Weaning Time!
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.” Hebrews 5:12-6:2 emphasis added.
There are many things Written in The Word, concerning future events, that I would rather not happen, but, as Separate, Unique, Mature, Members, in His Body, as individuals, are to “rightly divide the Word of Truth”, (2 Timothy 2:15), and embrace The Whole Counsel of God, (Acts 20:27).
By doing this every part is nourished and supplied with all it needs for Divine Growth, making The Whole, Complete, In Him.
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the (FULL) knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 emphasis added.
The Holy Spirit must be our primary teacher
The Holy Spirit, not man, Is, and should Be, our Primary Teacher, (John 14:26; Galatians 1:11-12). Even the Bereans did not accept Paul’s teaching initially, but “examined, scrutinized” Paul’s teachings, through their own personal study,
Acts 17:10-11, “to see if these things be so”. The NLT says, “to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth”.
One of the basic tenants of Bible study and exegesis, is to let “scripture interpret scripture”. This is another form of The Holy.Spirit. Instruction to His Ekklesia, since “All Scripture Is God Breathed”, 2 Timothy 3:16 (compare that with John 3:16).
“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” — 18and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:16-21 emphasis added.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary says this about 2 Peter 1:20
“The text teaches also, as the word is the Holy Spirit’s, it cannot be interpreted by its readers (any more than by its writers) by their mere private human powers, but by the teaching of the Holy Ghost (John 16:14). “He who is the author of Scripture is its supreme interpreter” [Gerhard].
Alford translates, “springs not out of human interpretation,” that is, is not a prognostication made by a man knowing what he means when he utters it, but,” &c. (John 11:49-52).
*Rightly: except that the verb is rather, doth become, or prove to be. It not being of private interpretation, you must “give heed” to it, looking for the Spirit’s illumination “in your hearts”
*My note: This is in reference to “IS”. The Greek is G1096 Ginomai.
The God Breathed Old Testament contains many FACTS that are also types and examples for us “into whom the ends (TELOS, cf 1 Peter 4:7) of the ages have come,” 1 Corinthians 10:11.
Augustine said, “’The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.’”
Most Scripture is dealing with historical events from the past, and coming prophetic events. God Creating the Heavens, Earth, Man, all living things, etc.,
The Flood, Christ’s 1st and 2nd Comings, His Crucifixion and Resurrection, The Outpouring of The Hold Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Israel becoming a nation again, are just a few, of many, Biblical AND Historical factoids.
There are many, outside of His Body, who disagree with that last statement. One of their arguments is “if we were not there how can we say it happened”?
Herein lies the beginning essence of the serpent’s tactics, “Hath God Said?” Genesis 3:1
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of *God,” Romans 10:17
*Many manuscripts have “Christ”
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith,” 1 John 5:4.
“The just shall live, out of, faith,” Habakkuk 2:4.
This first fiery dart launched by the serpent, created doubt in her mind/ heart, (Genesis 3:1-6). Why?
Because Eve let down The Shield of Faith, and then misquoted The Rhema of God, her Sword, (Genesis 3:3).
This caused a chink and opening in her armor, that led to the serpent’s next, and, decisive fiery dart to Eve’s heart, i.e. the absolute denial of what God Said. We know the rest of the episode.
This tragic event was also Intended to be an example to New Testament believers. The Shield of Faith must be continually held in a position so as to defend the believer from the serpent’s subtle, crafty, and devious arrows.
We see in the Gospel of Matthew, his tactics against Jesus when Christ was tempted by him in the Wilderness.
Even as the serpent used the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”, (1 John 2:16), against Eve, he used these very same tactics against the Second Adam, (as the first Adam fell because of Eve, (Genesis 3:6; 1 Timothy 2:14)).
Satan even used God’s Word to try to deceive Christ into obeying him instead of The Father. Jesus, “rightly dividing The Word”, Being The Very LOGOS Himself, (John 1:1), countered Satan’s parries, with The Sword of The Spirit, The Rhema of God, successively, every time. (Matthew 4:1-11, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:10-18, Revelation 19:15).
Where do we find the Strength to Hold The Shield and His Sword. I contend it is through our AGAPE for Him.
Galatians 5:6 speaks of Faith that is ENERGEO, G1754, DIA, G1223, AGAPE, G26 (by the way the number 26 is also the value of adding the Hebrew letters for YHVH, YOD = 10, HEY = 5, VAV = 6, HEY = 5).
In the Song of Solomon, The Bride Hears the Voice of Her Beloved, (Song of Solomon 5:2). “Solomon”, Speaking about His Bride’s Attributes, says in Song of Solomon 4:4,
“Your neck is like the tower of David Built with rows of stones (My note: ”precept upon precept,” Isaiah 28:10) On which are hung a thousand shields, All the round shields (my note: Shields of Faith) of the mighty men.”
