April 07/2016
A real leader is a servant of those he oversees, serving them sacrificially & lovingly. One who knows any “anointing” he may have is due to the Grace of God upon him & not any good works of his own, nor any other natural or spiritual talents he might have been blessed with. It is by the merits of Jesus & having been washed in his blood what makes us acceptable before the Father, & cleanses us from our sin & therefore how could one ever consider himself better than those around him. 1Pe 5:1-3
A dear friend asked me some questions which I am sharing here, and some of what I wrote back to him.
1) I find it difficult to believe in eternal damnation. I don't know how God, who is almighty, loving and omnipotent would condemn someone to eternal torment just because they might not have understood the whole picture of believing on Jesus, (millions of Hindu's, Muslim's, Taoists, etc.) when they never even heard of him, much less understood the plan of salvation.
2) I also have a serious question about why God, knowing what was going to happen, allowed mankind to fall, and then punish him for it, when He already knew the story from the beginning?
When it comes to the Bible & End Time Prophecies, I believe keeping an open mind is important, as you see; There are so many Christian denominations which all proclaim to have the right interpretation of the Bible, which helps one see, not all of them can be right about that claim at the same time.
So this is when the Bible becomes so dear, as it helps settle all the controversies, which is why it is so important to have a good knowledge of Scripture. A few years ago as I was studying “theology” in a seminary, I realized I was losing my faith in the supernatural, that's why I quit. (For those of you who don't know, I have been studying the Bible now for some 43 years now, this is one of the things I am most thankful for in my life) It was precisely my previous years of Bible study, what helped make me strong in the Lord, not that I am better than anybody else, but it was & is the Word what keeps me going, but it also made me become a not very welcome sheep within the leadership circle of denominational churches, because many times I had to question their sermons & teachings under the light of Scripture & I found most of those “Christian” leaders remind me of Luke 5:37, who don't want to drink different wine from what they are used to, as many have been indoctrinated under different denominations.
So I don't cling to any Bible “interpretation” I may have; if you have the Scriptures on hand which prove something different, as Paul wrote... 1Co 8:2 And if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
What I am writing to you about is my personal interpretation of Scripture & I have not found any Christian main denominational churches to understand these Scriptures this way, but here they are, please read them in prayer & ask the Lord to help you see whatever is His. Personally I like to read all the passage from where Scriptures are being taken just to understand the full concept, that's good to do. In many cases I have to investigate the original Hebrew or Greek language in which it was written to satisfy my curiosity.
Please bear with me if I sound a little over worded or my letter is too long, but yours are rather deep questions. I am quoting the New King James Version in this letter.
First of all, Deu 29:29 The secret things belong to Yahweh our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our sons forever, so that we may do all the words of this Law. That means, what the Lord has revealed to us is for us to learn & put into practice, & teach them to our children. Nevertheless there are secret things which are the Lord's, those we have to wait until He reveals them to us if He decides we should know about them, but we will certainly understand a whole lot more when the Lord comes, or we go be with Him, 1Co 13:9-12 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease. When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I did away with the things of an infant. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know even as I also am fully known.
Well, you wrote... I find it difficult to believe in eternal damnation. I don't know how God, who is almighty, loving and omnipotent would condemn someone to eternal torment just because they might not have understood the whole picture of believing on Jesus, (millions of Hindu's, Muslim's, Taoists, etc.) when they never even heard of him, much less understood the plan of salvation.
Jesus said to Phillip: John 14:9,10... He who has seen Me has seen the Father. The Words that I speak to you I do not speak of Myself, but the Father who dwells in Me, He does the works. 12:49 For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak. John 10:30 I and the Father are one!
So Jesus represents God, for He is God. So when I think about Jesus, I think about a loving, merciful, attentive, healer, provider, Holy, righteous, etc., all powerful God.
This is what Peter said about Him: Act 10:36,38 ... Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all!); that word which was... how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with Him.
So the way Jesus was when He was here, is the way God is.
Jesus also talked about the Father...
Mat 7:11 … If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him?
The whole Sermon on the Mount shows the character of God, I will just share a passage here.
