
That does not sound right so now take the passage with the view you cant loose your salvation and say these people was not really saved, "The Calvinist view"
It seems they suffer the same fate! Whether professors or not 'they were once enlightened'.
It is "Impossible" ( for those who were once ""enlightened,"" and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;...)
The unsaved premise seems to also fails. they also got one shot!
I believe the writer is writing to believers, he addresses them that way in Ch 3:1. "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling",
I don't think this is talking about salvation at all, it don't say renew them again to salvation, it say repentance. The writer is writing to the Hebrews and urging them to maturity, the burden of the writer is not to return to Judaism. Legalism, them becoming fruitless
Isaiah 32:12-13. They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:
"PARRELLELS WITH HEBREWS 6:8".
HERE'S THE 2ND
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (KJV) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
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.
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Lets revisit the text starting from-
Hebrews 5:11-14. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Paul is urging them towards maturity.
Now lets take up Hebrews 6:7-9.
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Verse 8: But that which ""beareth thorns and briers"" is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
THE KEY IS IN VERSE 9.
Verse 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and ( things that accompany salvation,) though we thus speak. WHAT ACCOMPANIES SALVATION? FRUIT AND REWARDS.
Verse 8 parallels with
Isaiah 5:6-7. And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Also. Link
You see the whole concept here. Link
You see these verses can not be about salvation, if so we're all in trouble.
Its about what accompany salvation.
I hope that helps.
"Whoever Does Unto The Least Of These Does Unto Me."
Matthew 20:20-28 KJV
Revelation 14
Revelation 15
Revelation 16
This is the work of CHRIST DEATH on the cross and the work of HIS RESURRECTION and the battle ( Revelation 16:14) we are caused to fight to come to this TRUTH IN CHRIST. Being fulfilled for the last 2000 years as the Fathers draws us to CHRIST and CHRIST gives us HIS UNDERSTANDING to overcome. ASK HIM he will cause you to understand; but it HIS time frame. We have been in the day of the Lord now for 2000 years. He is harvesting HIS FRUITS as they become first ripe (firstfruits) ( Revelation 14:14-20) ( Matthew 20:1-16)
When the sixth seal was opened ( Revelation 6:12) Christ was crucified; prophecy of ( Joel 2:31). The old testament saints and the children of the resurrection were raised with him ( Isaiah 26:19),( Revelation 20:5-6) and ( Matthew 27:52-53). The old testament saints were sealed with the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ ( 1 Timothy 6:16)( Revelation 7:3-8). There was silence in heaven for one half hour ( Revelation 8:1) between the sixth and seventh seal. This is the 45 days between Christ resurrection and pentecost ( Daniel 12:11-12) 1335 days minus 1290 days. No one could enter into the temple (into Christ) until the seven plagues were pour out on Christ (he took God's wrath for us). now we can be ONE IN CHRIST ( Revelation 15:6-8). The four living creatures before the throne ( Revelation 4:6-8) is all creation. God made a covenant with Noah that they would never be destroyed again ( Genesis 9:9-12) man, cattle, beast and fowl. ( Ezekiel 1:10) ( Revelation 4:7). ALL CREATION will worship God. The lake of fire is how Christ cleanses and purifies us.
Hebrews 12:29
Luke 12:49-50
Matthew 3:11-12
Isaiah 9:5
Isaiah 4:3-4
Malachai 3:2-3
Ezekiel 20:46-49
1 Corinthians 3:15
The BIG QUESTION? If you don't accept Christ in your physical life time are you cut off forever? Or go to hell?
Most BELIEVE in this assumption.
If the scriptures are studied as a whole and verses are not picked and apply in direct opposition to other verses we see a different truth than the above.
The scriptures assert that THE WORKS OF GOD are divided into different ages or generations.
So what's taking place in the age we are presently living in.
Scripture says that God through Christ is CHOOSING a few to rule and judge in HIS KINGDOM and they with HIM will bring all creation INTO CHRIST.
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensations of the fullness of TIMES he might gather together in one ALL THINGS in CHRIST........
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature WAITETH for the manifestation of THE SONS OF GOD.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself ALSO SHALL BE DELIVERED (by Christ and his elect).......
Romans 11:30-31 For as ye in times past HAVE NOT BELIEVED GOD, yet have obtained mercy through THEIR UNBELIEF:
(vs 31) Even so have these also NOT NOW believed, that through YOUR MERCY they also MAY OBTAIN MERCY.
