Lockman - Bible questions and answers

User Name: dodoy
Registered:	12/20/09
Last post:	01/4/10
Questions:	2
Answers:	1
Notes:	35
Total Posts:	38

Personal profile for user screen name: dodoy

I was born and raised up in a Christian family of Seventh-day Adventists. From this denomination I learned to love God and to study His message to mankind as embodied in the Bible. Having accepted Christ as my personal savior 40 years ago at age 16, I got myself immersed in personal Bible study. My personal study of the Scriptures led me to conclusions that somehow do not fully reflect the teachings I learned from the church I belong.

Among others, the following are in the forefront:

1. On the Book of Life. Ps. 69:28; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27

a. In the final analysis, only those whose names are in the book of life can enter heaven (Rev 21:27). All others will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15).

b. From the foundation of the world, with the exception of those who will worship the beast in the last days, names of all people are in the book of life (Rev 13:8; Rev 17:8). Unless blotted out by Christ, a person’s name will remain in the book of life (Rev 3:5).

c. Judgment for a person’s final destiny is rendered only when that person dies (Heb 9:27, 28). For me, this judgment is on whether the name of this person will be blotted out or not from the book of life, implying that while alive, a person’s name remains written in the book of life.

2. On Salvation. Matt 1:21; John 3:16; Rom 3: 21-25; 1 Tim 1:15; 2:3-5

a. Christ came to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15). All are sinners (Rom 3:23); therefore, Christ came to save all (1 Tim 2:3-6), and that includes everyone. This is salvation from sin (Matt 1:21) This is purely God’s grace, no human participation involved (Eph 2:5-9; Rom 11:6). This is part 1 of John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” Through the death of Christ on the cross, Jews and Gentiles alike were reconciled to God in one body, the body of Christ (Eph 2:11-16; 2 Cor 5:18,19). The Gentiles, together with the Jews, are now members of the household of God (Eph 2:19) These household members have their names in the book of life (see 1b, above).

b. Everyone was saved from sin, but not everyone will enter heaven, because many names did not remain in the book of life (Rev 20:15). Those names were blotted out by Christ Himself because, they did not overcome (Rev 3:5). Overcoming implies there is a fight to be won – we need to overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21). Like the apostle Paul, each has his own battle to fight to keep the faith (2 Tim 4:7). This is the essence of Part 2 of John 3:16 – “whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Whether a person is a believer or not, is evidenced by the fruit of his life (John 14: 12; Matt 7:16-23; Rom 2:6-11)

The above insights, and many others more, are what I currently understand from my personal Bible study. My beloved Brethren in this forum, I do not stand dogmatic on these. If you see that I was led astray because perhaps it was not God’s Holy Spirit who guided me despite my prayer for His guidance, please, as Luther requested, show me from Scriptures. If you wish to personally contact me, you can reach me through this e-mail address: samiepimentel@yahoo.com

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