As
we have discussed before, belief bias is a name for the way one thinks
regarding a subject which is influenced by one’s circumstances and
surroundings. It is a limited
understanding that grows into a deep belief, but which can be incomplete or
wrong due to a lack of knowledge. For
example, one may have accepted certain stereotypes as truth regarding people of
a different race or ethnicity. People
passionate regarding their beliefs proclaim their ideas to be true, but many
times their limited scope on the subject causes them to be wrong. In order to gain a better balance in
perspective on a matter, we have to explore all sides and arguments. We also have to be willing to make the time to
do so. Of supreme importance to us is to accurately communicate what is written
in the Bible. We have to take the entire book, rather than pieces of it, and
put subjects in a time line so that we understand the difference between our
time of people with the Holy Spirit indwelling, and previous times before the
Holy Spirit came.
If
one does not look at opposing views, one cannot truly make a balanced
judgment. For example, someone once
insisted I read a book as it would change my life. Knowing the individual who passionately
promoted this particular book was not someone who actually researched facts and
had an issue with naiveté, I decided to look into it. I read both the good book reviews, and the
bad book reviews. While my friend was
waving palm branches at the “new prophet”, I found the naysayers not to be
slanderous but instead pointing out some of the authors’ biases and flawed
judgments, as well as the authors’ scripture bias. Again, my friend told me of another book I
must read, and got out the palm branches once more, and I, once again, read
both good and bad reviews, and was quite surprised at what I found. As most books have a large number of
cheerleaders, and this one was no different, I found a review by an author, a
PhD, whose books I have read. This PhD
pointed out a better book along the same lines, and added a “by the way” to the
review. The writer of the book my friend
was promoting was a rabbi polygamist. As
Solomon wrote:
Prov
14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his
going.KJV
Prov
14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.KJV
Abraham
was favored because of his relationship with God. Abraham, as we have previously studied, had a
very close relationship with Jehovah, and obeyed Him; moving several times and
trusting that he would be a father of many nations. Abraham had to trust Jehovah when asked to
sacrifice Isaac, but because of Abraham’s confidence in God, all nations of the
earth would be blessed.
Gen
22:16-18 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou
hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [3173] son
[9999 inserted word]:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in
multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the
sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his
enemies;18 And in thy seed shall all the nations [1471]of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice.KJV
OT:3173
yachiyd (yaw-kheed'); from OT:3161; properly, united, i.e. sole; by
implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced):
KJV - darling, desolate, only (child, son), solitary.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
I
want to point out the words used for “thine only” and the word “son”. Son was
added and does not exist in the Hebrew text. Thine only is by definition united or
beloved. Isaac was Abraham’s second son,
of eight sons in total.
Gen
25:1-4 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.2 And she bare
him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.3 And
Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and
Letushim, and Leummim.4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch,
and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah KJV
As
we have studied Abraham’s sons, the sons by Keutrah were sent south to live in
the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Sudan and Egypt, while Ishmael had ten sons
and they moved into Persia, Assyria and also into Egypt. Genesis 22:18 says all nations of the earth
shall be blessed. We have to look at the
word nations, as it may not mean what we think it does.
Ex
19:4-6 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on
eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my
voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto
me above all people: for all the earth is mine:6 And ye shall be unto me a
kingdom of priests, and an holy nation [1471]. These are the words which thou
shalt speak unto the children of Israel.KJV
OT:1471
gowy (go'-ee); rarely (shortened) goy (go'-ee); apparently from the same root
as OT:1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also
(figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts: KJV - Gentile,
heathen, nation, people.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:1471
gowy rarely (shortened) goy —as a noun, masculine: nation, people a) nation, people 1) usually of non-Hebrew
people 2) used of descendants of Abraham
3) used of Israel b) used of a
swarm of locusts or other animals (figurative)as a proper noun, masculine: c)
Goyim? = "nations"(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and
Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible
Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation
Research.)
As
we see, Brown Driver & Briggs’ third usage for nation is Israel, which
is the word Moses was instructed to use for holy nation; however its primary
usage is Gentile nation or Abraham’s seed. What we can see from this word is there seems
to be a funneling because Peter also uses this word but in regard to believers
in Jesus Christ. Just a side note, as the Hebrew reads in verse 3, Moses went
up to The Elohim (Ha Elohim), and Jehovah called to him out of the
mountain. Again, this is another insight
into the trinity as to why Hebrew and Aramaic are plural for Elohim and singular for Lord.
