This is a shortened version regarding the kingdom of heaven. The longer version (removed) included all of Jesus parables and expounded on them. This version (I believe like no one ever has) shows how the New Testament letters are identical to the teachings Jesus taught in His kingdom gospel (Matthew - John) and using them I explain how one actually enters the kingdom of God and heaven. Then after a detailed view on the kingdom of God and heaven I go over Jesus' use of forgiveness and show how James, Paul and Peter all correctly taught Jesus' forgiveness.
(For any agreements, comments or disagreements please use the contact link in the menu (top left) or click on the comments link (above, next to and below the date). If anyone disagrees please help and let me know. Thank you, God bless!)
The kingdom of heaven
John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus and the new covenant/ testament.
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
The old and new testaments ended and began with John the Baptist.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
John the Baptist preached that we need to be baptized by the Holy Ghost for the aphesin (the remission) of sins.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
(More on Greek aphesin (the remission) from aphesis below in forgiveness.)
John the Baptist warned it's our fruits/ our works that will allow us to escape the fiery wrath of God.
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
[Proverbs 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. (Bucker / shield)]
Paul's heavenly vision (from Jesus) was that the Gentiles also are to bring works worthy of repentance.
Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Meet from Greek axios: of weight, of worth, worthy.
After John the Baptist warned about wrath and works he prophesied Jesus would baptize us with both the Holy Ghost and fire.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
After being baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire there's three actions: 1. Purge His floor 2. Gather His wheat in the barn 3. Burn up the chaff, nonbelievers, with unquenchable fire.
His wheat are believers who will not be purged. The but shows us it's the same fire that purges His floor and burns up the chaff/ nonbelievers. He will purge His floor but the nonbelievers will be burned with fire that don't go out.
(Apostle Paul exercised himself to be void of offence to be in the just resurrection- to be wheat.
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.)
"Purge His floor" will be believers who need to be purged.
They will need to be purged because they will have defiled their bodies.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
(More on 'defile' and 'destroy' later.)
They will be purged because they didn't labor for Him.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
They will be purged because they didn't perfect holiness. (In the fear of God is a warning.)
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
They will be purged because they didn't walk worthy.
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
(There's no reason to beseech, pray, exhort, or charge anyone to walk worthy if all believers are going to be worthy.)
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
1 Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
They will be purged because they didn't present their bodies holy or acceptable.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
They will be purged because they didn't serve Christ righteously, in peace, or with joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
If every believer is going to live an acceptable life there was no reason for Paul to write 'For he that serves Christ in these things is acceptable God - Let us therefore follow after the things that make peace....'
They will be purged because they didn't obey Him accomplishing ('work out') their own salvation. (With fear and trembling is a warning.)
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Work out from the Greek word katergázomai (from kata, "down, exactly according to," intensifying ergázomai, "work, accomplish")
(Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;)
They will be purged because they didn't purge themselves.
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
They will be purged because they won't be found of Him in peace, they won't be without spot and they will not be blameless.
2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
They will be purged because they didn't abide in Him.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
They will be purged because they didn't purify themselves.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The fire that purges His floor will be the same fire that the chaff, the nonbelievers, are burned with but it won't be quenched for them. It will devour them.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Sin is a present participle verb. It expresses continuous or repeated action.
Paul- If we continue sinning after receiving the truth there is no more sacrifice for our sins but a certain fearful judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries- God's enemies. (More on this later.)
New American Standard Bible
Hebrews 10:26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH SHALL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
It's the same fire but only God's enemies are devoured by it. It purges- saves believers.
1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
('But he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire' is the purge.)
We will be tried and judged the same as nonbelievers. There's no respect of persons with God.
Psalms 29:7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
Psalms 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Mark 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
(Reward is from Greek apodidómi. Will render (below) is also from apodidómi.)
Romans 2:6 Who will will render to every man according to his deeds:
Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment 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.
Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
('And that obey not' is believers.)
Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
While reading I'm sure some of you may have thought about being saved by grace.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Saved Greek sesōsmenoi is in the perfect tense.
Wikipedia perfect tense
The perfect tense or aspect (abbreviated PERF or PRF) is a verb form that indicates that an action or circumstance occurred earlier than the time under consideration, often focusing attention on the resulting state rather than on the occurrence itself. An example of a perfect construction is I have made dinner: although this gives information about a prior action (my making the dinner), the focus is likely to be on the present consequences of that action (the fact that the dinner is now ready).
Saved in the perfect tense really means we are saved here and now (in this life). We were dead in our sins and He saved us from sin and it's consequences (eternal death). Thus, other uses of saved being in the present and future tense.
Here saved is in the present tense and it's conditional.
Unless they believed in vain, the Corinthians were being saved by the gospel only if they kept in memory what Paul preach unto them.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Unless Greek ektos: the exterior, fig. (as a preposition) aside from, besides.
(Paul preached them the kingdom gospel-Matthew - John. Acts 28:30-31.)
Next saved is in the future tense and is where Paul warned Timothy to continue in the doctrine and by continuing in the doctrine Timothy would save himself...
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
We must do the doctrine, the kingdom gospel, because it's the doctrine that leads us to godliness (perfection) and the next life.
1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
Paul- Exercise unto godliness. - Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of this life and the next life.
(The profit of godliness is having life now (we don't fall and die as Adam did) and having the life which is to come.)
1 Timothy 4:8 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
(Adam's fall and death soon.)
Paul, a servant of God and apostle of Jesus, according to the faith of God's chosen and getting them to acknowledge the truth, the truth which leads to godliness, in hope of the age of life.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Elect and are chosen (below) is from the Greek word eklektós (an adjective, derived from eklégomai, "to select, choose," also used as a substantive/noun) – properly, selected (chosen from, out of), especially as a deeply personal choice – literally "chosen, out of a personal preference (intention)."
