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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: Jesus taught in illustrations not only because it is an effective teaching technique, but to reach the hearts of meek lovers of truth. Thus, much of what he said was lost on the prideful. (Mt 13:10-15,34; 11:25) Studying the Bible is like putting together a puzzle, we find the corner pieces easily, then the flat edge pieces, then perhaps certain less complicated sections, and finally the hardest pieces have nowhere to go except their proper places. The problem with many is that they refuse to put the obvious first and only allow the more difficult verses to conform to these basic truths. God had an original purpose for the earth - that it will be inhabited by righteous people that will join with his intelligent spirit creatures in praising him forever. This has not changed and must be accomplished. (Is 55:11) The earth will thus always be in inhabited and never be destroyed. (Is 45:18; Ps 37:11,29;115:16) It is the wicked that will be torn away from the earth, those ruining the earth. (Ps 37:10; Pr 2:21,22; 2Pe 3:7) You use Isaiah to help explain Revelation. Excellent! Notice Rev 21:1. What is "sea" that is no more? Isaiah 57:20 states:"But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud." Yes, the "wicked" will be no more. Now we start to see that the "new heaven and new earth" must refer to persons as well. After all, why would heaven be destroyed? I think the new heaven is the kingdom of Jesus Christ that will bring to ruin all human governments (Dan 2:44; 1Co 15:24-26)and usher in the peaceful reign promised for the "new earth" of righteous people that shun the current ungodly world and its desires. (1 Jo 2:15-17) I would love to discuss more with you. Others at this website (edb for instance) only try to label persons with conclusions counter to their own, while failing to address specific statements with Scriptural references. I trust you will prove more Christlike and have pity on me if I am misguided. Thanks in advance. |