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| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 35 Registered: 7-2010 |
The Book of Life By: Michael Harper The "Book of Life" is the KEY found in the Bible that unites what Jacobus Arminius taught about the FREE WILL with what John Calvin taught about PREDESTINATION together in one harmonious marriage. The "Book of Life" compared through out the Bible makes it possible for these two love birds to stop quarrelling with each other once and for all settle down and get married. Arminianism teaches the FREE WILL and emphasizes all the verses in the Bible about the WILL. Whereas Calvinism teaches he SOVERIEGN WILL OF GOD and emphasizes all the verses about PREDESTINATION. Both groups hug their set of verses very tightly, and are convinced that the other groups set of verses cannot be in harmony with their view and therefore explain the others verses away. For the last 500 years the debates role back and forth only because neither group can see how to form a union between the FREE WILL and PREDESTINATION, where both doctrines can co-exist together peacefully and harmoniously. Before we go further we need to candidly admit that the Bible teaches BOTH the free will and predestination. Just because the churches for the last 500 years have found no way to allow these two doctrines to co-exist together does not change the fact that the Bible teaches BOTH VIEWS. The only reason it took 500 years to find the answer, was that there was only one KEY TO UNLOCK this mystery. Both groups were looking in the wrong place to find the answer to the dilemma between themselves. There is ONLY ONE KEY throughout the scripture that will unlock this mystery and allow both FREE WILL and PREDESTINATION to co-exist and allow BOTH TO BE RIGHT! That key is. . . . . "THE BOOK OF LIFE." Let's have an old fashioned Bible study shall we? What did Jesus say was a requirement to enter the Kingdom of God? “ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 “ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 Q. What did Peter call this experience? “ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Ac 3:19 Q. Was Peter himself converted the night he denied Jesus? “ But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” Luke 22:32-34 Answer: Peter was not yet converted the night he denied knowing Jesus three times. Thus Peter was not yet fit to see the Kingdom of God.“ But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Mt 10:33 . Christ who is knows the hearts of all men plainly said PETER STILL NEEDED TO BECOME CONVERTED. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and WHEN THOU ART CONVERTED, strengthen thy brethren. Q. Where was Peter’s name written though he was not yet converted born again)? “ Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 Q. When was Peter’s name written in Heaven? “ The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” Re 17:8 Peter’s name was not written in the Book of Life at the moment of his conversion. Rather it was written in the Book of Life at the foundation or beginning of the world. Our names are not written in the Book of Life at the moment of conversion. Rather they were written in the Book of Life at the foundation or beginning of the world. Q. Because Peter had denied Jesus what did he himself need to do in order to receive the Holy Spirit and eternal life? What did Peter himself prescribe? “ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Ac 2:38,39 Q. What would have happened if Peter had refused to repent and persisted in disobedience to God’s words thus continuing in sin? “ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Re 22:19 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Ex 32:33 “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” Ps 69:28 Peter’s name was written in the Book of Life from the beginning of the world. “ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5. If Peter had persisted in disobedience He would of left God no other choice but to blot out his name from the Book of Life and thus also remove his right to become a citizen in the Kingdom of God. Judas Iscariot had an opportunity to have his name as one of the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem and forfeited that honor and privilege see Revelation 21:14). Peter too might have lost his name from among those twelve foundations had he not confessed and repented of his sins. Q. What must all men do to prevent their names from being blotted out of the Book of Life? “ He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Re 3:5 Q. What promised sacrifice made it possible for Peter’s name to be written in the book of Life from the foundation of the world? “ And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Re 13:8 “ Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” 1Pe 1:18-20 Jesus Christ promised to be our sacrifice and substitute for our sins at the beginning of the world. At this time the Book of Life was written placing within its pages the names of all men for whom the Lamb of God would shed His blood. Q. Does the Bible anywhere mention any names ever being written in the Book of Life after the beginning of time or at “the foundation of the world?” Answer: No. According to the Bible all names that will ever be found in the book of life were placed there at the foundation of the world. There is no record of any names being added to the book after the time it was written. There is no scriptural evidence that names have been added since the “foundation of the world.” However there is clear evidence that shows that there are names placed in the Book of Life that have been blotted out. Christ was “foreordained before the foundation of the world” to be the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” 1 Peter 1:20, John 1:29. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,” 2 Corinthians 5:19. God knows all things even things not yet done the things still in our future. The Creator of all life is “the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity.” Isaiah 57:15. In the Book of Life God is “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done” Isaiah 46:10. He is declaring the names of all those whom would ever be born among the children of men long before they would ever breath there first breath. ““ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5. God knows each child of His creation intimately. