Results 201 - 220 of 244
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Results from: Notes Author: Robert Nicholson Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
201 | The Restrainer - Revisited! | 2 Thess 2:7 | Robert Nicholson | 35239 | ||
Dear listener: I know that there are disagreements as to the one of Rev. 9:1. Whoever this is he is given that "key to the bottomless pit" which belongs to Christ according to Rev. 9:1. It is also significant to read the marginal reading of Rev. 9 V1 "I saw a star "fallen" from heaven until earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit" Rev. 9:1 I would suggest that this could relate back to Isaiah 14:12 regarding the fall of Satan (lucifer) as testified by our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 10:18. These trumpet judgements provide us with the judgment of God upon those who have hardened themselves against him. It would appear that God is using Satan to opening the bottomless pit and to release destruction never known to mankind. This bottomless pit however, is where Satan himself will be imprisioned for 1000 years. Rev. 20:1 In our present age those who have been redeemed have been given power over Satan. "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4. Who is he who hindereth the attack of the lawless one upon this earth? It would appear that it is he who has the ultimate power, our Lord Jesus Christ himself. All the events which shall happen hereafter are in his control. Is it the church? We know that "God hath not appointed us to wrath" 1 Thess. 4:9 The Lord Jesus took the wrath of God which should of been ours upon his own body on the tree. In 2 Thess. the church was being troubled with false information which informed them that they were going to suffer the "day of the Lord" It is interesting to note that in Rev.3 which covers the church age that in chapter 4 we see a door opened in heaven and the call is "come up hither" From this point on the church is always mentioned in a heavenly sense and is removed before the judgment on the earth begins. I am not a knee slapping disciple of Lehay and Co. , but I believe that the coming of Christ is seen from two aspects: a) for his people 1 Thess. 4 and with his people 2 Thess. 1. I believe that in Rev. we see an earthly company saved out of the great tribulation which includes Israel and Gentile nations who have not heard the gospel. Rev. 7 I am open to other ideas. In Christ Robert |
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202 | The Restrainer - Revisited! | 2 Thess 2:7 | Robert Nicholson | 35418 | ||
Hi Listener: I agree with your 1-5 observations. When know that the bottomless pit is not the lake of fire. When Christ comes to in judgement, Satan will be imprisoned for 1000 years Rev.20:7 However, at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ, satan will be loosed and go out to deceive the nations of the earth. In Rev. 20:9 we see the destruction of those who are deceived by him and satan or the devil cast into the lake of fire for ever and ever Rev. 20:10 Re: 2 Thess. 2: 5-7 I will quote the amplified version: Do you not recollect that when I was still with you, I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining him [from being revealed at this time]; it is so that he may be manifested (revealed) in his own [appointed] time. 7For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until [3] he who restrains is taken out of the way. It would seem that the lawless one is held back until the positve force for righteousness is removed which would fit in with the idea of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the church or the bride of Christ. God Bless. Robert |
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203 | The Restrainer - Revisited! | 2 Thess 2:7 | Robert Nicholson | 35434 | ||
HI Listener I do not see a third coming in scripture. However, the wording in 1 Cor. 15 and 1 Thess. 4 have to do with the resurrection of those who have died in Christ and those who are alive and remain. We will be changed (translated) and caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. I would say that it appears that his coming for his saints and with his saints, that both are connected to his second coming to the earth as seen in 2 Thess. 1: 8. How will his second coming unfold. We know that he will come in power and in glory to establish his earthly kingdom at the end of the great tribulation. My thoughts are that he will come to the air, the saints of this dispensation of grace, the church which is his body, the bride will meet him in the air. I do no think that there is a return to heaven, but rather a pause as the bride enters into the personal presence of Christ. He then will descend with his saints in glory and power at his appearing when every eye shall see him. The difficulty presented with this view is what period of time is there between the time the saints meet him in the air and the time when he will continue his descent to the mount of olives? The language of the bride and bridegroom in scripture is based on the ancient Eastern marriage customs. I enjoy this typology as it relates to Christ and the Bride. The example in scripture is that of Isaac and Rebekah In Gen. 24. In Gen 23, Issaac's mother