All Sin of the World Paid for
Context Example: The Infamous Verse in Image
Christ Bore our sins to give the “Healing Part” and not that ‘you will never be judged to get the disease due to sin or unfair evil done to you first*’.
Please think about it deeply and hence we may understand the fine details of the Gospel correctly such as all Christians are judged in this life (Hebrews 12:5 – 11 especially Hebrews 12:8) with no afterlife Judgment (John 5:24) while the rest of mankind must go into afterlife Judgment (Hebrews 9:27) till the last penny accordingly (e. g. Matthew 18:34 – 35) some in Gehenna or the Lake of Fire (Matthew 5:22 – 26) but not because of Christ Holding their sins against Him (John 12:47) but forgives all Sin Done Against Him Setting the Perfect Example (Matthew 12:31) except the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit which forfeits forgiveness in the current age (AEON1) and next age (AEON2) in Matthew 12:32 but there is at least AEON3 to come (in the future, plural in ‘ages [AEONS] to come’ in Ephesians 2:7) yielding hope thereafter Biblically.
Hence we are judged according to our level of Mercy vs Judgment we practiced in life toward each other (Matthew 18:35) as only the ‘other’ (us, victims and angels, e. g. Revelation 6:10, Hebrews 2:2) “Judge each other (John 12:48) till the last penny” (Matthew 18:34 – 35).
Hence the Full Reconciliation is only Post-Judgment (which is just after Death for a Christian) and post-afterlife Judgment for a non-Christian accordingly as Christ’s Ransom for “All” applies in its own Divine-Kairois Times (plural) as Revealed in 1 Timothy 2:6 or 1 Corinthians 15:23 too in the Context of being Made Alive in the ‘Resurrection Context’ too eventually (1 Corinthians 15:20 – 22).
*P/S: Are All Diseases or Evil Experienced Judgment?
No. Two possible cases where it could be “Judgment upon a Person” or a “Deliberate Evil done Unfairly upon a Person”, Verses:
“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1 – 3, NASB)
Keyword: “neither that this man sinned, nor his parents”
Note: God’s Work part is the ‘Healing Only’ and not the ‘Disease too’ as Christ Says, “but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him”
2. The “Disease/Evil as a Judgment upon a Person Case”
“And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2, NASB)
Keyword: “your sins are forgiven” indicating clearly that his “paralytic state was a judgment due to his sins prior”.
Peace to you
All Things Mystery – Do we really know Lord Jesus Christ?
The Verses in Image (especially Matthew 11:27 Speak of Christ having Dominion over “All things” and a ‘Great Secret’ regarding it as Christ Says, that ‘only those who are revealed to know it will know the Father’).
What is Mysteriously laid out in these Verses?
For most of Christianity today, they follow an interpretation (such as given by the Protestant Reformer John Calvin) where he ‘limits the All things’ referred to in this passage to ‘only those things given to Christ which is Christians only which then attains the Promised Eternal Rest in Verse 28’. Thus, Calvinism and Augustinian Catholicism insists that the “All things” do NOT include ‘the evil ones such as the Devil or Wicked or the apostates’.
I beg to Differ and believe in First Christianity’s Majestic Lost Truth (in Quote below – says who?) where this ‘Same Verse’ is quoted (Matthew 11:27) in the Context of ‘knowing the Father’ is primarily inclusive of knowing that ‘the ALL THINGS is inclusive of DEMONS to the WICKED or APOSTATE ones and DEATH itself all of which will be made SUBJECT or OBEDIENT to Lord Jesus Christ eventually’, to quote (please read ‘carefully’):
“… He, therefore, who was known, was not a different being from Him who declared “No man knoweth the Father,” but one and the same, the Father MAKING ALL THINGS SUBJECT to HIM; while He received testimony from ALL that He was very man, and that He was very God, from the Father, from the Spirit, from ANGELS, from the CREATION ITSELF, from men, from APOSTATE SPIRITS and DEMONS, from the ENEMY, and last of all, from DEATH itself…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter VI, Point 7)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
Please note that the ALL THINGS CONTEXT St. Irenaeous quotes regarding Verses Speaking of SUBJECTION of ALL THINGS to CHRIST eventually (e. g. Ephesians 1:9 – 11, Colossians 1:16,20, Hebrews 2:8, 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28) includes the Definition of all CREATION itself including even APOSTATE SPIRITS, the ENEMY, DEATH and DEMONS too eventually in quote above – Can you REALLY SEE it?
Truly, Christ is All Triumphant!
This same END* is PROPHESIED Beautifully by apostle Paul himself toward “All Created things” being both “Reconciled” and being made “Subject / Obedient” to God eventually by Lord Jesus Christ’s Most Awesome Work on His Cross by “His Blood”, Verses:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of ALL CREATION. For by Him ALL THINGS were CREATED, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—ALL THINGS have been CREATED through Him and for Him. and through Him to RECONCILE ALL THINGS to Himself, having made PEACE through the BLOOD of HIS CROSS ; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” – apostle Paul (Colossians 1:15, 16, 20, NASB)
Yes, God Will be “All” in “All” Creation in the “End” post the SUBJECTION of ALL THINGS including ALL HIS ENEMIES such as even DEMONS to HIM as St. Irenaeous’ quote prior agrees, Verses:
“then comes the END, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put ALL His ENEMIES under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “ALL THINGS are put in SUBJECTION,” it is evident that He is excepted who put ALL THINGS in SUBJECTION to HIM. When ALL THINGS are SUBJECTED to HIM, then the Son Himself also will be SUBJECTED to the One who SUBJECTED ALL THINGS to Him, so that God may be ALL in ALL.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28, NASB)
*ALL THINGS are NOT yet SUBJECT or Made Obedient to Him now, hence these are PROPHETIC Statements, to quote:
“YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in SUBJECTING ALL THINGS to Him, He left NOTHING that is NOT SUBJECT to Him. But now we do NOT YET see ALL THINGS SUBJECTED to Him.” (Hebrews 2:8, NASB)
While Speaking of this Context or Topic did St. Irenaeous of Lyons quote St. Justin Martyr of believing the Same regarding this Context of ‘All Things’ (please note this fine detail carefully – as the meaning of “summing up All Things in Christ” in Ephesians 1:9 – 11), to quote:
“… In his book against Marcion, JUSTIN does well say: “I would not have believed the Lord Himself, if He had announced any other than He who is our framer, maker, and nourisher. But because the only-begotten Son came to us from the one God, who both made this world and formed us, and contains and administers ALL THINGS, SUMMING up His OWN HANDIWORK in HIMSELF, my faith towards Him is steadfast, and my love to the Father immoveable, God bestowing both upon us.” …” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter VI, Point 2)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
Conclusion
As for me, where the kings of Theology in First Orthodox Christianity (such as St. Irenaeous of Lyons and St. Justin Martyr) have agreed that this is the meaning and context of ‘All things’, I don’t dare dispute and more so, rejoice in the Blessed Lord and believe likewise in faith too.
The Quote below by St. Irenaeous himself again agrees to Universal Salvation Context in the end as God can VIVIFY the DEAD (those in Second Death too inclusive) as the CONTEXT of ALL THINGS is mentioned again by him (and we already know that St. Irenaeous’ Context of ALL THINGS in this Book 4 Discussion includes ‘apostate spirits & demons’ too as observed):
“… And many more Samaritans, it is said, when the Lord had tarried among. them, two days, “believed because of His words, and said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we ourselves have heard [Him], and know that this man is truly the Saviour of the world.” And Paul likewise declares, “And so all Israel shall be saved; ” but he has also said, that the law was our pedagogue [to bring us] to Christ Jesus. Let them not therefore ascribe to the law the unbelief of certain [among them]. For the law never hindered them from believing in the Son of God; nay, but it even exhorted them so to do, saying that MEN can be SAVED in no other way from the old wound of the serpent than by BELIEVING in HIM who, in the likeness of sinful flesh, is LIFTED UP from the EARTH upon the tree of martyrdom, and DRAWS ALL THINGS to Himself, and VIVIFIES the DEAD.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter II, Point 7)
Please note that St. Irenaeous is quoting John 12:32 (“All Men” Context – below) as well as Ephesians 1:9 – 11 as part of the meaning of Him being the Saviour of the World (1 John 4:14) as understood back then by the ‘Samaritan-babies-in-faith’ , in the Context of ‘men can be saved’ by believing in Him where we know that ‘believing after seeing is possible too’ though not the faith-type-of-believing (John 6:40, John 20:29 & 1 Timothy 3:16) but it will cause even the DEAD to be VIVIFIED likewise in quote above. Verses quoted here:
“And I, if I am LIFTED UP from the earth, will DRAW ALL MEN to Myself.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:32, NASB)
“Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (John 20:29, NASB)
“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 6:40, NASB – in Principle of ‘Believing after Seeing is Biblical too’)
or in another Translation:
“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which SEETH the Son, and BELIEVETH on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40, KJV)
Do you know that the Verse below PROPHESIES that One Day, all rational creatures in the WHOLE WORLD [Kosmos] will BELIEVE in HIM eventually (thus most believing only after seeing Him – 1 Timothy 3:16 in two translations/manuscripts below)?
New American Standard Bible
By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, BELIEVED on in the WORLD [Kosmos], Taken up in glory.
King James Bible
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, BELIEVED on in the WORLD [Kosmos], received up into glory.
Please note that these Verses are PROPHETIC hence the TENSE is sometimes like past tense because in God’s View, the END is a Done Permanent Reality even though these are not fulfilled yet (just like the all things being made subject to Him analogy prior).
“We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the SAVIOR of the WORLD [Kosmos].” – apostle John & First Christianity (1 John 4:14, NASB)
P/S: The End Spoken of by St. Irenaeous and Apostle Paul takes place after a ‘fair age-during Judgment first’ before this “Subjection and Reconciliation occurs”, to quote:
“For it was fitting that the truth should receive testimony from all, and should become [a means of] judgment for the salvation indeed of those who believe, but for the condemnation of those who believe not; that all should be fairly judged, and that the faith in the Father and Son should be approved by all, that is, that it should be established by all [as the one means of salvation], receiving testimony from all, both from those belonging to it, since they are its friends, and by those having no connection with it, though they are its enemies…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter VI, Point 7)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
In light of all these Orthodox First Christianity Quotes and the Context of “All Things”, do we really know Him as Christ Implies in Matthew 11:27?
Perhaps only Babies (who easily understand unconditional love and Universal Triumph of Christ) are revealed this (as verses prior in Matthew 11:25 – 26 Prophesy and are Fulfilled Beautifully) all “as it is Written”.
Example: the ‘Samaritan-babies-of-faith’ believed in the ‘Saviour of the World’ literally:
“Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the SAVIOR of the WORLD.” (John 4:41 – 42, NASB)
All Glory to God Who Alone is Truly Good.
Peace to you
Inherit or Not Inherit His Kingdom – First Christianity Meaning
Firstly, let’s consider Paradise – the Afterlife Abode of Perfected Christians in their souls.
To quote:
“And He [Lord Jesus Christ] said to him [the thief on the cross], “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43, NASB)
“… Where, then, was the first man placed? In paradise certainly, as the Scripture declares “And God planted a garden [paradisum] eastward in Eden, and there He placed the man whom He had formed.” And then afterwards when [man] proved disobedient, he was cast out thence into this world. Wherefore also the elders who were disciples of the apostles tell us that those who were translated were transferred to that place (for paradise has been prepared for righteous men, such as have the Spirit; in which place also Paul the apostle, when he was caught up, heard words which are unspeakable as regards us in our present condition ), and that there shall they who have been translated remain until the consummation [of all things], as a prelude to immortality.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter V, Point 1)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
iii) Believers wait in Paradise with our “souls” till our Resurrection happens where our soul is given a flesh-body again in the Future
“… For as the Lord “went away in the midst of the shadow of death,” where the souls of the dead were, yet afterwards arose in the body, and after the resurrection was taken up [into heaven], it is manifest that the souls of His disciples also, upon whose account the Lord underwent these things, shall go away into the invisible place allotted to them by God, and there remain until the resurrection, awaiting that event; then receiving their bodies, and rising in their entirety, that is bodily, just as the Lord arose, they shall come thus into the presence of God. “For no disciple is above the Master, but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master.” …” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXI, Point 2)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
“… ” And as the presbyters say, Then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour shall be seen according as they who see Him shall be worthy. [They say, moreover], that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundred-fold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold: for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second will dwell in paradise, the last will inhabit the city; and that was on this account the Lord declared, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.” For all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place; even as His Word says, that a share is allotted to all by the Father, according as each person is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the wedding. The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, affirm that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature;… John, therefore, did distinctly foresee the FIRST “RESURRECTION of the just,” and the inheritance in the kingdom of the earth; and what the prophets have prophesied concerning it harmonize [with his vision]…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXVI, Point 1, 2, 3 – highlighted)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
“… And when I had quoted this, I added, “Hear, then, how this Man, of whom the Scriptures declare that He will come again in glory after His crucifixion, was symbolized both by the tree of life, which was said to have been planted in Paradise … For indeed all kings and anointed persons obtained from Him their share in the names of kings and anointed: just as He Himself received from the Father the titles of King, and Christ, and Priest, and Angel, and such like other titles which He bears or did bear … Isaiah prophesied that a rod would come forth from the root of Jesse,[and this was] Christ. And David says that the righteous man is ‘like the tree that is planted by the channels of waters, which should yield its fruit in its season, and whose leaf should not fade.’…” – St. Justin Martyr (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, ‘Dialogue with Trypho’, CHAPTER LXXXVI)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
P/S: What is Context or Meaning of “Inherit the Kingdom of God” which is only for the Church, His Bride so that only they are Directly Connected in His Immortality (a Great Mystery) while others are considered Mortal-not sharing His Divinity and thus do not get this Highest Inheritance in His Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10)?
To quote:
“And Justin of Neapolis, a man who was not far separated from the apostles either in age or excellence, says that that which is mortal is inherited, but that which is immortal inherits; and that the flesh indeed dies, but the kingdom of heaven lives.” — From METHODIUS On the Resurrection, in Photius. (Fragment V, St. Justin Martyr’s Lost Writings)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-fragments.html
Note: Justin of Neapolis = St. Justin Martyr
This agrees Perfectly with St. Irenaeous implying this same meaning (and thus the Subjection of All Created things as explained in 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28 being “inherited” thus implies Universal Salvation eventually but only the Church Rules as only “the Church inherits His Kingdom” (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10) and thus Rules henceforth in His Kingdom), to quote:
” … As, therefore, the bride cannot [be said] to wed, but to be wedded, when the bridegroom comes and takes her, so also the flesh cannot by itself possess the kingdom of God by inheritance; but it can be taken for an inheritance into the kingdom of God. For a living person inherits the goods of the deceased; and it is one thing to inherit, another to be inherited. The former rules, and exercises power over, and orders the things inherited at his will; but the latter things are in a state of subjection, are under order, and are ruled over by him who has obtained the inheritance… ” St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter IX, Point 4 )
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Peace to you
Wrath of God – Meaning and Context
Unchangeable God – God doesn’t Stay Angry Forever.
Contrary to popular belief, there is NOT one Verse in the Bible which Teaches God Stays angry forever or more accurately to “Olam” (Hebrew) = “Aeon” (Koine Greek) = “Age” (Long, unknown limited time, English). Hence, the Idea that Hell is Eternal because His Wrath is Eternal has “no” Verse proving it – Interesting, isn’t it?
Curiously, there are Verses which teach the Opposite namely that His Wrath ends even before the “Age” (Olam/Aeon) due to His “Unchanging Love”, for example the Verse in image which in Full proves this Generally regarding God’s Wrath as follows:
“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love.” (Micah 7:18, NASB)
Some will say that the Verse above is only in the Context of the Saved-Remnant and so please consider these Verses which Generally Preach the same Truth that His Wrath is not Forever / to the Age even due to His Great Mercy as we shall understand next with New Testament Verses:
“He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.” (Psalm 103:9, NASB)
Even This Verse Generally toward “Man” or ‘All Men’ (Context):
“For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would grow faint before Me, And the breath of those whom I have made.” (Isaiah 57:16, NASB)
We know from the New Testament in the absolute sense God is not Angry toward anyone despite our sins being Perfect In Unchanging Love that Judges not (John 5:22, John 8:15) and thus keeps no records of wrongs toward faults done against Him (1 Corinthians 13:5, NASB).
Hence God’s Wrath in Judgment is “on behalf of the Victims who demand it” (e. g. Revelation 6:10) as that’s the meaning of “Justice” in this Context (Luke 18:7) as though He Judges no one being Perfect (John 12:47) just like He allowed evil to be exercised by creation’s will which choose it, likewise He allows evil to be Judged in Return accordingly by the equivalent demands of the Victims (John 12:48’s has the “other or another person who judges”) and/or angelic authorities (Hebrews 2:2) as even the Judgment Verses of Matthew 25 implies this Truth as God Judges on behalf of the mistreated.
This Final Judgment sentence varies according to the sum evil done and thus is called its “Aeonian or Age-during Sentence” toward the wicked (e. g. Matthew 25:46).
Please note that no Judgment Sentence lasts forever either as His Mercy Will Triumph over it eventually after the Judgment without Mercy is endured first accordingly (James 2:13).
Now just because one has been judged for his sins till the last penny does not mean automatic entrance into life as Christ’s Ransom applies thereafter in this order of time (1 Corinthians 15:23) till all are “Made Alive” (Resurrected, 1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22) in Christ in sinlessness eventually in “living in spirit first post this final Judgment” (1 Corinthians 5:5’s view if someone died unrepentant, or 1 Peter 4:6’s living to God in spirit despite being judged and these dead hearing the Gospel during the Final Judgment as the Verse prior in 1 Peter 4:5 implies this Context first), to quote:
God’s Forgiveness and Reconciliation is only after one’s Judgment till the last penny (Matthew 5:26) in such cases as even in the Context of Gehenna (Matthew 5:22) is revealed Parabolically in Matthew 5:22 – 26.