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30. “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. Isaiah 43:1; 45:4. The Bible depicts Christ as the “Good Shepherd” calling after His sheep. “The sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” John 10:3. “ What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” Luke 15:4 Christ the Good Shepherd is seeking all that are lost and sick seeking to bring healing and everlasting life to “whosoever will”. “ When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17 All those that are lost and sick because of sin He came to save. He knows each one and calls them all by name. He is right now calling you by name too. “ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Q. How many souls did the “Lamb of God shed His blood for?” “ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Joh 1:29 “ And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1Jo 2:2 “ And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” Joh 4:42 “ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2Co 5:19 “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” died “for the sins of the whole world.” To every soul He shed His precious blood he did foreknow by name. “ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Ro 8:29 . This was God’s original purpose in making Adam “the firstborn among his brethren.” “ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Ge 1:26 After the fall of Adam all men had received a sinful nature, fallen from the glorious image of Christ, of which they were originally created. “ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Ro 3:23 . Christ did not come to save the Righteous but sinners. All have sinned; hence Christ came to save all mankind. “Whosoever will.” “ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17 Q. To how many was the Gospel to be preached? “ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 “9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 The Gospel is freely offered to all that “dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” Revelation 14:6. “ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. “ And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst . . . him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:35,37. Notice how many the Father loves. ““ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Jesus taught us to “love your enemies,” “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44,45. “34 ¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acts 10:34-35. Q. John Calvin taught that it was God’s “sovereign will” that some should perish. That God predestined some to this future. Is this The Lord’s Will for some? “ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2Peter 3:9 Were God to exercise His “Sovereign will” which is that NONE should perish then all mankind would be saved. Listen to the pleading of our tender loving Father in Heaven. “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:31-32 . “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” Ephesians 1:4-5 “Adam, which was the son of God” Luke 3:38) Placed all mankind under the bitter adversary of all good, the Father of all lies, the Devil John 8:44). “All have sinned.” Romans 3:23. “ They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Ps 14:3 . Jesus came to save the sick not those that are whole. There are none that are whole! We are all since Adam and Eve sick with the sickness of sin, stubbornness and rebellion against the “holy just and good” will of God Romans 7:12). Despite all this God is “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,” therefore, “he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world” and “predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” “ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name,” John 1:12 “ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” 2Ti 1:9 “ In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2 “ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” 1Co 2:7 (Message edited by michaelsavedbygrace on July 21, 2010) (Message edited by michaelsavedbygrace on July 21, 2010) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11445 Registered: 12-2003  |
Michael, this is a very interesting study, but it is based more on logical progression than upon a clear biblical revelation. For example, you wrote:
But there are other texts which are not included above: John 17:12:
Romans 9:17-23:
We absolutely cannot explain the tension of the Bible's clear teaching of election and it's clear teaching of our responsibility to choose. Moreover, the Bible does not teach "free will" as we usually think of it; it teaches "responsibility to choose". For example, Eph. 2:3 states unequivocally that we are all "by nature children of wrath". Colossians 1:13 tells us we all come into this world as citizens of the "domain of darkness", that God Himself transfers us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. No human ever has the ability to seek or choose God. In Romans 3:10-18, Paul quotes psalm after psalm making the point that
In other words, no human ever born has the "free will" to seek or desire God. We can only seek God with God's own assistance. Jesus Himself said in John 6:44: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. So we're left with a dilemma. No human is born with free will; we are by nature objects of wrath, locked in the domain of darkness, and none of us seeks God. At the same time, we are clearly told God chooses, calls, elects, foreknows, and predestines His own in Christ from before the foundation of the world. Moreover, the Bible clearly teaches that we are hear and believe, to not harden our hearts, to choose, to believe, to have faith... And over it all, God Himself has to draw us to Himself before we can do ANY of this choosing or believing. We have to conclude by saying we absolutely cannot explain how this reality "works". It is a tension we must live with. We cannot explain away either the overt statements of predestination any more than we can explain away the overt passages commanding us to believe. Job summed up our human dilemma:
You are right, Michael, that "arminianism" and "calvinism" should never divide the body. The Bible clearly teaches that no man has any freedom to choose apart from God. It further clearly teaches that God predestines and foreknows His own...and by the way, there is no evidence that God ever removes anyones name from the book of life. There are warnings that include that warning, but we are never told God actually removes a name. We cannot take God's warnings and draw a conclusion that the warning is a statement of accomplished fact. Moreover, we cannot conclude from the biblical evidence that Peter was not "converted" when he denied Jesus. For sure the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out; full spiritual understanding could not come until after Pentecost. But we cannot conclude that Peter was not already as converted as any believer could be before the crucifixion. We have to live with the tension between these two things. We cannot rationalize them away, re-interpret them, or push them into a paradigm to fit what we see. We are limited to time and space; eternity is much different, and we have no way to see or understand how these things actually look in eternity where God dwells in unapproachable light. In reality, I believe there is no contradiction. From our perspective, we have to say we hold to every word of Scripture as God's intended, revealed glimpse of absolute reality. We have to be content to hold these things in tension, confident that in Him all tension is resolved. Just as 1 Cor 13:12- 13 says,
In other words, I am already fully known by God. Fully. I, however, cannot fully know Him until I am glorified. Until then, we live by faith in hope. Then, faith and hope will be fulfilled, and only love will remain. This tension must remain until we are glorified with Him. And it's OK, because we trust Him! We know He is faithful and just. We live by faith in hope—and we know our questions are not troublesome to God. He alone sees and IS reality. We are being ushered into His reality by our new birth, but we must be content to live by faith, not by sight, until He catches us up with Him! Colleen | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 38 Registered: 7-2010 |
Hi Colleen, I purposely did not address Romans 9 until after someone objected and brought it up. Before you read my reply, let me state that I was told on another post that people on the forum wanted to know my position on the topic. I have made myself perfectly clear now. You and others are welcome to believe what you like about the subject. I have made my beliefs known and given a reason for believing the way I do. This is the msot debated topic on the net. It has been debated for hundreds of years and will not end simply because you or I post comments on a forum. But that does not mean you and I have to go at it for the next year on this topic ourselves. Here is what I had written earlier but chose not to post until after someone brought up objections. . . . “That is all well and good Michael, but what do you do with Romans chapter 9 when Paul talks about Jacob and Esau and then the statement about God hardening the heart of Pharaoh?” a Calvinist minded person would no doubt ask me. Well lets look at these texts of Holy inspired Scripture. For man is to live by every word of God. “10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Romans 9:10-13 AV) Jacob had not yet wrestled with the Angel of the Lord, and Esau had not yet sold out his birthright nor had he yet married his Canaanite wife. “Neither having done any good or evil” were “according to election” declared to be of two classes of character by the Lord. One loved, and the other hated. Let us remember that “God is no respecter of persons” He makes His goodness known to both the good and the evil. And that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” And lets also remember the warning of Peter, that Paul wrote “some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16. Q. Now lets ask the question then, what does this teaching about “election” have to do with the example of Jacob and Esau? Did God choose one to be evil and choose one to be good, or is it that God knew in advance who would humble them selves and also knew in advance who would rebel against Him by their own choice? “ Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (1Peter 1:2 AV) “ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Ro 8:29 AV) God knew in advance that Jacob would serve Him and knew in advance that Esau would rebel against Him. God loved Jacob’s service towards Himself and hated Esau’s rebellion, for God hates sin. Jacob had not earned God’s love through His service. Oh no! On the contrary “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9 AV) “ We love him, because he first loved us.” (1John 4:19 AV) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Ro 2:4 AV). As for Esau God loves the sinner and hates the sin. Lets look at the next couple “hard to understand texts in Romans 9 14 “¶ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. This phrase is from Exodus. We will need to read it to understand this declaration of God. “ And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” (Ex 33:19 AV) Immediately after stating this to Moses He passed by before Him while Moses was in the cleft of the rock and said, In Exodus 34 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. 8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. (Ex 34:6-8 AV) “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1Peter 5:5 Confession is the act of humbling our selves. The promise is “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9 AV) Moses knew this holy principal in God’s dealings with men. Moses had recognized that Israel had been proud and stiff-necked. He began to make intercession for Israel confessing their rebellious attitudes against the One whom had shown them such great mercy. “And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” Exodus 34:9 God will have mercy upon all who call on the name of the Lord for salvation confessing their sins humbling them selves seeking His mercy. God will also in the end be forced to execute justice upon all who refused to submit to His commandments rebelling against His wisdom thus leaving God with no other choice but to blot out there names from the Book of Life. What about the scriptures dealing with God “hardening Pharaohs heart”? Well lets look at them. 16 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 17 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 18 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 19 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 20 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 21 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 22 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (Ro 9:14-23 AV) This is not such a hard thing to understand. Come reason with me. Jesus taught us to “love your enemies,” “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44,45. The same sun that shines on wax and melts it shines on clay and hardens it. It is not the fault of the sun rather it is the substance that the material is made from that causes it to react one way or another. There fore Jesus who loved His enemies showed Pharaoh