dies. ( a picture of Israel set aside nationally. Gen. 24 The father sends his servant to find a bride for his son. ( a picture of the Holy Spirit bring sinners from all backgrounds to form the bride of Christ) Gen. 25 After his son meets his bride, Abraham takes a new wife. If Abraham is a picture of God this union could typify the restoration of Israel as the wife of Jehovah. Think about the following: The servant a type of the Holy Spirit finds Rebekah. He tells her about his master, and showed her tokes of his riches. The servant was anxious to take her to his master. However, she had to consent"I will go" At this point the betrothal is sealed and she is legally the promised bride for the bridegroom whom she has never seen. As the servant takes her on the journey home he protects her and tells her more of the one whom having not seen we love. Accodding to customs, while the servant is bringing the bride home, the bridegroom is preparing a place of intimacy for he and his bride. The bride is brought to the bridegroom and with the friends the marriage ceremony begins. The groom takes his bride into the specially prepared room for 7 days at which time he will share itimacy with her and show his approval for her by giving her gifts as tokens of his love. After 7 days they leave the room and joint the friends for the marriage supper. I believe that there is a heavenly company the bride who will reign with Christ. The earthly saints saved out of the Great Tribulation will include the remanent of Israel and people from every tonque, kindred, tribe and nation who will go onto enjoy peace on earth under the righteous reign of Christ. I will stop for now. I would be interested in your thoughts. Peace in his Name Robert |
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204 | The Restrainer - Revisited! | 2 Thess 2:7 | Robert Nicholson | 35581 | ||
Hi Listener: Many people have difficulty with my train of thought. Sorry. I need to clarify my thoughts. I believe that every person who trust Christ as saviour is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and during this time of grace acts as "the salt" of the earth. In other words as we approach the time when the man of Sin will be revealled, it is only God who holds back his evil forces by his Spirit in each member of the church. If we accept the pre-trib rapture the Church which is his body consisting of all true believers will be with Christ. Personally, I don't see the church which is his body on the earth after chp. 4 "when a door is open in heaven'. I do not believe that the beast is being restrained physically. However, if when this restraining influence is removed, than God will allow this wicked one (lawless one) to be revealled. Professing Christendom after the church is gone will be those who profess to be Christians and have never been born again will accept the beast because "God will send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie" that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. This is the beginning of the Great tribulation. In Rev. 6 we have the opening of the seal judgments upon the earth. In Rev. 7:3 we see that God is instructing them to "hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads" In the remainder of this chapter we find a remnant seal out of Israel in addition to a "great multitude which no man could number of all nations"V.9 In other words, despite the judgement which is coming upon the earth God is saving people who will be part to the earthly remanent which will go into the milleniel kingdom. In Rev. 8 we have seven trumpet judgments. These judgments are more intense than the 7 seals. We find here that he earth, the sea, the water and the solar heaven. These judgments are upon those which "ave not the seal of God in their foreheads" Chp. 9 v5 In Rev. 9 "we see a star fallen from heaven to the earth" This I believe is satan and in the first woe, he is given the key to the bottomless pit from which he releases the demons of judgement against those who have rejected God. This has nothing to do with the church which is a heavenly company with Christ. During the great triublation, God will judge those who have rejected him and find that even with the intensity of the judgment increasing "The rest of men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands..."Chp 9:20 In a general sense I believe that after the church is taken away, that their occuppation is a heavenly one along with the old testament saints who have died in faith. On the earth, there will be those saved primarily from Israel and from Gentile nations who have not rejected Christ and will survive the great tribulation and go into the earthly millenial Kingdom. The picture I have of the Millenium is of a heavenly company and an earthly company in which their will be communication and mutual worship of Christ. In the final eternal state, we know that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. Rev.22 Do I make any sense at all. Robert |
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205 | Left Behind in error w 2 Thess. 2:7-11? | 2 Thess 2:12 | Robert Nicholson | 44451 | ||
