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The Father has given full reign to Jesus. Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and all things have been given to Him. The scriptures tell us that our fate is in His hands, not our hands.
1CO 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
"Many will rightly declare that Adam's one sin brought all mankind into death and its companion sin, and that none of us has a choice in the matter; and yet, when it comes to the last Adam's one act of righteousness on the cross, very few will benefit from it because each individual has a choice in the matter and most will fail to make the right choice.
Further, most, if not all, agree with Paul that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8), and yet, they deny this truth by believing that the love of God will fail to reach the heart of everyone born of Adam's race."
If this is true, how is it that no one can prevent themselves from becoming sinners?
Because our sin is not a choice in this generation. The choice was made by our father Adam and because of that choice, we bear the sin. We had a choice, and we blew it.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12)
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. (Eccl. 7:20)
So we are all guilty of sin and the Scripture teaches what will happen to those who are found under sin...
...when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. (2 Thess.1:7-9)
But as you know, God had other plans...
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Hooray! This is the good news that Jesus commanded us to share with all the world, that God has made a way, a path, out of eternal destruction, and into eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a choice, as Jesus taught with the rich young ruler. There are ways to get into heaven, and ways to never be allowed in heaven for eternity. Did the rich young ruler get into heaven? No, Jesus was very clear that he made his choice and it was the wrong one.
I urge everyone to make the right choice, before it's too late!
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinth. 6:2)
Because our sin is not a choice in this generation. The choice was made by our father Adam and because of that choice, we bear the sin. We had a choice, and we blew it.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12)
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. (Eccl. 7:20)
So we are all guilty of sin and the Scripture teaches what will happen to those who are found under sin...
...when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. (2 Thess.1:7-9)
But as you know, God had other plans...
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Hooray! This is the good news that Jesus commanded us to share with all the world, that God has made a way, a path, out of eternal destruction, and into eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a choice, as Jesus taught with the rich young ruler. There are ways to get into heaven, and ways to never be allowed in heaven for eternity. Did the rich young ruler get into heaven? No, Jesus was very clear that he made his choice and it was the wrong one.
I urge everyone to make the right choice, before it's too late!
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinth. 6:2)
if the choice was made by Adam, how did WE blow it?
where is OUR free will if the choice was made by Adam?
And how come you make the DAY of salvation 70+ years?
f this is true, how is it that no one can prevent themselves from becoming
sinners?Because our sin is not a choice in this generation. The choice was made
by our father Adam and because of that choice, we bear the sin. We had a choice,
and we blew it.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12)
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. (Eccl.
7:20)
Right, Pneuma. JJ Maxx, what you stated seems to be a contradiction. We had no choice in the matter due to Adam's sin. Due to his sin, we all became sinners. We were all conceived in a state of death because of His sin. We were unable to prevent ourselves from sinning or from dying, so we had no choice in this. A more literal reading of Romans 5:12 is:
Romans 5
12 because of this, even as through one man the sin did enter into the world, and through the sin the death; and thus to all men the death did pass through, for that all did sin.
We sin because we were born into a state of death due to Adam's sin.
Quote:
we are all guilty of sin and the Scripture teaches what will happen to those
who are found under sin...
...when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. (2
Thess.1:7-9)
A more literal translation of this passage is:
2 Thessalonians (Young's Literal)
6 for God did so love the world, that His Son -- the only begotten -- He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during7 and to you who are troubled -- rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with messengers of his power,
8 in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ;
9 who shall suffer justice -- destruction age-during -- from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength,
10 when He may come to be glorified in his saints, and to be wondered at in all those believing -- because our testimony was believed among you -- in that day;
The destruction that is suffered is during the ages, not eternity. Check the literal or original meaning of the word, aionos, which was shared earlier in the discussion.
Quote:
But as you know, God had other plans...
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John
3:16)
A more literal translation is:
John 3
16 for God did so love the world, that His Son -- the only begotten -- He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during (Young's Literal)
As has been shared, many will suffer loss and destruction during this age and in the next. Maany will perish in this age and in the next.
We have to consider all passages, including those which speak to the final restoration of all to God. . There will come a time when the same all who suffered age during destruction will be made alive. Those who perished will be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15
1CO 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
An understanding of the ages through which God is working out His purposes for the creation is crucial to understanding God's ultimate plan for His creation.
Quote:
Hooray! This is the good news that Jesus commanded us to share with all the
world, that God has made a way, a path, out of eternal destruction, and into
eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. It is a choice, as Jesus taught with
the rich young ruler. There are ways to get into heaven, and ways to never be
allowed in heaven for eternity. Did the rich young ruler get into heaven? No,
Jesus was very clear that he made his choice and it was the wrong one.
I urge everyone to make the right choice, before it's too late!
Where does Jesus say the young ruler experienced eternal death or eternal hell, JJ Maxx?
The rich young ruler may have repented and come to the Lord later. We don't know. But we do know this-that one day the rich young ruler will bow before Jesus in humble adoration and confess His name willingly, the name that means, God is salvation. He will know that riches cannot save him.
We know that it was God's good pleasure to reconcile all to Himself and this includes the rich young ruler. (Colossians 1) We know that one day the rich young ruler will be subject to the Lord, as will be all mankind, so that God may be all in all. (1 Cor.15)
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinth. 6:2)
A more literal translation:
2 Cor. 6
for He saith, `In an acceptable time I did hear thee, and in a day of salvation I did help thee, lo, now [is] a well-accepted time; lo, now, a day of salvation,' -- (Young's Literal)
Today God is calling people to come to Him. It is a day of salvation. He is calling all to repent and some will not repent today. Only those who have been given faith to believe will come to Him today, but in the end, all will have repented , all will believe, and all will be restored to Him. God is said to be the Savior of all men, especially of believers. ( 1 Timothy 4:10)
Thank you for your respectful discussion and feedback on this thread. God bless.