love and mercy as he gave him one chance after another to obey His commandment to let Israel go. Pharaoh’s heart was proud and would not let Israel go each time God had one plague after another cease. God who is all powerful could of in a single manifestation destroyed pharaoh, yet He gave him ten chance to obey God. Finally when Pharaoh had shown that there was no way he would ever obey God no matter how much mercy was shown him it was thena dn only then that God sent the tenth plague and killed all the first born of Egypt so that the Egyptians would be compelled to let Israel go. Even after this Pharaoh went after God’s people with a great army with intentions to force the Hebrews back into slavery. Pharaoh knew this was against God’s will for God had said, “let my people go, that they may serve me.” Pharaoh was not in ignorance of God’s will. Rather He deliberately chose to disobey God. God had extended to Pharaoh as much mercy as He possibly could and ultimately God was left with no other choice but to destroy pharaoh and his army to preserve the Hebrews. God had manifested through Pharaoh that it is God that “bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.” (Isaiah 26:5 AV) It was God that made Egypt great through Joseph over 400 years before. During the 7 years of famine God had used Joseph to bring all cattle, lands, and men under the ownership and control of Egypt. As long as Egypt obeyed the leading of God Egypt was blessed and made great. When Egypt began to disobey God, the Lord manifested through the ten plagues that He has power to strip the mightiest nation from all its cattle, lands and men. “It is a fascinating fact that the Hebrew word “chazaq” is translated “hardened” in almost every account of God’s dealing with Pharaoh. But when Pharaoh “hardened” his own heart, the Hebrew word “kabed” is used. Why this difference? Actually the word “chazaq” has a literal meaning of “strengthen, courage.” For example, we read in 1 Samuel 30:6 that “David encouraged himself in the Lord,” but the word translated “encouraged” is “chazaq”—the same word which is translated as “hardened” in this passage. “Chazaq” is also translated as “encouraged” in the following verses: 1 Samuel 30:6; Deuteronomy 1:38; 2 Samuel 11:25; 2 Chronicles 35:2; Psalms 64:5; Isaiah 41:7; Deuteronomy 3:28; Judges 20:22; 2 Chronicles 31:4. When we take the true meaning of the word, we find that God actually encouraged Pharaohs heart to let Israel go. But when Pharaoh hardened his own heart the Bible uses a different word—“kabed”—which means “to make heavy, hardened.”” But why did the “encouragement” of the Lord have the effect of hardening Pharaoh’s heart? We might just as well ask why the same encouraging, inspiring ministry of Jesus could produce a loving John and a traitorous Judas. One was softened and the other hardened. The same sun that softens the wax will harden the clay. Every man is exposed in some degree to the grace of Christ (John 1:9) The Lord is spoken of as a sun (Psalm 84:11) who lightens every man. Some reject light and grow hard (Zechariah 7:12). Some accept and are softened. The end result depends on the response of each individual. Only those who have their names in the Book of Life during the final time of trouble overcome the mark of the beast. “ And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Re 13:8 AV) Only those today who by grace through faith in Jesus are overcoming sin will not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life. “ He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Re 3:5 AV) (Message edited by michaelsavedbygrace on July 21, 2010) | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 1166 Registered: 3-2009 |
(1 John 5:4) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Hec | ||
| Yenc Registered user Username: Yenc Post Number: 208 Registered: 6-2008 |
Michael, Your "Book of Life" explanation makes more sense to me and fits in more pieces to the puzzle than anything else I've heard. We humans, indeed, cannot know whether any specific person will eventually repent or whether he will refuse until the last chance has expired and God has to remove his name and he is actually cast into the lake of fire. Only God knows the end from the beginning, This of course, does not imply that we can deliberately sin all our lives because we believe we can repent at the last second and still be saved. At the same time, we can state with no doubts that our names ARE ALREADY in the Book of Life and we who continue to believe can rest assured that our names will remain in the Book of Life forever! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11447 Registered: 12-2003 |
Michael, this forum is a place where we all are in the same boat—humbly submitting our Adventist worldview and our reading of Scripture to the Lord Jesus, offering Him our interpretations and understandings and asking Him to teach us truth and to plant us in what is REAL. This forum is not a place to join with the hope of gaining a platform for teaching others the way you see things. It's a place to learn. I have to comment on the ending of your last post, because what is there is not the gospel. This forum is not a place to debate what the gospel is; it's a place to learn what the gospel is. First, we do not "overcome the mark of the beast". Revelation 14:9 is clear what the mark of the beast is: it is worshiping the beast and his image. In other words, anyone who does not worship the Lord Jesus but is loyal to the antichrist and his false prophet, who get their power from the devil himself (Rev. 13:3), receives the mark of the beast. The seal of God is clearly defined in Ephesians 1:13-14: it is the indwelling Holy Spirit. We either place our faith in the Lord Jesus and are sealed by His own Spirit, or we reject submitting to Him and serve the authority of Satan. That's it...we're either sealed by God by trusting in Jesus and His blood, or we are marked by evil and serve satan. There is no "overcoming the mark of the beast". We are either in Christ, or we are not. Second, we do not stay in the Book of Life by overcoming sin. John 5:24 says, "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." Understanding the new birth and the reality of the human spirit is a great help in understanding the reality of our security. Michael, it is not possible to understand all these things at once. We were deeply indoctrinated, and we had no idea how thorough that brainwashing was. Every single thing we believed was skewed. It takes time. Just let God continue to peel back the layers, and don't feel as if you must—or even can—understand biblical reality all at once. Discovering Adventism is false is HUGE—and that discovery, which is a miracle of God, is just the beginning. It takes two to five years to process out of the Adventist mindset...and it takes much longer than that to begin to "see" details biblically. Our salvation is secure when we trust Jesus' shed blood for our sin. We do not maintain salvation by obedience and overcoming. We are secured, and our salvation is maintained by God Himself who comes to live in our mortal flesh until He catches us up to be with Him and gives us glorified bodies. Just a suggestion…why don't you hold back on the long treatises for awhile and just dialogue with us, letting us get to know you, and exchanging ideas and stories? Long posts tend not be be read carefully anyway...and you can learn from us, and we can also learn as we interact with you. Colleen | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 40 Registered: 7-2010 |