Mat 5:43-48 You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax-collectors do so? Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.
Showing the love of God John wrote:
1Jn 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
It is hard for me to imagine that Jesus was sent that we might live & that His sacrifice wouldn't work.
God doesn't lose children. If I were God, all powerful & loving & have not the capacity to lead my children to safety, then I wouldn't be that perfect, or would I?
John 10:27-30 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, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
Eph 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Rom 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Okay, there are plenty of Scriptures about Hell.
Well, the Bible says clearly that not all living human beings are Children of God.
Jesus told the Jewish leaders... John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Mat 13:24-30 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Later on Jesus explained the parable.
37-43 He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Scripture talking about those who worship the Antichrist: Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
God's Children have been chosen before the foundation of the world.
So Hell: everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels & his children. Because it is there to Hell where Jesus is sending those men He calls cursed... Depart from me, you cursed. Mat 25:41
There are plenty of admonitions in God's Word with the things, we God's Children are to follow, for there will be a judgment with rewards & recompenses. But it is crucial to understand that because “we are under grace” & not under the Law, we obey the Lord’s demands in our lives, as we yield to Him & let Him do His Work.
Gal 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law.
Php 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
I have found in my personal life that the times I have tried to do my best for the Lord, have been the times when I have failed the most, whereas when I finally let go & allow Him to work through me; that is when I did best.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the things done through the body, according to that which he has done, whether good or bad.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
1Co 3:13-15 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.
If our works fail to pass the fiery test we will suffer loss, but hang on to our salvation.
What about the “millions of Hindu's, Muslim's, Taoists, etc”, who didn't have a chance to hear the message about Jesus?
-There will be the Resurrection of the Just, God's Children:
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Rev 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
-And there will be a Resurrection of everyone else who ever lived.
So after the thousand years are past
Rev 20:7-15 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
So in that Second Resurrection; absolutely all peoples that ever lived will be judged. I believe then, even angels... Jude 1:6 And those angels not having kept their first place, but having deserted their dwelling-place, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of a great Day;
But notice that all those found written in the “Book of Life” will receive a chance to go dwell in the New Earth that God will create. Those who didn't get the chance to accept Jesus as their Lord while on Earth maybe due to different circumstances, because we know by John 3:36 that all those who heard & rejected are dammed... John 3:36 He who believes on the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him. If we review the different translations of John 3:36, that “who does not believe” is he who refuses to believe.
So at the White Throne of Judgment” all those who rejected Jesus having heard about his gospel will be dammed into the “Lake of Fire and Brimstone” which is Hell, & all those found in the Book of Life who will be given place in in the New Earth where all their deeds will be judged. How will they get saved? Well the same way we did... Eph 2:4-9 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
I was once in a Bible class where a pastor said that absolutely everyone that will take part of the Second Resurrection will be thrown in Hell. When I asked: what about verse Rev 20:15 which talks about those found in the Book of Life? He replied that no one will be found in it because those in the “Book of Life” were risen in the “First Resurrection”.
So if that is the case why even open the Book at that time? & where do the nations in the next chapter come from?
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
21:3 And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.
21:4 And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away.
21:24 And the nations of those who are saved will walk in the light of it; and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
22:1 And he showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
22:2 In the midst of its street, and of the river, from here and from there, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit according to one month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
So if all those on the New Earth are the Christians, the Israel of God who rose in the First Resurrection, why do they still need healing? And why do they live outside the New Jerusalem?
And what about...
Mat 11:21-24 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful acts which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes!
22 But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to the heaven, shall be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.
I heard another pastor said that apparently some parts of Hell are not as hot as others. Which leads me to think that many Christians are still thinking people are justified by how good they are instead of how good God is... how in the world could God have mercy on those cities? That is how they understand "God being more tolerable" with those cities, in other words, God will have some not burning as hot as others in Hell.
Do we forget that it God rescued us when we were death in sins & we deserved hell too, hadn't it been for Jesus' sacrifice, we will all come short of the Glory of God. Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Why God didn’t destroyed Satan instead of allowing him to live & then confused the nations one more time at the end of the Millennium? I am going to tell you what I think, & I have some Bible passages to back it up somewhat.
