No Timothy, the Gospel of John chapter 21 ends with verse 25. Was it something you read that indicated there were more verses to this chapter? Some have questioned the author of verses 24 and 25, but no other area of concern is known to me.
Hello Carol. In that verse, we read that Peter put on his "fisher's coat" (i.e. the outer tunic) when he understood from John that it was Jesus on the shore. He probably did this hurriedly as we might do if a visitor came knocking on our door & we were still in our night-wear not having a dressing gown on, at least. But the word 'naked' in the original Greek, can also mean 'having under-clothing on', as some would do, wearing minimal clothing when doing arduous work (e.g. workers on a building site). It seems the other disciples on the boat were fully dressed but Peter had shed his outer garment for work purposes.
But why Peter then "cast himself into the sea" with this heavier coat on and with a heavy catch of fish to be dragged in, I cannot be sure. I have often assumed that he wanted to get to shore first to be with the Lord Jesus by swimming there, but even doing that with a coat on seems unreasonable. Maybe others might have another thought about this event.
Lord willing; this commentary will be helpful for those who really haven't seen the repeated themes of the unity of the Godhead; and the predetermined "elect" group who are chosen for Christ to be revealed; and who therefore will respond to show saving faith. A major point that I tried to bring up in earlier chapters was that there is always a corresponding interaction going both ways; so that confession of faith and all of man's actions prompted by the Spirit are simultaneous actions. KNOWING us according to Matthew 7:23 is part of saving faith; hence the absence indicates we are tares. Our soul testifies with His Spirit ( Romans 8:16) that we are God's children.
None of the contradicts the necessity of confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts that Christ is Lord ( Romans 10:9). We are asked to repent; but it is He who grants the gift of repentance ( Romans 2:4) and this also has a group of people in mind (the Jews as a whole who come to faith) in Acts 5:31 and the Gentiles in Acts 11:18. We still our to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6). All good fruits therefore come from the source of God; and are evidences of saving faith ( Matt. 7:17). We need to remember that God chastises all He loves ( Hebrews 12:6 etal); and therefore He prunes back so even more fruit is produced ( John 15:1-2). He is doing the work therefore; our WORKS are merely the external evidence that indeed He is working from the inside out. These have been prepared for us from before the foundation of the world ( Eph. 2:10).
The other doctrines such as God's sovereignty; our totally depraved nature; and perseverance of the saints are covered in many scriptures and can be covered in other studies. As far as free will is concerned; God accomplishes His purposes through the vicissitudes of man; and the wiles of Satan and all his minions. To not submit to our Creator is folly ( Psalm 14:1; Psalm 2:2; Rev. 19)
John 21: The Resurrection of Christ; predestined plans for His Apostles
This chapter begins with some of the disciples fishing; and for the THIRD time Christ appears "incognito"; this time by the sea of Tiberius. Some surely would have seen Him in His resurrected glory before this; and you would think He would be recognizable. The scene played out much as it did when Christ first found Peter and the others fishing without success. Therefore; John knew immediately once the command in verse 5 and the resulted enormous haul that it was indeed the Lord. It was therefore evidenced by His characteristic behavior; at least as much as the miracle itself. Often missed is how Christ Himself got the fish and bread to prepare this meal without fishing gear before they even arrived having it cooked.
The rest of this narrative gets into the fate of Peter and John (always described in the third person). Peter is given the "interrogation" as it were as to the commitment of His love toward Jesus. He then is given prophetic insight as to his fate of martyrdom in verse 18; and repeated once again in the next verse the original calling "follow me."
As for John; Peter was inquisitive for some strange reason what would happen and Christ hypothetically brought up the fact that if he were to remain alive until He comes what was it to Peter? As it was; Christ decided to let him die a natural death after tradition apparently describes a foiled attempt to boil him in oil. The end of this chapter indicates one reason in verse 24; that is to write scripture; which also would extend until John wrote Revelation for him to leave this world.
Therefore; we see individual lives as planned all the way to the end in the eternal plans of the Godhead. As Deuteronomy 29:29 states the secret councils of God are beyond us; however kings search things out ( Prov. 25:2). May we seek as overcomers those things which glorify Him; and trust the path He has placed before us ( Prov. 3:5).
