Results 221 - 240 of 244
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Results from: Notes Author: Robert Nicholson Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
221 | Can He sympathize with EVERY weakness? | Heb 4:15 | Robert Nicholson | 68578 | ||
Cheryl One more thought. Some will say "how can Jesus be a sympathetic high priest since he never sinned etc. How can he sympathize with the immoral person etc. What we must remember that although Jesus never sinned and could not sin, that upon Calvarys cross, he was made sin for us, and as such he experience the punishment on the cross for those sins. He knows the consequences of sins, because he bore them upon the cross. Praise his name. Robert |
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222 | If you are saved can you lose it | Heb 6:6 | Robert Nicholson | 75582 | ||
You state "the doctrine of eternal security is false". I find that when professing Christians make quick comments such as this the warning flags go up for me. Why can I not rest upon the Words of the Lord Jesus in which he speaks of giving eternal life? In fact as Peter said, "to whom shall we go for thou hast the words of eternal life?"(John 6:68) The life which Christ gives to the guilty sinner is not temporary or dependent on the works or faithfulness of the person who needs a Savior. The reason we need such a savior is that we are condemned already, we are without strength and we cannot earn or keep our salvation. God's salvation rests upon the finished work of Christ on the cross who "offered one sacrifice for sins for ever..."(Heb. 10:12) Eternal or everlasting life becomes the possession of those who rest where God has rested in the work and worth of the sacrifice of Christ. According to Eph. 2:1 we "who were dead in tresspasses and sins" have been quickened or made alive in Christ. In John 1:13 speaking of those who received him and believed on his name "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" This is reinforced by the Lord Jesus who taught Nicodemus that "we must be born from above" (John 3:3,5,7) "For by grace are ye saved (we are saved), through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God not of works lest any should boast" Eph. 2:8-9 God wants us to have eternal life and he wants us to know for sure that we have it. One verse which comes to mind is "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that you have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" How can we suggest eternal security is false in the face of the words of Jesus himself "Whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." On Christ salvation rests secure The rock of ages must endure Nor can the faith be overthrown Which rests upon the living Stone. Robert |
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223 | If you are saved can you lose it | Heb 6:6 | Robert Nicholson | 75604 | ||
Sniper: I do not believe that God's word supports the idea that a person can lose that which he has given. We know that as children of God we have "been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ a lamb without blemish and without sport" (1Peter 1:19) As spiritual members in the family of God we cannot give up that relationship because our acceptance is not based on our Christian walk, but "he hath made us to be accepted in the beloved".Eph. 1:6 Paul continues "...in whom after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession..."Eph. 1:13-14. Our walk in Christ or as you have mentioned our walking in the light will effect our fellowship with God our Father, but will never put us out of the family. According to 1 John 1 we will sin and we can be forgiven to keep our fellowship clear with the Father. Not only that "we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteousness" ( 1John 2:1) who is seated at the right hand of God. I do not ignore Heb. 6, Heb. 10:36-39 or 12:15-17 Nor do I overlook Gal. 4: 7-9 However, when studying the scriptures I am aware that there is no contradictions in the scriptures and if I find a verse which does not seem to fit with the overall truth of the scripture, than we must look to God for the interpretation. As you are aware there are at least 3 views on Heb.6: 1-9. First of all Hebrews was written to the professing Jewish believers who were undergoing extreme persecution for the name of Christ. There was the danger of some going back to Judaism especially if they were mere professors in Christ. In the opening verses of Heb. 6, the writer is not accusing anyone of going back or turning away from their faith in Christ, but is encouraging them "let us go on unto maturity (perfection) in Christ. In v. 3-8 is stressing a hpypothetical situation of what would happen to a saved person if they could fall away. To be born again and indwelt by the Spirit of God and to somehow fall away, they would be in action be saying that the blood of Christ is not sufficient to keep them once and for all. They put to open shame the work of the Son of God.V.6 However, the writer of the Heb. addresses those who are saved "But beloved, we are confident (persuaded) better things of you, and things that accompany salvation" v.9 In Heb. 10:38 "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" However in v.39 we read "But we are not of them who draw back unto judgement; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. In verse 38 the writer is setting down the principles of God. He emphasizes that those who are saved "are not of them who draw back into judgment" In Heb. 12:15-17 We are given the example of an apostate which is pictured in Esau who looked on his birthright not a worthy thing. He had no faith in what God had for him. He sold himself out and when he looked for what was his inheritance, he found