Believers themselves are Judged on earth itself and are not exempt from the Judgment-part entirely (Hebrews 12:7 – 11) and this depends on the level of Judgment or unforgiveness that we exercised toward others (Matthew 7:1 – 2, Matthew 6:15) where any exemption is due to the level of equivalent Mercy or Forgiveness which we have shown toward others likewise (Matthew 5:7, Matthew 6:14).
However no believer (of Sheepfold1) is ever to undergo any afterlife Judgment (John 5:24) that Purgatorial Hell is only for Sheepfold2 via Hades now (1 Peter 3:17 – 18 in the past or 1 Peter 4:6 currently & the future) and toward the wicked too in Gehenna till the last penny (Matthew 5:22 – 26, Luke 12:57 – 59 with Luke 12:47 – 48 too).
Conclusion
Christ is Both the Saviour of Believers in Faith (Church) and All Men too
“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.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:10, KJV)
Hence, St. Irenaeous’ Conclusion of the Church which Declares the Wisdom of God in the Context of God Who ‘Saves All Men’ as it is Going Forth Beautifully agrees with 1 Timothy 2:1,4,6, 1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23, Romans 5:18 – 19, Titus 2:11, John 12:32 and 1 Timothy 4:10 too in order of “Time” (Proper Context – 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:23, Ephesians 1:9 – 11), to quote:
“… And undoubtedly the preaching of the Church is true and stedfast, in which one and the same way of salvation is shown throughout the whole world. For to her is entrusted the light of God; and therefore the “wisdom” of God, by means of which she saves all men, “is declared in [its] going forth; it uttereth [its voice] faithfully in the streets, is preached on the tops of the walls, and speaks continually in the gates of the city.” For the Church preaches the truth everywhere, and she is the seven-branched candlestick which bears the light of Christ…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Source:
P/S: First Christianity taught that God is NOT angry at ALL His Creatures. Really?
Says who?
“… let us look steadfastly unto the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave unto His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits. Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His long-suffering will. Let us note how free from anger He is towards all His creatures.” – St. Clement of Rome* (c. 35 AD – 99 AD, 1 Clement 19:2 – 3)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-lightfoot.html
Focus Phrase proving our claim: “how free from anger He is towards all His creatures”
I repeat with emphasis: “how free from anger He [God the Father] is towards ALL His creatures [and not toward Christians only]”
Can you see it?
*For Roman Catholics: Pope Clement I
Source:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/repentance-is-afterlife-repentance-possible/amp
Even if the word means “forever”, James 2:13 and other Verses clearly prove that the Judgment Sentences can end due to His Great Mercy and Unchanging Unconditional Love after the Judgment we impose on each other accordingly till the last penny.
Truly, All Glory to God for He Alone is Perfect.
Peace to you
Hades – Rich Man and Lazarus – Literal or Allegorical or both?
Verses: Luke 16:19 – 31.
Martin Luther taught that it was ‘allegorical only’, to quote:
Martin Luther taught that the story was a parable about rich and poor in this life and the details of the afterlife not to be taken literally:
Therefore we conclude that the bosom of Abraham signifies nothing else than the Word of God,…. the hell here mentioned cannot be the true hell that will begin on the day of judgment. For the corpse of the rich man is without doubt not in hell, but buried in the earth; it must however be a place where the soul can be and has no peace, and it cannot be corporeal. Therefore it seems to me, this hell is the conscience, which is without faith and without the Word of God, in which the soul is buried and held until the day of judgment, when they are cast down body and soul into the true and real hell. (Church Postil 1522–23)
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_man_and_Lazarus
https://bible-truths.com/lazarus.html
Conclusion
I believe it “literally” as St. Irenaeous of Lyons describes it as follows from First Christianity and am open to a “allegorical meaning being true in parallel” (meaning I believe “both meanings as true” – as Holy Scripture is such in many ways).
Did First Christianity understand Luke 16:19 – 31 above LITERALLY?
Yes, St. Irenaeous of Lyons even knows the name of that ‘rich man’ who is called ‘Dives’, to quote:
“The Lord has taught with very great fulness, that souls not only continue to exist, not by passing from body to body, but that they preserve the same form [in their separate state] as the body had to which they were adapted, and that they remember the deeds which they did in this state of existence, and from which they have now ceased,-in that narrative which is recorded respecting the rich man and that Lazarus who found repose in the bosom of Abraham. In this account He states that Dives knew Lazarus after death, and Abraham in like manner, and that each one of these persons continued in his own proper position, and that [Dives] requested Lazarus to be sent to relieve him-[Lazarus], on whom he did not [formerly] bestow even the crumbs [which fell] from his table. [He tells us] also of the answer given by Abraham, who was acquainted not only with what respected himself, but Dives also, and who enjoined those who did not wish to come into that place of torment to believe Moses and the prophets, and to receive the preaching of Him who was to rise again from the dead. By these things, then, it is plainly declared that souls continue to exist that they do not pass from body to body, that they possess the form of a man, so that they may be recognised, and retain the memory of things in this world; moreover, that the gift of prophecy was possessed by Abraham, and that each class of souls] receives a habitation such as it has deserved, even before the judgment.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 2, Chapter XXXIV, Point 1)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html
Source :
Further Explanations
Claim
Christ is using pagan beliefs in that Parable to rebuke the Pharisees who taught such.
Reply
Yep, and Christ used Pagan beliefs to prove the truth, yea right.
These are part of things “hidden earlier” (not explicitly revealed in Old Testament Scripture) but Christ Promised to Reveal them via Parables too when He was Manifested in the Flesh:
“I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,” (Psalm 78:2, NASB)
“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:35, NASB)
I haven’t found one Christian in the first 500 years of Christianity who did not believe in Luke 16:19 – 31 literally. Congratulations for being smarter than all of them.
Also St. Clement of Alexandria mentioned clearly that Apostle Paul endorsed the Sibyl (Sibyline Oracles reading Verbally) and so endorses the literal description of the afterlife again, to quote:
Clement of Alexandria (ca. 190 C.E.), Stromata VI, 5, 1 (ed. O. Stählin, p. 453; cf. Bidez and Cumont, II, pp. 362-63), Greek, quoting an apocryphal speech by Paul: “Grasp also the Hellenic books, recognize the Sibyl more perfectly . . . , and grasp and read Hystaspes, and you will find the Son of God described much more distinctly and clearly, and how against Christ many kings will fight, hating him and those who bear his name, and his followers, and the suffering [of Christ] and his coming.”
Source:
http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/hystaspes-oracles-of
I read the link you sent. An allegorical meaning can be true but the literal meaning stays true too as a parable cannot use imaginary non-existent things.
So, I Agree with both Ray Smith or Martin Luther and St. Irenaeous of Lyons . You’re being impartial here and elevating Ray Smith ‘only’ or ‘Martin Luther only’.
Source:
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hell-apostle-paul-the-whole-counsel-of-god/amp/
P/S: Doesn’t the Old Testament teach “Soul Sleep” at Death?
No. Here’s the Truth:
There is no verse in the entire bible containing the phrase “soul sleep” or equivalent.
Have you read about prophet Samuel as a conscious soul in Hades (1 Samuel 28:11 – 19)?
Also that Christ spoke to the conscious soul of Moses (Matthew 17:1 -9) who was ‘dead & buried’ (Deuteronomy 34:5 – 6)?
This “Vision” is “Real in Substance” as apostle Paul even mentioned of such “soul or body transformation travel” into the spirit realm as explained in 2 Corinthians 12:1 – 6.
Body sleeps at death not soul. Soul is not conscious to what happens on earth, a. k. a. ‘things under the sun’ generally as the Context of such Old Testament Verses reveal.
P/S 2: Hell Logic – It’s So Simple
Hell Judgment is what’s quoted as the “Wrath of God” —-> ‘on behalf of the victims who demand it’.
Logic: If God Who is Love allowed evil to happen to that relatively innocent Victim first, then by the same logic He allows the Equivalent Judgment back toward the perpetrator as demanded by that Victim too.
Example:
“The prayer of the poor goes from their lips to the ears of God, and His judgment comes speedily… An assembly of the wicked is like a bundle of tow, and their end is a blazing fire. The way of sinners is paved with smooth stones, but at its end is the pit of HADES.” (Sirach 21:5, 9 – 10, NRSV)
Source:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Sirach+21&version=NRSV
Peace to you
Hades – Salvation from Hell
Verses Describing this Parabolically: Mark 3:27 & Matthew 12:29.
First Christianity taught this:
“The Lord, having put on human nature, and having suffered for him who suffered, having been bound for him who was bound, and having been buried for him who was buried, is risen from the dead, and loudly proclaims this message:
Who will contend against me? Let him stand before me. It is I who delivered the condemned. It is I who gave life to the dead. It is I who raised up the buried. Who will argue with me? It is I, says Christ, who destroyed death. It is I who triumphed over the enemy, and having trod down Hades, and bound the Strong Man, and have snatched mankind up to the heights of heaven. It is I, says Christ. So then, come here all you families of men, weighed down by your sins and recieve pardon for your misdeeds. For I am your pardon. I am the Passover which brings salvation. I am the Lamb slain for you. I am your lustral bath. I am your life. I am your resurrection. I am your light, I am your salvation, I am your King. It is I who brings you up to the heights of heaven. It is I who will give you the resurrection there. I will show you the Eternal Father. I will raise you up with my own right hand.” – St. Melito, Jewish Bishop of Sardis (Died c. 180 AD, ‘Homily on Pascha’)
Source:
https://www.orthodox.net/pascha/pascha-melito.html
Can St. Melito of Sardis be trusted?
To quote:
“… Melito held a foremost place in terms of Bishops in Asia due to his personal influence on Christianity and his literary works, most of which have been lost but of what has been recovered has provided a great insight into Christianity during the second century. Jerome, speaking of the Old Testament canon established by Melito, quotes Tertullian to the effect that he was esteemed as a prophet by many of the faithful…
… Little is known of his life outside what works are quoted or read by Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Eusebius…
… Polycrates of Ephesus, in a letter addressed to Pope Victor (AD. 196) preserved in Eusebius’ history, says, “What shall I say of Melito, whose actions’ were all guided by the operations of the Holy Spirit? Who was interred at Sardis, where he waits the resurrection and the judgement? …
… Due to Melito’s reputation, many works are falsely attributed to him due the lack of recorded literature surrounding him. Melito was a Chiliast, and believed in a Millennial reign of Christ on Earth, and followed Irenaeus in his views. Jerome (Comm. on Ezek. 36 ) and Gennadius (De Dogm. Eccl., Ch. 52) both affirm that he was a decided millennarian and as such believed that Christ would reign for 1000 years before the coming of the final judgement..”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melito_of_Sardis
St. Melito of Sardis clearly approved the SIBYLINE ORACLES too. Please note the word SIBYL carefully in quote below:
“… But I have to remark further, that the SIBYL also has said concerning them that it is the images of deceased kings that they worship. And this is easy to understand: for, lo! even now they worship and honour the images of those of Caesarean rank more than their former gods; for from those their former gods both pecuniary tribute and produce accrue to Caesar, as to one who is greater than they. On this account, those who despise them, and so cause Caesar’s revenue to fall short, are put to death. But to the treasury of other kings also it is appointed how much the worshippers in various places shall pay, and how many vesselfuls of water from the sea they shall supply. Such is the wickedness of the world-of those who worship and fear that which has no sensation. Many of them, too, who are crafty, either for the sake of gain, or for vainglory, or for dominion over the multitude, both themselves worship, and incite those who are destitute of understanding to worship, that which has no sensation…” – St. Melito of Sardis
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/melito.html
Since St. Melito of Sardis believed in the SIBYL or SIBYLINE ORACLES at that time, Salvation from Hades or the Lake of Fire is clearly an endorsed belief in First Christianity as Discussed in link below:
Conclusion
Since Christ’s Descent, it is on going, to quote:
“Christ Leading All People out of Hell. Since earliest times, the Holy Fathers of the Church regarded the descent of Jesus to hell as an event so global and universal that it brought salvation not only to the righteous of the past but to all people in She’ol. St. Melito of Sardis speaks on behalf of Christ in his treatise on Pascha thus: “I am the one who destroyed death, and triumphed over the enemy, and trampled Hades under foot, and bound the strong one, and carried off man to the heights of heaven, I, he says, am the Christ. Therefore, come, all families of men, you who have been befouled with sins, and receive forgiveness for your sins. I am your forgiveness, I am the passover of your salvation, I am the lamb which was sacrificed for you, I am your ransom, I am your light, I am your saviour, I am your resurrection, I am your king, I am leading you up to the heights of heaven, I will show you the eternal Father, I will raise you up by my right hand” (On Pascha, 102-103). Interestingly enough, St. Melito insists that not just the holy men of the ancient Israel, but also all people without exception were saved. The faith of that ancient bishop was so strong that he couldn’t even think that anyone would choose to remain in hell instead of following Christ. The Stromata of Clement of Alexandria contain a fairly detailed teaching on the descent into hell. Clement also believed that Jesus had preached in hell not only for the righteous but for the heathens who had lived their lives out of reach of the true faith. God is impartial, so those people who hadn’t had the chance to believe in Christ when they walked the earth were given the chance to accept him after they died thanks to their virtuous life “in accordance with the law and in tune with philosophy”. (Stromata 6:6). Clement believed that the apostles, in keeping with their Teacher, descended into the hell and preached there. He views the Hell as a place of correction rather than punishment.”
Source:
The Visions of others such as Swedenborg to Sadhu Sundar Singh has proven that Christ Saves from Hell whenever a repentance occurs there as God Wills.
Source:
Please note that even St. Melito of Sardis must have been following St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD), Bishop of Lugdunum’s Apostolic Theology Heritage too, to quote:
“… [a.d. 160-170-177.] Melito may have been the immediate successor of the “angel” (or “apostle”) of the church of Sardis, to whom our Great High Priest addressed one of the apocalyptic messages. He was an “Apostolic Father” in point of fact; he very probably knew the blessed Polycarp and his disciple Irenaeus. He is justly revered for the diligence with which he sought out the evidence which, in his day, established the Canon of the Old Testament, then just complete.
In the following fragments we find him called Bishop of Sardis, Bishop of Ittica, and Bishop of Ittica. He is also introduced to us as “the Philosopher,” and we shall find him styled “the Eunuch” by Polycrates. It is supposed that he had made himself a coelebs “for the kingdom of heaven’s sake,” without mistaking our Lord’s intent, as did Origen. He was not a monk, but accepted a single estate to be the more free and single-eyed in the Master’s service …”
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/melito.html
Peace to you
P/S: Salvation from Gehenna or the Lake of Fire Mystery
The Sibyline Oracles, a fuller version of the Apocalypse of Peter, Apocalypse of Elijah all have a Section Describing God Saving the Wicked from the Lake of Fire to be placed in lower regions of the Kingdom of the Heavens, links below:
Sibyline Oracles
Apocalypse of Peter
Apocalypse of Elijah
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/antichrist-universalist-hope-apocalypse-of-elijah-explains/
The Context of Fulfilling the Law and ‘entering His Kingdom first’ (Matthew 5:20) or that ‘these may not enter His Rest’ (Hebrews 3:11) are all referring to Missing Out on the Greatest Hope of the First Resurrection Pertaining to Partaking of His Millennial Reign on Earth for a thousand years too (Revelation 20:4 – 6) as discussed in Posts Below:
1) First Christianity – Speak the Same Thing – Not Enter My Rest Meaning
2) Entering Heaven – First Christianity – Exceed the Righteousness of the Pharisees?
3) First Christianity – Worm that does not Die & the Fire that is not quenched
Now, is Salvation of Gehenna or the Lake of Fire has any ‘Jewish Context Proof’?
Yes, to quote:
Example – the Targums
The ancient Aramaic paraphrase-translations of the Hebrew Bible known as Targums supply the term “Gehinnom” frequently to verses touching upon resurrection, judgment, and the fate of the wicked. This may also include addition of the phrase “second death”, as in the final chapter of the Book of Isaiah, where the Hebrew version does not mention either Gehinnom or the Second Death, whereas the Targums add both. In this the Targums are parallel to the Gospel of Mark addition of “Gehenna” to the quotation of the Isaiah verses describing the corpses “where their worm does not die”.[20]
Example – Rabbinical Judaism
The picture of Gehenna as the place of punishment or destruction of the wicked occurs frequently in the Mishnah in Kiddushin 4.14, Avot 1.5; 5.19, 20, Tosefta t. Bereshith 6.15, and Babylonian Talmud b.Rosh Hashanah 16b:7a; b. Bereshith 28b. Gehenna is considered a Purgatory-like place where the wicked go to suffer until they have atoned for their sins. It is stated that the maximum amount of time a sinner can spend in Gehenna is one year. There are also four people who do not get a share in Olam Ha-Ba.[21] Those people are Doeg the Edomite, Ahitophel, Balaam, and Gehazi.
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehenna
Source with ‘more details’:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/gehenna-as-hell-salvation-beyond/
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/gehenna-is-salvation-possible-from-gehenna/
Blessed be the Most Holy Name of the LORD
Love or Hate – or Both – Which is God’s Will?
Firstly, please allow me to quote Mr. Brett Strobridge who wrote the below:
#donotblockJesuswiththeBible
This is I’m learning to discern between in only the last 3-4 years of my 41 years of life…of about 20 years as a believer in UR’s way of seeing the cross and judgment…
Which commandment would you have followed? Which do you now? Which one do you support your government following which one flows from the heart of God and which is man’s projection onto their own image of God?
OR
Wouldn’t Jesus have rebuked the former command being from God’s heart/mind? Wasn’t it from Moses’s carnal human lust for violence/fear of reprimand instead? Do you see the Father when you look at Jesus, or not? Is He not His express image? Of course He would have rebuked it. He is the same yesterday, today, and for all ages.
May this bless you.
Conclusion
God allowed Righteous Men (e. g. Like Moses) to “Judge” the ‘wrong / wicked party’ by executing Law.
However, Christ’s Words in the New Testament clearly doesn’t Point to ‘God saying that literally’ but ‘Men of God claiming that’ as He remarks first, ‘you have heard… Toward… Hating your enemy’ and continues next to Reveal what He teaches as God’s Immutable Will which is ‘But I say to you (in contrast, literally) … Love your enemies’.