The Bride is also “terrible as an army with banners,” Song of Solomon 6:4,10. She is Fully Armed and Divinely Skilled in their use. (2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4)
It is because of Her Faith In and Love For, Her Beloved, she is able to come out of the Wilderness, leaning on Her Beloved, in total surrender and dependency upon Him, (Song of Solomon 8:5).
Jesus said if we AGAPE Him we will keep (guard, watch over) His Commandments, and Obey Him, (John 14:15,21; John 15:9-14).
Paul also warned the Ephesians, in Acts 20: 27-32,
“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
We read in Revelation 2: 1-7, Christ’s Letter to the Church in Ephesus. He commends them for defending The Faith, but Warns them they have lost their First Agape, Revelation 2:4. (Compare to Habakkuk 2:4).
Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes “out of ”Hearing and Hearing Through Rhema (of) Christ” (emphasis added).
A Bible teacher, whom I greatly respect, brought up the point of the great importance God puts on the sense of Hearing, versus Seeing, in His Word. Indeed, word studies for H8085 Shama and G189, (G191) Akoe are very enlightening and rewarding. They both carry the idea of both hearing and obeying what is heard.
“Knowing His Word is admirable, But more importantly, we need to Hear His Word.”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life,” John 5:24.
“And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. 38“You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent 39“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41I do not receive glory from men; 42but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves,” John 5:37-42 .
“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.’” John 8:42-47.
“He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me,” John 14:24.
Faith must be coupled with AGAPE, (1 Corinthians 13). That AGAPE only comes through our Relationship with Jesus and The Father, (John 17: 11-26).
AGAPE, Oneness, Sanctification Through The LOGOS of Truth, are all mentioned in Jesus’ Great Prayer to The Father. They are all related and connected. (See also Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:22-33.)
Fact or Allegory
Probably the first and most important rule of Biblical Study and Hermeneutics is to interpret the Scripture(s) literally.
The Bible does contain much figurative language, but the primary rule of exegesis, at first glance, is not to allegorize or “spiritualize” His Word.
*Peter Lange writes on his website 1517.org:
“We also try to keep the literal sense of the text in mind, or the sensus literalis. In other words, we seek to interpret the text in the sense in which it was written and the way it was intended to be read.
Whether we are reading narrative, poetry, history, prophecy, or a letter, we try to get into the shoes of the original hearers and read a text the way it was originally meant to be read.”
*Pete Lange serves as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Eldon, MO. He graduated from Christ College Irvine in 1991, was a DCE in Kansas for 10 years, and then attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis where he graduated in 2006.
Christianity.com states in Robert Hampshire’s article, Does The Bible Contain Allegory?
“As we have already said, however, not all of the Bible is allegorical, and we cannot read it all in an allegorical way.
By this, I mean that if we read the Old Testament narratives of how God led the Israelites out of slavery, through the wilderness, and into their “promised land” in the Book of Exodus as allegory, then we run the risk of treating it all as mere fantasy or fairy tale instead of fact.
If the disastrous consequence of that is not obvious, consider taking the same approach to the story of Creation in Genesis 1-3. If God did not actually create the earth or if he did not really make men and women or react to their sin in the way that the Bible clearly describes, then we are left up to our own assumptions about God’s purposeful design for the earth, humanity, marriage, family, and life itself.
(My note: It would also void John 1:1-4, and all of the New Testament)
In reality, to consider something as allegory that is in fact narration discredits its validity and removes the foundational belief that the Bible is inerrant truth. This is, sadly, a very common mistake that people make when studying Scripture.”
Biblestudytools.com, in their article 7.2 The Art and Science of Interpretation says,
“God’s promises involve both ends of the communication channel: the things God said and what those who received His promises understood them to mean in the original context. It is not permissible, after the fact, to make what God said mean something different which would have been entirely foreign to those who originally received His word. Allegorization and spiritualization do just that.”
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the men of old gained approval.
3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Hebrews 11:1-7.
If we were to initially allegorize or spiritualize the Creation account we would be undermining all of Scripture, and Its interpretation would be subject to man and the devil alike.
Are the 6 Days of Creation to be taken literally as 6 days each, of 24 hour durations?
What does God say about it?
I was just relooking at Chuck Missler’s teachings on this subject, available on YouTube. He brought up this point that I did not know.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.9“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. 11“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8 emphasis added.
(By the way, the Sabbath was made for Man, and not Man for the Sabbath, Mark 2:27 and Jesus, The Son of Man, Is “The Lord of The Sabbath”, (Matthew 12:8; Luke 6:5) )
The Hebrew for “days” here and in Genesis 1 is the word YOWM, H3117. In Exodus 3:9-11 The LORD is telling Israel to work for 6 each, 24 hour days, and then rest on the 7th day, JUST LIKE HE DID!
Scripture interpreting Scripture, precept upon precept.
If we were to “allegorize and or spiritualize” everything in Scripture, our Faith would not be based on anything.
“If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? 30Why are we also in danger every hour? 31I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE. 33Do not be deceived:” 1Corinthians 15:29-33a.