that he made an irreversible choice. I do not think Paul is referring to turn away from their salvation in this passage. In v. 7 we are reminded of our position in Christ. "if a son, then an heir of God through Christ". The problem with the Galation was that they had experienced the freedom which is found in Christ. They had been freed from their sin and the curse of the Law chp. 3:13 He reminds them that they are heirs of the free. However, there were those who were trying to bring them back under the bondage of the law from which they had been freed. Thus he says "How turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage."V.9 In Chp. 5 we are exhorted "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal. 5:1 Before we were saved we were the bondservants of sin (Rom. 6:17) But in Christ we are "made free from sin and became the bondservants of righteousness. (Rom. 6:18) I believe that my eternal security depends upon the work and worth of Christ in whom I rest my all. I believe that all born again people are indwelt with the Spirit of God and as such walk in the Spirit who will guide us and give us power to live for Christ. Robert |
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224 | If you are saved can you lose it | Heb 6:6 | Robert Nicholson | 75647 | ||
Sniper: It is not my intention to strive with the scriptures. I apologize for my inability to communicate. However, the audience to whom the writer is communicating to is in V.9 "Beloved we are persuaded better things of you..." The preceding warning is covering the question if they were able to turn away. I would recommend a sermon by C.H. Spurgeon on the topic. It is found at http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0075.htm In Heb. 10:38 I never suggested that "those who draw back" were never saved. The writer is emphasizing in V. 39 "We are not of them who draw back unto judgement, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" How can we perervere? How can we be overcomers? In both cases we are dependent upon God for our perserverence. Peter writes "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5) Your last point. "I do not believe there are any examples in scripture of people who accepted the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23) Peace in his name Robert |
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225 | If you are saved can you lose it | Heb 6:6 | Robert Nicholson | 75648 | ||
Sniper: Please note the correction to the final paragraph to you in my last post. You have suggested that the Bible teaches you can turn away from God's gift. I do not know of any examples in scripture in which people who have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and then turned away from it. Robert |
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226 | If you are saved can you lose it | Heb 6:6 | Robert Nicholson | 75662 | ||
Sniper: It is not my intention to be unkind. As I am sure you are aware there is different points of view on Simon the Sorcerer. It tells us he "also believed and was baptized" However, the fruit of his life seemed to indicate something different. His motives for professing Christianity were uncovered. As we see from the chapter that the gospel caused him in his previous occuppation as a "great man" to be undermined. He no longer had power with the people and thought that if he could buy this new power (the Holy Spirit) this would put him back in the place of favor. His heart is exposed and the language used to describe him does not reflect that of a person born again. Demas of 2 Tim 4 had forsaken Paul and the Lord's work. This does not suggest that he lost his salvation and we are not told whether or not he was brought back to God. I believe there is a difference between: Falling and falling away. We have many examples of believers from both the old and new testaments which fell. Some fell to the point in which we would probably wonder if they were saved at all. Yet the Lord chastened them in their lives and brought them back into fellowship with himself. When we fall we do not lose our eternal salvation, but we do mar the fellowship we have with God and our testimony to those without. I know that in my own life I have had times when I was cold in heart and away from the Lord. But he never left me alone. There is nothing more miserable than a Christian away from the Lord. We find that when we were saved that we are spoiled for the world. We may for a while try to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. There is nothing in this world however, that will satisfy our hungry soul. Christ is the only one who satifies. Peace in his name Robert |
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227 | Does the Bible ever lie? | Heb 6:18 | Robert Nicholson | 33367 | ||
Dear brother Praise Master I would suggest that God's Word is true in its report of Satan, his lies and his distortion of the truth. I agree that the words of Satan and his followers are lies. The Bible exposes him and records his treachery. Satan is one of the most under-estimated evil powers of whom we are warned over and over again, "we are not ignorant of his devices" (1 Cor. 2:11) In Gen. 3 we are introduced to Satan in the from of the subtle serpent who questions the Word of God: "hath God said?" In Job we see him as the accuser of God's servant. He challenges God regarding Job's motives for loving God and walking in his ways. We know that this was a lie. However, God allowed Job to suffer terrible persecution, only to prove to Satan in the words of Job " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him..."Job 13:15 In the New Testament we have Satan quoting scripture to the Lord Jesus the Son of God trying to trip him up and mar him as the perfect