________________________________________ quote: John 17:12: While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. ________________________________________ My Answer Judas was one of the ELECT. If being one of the 12 disciples in not the highest calling a person can have then I don't know what is! Against popular belief, due largely because Ellen White denies it, Judas was CHOSEN by Christ. Luke 6:13-16 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them HE CHOSE TWELVE, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and JUDAS ISCARIOT, which also was the traitor. Mt 19:28 — And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, YE ALSO SHALL SIT UPON TWELVE THRONES, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The only twelve people Christ was talking to at the time included Judas! Rev 21:14 — And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES of the Lamb. Obviously Judas will not be there, It is my personal belief that Paul's name has replaced his. God gave no command to the apostles to cast lots in Acts 1. They chose Matthias to replace Judas. Whereas Jesus Himself chose Paul and called him to be an apostle. Are there 13 apostles then? Paul is definitely an apostle. At any account let's not digress. Judas was CHOSEN by Christ. He was among the twelve. His place among the twelve was secure. By his own choice he betrayed Jesus and disqualified himself of 1) eternal life 2) apostleship 3) heaven 4) the right to sit on one of those twelve thrones. ________________________________________ quote: John 6:44: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. ________________________________________ This argument does not prove either "Arminianism" or "Calvinism." This is not a proof text for either side. Both camps believe "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13. Both camps believe we "were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:13 As to Romans 9:17-23, well I have already answered this in my previous response. | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 41 Registered: 7-2010 |
Colleen's quote ________________________________________ I have to comment on the ending of your last post, because what is there is not the gospel. ________________________________________ I assume this is what you are commenting on, _______________________________________ "Only those today who by grace through faith in Jesus are overcoming sin will not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life." ________________________________________ I do not subscribe to "once saved always saved" I believe that we are saved by grace through faith. If one abandons faith in Christ he no longer meets the conditions of the New Covenant. No one is talking about obedience to the Ten Commandments or sabbath keeping. I have abandonded them as not being under the New Covenant. However Christ did teach that we need to "ENDURE TO THE END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED." He asked, "When I come will I find Faith on the earth?" Our faith must endure to the end. We must "fight the good fight of faith." That is what we must overcome. We must overcome doubt and maintain our faith in order to be saved. If we abandon faith, then "WHATEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN" It is in this context I write, ________________________________________ "Only those today who by grace through faith in Jesus are overcoming sin will not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life." ________________________________________ I accept that you believe no one can have their names blotted out of the book of life. I can not accept that because the Bible says otherwise. I quoted this text, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Re 3:5 AV) I also quoted these texts “ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Re 22:19 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Ex 32:33 “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” Ps 69:28 Colleen's Quote, ________________________________________ Moreover, we cannot conclude from the biblical evidence that Peter was not "converted" when he denied Jesus. For sure the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out; full spiritual understanding could not come until after Pentecost. But we cannot conclude that Peter was not already as converted as any believer could be before the crucifixion. ________________________________________ Whereas I maintain Christ who knows the hearts of all men plainly said PETER STILL NEEDED TO BECOME CONVERTED. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and WHEN THOU ART CONVERTED, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:32 is plain to my mind. The disciples were converted after the ascension. I have further proof of this fact, ask and you shall receive. (Message edited by michaelsavedbygrace on July 21, 2010) | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 535 Registered: 1-2006  |
Michael--I'm interested. What proof of the disciples conversion are you referring to? Bob | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11450 Registered: 12-2003 |