Hello Carol. I don't believe that the Archangel Michael was the pre-incarnate Jesus nor the resurrected ascended Jesus. We read of Michael in Daniel chapter 10, as one who helped another who was contending with the "prince of the kingdom of Persia". And again in Jude 1:9 when contending with Satan.
Michael is seen as the chief prince of the angelic hierarchy, but Jesus is never seen as such nor does that work. In Jude, Michael did not hold the same authority as Jesus to be able to rebuke Satan. But of Jesus, we read that He is the Word of God Who proceeded from God to become a man for the suffering of death - taking upon Him our punishment for our sins. That was Jesus' Work then & He is now seated at the Father's right Hand interceding on our behalf & will one day make an appearance into the World to defeat Satan & his followers & to reign bringing in righteous rule & blessing. Michael nor any other angelic being can ever fill those shoes, as important as they might be in carrying out the Will of God upon Earth.
The leftist movement involves believing that evil isn't that bad, because they assume everyone who does bad was born under disadvantaged situations and thus you can't blame them for their evil. It forms their own version of morality. Instead of sympathizing with victims of evil, they sympathize with the one commiting it.
But God's morality says that's evil, wrong, and that evildoers will be punished in hell. This is in the Bible, but some seem to gloss over this part and seem upset and offended that a good God would sent people to hell. Some don't like the idea of an authority over them and having rules and actually being subject to them.
Jesus loving died for all of us, and some people want to desecrate and disrespect what Jesus did, by committing more evil. This is like slapping Jesus in the face and spitting on Him. Jesus said if you love Him then to obey His commandments. It seems some people would rather follow and sympathize with Hitler as a mass murderer than sympathize with all the families destroyed by him. People are rewarding criminals, even drug dealers who kill people, human traffickers, rapists, pedophiles, and allow them into countries, while imprisoning people who believe differently. That is evil. We even saw someone recently in the US run over a bunch of white people, but because he was black the media didn't cover it much and just called it a 'parade accident'.
God is a loving and fair judge and all people will be accountable for their actions whether good or evil. No one know to what extent people will be punished. The Bible gives several verses, and its enough to know that it's a terrible place to be and someone would have to be incredibly stupid to turn their back on God and try to go there. Some interpret scripture that its just a death and some interpret that it's an eternal torture. But either way, people get what they deserve for turning their back on Jesus and pursuing evil. God already made it very easy to avoid it.
I wanted to tell you that I like your style of Christianity. Hate the sin, not the sinner. Accidentally like a martyr people will tell you what they believe, then sell it to you harder.
You stay warm O' Isles of the sea. Ezekiel 26:18 the day America falls, and you're saved in darkness, begging the man of sin for your survival.
Keep your eye on Iran Rev 6:12 and the little boy who cried wolf, Israel, for the past 40 years, saying Iran's six months away from a bomb. They'll get a brutish army with no mercy running them off the land in chains. While you're getting your's, Rev 6:14 kickstarts Israel's invasion as it is in fact the Day of the Lord. Russia has their own HARRP program to trigger an earthquake. Antichrist is going to tear this world up.
MY view of this biblically God is all love but also a God of Justice and that requires a payment for actions against the laws he set up to work and protect creation and man. When man bucks against Gods laws or justice system God lifts his hand of love grace mercy peace and power and the individual sets himself up to the adversaries destructive influence.
God cannot being just cannot override freedom of will because that would be against his own rules which would make him a hypocrite, let him be true. Now His and our arch enemy the adversary knows all this and uses this to his
advantage to get people to blame God for things he does, remember true God life giving the devil author of destruction and death. The reason why so much stuff is occurring is because the farther man walks away from Gods word of life the more the god of this world gets to work his influence. For those of us who believe and stand on Gods Word In Christ we literally
slow down or at times stop this destructive influence, except to those that absolutely appose God. In the end there will be the resurrection of the body of Christ then in revelation the resurrection of the just and unjust those judged by there works outside of the age of grace. I view it this way if someone wants to worship the adversary again what you sew is what you reap the end in eternity won't be good. This is my perspective, let God be true and the other guy the Father of lies.