Well if you remember, the nations during the Reign of Christ will be ruled with a tight rule.
Rev 12:5 And she bore a son, a male, who is going to rule all nations with a rod of iron. That son is Jesus.
The nations that will survive the Wrath of God will have citizens that still keep their human nature, & are not yet New Creatures. Remember our old sinful nature was overcome the day we came to Jesus. So during the Millennium all those who after having seen King Jesus ruler accept Him as Lord & saviour will be born in the Spirit, the same way we did & become part of God’s Family. But all others, who don’t take Him into their hearts as Lord, will only obey the rules of the Kingdom out of fear for the consequences. So in order to make a total clean up of mankind in order to bring all God’s Children into the New Heavens & New Earth, God will allow Satan to deceive all those who didn’t took Him as King in their hearts, so that He can clean up the whole world.
Isa 26:10 Let favor be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness he will deal wrongfully, and will not see Yahweh’s majesty.
So what I can read in the Scriptures is that the Israel of God, Christ's Bride, the Ecclesia, God's Children are risen in the First Resurrection, who, lived during the Old & New Testament times. We then go on to reign with Christ a Thousand Years on this Earth, then after the Thousand Years we; the Church, & all those saved during the Millennium will live in the New Jerusalem city in the New Earth forever, John 14:2-3 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
And those others who were found in the Book of Life at the “White Throne of Judgment” will live on the New Earth, outside the “New Jerusalem”. Revelations 21-22
Who will we reign upon during those Thousand Years? The nations who survive God's Wrath chosen by God to do so...
When you read Daniel 7, it clearly states that after the destruction of the “Beast” who is no other than the Antichrist, other nations are spared.
Dan 7:9-12 I watched until the thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days sat, whose robe was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool. His throne was like flames of fire, and His wheels like burning fire.
A stream of fire went out and came out from before Him. A thousand thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The judgment was set, and the books were opened. Then I was looking because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke. I watched until the beast was slain, and his body was destroyed and given to the burning flame. And the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away. Yet their lives were made longer for a season and time.
You wrote... I also have a serious question about why God, knowing what was going to happen, allowed mankind to fall, and then punish him for it, when He already knew the story from the beginning?
That is a very valid question & this is what I think...God's plan was & is to bless his Children with Paradise, where we can rejoice & enjoy his creation to the full. We read the final goal in Revelations 21 & 22. As a matter of fact that was where He first placed man, in the Garden of Eden a paradise. But obviously in order to prepare us for a total fulfillment, He knew that we had to go through a process that would mold us to help us to get there. That's why the devil, who is not anything else than a tool in God's hand, unknowing tried & continues to try to destroy God's plan, while trying to supplant God & take his place, he only helps us to become like fine gold purified in the fire of affliction which is what God actually wants. We could complain & say: Why didn't God choose an easier method? Well, when asking this question I realized, He put himself through the same process when He decided to go through it & die one of the most horrific death penalties, suffering till He gave his last drop of blood to save all of His Children. If He was willing to go through it to get us there, I don't dare to complain.
Scriptures to confirm what I just said, well there are many, I will only share some that come to mind...
1Ch 29:11-12 O Yahweh, Yours is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty. For all in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Yahweh, and You lift up Yourself to all as Head.
And the riches and the honor are from You, and You reign over all. And in Your hand is power and might. And it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all.
Pro 16:4 Yahweh has made all for His purpose; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Isa 46:9-10 Remember former things from forever; for I am God, and no other is God, even none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past things which were not done, saying, My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure;
Isaiah 53 the whole chapter
Rom 8:28-34 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be the First-born among many brothers. But whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, those He also justified. And whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Truly He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he condemning? It is Christ who has died, but rather also who is raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Eph 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Col 1:12-17 giving thanks to the Father, who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son;
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins. who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
Dear … , I pray these Scriptures will help clarify some of your questions.
Love in Jesus... Alejandro
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