Mommapbs: I appreciate the amount of thought and study you have put into this subject. Their are some things that only eternity will reveal. I agree that the rapture is not the second coming of Christ to the earth when he will come in Power and glory and will put down all who are against him. I also agree that their will be millions saved including Jew and Gentile after the rapture, during the great tribulation. Having said that, it would appear from 2 Thess. 2 that after the rapture, the wicked one will be revealed. V.8 abd ub v9 "even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" V.10 Not only will these people be deceived by the wicked one "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."V11-12 We Jesus takes the church away, there will be many who know the truth and in fact have rejected the truth. As I said in an earlier post I do not think we have a second chance once we miss God's salvation either by dying in our sins or missing the rapture of the church. We know that God is going to turn back to his people in grace and this grace will reach out to people from every nation who have not rejected the truth. I fear for those who in this day of grace when God by his Spirit deals individually with the hearts of humans, such privilege also brings accountability. We must answer Pilate's question "what shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ?" Thank God for Calvary, rather thank him for our Saviour who gave his all that we though unworthy and sinful, might be redeemed and made acceptable to God in him. Praise his precious Name! Thanks for chatting Robert |
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206 | Can a woman speak in church? | 1 Tim 2:15 | Robert Nicholson | 27900 | ||
Dear brother: I realize that this is not an answer to your primary question. However, I would like to carry on from your last post. "She shall be saved in childbearing "childrearing" How? "If she continue in faith, and charity and holiness and sobriety" V. 15 The word "saved" in this verse actually means she will be perserved. I believe that what Paul means is that a Christian woman who maintains a faithful life before her children, that her testimony will have an impact on her children. And like the woman of Proverbs 31 "her children will rise up, and call her blessed" V. 28. Conversely, the woman who does not maintain a faithful testimony before her children may have great aggravation in childrearing. I have difficulty with the amplified translation on this one. Peace in Our Saviour's Name Robert |
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207 | fall upward? | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33394 | ||
God bless you too Johnny The Lord knoweth them that are his. I guess we disagree on eternal security. I belong to Christ because he called me by his Spirit when I was lost and in my sin. I put my trust in him who died for me upon the cross. My salvation does not depend on baptism by a minister or some church creed. I plead only the precious blood of Christ which was shed on Calvary's cross and that he lives at the right hand of God on high peace in his name Robert |
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208 | fall upward? | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33395 | ||
Dear overseer: We must remember that there is a Judgment seat for those who belong to Christ which Paul refers to as the "Bema" which is the reward seat for those who have run the race. 2 Cor. 5:10 If you refer to 1 Cor. 3:12-14 refers to this judgment. When our works and motives after we are saved are judged by God. "The fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" In Verse 15 "If any man's work shall be burned he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" The judgment seat of Christ is not for judging sin because sin was judged when he bore its awful load on the cross. There is also the Great White throne judgment when the dead small and great will stand before God Rev.20. This judgement is the end for all who have died outside of Christ and who have rejected him. The two judgments which I have mentioned show that God is impartial and righteous in his Judgement. We make a choice by faith to accept the judgment as borne by Christ or we can reject Christ and suffer for our own sins. John 3:36 the NAS translation replaces "he that believeth not the Son" KJV to "he who does not obey the Son" What obedience is this talking about. This is not the Christian life which is in view, but the attitude of a lost sinner who does not obey the gospel. John in 1 John 5:12 we read "He that hath the son hath life, he that hath not the son of God hath not life" God bless Robert |
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209 | fall upward? | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33420 | ||
Brother Johnny: I apologize for not getting back sooner. I will look at the scriptures which you provided me with on your last post at get back to you tomorrow morning if the Lord will. Just a few thoughts on eternal security. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" When we trust Christ we are changed from within and given new life in him. Our new nature in him desires to please him and live for him. However, we still have the old nature which would try to draw us away from our purpose in Christ. This is a daily war which the believer encounters every day. However, when we are born again we are placed as sons in the family of God. We may fail him through coldness of heart and sin and yet we remain a son. Sometimes we confuse the position which we have been brought into by Christ with discipleship. I will be back Peace in his Name Rober |