man. This of course shows that Satan does not know all and he most certainly did not know Christ. The Lord Jesus simply quoted the appropriate scripture back to him and shut his mouth. The warnings by the Lord Jesus and the apostles regarding the work and attacks of Satan must be heeded and yet the Christian should not despair. John teaches "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4) In other words when we are saved we are given the Holy Spirit within who is greater than Satan. We have also been given the armour of God to withstand the wicked one. We could discuss his many guises etc, but that is a different topic, howbeit necessary in these evil days. The truth of the Word of God is seen in the way it reports and exposes the sins of humans through the centuries and the disobedience of his own people along with the short comings of those who are saved. The Bible does not lie, but it reports those that do and shows their folly with the hope that we who read it would benefit from it. God's blessings to you Robert |
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228 | Is Time a Dressing Room for Eternity? | Heb 9:27 | Robert Nicholson | 39012 | ||
Heistthe1 Thank you for the references. We were born dead in sin and yet God by his grace has offered us eternal life as a free gift through our Lord Jesus Christ. The tragedy, is that there are many who are dead in sin and will die physically without Christ. "Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation"(2 Cor. 6:2) God bless his word Robert |
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229 | How was Jesus slain 'before' ? | 1 Pet 1:20 | Robert Nicholson | 81627 | ||
I believe that when we read about "Jesus slain before the foundation of the world" we are given a snapshot into God's view which is eternal. Even before the world was made God in his grace had a plan in place whereby his banished be not expelled from him for all eternity. Similar language is used in Eph 1 in which he sees us as seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus. However, we know that even though God views redemption as a finished work that in our view things are past, present and future. "When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son" (Gal. 4:4) Our Savior came into the world at the exact time which God had planned and died upon Calvary at the eact time. We also know that he will come again at the exact time which God only knows. God did not look at the world was we do and wonder "what next?" indeed he knows the beginning to the end. Through all the countless ages of eternity one aspect of him will be as a lamb freshly slain. Praise his precious name! Ropbert |
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230 | How was Jesus slain 'before' ? | 1 Pet 1:20 | Robert Nicholson | 81628 | ||
I believe that when we read about "Jesus slain before the foundation of the world" we are given a snapshot into God's view which is eternal. Even before the world was made God in his grace had a plan in place whereby his banished be not expelled from him for all eternity. Similar language is used in Eph 1 in which he sees us as seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus. However, we know that even though God views redemption as a finished work that in our view things are past, present and future. "When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son" (Gal. 4:4) Our Savior came into the world at the exact time which God had planned and died upon Calvary at the eact time. We also know that he will come again at the exact time which God only knows. God did not look at the world was we do and wonder "what next?" indeed he knows the beginning to the end. Through all the countless ages of eternity one aspect of him will be as a lamb freshly slain. Praise his precious name! Ropbert |
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231 | How can we influence who is saved? | 1 Pet 2:9 | Robert Nicholson | 27546 | ||
Thank you Joe: I have great respect for J.L. Packer and will read the book. I have wrestled with this subject for some time. Robert |
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232 | How can we influence who is saved? | 1 Pet 2:9 | Robert Nicholson | 27550 | ||
Bro. Lionstrong Thank you for your response. I agree that God is not obligated to show mercy to anyone. What I am trying to express is that there will not be one lost soul at the Great white Throne who will be able to cite unfairness on God's part. The books will be open, the works reviewed and the Book of Life will show that their name is not there. They will bow their head in silent agreement with God that they indeed deserve judgement forever. Do you not think that there are those who have been drawn to the saviour by the Holy Spirit and yet have refused Christ? Although God is not obligated to call anyone to salvation, does he not call the whosoever? Robert |
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233 | How can God let us go through pain? | 1 Pet 2:24 | Robert Nicholson | 42866 | ||