If we don’t understand this regarding Old Testament vs New Testament exegesis under Lord Jesus Christ’s Revelation, we would ‘greatly misunderstand the Theology of JUDGMENT’.
Peace to you
P/S: I repeat
Please note carefully these opposites and ‘who said/taught them’
Christ does NOT say, ‘I said to you earlier through Moses but now I change My Mind’
Christ Says, ‘You have heard it was said… ‘ (Hinting Beautifully that it was NOT from Him)
Christ Declares Majestically that this part is from Him, as He Continues in Comparison/Contrast:
“But I Say to you… Love your enemies…” – Lord Jesus Christ
Don’t you know that God is Free from All Anger and His Wrath & Judgment Sentences is Quoted in ‘On Behalf Context of the Innocent & Victims Demanding it in JUDGMENT’?
Please visit link below which discusses this with “Verses”:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/repentance-is-afterlife-repentance-possible/
Please note that one of the things Discussed in Context regarding God Loving His Enemies is the ‘Restoration of the Body & Soul’ after the Sin-part is Destroyed in Gehenna or Lake of Fire (Matthew 10:28) by God Who allowed that Judgment-part as Demanded by Victims, us and Angelic Authorities first (Hebrews 2:2), to quote:
This Context is strengthened & Expanded next by the Fact that St. Justin Martyr understands the Verse above to mean that for a Christian, all three (Body, Soul, Spirit) is Saved (1 Thessalonians 5:23) while for the Wicked (Body, Soul) can be Destroyed in the Lake of Fire (Gehenna, Matthew 10:28) implying that the latter only ‘live in their spirit’ thereafter as St. Irenaeous’ quote and Verses above seems to suggest (1 Peter 4:6, 1 Corinthians 5:5) post afterlife Judgment but these ‘destroyed body/soul in Gehenna’ (Matthew 10:28) may be ‘regenerated to the Salvation of the destroyed Body, Soul’ in St. Justin’s quote below (though albeit mysterious):
“.. But, in truth, He has even called the flesh to the resurrection, and promises to it everlasting life. For where He promises to save man, there He gives the promise to the flesh. For what is man but the reasonable animal composed of body and soul? Is the soul by itself man? No; but the soul of man. Would the body be called man? No, but it is called the body of man. If, then, neither of these is by itself man, but that which is made up of the two together is called man, and God has called man to life and resurrection, He has called not a part, but the whole, which is the soul and the body. Since would it not be unquestionably absurd, if, while these two are in the same being and according to the same law, the one were saved and the other not? And if it be not impossible, as has already been proved, that the flesh be regenerated, what is the distinction on the ground of which the soul is saved and the body not? Do they make God a grudging God? But He is good, and will have all to be saved…. But no thanks are due to one who saves what is his own; for this is to save himself. For he who saves a part himself, saves himself by his own means, lest he become defective in that part; and this is not the act of a good man. For not even when a man does good to his children and offspring, does one call him a good man; for even the most savage of the wild beasts do so, and indeed willingly endure death, if need be, for the sake of their cubs. But if a man were to perform the same acts in behalf of his slaves, that man would justly be called good. Wherefore the Saviour also taught us to love our enemies, since, says He, what thank have ye? So that He has shown us that it is a good work not only to love those that are begotten of Him, but also those that are without. And what He enjoins upon us, He Himself first of all does.” – St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD, On the Resurrection, Chapter VIII)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html
It is very clear from the above that St. Justin Martyr Speaks the Salvation of Body, Soul and Spirit for believers and then implies (in the latter) part that since God is Good, He will not only do this to His Own (or ‘those begotten of Him’, Christians, Sheepfold1 John 10:14) but also toward His Slaves (Sheepfold2, John 10:16) and even toward His Enemies (the wicked, eventually) as the Context of the Passage (Topic) only Speaks of this. Pleas note that the Wicked may only attain to this Salvation of ‘Body, Soul’ (the ‘houses in his own definition below’) which must undergo ‘decay/destruction first’ (Matthew 10:28 in Gehenna or the Lake of Fire first, implied) before ‘Renewal, Salvation, Restoration’ as explained in a Parabolic way above.
“… The resurrection is a resurrection of the flesh which died. For the spirit dies not; the soul is in the body, and without a soul it cannot live. The body, when the soul forsakes it, is not. For the body is the house of the soul; and the soul the house of the spirit…” – St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD, On the Resurrection, Chapter X)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html
Source for quote:
Another Orthodox Quote, please consider ‘carefully’:
Please note that he quotes the below in the Context of “Resurrection and Judgment” (links to the ‘Resurrection of Judgment’ in John 5:28 – 29) where the Result is Still Universal Salvation in the End as the Damaged ‘Body + Soul in Gehenna’ (Matthew 10:28) may be ‘Vivified (Healed)’ by God post-Judgment.
St. Theophilus of Antioch says that Men who do NOT repent on earth, the hardened clay as St. Clement of Rome calls it above are ‘Remoulded by Force’ after breaking it up’ (during afterlife Judgments in Hades or in the Lake of Fire or both)
To Quote:
“And God showed great kindness to man in this, that He did not suffer him to remain in sin for ever; but, as it were, by a kind of banishment, cast him out of Paradise, in order that, having by punishment expiated, within an appointed time, the sin, and having been disciplined, he should afterwards be restored. Wherefore also, when man had been formed in this world, it is mystically written in Genesis, as if he had been twice placed in Paradise; so that the one was fulfilled when he was placed there, and the second will be fulfilled after the resurrection and judgment. For just as a vessel, when on being fashioned it has some flaw, is remoulded or remade, that it may become new and entire; so also it happens to man by death. For somehow or other he is broken up, that he may rise in the resurrection whole; I mean spotless, and righteous, and immortal. And as to God’s calling, and saying, Where art thou, Adam? God did this, not as if ignorant of this; but, being long-suffering, He gave him an opportunity of repentance and confession.” – St. Theophilus of Antioch (Died c. 183 AD, Chapter XXVI, Book II, THEOPHILUS TO AUTOLYCUS)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/theophilus-book2.html
Context of ‘Universal Salvation after the Resurrection of Judgment’ (John 5:29) in the above, please note these words ‘carefully’ from the above:
“… when MAN had been formed in this world … mystically written … twice placed in Paradise … and the second will be fulfilled after the resurrection and judgment….”
Generally toward MAN –> hence, ‘all men’ too.
This is PROPHETICALLY implied in Revelation 21:5 as God makes ‘All things New’ through the Lake of Fire too (Consecutive Verse Context, Revelation 21:8) where in the End, these “thirsty” ones from the Lake of Fire are Reconciled to Christ (Colossians 1:16, 20) as Prophetically mentioned by the “Spirit” (God) and His “Bride” (Church, Sheepfold1) too in Revelation 22:17 ‘freely’.
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” (Revelation 22:17, NASB)
Source:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/repentance-is-afterlife-repentance-possible/
Truly
“ALL THINGS have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:27, NASB)
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:11 – 12, NASB)
“Should I worship Him from fear of hell, may I be cast into it. Should I serve Him from desire of gaining heaven, may He keep me out. But should I worship Him from love alone, He reveal Himself to me, that my whole heart may be filled with His love and presence.” – Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889 – 1929)
“However bad and evil-living a man may be, there is in man’s nature a divine spark … this spark of the divine is never extinguished … If this divine spark or element cannot be destroyed, then we can never be hopeless for any sinner… The Creator Himself will not destroy it (man’s soul)… even though many wander and go astray in the end, they will return to Him in Whose image they have been created; for this is their final destination.” – Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889 – c. 1929)
Source for Sundar Singh’s Quotes:
http://www.greatthoughtstreasury.com/author/sadhu-sundar-singh
All Glory to God.
Abrahamic Promise, First Resurrection, Millennial Reign Onward —> toward those in ‘faith only’, Christians.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 3:26 – 29, NASB)
So, “being Saved” now in “faith” means:
Salvation now Context = “made heirs” = Beginning with the Millennial Reign Promise of the First Resurrection onward (Revelation 20:4 – 6)
Galatians 3:28 talks about the Vanishing distinctions in the context of becoming ‘sons of God’ or ‘Children of God’ (KJV) as Galatians 3:26 Speaks in “faith” (in reference of the future which is NOT ATTAINED yet, Romans 8:24) in the Context of the ‘Abrahamic Covenant’s Promise’ (the Milennial Reign Inheritance, First Resurrection Onward, Galatians 3:29) where even male-female distinctions vanish as we become like ‘angels in Heaven’ (Luke 20:35 – 36) which is NOT ATTAINED EITHER YET by any Christian (Hebrews 11:13).
Is this Context of Quoting say ‘no more male or female’ refers to the future times of the kingdom after His Return, correct?
Yes, to quote:
“If therefore we shalt have wrought righteousness in the sight of God, we shalt enter into His kingdom and shall receive the promises which ear hath not heard nor eye seen, nor eye seen, neither hath it entered into the heart of man. Let us therefore await the kingdom of God betimes in love and righteousness, since we know not the day of God’s appearing. For the Lord Himself, being asked by a certain person when his kingdom would come, said, When the two shall be one, and the outside as the inside, and the male with the female, neither male or female. Now the two are one, when we speak truth among ourselves, and in two bodies there shall be one soul without dissimulation. And by the outside as the inside He meaneth this: by the inside he meaneth the soul and by the outside the body. Therefore in like manner as thy body appeareth, so also let thy soul be manifest by its good works. And by the male with the female, neither male nor female, he meaneth this; that a brother seeing a sister should have no thought of her as a female, and that a sister seeing a brother should not have any thought of him as a male. These things if ye do, saith He, the kingdom of my father shall come.” – St. Clement of Rome (c. 35 AD – c. 99 AD, 2 Clement 11:7, 2 Clement 12:1 – 6)
Translation Source:
http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-lightfoot.html
So if any Christian claims that they have attained Galatians 3:28, they are lying as NO ABRAHAMIC PROMISE is given yet on earth now in the current state (Hebrews 11:13, this Verse from the Hebrew’s Definition of Faith itself Debunks all such Modern Heresies):
“These ALL died in faith, NOT having RECEIVED the PROMISES, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” – Anonymous (Hebrews 11:13, KJV)
This Verse too Debunks such receiving ‘part of the Abrahamic Promise Modern Heresies’:
“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, RECEIVED NOT the PROMISE:” (Hebrews 11:39, KJV)
Abrahamic Promise – Definition from First Christianity
Promise to believers in faith only, Sheepfold1 – Which Promise?
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 3:22, KJV)
Which Promise?
The Abrahamic Promise:
“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 3:29, KJV)
What does this Promise refer to as understood in First Christianity?
“I do not say so; but those who have persecuted and do persecute Christ, if they do not repent, shall not inherit anything on the holy mountain. But the Gentiles, who have believed on Him, and have repented of the sins which they have committed, they shall receive the inheritance along with the patriarchs and the prophets, and the just men who are descended from Jacob, even although they neither keep the Sabbath, nor are circumcised, nor observe the feasts. Assuredly they shall receive the holy inheritance of God.” – St. Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Another Edifying Quote of this same Definition referring to the First Resurrection and 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4 – 6, Luke 20:35 – 36, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18):
“But he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man comes we may avoid him, being aware who he is: the name, however, is suppressed, because it is not worthy of being proclaimed by the Holy Spirit. For if it had been declared by Him, he (Antichrist) might perhaps continue for a long period. But now as “he was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the abyss, and goes into perdition,” as one who has no existence; so neither has his name been declared, for the name of that which does not exist is not proclaimed. But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom, that is, the rest, the hallowed seventh day; and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance, in which kingdom the Lord declared, that “many coming from the east and from the west should sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book V)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Conclusion
“But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare.” – St. Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho)
“I am not so miserable a fellow, Trypho, as to say one thing and think another. I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and[believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise. Moreover, I pointed out to you that some who are called Christians, but are godless, impious heretics, teach doctrines that are in every way blasphemous, atheistical, and foolish. But that you may know that I do not say this before you alone, I shall draw up a statement, so far as I can, of all the arguments which have passed between us; in which I shall record myself as admitting the very same things which I admit to you. For I choose to follow not men or men’s doctrines, but God and the doctrines[delivered] by Him.” – St. Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Conclusion
The quotes from St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 160 AD) and St. Irenaeous of Lyons (130 AD – 202 AD) above proves this to be First Christianity’s Understanding of “being saved in Faith of Jesus Christ now”.
“For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;” – apostle Paul (Romans 4:14, NASB)
Please note the words “law”, “faith” , “heir” and “promise” in the Verse above to realize this too.
Those without faith now & Lawless ones (1 Thessalonians 4:13) will certainly not enter into His Kingdom of the Heavens on the “Day” He Returns (Matthew 7:20 – 23, Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 24:37) literally and visibly (Acts 1:9 – 11) of which Day & Hour, no one knows but the Father only (Acts 1:6 – 8, Matthew 24:32 – 36) for His Bride (the Church-the Elect, Matthew 25:1 – 13) which is followed next by the ‘Marriage’ (Revelation 19:7 – 10) and the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) during this Great Gathering of All His Elect (Mark 13:27, Matthew 24:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:14 – 15, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Matthew 24:22, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 24:37 – 41) when the ‘early’ Trumpet sounds (1 Thessalonians 4:16) at the ‘hour now is’ (John 5:25) on this Last Day of this Age (AEON1) in which all resurrections must occur (John 11:24).
To quote:
“For this reason, when about to undergo His sufferings, that He might DECLARE to ABRAHAM and those with him the GLAD TIDINGS of the INHERITANCE being thrown open, [Christ], after He had given thanks while holding the cup, and had drunk of it, and given it to the disciples, said to them: “Drink ye all of it: this is My BLOOD of the NEW COVENANT, which shall be shed for MANY for the REMISSION of SINS. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of this vine, until that DAY when I will drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Thus, then, He will Himself renew the inheritance of the earth, and will re-organize the mystery of the glory of [His] sons; … the inheritance of the earth in which the new fruit of the vine is drunk, and the RESURRECTION of His disciples in the FLESH. For the new flesh which rises again is the same which also received the new cup. And He cannot by any means be understood as drinking of the fruit of the vine when settled down with his [disciples] above in a super-celestial place; nor, again, are they who drink it devoid of flesh, for to drink of that which flows from the vine pertains to flesh, and not spirit… And for this reason the Lord declared, “When thou makest a dinner or a supper, do not call thy friends, nor thy neighbours, nor thy kinsfolk, lest they ask thee in return, and so repay thee. But call the lame, the blind, and the poor, and thou shall be blessed, since they cannot recompense thee, but a recompense shall be made thee at the RESURRECTION of the JUST.” And again He says, “Whosoever shall have left lands, or houses, or parents, or brethren, or children because of Me, he shall receive in this world an hundred-fold, and in that to come he shall inherit eternal life.” For what are the hundred-fold [rewards] in this word, the entertainments given to the poor, and the suppers for which a return is made? These are [to take place] in the TIMES OF THE KINGDOM , that is, upon the SEVENTH DAY, which has been sanctified, in which God rested from all the works which He created, which is the true SABBATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS, which they shall not be engaged in any earthly occupation; but shall have a table at hand prepared for them by God, supplying them with all sorts of dishes.
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Please note the phrase “Resurrection of the Just” (Luke 14:14) which occurs in the above quote which refers to the “First Resurrection” Context (Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) during the ‘hour now is’ (John 5:25) on this Last Day of this age (John 11:24) which is a Hope not available toward any of the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:13) except Christians in faith (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18) with “no” Lawlessness (Matthew 7:20 – 23).
This is the Hallowed “Sabbath Day” or Messianic “times of the Kingdom” too and the ‘Gospel preached to Abraham’ as highlighted in bold letters in quote above.
Please note that this is the Correct Context for understanding how Christ’s Ransom applies more toward the “believers in faith” being more special (1 Timothy 4:10) as the “New Covenant” means too in St. Irenaeous of Lyons quote above too to refer to the “First Resurrection” or the “Resurrecton of the Just who live by faith” & their participation in these “times of the Kingdom” on this Hallowed “Seventh or Sabbath Day” during this 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ, to quote:
“For this reason, when about to undergo His sufferings, that He might DECLARE to ABRAHAM and those with him the GLAD TIDINGS of the INHERITANCE being thrown open, [Christ… My BLOOD of the NEW COVENANT, which shall be shed for MANY for the REMISSION of SINS”… the inheritance of the earth in which the new fruit of the vine is drunk, and the RESURRECTION of His disciples in the FLESH … These are [to take place] in the TIMES OF THE KINGDOM , that is, upon the SEVENTH DAY, which has been sanctified, in which God rested from all the works which He created, which is the true SABBATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS,… If any one, then, does not accept THESE THINGS as REFERRING to the APPOINTED KINGDOM, he must fall into much contradiction and contrariety, as is the case with the Jews, who are involved in absolute perplexity … And these things are bone witness to in writing by PAPIAS, the hearer of JOHN, and a companion of POLYCARP … Now THESE THINGS are CREDIBLE to BELIEVERS … But although this is [true] now with regard to some men coming from various nations to the harmony of the faith, nevertheless in the RESURRECTION of the JUST [the words shall also apply] to those animals mentioned.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (highlighted from quote above)
So, are we really a believer in Faith of Jesus Christ?
Please note that St. Irenaeous mentions that Papias-Bishop of Hierapolis (c. 60 AD – c. 163 AD), Polycarp-bishop of Smyrna (69 AD – 155 AD) and apostle John himself taught this Truth.
We “Believe in Faith” and Declare Likewise.
Bonus:
What is the Correct Context for the ‘Infamous Rejection Verses’ in Matthew 7:20 – 23?
Does it refer to Judgment Day or during His Return & Millennial Reign?