Hebrews 11:1 says FAITH is THE SUBSTANCE, i.e. standing under. The Greek word is G5287, HUPOSTASIS. One of its meanings is “to set under”. It can also mean “essence”, (compare Hupostasis in Hebrews 1:3) cf John 1:1,14,18.
The Warriors of God are Firmly Footed In and On Faith, The Solid LOGOS/ RHEMA Ground, The Essence of God, in Complete Divine Armor, always looking to and hearing from, their Captain, the Leader and Completer of The Ekklesia’s Faith, (Hebrews 12:2).
Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians said in 2 Corinthians 11:2-4,
”2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be *corrupted from the **simplicity that is in Christ.(emphasis mine) 4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him,” emphasis added.
*”Corrupted”, the Greek word, Phtheiro, G5351, means “to shrivel or wither”.
**”Simplicity”, the Greek word, Haplotas, G572 means “singleness” and Online Etymology shows the etymology of ‘Simple’ as from Latin simplus from PIE compound *sm-plo-, from root *sem- (1) “one; as one, together with” + *-plo- “-fold.”.
That “One Fold” and “Singleness” of heart is The Ekklesia’s Place of Safety (John 10:1-16). If our “first love” dies, a process begins, unless acted upon, like The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy.
The Spirit becomes Grieved, and begins to Shrivel, Wither, and Ultimately Extinguished.
“1Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour,” Matthew 25:1-12 emphasis added.
Who Determines What is Allegory, Figurative, and What is Fact?
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I believe the Holy Spirit is our Greatest Teacher, Instructor, and Explainer. It is through an Intimate Relationship with Him that we can Hear His Voice.
John 14:26; Acts 17:11; John 10:1-16
“The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand,” Psalm 119:130.
“God is not the author of confusion,” 1 Corinthians 14:33.
The Holy Spirit is imploring ALL of us, His Ekklesia, at this Critical Time of God’s Plan and World History, to study under His Tutelage.
We can listen to other Godly, human, teachers, but it is our responsibility, and also, to Christ and His Body, to search into, prayerfully, what we have been taught by them and hear for His Approval or Disapproval.
Why else this Divine Lockdown?
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Faith is Accounted to us for Righteousness,” Revelation 19:7-8. emphasis added.
“I will hear what YHVH God will speak” Psalm 85:8. The Hebrew word for “speak” is H1696 DAVAR, meaning: “setting in a row, ranging in order” In addition “lead, guide” as a shepherd with his flocks.
Determining, in our Bible studies, what is fact or a form of figurative language, is combining being at The Master’s Feet and Hearing Him, with Proper Biblical Hermeneutics, rightly dividing and cutting straight, Scripture with Scripture, Precept upon Precept, The LOGOS of Truth.
Why is This Important?
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith,knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:8-11 emphasis added.
The LORD did not Write His Book to be interpreted according to the wisdom of man and demonic spirits, but according to His Own Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding.
“15For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:15-23.
Faith In Him and His LOGOS, energized and working through AGAPE will see us through the harder times up ahead.
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47“Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49“But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great,” Luke 6:46-49.
Deception can come in many ways and fashions. This is why His Discernment of spirits, (because the devil and his demons are behind all deception), is so important to His Body in this Hour.
Each of us has this responsibility. We must be able to Trust in His Divine Counsel. Jesus has given to each member of His Body The Opportunity and Ability to Hear From Him. (John 14:24,26).
This was probably the greatest reason for The Protestant Reformation.
The Bible was not to be chained to one man’s pulpit, only to be read, spoken, and interpreted by him, declaring it in only one language.
To relinquish the right of personal Faith and study of the Scriptures is worse than not voting. It would be to hold the Brave Christian Martyrs and Reformers in contempt.
”Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.
“3For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” Hosea 4:6.
If the enemy gains access through one chink in our armor, to weaken our Faith, he then has opportunity to cause us even greater harm and possibly Eternal Destruction.
Remember:
“19For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; 22for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.
24But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory,” Mark 13:19-26.
“10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells,” 2 Peter 3:10-13.
Compare Peter with these Isaiah passages.
“For behold, I create (BARA Genesis 1:1) new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind,” Isaiah 65:17.
“For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make (ASAH Genesis 1:7) will endure before Me,” declares the LORD, so your offspring and your name will endure,” Isaiah 66:22 .
“4Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea,4 the first things have passed away.
5And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
6Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death,” Revelation 21:4-7 emphasis added.
Jesus warns in Revelation 22:18-19,
“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
Finally Brethren!
“14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. 15So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.” Philippians 3:14-15 emphasis added.
Agape The LORD with all your heart, soul, MIND, and strength. Entrust yourself into The Hands of God, and He Will bring you Safely to Him.
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,” Jude 24.
~ Doug MacCallum
Doug MacCallum
This is an excellent article and a serious amount of work and thought has gone into it.
Been s great help for me and massively built up my faith
Thanks and GB
Mark