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210 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33510 | ||
Zach: Thank you for your response. I will attempt to address the scriptures which you have provided. I am experiencing trouble with the preview function on the forum, hence, I am sending this response in 3 parts. Part One: The first example: On the one hand we have those who are promised by Jesus that “they will never perish” John 10:28 and on the other hand he speaks of those “who will seek to enter in but will not be able”Luke 13:23 On the surface my question would be “Is God’s grace in salvation limited? In the same verse you have quoted Jesus words “Strive to enter in at the narrow door” In John 10 the Lord Jesus is using the metaphors of the sheep fold, the shepherd and the sheep to represent; the place of safety, Christ himself and people of this world. In v.5 “Jesus states, “ I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture” What does Jesus mean? He explains: The sheep fold in Jesus time was a walled structure which has only one opening. The door to the opening when the sheep were inside was the shepherd himself who would lay across the opening during the night. Anything or one who tried to get into the fold had to go through the door which was the shepherd. The safety of the sheep was dependent on the care of the shepherd. Secondly, not only does the shepherd keep us in the fold, he leads us out into good pasture which would suggest that this shepherd looks after all our needs both day and night. In light of this metaphor, the Lord Jesus tells them plainly v. 7 “I am the good Shepherd, the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” and because of his death for the sheep he tells us “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish” He goes on to tells that those who are in his fold are kept in his hand and in his Father’s hand. I believe that we see the eternal security of those who belong to Christ from the God-ward side. What does Jesus mean “some will seek to enter and will not be able?” In Luke 13:23 Jesus makes it clear that humans who have heard the word must “Strive or agonize to enter in at the narrow door” Paul quotes from Isaiah “Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” In the message of Jesus and of Paul we find that there is an urgency and responsibility on the part of humans to put everything they have into finding Christ before their day of visitation is past. God speaks to sinners by his spirit and would convict them of their need of Christ, however if they choose to ignore his call, they may find themselves outside of Christ or the door forever. The security of those who have entered the door by faith are dependent on the Shepherd for safety. On the other hand, as humans we cannot trifle with the Grace of God when he calls us by his Spirit, if we desire to be safe for eternity, we must listen to his voice and enter by the door which is Christ himself. In Christ Robert |
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211 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33511 | ||
Zach: Thank you for your patience: Part Two Example 2: Peter in 1 Peter 1: 3-4 in writing to believers provides assurance in the true of what those in Christ have been brought into “ In his mercy he has given us the new birth...into an inheritance that can never perish” On the other hand in 2 Peter 1:10 he emphasizes to the believers “Therefore my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. Does Peter mean that we can depend on the promises of God that we have eternal life through the new birth and yet on the other hand we should keep making sure we are safe? I would answer “Yes” in light of what he is teaching in the chapter, it is necessary. How then do we test to make sure? In v. 5-8 Peter list the qualities which should characterize a Christian. He tells them that if they keep these qualities in view and grow in them, then “they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” V8 I believe that this growth is attained by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives in conjunction with our willingness to obey him in our lives. In verse 9 he cites those who lack these qualities “For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, have forgotten his purification from his former sins.” In v. 10 Peter then instructs them that they must “be diligent to make their calling and election sure” Why? V10 if “they practice these things”( the things mentioned before) they shall never fall (stumble) It is Christian walk which is in view , “for in this way an entrance into the kingdom into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will abundantly supplied to you. In other words the person who walks before God and whose motive is to bring glory and honor to Christ will receive an abundant entrance. Peter’s view here is service and reward. These are Peter's last words to these Christians before his martyrdom and he wants them “to be diligent that at any time after my departure you may call these things to mind” V.15 In comparing these two verse I do not see a contradiction. Our position in Christ is secure, while our daily walk is our responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and the end result will be in “fruit” which will bring glory and honor to God. If we grieve the Holy Spirit in our lives and do not put our utmost diligence in walking for God, the lack of “fruit” will be our loss at the Judgment seat of Christ. 1 Cor. 3: 12-15 Zach I will send a second part to this response on the last reference to Paul. Peace in his Name Robert |