We are called to be holy ('saints')- Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2. (We are called to godliness / to perfection.) Thus, For many are called but few are chosen- Matthew 22:1-14.
(More on few being chosen later.)
Despite knowing Timothy had faith since he was a child Paul was still concerned for Timothy's salvation from the fire (the purge for believers). Thus, Paul telling Timothy to continue in the doctrine to save himself and even later telling him that the holy scriptures are able to make him wise (make him reach godliness / perfection) unto salvation.
2 Timothy 2:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The scriptures are to make the man of God 'Perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works' i.e. The scriptures are to make the people of God perfect, fully equipped to do nothing but good works.
Throughly furnished is from the Greek word exartizó: to complete, to equip fully.
(More on perfection later.)
'Wise unto salvation'
Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
One of Paul's final warnings in Ephesians- Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Paul's warning ('See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, - Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine....') is from Luke 12, where the wise servant is made ruler over all the Lord has (the reward of the inheritance) and the lazy drunken servant (the fool) will have his portion with the unbelievers (in the fire) and those that don't do the Lord's will will be beaten with stripes.
Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes....
Verse 45- "But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;...." i.e. IF a servant of the Lord becomes lazy and stops preparing for His Lord's return his portion will be with the unbelievers (the fire).
(2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. ETC.)
(Also, in the ten virgins parable (below and soon) Jesus explains only the wise go into heaven and receive salvation from the fire.)
While reading some of you may have of thought about Romans 8:1 and there being no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Condemnation (3x) is from the Greek word katákrima (from katá, "down, according to," intensifyingkríma, "the results of judgment") – properly, the exact sentence of condemnation handed down after due process (establishing guilt).
Before explaining 'There is therefore now no condemnation....' I want to point out, without going into it too much, that Paul was technically referring to death when he wrote There is therefore no katakrima... ('condemnation') for those in Jesus that walk not after the flesh but despite being death he still was referring to condemnation.
You see, Romans 6 (slaves to God unto righteousness or slaves to sin unto death) thru 8:1 is continued from 5 where Paul explained katakrima and katakrima was the condemnation Adam received for falling away and was the death that he passed down unto all mankind.
Yes Adam eventually died and so do we but katakrima is not physical death. It's a spiritual death of sorts that ends in condemnation. When Adam fell he was cursed and became (dead) unable to bear fruit and that curse was passed down to all mankind. However, upon being called by God, believers are restored to where Adam was before he fell and go from death to life. (We are able to have fellowship with God and are able to bear fruit.) Unfortunately though for some, we still have free will and with that free will some believers will fall and die as Adam did and in the end they will be condemned.
(There is therefore now no death that ends in condemnation for those in Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.)
(The katakrima judgment is only used three times in the King James Bible. Twice in Romans 5:16 & 5:18 (below) and once in Romans 8:1.)
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Katakrima (Condemnation)
Genesis 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Hebrews 4:7 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
(More on falling and death later.)
Also, I was told as some of you probably have been that the 'Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit' is not in the original Greek manuscripts. In fact, many English Bibles don't even include it. However, that doesn't matter because it's still those IN Chris Jesus and as I will explain later in order to remain IN Jesus we must keep His commandments, bearing fruit. Every branch IN Jesus that doesn't bear fruit the Father takes away (John 15:1-11, below).
Plus, if one closely reads what Paul wrote one could clearly see he meant that there's no condemnation (the above death) for believers that walk after the Spirit i.e. there's no condemnation for believers that follow the Spirit.
If you put '[There is] therefore now no condemnation' with Romans 7:14-25, which it's supposed it to be and where Paul explained the war between his uncontrollable flesh and his willful mind, it would make no sense for him to just write '[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.' He needed to add 'who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'!!!
For Paul to write, there's no condemnation for believers because our uncontrollable flesh and willful minds battle one another makes no sense. However, saying there's no condemnation for believers who walk after the Spirit makes perfect sense because our uncontrollable flesh battles our willful minds and those that walk after the Spirit, serving God and fulfilling His law, will be those that overcome their uncontrollable flesh and won't be condemned.
(Believers that continue to walk in the flesh will fall and be condemned.
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book if life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
They will still enter life but after their punishment - purging.)
This is why in Galatians 5 Paul warned us to 'Walk in the Spirit.'
If we walk in the Spirit, we won't fulfill the lust of the flesh (the law of sin) and won't be condemned. However, if we don't follow the Spirit and walk in the Spirit we will fulfill our fleshy desires (the works of the flesh) and will be condemned. (We will not inherit the kingdom of God- the new Jerusalem in heaven.)
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul (above) repeatedly warned the churches in Galatia (believers) that those who practice ('do') the works of the flesh i.e. those who walk after the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God- the new Jerusalem in heaven.
Verse 21- 'I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.'
(The purged believers will enter the new earth after the others (His wheat- His bride- the children of God come down in the new Jerusalem from heaven. More on this later.)
Galatians 5:16-21 is no different than Romans 8:1. (There's no condemnation for believers who walk after the Spirit.) Those who walk after the flesh and not the Spirit will not directly enter the age of life or receive the kingdom. They will first be condemned and purged- disciplined and saved by fire.
Walking in the Spirit, our good work, will be our armor.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
(More on the new Jerusalem in heaven and armor later.)
Believers will be judged just as nonbelievers will be judged and there will be condemnation for believers....
Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Paul- Happy is he that doesn't condemn himself.... If he doubts he is damned because he eats not of faith. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Sin dams us.)
Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Paul- If we judge ourselves (here and now) we will not be judged (later), when we are judged (now) we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we won't be condemned with the world.
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, THAT we should not be condemned with the world.
Paul- A bishop mustn't be a beginner otherwise he may be lifted up with pride and fall into condemnation with the devil.
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
The devil condemns no one. It's Christ who condemns. (Romans 8:34)
New International Version
1 Timothy 3:6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
Paul- Prevent younger widows from becoming nuns because they may set aside (cast off) the important oath (first faith) they gave and remarry, receiving damnation for it.