I believe there are two types of suffering a Christian can experience. 1. Suffering which is the consequences of our own choice. For example if I smoke and end up with heart disease of lung cancer I can hardly blame God. If I abuse alcohol, I cannot blame God for the turmoil in my life, within my family or the cirrosis of my liver. If I insist on driving beyond the laws of the land I cannot blame God if I suffer loss, injury or death of loved ones who ride with me. 2. However, I believe that God allows trials in our lives which shape us into what we are today. He wants us to be changed into the image of our Lord Jesus. Paul is a good example of one who suffered. In 2 Cor. 12:7 we read that he was given a "thorn" in the flesh lest he be exalted with pride. He asked the Lord 3 times to take it away. His answer from God was "My Grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" 2 Cor.12:9 Many trials in our lives bring about empathy within us and allow us to be a blessing to others going through a similar trial. I can speak from experience that if we do not set priorities in our lives with Christ in first place, that because he loves us he will bring about circumstances which eventually bring us closer to himself. The comfort we have is found in 1 Cor. 10:13 "There is no temptation (trial) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted (tested) above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape , that you may be able to bear it" I believe that he scriptures make it clear that when we pray even for healing it should always be "if the Lord will". We have no right to always assume that it is the Lord's will for a person to be healed, in fact it may be God's plan in the case of a Christian to take him/her home. Peace Robert |
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234 | The Substitute! | 1 John 2:2 | Robert Nicholson | 34252 | ||
Makarios: Amen to your post. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter3:18) This sacrifice was once and for all. He satisfied the claims of a Holy God against sin. The sin question as far as God is concerned has been dealt with at Calvary. His atonement for sin is offered to the whole world. All who are unsaved of part of the world before we were saved, and thank God for his unconditional love and grace which provides for all a way to be forgiven of their sins and at peace with God forever. When Christ died upon Calvary's cross, my sins were all future and it was all my sins that be bore in his own body on the tree. The reaction of sinners to the atoning work of Christ does not diminish in anyway way the work which he has accomplished. Such love surpassing human thought That thou blest Lamb of God Should bear sin's curse And interpose, thine own most precious blood. |
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235 | One sacrifice for sins forever ! | 1 John 2:2 | Robert Nicholson | 45036 | ||
Dear friends: I have been enjoying the words of the woman of Tekoah found in 2 Samuel 14:14 "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him." It would appear that from this verse we are made to understand our mortality, our weakness and that their is nothing special in us that God should favour us. Yet God in his grace has "devised a means whereby his banished be not expelled" That means is found in the sacrifice of his Son who provided the way and means that those who are banished by sin be not expelled forever. "And he is the propitiation for our sins; but not for ours only but for (the sins) of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 What we read here is very deep truth. I believe it sets before us the sacrifice of Christ from a God-ward side. The sacrifice of Christ has satisfied God's holy throne against sin. The sin question as viewed from the throne of a holy and righteous God is settled through the sacifice of his Son. In the old testament times we see proitiation as the mercy seat, wherein once a year the priest entered for the people, not without blood, and sprinled the mercy seat with the blood which covered the sin of the people for another year. Because of the blood they had a seat of mercy rather than a seat of judgment. This of course, was a type which represented the sacrifice of Christ when he would offer himself without sin unto God once and for all. What does propitiation mean? It means that a holy God is satisfied with the sacrifice of the lamb of God for our sin. His throne of righteousness is satisfied. The sacrifice of Christ is what God's holy throne demanded and nothing less. Through Christ God now has a ground upon which he can righteously grant pardon or forgiveness to lost sinners. Is this not God's side of salvation? His throne is fully satisfied with Christ and his work on the cross, even if all reject him as saviour? This should humble us before God? Especially, when we realize that God by his grace has offered forgiveness to those who accept Christ through faith. Christ died for all. Forgiveness is offered to all.( Romans 3:22) However, forgiveness is only realized by those who will accept God's terms which is to acknowledge our need (repentance) and to rest by faith in Christ, in other words we must rest where God has rested. Robert |
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236 | eternal security | 1 John 5:11 | Robert Nicholson | 43206 | ||
dear farout: I rejoice in the truth of eternal security. However, we know that Christians can not live in sinless perfection as long as we have to contend with the World, the flesh and the devil. Nevertheless, it should be our exercise before the Lord that we would allow his Spirit to give us wisdom and strength to avoid the pollutions of the world. I know from my own experience that a Christian can get cold and away from the Lord. Yet deep down in my soul I always had a sense of his presence and conviction for those things which were not pleasing to himself. Peter is a good example of one who denied the Lord as he sat afraid at the worlds fire. However, when the Lord looked on him, that look melted Peter,s heart and he wept in bitterly in repentance. We know that Peter went on to be a great soldier of the cross and in contrast to the man who was once afraid of being associated with Christ; he was horribly martyred for the sake of the one he loved. I agree with you last paragraph. We must rest on what God in his word declares and not become obsessed with our own subjective opinions or feelings. I love the words of an old hymn: "On Christ salavation rests secure, The rock of ages must endure, Nor can the faith be overthrown Which rests upon the living stone! Praise his precious name Robert |