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212 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33518 | ||
Zach Greetings from the cold white North Part 3 Paul states that “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Rom. 8:39 and yet in 1 Cor. 9:27 shows concern that he could end up disqualified for the prize. Does this mean that Paul believed that he could lose his salvation in Christ? I don’t think so. Paul also writes “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul suffered greatly for the testimony of the gospel of Christ, not to earn his eternal salvation, but rather out of devotion to Christ. In 1 Cor. 9 is Paul’s defense to them who had accused him of not being an apostle v.2-3 As he reviews his life of service for God, in verse 24-29 he is using a metaphor of the Olympic games to illustrate his method of service. In v.24 he likens the Christian walk “race”, the runner must be qualified to run and the runner who has trained and has strong self-discipline will be the one who is not distracted, keeping his eye always on the prize (award) at the end of the race. In v.25 he contrasts the award which an Olympic runner would get as perishable compared to that of a Christian who runs well and will receive an award which perisheth not. To be in the race of the Christian walk we must first of all be “in Christ” to qualify. If we want to be pleasing to him we will keep our eye on him and not be distracted by those things which would compromise our run for him. If we become disqualified during the race, what will we lose? We will lose the prize or award which is given at the Judgment seat of Christ. 1 Cor. 3: 12-15. Paul in v.26 describes his own race: “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; ( the runner has focus as he runs) “I box in such a way, not as one that beating the air” ( as a boxer he is again focused on his purpose and is effective) The metaphor continues in V27 “I buffet my body, and make it my slave” Paul is speaking of training and self-discipline which will keep the athlete in the race knowing that if he fails to keep himself discipline spiritually, there is the possibility that he will make shipwreck of his life and be disqualified for the award which should be his providing he run the course lawfully. I believe that Paul is teaching that as Christians we cannot become lax in our approach to our walk before God. Paul mentions in Romans “I die daily” meaning that the desires which our sinful nature would bring before us, we must reckon them dead and not allow them to reign in our body. Zach: back to your original question and scripture. I believe that in the last days, many will fall away. We live in a time much like the days of the Church of Laodicea Rev. 3:14-20 when those who profess to be Christians are generally “lukewarm” toward God and their own perception of self is that “I am rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing”. We find that the professing Church has pushed Christ outside the door and are self-sufficient. He appeals to the individuals of that time “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me” Christians can and will be deceived by false teachers and yet even though they have fallen, they are still part of the family of God. The bottom line is “the Lord knoweth them that are his” Yours by his grace alone Robert |
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213 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 37276 | ||
Dear brother: Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I realize on this forum that we are not to try and change a persons beliefs. However, Your quote "l for those like myself who believe Scripture states that one can depart totally from the faith he/she previously held. " I understand your differentiation between "falling" and "falling away". I do not believe that a true believer can fall away since "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1Peter 3:5) This salvation is in the present and continuous tense. I believe that all "newborns" into the kingdom of God are indwelt or sealed by the Holy Spirit and that none are born sickly. I agree that as individuals we can become sickly due to our resistance to be obedient to God and that "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Hebrews 12:6) This is my opinion: I think that by believing that I can be lost, robs me of the security that I put in Christ in the first place upon believing. I have read many articles on Heb.6:4-6 and I believe that this reference is not an article in support of saved and fallen away. I will not enlarge on this at the moment. God bless you dear brother in your study of his word. Peace in our Saviour's name Robert |