1 Timothy 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
Faith is from the Greek word pistis and here it was used a guarantee (warranty).
New American Standard Bible
1 Timothy 5:11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Apostle Paul, knowing there would be a just resurrection (no condemnation) and a unjust resurrection (condemnation) , always exercised to have a good conscience void of offence.
Acts 26:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
(It will be those who have a clear conscience void of sin who will be saved from the fire and be in the just resurrection.)
The fire will purge the unjust believers to where they were upon conversion. Those in the just resurrection will be His wheat.
He purges His floor and His wheat are taken into the garner/ barn and the nonbelievers are devoured. His wheat will be those who bear fruit.
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
His wheat are taken into the barn but not every believer will be wheat.
1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
How are the dead raised up? What body do they come? - The seed planted is not the body that it's going to be. It's but a bare / naked seed and it has a chance to be wheat.
The devil wanted to prevent Peter from becomimg wheat.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Only His wheat, those who live right, will be guarded in the fire, rewarded and taken up into heaven with Him to receive the kingdom.
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield: and thy exceeding great reward.
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
His wheat will be is His bride.
The bride of Christ
Paul taught that we are engaged to Christ and that we are to be presented as pure ('chaste') virgins.
2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
You as a chaste from Greek hagnos {hag-nos'} properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:--chaste, clean, pure.
In verse 3 ('But I fear....') Paul feared that the Corinthians were going to become corrupted. He feared their corruption because if corrupted they wouldn't be presented pure and if not pure they couldn't go in to the marriage. (They couldn't receive the kingdom of God in heaven.)
Paul got this engagement teaching from Christ's kingdom gospel. In Christ's gospel, we are engaged to Christ and only the wise, those that are ready, go in to the marriage.
The ten virgins parable
All ten virgins are a part of the kingdom of heaven. (They're called/invited believers called/invited to heaven.) It's a kingdom of heaven parable and only the wise go into heaven with Jesus, to the marriage, receiving salvation from the fire, and the kingdom of God. ("For many are called but few are chosen" below.)
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Paul's espoused to Christ teaching is the same as they that are ready go into the marriage.
The ten virgins are all a part of the kingdom of heaven. They are converted believers. The oil in their lamps represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit and/or the Holy Spirit itself. There are five wise virgins and five foolish virgins. The five wise virgins are taken into heaven for the marriage leaving the five foolish virgins behind. The five foolish virgins' lamps went out meaning they quenched the Spirit.
Are gone out and Quench below are both from Greek sbennumi
Sbennumi {sben'-noo-mee} a prolonged form of an apparently primary verb; to extinguish (literally or figuratively):--go out, quench.
In 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul gave us a list of things to do (quench not the Spirit etc.) and by doing these things the God of peace will sanctify us wholly- fully sanctify us and preserve us blameless.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
The above list
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul writing quench not the Spirit etc. and the God of peace will sanctify you wholly and preserve you blameless is like someone asking you to stop and buy something for them and they will give you the money when you get to them. If you don't buy the things they asked for they won't give you the money, right?
It's the same thing, and those whose lamps go out or quench the Spirit etc. will not be fully sanctified nor will they be preserved blameless. They will not go in to the marriage.
Peter warns us in order to be found of him in peace and blameless we need to be diligent.
2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Paul giving us a list of thing to do to be fully sanctified and to be preserved blameless unto the coming of Jesus was somewhat taught in Philippians and 2 Corinthians.
Paul- Do the things Paul did (Paul's list) and the God of peace will be with us hereafter.
Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
(Shall be is in the future tense.)
With (2 x) is from the Greek word metá (a preposition) – properly, with("after with"), implying "change afterward" (i.e. what results after the activity). As an active "with," (metá) looks towards the after-effect (change, result) which is only defined by the context.
What results after the activity: The activity is us doing the things Paul did (live right) and the results will be the God of peace will be with us hereafter.
Paul- Be perfect (Be preserved blameless) and the God of peace will be with you hereafter.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
(Shall be is in the future tense.)
What results after the activity: The activity is us being perfect and the results will be the God of peace will be with us hereafter.
(More on perfection later.)
1 John 3
In 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 we are espoused and are to be presented chaste/ pure and now here in 1 John 3 John wrote whoever has the hope of being like God and seeing God as He is needs to purify themselves even as He is pure. (Both chaste (espoused to Christ) and pure are from the Greek word hagnos.)
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Those who don't purify themselves do not go into the marriage, receiving salvation from the fire.
(See also Colossians 1:21-23 where Paul explained that we have been reconciled with God in order to be presented to Him as being holy and unblameable and this will happen only if we stay grounded and settled in the faith and if we aren't moved away from the hope of the gospel.)
The marriage dinner parable (Matthew 22:1-14)
(Many are called but few are chosen [for the marriage.])
God sent His servants to Judaea for the wedding but they rejected Him.
Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
After they rejected Him He told His servants to go everywhere and invite (bid/call) as many as they could find to the marriage.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
The servants went converting everywhere.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
They converted both bad and good. ("Both bad and good" is saved by grace.)
Ephesians 2:8 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.
Some will fail God's grace.
2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Next in the marriage dinner parable is judgment day. [(Many are called but few are chosen (for the marriage.)]
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
The many are called and the few are chosen are both believers. (We are called to be holy- Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2) Many of the called believers will be castaway. The few chosen go in to the marriage.
The weeping and gnashing of teeth is the fire, the purge- Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Greek klétos (called) and eklektos (are chosen) are used only for believers.
(Greek klétos (called) used in Matthew 20:16, Matthew 22:14, Romans 1:1, Romans 1:6, Romans 1:7, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 4 Corinthians 1:24, Jude 1:1 and Revelation 17:14.)