Verses:
“So then, you will know them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:20 – 23, NASB)
Correct Context from First Christianity:
” … when He said: ‘They shall come from the east[and from the west], and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness.’ And, ‘Many shall say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten, and drunk, and prophesied, and cast out demons in Thy name? And I will say to them, Depart from Me.’ Again, in other words, by which He shall condemn those who are unworthy of salvation, He said, Depart into outer darkness, which the Father has prepared for Satan and his, angels.’ …” – St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD, CHAPTER LXXVI, Dialogue with Trypho)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
St. Justin’s phrase “condemn those who are unworthy of salvation” refers to these Millennial Reign Times of the First Resurrection toward ‘those worthy only’ (Luke 20:35 – 36) and the rest are in the ‘outer darkness’ (not yet the Lake of Fire for some later – please note carefully – Matthew 8:10 – 12).
“but those who are considered WORTHY to attain to that age [AEON] and the [First] Resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 20:35 – 36, NASB)
Please note that Judgment Day before His Great White Throne & Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11 – 15) occurs only after 1000 years later (Revelation 20:5) after the final deception (Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:7 – 9) & destruction of Satan first into the Lake of Fire at the end of the Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:10). During the 1000 years Millennial Reign, Satan will be locked up in a bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1 – 2).
Please also note carefully that the ‘Millennial Reign’ occurs on this ‘Old earth and heavens’ during these ‘times of the kingdom’ (Revelation 20:4 – 6) while the ‘new earth and heavens’ (Revelation 21:1) only come into place ‘after these 1000 years post Judgment Day (Revelation 20:11 – 15) where in the latter the ‘earth has no sea – literally’ (Revelation 21:1).
This is Believed in First Christianity too, to quote:
“… shall be made thee at the RESURRECTION of the JUST … These are [to take place] in the TIMES of the KINGDOM, that is, upon the SEVENTH DAY, … which is the TRUE SABBATH of the RIGHTEOUS … The predicted blessing, therefore, belongs unquestionably to the TIMES of the KINGDOM, when the righteous shall bear rule upon their rising from the dead [First Resurrection]… But in the TIMES of the KINGDOM, the [Old] EARTH has been called again by Christ [to its pristine condition], … And in the Apocalypse John saw this new [Jerusalem] descending upon the NEW EARTH. For AFTER the TIMES of the KINGDOM, he says, “I saw a great white throne, and Him who sat upon it, from whose face the earth fled away, and the heavens … ” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXIII and Chapter XXXV, Book 5)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Also, is there a difference between those who are saved?
Yes, to quote:
“… And as the presbyters say, Then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour shall be seen according as they who see Him shall be worthy [They say, moreover], that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundred-fold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold: for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second will dwell in paradise, the last will inhabit the city; and that was on this account the Lord declared, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.” For all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place; even as His Word says, that a share is allotted to all by the Father, according as each person is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the wedding. The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, affirm that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved,..” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXVI, Book 5)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10, NASB)
This Refers to the Denial of Paradise and the Lake of Fire Punishment/Pruning/Purification first toward such:
To quote:
“… But thou, being a wild olive-tree,” he says, “hast been grafted into the good olive-tree, and been made a partaker of the fatness of the olive-tree. As, therefore, when the wild olive has been engrafted, if it remain in its former condition, viz., a wild olive, it is “cut off, and cast into the fire; “… so likewise men, if they do truly progress by faith towards better things, and receive the Spirit of God, and bring forth the fruit thereof, shall be spiritual, as being planted in the paradise of God … just as if any one were to say that the wild olive is not received into the paradise of God. … Then, again, as the wild olive, if it be not grafted in, remains useless to its lord because of its woody quality, and is cut down as a tree bearing no fruit, and cast into the fire; so also man, if he does not receive through faith the engrafting of the Spirit, remains in his old condition, and being [mere] flesh and blood, he cannot inherit the kingdom of God. … being truly reckoned as carnal, because he did not receive the Spirit of God, shall not have power to inherit the kingdom of heaven. As, again, the same apostle testifies, saying to the Corinthians, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not err,” he says: “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor revilers, nor rapacious persons, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And these ye indeed have been; but ye have been washed, but ye have been sanctified, but ye have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” He shows in the clearest manner through what things it is that man goes to destruction, if he has continued to live after the flesh; and then, on the other hand, [he points out] through what things he is saved…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter X and Chapter XI, Book 5)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Verse:
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:22, NASB)
Context/Meaning: This Verse refers to being ‘Saved in the spirit state first’:
“… This same, therefore, was what the Lord came to quicken, that as in Adam we do all die, as being of an animal nature, in Christ we may all live, as being spiritual…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XIII, Book 5)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Focus Phrase: “in Christ we may all live, as being spiritual” —> ‘all live spiritually’ —> ‘spirit is saved’
As these Verses agree too toward the wicked as well:
“I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5:5, NASB)
“For to this end the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but they might live in the spirit according to God.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:6, BLB)
At this point, please note that a spirit being saved may live in some intermediate state in an afterlife abode because souls (with spirit) live in some intermediate states first, to quote:
“… The Lord has taught with very great fulness, that souls not only continue to exist, … they preserve the same form [in their separate state] as the body had to which they were adapted, and that they remember the deeds which they did in this state of existence, and from which they have now ceased,-in that narrative which is recorded respecting the rich man and that Lazarus who found repose in the bosom of Abraham [Luke 16:19 – 31]…. that the gift of prophecy was possessed by Abraham, and that each class of souls] receives a habitation such as it has deserved, even before the judgment…. also any one who thinks thus respecting souls and spirits, and, in fact, respecting all created things, will not by any means go far astray, inasmuch as all things that have been made had a beginning when they were formed, but endure as long as God wills that they should have an existence and continuance… whatsoever have been made, and are made, do indeed receive their own beginning of generation, and on this account are inferior to Him who formed them, inasmuch as they are not unbegotten. Nevertheless they endure, and extend their existence into a long series of ages in accordance with the will of God their Creator; so that He grants them that they should be thus formed at the beginning, and that they should so exist afterwards… And again, He thus speaks respecting the salvation of man: “He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest him length of days for ever and ever*; ” indicating that it is the Father of all who imparts continuance for ever and ever on those who are saved. For life does not arise from us, nor from our own nature; but it is bestowed according to the grace of God. And therefore he who shall preserve the life bestowed upon him, and give thanks to Him who imparted it, shall receive also length of days for ever and ever. But he who shall reject it, and prove himself ungrateful to his Maker, inasmuch as he has been created, and has not recognised Him who bestowed [the gift upon him], deprives himself of [the privilege of] continuance for ever and ever. And, for this reason, the Lord declared to those who showed themselves ungrateful towards Him: “If ye have not been faithful in that which is little, who will give you that which is great? ” indicating that those who, in this brief temporal life, have shown themselves ungrateful to Him who bestowed it, shall justly not receive from Him length of days for ever and ever.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXIV, Book 2)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html
Can you see it?
The receiving of the ‘length of days for ever and ever’ refers to ‘the spirit receiving a body’ to live again in the ‘flesh’ called the ‘Salvation of the Flesh’ in these writings. So, at most, the spirit which is Saved may not receive this continuation in a body of flesh as St. Irenaeous argues in the above if they are not worthy into the ‘ages of Ages (referring to the aeons* -subset)’ probably till they are ‘ready’.
*for ever an ever = more accurately, to the ‘ages of Ages’ or ‘to the aeons of Aeons’ which St. Irenaeous himself has stated that it refers to the ‘aeons’ only, in his own words (definition) below:
“… we ourselves, when at the giving of thanks we pronounce the words, “To Aeons of Aeons” do set forth these Aeons. And, in fine, wherever the words Aeon or Aeons occur, they at once refer them to these beings.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter III, Book I)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book1.html
Focus Phrase proving this simple claim:
“… we [Christian, True Believers] pronounce the words, “To aeons of Aeons” do set forth these aeons…”
St. Irenaeous & St. Justin are often misunderstood to be ‘annihilation-believers’ due to theologians sometimes misunderstanding that what they means is that the ‘body, at most some part of the soul may be fully destroyed in the Lake of Fire’ (Matthew 10:28, quote below) but not the spirit which must be saved as St. Irenaeous himself quotes Christ’s Ransom for All (1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:22) to mean this, in his words prior ‘in Christ we may all live, as being spiritual’ first.
“… For they themselves [the HERETICS], in as far as they are souls, remain in the intermediate place; while, in as far as they are body, they will be consumed with the rest of matter.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXIX, Book 2)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html
Yes, without a “body” these certainly cannot live again on the Earth as even Christ’s Resurrection Example itself proves (Luke 24:39).
Are we correctly quoting St. Irenaeous regarding his understanding of 1 Corinthians 15:22?
Yes, to quote:
Indeed,
“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to ALL MEN, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to ALL MEN. For as through the one man’s disobedience THE MANY were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One THE MANY will be made righteous.” – apostle Paul (Romans 5:18 – 19, NASB)
Yes, this is the True Meaning Set forth in Verses above too (in Correct Context), says who?
With the above Context established in First Orthodox Quotes of the Church as shown, the Doctrine of Recapitulation of Man in the Context of God Saves all Men (i.e. His Will be Done) makes Perfect Sense in “Time” (Dispensations of God), to quote:
The Many many sinners in Adam is the same Many which will be Made Righteous by Lord Jesus Christ (Proper Context for Romans 5:18 – 19)
Under the Equation:
‘Adam + the Many’ = All Men = All Human Beings Ever Existed
Lord Jesus Christ is exempt from the equation above simply because He is God in Flesh and not a mere Man only & Alone is never affected by Adam’s sin in any way.
Says who?
“… For as by the disobedience of the one man who was originally moulded from virgin soil, the many were made sinners, and forfeited life; so was it necessary that, by the obedience of one man, who was originally born from a virgin, [the] many should be justified and receive salvation. Thus, then, was the Word of God made man, as also Moses says: “God, true are His works.” But if, not having been made flesh, He did appear as if flesh, His work was not a true one. But what He did appear, that He also was: God recapitulated in Himself the ancient formation of man, that He might kill sin, deprive death of its power, and vivify man; and therefore His works are true.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XVIII, Book III)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html
Source for Quote:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/repentance-is-afterlife-repentance-possible/
This is the END:
“For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:10, NASB)
The Verse above clearly Promises that ‘All Men’ must be “Saved’ and in Context of ‘believers being more special’ (in many ways) agreeing to Christ’s Own Words (John 12:32) in that even the ‘Command Breakers of all Law & Prophets’ (Matthew 5:17 – 18) will eventually be ‘inside the Kingdom of the Heavens’ (being ‘least’ there, Matthew 5:19).
As we have seen, the ‘Kingdom of the Heavens’ is whatever Christ Conquers by His Reign such as the ‘outer darkness, out of the heavens regions etc.’ plus consisting also of the ‘Heavens’, ‘Paradise’, ‘the City’ as Papias, Prebysters, St. Irenaeous have taught as quoted earlier —> till He fills all things (Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 4:10) and God becomes ‘All in All’ creation/things in the End (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28, Colossians 1:16, 20, Romans 8:20 – 22, Ephesians 1:9 10).
How?
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NASB)
This Context is strengthened & Expanded next by the Fact that St. Justin Martyr understands the Verse above to mean that for a Christian, all three (Body, Soul, Spirit) is Saved (1 Thessalonians 5:23) while for the Wicked (Body, Soul) can be Destroyed in the Lake of Fire (Gehenna, Matthew 10:28) implying that the latter only ‘live in their spirit’ thereafter as St. Irenaeous’ quote and Verses above seems to suggest (1 Peter 4:6, 1 Corinthians 5:5) post afterlife Judgment but these ‘destroyed body/soul in Gehenna’ (Matthew 10:28) may be ‘regenerated to the Salvation of the destroyed Body, Soul’ in St. Justin’s quote below (though albeit mysterious):
“.. But, in truth, He has even called the flesh to the resurrection, and promises to it everlasting life. For where He promises to save man, there He gives the promise to the flesh. For what is man but the reasonable animal composed of body and soul? Is the soul by itself man? No; but the soul of man. Would the body be called man? No, but it is called the body of man. If, then, neither of these is by itself man, but that which is made up of the two together is called man, and God has called man to life and resurrection, He has called not a part, but the whole, which is the soul and the body. Since would it not be unquestionably absurd, if, while these two are in the same being and according to the same law, the one were saved and the other not? And if it be not impossible, as has already been proved, that the flesh be regenerated, what is the distinction on the ground of which the soul is saved and the body not? Do they make God a grudging God? But He is good, and will have all to be saved…. But no thanks are due to one who saves what is his own; for this is to save himself. For he who saves a part himself, saves himself by his own means, lest he become defective in that part; and this is not the act of a good man. For not even when a man does good to his children and offspring, does one call him a good man; for even the most savage of the wild beasts do so, and indeed willingly endure death, if need be, for the sake of their cubs. But if a man were to perform the same acts in behalf of his slaves, that man would justly be called good. Wherefore the Saviour also taught us to love our enemies, since, says He, what thank have ye? So that He has shown us that it is a good work not only to love those that are begotten of Him, but also those that are without. And what He enjoins upon us, He Himself first of all does.” – St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD, On the Resurrection, Chapter VIII)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html
It is very clear from the above that St. Justin Martyr Speaks the Salvation of Body, Soul and Spirit for believers and then implies (in the latter) part that since God is Good, He will not only do this to His Own (or ‘those begotten of Him’, Christians, Sheepfold1 John 10:14) but also toward His Slaves (Sheepfold2, John 10:16) and even toward His Enemies (the wicked, eventually) as the Context of the Passage (Topic) only Speaks of this. Pleas note that the Wicked may only attain to this Salvation of ‘Body, Soul’ (the ‘houses in his own definition below’) which must undergo ‘decay/destruction first’ (Matthew 10:28 in Gehenna or the Lake of Fire first, implied) before ‘Renewal, Salvation, Restoration’ as explained in a Parabolic way above.
“… The resurrection is a resurrection of the flesh which died. For the spirit dies not; the soul is in the body, and without a soul it cannot live. The body, when the soul forsakes it, is not. For the body is the house of the soul; and the soul the house of the spirit…” – St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD, On the Resurrection, Chapter X)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html
St. Irenaeous himself does not believe in annihilation of any previous creation by God and states that it will be made new in some way (Revelation 21:5) as the quote below implies even toward ‘Man-Generally’ during the ‘New Earth/Heavens’ which refer to the ‘after the times of kingdom’ toward the end of God Finally being ‘All in All’ implying Universal Salvation Later:
“… For since there are real men, so must there also be a real establishment (plantationem), that they vanish not away among non-existent things, but progress among those which have an actual existence. For neither is the substance nor the essence of the creation annihilated (for faithful and true is He who has established it), but “the fashion of the world passeth away; ” that is, those things among which transgression has occurred, since man has grown old in them. And therefore this [present] fashion has been formed temporary, God foreknowing all things; as I have pointed out in the preceding book, and have also shown, as far as was possible, the cause of the creation of this world of temporal things. But when this [present] fashion [of things] passes away, and man has been renewed, and flourishes in an incorruptible state, so as to preclude the possibility of becoming old, [then] there shall be the new heaven and the new earth, in which the new man shall remain [continually ], always holding fresh converse with God. And since (or, that) these things shall ever continue without end, Isaiah declares, “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I do make, continue in my sight, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.” And as the presbyters say, Then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour shall be seen according as they who see Him shall be worthy…. [They say, moreover], that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundred-fold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold: for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second will dwell in paradise, the last will inhabit the city; and that was on this account the Lord declared, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.” For all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place; even as His Word says, that a share is allotted to all by the Father, according as each person is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the wedding. The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, affirm that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature; also that they ascend through the Spirit to the Son, and through the Son to the Father, and that in due time the Son will yield up His work to the Father, even as it is said by the apostle, “For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” For in the times of the kingdom, the righteous man who is upon the earth shall then forget to die. “But when He saith, All things shall be subdued unto Him, it is manifest that He is excepted who did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXVI, Book 5)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
[Emphasis Mine in Brackets Throughout]
Peace to you
Hades – Hope?
The author’s son committed Suicide.
Link:
https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/funeral-homily-for-aaron-edward-kimel-2/
https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/funeral-homily-for-aaron-edward-kimel-2/
I believe that there is Hope even if he went to Hades first, to quote:
Focus on “Hades”, the quote above condensed:
“… For thus man, … in HADES, …, beholding the unfolded Godhead of the Word (John 6:40), is no longer deceived concerning God, but worships Christ alone, and through Him rightly knows the Father…” – St. Athanasius the Great
Context for John 6:40?
Please consider:
Verse in John 6:40 is in the “believing after seeing” Context literally because Verses in John 6:36 – 37 set this Context-literally first as follows:
“but I said to you, that ye also have seen Me, and ye believe not; all that the Father doth give to Me will come unto Me; and him who is coming unto Me, I may in no wise cast without, … and this is the will of Him who sent me, that every one who is beholding* the Son, and is believing in him, may have life age-during, and I will raise him up in the Last Day.’ – Lord Jesus Christ (John 6:36 – 37, 40, YLT)
The Jews are judged severely in these verses for their unbelief because they “saw Him literally on earth and heard from Him Directly and didn’t believe”.
As Discussed next, all men may get their fair chance for this likewise in Hades as St. Clement of Alexandria and St. Athanasius the Great imply in their writings unless they are the wicked.
Sheepfold2 (those who believe after seeing, in the afterlife too, John 3:14 – 15, in Principle of John 20:29)
“and this is the will of Him who sent me, that every one who is beholding* the Son, and is believing in him, may have life age-during, and I will raise him up in the Last Day.’ – Lord Jesus Christ (John 6:40, YLT)
*Greek: Literally “seeing”.
This Context is strong because the Greek Word in John 6:40 [2334 = theōrōn] is stronger than the Greek Word in John 6:36 regarding ‘seeing’ where the John 6:40’s Greek word is inclusive of the ‘earthly seeing’ (of John 6:36, 3708-heōrakate) plus ‘looking with analyzing intent/discernment’ as per definition below:
2334 theōréō (from 2300 /theáomai, “to gaze, contemplate”) – gaze on for the purpose of analyzing (discriminating).
[2334 (theōréō) is the root of the English term “theatre,” i.e. where people concentrate on the meaning of an action (performance).]