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237 | Help!! | 2 John 1:10 | Robert Nicholson | 74226 | ||
Dear brother Taleb: Excellent thoughts. I agree that if a person is well grounded in the word of God and able to discern between false and sound doctrine that at times when people come to our door spreading what we see as a false message, that we do have an opportunity to present the truth of God's word. In my personal experience I have had the privilege of presenting the gospel to a young JW who has been coming to my door. He claims to have learned much about the scriptures during our discussions. However, each time he returns one can tell that he has been given advice by the older wiser members. In the scriptures we have many warnings to God's people regarding false teachers who can creep in unawares and try to undermine the truth of Christ. In fact as I'm sure you are aware is that the wicked one attacks the person of Christ in such a way that one could be stumbled. Thank God that he has given us his Spirit within. As John writes "Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world". "We are more than conquerers in him" Your brother in Christ Robert |
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238 | Is it because we are afraid that the per | 2 John 1:10 | Robert Nicholson | 74260 | ||
Brother EdB: I believe we need to heed warnings which a clear such as 2 John 1:10. At the time this verse was written there was false teaching and the danger that those who were not mature in the faith of being mislead. I believe in this day an even greater danger is there since many are coming up with false gospels and false doctrine which on the surface may appear correct and yet its roots and motives are to undermine the truth of Christ. Robert |
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239 | Love Him then work for Him | Rev 2:5 | Robert Nicholson | 72318 | ||
Greetings cloud: I agree that christians must guard against becoming distracted with the labor and forget about our "first love". As you have pointed out the people in the church of God at Ephesus were doctrinely correct, the labored to the point of exhaustion, but they had left their first love. Their labor appeared to be motivated by a sense of duty rather than a labor of love. When we were first saved, nothing was to much to ask for the Lord, we wanted to honor him and to please him because of our love and devotion to him. However, after a few years, it is possible to carry on doing things for the Lord because we know we should, rather than acting out of love. You mentioned the "lampstand". The Lord tells us in Rev.1:20 what the lampstand is: "the seven candlesticks (lampstands) which thou sawest are the seven churches". Each local church had a testimony which the Lord will remove if they do not repent of the faults he finds in them. Christ dwells in us by his Spirit and as such we are as lamps in a dark world. We can look at it from the aspect of our personal testimony and from a collective testimony ie. the local church. It is humbling to realize that God in his grace has choosen these earthen vessels to display himself to the world around us. Peace in his most excellent name Robert |
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240 | who is the man child? | Rev 12:5 | Robert Nicholson | 44365 | ||
Mommpbs: I would like to share my thoughts with you I believe that the church is taken away before the tribulation. (1 Thess.4:16) I tell you this so that you will understand where I am coming from. In Rev. 12 we read of the woman about to give birth. I believe that the woman represents the 12 tribes of Israel. We find in v. 4 that the dragon (satan) is ready to devour the child as soon as its born. This I believe is referring to Christ at his birth as Herod waited to destroy him. In Verse 5 "She brought forth a man child" this speaks of Christ at his birth. "who was to rule all nations with a rod of Iron" That is God's ultimate purpose for Christ. "her child was caught up to his throne" Christ did not rule at that time, rather he died, arose and was taken up to the throne of God. V.6 "The woman fled into the wilderness" This would reminds us of the dispersion of Israel after the death of Christ. "Where she had a place prepared of God" A remanent of Israel will be perserved, she will be protected from the beast. In V. 14 "The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time" God is going to protect those whom he has saved out of the great tribulation. In Chp.14:1 we find that they have the "his father's name written on their foreheads in contrast to the lost who have the mark of the beast.Chp. 13:16 In Rev. 13 we are in the last stages of the great tribulation. God has allowed the beast to have power over all on earth. Keep in mind the remanent (the woman) are protected. It is here that we see the fate of those who have turned against God and refused Christ. In V.14 "he deceives them" by his power and demands their total worship and controls them with his mark. In 2 Thess. 2:11-12 we read "For this cause shall God 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 unrigheousness." These people are beyond the cleansing power of the blood of Christ. In When Christ comes in power and glory with his saints we have an earthly company saved out of the great tribulation who enters into the earthly kingdom and a heavenly company (the church) who rules with Christ over the earth. These are very difficult scriptures to understand and I do not pretend to have all the answers. Robert |
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