(Greek eklektos (are chosen) used in Matthew 20:16, Matthew 22:14, Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:20, Mark 13:22, Mark 13:27, Luke 18:7, Luke 23:35, Romans 8:33, Romans 16:13, Colossians 3:12, 1 Timothy 5:21, 2 Timothy 2:10, Titus 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:6, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 John 1:1, 2 John 1:13 and Revelation 17:14.)
The many are called and the few are chosen are His own. They're believers!
Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
The few chosen will be His bride and many of the called will be castaway and purged.
Paul himself kept his own body under subjection so he wouldn't be a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Verse 24- 'So run, that ye may obtain.' If we don't run we may not win the prize- to be united with the Word of God into heaven!
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
One receives the prize is the bride. The others are castaway.
1 Corinthians 3:10-18 (The castaways continued.)
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The next verses explain being saved by fire. (Let no man deceive himself is a warning.)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
The fire shall try everyone's work and those with a good work foundation (gold, silver, precious stones) the fire won't harm and will be taken up. Those without a good work foundation, the wood, hay and stubble, will remain in the fire. The fire will save (purge) them.
After 'If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire' is the explanation of the fire. Those who defile their bodies, God's temple, God will destroy.
I believe defile and destroy are both bad translations. They both come from the Greek word phtheírō.
Greek phtheírō
Short Definition: I corrupt, spoil, destroy
Definition: I corrupt, spoil, destroy, ruin.
Defile and destroy could be translated ruin. Ruin as in a building (the temple of God) that disintegrates.
Oxford Dictionaries
Ruin: reduce (a building or place) to a state of decay, collapse, or disintegration.
The fire will disintegrate all the bad work from God's temple- their bodies and it will purge them. Let no man deceive himself.
The above he shall suffer loss is from the Greek word zémioó so is be cast away in Luke 9:25.
Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Paul got the above reward or suffer loss / be castaway teaching from the talents parable.
The talents parable (Matthew 25:14-30.)
Reward or suffer loss / be castaway! (All three servants are in the kingdom of heaven.)
Jesus to His disciples- The kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country i.e. Jesus going into heaven and who called His own servants (believers) and delivered them His goods.
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Jesus gave to each person according to their ability.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Two servants worked.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
And traded from Greek ergázomai (from érgon, "work") – to work (accomplish).
One servant was lazy.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Next judgment. (The Lord of those servants = believers.)
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
The two rewarded workers
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
The two workers are rewarded and enter into the joy of the Lord.
(2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.)
The lazy servant suffers loss and is castaway into the fire. (His Lord = believer.)
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto hum, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Verse 28- "Take therefore the talent away from him" and verse 30- "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness" is suffering loss and is being cast away.
Verse 30- "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" is the fire- Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The reward of the inheritance
(The kingdom of God and heaven or the fire.)
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
There's two options: 1. The reward of the inheritance 2. Receive for wrong without respect of persons.
The servant is either rewarded with the inheritance or the servant receives for his wrong. There's no respect of persons. Paul got this teaching from the gospel of Christ.
The reward of the inheritance. (The kingdom of God and heaven or the fire.)
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
The blessed servant made ruler over all the Lord's goods is the reward of the inheritance.
But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong he has done and there's no respect of persons.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The servant that lives wrong has his portion with the hypocrites/ unbelievers is receiving for wrong.
The servant has his portion with the hypocrites/ nonbelievers is there's no respect of persons.
Luke also recorded this same teaching.
The reward of the inheritance. (The kingdom of God and heaven or the fire.)
Luke 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
The Lord shall make him ruler over His household and shall make him ruler over all that He has is the reward of the inheritance.
But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong he has done and there's no respect of persons.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
The servant that lives wrong has his portion with the unbelievers is receiving for wrong.
The servant that lives wrong has his portion with the unbelievers is there's no respect of persons.
Profitable for the Master's use
(Keywords Master and house.)
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Paul- In a great house there's vessels of honor and dishonor. IF a man purges himself....
It's only those who purge themselves who will be sanctified and profitable for the Master. This is also from the gospel of Christ.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
I know from Greek eidó
Short Definition: I know, remember
Definition: I know, remember, appreciate.
Verse 25- ' I know you not whence ye are.' It's like a parent telling their child when they do something wrong I don't even know you any more. However, Jesus also meant he didn't appreciate whence / where they where. They didn't purge themselves and that's why the Master said depart from me you workers of iniquity and because they didn't purge themselves they must be purged another way. (They will not go into heaven for the marriage. They will not receive the kingdom. They will purge in the fire.)
Jesus ended this teaching by saying there shall be weeping and gnashing when they're thrust out of the kingdom of God. Again, the gnashing of teeth is the fire- Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Also, ('Meet for the Master') meet is from the Greek word euchréstos. Its two other uses are translated profitable (2 Timothy 4:11 & Philemon 1:11) and the above talents parable (etc.) teaches us that we must be profitable for the Lord.
The unprofitable servant/s are cast away into the fire- Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The apostles were preaching the kingdom of God. In their teachings it was either life and the kingdom of God in heaven or the fire. Though they warned about the fire they weren't teaching how to enter through the purge. We are called to be holy. (For a believer it's either life and the kingdom of God in heaven or the purge.)
Here is a perfect example of this teaching, Paul wrote to Timothy to charge the rich to have good works so they may lay hold of the age age of life.
1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Eternal from the Greek word aiṓnios (an adjective, derived from aiṓn ("an age, having a particular character and quality") – properly, "age-like" ("like-an-age"), i.e. an "age-characteristic" (the quality describing a particular age);
In the above teaching the good works lay a good foundation for the time to come meaning Paul was telling Timothy to warn the rich to not care about worldly things and to do good works to lay up a good foundation because the fire is going to try them and without a good foundation they will not receive the age of life but will be burned- purged. However, after the fire purges (saves) them they will receive the age of life.
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Paul telling Timothy to charge the rich to have good works so they may lay hold of the age of life is also from Christ's kingdom gospel.
Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(The rich man asked, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Jesus answered, Keep the commandments- be perfect.)
Jesus was explaining how to directly enter life and how to receive the kingdom of God and the kingdom of God is for believers that keep His commandments i.e. that reach perfection.
The kingdom of God is in the kingdom of heaven and believers are invited ('called') to it.
1 Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
(Those that do the will of the Father enter the kingdom of heaven.)
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
The kingdom of God is the heavenly Jerusalem and it will be for believers (just people) written/ enrolled in heaven. Those saved by grace, that walk worthy, serving Him acceptably. They will be the spirits of just people (believers) that reached perfection ('just men made perfect')- Hebrews 12:18-29.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Which are written is from the Greek word apographó: to copy, enroll.
Ye are come is from the Greek word proserchomai: to approach, to draw near.
'Ye are come' (here) literally means come near. (You have come near the heavenly Jerusalem) Thus two verses later, Paul's warning and including himself not to resist God.
Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
(Those that resisted Him in the wilderness were prevented from entering paradise- the promise land. They fell in the wilderness. More on this and falling later.)
If we resist and/or turn away from Him we will not serve Him acceptably- we will not walk worthy and will not receive the kingdom.
-Three verses after later-
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
(Only those who serve Him acceptably will be able to stand before Him. For our God is a consuming fire.)
The reason why it's difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God is because they will care too much about their worldly possessions and they will become unfruitful, bringing no fruit unto perfection. They will not do the will of God the Father and must be purged first.
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
(Again- Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.)
Those that do the will of God enter the kingdom of God first.
Matthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
In eternity, after the fiery purge, the kingdom of God- the new Jerusalem will be on Earth. It and the bride of Christ come down from heaven and then the purged believers receive the new earth, having access to the new Jerusalem. (More on this later.) It's the kingdom of God gospel.
Even in Romans 2, it's either life or wrath- the fire. There's no mention of faith. It's either eternal life (the age of life and the kingdom of God- the crown of life in heaven) or wrath (the fiery purge for believers) depending on our works. There's no respect of persons with God.
Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Paul- Those who patiently continue to do good will receive the age of life. Those who are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness will receive indignation and wrath. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that does evil. Glory, honor and peace to every person that works good. For there's no respect of persons with God.
Jude- Sodom and Gomorrha's fornication are examples of suffering an age of fire.
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Of eternal is from the Greek word aiṓnios (an adjective, derived from aiṓn ("an age, having a particular character and quality") – properly, "age-like" ("like-an-age"), i.e. an "age-characteristic" (the quality describing a particular age);
Jude's example is for us: 1. Jude's letter is addressed to them that are sanctified and to the called. ("For many are called, but few are chosen.")
2. Nonbelievers don't believe the history nor care about Sodom and Gomorrah. 3. Nonbelievers are going to burn no matter if they fornicate or not. (More on believing fornicators burning in the fire soon.)
(Life or the fire.) Paul- Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a person sows they shall reap. Sow to the flesh and reap corruption but sow to the Spirit and reap the age of life. Let us not become lazy ('weary') in doing good: for in due season we shall reap [the age life], if we don't faint (fall).
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Again there's two options: 1. Sow to the flesh and reap corruption 2. Sow to the Spirit and reap the age of life (the kingdom of God in heaven). Faith isn't even mentioned. He was teaching the kingdom of God and for believers it's either life and the kingdom of God in heaven (the crown of life) or the fiery purge.
Sow to the flesh reap corruption.
Corruption is from the Greek word phthorá which is from phtheírō.
(Phtheírō was used for defile and destroy in 1 Corinthians 3. (Defile the temple of God- our bodies and God will destroy us.) They're basically the same word.
Reaping 'corruption' and 'destroy' is the fiery purge. (Both teachings warn us not to be deceived.)
1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
The context is reaping corruption or the age of life and we only reap (deserve) [the age of life] if we don't faint- fall. Reread it if you need to. (More on fall later.)
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Verse 9- 'Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap [the age of life], if we faint not' is the same teaching found in Romans 2 and those that don't continue in well doing will receive indignation and wrath- the fire.
Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Peter also warned us that we need to keep our souls in well doing to be saved (from the fire).
Peter- (Wherefore) Since the righteous are saved with difficulty, let those who suffer for the will of God commit their souls unto God in well doing.
1 Peter 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Scarcely from the Greek word molis: with difficulty.
(It's easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:23-24)
(Again) The apostles taught the kingdom of God- life and the kingdom of God [in heaven] (the crown of life) or the fire/ the purge.
Be not deceived is a warning-
1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Verse 8- (Warning) 'Nay, ye do wrong,' meaning No, you are being unrighteous…. Don't you know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?....
Do wrong from the Greek word adikéō (from adikía, "unrighteousness") – properly, doing wrong (committing injustice), especially to inflict undeserved hurt by ignoring God's justice – i.e. acting contrary to what is divinely approved.
They were defrauding their brethren and Paul was warning them because the Lord is the Avenger / the Punisher of all such things.
1 Thessalonians 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
Paul also warned the Galatians and the Ephesians that those who do wrong shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 24 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Verse 24- 'That they which do....' i.e. They that continue to do these things (the works of the flesh) shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Believers that continue to walk after the works of the flesh will not be walking after the Spirit and will be condemned (disciplined and purged)- Romans 8:1.)
Ephesians 5:1-7
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Verse 3- 'Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;' meaning Do not let any of these sins be named among you once as proper / acceptable holy people.
With the next verses Paul warns that it's because of sin ('these things') that God's wrath, the fire, is coming on the children of disobedience and warns us not to partake in it with them.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
We need to mortify our members.
Mortify our members
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Mortify from Greek nekroó
Short Definition: I put to death, render weak
Definition: lit. and met: I put to death, make as dead; I render weak, impotent.
