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NASB | Revelation 7:9 ¶ After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 7:9 ¶ After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, [gathered] from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth], standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands; |
Subject: Pure joy in Heaven? |
Bible Note: Dear Freethinker, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Good question! I'm sorry I was away, and it took so long to answer your question. The Word of God clearly states the condition for salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8,9 Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica of 'man of lawlessness' and the lawlessness of men. "...and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." 2 Thessalonians 2:10 NASB This speaks of those that reject Christ. But the Bible also says that we were all slaves to sin, resulting in death. "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins," Ephesians 2:1 Yet... (Praise the Lord!) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NASB Now, having read your user info, you know all this, right? :-) Here is the answer to your question: I don't know. But I do see evidence that indeed all who are not in Christ are dead in their sin. Is ignorance a loophole? I seriously doubt it. I was an atheist before God apprehended me, and thought I had it all worked out. But the reality of man's sin was made clear to me, and then my own sin. I still pursued all the 'What about..." questions, and finally came to the conclusion that I trust God to be righteous and just! I will not know all the details of His salvation until I meet Him, but I know I will be satisfied. His judgemnts are true. I think the gist of the matter is man's trying to quantify and organize the details of salvation and 'understand' them. This would give us the 'power' of judgement, which is God's sovereign territory. God's wondrous grace is truly amazing, and lawlessness is also a mystery. Satan's rebellion was doomed from the get-go. Vanity and pride continue to deceive. Sadly, even the church still carries the trappings self and sin, but God's mercy is on those who name Him! I will look upon all as lost without Jesus, as in desperate need of Good News. The off-chance that ignorace is acceptable to God is not worth the eternal risk. As to Christians, I regard us all as continuing to need Good News, for this sanctifies us, bringing us even closer to God. My friend, I lean toward a wider grace for the lost than many of my colleagues. I also lean toward a wider grace for the saved! ;-) This does not mean I think all will be saved in the end. No, God is righteous. But my knowledge of God and man leads me to the conclusion that God is more graceful than man! Blessings to you, and faith. May you return to God, and forgive the brethren, and receive the promised forgiveness. Then ask the Lord for a shepherd to give you pasture. In Christ Jesus, charis |