Michael, are you a "KJV only" person? Some of your "proofs" are not even possible without using the KJV. For example, Luke 22:32 does not use "conversion" in other translations, including the NKJV. The Greek underlying that word is a root that means to turn, or to repent. Modern translations based on earlier manuscripts and using today's definitions of the words, uses variations of "repent, turn back to me, return to me" in Luke 22:32. They do NOT have Jesus saying "When you are converted,,," Moreover, In that very same verse, Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him so that his faith will not fail—and then continues by saying when he returns or repents to strengthen his brethren. The context is Jesus telling Peter that he would deny Him three times. Jesus is clearly telling Peter that He has prayed, knowing what Peter is about to do, that "his faith may not fail." Peter WAS a believer. He did know who Jesus was, and He was committed to Him. This wasn't an issue of Peter needing "conversion"; it was an issue of Jesus teaching that only He can preserve our faith when we are tempted and fall in our flesh. Peter's return, or repentance, following His denial, was God's doing in Peter's life. The Lord Jesus prayed in advance for Peter, and Peter was restored because His own Master interceded for him. He did not fail in the sense of losing salvation, and he was not "unconverted". This is a story of hope for us, not a teaching that we have to guard against loss of salvation, Are you KJV only? Colleen | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 42 Registered: 7-2010 |
Hi Bob, Certainly, please give me a day or so and I will post the points I have in mind. As for tonight I am all tuckered out! LOL  Goodnight! | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 43 Registered: 7-2010 |
Collen, in another post I wrote that my new favorite translation is the NEW CENTURY VERSION. I use lots of translations. I refer to the King James the most because 1) I know it best and 2) it avoids prejudice from those who are KJV only. I do recommend you get a NCV that translation is wonderful. I wrote more about that on another post. | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 44 Registered: 7-2010 |
P.S. CONVERTED in Luke 22:32 is the same word as CONVERTED in Acts 3:19. Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; I do look at the original language on these words. I did look this up prior to you making this post. I refer the Greek in my posts frequently. So the translations don't hender me at all, thanks for the concern! Keep studying! Good Night! | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 3266 Registered: 10-2004  |
Michael, dude, slow down and take a breath, man. Like Colleen said, you can't expect to know it all at once. You said that you started your studying on May 22, 2010. That's not even two months ago! It takes at least a couple of years just to process out of Adventism and adopt a Biblical, Christian paradigm/worldview. That's what happens when one leaves a cult, it just takes some time to deprogram, no matter how badly we want it all figured out instantly. As long as you keep studying God's Word for what it teaches, in context, with God Himself guiding you, I guarantee you that there will be many things that you think you know now, that a year from now or two years from now, you will wonder how you could ever see it that way. Just take it easy. Rome wasn't built in a day. Or two months for that matter. ;-) Jeremy | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 45 Registered: 7-2010 |
Hey Jeremy, I love you guys, I do! I never said I started reading the Bible two months ago. Rather than I discovered that what Ellen White taught was not true two months ago. I have worn out eleven leather Bibles in just my first 12 years as a Christian. One per year. I have always read the Bible 99% of the time and Ellen White the other 1% so when I came to realize the Investigative Judgment was not scriptural it did not take much time to put the pieces together. The scriptures were already in my head. This article on the Book of Life… I wrote that nearly ten years ago! I have preached it from Coast to Coast. I know this topic quite well. This may come as a surprise but it was this very topic that started me down my "crisis of faith" as a Seventh-day Adventist two years ago while I worked for the New York Conference. The Bible was so clear on the subject and yet Ellen White said that names were added to the book of life at conversion. I knew beyond all doubt that she was wrong on that point. I called a friend and was worried about it. I told him I was having a "crisis of faith" because I found something Ellen White was wrong about. Two years went by before I came to realize that Hebrews 9 could not work with the 1844 teaching. That was in May 22, 2010. Two months ago tomorrow. After that the pieces fit together like a puzzle. Going through all those Bible's helped of course. My point is, this is not my first time writing and studying the Bible. I have been at it like this for since 1992, with all the same zeal. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11451 Registered: 12-2003 |
Well, Michael, like Jeremy said, slow down! There really are some other ways to look at these things; the fact that you have been reading and preaching these things for ten years doesn't make it "so". Are you a KJV-only person? God has definitely revealed the truth about Ellen to you. He is not done revealing. He puts us in community with other believers not just so we can teach but so we can learn. I cannot begin to describe how much I have learned since interacting on this forum 12 years ago. My understanding of reality has changed drastically..not just because people here said something was true, but because as I prayed as I grappled with new ideas, asking God to show me what was really true as I studied instead of using Scripture to confirm my understandings, He has opened His word in amazing ways. You need to understand, Michael, that we will not necessarily believe you just because you quote many texts. Our own past and our own study has given us a caution and a need to prove everything. And God is sovereign; your being here with us means He is in the business of teaching you as well...right along with us! So, are you a KJV-only person? Colleen | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 3268 Registered: 10-2004 |
Michael, I didn't mean that you started reading the Bible two months ago. I meant what you say: your studying since you discovered that Ellen White's teachings were false. I would be very wary of posting something I wrote while still under the spiritual hold of Ellen White, and before my eyes were opened to the fact that she was a false prophet. Studying the Bible while being in a cult and studying the Bible after realizing the cult and their prophet are false are two completely different paradigms. Once we understand the Gospel, everything begins to change and the Bible does not read the same and we keep seeing things we never saw before, and it's as if we've never read some of those verses/passages before. Jeremy | ||