Members from Greek melos: a member or limb (of the body)
Paul- Put to death your members (body parts) i.e. stop sinning. God's wrath is coming on the children of disobedience because of fornication etc.
Paul got this teaching from Christ's kingdom gospel.
Mark 9:38-50 (Life and the kingdom of God [in heaven] or the fire.)
Jesus- Cut off (mortify) your members that cause you to offend because it's better for you to enter life maimed or halt than the fire.
Jesus- Pluck out (mortify) your members that cause you to offend because it's better for you to enter the kingdom of God than the fire.
(Jesus was specifically teaching His disciples and directly replying to John.)
Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Jesus to John and His disciples- You belong to Christ, …. If your members cause you to offend cut them off because it's better to enter life maimed or halt than the fire. If your members offend pluck them off because it's better to enter the kingdom of God than the fire.
For every one shall be salted / sprinkled with fire is the same teaching as the 'the fire shall try every man's work.' The fire is going to determine who will rewarded with life and the kingdom of God and who is going to suffer loss, being destroyed- purged in the fire.
1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Jesus- Every one shall be salted / sprinkled with fire.... and every sacrifice shall be salted ---- Have salt in yourselves and have peace with everyone.
The old covenant sacrifices required salt. Salt made sacrifices acceptable to God.
Leviticus 2:13 And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.
Jesus saying have salt in ourselves is Him telling us to live acceptable to God.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Jesus- Life or the fire, the kingdom of God or the fire.... 'and have peace one with another' Paul also taught we need peace for the kingdom of God and to be acceptable to God.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Paul- For [receiving] the kingdom of God is not about food and drinks. He that serves Christ in righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost is acceptable to God (in heaven). Let us therefore follow after the things that make peace.
[(Again) If every believer served Christ righteously etc. there would be no reason for Paul to write let us therefore follow after the things that make peace.]
Not having peace with one another will break down our armor. (More on armor later.)
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Jesus commandments our are sanctification
In the above teaching Paul wrote the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience because of fornication etc. and before that Jude (above) warned suffering age long fire for fornication and now in 1 Thessalonians Paul warned us that Jesus' commandments are our sanctification and that the Lord will be the Avenger / Punisher of fornication and all unclean living.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Is the avenger from Greek ekdikos.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Ekdikos {ek'-dik-os} from 1537 and 1349; carrying justice out, i.e. a punisher:- a (re-)venger.
This teaching was written one chapter before the above quench not the Spirit etc. and the God of peace will sanctify you wholly and preserve you blameless.
Paul- Jesus' commandments are God's will, our sanctification. Abstain from fornication etc. because the Lord is the punisher of all such things as we have forewarned and testified to you. God has not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness. Whoever despises this teaching despises God who has given us His Holy Spirit....
This teaching explains the fornicator in 1 Corinthians.
In 1 Corinthians 5 there was a fornicator whom Paul was concerned for, Paul thought the fornicator might be taken away from them, so Paul wanted the Corinthians to deliver the fornicator to the devil for thr destruction of the fornicator's flesh and by delivering the fornicator to the devil for the destruction of his flesh Paul hoped his spirit would be saved in the day of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Paul- Instead of being puffed up (proud and/or arrogant) you should have mourned that this man who has committed fornication 'might be taken away from you.'
Some people interpret this as the fornicator being kicked out of the church but that isn't what Paul was warning. Paul was concerned that the fornicator might be taken away from the bride of Christ and left in the fire. Thus, the next verses- 'In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ' ---- Deliver the fornicator to the devil for the destruction of the flesh 'that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.'
If the fornicator didn't stop his fornication he would be taken away from the bride of Christ and his spirit would not be saved from the fire. (Fornicators etc. have no inheritance in the kingdom of God in heaven- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:16-21 & Ephesians 5:1-7.)
Paul got Jesus commandments are our sanctification and the fornicator being taken away from them from Christ's kingdom gospel.
John 15:1:11
My focus is on those who don't bear fruit. (Jesus is talking to His disciples.)
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
("In me" = believers.)
Jesus is the true vine and the Father us the Husbandman. Every branch in Him that don't bear fruit the Father takes away. (The fornicator.)
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
He is the vine and we're the branches and only those who abide in Him bear fruit. We can't do anything without Him.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If we don't abide in Him we will be cast away into the fire and are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Verse 9 & 10- "Continue in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love...."
We abide in Him by keeping His commandments as He has kept His Father's commandments.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
He has spoken these things that His joy will remain in us and so our joy may be full. (The reward of the inheritance- enter into the joy of the Lord.)
Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Him that don't bear fruit the Father takes away. Those who don't abide in Him are castaway and burned. We abide in Him by keeping His commandments- His law.
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (etc.)
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Paul was not without law to God but under the law to Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
No crown [of life] unless we strive lawfully.
2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
1 John 3:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Abide in Him, keep His commandments, or be ashamed.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
(More on ashamed away from Him ('before Him') at His coming later.)
Paul repeated the above teaching (John 15- those in Him that don't abide in Him, keep His commandments (reach perfection), are castaway and burned.) to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 6:1-12
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Paul- Let us leave the beginning doctrine of Christ and let us move on to perfection.
Perfection: Walking worthy, abiding in Him, keeping His commandments, bearing fruit unto holiness, cleansing ourselves, laboring/ working, studying, purging ourselves, doing the doctrine, purifying ourselves, not defiling our bodies and not being ashamed before Him at His coming.
The beginning doctrine of Christ: The foundation of repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Paul- Those who were once enlightened, those who have tasted the heavenly gift, those who have tasted the tasted the good word of God, those who have tasted the powers of the world to come, and those who were made partakers of the Holy Ghost are all believers and if they shall fall away it will be impossible for them to return to repentance. (They will no longer be able to bear fruit/ works worthy of repentance.) Seeing they would have to have Christ be put to public shame and have Him crucified for them all over again.