English Sacha. Is that what you have gleaned from what I addressed to Earl? You've made some assumptions that clearly are emotive rather than what I had written or is revealed in the Bible. We're discussing the fact of God's Judgement to all who are not saved through Jesus Christ.
How God decides who are worthy of judgement (whether some primitive soul or those with mental shortcomings, etc), is God's matter, not mine nor yours. If you believe this God of Love is incapable of judging sinners in such a manner, then you would need to consider the operation of God throughout Scriptures - i.e. He is indeed a God of Love but also a God of Justice. We can often be conditioned by the world & what we perceive to be right, to think of such a justice system as normal, as true. Whereas God's Justice always demands the correct penalty - and unfortunately, simply losing one's life in death (which happens to us all) is just one part of that justice. The wages of sin might indeed be death, but the wages for the rejection of God & His offer of salvation are far greater ( Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 18:7-9; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 1:6,7; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10-15). And sister GiGi has also given a very apt response to you.
Those of us who are in heaven will not be enjoy viewing the wicked receiving the penalty for their unbelief in hell. We will not be allowed to view it. God separates hell from heaven in order to have heaven be perfect for us. God is perfectly just and is not unloving when he judges unbelievers to eternal punishment in hell. He is exercising His perfect judgment and wrath rightly. It is this very judgment and wrath that Christ's death and resurrection saves us from, not just death. If death is all that awaits the unbeliever, then Christ's death does not change was only a one way act, sparing believers from eternal death. Which is not what Jesus taught (i.e. Lazarus and the rich man).
I believe that God will judge children, mentally impaired, and those who never heard the gospel in is perfect wisdom. I don't think we need to think for God.
I once heard a story about someone who was brought the gospel to a remote area of the world. Upon hearing of Jesus, one person remarked, "So that is the name of who we worship." This reflects what is said in Romans 1. Man can know that God exists and seek Him. But in places where they have not heard of Jesus or have the Bible to learn more of God, most people create idols and devise wicked practices and false worship. But even among such people, there may be some who worship God from a true heart. God does not despise these. Nor does he despise children or those who cannot understand Him through their minds. He speaks to their souls. The Holy Spirit can regenerate anyone He chooses. But since Jesus' incarnation, the Spirit most often regenerates through the hearing of the gospel.
I choose to let God be God, and myself be a lowly human. I do not question His judgments as either right or wrong.
If he created hell and determined that it will be inhabited by the unbelieving humans, angels, and the devil, I trust that that is the right and just thing.
Brother Earl We preach the Goodness of God and the Forgiveness of sin, we lovingly teach and implore not to sin or break fellowship, how can you teach heaven when your too occupied with thinking about hell. Just making a point,
pointing finger at fault shows no one how to change. I have met very few leaders that teach how to walk by the spirit
but have no problem telling someone how fast they can be sent to hell. So where's the leading in love that's what Jesus
Christ did and the Apostle Paul 1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod,or in Love and the spirit
of meekness. Eph.4:15 speaking the truth in Love not fire and brimstone. Just sharing some heart.
Earl P.S. We need to take a hint from our Brother in heaven he always taught and displayed the Love, Heart and healing power of His Father and He was very aware of His enemy but did not magnify or dwell on him or the world. So for us
Phil.4:8+9 at the end the guarantee and the God of peace shall be with you.
Sorry, it took me a while to study your posts. Scripture is clear; the lake of fire is real and it was prepared for Satan and his angels, Matthew 25:41. Those whose name is not in the book of life will be cast into this lake of fire, the second death, this is the death the saints will be spared. According to scripture we all will be judged and our reward will be given, good or bad according to our works Revelation 22:12. Each of us will have different rewards, some lights will be brighter than others, Daniel 12:2-3 and whether in the lake of fire, the punishments may be also judged accordingly.
My understanding is we do not get a second chance for salvation after this life in this flesh, Hebrews 9:27. We have this, there are evil and good people that live and have lived and those who did not have a chance to hear of the word of God, this may show how they will be judged at the white throne judgment, Romans 2:12-15 (this is my understanding of this), but those who have heard and rejected it, Katy bar the door.