1
Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation
[1484], a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:10 Which in time past
were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy,
but now have obtained mercy.KJV
NT:1484
ethnos (eth'-nos); probably from NT:1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a
tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication,
pagan):KJV - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators,
Inc.)
The
condition of becoming a holy nation for Israel was if they obeyed God’s voice
and kept His covenants. Peter declares
those who make Jesus their Lord are now a people, a tribe, a gentile nation to
God. Abraham’s seed was blessed, all eight
sons, and however many daughters he might have had. Before Moses came on the scene writing
everything down, people had the same relationship with God that Abraham had. We
see many people who knew God and were godly in the Bible before Israel came out
of Egypt, that were not from Isaac or Jacob.
As a tribe or group, Israel was given the written law, but Jehovah said they
had to obey His voice. This is where we
get into trouble today; instead of listening to His voice like Abraham did we
tend to listen to human voices, prophets and self promoters who do not always
speak for God. However, by Jesus’ death
and resurrection, and the coming of the Hoy Spirit, we now have access to the
voice of God once again, but sometimes we rely on people, fallible humans rather
than the Almighty God.
Gen
12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:
and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.KJV
Gal
3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith,
preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations
[1484] be blessed.KJV
Abraham
was told that the Lord would bless “them” or curse “him”. I am pointing these two words out as they are
not technically in the text but implied through the context of the word families. Jehovah will bless or curse
accordingly, but all families of the earth will be blessed because of
Abraham. Paul points out why all families will be blessed because of
faith that was preached to Abraham, all the Gentile nations will be
blessed. We have to ask, why that
is? Gentile nations are blessed because
Jesus came from Abraham’s line, and then told his disciples to go out and teach
all nations, and baptize them.
Matt
28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me
in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations [1484],
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.KJV
Really,
this idea of being a nation is not specific to location; instead it is specific
to the power of the Hoy Spirit. This is why there are believers of every tribe,
tongue, and language in heaven at the time the seals are opened. The more
believers a nation has the more blessed it is.
Luke
24:46-51 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to
suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:47 And that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations [1484],
beginning at Jerusalem.48 And ye are witnesses of these things.49 And, behold,
I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.50 And he led them out as
far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.51 And it came
to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into
heaven.KJV
People
everywhere can now be saved, this does not mean that every location will have a
majority of believers, but there will be some from each Gentile nation. The more believers a nation, has the more
prosperous that nation is. The more
believers, the more presence of the Holy
Spirit there is in any city, town or country. Paul makes a speech on Mars
Hill to the Greeks, and says some interesting things about nations as well as
judgment coming.
Acts
17:24-31 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord
of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;25 Neither is
worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to
all life, and breath, and all things;26 And hath made of one blood all nations
[1484] of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined
the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;27 That they
should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though
he be not far from every one of us:28 For in him we live, and move, and have
our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring.29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to
think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art
and man's device.30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now
commandeth all men every where to repent:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in
the which he will judge [2919] the world in righteousness by that man whom he
hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath
raised him from the dead.KJV
Paul
very specifically points out that God made nations of one blood and determined
the times and the boundaries so that we could seek and find Him. God determined
the length of time each gentile nation would “live”. God also determined the
size of each Gentile nation. God
commands repentance because one day, one specific day, he will judge the world.
It is interesting that Paul is talking
to the Greeks here. The Greeks used to
be a superpower in the world. If we remember the book of Daniel, it was told to
Daniel about all the upcoming kingdoms, including Greece. Greece was taken over by the Romans, and as
we now know from hindsight, the Roman roads allowed for the preaching of the
gospel throughout the Roman Empire. At this time, Greece was no longer a superpower,
but here Paul is preaching Christ to the Greeks. Next we see the conclusion of the book of Acts,
where Paul is pointing out that salvation came to the Gentiles; the word
Gentiles is the same word as nations.
Acts
28:28-31 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto
the Gentiles [1484], and that they will hear it.29 And when he had said these
words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.30 And Paul
dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in
unto him,31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.KJV
Again,
we see the redeemed nations in heaven watching the Lamb opening the seals. This means that the holy nation Peter spoke
of, those who are redeemed, are one in the same and are gathered before the
wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of God are poured out.
Rev
5:8-12 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden
vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.9 And they sung a new
song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation [1484];10 And hast made us unto our
God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.11 And I beheld, and I
heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the
elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands;12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was
slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and
glory, and blessing.KJV
Christianity
may have forgotten a word/concept from the Bible, which is the reason the
redeemed are not counted among the non-believers during the tribulation. The idea of sanctification is one that the devil would like to keep hidden for
as long as he can. Sanctify and sanctification
are derivatives of the word holy. This is where the understanding of “set
apart” comes from. What we find is that the sanctified are the holy, set apart,
nation.