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Paul- That which bears thorns and briers will be rejected and burned.
(The lazy and unprofitable servant will be castaway and burned- purged.)
Remember Paul began by writing let us move past the beginning doctrine of Christ and eternal judgment was part of the beginning doctrine. Therefore this rejection and burning is not eternal judgment. It's the purge.
Is rejected is from the same Greek adokimos as is a castaway in 1 Corinthians 9:27 when Paul wrote he himself would be a castaway if he didn't keep his body under subjection. Paul would be rejected.
Those who fall and who are rejected will still receive some of the promises.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Patience from Greek makrothumia: patience, long-suffering.
Paul- Beloved we are speaking to you now because we're persuaded of better things of you, not thorns and briers, which are going to be burned, but things that accompany salvation from the fire. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which you have done. We desire every one of you to show the same diligence unto the end. Don't be a slothful believer but follow those who through faith and longsuffering inherit the promises.
Don't be slothful [believers] but be followers of them who through faith and longsuffering inherit the promises shows us that the slothful believers still receive some of the promises. However, they will be rejected and burned- purged first.
(The slothful believer is also found in Matthew 25:14-30.)
That which bears thorns and briers is rejected and burned is the same teaching as John 15. Those who don't abide in Him, keep His commandments, don't bear fruit, are castaway and burned. It's also the same teaching as 1 Corinthians 3:10-18 where those whose work will be wood, hay and stubble will be burned and saved by fire. Paul just used thorns and briers here instead of wood, hay and stubble probably because he was writing to the Hebrews. (The Old Testament warned about thorns and briers and the Hebrews were familiar with the Old Testament Bible.)
(1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.)
Hebrews and 1 Corinthians
Hebrews has thorns and briers and 1 Corinthians has wood, hay and stubble. Hebrews has those who bear thorns and briers and fall will be burned and 1 Corinthians 3 has those whose work will be wood, hay and stubble will suffer loss and be burned and 1 Corinthians 10 warns us not to fall. Hebrews and 1 Corinthians are the same teaching.
They were both babes needing milk and not meat in Hebrews and 1 Corinthians.
Hebrews 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
They both tasted heavenly / spiritual things in Hebrews and 1 Corinthians.
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
1 Corinthians 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Paul explained being brought out of Egypt by Moses in Hebrews and 1 Corinthians.
Hebrews 3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Paul explained the Israelites falling in the wilderness in Hebrews and 1 Corinthians.
Hebrews 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
1 Corinthians 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
The Israelites falling in the wilderness were examples for us not to fall in Hebrews and 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Of unbelief is the Greek word apeitheias. Apeitheias is used three more times in the King James Bible and its three other uses are all translated disobedience. (Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 5:6 and Colossians 3:6.)
The examples Paul was warning about were the Israelites who fell in the wilderness. They all drank of that Spiritual Rock, Christ. They all believed in God. They all witnessed the miracles performed in Egypt and during the Exodus. However, they grew impatient, not trusting God's promises, and became willfully disobedient and fell and they were prevented from entering the promise land. If we fall we will not enter the promise of heaven.
2 Peter 1:3-15
Those who fall do not receive the kingdom.
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Peter- By His divine power we have received all things that pertain to life and godliness. We have received them through the knowledge of Him who has called us by His glory and virtue. Through these things we have been given great and precious promises, so that through these things we may be partakers of the divine nature, now that we have escaped the corruption that is in the world because of lust. On top of having escaped the corruption and lust of the world give all your diligence to add virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love to your faith.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
(More on old sins purged later.)
Peter- If virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love are in you and abound you will never be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those believers who don't have these things are blind and can't see what is ahead for us. They have forgotten that they were purged from their old / past sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Peter- Rather than being a barren and unfruitful believer who is blind and can't see what is ahead for us and who has forgotten that their past sins have been purged be diligent to make your [own] calling and election sure: for if you do these things you shall never fall and an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Those who make their calling and election sure will be the bride. (For many are called but few are chosen.) Those who fall will enter the new Earth after the purge- after the bride and the new Jerusalem come down from heaven. (More on them entering new earth later.)
Peter writing rather than being the barren and unfruitful believer and be diligent and make your calling and election sure: For if you do these things you shall never fall and an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the kingdom is the same as Paul in Hebrews writing don't be a slothful believer but follow those who through faith and longsuffering inherit the promises.
The barren, unfruitful, and slothful believer will still receive some of the promises but just not as those who don't fall or those who through faith and longsuffering receive all of them.
Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
(Two chapters later in 2 Peter.)
2 Peter 3:10-17
Those who fall burn with the Earth.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Peter- The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away and the earth and the works in the earth will be burned.
Peter then warns- Seeing all these things shall pass away what manner of persons ought you to be? You should be holy and godly.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
The elements from Greek stoicheion: one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet), by ext. the elements (of knowledge)
Peter- You should be holy and godly; looking for and desiring the coming day of God. On that day the heavens being on fire shall pass away and the world's knowledge shall melt away with fervent heat.
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Peter warns again- Nevertheless we according to His promise look for a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Wherefore, seeing you look for such things be diligent so you may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are 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.
Peter- Paul also has written to you about these things. (1 Corinthians 3:10-18 The fire shall try every man's work and burned work.) Some of these things are hard to understand and the unlearned and unstable distort them. They do this with other scripture also, destroying themselves.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Peter's final warning- Beloved, seeing you already know all these things are going to burn beware you don't fall....
Those who fall will remain in the fire until they are purged.
Hebrews 10:19-31
(Heaven or a fiery purge.)
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Into the holiest from Greek hagion: a sacred thing (i.e. spot):--holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
Having the confidence to enter heaven by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, His flesh. (His flesh is the new testamenmt- Matthew 26:26-28)
(Next is the list of things to do to enter the holiest- heaven.)