Source:
https://biblehub.com/greek/2334.htm
Thus the one ‘seeing (beholding) and believing’ (be it in Hades or elsewhere, based on John 3:14 – 15 too which sets the afterlife context as Christ is already ‘Lifted Up’) based on John 6:40 causes them to be Resurrected to life during the different later ‘hour is coming’ (John 5:28 – 29) on this ‘Last Day’.
Peace to you
In Full:
Christ Saves Sheepfold2 from “Hades” even ‘now’ (please note this word “Hades” carefully in the quote below):
“And if a man has gone down even to HADES, and stands awestruck before the heroes who have descended thither, regarding them as gods, still he may see the fact of Christ’s resurrection and His victory over death, and reason from it that, of all these, He alone is very Lord and God. For the Lord touched all parts of creation, and freed and undeceived them all from every deceit. As St. Paul says, “Having put off from Himself the principalities and the powers, He triumphed on the cross,”(Col. 2. 15) so that no one could possibly be any longer deceived, but everywhere might find the very Word of God. For thus man, enclosed on every side by the works of creation and everywhere-in heaven, in HADES, in men and on the earth, beholding the unfolded Godhead of the Word, is no longer deceived concerning God, but worships Christ alone, and through Him rightly knows the Father. On these grounds, then, of reason and of principle, we will fairly silence the Gentiles in their turn. But if they think these arguments insufficient to confute them, we will go on in the next chapter to prove our point from facts.” – St. Athanasius the Great, ‘father of orthodoxy’ (‘On the Incarnation’)
Translation Source:
https://www.worldinvisible.com/library/athanasius/incarnation/incarnation.7.htm
Please take note that St. Athanasius considered the “Shepherd of Hermas” as “Truth” even in his time, to quote:
“Athanasius includes the Book of Baruch and the Letter of Jeremiah and places the Book of Esther among the “7 books not in the canon but to be read” along with the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Judith, Tobit, the Didache, and the Shepherd of Hermas.”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasius_of_Alexandria
Conclusion
When St. Athanasius stood up for Christ when his region of Alexandria was being led away by heresies especially Arianism, he remarked beautifully:
‘If the world is against me, then I am against the world’ – St. Athanasius the Great
P/S: St. Athanasius is not alone
Even St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Pope Pius I, Tertullian, St. Clement of Alexandria and First Christianity considered without doubt that the Shepherd of Hermas afterlife Visions are “Scripture” as discussed in earlier posts.
The Shepherd of Hermas clearly reveals that 1 Peter 4:6 proves that the “Gospel is Preached to the Dead in Hades toward Sheepfold2, righteous in deeds but no faith in Christ while ended life sinfully’ post their Judgment there, to quote:
Context from First Christianity:
“… He Descended …” – The Apostles Creed (AD 390)
“… 40 apostles and teachers of the Faith of the Son of God Preached the Gospel [in Hades] …” (Paraphrased from the ‘Shepherd’ writing or the ‘Shepherd of Hermas’)
“If, then, the Lord descended to Hades for no other end but to preach the Gospel, as He did descend; it was either to preach the Gospel to all or to the Hebrews only. If, accordingly, to all, then all who believe shall be saved, although they may be of the Gentiles, on making their profession there;… Further the Gospel says, “that many bodies of those that slept arose,” [Matthew 27:52 – 53]– plainly as having been translated to a better state. There took place, then, a universal movement and translation through the economy of the Saviour.” – St. Clement of Alexandria (c.150 AD – c. 215 AD, Stromata, Book VI)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html
Sheepfold2?
Sheepfold2 (non – Christian good are defined as):
“those belonging to the Hebrews, and they the Gentiles; that is, those who had lived in righteousness according to the Law and Philosophy, who had ended life not perfectly, but sinfully” – St. Clement of Alexandria
In full:
St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD)
“But how? Do not [the Scriptures] show that. the Lord preached the Gospel to those that perished in the flood, or rather had been chained, and to those kept “in ward and guard”? And it has been shown also, in the second book of the Stromata, that the apostles, following the Lord, preached the Gospel to those in Hades. For it was requisite, in my opinion, that as here, so also there, the best of the disciples should be imitators of the Master; so that He should bring to repentance those belonging to the Hebrews, and they the Gentiles; that is, those who had lived in righteousness according to the Law and Philosophy, who had ended life not perfectly, but sinfully. ” – St. Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, Book 6, Chapter VI)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html
Two simple comments:
No Time-Space Limit nor other Limits of Christ Saving from Hades or from elsewhere
“it is evident that those, too, who were outside of the Law, having lived rightly, in consequence of the peculiar’ nature of the voice, though they are in Hades and in ward, on hearing the voice of the Lord, whether that of His own person or that acting through His apostles, with all speed turned and believed. For we remember that the Lord is “the power of God,” and power can never be weak. So I think it is demonstrated that the God being good, and the Lord powerful, they save with a righteousness and equality which extend to all that turn to Him, whether here or elsewhere. For it is not here alone that the active power of God is beforehand, but it is everywhere and is always at work.” – St. Clement of Alexandria (c.150 AD – c. 215 AD, Stromata, Book 6, Chapter VI)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html
To Quote from the above ‘carefully’ in the ‘Context of Salvation from Hades at ANY TIME with NO LIMIT’
Phrases: ” though they are in Hades and in ward” —> “all that turn to Him, whether here or elsewhere” —> “on hearing the voice of the Lord, whether that of His own person or that acting through His apostles,” —> “with all speed turned and believed ” —–> and “the active power of God is beforehand, but it is everywhere and is always at work”.
Focus Phrase from the above: “always at work”
Focus Phrase from the above: “everywhere and is always at work”.
Source:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/repentance-is-afterlife-repentance-possible/
Even Sadhu Sundar Singh’s visions of the Spirit World or Hades agrees to this, to quote:
Sadhu Sundar Singh’s explanation in his vision regarding the “soul” of a ‘non-Christian philosopher upon death’ agrees with Purgatorial Hell Universalism, to quote:
“DEATH OF A PHILOSOPHER
The soul of a German philosopher entered into the world of spirits and saw from afar the incomparable glory of the spiritual world, and the boundless happiness of its people.
He was delighted with what he saw, but his stubborn intellectualism stood in the way of his entering into it, and enjoying its happiness.
Instead of admitting that it was real, he argued thus with himself, “There is no doubt at all that I see all this, but what proof is there that it has objective existence, and is not some illusion conjured up by my mind?
From end to end of all this scene I will apply the tests of logic, philosophy and science, and then only will I be convinced that it has a reality of its own, and is no illusion.”
Then the angels answered him, “It is evident from your speech that your intellectualism has warped your whole nature, for as spiritual, and not bodily, eyes are needed to see the spiritual world, so spiritual understanding is necessary to comprehend its reality, and not mental exercises in the fundamentals of logic and philosophy.
Your science that deals with material facts has been left behind with your physical skull and brain in the World. Here, only that spiritual wisdom is of use which arises out of the fear and love of God.”
Then said one of the angels to another, “What a pity it is that people forget that precious word of our Lord, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven’ (Matt. 18:3).
I asked one of the angels what the end of this man would be, and he replied “If this man’s life had been altogether bad, then he would at once have joined the spirits of darkness, but he is not without a moral sense, so for a very long time he will wander blindly round in the dim light of the lower parts of the intermediate state, and keep on bumping his philosophical head, until tired of his foolishness, he repents.
Then he will be ready to receive the necessary instruction from the angels appointed for that purpose, and, when instructed, will he be fit to enter into the fuller light of God in the higher sphere.”
In one sense the whole of infinite space, filled as it is with the presence of God, who is Spirit, is a spiritual world. In another sense, the World also is a spiritual world, for its inhabitants are spirits clothed with human bodies. But there is yet another world of spirits after they leave the body at death.
This is an intermediate state — a state between the glory and light of the highest heavens, and the dimness and darkness of the lowest hells. In it are innumerable planes of existence, and the soul is conducted to that plane for which its progress in the World has fitted it. There, angels especially appointed to this work, instruct it for a time, that may be long or short, before it goes on to join the society of those spirits — good spirits in the greater light, or evil spirits in the greater darkness — that are like in nature and in mind to itself.”
Translation Source:
https://reluctant-messenger.com/sadhu-sundar-singh.htm
More Details?
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/sheepfold2-what-happens-to-good-non-christians/
Christ Triumphant
Hades – Seeing and Believing – Afterlife
Firstly, did Christ teach Cannibalism when He Spoke the Verses pertaining to eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood for us to have life?
No.
The true meaning is Spiritual and not physical as it is literally explained in these Consecutive Verses, please consider:
“Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” … He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me … Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?” … It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:52, 56 – 57, 60 – 61, 63, NASB)
The answer is in Verse 63 for the Context is ‘not the Physical Flesh’ but ‘in Spirit’ , I repeat:
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63, NASB)
Thus there is Spirit link from His Flesh and Blood which causes us to be linked to Him Spiritually when we believe in faith in Him, as Christ continues:
“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” (John 6:64 – 65, NASB)
Christ even sets the ‘afterlife or spirit world’ Context of believing Him there in John 6, in these Verses:
“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds [SEES] the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the Last Day… But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 6:40, 61 – 62, NASB)
afterlife or spirit world’ Context —-> the phrase “What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before” (John 6:62) asked in the Context of “believing” (next in John 6:64).
This “ascending to where He was before” (John 6:62) is similar to Christ being ‘Lifted Up’ which sets the ‘Spirit World’ Context (John 3:13 – 15) because it’s ‘after He Dies’ (John 12:33) and that’s how He Will Draw “all men” back to Him too (John 12:32), Verses:
“No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:13 – 15, NASB)
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:32 – 33, NASB)
Can you see it?
The words He Spoke in John 6 are “Spirit” (John 6:63) and thus must certainly include the ‘Spirit World’ too (e. g. For John 6:40 agreeing to John 6:62) and those who believe in faith on earth being led by His Spirit even now.
Peace to you
P/S: Epistle of Barnabas
The quote below affirms that John 3:13 – 15’s Context is Universal Reconciliation in the afterlife Regions, mysteriously implied:
Barnabas is clearly quoting the verses in John 3:14 – 15 in Essence in the below:
“When therefore they were assembled together they entreated Moses that he should offer up intercession for them that they might be HEALED. And Moses said unto them; Whensoever, said he, one of you shall be BITTEN, let him come to the SERPENT which is placed on the TREE, and let him BELIEVE and HOPE that the SERPENT being himself DEAD can MAKE ALIVE; and forthwith he shall be SAVED. And so they did. Here again thou hast IN THESE THINGS also the GLORY of JESUS, HOW that in Him and UNTO HIM are ALL THINGS.” (Barnabas 12:7, Epistle of Barnabas)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-lightfoot.html
A Possible Meaning?
Points to some who may ‘see and believe Him in the afterlife’ (Sheepfold2, John 6:40) in the Context of the Son of Man being in Glory (John 3:14 – 15) and able to SAVE ALL [Created] THINGS eventually —-> because the ‘Serpent being Lifted Up Analogy’ (John 3:14 – 15) is quoted by Barnabas in the CONTEXT of ‘HOW that in Him and UNTO HIM are ALL [Created] THINGS’ —-> pointing to UNIVERSAL SALVATION by Christ eventually though he does NOT describe the details, merely pointing to a GLORIOUS HOPE in that Direction —> as he says, “Here again thou hast IN THESE THINGS also the GLORY of JESUS”. Deep.
It’s Very clear in the above that the Epistle of Barnabas Points to ‘understanding’ the Mystery Verses of John 3:14 – 15 or perhaps John 6:40 in Essence as Pointing to a UNIVERSAL SALVATION of ALL [Created] THINGS as even apostle Paul quoted that similar phrase ‘UNTO HIM are ALL THINGS’ (in Romans 11:36) just after Declaring MERCY as the FINAL WORD on the JUDGMENT of GOD’s TIMELINE toward ALL the ‘DISOBEDIENT (NASB)’ or ‘UNBELIEF (KJV)’ too (in Romans 11:32 – just four Verses prior, Immediate Context).
Can you see how DEEP the Wisdom of God really is in regards to His JUDGMENT (Romans 11:33 – 35)?
Source for quote:
Peace to you
Aeonian Life vs Life now – Religion – How does it Help?
To quote from the article:
“Chinese New Year… I would drive my Ferrari, show off to my relatives, show off to my friends, do my rounds, and then you thought that was true joy?” Dr Teo told dental students at a talk early this year.
“In truth, what you have done is just to elicit envy, jealousy and even hatred… In my death bed,
I found no joy whatsoever in whatever objects I had – my Ferrari, thinking of the land I was going to buy to build my bungalow, having a successful business.”
His turning point came when he heard an “inner voice”, says Mrs Teo.
The voice, he claimed, had explained that his suffering was necessary so that Dr Teo could learn. It also told him to help others experiencing hardship.
Mrs Teo says: “Something happened. It changed him and I could see he became more cheerful. I think he found his peace.”
Among those Dr Teo had wanted to reach out to were single mothers, insurance agents, medical students, cancer patients and church members.”
Source:
https://www.asiaone.com/health/late-millionaire-surgeons-last-words-money-ferraris-and-true-joy
https://www.asiaone.com/health/late-millionaire-surgeons-last-words-money-ferraris-and-true-joy
Conclusion – True Religion helps if we practiced it rightly because True Religion focuses on God First, others next & ourselves last as the infamous acronym goes:
J = Jesus
O = Others
Y = Yourself
Now, that’s the Secret of “JOY”.
Example Verses:
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” – apostle James (James 1:27, KJV)
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow… Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.” (Isaiah 1:17, 23, KJV)
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:35 – 40, NASB)
Please note the word “tithe” carefully in Verses below:
“At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the TITHE of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. “The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” (Deuteronomy 14:28 – 29, NASB)
Yes, First Christianity did NOT teach tithing:
The ancient “tithe” practice was for these purposes only – Verse above (I don’t believe in tithing under the New Covenant as St. Irenaeous’ quote explains it while St. Justin Martyr warned that those who practice the Law in any manner will be Judged by the Law’s Requirements for it), to quote:
“… , hypocrites! because ye pay TITHE of mint and rue, but do not observe the love of God and justice … O Trypho, as you yourself admitted, the doctrines taught by our Saviour, I do not think that I have done foolishly in adding some short utterances of His to the prophetic statements… For we too would observe the fleshly circumcision, and the Sabbaths, and in short all the feasts, if we did not know for what reason they were enjoined you,–namely, on account of your transgressions and the hardness of your hearts…” – St Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho the Jew)
Will such Christians who practice tithing be Saved?
“… Then he [Trypho] replied, “Why then have you said, ‘In my opinion, such an one will be saved,’ unless there are some who affirm that such will not be saved?”
“There are such people, Trypho,” I answered; “and these do not venture to have any intercourse with or to extend hospitality to such persons; but I do not agree with them. But if some, through weak-mindedness, wish to observe such institutions as were given by Moses, from which they expect some virtue, but which we believe were appointed by reason of the hardness of the people’s hearts, along with their hope in this Christ, and [wish to perform] the ETERNAL* [AGE DURING] and natural acts of righteousness and piety, yet choose to live with the Christians and the faithful, as I said before, not inducing them either to be circumcised like themselves, or to keep the Sabbath, or to observe any other such ceremonies, then I hold that we ought to join ourselves to such, and associate with them in all things as kinsmen and brethren… Wherefore also our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘In whatsoever things I shall take you, in these I shall judge you.’ ” – St Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho the Jew)
*Eternal = more accurately “age-during” (Olam in Hebrew or Aeon in Koine Greek) where St. Justin Martyr in his own words implies in the above quote that some of such ‘Eternal (Age-during) practices are “over & not to be observed anymore” proving again that this word means to the “age only and not forever”.
The same word St. Justin Martyr uses in his own quote below [translated in quote below as “everlasting”] which proves that he never preached ‘eternal hell or annihilation’ but AGE-DURING (long but limited) Punishment/Correction in Judgment only, to quote:
“… And Plato, in like manner, used to say that Rhadamanthus and Minos would punish the wicked who came before them; and we say that the same thing will be done, but at the hand of Christ, and upon the wicked in the same bodies united again to their spirits which are now to undergo EVERLASTING [AGE-DURING] punishment; and not only, as Plato said, for a period of a thousand years….” – St. Justin Martyr (Chapter VIII, First Apology)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html
Can you see it?
Translation Source for quotes above:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
More Details with when did first time in church history was ever tithing attempted as a doctrine toward “Gentile believers”? Link below:
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/tithing-and-sabbaths-for-gentile-believers/amp/
The New Covenant Practice is way Greater than any Tithe-practice, to quote:
“… and instead of the law enjoining the giving of TITHES, [He told us] to share all our possessions with the poor; and not to love our neighbours only, but even our enemies; and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take away our goods. For “to him that taketh away thy coat,” He says, “give to him thy cloak also; and from him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again; and as ye would that men should do unto you, do ye unto them: “… ” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book Chapter XIII, Point 3)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
P/S: The Great Question of Life
What shall we answer?
“What then shall I do when God Riseth up? and when He visiteth, what shall I answer Him? … If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; … If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.” (Job 31:14, 16 – 17, 19 – 23, KJV)
Last but not least, please be ‘careful’ each time we ‘ignore the poor when they ask for our help & we are able to give it’ because the Verse below is sure especially in “Hades” afterlife Judgment first (Luke 16:19 – 31):
“He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.” (Proverbs 21:13, NASB)
We may pretend not being able to help, but God and the angelic Judgment knows, Verses:
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.” (Proverbs 3:27, NASB)
“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” – apostle James (James 4:17, NASB)
“For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,” – Anonymous (Hebrews 2:2, NASB) |
Now, the RICH MAN in link above may have repented in time, but how about us? To quote:
“Now there was a RICH MAN, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. … and the RICH MAN also DIED and was BURIED. “In HADES he lifted up his eyes, being in TORMENT, and saw Abraham far away. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19, 22 – 25, NASB)
Did First Christianity understand Luke 16:19 – 31 above LITERALLY?
