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NASB | Luke 23:43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 23:43 Jesus said to him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." [2 Cor 12:4; Rev 2:7] |
Subject: Jesus couldn't of gone up to heaven. |
Bible Note: You wrote: "If I understand you correctly you are saying that there is no one who does not know Jesus?" No, what Romans 1 teaches is that no one is unaware of God the Father. Atheists are lying to themselves, in other words. The existence and attributes of God are part of what is commonly called "general revelation." The first part of Psalm 19 testifies to this general revelation as well. "Those who have accepted the revelation but have not heard the gospel are the ones who will be in Abrahams busom." Where do you get from this passage that ANYONE accepted the revelation? What Paul describes in Romans 1 is a universal rejection and suppression of the truth of God. Read Romans 1:28-32. These people did not acknowledge God, and even though God's general revelation even points out that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them, but give approval to those who do. The gospel fall under the category of "special revelation." Abraham didn't seek God; God revealed Himself to Abraham. Likewise, God chose to reveal Himself to Moses in the burning bush. Everyone is condemned for rejecting the general revelation of God in nature and in the conscience (made plain to all, as Romans 1 tells us), but the message of salvation (the gospel contained in the Scriptures) is revealed specially. "They will hear of Jesus in Abraham's busom and will then have an opportunity to accept Him at that time." What Scripture passage supports this statement? Hebrews 9:27 seems to contradict it. We need to be careful not to thrust our own wishful thinking upon what God has revealed. "Those who have never heard the gospel have to hear of Jesus or they can't get to the Father." I agree, which is why God in His sovereignty has made our obedience in proclaiming the gospel a key element in His overall plan of redemption: "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?" --Romans 10:14 The implied answer to all of these questions is, "They won't." People will not call on the Lord is they have not believed. People will not believe if they have not heard. People will not hear unless they are preached to. In other words, those who do not hear the gospel (and are condemned by their rejection of God the Father) go to hell. --Joe! |