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214 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 37444 | ||
Dear brother: You have rightly pointed out that we are kept and we are to keep ourselves in the love of God. I tend to make a difference between eternal security and discipleship. When we trust Christ we receive eternal life John 3:16 As those indwelt by his Spirit "we hear his voice" John 10 and as sheep of his pasture we follow him. We know however, that following Jesus is not some passive exercise in which we wait for the good Shepherd to guide our every move. In our relationship we still have free will and it is through our obedience that we bring glory to his name. Nevertheless, we can become like Peter and warm ourselves at the world's fires and even deny our saviour because of the fear of man. I believe, however, like Peter of old, the person who is truly born again will have a conscience and will not be happy until they repent and confess their sin to God. Sin in a believer's life will break communion with God or cause one to walk afar off. Just a few thoughts In Christ Robert |
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215 | The Ministry of the "Walking Wounded" | 1 Tim 4:6 | Robert Nicholson | 35235 | ||
Dear brother Charis: The problem with politics is ....they should not control a church. Christ should be the center of all gatherings to his precious name. Dear brother our thoughts and prayers are with you and we pray that God will bring you blessings as you "do what God has given you to do." I am so thankful that our joy and security do not rest on church organizations, but they rest on Christ the solid rock. Peace in his precious name Robert |
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216 | Eternal Security is it possible? | 2 Tim 1:12 | Robert Nicholson | 54337 | ||
Good morning New Creature: I apologize for taking so long to respond. I believe that in Romans 11 we have a comparision of the workings of God with Israel nationally and the Gentile nations. In v.25 we read that"...blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" I think that in Romans 11 we more of a national view rather than a view in the individual Christian. In v. 13 He is speaking to the Gentiles and explaining this mystery that the Gentiles who are likened to the wild olive tree are being grafted in to the good olive tree. Conversely, because of unbelief some of the natural branches have been broken off. The warning is that even though they (the Gentiles) have been grafted in, they should not boast of this blessing. The warning is that God could turn away from the Gentile nations and in fact he will turn back to Israel in his own time. In verse 22 the words "if thou continue in his goodness" I believe that the if is not questioning there security in Christ, but is the if of argument meaning "since" you continue in his goodness. I do not believe that the scriptures contradict themselves or that God will go back on his word. When he gives us the gift of eternal life through Christ, he will not take it back. It has been paid for with the precious blood of Christ and is not dependent on my subsequent behavior after I have been saved. The sign that we have divine life within is that "we follow him" and out of love and devotion to him our lives should in some measure honor him. I realize that some believe that we can we saved and lost, however, I rest upon the promises of Christ, one being "they shall never perish. Peace in our Saviour's name Robert |
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217 | Eternal Security is it possible? | 2 Tim 1:12 | Robert Nicholson | 54342 | ||
Greetings Grace and Truth: I do not know much about angels who kept not their first estate. They are in a different sphere than humans. That is the amazing thing about God's grace is that he choose to reveal himself to fallen man through Christ. Christ died for our sins and because of his work and worth we can rejoice that our sins are forgiven. Rev. 2:10 is dealing with faithfulness as a Christain and subsequent reward, not our security in him. I love these words: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:34 -39 Peace in his name Robert |
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218 | Eternal Security is it possible? | 2 Tim 1:12 | Robert Nicholson | 54606 | ||
Grace and Truth: It is not my intention to cause contention, but I would like to respond to your answer. I believe that we must "rightly divide the word of Truth" The Lord Jesus taught clearly that there are those who have life and those who have not live. We are either in one group or the other. The only foundation upon which we can build is the Lord Jesus Christ who is referred to as " an anchor to the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" Heb. 6:19 The Lord Jesus taught that those who are on the rock are safe Matt. 7:25 Throughout the book of Matthew the Lord is dealing with the reality of profession. In Matt. 7: 13-14 we have two ways, one leading to life and the other to destruction. In v.15-20 we have two types of prophets which can be tested by their fruits. In V 21-23 Two types of professors, those who