| Author | Message | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 2093 Registered: 5-2007  |
At breakfast this morning I read Hebrews Chapter Twelve and came across a couple of interesting passages: The first was verses 12-17 where we find the expression ‘root of bitterness’. The general topic is holiness and what causes a Christian to become defiled. Then we are given the example of where Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a piece of bread and a bowl of lentil stew, a perfect vegetarian meal according to Adventist teaching, Gen. 25:29-34. Obviously, it wasn’t the food that defiled and caused Esau to be unholy before God. Then, I came to verses 18-24 where verse 23 really caught my attention: and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, (Heb. 12:23 ESV) Reading this verse within its context, we know we (Christians, those born into the kingdom of God) are the ‘assembly of the firstborn’. Our names are already enrolled in heaven. Somehow, I have missed the meaning of this phrase until now. We are enrolled. Not might be or will be. Our names are enrolled in the Book of Life. Hallelujah! Fearless Phil | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 849 Registered: 7-2000 |
Yes, Phil...we are enrolled already! (or as the NIV says, our "names are written in heaven".) I'm not sure how SDA's interpret this now since I've been out awhile, but traditional Adventist reading of this verse brings in the "1844 Investigative Judgement" scene where "the books" are gone over and names are deleted. Deleted or kept depending on ones' "correct" obedience to Jesus, shown primarily in adherence to the keeping of the proper day of worship... This verse brings in the reality of eternal life right now... IN JESUS. grace, cindy | ||
| Indy4now Registered user Username: Indy4now Post Number: 820 Registered: 2-2008  |
Thanks for bringing that out Phil!! LOVE that! vivian |