| Yenc Registered user Username: Yenc Post Number: 212 Registered: 6-2008 |
Michael, I am reminded of a little story told to me a very long time ago by a very dear friend who was an SDA minister at the time, (Praise God, he is also a "former.") A circuit-riding preacher showed up at a tiny country church. Entering the church, he found only one worshipper, so he sat down to wait for the rest of the congregation to arrive. After a considerable wait, no one else had shown up, so he asked the man what he would suggest. The man thought for a moment, then he drawled, "We-l-l ---If Ah goes out to the south 40 to feed the cows, and only one cow shows up, Ah don't refuse to feed her." So the preacher began to preach. And what a wonderful sermon it was--sin, repentence, heaven and hell, salvation--even an altar call! Finally he finished. He sat down, and asked the man what he thought. "W-e-l-l," drawled the man. "If Ah goes out to the south 40 to feed the cows, and only one shows up, Ah don't give 'er the whole load!" Colleen has a valid point with reference to what you are posting. You have a lot to say, and we understand your eagerness to share it, but you need to give US time to study it out and analyze it, too. We have a lot of "newbies" on the Forum, as well as the "sharper tacks" who realized the falseness of the SDA doctrines a long time ago. Newbies or "oldies," we can't digest the "whole load" all at once. And we don't want anyone to give up altogether because they feel overwhelmed. Patience, my friend--we all need it (and I almost said "right NOW!). We're trying; just slow down and give us time. | ||
| Joyfulheart Registered user Username: Joyfulheart Post Number: 718 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hi Michael, I haven't yet welcomed you. I hope this place will be the blessing to you that it has been to me. I so appreciated the stuff you posted about the National Sunday Law and why it can never be. I copied it and have already sent it to a few people. Thank you! I'd like to share something that happened to me. I came into the SDA church through a prophecy seminar and stayed in the church for six years. I was never baptized because I never bought Ellen White's prophetic status or the IJ. Other than those things, I was hooked. I LOVED the Adventist lifestyle. I loved their commitment to evangelism. I loved Sabbath School, the divine worship service and being part of the remnant - one of God's favorites. I even loved the thought of being part of such an exclusive part of christianity that I would be persecuted for Christ. I thought of putting up billboards telling mainline Christianity about the Sabbath and mark of the beast. I wanted them to know they were eating the wrong foods and that although some must have been reading their Bibles, they were studying deficiently. They had been reading their Bibles, but hadn't seen the truth. I wanted to play Holy Spirit. As I came slowly - but surely of of "Adventist truth" and back into the truth of the Word of God and almost opposite reaction occured. Now I felt sent to Adventists to let them know they were all wrong. The truth is that I was wrong. It's taken about two years to realize it. I created a brochure (with the Tinker's help) and passed it out at prophecy seminars. I sent books, CD's and e-mails to Adventists. It only made them mad. They're still veiled and no amount of anything I could do could get that stinkin' veil off of their faces. I pulled and yanked and tugged with all of my might and it didn't budge. I actually now think I did more harm than good. Again, I was so hoping that I could play Holy Spirit in their lives. It didn't work. Now, I speak as God gives me opportunities and the Holy Spirit guides. More than anything else though, I simply pray. God had to work in my life taking away my pride and the thought that I had everything down and right. What I had been lacking was a teachable spirit. Looking back, I think my attitude that I had it right (both when I was new and exited and sure about Adventism and when I was sure I had been in the most destructive cult ever) only alienated people. I had a lot to learn. Michael, God has done a miracle in your life in removing your veil and He is going to use you in amazing ways. You know A LOT! I haven't asked for your charts yet, but want them. (Look for an e-mail! ) I believe you are going to be used by God in ways that will surprise and amaze you. For now, yes, share - you have amazing stuff, but also since this is so new (you haven't been unveiled for THAT long, yet) I encourage you to just rest in Jesus. Share your experiences and things you're learning and discovering as a result of being unveiled. As you read and study as an unveiled believer, I think you're going to be surprised by the things you learn. If you go back and read the archives, you'll find a lot of us came in thinking we had knowledge others didn't. A lot of us studied our way out, too (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) - and wanted to share everything right away. I wanted to shout from the rooftops the things I was learning. It is such a relief now to know that out of Adventism, I don't have to have the answers about every topic. As long as we have turned to Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross alone for complete atonement of our sin, trusted Him for our salvation, repented of sin and chosen to follow Him, we have the majors. I do think the minors are important in their place, but as minors and non salvational issues. It's obvious, you have great stuff - and lots of us want it. Just slow down a little - will you? Its hard to drink out of a fire hose. Drinking fountains are better. Again, Michael welcome. I'm looking forward to getting to know you - not just what you know! Joyfulheart | ||
| Michaelsavedbygrace Registered user Username: Michaelsavedbygrace Post Number: 46 Registered: 7-2010 |
