Several years ago my youngest son set me up with a Facebook account. These are just some of the things I post. I try and teach believers as well as minister to unbelieves. The different things below are some of the things I have posted over the last several days on Facebook/
Matt.13: 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Perhaps our problem is that we have devalued that pearl and now it can be purchased at a bargain.
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Perhaps our problem is that we have devalued that pearl and now it can be purchased at a bargain.
The world is hurtling toward an apocalyptic conclusion.
With each passing year and with more leaps and bounds in technological advances
the simple gospel appear more and more like an ancient fairy tale believed by
uneducated masses of many centuries ago. When man steps upon the moon and
unravels the mystery of DNA and has powerful weapons that can destroy all life
then it is very hard for man to believe in anything but himself.
But when all is revealed, the most profound and the deepest mystery of all will be that Jesus was the only answer all along.
But when all is revealed, the most profound and the deepest mystery of all will be that Jesus was the only answer all along.
The only enemy of God's Word is unbelief.
The world is hurtling toward an apocalyptic conclusion.
With each passing year and with more leaps and bounds in technological advances
the simple gospel appear more and more like an ancient fairy tale believed by
uneducated masses of many centuries ago. When man steps upon the moon and
unravels the mystery of DNA and has powerful weapons that can destroy all life
then it is very hard for man to believe in anything but himself.
But when all is revealed, the most profound and the deepest mystery of all will be that Jesus was the only answer all along.
But when all is revealed, the most profound and the deepest mystery of all will be that Jesus was the only answer all along.
Many people accept the teachings of Jesus about peace and
love and forgiveness. But they refuse to believe that He was who He said He
was. And they refuse to accept the fact that He said He would return one day.
Even if you believe all His teachings but do not believe that He is God and has
provided the only way to eternal life, it will profit you nothing and you will
lose your soul.
When I heard the gospel I was too intelligent to believe
it and too dumb to consider it. But it was the Spirit who opened my heart.
We as believers and followers of Jesus the Christ do not
depend on world events. We depend completely upon the Rock. The world events
will become more and more dangerous, but that does not move us at all. The news
media and the politicians will wring their hands with dire predictions but we
who know Jesus already know these things. Jesus told us they would happen. God
has not given us the spirit of fear. We are in love with our Bridegroom and we
await His glorious return!
If you want this seventy or eighty years to be the
complete extent of your existence than pay no attention to my words. But if you
feel that there is a life after death then I would ask you to sincerely investigate
the words and claims of Jesus. It surely may affect your eternal existence.
Think about the first time you first felt love. For me it
was in kindergarten when I was attracted to a little girl named Candy. Then in
seventh grade I fell in love from afar with an girl named Fran. I was affected
in my mind and my emotions and my body. And then I fell madly in love with a
girl named Barbara in my junior year in high school. I was completely dedicated
to her.
But one day in March of 1975 I came to know Jesus. And the love I felt for Him was unlike anything I had ever experienced or felt before. I am still in love with Him.
But one day in March of 1975 I came to know Jesus. And the love I felt for Him was unlike anything I had ever experienced or felt before. I am still in love with Him.
There
is the temporal reality, and then there is the eternal reality. You must decide
in which reality you choose to live.
There is wisdom in you words. Thank-you for small reminders.
ReplyDelete"By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom." Proverbs 13:10
"The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death." Proverbs 13:14
A question. I found a site that has some good bible teaching. After visiting the site for several months I found one of this mans teachings was on universal salvation. That ALL things would be reconciled unto YHVH. Over the years I have met some other denominations that also believe this. One thing in common with them is they don't preach Yahushua to win souls. This seems to not be the primary focus of their ministry. They teach that the word everlasting should be translated ages. How do you believe on this? Can you recommend any good teachings to help me to decide to receive what they teach, or to see the error in it if it is a false belief?
ReplyDeleteUniversalism teaches that everyone will be saved. No one can be honest with the Scriptures and believe that. It comes from human reasoning. I suggest you read the New Testament through in one month. Here is a post that may help as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://judahslion.blogspot.com/2012/07/scproject3547036-scinvisible1_20.html
Universalism is a lie of Satan. Don't go anywhere near those liars. Go to the words of Jesus. He teaches against such deceitful, heretical teachings.
ReplyDeleteRevelation 20:15
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Dear readers, this is a very clear verse that everyone should study.
Notice that if man isn't in the Book of Life
he is thrown into the lake of fire.
All unsaved people are thrown into the lake of fire. Let's take God's teachings seriously!
Josef Sefton
Thank you for answering my question. I have no secret agenda in this. I'm simply seeking the truth because I know the truth indeed sets free!
ReplyDeleteThe people who teach universalism do believe in a lake of fire, but they believe that at some point in the "ages" those who were cast in will be reconciled, as all things will be reconciled unto the Lord. I was looking for more concrete evidence to see this as being true, or false. We already know that those not found in the book of life will be cast in,,,,a very sobering thought for ever person!!!!
ReplyDeleteLet's study the words of Lord Jesus Christ on this subject!
"Then shall he (Jesus) say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:41-46).
Notice that the punishment isn't temporal but everlasting.
Josef Sefton
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteAll you have to do is believe what Jesus said. Do you think He would lie about anything? Especially about the souls of man?
Luke 16:19-31
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
If Jesus says there is a gulf, I believe it.
My question to you is; why would you believe man over Jesus?
If you decide to believe what "universalism' says, then that means satan will get out too, and no where does it say that.
If someone says something contrary to what the Word of God says, RUN!