NT:37
hagiazoo; render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate. 1. to
render or acknowledge to be venerable, to hallow 2. to
separate from things profane and dedicate to God, to consecrate things 2 Tim
2:21. persons. So Christ is said by undergoing death to consecrate himself to
God, whose will he in that way fulfills, John 17:19; 3. to
purify to cleanse externally Heb 9:13; 1 Tim 4:5. to purify by expiation, free
from the guilt of sin: 1 Cor 6:11; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:10,14,29; 13:12; 2:11 to
purify internally by reformation of soul: John 17:17,19 (from Thayer's Greek
Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved.)
NT:37
hagiazo (hag-ee-ad'-zo); from NT:40; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify
or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:KJV - hallow, be holy,
sanctify.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:38
hagiasmos, hagiasmou, ho, 1 consecration, purification, 2. the
effect of consecration: sanctification of heart and life, 1 Cor 1:30 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic
Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
NT:38
hagiasmos (hag-ee-as-mos'); from NT:37; properly, purification, i.e. (the
state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: KJV - holiness,
sanctification(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
The
Holy Spirit dwells within us and he sanctifies us, makes us holy and separate
from the world.
2
Thess 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification[38] of the Spirit and belief of the truth:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our
Lord Jesus Christ.KJV
Rom
15:15-16 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in
some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of
God,16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,
ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable,
being sanctified [37] by the Holy Ghost.KJV
1
Cor 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified
[37], but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of
our God.KJV
In
the days before the Holy Spirit came to indwell humans, people had to be
sanctified by the Lord or the Priests, but they weren’t sanctified once, for
all time. Also the elements in the
temple and tabernacle had to be sanctified.
Things that were used in service to the Lord or sacrificed to the Lord
had to be cleansed as well. Jesus made us wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification and redemption.
1
Cor 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us
wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification [38], and redemption:31 That,
according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.KJV
Jesus
taught us to pray to the Father, hallowed
or holy or sanctified be thy name.
Matt
6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed [37] be thy name.KJV
Jesus
specifically asked the Father not to take his people out of the world, but
instead, that his followers would be sanctified through what he will do; die
for us. Using His blood as the sacrifice, just as bulls and goats cleansed
people before, now Jesus’ blood would set us apart in the world.
John
17:13-21 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that
they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.14 I have given them thy word;
and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am
not of the world.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,
but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16 They are not of the world,
even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify [37]them through thy truth: thy word
is truth.18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them
into the world.19 And for their sakes I sanctify [37] myself, that they also
might be sanctified [37]through the truth.20 Neither pray I for these alone,
but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;21 That they all
may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be
one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.KJV
Now
here is the importance of Jesus’ blood, we should never make a joke of it by
accepting it, and then profaning it and the Holy Spirit.
Heb
10:28-31 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought
worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood
of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified [37], an unholy thing, and hath
done despite unto the Spirit of grace?30 For we know him that hath said,
Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The
Lord shall judge [2919] his people[2992].31 It is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.KJV
In
the Amplified and in the Message verse 29 sounds stronger.
Heb
10:29 How much worse (sterner and heavier) punishment do you suppose he will be
judged to deserve who has spurned and [thus] trampled underfoot the Son of God,
and who has considered the covenant blood by which he was consecrated common
and unhallowed, thus profaning it and insulting and outraging the [Holy] Spirit
[Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God)? [Ex 24:8.] AMP
Heb
10:29 what do you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the
sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? (from THE
MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All
rights reserved.)
We
may know some people who do not fully accept the blood sacrifice Jesus made for
us. Some people may not believe that
Jesus accomplished anything very important, thereby making an excuse to go back
to practicing the law or their previous evil ways after confessing Him as
Lord. We notice that Hebrews 10:30 says
the Lord will Judge his people. The word for people means a tribe or nation, not the general population as #1218
means. Since those who make Jesus their
Lord are considered a holy nation, and set apart, we can see that if you were
of this tribe, and left it or turned away from it, it will be fearsome.
NT:2992laos
(lah-os'); apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from
NT:1218, which denotes one's own populace):KJV - people.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
NT:2992
laos, laou, ho People 1. a people,
tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language: Rev 5:9 2. indefinitely, of a great part of the
population gathered together anywhere: Matt 27:25 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon,
Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights
reserved.)
