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NASB | Hebrews 11:40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:40 because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us. |
Subject: How are pre-Christians made perfect? |
Bible Note: Concerning Jesus relating the account of Lazarus and the rich man, I wanted to share some of my reasonings based on the Scriptures. 1) This is a parable, not to be taken as literal. The preceding account at Luke 16:1-8 begins very similarly to the subject account. Also notice verses 14 and 15. I think the Pharisees knew that Jesus was using the "rich man" to represent their position and privilege, but that 'The kingdom of God shall be taken away from them, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof,' common Jews who were despised by the Pharisees but repented and became Jesus' followers, represented by Lazarus (which means "God Has Helped.") (See Matthew 21:31,32,43) 2) Since Adam, the "wages of sin is death." That is death only! To tell Adam he would die, when in actuality he would continue living only to be tormented eternally strikes me as incredible implausible given God's nature. (1 John 4:8; Deuteronomy 32:4) I could not worship a God that would be less righteous than one of his creatures, creatures that are abhorred by fellow humans that would torture another human even for a few moments, even when such are guilty of dispicably inhuman acts themselves. Interestingly, when the Israelites had sunk to the degraded practice of their pagan neighbors, that of sacrificing their children, God had the following to say: "And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded not, neither came it into my mind." (Jeremiah 7:31) Satan is the father of the lie and god of this system, and as such, he attempts to use false religious teachings to bring reproach on the true God. It was the privilege of Jesus and is the privilege of his disciples to help others know the Father that "loved the world so much that he gave his only begotton son." Jesus taught us to pray: "Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (or, "may your name be sanctified", made holy.) Proverbs 27:11 states: "My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me." I hope that this information helps you to furnish such a reply to Satan. |