Google Leonard Ravenhill. He has many great sermons regarding hell. It will scare you. But remember, a healthy fear of God is good. The Word says it is the beginning of knowledge. I fear everyday, especially for my husband and two sons. If they don't repent and be broken, they will suffer for eternity. I still get a pit in my stomach when I think about it. I am nervous when they go out because if something were to happen to them before they repent, Oh God, I pray not. Do I want it to be true? No!, but it is true and unless they turn around, they will perish. I feel this way about most people. Brings a sting of tears to my eyes now. I still love the Lord no matter what. Glory to God.
your sister in Christ Jesus,
This certain rich man who died has still not yet been thrown into the lake of fire which is the second death! His torment certainly will not be diminished when that event occurs!
ReplyDeleteMay we all study the Holy Bible in order to understand that our loving Lord also punishes unrepentant man.
Reine Gnade
Thanks for all replys to the question on universalism. When reading this mans 'Joseph Herrin'on line book called "Gods Plan of the Ages" found at his "parables" blog site, all these verse you all have given me also came to my mind. I understand them. I neither receive Joseph's teaching on universalism nor reject it. The question in my mind that no one here has answered is, if YHVH will create an new heave, and a new earth, then why won't ALL things be reconciled unto the Lord? Yes there is a great gulf fixed in the place of torment now, but if this place is emptied into the lake of fire, and if the English word for everlasting/eternal in scripture really means "ages", then is it not possible that ALL things maybe reconciled unto the Lord at some unknown point? If you can't answer these questions then your not any better bible scholar than myself.
ReplyDeleteIn Yahushua
Mark
Dear Mark, I hope Rick doesn't mind if I offer my take on this.
ReplyDeleteI too wanted desperately to believe that God's plan would in future reveal something about the "hell" thing. But, I have to obey scripture and take everything as the Lord's Word teaches. However, Jesus is the One who spoke about Hades and everlasting fire to us, and through his Words in the gospels.
Revelation talks about the lake of fire too. But, the in-between books from Acts to Jude, instruct the church and Paul usually referred to sinners and unbelievers as being part of God's wrath, or eternal condemnation, damnation. I suppose it's all the same thing. But, what strikes me is that Paul, a sinner, like all of us, didn't major on using the fate of hell as a 'lure' or bait to get people to stop sinning. It was the love of God that stirred their hearts first.
The fact that Paul never addresses "hell" or "lake of fire" to us, might be why universalists don't see eye to eye with traditional views.
I'd never heard of this group (universalists) until now. But, one thing I know, that if Paul preached Jesus and spent more time on preaching life, rather than death, I must too. Only Jesus, sinless and pure, had the right to talk about eternal burning in the Lake of Fire, and then, having the right as heir of all things, laid down His life for us, so we wouldn't have to go there.
I can't think too long about eternal damnation, because I would get extremely depressed, and doubts about myself would creep in there. I know there's a place to warn people about hell, but I trust the Lord will guide me into reaching people, with the right attitude. If I go into a place with fire and damnation on my lips, how will they get to know that God so loves them, that he sacrificed His Son.
There's a problem sometimes, IMO, and this is just opinion, where saved people spend too much time on hellfire and seem to enjoy threatening unbelievers with hellfire. Would Jesus want souls to enter in because they are convicted by His love for them, or because they're afraid of hellfire. God is love, and the lake of fire was not created for us, but for the demons who rebelled against Him. Unfortunately, Satan caused the first sin and made it possible for unrepentant sinners to go down with him.
I've had these thoughts too, about what you are discussing here, many years ago, and I just know that the Lord's mercy enduring forever, like Psalm says. I know there is God's wrath too, and I don't know sometimes how to counter that and how to minister to unbelievers without pushing them away.
1 Thess. 5:14-24 - "Now we exhort you brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstrain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it".
THat's a tall order, but I know we can do all things through Him, and it comforts me and hope it comforts others here too.
J.
The Apostle Paul did write about hell; once - Romans 9 1-3
ReplyDeleteRomans 9
King James Version (KJV)
9 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Dear Mark, i don't think anyone here thinks themselves a Bible Scholar. We are all students of the Word, however. And we struggle every day to get it right. The best anyone can hope for is His mercy. And so, we go forward. Our only hope is in Jesus. What hope? To escape the wrath of God for our sins. Sins passed down to us from Adam, and the sins we commit on our own.
If you believe that God is holy and we are not, in the flesh, then how can you think just because He creates a new heaven and a new earth that all things are reconciled? New heaven, new earth is New, not reconciled. And if eternal means forever, then it means forever, and only God knows what that really is since He created time. We, in our finite minds, can only go by what we have, His Word. Even the Apostle John said there is so much more not written in this book. So I can only imagine, in my finite mind what that could mean, the rest, well, is faith. If in hell, those who go there, will forever sin, how can they ever be redeemed? They cannot. Now is the time, time that God made, to repent and escape eternal punishment.
Peace to you, and may God, the Holy Spirit, if you ask, give you the understanding on this matter through His Word.
I walk around most days with a knot in my stomach for the people I love. The thought of their eternal torture eats at my heart and my soul so I keep them before God, and God before them even when they reject me. If I didn't believe the Word of God, there would not be any urgency in keeping them before God. Due to our education system, The Word of God is equated to the book The Odyssey, or some other mythological writings. In those writings, all things eventually resolve, which is not the case in the Word.
Not to belabor the point, but with such a view as universalism, deception runs a muck and people perish. There is no sense of urgency and so more and more fall prey to the enemy. How very tragic.
Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
your sister in Christ Jesus
Greetings Mark!
ReplyDeleteJesus taught very clearly that few find life. Few means few. Few doesn't mean all!
Jesus said Mt. 7:13-15: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
These words of Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, are totally trustworthy!
Josef Sefton