Yes, St. Irenaeous of Lyons even knows the name of that ‘rich man’ who is called ‘Dives’, to quote:
“The Lord has taught with very great fulness, that souls not only continue to exist, not by passing from body to body, but that they preserve the same form [in their separate state] as the body had to which they were adapted, and that they remember the deeds which they did in this state of existence, and from which they have now ceased,-in that narrative which is recorded respecting the rich man and that Lazarus who found repose in the bosom of Abraham. In this account He states that Dives knew Lazarus after death, and Abraham in like manner, and that each one of these persons continued in his own proper position, and that [Dives] requested Lazarus to be sent to relieve him-[Lazarus], on whom he did not [formerly] bestow even the crumbs [which fell] from his table. [He tells us] also of the answer given by Abraham, who was acquainted not only with what respected himself, but Dives also, and who enjoined those who did not wish to come into that place of torment to believe Moses and the prophets, and to receive the preaching of Him who was to rise again from the dead. By these things, then, it is plainly declared that souls continue to exist that they do not pass from body to body, that they possess the form of a man, so that they may be recognised, and retain the memory of things in this world; moreover, that the gift of prophecy was possessed by Abraham, and that each class of souls] receives a habitation such as it has deserved, even before the judgment.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 2, Chapter XXXIV, Point 1)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book2.html
Is it HARD for a RICH MAN to enter the Kingdom of God?
“AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a RICH MAN to enter the kingdom of God.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:24, NASB)
What must a RICH MAN do to be SAVED from JUDGMENT?
“THOSE RICH in the present AGE [AEON1] charge thou not to be high-minded, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who is giving to us all things richly for enjoyment; — to do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to impart, willing to communicate, treasuring up to themselves a right foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life AGE [AEON2]-during.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, YLT)
Want to learn more about the Proper Character and Attitude of a RICH MAN that can be SAVED from JUDGMENT as taught in FIRST CHRISTIANITY?
Please consider reading the Truth in link below:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-richman.html
Wait, what do I consider as First Christianity?
The Earliest writings by known Orthodox Christians at during the earliest times outside the Bible. The aim is to Understand the Bible Verses as they did especially those who were close to those who knew the apostles directly & understood it such as St. Irenaeous and St. Justin Martyr.
For example:
St. Irenaeous of Lyons heard from Bishop Polycarp who heard from of St. John the Apostle of Christ who wrote the Book of Revelation, to quote:
“Oftentimes, Irenaeus, as a student of Polycarp, who was a direct disciple of the Apostle John, believed that he was interpreting scriptures in the same hermeneutic as the Apostles” [Farmer, Hugh (1997). The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Fourth ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 250. ISBN 0-19-280058-2.]
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irenaeus
St. Justin Martyr was in the midst of the Prebysters and companions who walked with the Apostles of Christ himself, to quote (please note the phrase ‘a man among us’ carefully to realize this in his own words):
“… And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal [AGE-DURING] resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place. Just as our Lord also said, ‘They shall neither marry nor be given in marriage, but shall be equal to the angels, the children of the God of the resurrection.’…” – St. Justin Martyr (CHAPTER LXXXI, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Tree of Life Mystery
St. Irenaeous mentions that the ‘Tree of Life’ relates to the Millennial Reign of a Thousand Years Time Period (Revelation 20:4 – 6) which is given to believers in Faith of Jesus Christ before immortality is conferred thereafter [into the AEONS, implies], to quote
“… As we at once perceive that the Creator (Demiurgo) is in this passage represented as vivifying our dead bodies, and promising resurrection to them, and resuscitation from their sepulchres and tombs, CONFERRING upon them IMMORTALITY ALSO (He says, “For as the TREE of LIFE, so shall their days be” ), He is shown to be the only God who accomplishes these things, and as Himself the good Father, benevolently conferring life upon those who have not life from themselves…” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XV, Point 1, Book 5)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
During His Millennial Reign, in comparison ‘mortals die after attaining more than a hundred years old, being sinners’ while ‘the Elect who are Promised with Immortality live the full 1000 years & never die thereafter (Luke 20:35 – 36)’, to quote this comparison:
“…Also there shall not be there any immature [one], nor an old man who does not fulfil his time: for the youth shall be of a hundred years; and the SINNER shall DIE a HUNDRED YEARS old, yet shall be accursed [Isaiah 65:20]. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them themselves; and shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them themselves, and shall drink wine. And they shall not build, and others inhabit; neither shall they prepare the vineyard, and others eat [Isaiah 65:21]. For as the DAYS of the TREE of LIFE shall be the days of the people in thee; for the works of their hands shall endure [Isaiah 65:22].” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXXIV, Point 4, Book 5)
The Thousand years Millennial Reign Blessing & the Tree of Life Blessing is toward those worthy of life at that Time
“… And there are some, again, who relegate the death of Adam to the thousandth year; for since “a day of the Lord is as a thousand years,” he did not overstep the thousand years, but died within them, thus bearing out the sentence of his sin. … or whether [we reflect] that he (Adam) did not overstep the thousand years, but died within their limit,-it follows that, in regard to all these significations, God is indeed true….” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXIII, Point 4, Book 5)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Salvation for the Rest (or “Man” Generally) is Promised after this “Tree of Life – Rejection or Blockade”, to quote:
“Wherefore also He drove him out of Paradise, and removed him far from the tree of life, not because He envied him the tree of life, as some venture to assert, but because He pitied him, [and did not desire] that he should continue a sinner for ever, nor that the sin which surrounded him should be immortal, and evil interminable and irremediable. But He set a bound to his [state of] sin, by interposing death, and thus causing sin to cease, putting an end to it by the dissolution of the flesh, which should take place in the earth, so that man, ceasing at length to live to sin, and dying to it, might begin to live to God. For this end did He put enmity between the serpent and the woman and her seed, they keeping it up mutually: He, the sole of whose foot should be bitten, having power also to tread upon the enemy’s head; but the other biting, killing, and impeding the steps of man, until the seed did come appointed to tread down his head,-which was born of Mary, of whom the prophet speaks: “Thou shalt tread upon the asp and the basilisk; thou shalt trample down the lion and the dragon; ” -indicating that sin, which was set up and spread out against man, and which rendered him subject to death, should be deprived of its power, along with death, which rules [over men]; and that the lion, that is, antichrist, rampant against mankind in the latter days, should be trampled down by Him; and that He should bind “the dragon, that old serpent” and subject him to the power of man, who had been conquered so that all his might should be trodden down. Now Adam had been conquered, all life having been taken away from him: wherefore, when the foe was conquered in his turn, Adam received new life; and the last enemy, death, is destroyed, which at the first had taken possession of man. Therefore, when man has been liberated, “what is written shall come to pass, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death sting? ” This could not be said with justice, if that man, over whom death did first obtain dominion, were not set free. For his salvation is death’s destruction. When therefore the Lord vivifies man, that is, Adam, death is at the same time destroyed.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Chapter XXIII, Point 6, Point 7, Book 3)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html
Which part above proves Universal Salvation?
Please ‘read’ these quotes from the above ‘carefully’, to quote:
Examples from Irenaeous quote above (which pertains to ‘man generally’ – again):
Irenaeous Beautifully Reveals that CHRIST will be TRIUMPHANT —-> till even the ‘antichrist’ and ‘ALL the MIGHT’ of the ‘dragon’ (or ‘satan’ too) MUST END —> being TRODDEN DOWN —> and ‘not last forever in some way’, e.g. in an ‘eternal Hell’, right?
Does it refer to ADAM only?
When therefore the Lord VIVIFIES MAN, that is, ADAM, DEATH is at the same time DESTROYED = All the above Points to ALL MEN being SAVED eventually by God (1 Timothy 2:4 – KJV) till they all become SINLESS.
How?
Please read ‘carefully’ the ‘last line’ above and ‘realize’ that the ‘only context’ here is:
the Lord VIVIFIES MAN —-> refers IRREFUTABLY to —-> ADAM.
Can you see it?
MAN (ALL Men or ALL Human Beings ever Created) = ADAM in Irenaeous’ Explanation above (‘his own definition and usage’). Shocked?
Beautiful, isn’t it?
Yes,
the Lord VIVIFIES MAN (Adam) till ‘DEATH is at the same time DESTROYED’ = Points to EVERY HUMAN BEING ever Created to eventually Receive a NEW RESURRECTED FLESH eventually (John 17:2, 1 Corinthians 15:21 – 22).
Truly,
“For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our HOPE on the LIVING GOD, Who is the Savior of ALL MEN, especially of believers.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:10, NASB)
‘believers are a more special subset for believing in Him first’, yes —-> but, God WILL SAVE ALL MEN eventually.
Conclusion
“Who [God our Saviour] will have* all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV)
*The Verb “will have” is accurately translated here
It is very clear that both Justin and Irenaeous understood Universal Salvation via Judgment toward the Wicked too —-> in their “DISSOLUTION of the FLESH” —–> to “Make ALL things NEW, ALL FLESH ANEW” (which I call in my Writing as the ‘Second Resurrection of the wicked’ per say), since they get HEALED & MADE ANEW post GEHENNA or LAKE of FIRE Judgment as implied in these authoritative quotes.
Source, Lost Orthodoxy Book (Pages 37 – 39), free pdf download in link below:
In this same book itself, St. Justin Martyr defines the ‘days of the Tree of Life’ which is “Olam or Age-during” (as mentioned in Genesis 3:22) is NOT forever but ‘about 1000 years’, to quote (in his own words – implied):
“… For according to the DAYS of the TREE OF LIFE shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound [Isaiah 65:22, Revelation 22:14]…. Now WE have UNDERSTOOD that the expression used among these words, ‘According to the DAYS of the TREE [OF LIFE, Genesis 3:22, Revelation 2:7] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound’ OBSCURELY predicts a THOUSAND YEARS….” – St. Justin Martyr (CHAPTER LXXXI, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Comment:
1) St. Justin Martyr calls it “DISSOLUTION by God of things CORRUPTIBLE”
“And the SIBYL and Hystaspes said that there should be a DISSOLUTION by God of things CORRUPTIBLE. And the philosophers called Stoics teach that even God Himself shall be RESOLVED into FIRE, and they say that the WORLD is to be FORMED ANEW by this revolution; but we understand that God, the Creator of ALL THINGS, … DOCTRINE of PLATO; and while we say that there will be a BURNING up of ALL, we shall seem to utter the doctrine of the Stoics: and while we affirm that the SOULS of the WICKED…” (Justin Martyr, First Apology, CHAPTER XX — HEATHEN ANALOGIES TO CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html
2) St. Irenaeous of Lyons calls it “DISSOLUTION of the FLESH”
“… He pitied him [MAN], [and did NOT desire] that he [MAN] should continue a sinner for ever [to the AGE, AEON], NOR that the SIN which surrounded him should be IMMORTAL, and EVIL INTERMINABLE and IRREMEDIABLE. … and thus causing sin to cease, putting an END to it by the DISSOLUTION of the FLESH, which should take place in the earth, so that MAN, CEASING at length to live to SIN, and dying to it, might begin to live to God… ADAM received NEW LIFE; and the LAST ENEMY, DEATH, is DESTROYED, which at the first had taken possession of MAN. Therefore, WHEN MAN has been LIBERATED, “… HIS SALVATION is DEATH’s DESTRUCTION. When therefore the Lord VIVIFIES MAN, that is, ADAM, DEATH is at the same time DESTROYED” (Irenaeous, ‘Against Heresies’ Book 3, Chapter XXIII, Point 6, Point 7)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html
Yes,
St. Irenaeous calls it “DISSOLUTION of the FLESH” in the above (Context Discussed later below too) = “Resurrection of Judgment for the Wicked” (John 5:28 – 29) = “JUDGED in the FLESH” (1 Peter 4:6) = “DESTRUCTION of the FLESH” (1 Corinthians 5:5) = Justin Martyr calls it “DISSOLUTION by God of things CORRUPTIBLE (all SIN and EVIL)” earlier, Context linking these together.
Verses:
“and He gave Him authority to EXECUTE JUDGMENT, because He is the Son of Man. “Do NOT MARVEL at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the GOOD DEEDS to a Resurrection of LIFE, those who committed the EVIL DEEDS to a Resurrection of JUDGMENT.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:27 – 29, NASB)
“who [speak EVIL] will give account to Him who is ready to JUDGE the living and THE DEAD. For to this end the GOSPEL was proclaimed even to THE DEAD, so that they might be JUDGED indeed according to men in the FLESH, but they might LIVE in the SPIRIT according to God.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:5 – 6, BLB)
“I have decided to deliver such a one to SATAN for the DESTRUCTION of HIS FLESH, so that HIS SPIRIT may be SAVED in the Day of the Lord Jesus.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 5:5, NASB)
How can the ‘spirit be saved’ link to Universal Salvation of all men in the end in St. Justin Martyr and St. Irenaeous of Lyons’ writings?
Please read in full in links below, thank you:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/repentance-is-afterlife-repentance-possible/
Peace to you
Salvation of Your Souls – Freedom from Sin – Blessed Afterlife Abodes
False Claim
Apostle Paul said there is no more sin because Christ has Fulfilled all Law and thus sin is done away with and so LGBT is ok.
Example:
“Jonathan Ramachandran ok that makes no sense to me. Because WHAT SIN ? ? sin WAS a transgression of the LAW 1Jhn.3:4 . BUT we are under GRACE NOT LAW Rom.6:1-16 Gal,3:13 , Jesus fulfilled the Law ,Matt.5:17 .. SO WHERE IS THE SIN?? 🙂”
Reply
I welcome the LGBT too knowing that they are a patient (the ‘sick’ who need the Doctor, Christ).
Orthodox Christianity clearly highlights the disease of sin.
If we fail to do it, it’s like embracing a person with flu without telling them of the medicine of repentance and that Christ is the Cure. Knowing not this deprives them of the possibility of being healed of that flu-disease.
Likewise, if the LGBT do not realize that these sins are a disease linked spiritually and if we as Christians are silent about it, we only embrace them as a sick dying patient in a hospital instead of being the one who points them to the medicine of repentance and ultimately the Cure of Christ which they receive by Faith, all other factors held constant.
Without religion which distinguishes sin vs not sin, you promote them in their disease and sickness, especially spiritually.
Your claim that sin has no power or Lord Jesus failed is untrue because that’s like saying we don’t die anymore because Christ has Risen, a spurious logic.
If sin has no power due to Christ (knowing that sin’s sting is death, 1 Corinthians 15:56), then we should not die, right? Or did Christ fail?
That’s the way your analogy of ‘sin has no power means’ because sins power is there till death and hence we must warn the LGBT of this disease so that they may be free from this sin / disease too (James 1:14 – 15).
Christ’s Power is in the Resurrection later as this current flesh profits nothing (John 6:63) and that our Soul is Saved first in faith (1 Peter 1:9) as believers are exempted from any further Judgment therafter (John 5:24) while the wicked will be (John 5:29).
Christ’s Ransom applies in the making alive during the Resurrection onward, not now in its own order of times (1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Timothy 2:6) but believers in faith receive the seed of it now in their soul & spirit (Romans 8:14).
Those Verses are Prophetic and by the time it is Fulfilled, there will be no sin, nor LGBT for eternity as only God’s Will will remain which is sinlessness (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28).
Matthew 5:17 – 19 implies that Christ will Fulfill All Law & Prophets (a Prophetic Statement) just like when He says “it is finished” on the Cross which does not mean that Death doesn’t exist anymore (as 1 Corinthians 15 speaks of this end).
Even the “end Verses” in 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28 are Prophetically mentioned to be Fulfilled by Christ which is NOT DONE YET (Hebrews 2:8).
The Same apostle Paul you’re quoting gave New Testament Commands or Law for Gentile believers too proving that this Context is correct (1 Corinthians 14:37).
1 Corinthians 14:37 disqualifies any prophet you follow who do not teach the commands from 1 Corinthians 11:1 (as following Christ) till 1 Corinthians 14 too.
Yes, “it is finished” (John 19:30) refers to His Own Prophetic Statement (in John 17:4) as Christ Forsees the End (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28) even before it is Accomplished (Hebrews 2:8).
Even the “end Verses” in 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28 is Prophetically mentioned to be Fulfilled by Christ which is NOT DONE YET (Hebrews 2:8).
The Same apostle Paul you’re quoting gave New Testament Commands or Law for Gentile believers too proving that this Context is correct (1 Corinthians 14:37).
P/S:
Please read Hebrews 2:8, and note the word “not yet” regarding the “Universal Reconciliation” Prophecy toward “All things” (which is on-going, 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28), and yes to deny this, you are in confusion indeed.
Also, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Hebrew or not, that’s the Truth regarding the Universal Reconciliation Prophecies as not understanding Hebrews 2:8’s “not yet” , we make up and believe our own assumptions.
By faith in Christ now, we become reconciled now (Romans 3:26) while the “Reconciliation of the rest of all created things” (Colossians 1:16, 20, 2 Corinthians 5:19) till the end that God becomes “All” in “All Creation”, Hence Creation becomes Sinless & Perfected (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28) will be achieved in its own Divine-Kairois Times (1 Timothy 2:6) but it’s “not yet” fully fulfilled towards especially His Enemies (Hebrews 2:8).
I’m not an unbeliever but a believer who believes in “faith” (Definition Hebrews 11:1) even before these are fulfilled, please allow me to repeat this:
‘Yes, “it is finished” (John 19:30) refers to His Own Prophetic Statement (in John 17:4) as Christ Forsees the End (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28) even before it is Accomplished (Hebrews 2:8).’
That’s what apostle Paul believes in regards to these Verses too in his own words of “Hope”:
“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” – apostle Paul (Romans 8:24 – 25, KJV)
Last but not least,
Does the ‘Salvation of your soul’ means that you live in some Blessed Afterlife Abode after you die believing in Faith of Jesus Christ?
Yes to quote (the ‘Law of the Dead’):
What is the ‘Law of the Dead’?