I must humbly disagree, I am not in the lake of fire, we will be judged with fire, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. The Bible has symbolic wording but represents real things, people, kingdoms, etc. I am sorry I can't follow interpreting the scriptures by allegorizing all, I feel we turn all scripture into parables.
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, specially of those that believe.
1 Timothy 4:11 These things COMMAND and TEACH.
Does the doctrines of man believe Jesus is SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, NO.
Does the doctrines of man TEACH Jesus is SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, NO.
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together (BE ONE) except they be agreed?
Matthew 5:25 AGREE with your adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him: lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all DECEIVABLENESS of unrighteousness in then that perish; because they RECEIVE NOT the TRUTH, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie.
The lie, man's doctrine, that God is not a saviour of the world.
Matthew 5:44 And I say unto you, Love you enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:45 That you may be children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just an unjust.
Do you believe God COMMANDS you to love your enemies, YET he is going to send his enemies to HELL.
Man LOVES the doctrine of HELL because that gives them freedom to HATE their enemies.
Earl What other people do is on them our Job spiritual occupation is Go,Stand,Speak to the people the words of this Life, also 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21 we reconcile men to God witnesses, we are ambassadors, we are the righteousness of
God in Him. Our job is to love em up not ridicule condemn and criticise, the world does that. Remember there the lost bugs in the dark we are the light that attracts, so let your light so shine. We say that we are His and He is Ours deeds are
proof of this and not words and these are the proving hours!
Brother Rick, I was not implying that God has only revealed the truth to me, but that it has to be God, through his word and his S pirit, that reveals the TRUTH, not following the tradition of man's teaching.
Few find the way.
Two thirds of the world don't read the bible, mostly those professing to be Christians are the ones that read the bible.
Why then does only a few, that read the bible, find the way, this should concern us, what is it that we think we see, but don't.
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
John 9:39 And Jesus said, for JUDGEMENT I am come unto this world, that they which SEE NOT might SEE, and they WHICH SEE might be MADE BLIND.
Satan who deceives the WHOLE WORLD, that includes the two thirds that profess to be Christians.
What is it that man teaches. that deceives the whole world.
You have to let the Spirit, through his word teach you, and it will be different than what man teaches.
Amen Sister Sacha, Hosea 4, man has no knowledge of God's way. One day they will be like Paul, in an instant of burning light, they will fall to their knees and say, what will you have me do LORD.
Are you saying that sinners should be punished to satisfy your need for vengeance ? Or why should you be good if the only punishment bad people suffer is death ? Is being ressurected to spend eternity with your God and your saviour not enough of a reward for you ? Do you want to be able to look down into hell and watch people suffer eternal torture , many of whom will have never had the chance to know the Truth through no fault of their own ? Children ? Mentally handicapped or mentally ill people ? Will that make the sacrifices that you have made in your life in order to spend eternity with The God of All Creation and His Son your Redeemer worth it to you ? GOD IS LOVE , HE HATES NO ONE ,HE LOVES EVERY ONE , HE IS KIND AND MERCY FULL TO EVERY ONE . Do you think He wants to see the ignorant tortured for ever ? He would be able to see that , do you think that would give Him pleasure ,HE SAYS : THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH , He says that . There are millions of people who have lived and we're loved by their God and didn't know any thing about Him ,He didn't love them any less because of their ignorance . They should defo go to a place of torture and misery for ever ,is that what you think ? I'm very glad that God is not like us . Sorry if I sound aggressive , I don't mean to , amongst the things I know about God : He is not cruel He loves all of His creation He is never unfair or cold hearted or vicious and He takes no pleasure in our suffering .I'm not a J . W. in case you are wondering .
But why Peter then "cast himself into the sea" with this heavier coat on and with a heavy catch of fish to be dragged in, I cannot be sure. I have often assumed that he wanted to get to shore first to be with the Lord Jesus by swimming there, but even doing that with a coat on seems unreasonable. Maybe others might have another thought about this event.