The Apostle Paul experienced a sudden change from the OLD COVENANT to the NEW COVENANT. He became the most zealous teacher the world has ever known and turned the world's understanding upside down. Paul did NOT wait years and sit under the tutelage of another person or group of people. Galatians 1:11-12 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. He did not need to be taught of men. He was thoroughly acquainted with the scriptures firsthand. He was a devote student of the Bible. When he preached he did not need to refer to notes. The Bible was written in His heart. The Holy Spirit would bring to his memory verses as they became relevant. As he went into the synagogue each Sabbath he reasoned with men who also knew the scripture. They had an established way of interpreting it. Yet Paul would present arguments that they could not answer. These men could have felt frustrated, they might have used the same arguments presented on this forum. "Paul you have not been a follower of Jesus very long, come back in ten years when you have 'waited on the Lord' for a good long while. Two months ago today, I experienced a sudden change from the OLD COVENANT to the NEW COVENANT. While this is a confusing process for some, the transition for me has been a simple one. I have charts that detail the covenants and make them very simple. They include more scripture than any similar chart I have seen thus far. Many from this forum have these charts I speak. Name one instance in my charts that I am confused or need to wait to become more seasoned before I can understand the differences between what Ellen White taught and what the New Covenant teaches. These charts make these things very plain. When I preach I DO NOT use notes. I do not need them. Jeremy wrote that I should not refer to anything I prepared while being an Adventist, because I made this admission. Perhaps he did not get the point that it was this article that started my "crisis of faith," nearly three years ago. It was because Ellen White's writings were out of harmony with it. Name one point in this article that either the SDA church or Ellen White teach. I got this from the Bible and the Bible alone. I have used every verse in the Bible about the Book of Life, being foreordained, and predestined. They all line up in perfect harmony. My mistake on this forum, as I see it is not inexperience in the Bible, but rather taking a position on the opposite side of an issue with Colleen Tinker. It was this that caused a sudden surge of cries "slow down." I have used every verse in the Bible about the Book of Life, being foreordained, and predestined. They all line up in perfect harmony. I have answered every major point that she brought up, and if I read the forum correctly she ran out of Biblical arguments and started attacking my use of the KJV and then my length of experience under the New Covenant because she did not have a single verse in the Bible to continue her opposition with. I am starting to get the picture folks! If I say something out of harmony with Ellen White while talking with an Adventist forum they run to her aid, and on this forum if I say something out of harmony with Colleen Tinker the whole forum run to her aid. No doubt Colleen Tinker is a beloved person, and rightfully so. To all of you since I am new, I am not. So if we were rooting for a side like when we watch ball game then Colleen would be the hands down winner. Under that allegory I am definitely the underdog here. If my position is wrong as Colleen asserts, should not all you good folk with all your years of experience under the New Covenant be the right people to set me straight on this issue? Since there does not seem to be a Biblical basis for doing that, the board has resorted to these tactics to demerit my article? I have ten years of study time on this topic, I have debated with much more talented Calvinist's than Colleen Tinker on this topic (and won those debates I might add - a feat never accomplished by others). However I find no joy in debate. I did not post this article to start a debate. I stated my views because I was asked to on another post. I have answered the points raised against my article, and feel I have a perfect right to do so. However I said earlier that I hoped we would not continue debating this for much longer. ---------------------------------------------------- quote: Before you read my reply, let me state that I was told on another post that people on the forum wanted to know my position on the topic. I have made myself perfectly clear now. You and others are welcome to believe what you like about the subject. I have made my beliefs known and given a reason for believing the way I do. This is the most debated topic on the net. It has been debated for hundreds of years and will not end simply because you or I post comments on a forum. But that does not mean you and I have to go at it for the next year on this topic ourselves. ----------------------------------------- As long as questions are raised about my article I will answer them. When they stop coming in I will let the subject die out. Friends, your experience and mine are not the same. I have worn out a leather Bible a year. This is not said with any intentions of trying to be better than anyone else, I have stated on another post that we are all equals and are all brethren, and only Christ is the head. My point is, Paul did the same thing. Transitioning from the Old Covenant was a much easier thing for him than for others. Once he understood the old covenant was done away he already knew the scriptures well enough that things all fit together like a jig saw puzzle. He was like "rain man" and could see where each piece of the puzzle fit. I had the same experience. My charts on the covenants are available for anyone to judge for themselves. For the last ten years as I presented the BOOK OF LIFE as written in this post, Adventist lit up as though they had just heard the gospel for the first time. From this study I was able to tell Adventist's who are taught they have to strive to be perfect all the time, that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE GOOD ENOUGH TO GET YOUR NAME PUT IN THE BOOK OF LIFE - IT'S ALREADY THERE! God has foreordained from the foundation of the world, that each of us should be with Him in Heaven. GOD KNEW US ALL BY NAME BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN JESUS DIED FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD CHRIST PROMISED TO DIE FOR THE SINS OF ALL THE WORLD BEFORE THE WORLD WAS CREATED I am going to respect the forum. I will indeed slow down. It will be a while before I post any new articles. I will continue to reply to anything I have already posted. I have secured the following domains THESUNDAYLAW.ORG THESUNDAYLAW.COM THESUNDAYLAW.NET THESUNDAYLAW.INFO I will be devoting my time to making my articles and charts available on that website and will spend less time on this forum, at least for now. A final word. I have no desire to be on the opposite side with anyone on this forum, Colleen or anyone else. I admire the loyalty you show towards one another. I am glad you stand by one another. That is a good thing. I hope that one day I will not be viewed as the outsider, but one of the gang. You seem like you would be a good group of friends to have. |