Our souls must go first to either of the blessed/judgment regions of Hades/Sheol (‘shadow of death’ regions) upon death, to quote:
“If, then, the Lord observed the law of the dead, that He might become the first-begotten from the dead, and tarried until the third day “in the lower parts of the earth; ” then afterwards rising in the flesh, so that He even showed the print of the nails to His disciples, He thus ascended to the Father;-[if all these things occurred, I say], how must these men not be put to confusion, who allege that “the lower parts” refer to this world of ours, but that their tuner man, leaving the body here, ascends into the super-celestial place? For as the Lord “went away in the midst of the shadow of death,” where the souls of the dead were, yet afterwards arose in the body, and after the resurrection was taken up [into heaven], it is manifest that the souls of His disciples also, upon whose account the Lord underwent these things, shall go away into the invisible place allotted to them by God, and there remain until the resurrection, awaiting that event; then receiving their bodies, and rising in their entirety, that is bodily, just as the Lord arose, they shall come thus into the presence of God. “For no disciple is above the Master, but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master.” As our Master, therefore, did not at once depart, taking flight [to heaven], but awaited the time of His resurrection prescribed by the Father, which had been also shown forth through Jonas, and rising again after three days was taken up [to heaven]; so ought we also to await the time of our resurrection prescribed by God and foretold by the prophets, and so, rising, be taken up, as many as the Lord shall account worthy of this [privilege].” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (‘Against Heresies’, Book 5)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Peace to you
Hades – Salvation from it – for some now
Since Christ’s Descent, it is on going, to quote:
“Christ Leading All People out of Hell. Since earliest times, the Holy Fathers of the Church regarded the descent of Jesus to hell as an event so global and universal that it brought salvation not only to the righteous of the past but to all people in She’ol. St. Melito of Sardis speaks on behalf of Christ in his treatise on Pascha thus: “I am the one who destroyed death, and triumphed over the enemy, and trampled Hades under foot, and bound the strong one, and carried off man to the heights of heaven, I, he says, am the Christ. Therefore, come, all families of men, you who have been befouled with sins, and receive forgiveness for your sins. I am your forgiveness, I am the passover of your salvation, I am the lamb which was sacrificed for you, I am your ransom, I am your light, I am your saviour, I am your resurrection, I am your king, I am leading you up to the heights of heaven, I will show you the eternal Father, I will raise you up by my right hand” (On Pascha, 102-103). Interestingly enough, St. Melito insists that not just the holy men of the ancient Israel, but also all people without exception were saved. The faith of that ancient bishop was so strong that he couldn’t even think that anyone would choose to remain in hell instead of following Christ. The Stromata of Clement of Alexandria contain a fairly detailed teaching on the descent into hell. Clement also believed that Jesus had preached in hell not only for the righteous but for the heathens who had lived their lives out of reach of the true faith. God is impartial, so those people who hadn’t had the chance to believe in Christ when they walked the earth were given the chance to accept him after they died thanks to their virtuous life “in accordance with the law and in tune with philosophy”. (Stromata 6:6). Clement believed that the apostles, in keeping with their Teacher, descended into the hell and preached there. He views the Hell as a place of correction rather than punishment.”
Source:
The Visions of others such as Swedenborg to Sadhu Sundar Singh has proven that Christ Saves from Hell whenever a repentance occurs there as God Wills.
This Universal Truth regarding ongoing Salvation and Deliverance from Hell (Hades/Sheol now) is Beautifully Described below too, to quote:
Christ Saves Sheepfold2 from “Hades” even ‘now’ (please note this word “Hades” carefully in the quote below):
“And if a man has gone down even to HADES, and stands awestruck before the heroes who have descended thither, regarding them as gods, still he may see the fact of Christ’s resurrection and His victory over death, and reason from it that, of all these, He alone is very Lord and God. For the Lord touched all parts of creation, and freed and undeceived them all from every deceit. As St. Paul says, “Having put off from Himself the principalities and the powers, He triumphed on the cross,”(Col. 2. 15) so that no one could possibly be any longer deceived, but everywhere might find the very Word of God. For thus man, enclosed on every side by the works of creation and everywhere-in heaven, in HADES, in men and on the earth, beholding the unfolded Godhead of the Word, is no longer deceived concerning God, but worships Christ alone, and through Him rightly knows the Father. On these grounds, then, of reason and of principle, we will fairly silence the Gentiles in their turn. But if they think these arguments insufficient to confute them, we will go on in the next chapter to prove our point from facts.” – St. Athanasius the Great, ‘father of orthodoxy’ (‘On the Incarnation’)
Translation Source:
https://www.worldinvisible.com/library/athanasius/incarnation/incarnation.7.htm
Please note that the post mortem evangelism in Hades may not be limited to ‘those who never heard the Gospel only’ as the original quotes by each of St. Justin Martyr, St. Clement of Alexandria and St. Athanasius shown here do NOT limit it to them only but toward anyone who has lived a relatively moral life by Christian Values though died unbelieving or sinfully.
Example:
Yes, such Gentiles who has encountered the Word of God in HADES end up believing in Him, and worships Christ (‘repentance in the afterlife context’).
Really?
Please read carefully from quote above again:
“… so that no one could possibly be any longer deceived, but everywhere might find the very Word of God. For thus man, enclosed on every side by the works of creation and everywhere-in heaven, in HADES, in men and on the earth, beholding the unfolded Godhead of the Word, is no longer deceived concerning God, but worships Christ alone, and through Him rightly knows the Father…” – St. Athanasius the Great
Focus on “Hades”, the quote above condensed:
“… For thus man, … in HADES, …, beholding the unfolded Godhead of the Word (John 6:40), is no longer deceived concerning God, but worships Christ alone, and through Him rightly knows the Father…” – St. Athanasius the Great
Source:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/repentance-is-afterlife-repentance-possible/
Hope?
It is also true that those in Hades (Sheepfold2 and the Wicked) must endure afterlife Judgment first (Hebrews 9:27) and only Sheepfold2 (relatively good non-Christians) will have the opportunity to repent in Hades now (in Principle of 1 Peter 3:18 – 19) and though the rest (the wicked) may be “judged in the flesh” (worst case scenario – post Resurrection of Judgment, John 5:29 ), they will still “live to God in their spirit-state” post the Final Lake of Fire or Gehenna Judgment (1 Peter 4:6) in the future “Day of Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5).
P/S: Before Christ was Manifested in the Flesh this was impossible as no one could cross the chasm (Luke 16:19 – 31).
But since Christ has Descended and Preached there (1 Peter 3:18 – 19), this is not impossible anymore with His Apostles converting from there too being the Greatest Evangelists of All Time due to the Large Conversion number of Sheepfold2 into their own spiritual abodes upon Preaching there as the ‘Shepherd of Hermas’ Writing Revealed too (1 Peter 4:6):
“it is evident that those, too, who were outside of the Law, having lived rightly, in consequence of the peculiar’ nature of the voice, though they are in Hades and in ward, on hearing the voice of the Lord, whether that of His own person or that acting through His apostles, with all speed turned and believed. For we remember that the Lord is “the power of God,” and power can never be weak. So I think it is demonstrated that the God being good, and the Lord powerful, they save with a righteousness and equality which extend to all that turn to Him, whether here or elsewhere. For it is not here alone that the active power of God is beforehand, but it is everywhere and is always at work.” – St. Clement of Alexandria (c.150 AD – c. 215 AD, Stromata, Book 6, Chapter VI)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html
To Quote from the above ‘carefully’ in the ‘Context of Salvation from Hades at ANY TIME with NO LIMIT’
Phrases: ” though they are in Hades and in ward” —> “all that turn to Him, whether here or elsewhere” —> “on hearing the voice of the Lord, whether that of His own person or that acting through His apostles,” —> “with all speed turned and believed ” —–> and “the active power of God is beforehand, but it is everywhere and is always at work”.
Focus Phrase from the above: “always at work”
Focus Phrase from the above: “everywhere and is always at work”.
Source:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/forever-in-the-bible/
Conclusion
“From the hand of Sheol* I do ransom them, From death I redeem them, Where is thy plague, O death? Where thy destruction, O Sheol? Repentance is hid from Mine Eyes.” – God Speaks (in Hosea 13:14, YLT)
*Sheol in Hebrew = Hades in Greek
Repentance is hid from Mine eyes = God Will NOT Change His Mind from Saving in the afterlife from both SHEOL (HADES) or DEATH as Hosea 13:14 Reveals Majestically even if when these are cast into the LAKE of FIRE for the Final SECOND DEATH (as Revelation 20:14 clearly mentions causing the Mysterious Reconciliation from the Lake of Fire toward these “thirsty ones” as Prophesied Majestically in Revelation 22:17 as well – His Bride and the Spirit calls out to these thirsty ones and only the Lake of Fire makes someone to still be thirsty, right? His Bride or Church, believers are NOT the thirsty ones for we NEVER thirst again after our Resurrection – Isn’t it obvious? Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 John 4:14, Luke 20:35 – 36).
Source:
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/afterlife-salvation-mysteries/amp/
Yes, the True Meaning of 1 Peter 3:18 – 19 is this:
“But how? Do not [the Scriptures] show that. the Lord preached the Gospel to those that perished in the flood, or rather had been chained, and to those kept “in ward and guard”? And it has been shown also, in the second book of the Stromata, that the apostles, following the Lord, preached the Gospel to those in Hades. For it was requisite, in my opinion, that as here, so also there, the best of the disciples should be imitators of the Master; so that He should bring to repentance those belonging to the Hebrews, and they the Gentiles; that is, those who had lived in righteousness according to the Law and Philosophy, who had ended life not perfectly, but sinfully. ” – St. Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, Book 6, Chapter VI)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html
More Reading regarding the Gospel Preached to the Dead-souls in Hades from First Christianity can be found in links quoted above and in link below too for further edification:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/secrets-of-the-gospel-being-preached-to-the-dead/amp/
Peace to you
Agape – True Love – Does our Love toward others have Agape Traits?
I Love this Song – Sincere, Selfless and Truthful Lyrics (below)
Example:
“… And if you’re faced with a choice, and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you …”
YouTube link:
Full Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Ooh
I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with a choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin’ till you find the window
If it’s cold outside
Show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything
More than anything
[Chorus]
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
[Verse 2]
I hope you never look back, but you never forget
All the ones who love you, in the place you left
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything (More)
Yeah, more than anything
[Chorus]
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
Yeah, yeah
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish (My wish, for you)
[Outro]
This is my wish (My wish, for you)
I hope you know somebody loves you (My wish, for you)
May all your dreams stay big (My wish, for you)
Source:
https://www.google.com.my/amp/s/genius.com/amp/Rascal-flatts-my-wish-lyrics
Conclusion
What makes Love Most Beautiful is Selflessness “without hoping anything in return”, which is also the hardest aspect:
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:32, NASB)
I repeat with emphasis:
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? …” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:32, NASB)
And for the “without hoping anything in return”-part, please consider this Verse in the Context of “Loving ENEMIES too”:
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; … ” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:35, NASB)
Another First Christianity Quote, Herein the Perfection of “Love”:
“… For not even when a man does good to his children and offspring, does one call him a good man; for even the most savage of the wild beasts do so, and indeed willingly endure death, if need be, for the sake of their cubs. But if a man were to perform the SAME ACTS in behalf of HIS SLAVES, that man would JUSTLY be called GOOD. Wherefore the SAVIOUR also taught us to LOVE our ENEMIES, since, says He, what thank have ye? So that He has shown us that it is a good work NOT ONLY to love those that are begotten of Him, but also THOSE that are WITHOUT. And what He enjoins upon us, He HIMSELF FIRST of ALL DOES.” – St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD, On the Resurrection, Chapter VIII)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html
Highlight, please note ‘carefully’ the Inclusion of the Context of God’s Love toward His “enemies” too in the Context of the ‘Salvation of the Soul’ (Topic in St. Justin Martyr’s writing above) which is the “SAME ACTS” eventually performed toward “HIS ENEMIES” too in the End because GOD our SAVIOUR Alone is Perfectly GOOD – Can you see it?
“… SAME ACTS in behalf of HIS SLAVES, that man would JUSTLY be called GOOD. Wherefore the SAVIOUR also taught us to LOVE our ENEMIES … THOSE that are WITHOUT. And what He enjoins upon us, He HIMSELF FIRST of ALL DOES.” – St. Justin Martyr
Source – Full Context Discussion for the quote above and more, please consider:
Universal Salvation and Faith – Why become a Christian now to be Saved?
P/S: What are the “Agape Traits” of “Perfect Love”?
Verses:
“1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13:1 – 13, NASB)
Peace to you
Faith and Works – Justification
A Righteousness given entirely based on Faith only (Verse in image by apostle Paul).
“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,” – apostle Paul (Romans 4:5, NASB)
Yes, apostle James spoke of a righteousness through works done in faith (not a contradiction but a different type of righteousness).
“But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – apostle James (James 2:18, NASB)
To continue in ‘faith only’ thereafter ‘with no good works’ is what causes the ‘faith itself to die meriting Judgment as not doing good which we are able itself is sin’, to quote:
“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” – apostle James (James 2:14 – 17, NASB)
“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” – apostle James (James 4:17, NASB)
The Righteousness by Faith of Jesus Christ is by the Perfect Faith belonging of Lord Jesus Christ only. By His Faith, believers are Saved in the Present time now (Romans 3:26) but it is Promised toward “All” too eventually ‘freely’ (Romans 3:21 – 24):
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God which is by FAITH of JESUS CHRIST unto ALL and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For ALL have SINNED, and come short of the glory of God; Being JUSTIFIED FREELY by HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” – apostle Paul (Romans 3:21 – 24, KJV)
*”ALL” vs “them that believe: for there is no difference” = Please note that “two Groups are mentioned in the Original Koine Greek here where Christ’s Justification is Promised to ALL, ALL CREATION Making it New eventually (implied, e. g. From Colossians 1:16, 20) and specifically toward ‘those who believe who will have no distinction/difference in the Abrahamic Heir Promise Generally’ (Galatians 3:26 – 29)”.
Can you see the ACCURACY of Holy Scripture?
This Faith of Jesus Christ is different from “our faith” (described in point 1 & 2 above with works) from which Alone Salvation comes.
In short, Christ’s Faith eventually imputes Righteousness of God toward “All who have sinned freely” (Romans 3:21 – 24) causing Salvation of All Men (1 Timothy 4:10, Romans 5:18 – 19) in its own Divine-Kairois Times accordingly (1 Timothy 2:6) while “our faith (gift) & works (by our will)” determines our ‘gradation’ (least vs greatest) accordingly in His ‘Kingdom of the Heavens’ (Matthew 5:19).
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the FAITH of JESUS CHRIST, even WE have BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST, that we might be justified by the FAITH of CHRIST, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 2:16, KJV)
Please note carefully the following phrases from Verse above for non-contradicting accurate understanding:
Meaning: A Person is Saved by Christ’s Perfect Faith at the Point God’s Righteousness is Imputed upon them (Romans 3:21 – 24)
“even WE have BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST” = “our faith” which is given as a Gift due to His Grace (Ephesians 4:7)
And
“that we might be justified by the FAITH of CHRIST, and not by the works of the law” = Christians being Saved first in the Present Time and not ‘the only ones’ for all time (Romans 3:26, James 1:18, Colossians 1:21 – 22).
Please note carefully the word/phrase “now or present time/equivalent” in Romans 3:26 and Colossians 1:21 – 22 to ‘realize’ this Biblical Truth ‘as it is Written’.
iii. “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified”
Salvation is due Christ’s Work Alone and our works doesn’t play any role in receiving the Free Gift of Salvation which is Promised to “All” eventually (Romans 3:22).
Conclusion – Perfection is Faith with Good Works
“But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a RESULT of the WORKS, FAITH was PERFECTED;” – apostle James (James 2:20 – 22, NASB)
“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, KJV)
Yes, Christ’s Fulfillment of All Law and Prophets (Matthew 5:17 – 18 first) will cause even those who ‘break’ His Commandments to be ‘inside His Kingdom of the Heavens eventually’ (Consecutive Verse above, Matthew 5:19) & He issued even a ‘human challenge that anyone who can even exceed the holiness benchmark of the Pharisees can be allowed in by their own efforts’ (implied in Matthew 5:20) which we know is Impossible as apostle Paul Prophesied (Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:20 – 21, Romans 3:28).
If we don’t understand these Verses accurately, we will fall in all types of contradictions and assumptions which are just ‘not there’.
Peace to you
P/S: More Readings and Verses in links below
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/distinction-faith-vs-jesus-faith/amp/
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/faith-jesus-christ/amp/
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/faith-jesus-christ-2/amp/
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/mystery-faith-jesus-christ-salvation/amp/
Blessed be Lord Jesus Christ the Savior of All Men, especially believers (1 Timothy 4:10, John 12:32).
Begging – Why are you Begging if God is with you?
‘Not all beggars are UnGodly and not all the rich are Godly’
Is Begging wrong? Not necessarily, Biblically.
There are two types of begging as follows (which relates to the deeper question ‘why’):
1) The Cursed Punishment Type of Begging
Some of the “wicked” (Definition: Psalm 109:2 – 9) end up “begging” (Psalm 109:10).
“For they have opened the WICKED and deceitful mouth against me; They have spoken against me with a LYING tongue… Let his children wander about and BEG; And let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes.” (Psalm 109:2, 10, NASB)
The righteous are spared from this type of begging:
“I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have NOT SEEN the RIGHTEOUS forsaken Or his descendants BEGGING bread.” (Psalm 37:25, NASB)
2) The Good Begging – Christians as “Priests” of God
All Christians are priests of God and not only your pastor or men only (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 1:6).
Do you know that a true Priestly role is to BEG on behalf of the good of others? (isn’t that what it means to be humble & good?)
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; WE BEG you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 5:20, NASB)
Verses in Principle:
“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to BORROW from you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:42, NASB)
“For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 3:17, NASB)
“If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously LEND him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.” (Deuteronomy 15:7 – 8, NASB)
*Please note the word ‘borrow / lend’ carefully in Verses above which is a type of ‘begging’, right?
iii. Begging for someone to be forgiven of their debts
The best begging is when we beg for Mercy/Forgiveness/Good/Favour to be Done to another person who is wrong.