Lord willing; this commentary will be helpful for those who really haven't seen the repeated themes of the unity of the Godhead; and the predetermined "elect" group who are chosen for Christ to be revealed; and who therefore will respond to show saving faith. A major point that I tried to bring up in earlier chapters was that there is always a corresponding interaction going both ways; so that confession of faith and all of man's actions prompted by the Spirit are simultaneous actions. KNOWING us according to Matthew 7:23 is part of saving faith; hence the absence indicates we are tares. Our soul testifies with His Spirit ( Romans 8:16) that we are God's children.
None of the contradicts the necessity of confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts that Christ is Lord ( Romans 10:9). We are asked to repent; but it is He who grants the gift of repentance ( Romans 2:4) and this also has a group of people in mind (the Jews as a whole who come to faith) in Acts 5:31 and the Gentiles in Acts 11:18. We still our to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6). All good fruits therefore come from the source of God; and are evidences of saving faith ( Matt. 7:17). We need to remember that God chastises all He loves ( Hebrews 12:6 etal); and therefore He prunes back so even more fruit is produced ( John 15:1-2). He is doing the work therefore; our WORKS are merely the external evidence that indeed He is working from the inside out. These have been prepared for us from before the foundation of the world ( Eph. 2:10).
The other doctrines such as God's sovereignty; our totally depraved nature; and perseverance of the saints are covered in many scriptures and can be covered in other studies. As far as free will is concerned; God accomplishes His purposes through the vicissitudes of man; and the wiles of Satan and all his minions. To not submit to our Creator is folly ( Psalm 14:1; Psalm 2:2; Rev. 19)
This chapter begins with some of the disciples fishing; and for the THIRD time Christ appears "incognito"; this time by the sea of Tiberius. Some surely would have seen Him in His resurrected glory before this; and you would think He would be recognizable. The scene played out much as it did when Christ first found Peter and the others fishing without success. Therefore; John knew immediately once the command in verse 5 and the resulted enormous haul that it was indeed the Lord. It was therefore evidenced by His characteristic behavior; at least as much as the miracle itself. Often missed is how Christ Himself got the fish and bread to prepare this meal without fishing gear before they even arrived having it cooked.
The rest of this narrative gets into the fate of Peter and John (always described in the third person). Peter is given the "interrogation" as it were as to the commitment of His love toward Jesus. He then is given prophetic insight as to his fate of martyrdom in verse 18; and repeated once again in the next verse the original calling "follow me."
As for John; Peter was inquisitive for some strange reason what would happen and Christ hypothetically brought up the fact that if he were to remain alive until He comes what was it to Peter? As it was; Christ decided to let him die a natural death after tradition apparently describes a foiled attempt to boil him in oil. The end of this chapter indicates one reason in verse 24; that is to write scripture; which also would extend until John wrote Revelation for him to leave this world.
Therefore; we see individual lives as planned all the way to the end in the eternal plans of the Godhead. As Deuteronomy 29:29 states the secret councils of God are beyond us; however kings search things out ( Prov. 25:2). May we seek as overcomers those things which glorify Him; and trust the path He has placed before us ( Prov. 3:5).
Michael is seen as the chief prince of the angelic hierarchy, but Jesus is never seen as such nor does that work. In Jude, Michael did not hold the same authority as Jesus to be able to rebuke Satan. But of Jesus, we read that He is the Word of God Who proceeded from God to become a man for the suffering of death - taking upon Him our punishment for our sins. That was Jesus' Work then & He is now seated at the Father's right Hand interceding on our behalf & will one day make an appearance into the World to defeat Satan & his followers & to reign bringing in righteous rule & blessing. Michael nor any other angelic being can ever fill those shoes, as important as they might be in carrying out the Will of God upon Earth.
Would you believe I made a mistake? I did: Revelation 6:14 scroll comes before Revelation 6:12 earthquake. So sorry my kind friend of Jesus.
But God's morality says that's evil, wrong, and that evildoers will be punished in hell. This is in the Bible, but some seem to gloss over this part and seem upset and offended that a good God would sent people to hell. Some don't like the idea of an authority over them and having rules and actually being subject to them.
