Subject: do we have any free will? |
Bible Note: The Bible speaks that Jesus went to hell for three days and three nights after His death on the cross. Matthew 12:40 records this statement, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." He was not in hell (Sheol) to receive torment but rather to preach to those that were there awaiting their release to be taken to heaven with Him. After those three days and three nights in hell (Sheol) Jesus took all the Old Testament saints with him to heaven (including one of the thieves that was crucified next to Him. Luke 23:43: "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.") This explains why Jesus said He would be in hell for three days and three nights and yet would that day also be in paradise. Paradise was that safe place in hell (Sheol) that all the Old Testament saints were kept until their sins were atoned for on the cross. Jesus is now seated on the right hand of God in a position of all authority and power over all things. He is awaiting the time of His second coming to this earth to get the rest of His people and take them to heaven also. For Christians, this will be a joyous time. His second coming for the evil and wicked however, will not be a joyous event as they will be judged and then sent to hell. You know the bible says in John 8:32 - and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. You see it's the KNOWING of the truth that sets us free, the REVELATION knowledge of Jesus (Ephesians 1:17) and WISOM. We should ask God for this REVELATION knowledge of Jesus, because it's discerned in the heart and spirit and not merely the head. God wants us to understand his word with our head but we musn't lose sight of what our spirit is telling us because thats where the Holy Ghost speaks to us to reveal His word. |