Here’s an Earthly Example: We may ‘beg’ on behalf of a ‘guilty / innocent third person’ (as priests of God) by empathy for them to be forgiven/helped out of their problems (e. g. financial debts too) to fulfill the Verse below in Principle:
“So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ “And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. “But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ “So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ “But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. “So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. “Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:26 – 35, NASB)
The Verses above reveal more in regards to Judgment too that it is a good thing to forgive a debt (if we can) and our sins are likewise forgiven as the way we forgive others too. A debt example is used in analogy by our Blessed Savior here because people often find it hardest to forgive when they lose money since the ‘love of money’ causes that feeling being the ‘chiefest of all evils’ (1 Timothy 6:10).
Conclusion
The Best BEGGING (2 Corinthians 5:20) in Prayer on behalf of ALL MEN (1 Timothy 2:1) is that they may ALL be SAVED Eventually (1 Timothy 2:4) as we labour knowing in faith that this is the End where believers or Christians are more special for faith in Him (1 Timothy 4:10).
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL MEN; … Who will have ALL MEN to be SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth … Who gave Himself a RANSOM for ALL, to be testified in due time… 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.” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 2:1, 2:4, 2:6, 4:10, KJV)
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the PROPITIATION for OUR (Christian) SINS; and NOT for OURS (Christians) ONLY, but also for those of the WHOLE WORLD.” – apostle John (1 John 2:1 – 2, NASB)
“Our” in Verse above = Christians
So, Christ’s Ransom for “ALL” (1 Timothy 2:6) applies to any sin in the WHOLE WORLD (1 John 2:2) & not for Christian sins only (1 John 2:1 – 2) eventually in its own Divine-Kairois Times for it (1 Timothy 2:6).
“Who did give Himself a ransom for all — the testimony* in its own times –” – apostle Paul (1 Timothy 2:6, YLT)
*testimony = come to pass, be applied, become true (in its OWN Divinely-appointed-Kairois TIMES).
Can you see it?
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” – Anonymous (Hebrews 4:14, NASB)
Peace to you
P/S: Not all beggars are cursed.
The fact that not all beggars are cursed and not all rich are blessed is proven irrefutably in the rich man and Lazarus story where upon death the soul of the rich man went into the suffering regions of Hades while the soul of the beggar went to a blessed afterlife abode called the ‘Bosom of Abraham’ (Luke 16:19 – 31).
Let us be careful of ignoring a poor man’s begging for help because we may end up like the rich man in Hell (as described prior in Verses Luke 16:19 – 31) in Principle of Verse below:
“He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.” (Proverbs 21:13, NASB)
Comment: The Name “Christian”.
Here are the Facts:
To Quote:
‘In Studies in Jewish and Christian History: Part Three, Elias Joseph Bickerman wrote,
All these Greek terms, formed with the Latin suffix -ianus, exactly as the Latin words of the same derivation, express the idea that the men or things referred to, belong to the person to whose name the suffix is added. In Greek as in Latin the suffix -ianus is a substitute for the possessive genitive… The term Καισαριανοί corresponds to the ellipse Καίσαρος (Caesaris servus [“a slave of Caesar”]) in other documents. The “Christians” belong to Christ, they are οί τοῦ χριστοῦ [“those of Christ”] as Paul says…
Christians are “those of Christ” (οἱ τοῦ Χριστοῦ) (i.e., “Christ’s); they belong to Christ, as his possessions, because Christians are “slaves of Jesus Christ” (δοῦλοι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ).3 Of course, this is why Jesus Christ is known as our “lord,” or Greek κύριος, literally “master” (as in slave-master). Therefore, the words Christianus and Χριστιανός imply slavery. For this reason, these words were applied to Christians by non-Christians as a derogatory epithet, for the condition of servitude (slavery) was ignominious. However, believers in Christ cherished the epithet because it was a honor to be slaves of Christ, unlike other masters.’
Source:
Bickerman, Elias Joseph. Studies in Jewish and Christian History: Part Three. Leiden: Brill, 1986 (Page 147)
“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the DISCIPLES were FIRST called CHRISTIANS in ANTIOCH.” (Acts of the Apostles 11:26, NASB)
iii) The Name “Christian” is Endorsed by God as Apostle Peter Reveals
“but if anyone SUFFERS as a CHRISTIAN, he is not to be ashamed, but is to GLORIFY GOD in THIS NAME.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:16, NASB)
So, a Christian is one who begs for the betterment of others and himself both on this earth and in the afterlife too.
Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Doctrinal Example:
Hijab In Christianity – Head Covering Truth Biblically and in First Christianity
Question
How do you understand 1 Corinthians 11:1 – 16?
Reply
Thank you for your question sir. Please consider the following:
1) Apostle Paul is showing ‘how to follow Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1) by ‘obeying certain approved New Testament traditions’ (1 Corinthians 11:2)
2) Leadership Order in the Bible is
God —> Man —> Woman
In 1 Corinthians 11:3 (This Tradition is approved for the New Testament too)
3) When ‘Prophesying and Praying only’, a Man must not cover his head while a Woman must cover her head (1 Corinthians 11:4 – 7, a New Testament approved tradition to follow Christ and please God).
Woman do not need to wear a ‘head scarf or covering’ all the time but during ‘prayer and prophesying only’ (1 Corinthians 11:5).
4) The first Man existed independently of the woman and the first woman was created using that Man’s (Adam’s) Rib bone proving non-independence symbolically toward a Man’s creation hence setting an order of hierarchy in authority universally during New Testament times too (1 Corinthians 11:8 – 9).
5) This Law of Covering their head during ‘prayer and prophesy’ is probably given by the ‘command of the spiritual authority of angels’ (1 Corinthians 11:10) and not obeying it may have its consequences in Judgment accordingly (Hebrews 2:2) as this current ‘inhabitted world’ is subject to the “Laws set by them” while the next “inhabitted world” is for the Rule of the Perfected Man In Christ’ (Hebrews 2:5).
Please note carefully that Hebrews 2:2 and Hebrews 2:5 are Consecutive Verses (Context of Governance Universally in this current inhabitted world from the Spiritual Realm).
This means that any Rule (e. g. the Rule of Covering their head during Prayer & Prophecy for Women) given by the authority of angels (1 Corinthians 11:10) must be obeyed & any disobedience reaps an equivalent penalty accordingly (Hebrews 2:2) in this current inhabitted world (Hebrews 2:5).
6) The Successive generation of man and woman are not independent of each other and depend more so entirely on the Blessed Lord (1 Corinthians 11:11 – 12).
7) Apostle Paul draws a natural analogy of long hair to explain the earlier Tradition in that ‘woman may have long hair but men may not’ (1 Corinthians 11:14 – 15) and likewise it’s an equivalent type of shame to a woman to pray without her head covered (1 Corinthians 11:13).
Conclusion – Context
This entire Chapter (1 Corinthians 11) till 1 Corinthians 14 is Written by apostle Paul to demonstrate ‘how to follow Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1) as a Gentile believer by obeying certain approved New Testament Christian Traditions (1 Corinthians 11:2) such as ‘women should cover their head when praying & prophesying’ (1 Corinthians 11:5, 10, 13) while a man should not have long hair (1 Corinthians 11:14 – length is argumentative – decide by your own conscience) and these are approved or given by “angels” (1 Corinthians 11:10) and thus disobedience may have its consequences (Hebrews 2:2) as ‘this current inhabitted world is still subject to their given Laws & Rules’ (1 Corinthians 11:10, Hebrews 2:5).
A True Church of Christ seeks to Obey these “Customs or Traditions” and has “no other alternate or opposite practices” (1 Corinthians 11:16).
If all these Rules are not important, apostle Paul would not have wasted his time emphasizing such ‘petty’ things unless these are actually ‘important’ (please be Wise Spiritually, 1 Corinthians 14:37, Matthew 5:19).
Both the words hair and covering exist distinctly in 1 Corinthians 11:15 and the hair is not a substitute for a covering during prayer or prophecy but just that apostle Paul is drawing an analogy to demonstrate this Truth as it is described further (with the Koine Greek Words) in the scholarly Video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqbqiOHXGWY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqbqiOHXGWY
Peace to you
P/S: No other Practice (1 Corinthians 11:16)
Did First Christianity understand these Verses like this?
Yes, to quote (example):
“Christian head covering and hair covering was unanimously practiced by the women of the Early Church. This was attested by multiple writers throughout the first centuries of Christianity. The early Christian writer Tertullian (150–220) explains that in his day, the Corinthian church was still practicing head covering. This is only 150 years after the Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. He said, “So, too, did the Corinthians themselves understand [Paul]. In fact, at this day the Corinthians do veil their virgins. What the apostles taught, their disciples approve.”[10] Clement of Alexandria (150–215), an early theologian, wrote, “Woman and man are to go to church decently attired…for this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled.”[11] Another theologian, Hippolytus of Rome (170–236) while giving instructions for church gatherings said “…let all the women have their heads covered with an opaque cloth…”[12] “Early church history bears witness that in Rome, Antioch, and Africa the custom [of wearing the head covering] became the norm [for the Church].”[13]
Later, in the 4th century, the church leader John Chrysostom (347–407) stated, “…the business of whether to cover one’s head was legislated by nature (see 1 Cor 11:14–15). When I say “nature,” I mean “God.” For he is the one who created nature. Take note, therefore, what great harm comes from overturning these boundaries! And don’t tell me that this is a small sin.”[14] Jerome (347–420) noted that the hair cap and the pray veil is worn by Christian women in Egypt and Syria: “do not go about with heads uncovered in defiance of the apostle’s command, for they wear a close-fitting cap and a veil.”[15] Augustine of Hippo (354–430) writes about the hair covering, “It is not becoming, even in married women, to uncover their hair, since the apostle commands women to keep their heads covered.”[16] Early Christian art also confirms that women wore headcoverings during this time period.”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_headcovering
More Details, please consider the links below for further edification:
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/head-covering-or-hair-as-covering-for-prayer-and-prophecy/amp/
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/rules-for-prayer-and-prophecy-a-beauty-lost/amp/
Obedience to God’s Word increases Inner Spiritual Beauty (a Choice for women to become their highest calling as ‘Daughters of Sarah’):
“1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.” – apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:1 – 6, NASB)
‘All else is Ugly’
The Verses in Concern Quoted Here:
“1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 16, KJV)
“1For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, … 5For He did not subject to angels the [inhabitted, ‘oikoumenēn’] world to come, concerning which we are speaking.” – Anonymous (Hebrews 2:1 – 2, 5, NASB)
[Emphasis Mine]
Warning: Any ‘Prophetic or Spiritual Calling’ may be “cancelled” if one preaches against these ‘Commands of the Lord’ (especially from 1 Corinthians 11 to 14) causing them to be ‘unrecognized in the end’ as the Verses below WARN – in Context – again, ‘as it is Written’:
“If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37 – 38, NASB)
Why please people who wouldn’t even bother if you lived or died instead of the Saviour’s Commands which please Him (John 14:15)?
Judgment or Salvation? – Our Choices in Life
If we do not believe in Lord Jesus Christ now, we forfeit participating in the First Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18) and His 1000 years Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:4 – 6) inheriting His Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10) as Kings and Priests (Revelation 5:10, Revelation 1:6) and instead may face the “Judgment part for our own sins first” due to ‘lack of faith’ (Matthew 8:10 – 12) and ‘lawlessness’ (Matthew 7:20 – 23), to quote:
” … And that man was not justified by these things, but that they were given as a sign to the people, this fact shows,-that Abraham himself, without circumcision and without observance of Sabbaths, “believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.” Then, again, Lot, without circumcision, was brought out from Sodom, receiving salvation from God. So also did Noah, pleasing God, although he was uncircumcised, receive the dimensions [of the ark], of the world of the second race [of men]. Enoch, too, pleasing God, without circumcision, discharged the office of God’s legate to the angels although he was a man, and was translated, and is preserved until now as a witness of the just judgment of God, because the angels when they had transgressed fell to the earth for judgment, but the man who pleased [God] was translated for salvation. Moreover, all the rest of the multitude of those righteous men who lived before Abraham, and of those patriarchs who preceded Moses, were justified independently of the things above mentioned, and without the law of Moses. As also Moses himself says to the people in Deuteronomy: “The Lord thy God formed a covenant in Horeb. The Lord formed not this covenant with your fathers, but for you.” Why, then, did the Lord not form the covenant for the fathers? Because “the law was not established for righteous men.” But the righteous fathers had the meaning of the Decalogue written in their hearts and souls, that is, they loved the God who made them, and did no injury to their neighbour… ” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter XVI, Point 2 & Point 3)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
Conclusion – Which part of the Torah/Law applies in the New Testament?
where Jewish believers may keep the Law/Torah on most parts:
“21and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs … 24take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.” – Believing Jewish Elders to apostle Paul (Acts 21:21, 24, NASB)
while the Gentile believers do not need to keep most parts:
“25“But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.” – Believing Jewish Elders to apostle Paul (Acts 21:25, NASB)
“1Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” … 5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.” 6The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter… 28“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.” (Acts 15:1, 5 – 6, 28 – 29, NASB)
So, disobeying any of these commandments of the Lord is considered ‘doing harm to our neighbors’ and ‘not loving your neighbor as yourself’.
In fact, you may not be recognized as apostle Paul (not me) gives the Great Apostolic Warning below after delivering these Commands to “all” the Churches of the saints (and not the Corinthian church only) under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit as follows:
“… 33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized…” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:33 – 38, NASB)
Any ministry or anything you quote that you’re doing ‘cannot save you as no one is justified by any works that they do (Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:20) which may only attain rewards but disobedience causes judgment first (Hebrews 2:2, Hebrews 9:27, Galatians 6:7)’ – can you see why ‘obedience is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15:22 – 23)?
Please be wise and let us respect and obey God’s Commands instead of man-made opinions taught against these Verses. One thing is for sure: Those who preach and obey these “New Testament Verses” are ‘not condemned and neither will be little in His Kingdom’ (Matthew 5:19).
Please don’t let the “witchcraft of disobedience” influence you:
“22Samuel said,
“Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23“For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
He has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22 – 23, NASB)
iii) Warning – Preaching or Teaching Wrongly regarding the Law/Torah part can cause one to be a TRANSGRESSOR and ‘not an extra obedient one’
“7But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8(for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do… 14But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? … 18For if I REBUILD what I have once DESTROYED, I prove myself to be a TRANSGRESSOR. 19“For through the LAW I DIED to the LAW, so that I might live to God.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 2:7 – 10, 14, 18 – 19, NASB)
Remember:
‘Humility Obeys while Pride Disobeys’ – Unknown
So, since each of us is not perfect, the degree to which we obey God is our individual level of humility and likewise the degree in which we disobey God marks our level of pride too.
Christ’s Perfect Humility is Marked by His Obedience (God’s Leadership by Example: Described in Full in Philippians 2).
Peace to you
Sheepfold1 – John 5:24 exempts afterlife Judgment for Christians
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal [age-during] life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:24, NASB)
However, everyone Christian is still judged but in this life itself accordingly as these Verses clearly Reveal (KJV):
” Hebrews 12:5-11
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
If any Christian says that these Verses refer to some believers and not all believers, please read Verse 8 again ‘carefully’ and decide the Truth for yourselves.
As for non-Christians, their afterlife Judgment is certain first next:
“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27, NASB)
Please note that the Verse above does not read that “it is appointed for men to DIE ONCE and AFTER THIS comes SOUL-SLEEP” but rather it reads “it is appointed for men to DIE ONCE and AFTER THIS comes JUDGMENT”.
Biblical Example of Afterlife Judgment: Lord Jesus Christ Himself explicitly endorsed that it’s true in the ‘Rich Man & Lazarus Story’ in Luke 16:19 – 31 in His Description of Hades/Sheol. Even if it’s a Parable, please realize that a Parable cannot use imaginary things meaning that ‘Hades must be that Way’ as Christ Described regardless. St. Irenaeous of Lyons clearly pointed that it’s not just a parable but a real story where the Rich Man’s name was Dives.
Conclusion – Distinguishing Evil vs Judgment
It doesn’t mean that everything we go through is the Judgment-part when life is hard simply because evil done to us (e. g. “unfair circumstances” due to the Evil Angelic Powers influencing men against believers, Ephesians 6:12) is Promised as a certainty to “All” (not some only) who wish to “live Godly in Christ Jesus” (Verse below). Hence it’s a Good Sign though it’s really hard to determine whether the Judgment-part or Evil we are experiencing (but let’s not stress about it too much & face it as may God have Mercy):
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – apostle Paul (2 Timothy 3:12, NASB)
As Christians, if we practice these same evil say in ‘racism’, being ‘unloving’, ‘unfair treatment or exploitation of others though it may be legal’ etc., our enduring of it does NOT count, Verses (these two cases are clearly distinguished in Holy Scripture as follows):
“For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? …” – apostle Peter (first part of 1 Peter 2:20, NASB)
” … But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.” – apostle Peter (second part of 1 Peter 2:20, NASB)
Let’s be Biblically Wise but “harmless” too:
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” – apostle Paul (Ephesians 5:16, NASB)
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and HARMLESS as doves.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:16, KJV)
“So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NASB)
Please remember that this current “age” (AEON1) is under angelic spiritual authorities (good and bad – “dignitaries”) and so don’t ‘simply throw words getting unnecessary Judgment back’:
“For if the word spoken through ANGELS proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,” (Hebrews 2:2, NASB)
“and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they REVILE ANGELIC MAJESTIES,” – apostle Peter (2 Peter 2:10, NASB)
Please allow me to repeat against such self-willed behavior in Christianity at times bringing unnecessary Judgment back upon themselves in return:
“… Daring, self-willed, they do NOT TREMBLE when they REVILE ANGELIC MAJESTIES, whereas ANGELS who are GREATER in MIGHT and POWER do NOT bring a REVILING JUDGMENT AGAINST THEM before the Lord.” – apostle Peter (2 Peter 2:10 – 11, NASB)
Yes, please use proper words even if it’s to ‘rebuke the Devil’ as this is the ‘only Biblical Way fitting for Saints’, to quote:
“But MICHAEL the ARCHANGEL, when he DISPUTED with the DEVIL and argued about the body of Moses, did NOT DARE pronounce against him a RAILING JUDGMENT, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”.” – apostle Jude (Jude 1:9, NASB)
Peace to you
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