Last edited by ShanaBrown; 08-31-2014 at 06:24 AM..
The plan of God to restore all to Himself is seen as His progressive work taking place during the ages. (aions/eons) An age (aion/eon) is indefinite period of time and God has existed before the ages and He continues to exist after the ages. He created the ages through Jesus Christ and He is the God of the ages.
The scriptures speak of the times of the ages (aions).
Hebrews 1
1 In many parts, and many ways, God of old having spoken to the fathers in the prophets,
2 in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages;
Ephesians 3:8-11
3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
1 Corinthians 2
And wisdom we speak among the perfect, and wisdom not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age -- of those becoming useless,
7 but we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a secret, that God foreordained before the ages to our glory,
8 which no one of the rulers of this age did know, for if they had known, the Lord of the glory they would not have crucified
2 Timothy 1
6 For which cause I remind thee to stir up the gift of God that is in thee through the putting on of my hands,
7 for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind;
8 therefore thou mayest not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but do thou suffer evil along with the good news according to the power of God,
9 who did save us, and did call with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, that was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the times of the ages,
Young's Literal Translation
God is eternal and He is also the God of the ages, and is referred to as the aionion/aionios King in 1 Timothy 1.
His work of salvation is taking place during the time of the ages.
1 Timothy 1
17 Now to the King eternal *, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
*footnotes in NAS: King of the ages
17 and to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, [is] honour and glory -- to the ages of the ages! Amen.
Young's Literal
* eternal = aionion/aionios , of or relating to the ages
It is sad to think that so many believe that God is unable to accomplish whatever He purposes to do. What is believed to be man's free will is seen to ultimately defeat God's purpose to be all in all.
But the scriptures teach us otherwise.
Temporary rebellion and ignorance of the truth, is just that-temporary.
The scriptures tell us that He is able to subdue all things to Himself (including man's "free will" and the scriptures also tell us that Jesus is the True Light which enlightens every man. (Philipians 3, John 1)
6 for God did so love the world, that His Son -- the only begotten -- He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during7 and to you who are troubled -- rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with messengers of his power,
8 in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ;
9 who shall suffer justice -- destruction age-during -- from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength,
10 when He may come to be glorified in his saints, and to be wondered at in all those believing -- because our testimony was believed among you -- in that day;
In this passage, the word destructionis qualified. It is "destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power," at his second coming, in the new aeon. (age) In other words, it is the severance, at a given point of time, of those who obey not the gospel from the presence and the glory of Christ. Aionios may therefore describe this severance as continuing during the millenial aeon (age) between Christ's coming and the final judgment; as being for the wicked prolonged throughout that aeon and characteristic of it, or it may describe the severance as characterising or enduring through a period or aeon (age) succeeding the final judgment, the extent of which period is not defined. In neither case is aionios to be interpreted as everlasting or]endless."
It seems that the belief in man's free will stands in direct conflict with the scriptures that teach God's sovereignty in His own creation, that God will subject all things to Himself.
There is no way that free will can exist with scriptures like this.
The belief in the eventual restoration of all to God with a Biblical foundation or perspective, does not ignore any scriptures. We understand that destruction, loss, judgment, punishment all take place. These things are crucial in the reconciliation of all to God. Many, many times God punished Israel. Israel experienced the severe judgments of God. Many times she suffered loss and destruction but Paul still tells us that "all Israel will be saved."
God destroys, yet He restores. He kills, yet He makes alive. He casts off, yet He embraces those who were for a time, cast off. He is a God of love, not a God of hate, and all of His dealings with man have the purpose of restoring all to Himself. God bless.
Last edited by ShanaBrown; 08-31-2014 at 07:59 AM..
A headline would not use the term 'savior' in such a manner regarding a lifeguard. Drowning people do not choose to drown. The lifeguard failed, and did not save all who wanted saving.
But God is saving us from our sin (which is choosing), even the sin of unbelief. "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all." (Romans 11)
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Jesus died so all who believed would be saved. If everyone believed, everyone would indeed be saved but Jesus teaches that not all will be saved.
I agree that belief is required to enter the kingdom of God and I mean belief with whole heart and soul. I disagree that any will remain in unbelief. God is able to change a person's heart.
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“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."
This is human free will, given by God at the moment of our creation, with humanity given full reign over their fate. Choose God and live, reject God, and be destroyed.
We know God desires for ALL people to choose salvation before death, but He knows that not all will.
"Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?"
From Genesis to Revelation, God has desired that His creation do the right thing and live, rather than do evil and die. As Jesus said, it is not to be...
Jesus was speaking in the present tense (YLT) "...how strait is the gate, and compressed the way that is leading to the life, and few are those finding it!". None of the "redeemed of the Lord" in Psalm 107 were "finding it" in fact they "condemned the counsel of the most high" and thus entered the wide gate leading to destruction. It wasn't until they were within that destruction of the wrath of God that they turned to God and entered the narrow gate. Deuteronomy 31 makes it clear that one can enter the wide gate and then repent and then enter the narrow gate.
If few ever find it then that blatantly contradicts the gospel given to Abraham. The gospel says that Abraham's seed (i.e. children of God) will number as the stars of heaven and as the sand of the sea, without number, without measure. Certainly that is not "few".
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