are real and those who are false. I believe that in our world today there are thousands who profess to be Christian and have never knew Christ. They have done things in his name along with many christian type works and yet they have never been born again. The Lord is telling us that the day will come when there false profession will be exposed. In v24-29 the Lord Jesus points out that there are two foundations upon which one can build. "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken to a wise man, which built his house upon the rock" What does it mean to hear his sayings? In John 5;24 Jesus explains this "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. This verse tells us that once we place faith in the finished work of Christ that we have a present possession "everlasting life" and we no longer stand in a place of condemnation. Even more wonderful we have passed from death (spiritual) unto life. In Matt. 25 1-13 is speaking again of one group of 10 virgins who profess to be waiting for the coming of the bridgegroom. They all slumbered and slept and to the human eye were identifical. However, the Lord tells us the 10 are divided into two groups, those with oil in their lamps and those without oil in their lamps. Oil in the scripture is symbolic of the Spirit of God. We find that the time of realty is realized at the moment the call came. There were those with light and those in darkness and those with light could not help those in darkness. Those that were ready went in with the bridegroom to the marriage and the door was shut. The others who professed to be waiting for the bridegroom came knocking only to hear the word "I know you not" Do you not think we have an important lesson here? That we must be ready, we must know Christ if we expect to be taken to him when he comes? The scriptures tell us "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9 Regarding overcomers: We can never become overcomers with our own strength, as Paul said, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." Romans 7:18 In other words even though we desire to please God after we are saved, we cannot do it on our own. In fact we are given the secret "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13 This most certainly ties in with the verses I have already quoted from Romans 8 especially verse 37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." In 1 John 4:4 we read "Ye are of God, little children and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" Overcomers are those who have come over to Christ by faith who indwells us with his Holy Spirit and gives us the power to be overcomers in him. In Revelation 22:19 we have a warning with dire consequences. A person who knows Christ and is indwelt by his Spirit will never despise the word of God or try to take away from anything God has said. I agree that Mark 16, 9-20 is inspired and have never thought otherwise. In verse 16 the Lord Jesus speaks words similar to John 5:24, that there are two groups of people: He that believeth and he that believeth not. He that believeth and is baptised: please note that believeth comes first, then baptism. We know from other scriptures that upon believing a soul is born from above and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We also know from other scriptures that upon receiving eternal life that Christians in obedience to the words of Christ were baptised outwardly proclaiming what has happen within. The mark of a Christian is "my sheep hear my voice and they follow me" Robert |
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219 | What are the qualification for an elder | Titus 1:5 | Robert Nicholson | 67385 | ||
Jr. Deacon and brother justme: Greetings: Just a couple thoughts on the work of an overseer. First of all it is a good work. 1 Tim. 3:1 It is not a position, but a work which I believe will be evident in the life of the person who desires this work. It is not for a novice (1 Tim. 3:6) The overseerers in the early church were appointed by the Holy Spirit: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) An overseer is a undershepherd, under Christ the good Shepherd. It is a work of giving, self sacrificing and grace which includes: leading by example, feeding from God's word, protecting from false teachers and watching for the souls of the flock. Just a few thoughts Robert |
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220 | DID JESUS EVER MARRY OR HAVE THE TEMPTAT | Heb 2:17 | Robert Nicholson | 35231 | ||
Suzyq: Jesus did not experience being: a) a women b) a gentile c) a person living in our modern world And yet he is still able to be our High Priest who knows our needs and cares. Did he want to have a wife. The Bible doesn't say. However, in the verses from Isaiah 53 we relize that there was no one to carry on his generation. We find however, that his seed is a spiritual generation, namely those who have been saved by faith in his redemptive work. Please do not allow things which we are not told to distract you from the main person, our Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins and arose from the dead for our justification. May God bless you and your friends as you study his word. Robert |
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