The
next questions we need to review are, how, and when will the sanctified ones be judged. What we see is that judgment is set for a
specific time and the sanctified ones are not judged with the unbelievers. As
we noticed from Hebrews there is a confirmation of judging those who turn away,
we should look at the words for judgement. #2919 is a singular form of #2920
which we will look at.
John
5:20-27 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself
doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.21 For
as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son
quickeneth whom he will.22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed
all judgment [2920] unto the Son:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as
they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father
which hath sent him.24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.25 Verily, verily, I say unto
you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the
Son of God: and they that hear shall live.26 For as the Father hath life in
himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;27 And hath given
him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.KJV
NT:2920
krisis (kree'-sis); decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by
extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law):KJV -
accustion, condemnation, damnation, judgment.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
Let’s
look at the Amplified.
John
5:22-23 Even the Father judges no one, for He has given all judgment (the last
judgment and the whole business of judging) entirely into the hands of the Son,
23 So that all men may give honor (reverence, homage) to the Son just as they
give honor to the Father. [In fact] whoever does not honor the Son does not
honor the Father, Who has sent Him. AMP
First
thing we notice is that Jesus does all the judging. When people say things such as “God is
judging____” they usually mean the Father, however it is the Son, Jesus, who
does the judging. If we keep this in perspective we will save ourselves so much
confusion. Secondly, we notice that judging does not take place now. All people will be judged, but not now.
2
Thess 1:4-10 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your
patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment[2920] of God, that ye may
be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:6 Seeing it
is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble
you;7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,8 In flaming fire taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence
of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;10 When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because
our testimony among you was believed) in that day.KJV
Going
through persecutions now is a manifest token of righteous judgment. We know the
set apart ones suffer persecutions directly from the devil because we are set
apart. When does judgment come? It comes
when Jesus comes. Not now, he’s not here
now with angels and flames of fire.
2
Peter 2:1-9 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there
shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves
swift destruction.2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of
whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.3 And through covetousness shall
they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment [2917]now of a
long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.4 For if God spared
not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into
chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment [2920];5 And spared not the
old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing
in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;6 And turning the cities of Sodom
and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an
ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;7 And delivered just Lot,
vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:8 (For that righteous man
dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day
to day with their unlawful deeds;)9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly
out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment [2920]to
be punished: KJV
False
prophets and false teachers of our time seem to want to teach that the Father
is judging everyone all the same, here and now. But that is not so. The sanctified are not judged with the
unsanctified. Therefore hurricanes,
tornadoes, or terrorist acts are not judgment against anyone. The devil would love you to believe it is God
Almighty, a big mean God who you can’t trust, that is judging everyone, but it
is not true. If the sanctified lose their home in a flood, it is simply the god
of the age, the devil who manipulated the elements to behave that way; he is
after all the prince of the power of the air.
Look what Peter goes on to tell us, the believers, the sanctified, were
taken out of ”judgment” in the old
testament. God saved Noah and his family, Lot and his daughters, but he also
took Enoch out of the world and Elijah out of the world. And Peter says God knows how to rescue the
righteous and judge the evil. Let’s look at the Message.
2
Peter 2:9 So God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials. And he knows
how to hold the feet of the wicked to the fire until Judgment Day. (from THE
MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All
rights reserved.)
Here
are a few more ideas about judgment.
1
John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment [2920]: because as he is, so are we in this world.KJV
Jude
14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying,
Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,15 To execute judgment
[2920]upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their
ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches
which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.KJV
Rev
14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every
nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear
God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment [2920] is come: and
worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of
waters.KJV
We
can have boldness in the Day of Judgment, and as Enoch said and Jude reiterated,
Jesus is coming back with the saints to execute judgment. Not only that, but during the tribulation,
the angel goes out to preach to the whole earth. The question is, is Jesus judging
us now? The Holy Spirit is actually judging now.
John
16:8-11 And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring
demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and
right standing with God) and about judgment [2920]: 9 About sin, because they
do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; 10 About
righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go
to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; 11 About judgment [2920], because
the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged [2919] and
condemned and sentence already is passed upon him. AMP
The
Holy Spirit is passing sentence on those who don’t believe. When those people stand before the judge, the
prosecutor, the Holy Spirit will reveal the list of charges against them. Satan
has already been judged, but his sentence has not been carried out yet. First, he will be thrown out of heaven, then
he will be chained for one thousand years, and then he will be cast in the lake
of fire. He has been judged, but
punishment has not been carried out yet.