Jesus loving died for all of us, and some people want to desecrate and disrespect what Jesus did, by committing more evil. This is like slapping Jesus in the face and spitting on Him. Jesus said if you love Him then to obey His commandments. It seems some people would rather follow and sympathize with Hitler as a mass murderer than sympathize with all the families destroyed by him. People are rewarding criminals, even drug dealers who kill people, human traffickers, rapists, pedophiles, and allow them into countries, while imprisoning people who believe differently. That is evil. We even saw someone recently in the US run over a bunch of white people, but because he was black the media didn't cover it much and just called it a 'parade accident'.
God is a loving and fair judge and all people will be accountable for their actions whether good or evil. No one know to what extent people will be punished. The Bible gives several verses, and its enough to know that it's a terrible place to be and someone would have to be incredibly stupid to turn their back on God and try to go there. Some interpret scripture that its just a death and some interpret that it's an eternal torture. But either way, people get what they deserve for turning their back on Jesus and pursuing evil. God already made it very easy to avoid it.
I wanted to tell you that I like your style of Christianity. Hate the sin, not the sinner. Accidentally like a martyr people will tell you what they believe, then sell it to you harder.
You stay warm O' Isles of the sea. Ezekiel 26:18 the day America falls, and you're saved in darkness, begging the man of sin for your survival.
Keep your eye on Iran Rev 6:12 and the little boy who cried wolf, Israel, for the past 40 years, saying Iran's six months away from a bomb. They'll get a brutish army with no mercy running them off the land in chains. While you're getting your's, Rev 6:14 kickstarts Israel's invasion as it is in fact the Day of the Lord. Russia has their own HARRP program to trigger an earthquake. Antichrist is going to tear this world up.
Thank you. We are not to judge God's perfect ways. He judges our ways.
God cannot being just cannot override freedom of will because that would be against his own rules which would make him a hypocrite, let him be true. Now His and our arch enemy the adversary knows all this and uses this to his
advantage to get people to blame God for things he does, remember true God life giving the devil author of destruction and death. The reason why so much stuff is occurring is because the farther man walks away from Gods word of life the more the god of this world gets to work his influence. For those of us who believe and stand on Gods Word In Christ we literally
slow down or at times stop this destructive influence, except to those that absolutely appose God. In the end there will be the resurrection of the body of Christ then in revelation the resurrection of the just and unjust those judged by there works outside of the age of grace. I view it this way if someone wants to worship the adversary again what you sew is what you reap the end in eternity won't be good. This is my perspective, let God be true and the other guy the Father of lies.
How God decides who are worthy of judgement (whether some primitive soul or those with mental shortcomings, etc), is God's matter, not mine nor yours. If you believe this God of Love is incapable of judging sinners in such a manner, then you would need to consider the operation of God throughout Scriptures - i.e. He is indeed a God of Love but also a God of Justice. We can often be conditioned by the world & what we perceive to be right, to think of such a justice system as normal, as true. Whereas God's Justice always demands the correct penalty - and unfortunately, simply losing one's life in death (which happens to us all) is just one part of that justice. The wages of sin might indeed be death, but the wages for the rejection of God & His offer of salvation are far greater ( Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 18:7-9; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 1:6,7; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10-15). And sister GiGi has also given a very apt response to you.
Those of us who are in heaven will not be enjoy viewing the wicked receiving the penalty for their unbelief in hell. We will not be allowed to view it. God separates hell from heaven in order to have heaven be perfect for us. God is perfectly just and is not unloving when he judges unbelievers to eternal punishment in hell. He is exercising His perfect judgment and wrath rightly. It is this very judgment and wrath that Christ's death and resurrection saves us from, not just death. If death is all that awaits the unbeliever, then Christ's death does not change was only a one way act, sparing believers from eternal death. Which is not what Jesus taught (i.e. Lazarus and the rich man).
I believe that God will judge children, mentally impaired, and those who never heard the gospel in is perfect wisdom. I don't think we need to think for God.