1 Corinthians 15:28 And when ALL THINGS shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great; but the labourers (OF GOD'S WORKS) are FEW.....
Matthew 20:16 many are called, FEW are chosen....
Why are they called and not chosen; because they didn't BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAID.
Yes they are saved; but want be a judge in the kingdom.
Acts 10:40
Luke 24:7
Luke 18:33
Matthew 20:19
Matthew 17:23
Luke 24:46
Luke 24:21
This is only a few of the instances. Is someone doubting that Jesus was risen on the third day or something? The Bible says it all over the place, so if someone is trying to claim otherwise, they have a whole mountain of scripture against them.
In the first case, the landowner offers the same wage to each worker regardless of the length of their workday. The ones that worked the longest were the Jews. The one who work only one hour are the Gentiles. They both are welcomed into the kingdom despite all the work the Jews did for centuries, now the Gentiles will be able to share in the blessings of the kingdom.
In the latter case, the invitees spurned the invitation to the wedding of the king's son. Jesus, The Kin if The Jews, invited His own people to accept Him as their Messiah. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"Joh 1:11-12 (KJVA)
As many as receive Him, Jew or Gentile, must come, clothed in The Righteousness of Christ. It is not our own righteousness. "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" Php 3:9 (KJVA)
So the man who was judges, was not clothed in Jesus' righteousness.
The call was made to the Jews. But for a few Jewish believers, the vast majority rejected their Messiah. Many were called. Only a few were chosen. In this, the Church age, the call is universal to MANY. But Jesus states "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Mat 7:13-14 (KJVA)
Read John carefully, you'll find more about God's choosing.
In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells a parable.
Mat 20:1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
The landowner hires laborers at various times during the day, each agreeing to the wage that was offered. Finally, one hour before quitting time, he hires more workers at the same wage.
When those hired early heard that the latecomers got the same wage for 1 hour that they got for working all day, they indignantly accused the landowner of being unfair and demanded "fairness" of wage. The landowner replied, "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." Mat 20:13-16 (KJVA)
In Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus tells another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come." Mat 22:2-3 (KJVA)
However the people who were invited, refused to come and the king destroys them for snubbing the marriage of his son. Then the king told his servants to go out to the streets and invite those who had not been invited to the wedding. Now all those who came to the wedding were given a special garment to wear. On guest refused to wear the special garment and the king said to him, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." Mat 22:12-14 (KJVA)
Now the payoff...
I feel that you already understand where you are falling short & where you'd like to be, so it's really a matter of just getting on & doing it, allowing God's Spirit to lead you & equip you. If for your problem of selfish desires, then seek opportunities to help someone else or give for another's needs: both you & them will be blessed for this act of Christian love.
Ambition is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you're wanting to elevate yourself or trample over others to achieve your goal, then give others the opportunity to get there first (maybe by first discussing it with them) & if they decline, then go ahead; in this way, you won't feel that you're forcing yourself to go higher.
Getting involved in some Church ministry: with kids, youth, church camps, sharing in Bible studies, will also help in placing yourself in a 'servant' category, rather than one to be served (see Matthew 20:25-28; Philippians 2:2-8: examples of the Servant-hood of Christ & of his children).
Any involvement with your Church Fellowship will foster opportunities to serve others & gradually allow the Spirit to give you that spirit of being a true servant of the Lord to others & not to keep yourself in your focus.
Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
Jeremiah 31:11
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Timothy 2:6
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Page 2
The Hebrew calendar used at the time of Jesus counted a full day from sunset to sunset, not midnight to midnight.
The Hebrew 24 hour period of time is broken up into two 12 hour segments. The first segment is from 6 pm until 6 am. The second segment is from 6 am until 6 pm.
6pm - 6am = 1st set of 12 hours- "third hour of the night" Acts 23:23 (9 pm)
6am - 6pm = 2nd set of 12 hours- "third hour of the day" Acts 2:15 (9 am)
The "third hour" of the day in Mark 15:25 when Christ was crucified is 9 am
The "ninth hour" when He gave up the ghost is 3 pm.
Look at Sixth hour, Ninth hour, eleventh hour, Matthew 20:5
And not Matthew 20:20 which says "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him"
see what pops up. there are a number of times the cup of the Lord is in the Bible.
Psalms 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
1 Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Famine is the land in Revelation
Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
basically a loaf of bread for a days wage
Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Genesus 1:26 Let US make man,
Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.