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Yeah many take the scriptures and make it mean that everyone will be saved,but though it means "all" the "condition" of "believe" is often "misinterpreted" people thinking that you simply "claim" to know Jesus to be saved instead of "accepting him" and "changing" gradually. -
Yes, and No! the Church's missionary success is evidenced from comparison to OT redemptive history and not from the newspaper. Historic Protestants do not insist on the literalistic interpretation, as do dispensationalists, but on the analogy of faith (analogia fidei), whereby Scripture interprets Scripture. Please indulge me here in reading from out of some the sources which I wish to share with you. The material here helped me understand your questions and objections as well as clarify some of my misarticulations or misunderstandings. Kim Riddlebarger's "A Case for Amillennialism": Understanding the End Times (p. 237-239) The imagery that Satan is presently bound means that he cannot deceive God’s people en masse, nor can he attack the covenant community with relative impunity, as he did before the coming of the Messiah. This is evident by reviewing the broad course of redemptive history. Satan deceived Adam in Eden, resulting in sin and the curse of death coming on the entire human race. Through the agency of Israel’s pagan neighbors, Satan prevented the nation from fulfilling its assigned role in the Promised Land as a light to the nations. Adam desired to be like God. Israel desired to be like her pagan neighbors. When Jesus began his messianic mission in Galilee, he “went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matt. 4: 23). His preaching led to repeated conflicts with Satan and his demonic minions, which characterize the Gospel narratives. But once Christ died for sinners and overcame Hades itself, the conflict with Satan changed. Now, we are told, the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church (Matt. 16: 18). Although Satan remains a fierce foe, persecuting God’s people as he is allowed, he cannot triumph because he is bound until released at the end of the millennial age. This interpretation certainly fits with the language we find throughout the New Testament that speaks of Christ’s cross and empty tomb as indicative of Christ’s triumphal victory over Satan. This victory is evident in Colossians 2: 15, where Paul wrote that “having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” As Arthur Lewis points out, this binding of Satan can be seen throughout the ministry of the Messiah. When Jesus drove out the demons, He actually proclaimed His authority over Satan and the arrival of His kingdom. He said, “How can one enter a strong man’s house unless he first binds the strong man?” (Matt. 12: 29). As the disciples also found success in casting out demons, the Lord exclaimed: “I saw Satan fall like lightning out of heaven” (Luke 10: 18). This was a metaphoric way of saying that the devil’s power had been overcome by the king’s envoys. We know that Satan was cast down when Christ was lifted up (John 12: 31); thus it was Calvary’s victory that broke the grip of the devil on men and nations. The Gospels clearly teach that the devil’s control and power over the peoples of the world has been weakened since the first advent of Christ (cf. Heb. 2: 14). Although Satan is bound during the present age, this does not mean he ceases to be the “god of this age” who blinds “the minds of unbelievers” (2 Cor. 4: 4), “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Eph. 2: 2), and the one who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5: 8). Satan continues to do all of these things. The amillennial interpretation of Revelation 20 does not deny this. John did tell us, however, that a bound Satan is prevented from deceiving the nations until he is released (cf. 2 Thess. 2: 1– 12). The point of John’s vision was that the angel restrains Satan’s evil activities. His binding does not eliminate them. Even though Satan is presently bound and cannot deceive the nations, he remains a dangerous foe, the same way in which a mortally wounded animal is far more dangerous than a healthy one. But however we understand this binding of Satan, we need to be faithful to two distinct but complementary lines of biblical data. The first line of data emphasizes a decisive defeat of Satan by Jesus Christ. This defeat at the cross and empty tomb guarantees Satan’s eventual and final end. Indeed, the binding of Satan is a continuous activity through the preaching of the gospel in which Christ’s followers make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28: 19). It is the light of the gospel that exposes the darkness of satanic deception. It is the preaching of Christ crucified that sets men and women free and liberates them from the basic principles of this world (Gal. 4: 9). The second line of biblical data is that Satan still rages against Christ and his kingdom in this age in some limited but nevertheless sinister fashion. Although his power to deceive is bound by the truth of the gospel, his fury is not. As William Hendriksen reminds us, a savage animal may be bound with a chain, but this in no way prevents him from doing great damage to anything still within the radius of his reach. God bless, William -
By Placable37 · Posted
THE MERCY OF GOD: The Holy Spirit motivated many of the early Christians to charity. Acts 4:34-37
(34) Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
(35) And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
(36) And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
(37) Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
THE MEANNESS OF SATAN: A contrasting, counterfeit motivation is revealed to the apostle Peter. Act 5:1-2
(1) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
(2) And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 5:3
(3) But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Three things in collusion qualify the actions of Ananias and Saphira to be declared satanically motivated: ~ THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO GIVE ALL ~ THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO TELL ALL ~ THEIR AGREEMENT TO DECEIVE ALL Acts 5:4
(4) While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God. THE MOTIVES OF TRANSGRESSORS: Three reasons they are caused to move contrary to the will of God.