I once heard a story about someone who was brought the gospel to a remote area of the world. Upon hearing of Jesus, one person remarked, "So that is the name of who we worship." This reflects what is said in Romans 1. Man can know that God exists and seek Him. But in places where they have not heard of Jesus or have the Bible to learn more of God, most people create idols and devise wicked practices and false worship. But even among such people, there may be some who worship God from a true heart. God does not despise these. Nor does he despise children or those who cannot understand Him through their minds. He speaks to their souls. The Holy Spirit can regenerate anyone He chooses. But since Jesus' incarnation, the Spirit most often regenerates through the hearing of the gospel.
I choose to let God be God, and myself be a lowly human. I do not question His judgments as either right or wrong.
If he created hell and determined that it will be inhabited by the unbelieving humans, angels, and the devil, I trust that that is the right and just thing.
pointing finger at fault shows no one how to change. I have met very few leaders that teach how to walk by the spirit
but have no problem telling someone how fast they can be sent to hell. So where's the leading in love that's what Jesus
Christ did and the Apostle Paul 1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod,or in Love and the spirit
of meekness. Eph.4:15 speaking the truth in Love not fire and brimstone. Just sharing some heart.
Phil.4:8+9 at the end the guarantee and the God of peace shall be with you.
Sorry, it took me a while to study your posts. Scripture is clear; the lake of fire is real and it was prepared for Satan and his angels, Matthew 25:41. Those whose name is not in the book of life will be cast into this lake of fire, the second death, this is the death the saints will be spared. According to scripture we all will be judged and our reward will be given, good or bad according to our works Revelation 22:12. Each of us will have different rewards, some lights will be brighter than others, Daniel 12:2-3 and whether in the lake of fire, the punishments may be also judged accordingly.
My understanding is we do not get a second chance for salvation after this life in this flesh, Hebrews 9:27. We have this, there are evil and good people that live and have lived and those who did not have a chance to hear of the word of God, this may show how they will be judged at the white throne judgment, Romans 2:12-15 (this is my understanding of this), but those who have heard and rejected it, Katy bar the door.
I must humbly disagree, I am not in the lake of fire, we will be judged with fire, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. The Bible has symbolic wording but represents real things, people, kingdoms, etc. I am sorry I can't follow interpreting the scriptures by allegorizing all, I feel we turn all scripture into parables.
RLW
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, specially of those that believe.
1 Timothy 4:11 These things COMMAND and TEACH.
Does the doctrines of man believe Jesus is SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, NO.
Does the doctrines of man TEACH Jesus is SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, NO.
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together (BE ONE) except they be agreed?
Matthew 5:25 AGREE with your adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him: lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all DECEIVABLENESS of unrighteousness in then that perish; because they RECEIVE NOT the TRUTH, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie.
The lie, man's doctrine, that God is not a saviour of the world.
Matthew 5:44 And I say unto you, Love you enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:45 That you may be children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just an unjust.
Do you believe God COMMANDS you to love your enemies, YET he is going to send his enemies to HELL.
Man LOVES the doctrine of HELL because that gives them freedom to HATE their enemies.
God in Him. Our job is to love em up not ridicule condemn and criticise, the world does that. Remember there the lost bugs in the dark we are the light that attracts, so let your light so shine. We say that we are His and He is Ours deeds are
proof of this and not words and these are the proving hours!
God it is just not believed. So don't understand your statement.
Few find the way.
Two thirds of the world don't read the bible, mostly those professing to be Christians are the ones that read the bible.
Why then does only a few, that read the bible, find the way, this should concern us, what is it that we think we see, but don't.
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
John 9:39 And Jesus said, for JUDGEMENT I am come unto this world, that they which SEE NOT might SEE, and they WHICH SEE might be MADE BLIND.
Satan who deceives the WHOLE WORLD, that includes the two thirds that profess to be Christians.
What is it that man teaches. that deceives the whole world.
You have to let the Spirit, through his word teach you, and it will be different than what man teaches.
Life and love and peace then the only thing left for God to do is I'll wait, but unless you come back to me my hands are
tied. Romans 1:21-23 man walks away God is, Jesus Christ in the gospels walked and worked the works of God
for all those with one condition they had to believe and even then he helped there unbelief. The only time he didn't do
many mighty works was in his own home town because they didn't believe. John 3:16 speaks loudly.