We might remember exploring the idea that we are just a small part of a
bigger story when we studied Lucifer.
Rom
2:3-8 And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge[2917] and condemn
those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape
God's judgment [2917]and elude His sentence and adverse verdict? 4 Or are you
[so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the
wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you
unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness is intended to
lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will)? 5
But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up
wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when
God's righteous judgment [1341] (just doom) will be revealed. 6 For He will
render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]: [Ps
62:12.] 7 To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from
piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of]
immortality, He will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking
and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness,
there will be indignation and wrath. AMP
NT:2917
krima (kree'-mah); from NT:2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or
against ["crime"]):KJV - avenge, condemned, condemnation,
damnation, go to law,
judgment.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:1341
dikaiokrisia (dik-ah-yok-ris-ee'-ah); from NT:1342 and NT:2920; a just sentence:
KJV - righteous judgment.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
This
is the only place #1341 is used in
the Bible, which makes it significant.
Again we cannot judge others and then do the same things; yet again, we
are not judged now, but on that day,
the day of wrath. For the sanctified who
live a holy life, there is a judgment coming in the future. This is the
judgment seat of Christ.
Rom
14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy
brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment[968] seat of Christ.KJV
2
Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment [968]seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.KJV
NT:968
bema (bay'-ma); from the base of NT:939; a step, i.e. foot-breath; by
implication, a rostrum, i.e. a tribunal:KJV - judgment-seat, set [foot] on,
throne.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Rev
11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the
dead, that they should be judged [2919], and that thou shouldest give reward
[3408] unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear
thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.KJV
NT:3408
misthos (mis-thos'); apparently a primary word; pay for services (literally or
figuratively), good or bad: KJV - hire, reward, wages.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
After
the two witnesses die and are risen from the dead, and it is announced that the
kingdoms of the world are now Jesus’, Jesus will then give the redeemed, the
sanctified, rewards. In light of these
things, I would speculate that some people might be lazy with their faith. That is what Jesus said when he mentioned
that there were 30, 60 and 100-fold fruit
individuals. However, as the Bible
plainly tells us, judgment is not for now, which is why 100 years ago people
wrote that God’s judgment is in abeyance. While that phrase is not in the Bible,
it is easy to see why so many wrote that. This is not to say that if you do
something wrong that you won’t face man’s judgment, such as speeding in your
car, or taking drugs.
The
Holy Spirit created a new nation, a nation of Jews and Gentiles, a holy tribe, who
by faith are blessed and have relationship with the Lord just like
Abraham. Those who make Jesus their Lord
are set apart, made holy because of the Holy Spirit inside of them. Judgment comes to everyone at a later time, on
either the Day of Judgment, or at the bema,
when the redeemed, sanctified ones, are watching the seals being opened and the
trumpets sounding. If one were to trample the blood of Jesus, that one walks a
very fine line. Compare Hebrews 10:29 to Jesus’ words of blasphemy of the Holy
Spirit. Being set apart is a very special blessing to us as it is not dependent
on how much we do, but comes by faith. Simply put, living poorly will allow the
devil to attack us; holiness is a shield for us.
The
friend that I spoke of earlier never cracks opens a concordance or a Bible
study program and therefore can be easily led to believe almost anything. The world was supposed to end in 2000 with the
“Y2K” issue, then again the world was to end in 2012, and on it goes. At some point, one has to give up flaky
Christianity for a bit of research into the scriptures. Therefore, before coming to a conclusion on a
matter just because someone said something, we have to work to find out if what
they are claiming is true according to the Bible. Sometimes humans want to be leaders of
something new, sometimes people just want to earn a living. Whatever the case, if someone stands to make
money on something we should be extra diligent in discernment. I heard someone’s recent diatribe (whose hand
happens to be “in the pot”) claim that our new
prophet was being unfairly treated.
In other words, if someone were to disagree with the prophet because the
Bible does not support the new prophet’s prophecies, they then are labeled “bad
people”. But if one were to follow the
money trail, one would find the person that was lamenting, was making money on
a film regarding said prophet’s so called prophecies. Instead, I would have preferred to hear about
supporting doctrine to the prophet’s prophecies,
rather than hearing someone, who stands to make a lot of money on the matter,
attempt to pull heart strings and arouse an emotionally defensive response from
the audience to the prophet’s aid. It’s
time to stop being gullible. Or in the
words of the Apostle Paul:
Rom
16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 For
they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by
good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple KJV.