- Rivalry. So there are people being charitable...we can compete with them...no problem. - Ambition. So there are people being appreciated and commended...we will gain favour and advancement, eminence and applause, yes...and power! - Covetousness. So people shouldn't have to give things they want for themselves...there's no harm in accumulating and retaining wealth whenever, however, and from whomever you can. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD: Instantly, with no recourse to repentance and restoration. Acts 5:5-11
(5) And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
(6) And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
(7) And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
(8) And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
(9) Then Peter said unto her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
(10) Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
(11) And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Why has Satan filled your heart? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? No chance is given Ananias and Saphira to answer these questions but God knows all things, and His swift response is a warning to all who imagine they can behave falsely. Satan can fill anyone's heart if they allow him into it. Not a good idea! Eph 4:27 applies. -
Hi William, I had a reply ready to post but after pressing the Submit button it reverted me back to an earlier version so I lost the content of the full post. I already know better than to rely on web-based editors so I should have written the text locally then posted. I'll be more cautious going forward but as it stands, I've lost the bulk of my reply. I meant to say though, if it seems like I'm asking questions that have already been addressed, there are particular things I don't believe have been addressed. Can you please provide the evidence of this specifically? - The nations are no longer deceived by Satan. You mentioned the success of the church in reaching the entire globe, but first off, isn't that evidence from the newspaper? Second, the nations are still deceived. Most of them do not believe Jesus is Lord. Those that do tend to be as divided as America currently is. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam also have similarly penetrated most areas of the world. Islam is probably the most prevalent now. So what exactly does it mean to say the nations are not deceived? It would be impossible to provide a newspaper as a source since Dispensationalism would say that's all future. 🙂 On the other hand, there's an oft-repeated claim about Dispensationalism being "newspaper theology" that would apply to those relying on St. Augustine's eschatological thesis since his work would have been akin to the theological news of that day. Dispensationalists would likely refer to Psalm 2 and Zechariah 14 for their understanding of the world at the time of Christ's milennial reign, wherein nations go up to pay homage to him in Jerusalem and those that don't pay homage receive his wrath. Revelation 20 opens with Satan's binding for 1000 years and flows into the depiction of Christ's reign for that 1000 years. So they'd understand that literally. That's how I've been told a Dispensationalist might evidence their perspective. I've also been told the proof of the Dispensational system is that any attempt to negate the literal, grammatical, historical, contextual method of interpretation would entail nothing could rightly be understood in Scripture since all understanding would be rendered arbitrary. What is the proof Amillenialists would claim? Blessings on this beautiful night! Kawika -
That's worth praying for! Today is the first Father's day I am experiencing after my dad has passed. God bless, William
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Please pray that my relationship with my earthly father gets even better on today (this Father's Day) than it has been (and continues to get better). -
John 3:16 in context: 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Obviously John 3:16's use of the world needs consideration. I know when I first became Christian the use of "World" made little sense to me as I recalled 1 John 2:15. John 3:16 therefore misunderstood could actually entice us to find goodness in the world. However, as you explained, the "world" means without distinction between Jew and Gentile, not all men without exception. Otherwise when we come to John 3:18 we stumble upon the given exception. When I read John 3:16 I ask how did God so love the world? The answer, He gave His only Son... . The focus on John 3:16 should not be on the world but rather upon the saving love of God, the love believers experience and that the sinful world does not deserve. God bless, William
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To begin with, I simply don't know. Do a Google search of "Danney Williams" for he claims to be the son of Bill Clinton (not the biological son of Hillary) www.theamericanmirror.com/fathers-day-bill-clinton-son-calls-for-dad-to-take-paternity-test/ Much of his frustration seems directed at Hillary. -
Context defines "all". Lets examine the immediate context surrounding 2 Peter 3:9 and the broader context which also reveals to who the letters are written. Pay attention to "you" and "they"? There are two groups. 3 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. The immediate context addresses the letter to "you" which are: beloved, sincere in mind, with the Lord, and recipients of the promise. The other group are they, which are: scoffers, those following their own sinful desires, that deliberately overlook, receiving judgment and destruction, they are the ungodly. The broader context: 1 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, and this chapter 3:1: 1 Peter 1:1 To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Peter 1:1 To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Peter 3:1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, The letters are addressed to: To God’s elect, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours, and the Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you, beloved. There should be no question as to which group of people the letters are addressed to, and in context the audience. 2 Peter 3:9 conveys to the appropriate audience that God does not take pleasure in destroying the wicked. He is not "willing" or wishing or desiring. Therefore, God does not hasten the end of the world, that is, to give everyone time to repent that none (Elect) may perish. God bless, William
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