Having a high priest, mediator, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from a evil conscience, let us have our bodies washed with pure water (His word- John 15:3 & Ephesians 5:26), let us hold fast the profession of our faith, let us provoke one another to love and to good works, never forsaking the assembly of ourselves but let us exhort one another and so much more as we see the day approaching .
21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
[(The day) 1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.)]
The above list is how we enter the holiest- heaven. Next Paul warns about the fire. It's either heaven or the fire.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(Again....) Sin is a present participle verb. It expresses continuous or repeated action.
If we continue sinning (willfully) after receiving the truth there is no more sacrifice for our sins but a certain fearful judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.
The fire will try everyone. The acceptable believers, the wheat, the bride of Christ, will be rewarded into heaven. The unacceptable believers will be purged. The purge takes place in the same fire that nonbelievers are punished in but God's adversaries, God's enemies, will be consumed by it. Thus, 'Which shall devour the adversaries.'
The above teaching is just like John the Baptist's teaching. Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Ghost and fire. 1. He will throughly purge His floor. 2 Take His wheat into the garner. 3. Burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11-12)
Next Paul explained the fire by first explaining the punishment for those who despised the first covenant/ testament and then by asking how much worthy of sorer punishment should a person who has been sanctified by the blood of Jesus and who has received the Spirit of grace be worthy of for walking over Jesus death. (Continue sinning (willfully) after Jesus died for them and their sin.)
28 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, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(Sanctified by the blood of the covenant and hath done despite the Spirit of Grace = believers.)
Next verses- As you have been reading, vengeance belongs to God, He will recompense, and the Lord shall judge His people.
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Abide in Him or be ashamed
Faith alone doesn't save.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James- Can faith without work save? Faith without works is dead. (Lifeless.)
Believers without works will not have life saving works. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) They are considered as 'dead' and will be left behind in the fire until they have been purged.
The dead
A widow who has dedicated her life to God but lives in worldly pleasure is referred to as dead.
1 Timothy 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
The prodigal son before he repented was referred to as dead.
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be marry.
The Spirit called the church members in Sardis without perfect works dead.
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
(More on the dead church members of Sardis soon.)
Knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection first-hand will only be achieved by believers who reach perfection.
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
The resurrection (verse 11) is the Greek word exanastasin from anastasis. It is only used here. The common Greek word for resurrection is anastasis. (verse 10) Anastasis is used forty-two times. The difference between the two is ex is added. Ex or ek means out from and to (the outcome); out from within.
Paul wanted to achieve perfection so he would know and experience the power of Jesus' resurrection by being resurrected out from the dead- the believers that won't reach perfection.
Paul explained perfection and knowing the power of Jesus resurrection and the dead at the end of the chapter. (Philippians 3:17-20)
(Please notice that Paul doesn't even mention faith. It's all based on our walk- the way we live (our works).)
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Conversation is from the Greek word politeuma: a form of government, citizenship.
(Paul was not weeping for nonbelievers.)
Those that walk as Paul did will be those that reach perfection and whose citizenship will be heaven. Those who Paul wept for that were minding earthly things and whose end is destruction/ perdition (the fire) are the dead.
The next verse is knowing first-hand the power of Jesus' resurrection- the out resurrection.
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Paul, as he labored and strived for perfection himself, preached the hope of glory warning everyone that they needed to be presented perfect,
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ is in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Paul labored and strived for perfection to be accepted.
Again- 2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
(22 verses earlier (our hope is heaven)- Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;)
(Again) Paul- Be perfect and the God of peace will be with you hereafter.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Again, they were teaching how to directly enter life and how to receive the kingdom of God in heaven- the reward of the inheritance and perfection is needed to directly enter the age of life.
Above, James explained that faith without works is dead but he also explained that faith without works is the same as if a naked brother or sister needs clothing and food and someone just sends them away without giving them the things needed for the body.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
We will need faith and good works to be clothed with our new bodies.
Isaiah 59:6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
Those without works will not receive their new bodies nor life until they have been purged. They will be naked and ashamed away from Him.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Before is the Greek word ap' from apo: from, away from. Ap' is used another 100 plus times in the King James Bible and it's only translated before here. It's mostly translated from as in away from someone or something and is always translated with the meaning from / away from. It was used an additional 11 times in 1 John and it was only translated with from and of. (Of as in from someone.)
John- And now, little children, abide in Him (keep His commandments), so that we will have confidence (the fire's going to try us) and so that we won't be ashamed away from Him at His coming.
(Psalms 25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.)
Again, we abide in Him so that we won't be ashamed away from Him by keeping His commandments as Jesus kept His Father's commandments.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Psalms 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Psalms 119:80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
Again, according to John we need to abide in Him (keep His commandments) so that we won't be ashamed away from Him. Thus, Paul writing workers will not be ashamed- approved unto God.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Those that don't work and who are ashamed will temporarily remain naked (no new body).
Jesus in Revelation- Blessed are they that watch and guard their garments (their bodies from being defiled with sin). Those that don't watch and guard their garments (their bodies from being defiled with sin) will walk naked and be ashamed.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Keepeth is from the Greek word téreó: to watch over, to guard.
New American Standard Bible
Revelation 16:15 ("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.")
It's the bride [members] that will be blessed.
Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
The bride makes herself ready. (She clothes herself with her righteous works.)
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The fine linen is the righteous works of the holy ('saints').
King James 2000 Bible
Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of saints.
Proper 'saints' will not willfully commit unclean acts (sin).
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Verse 2- 'Walk in love' because those that walk in love will reach perfection. (For love is the fulfilling of the law- Romans 13:8-10)
Verse 3- 'Let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.'
(Let not (any uncleaness) be named among you once as proper/ suitable (acceptable) 'saints.'
Becometh is from the Greek word prepó: to be fitting, proper, suitable.
(Fitting, proper, suitable 'saints' meaning true, acceptable 'saints'.)
A proper/ true/ acceptable holy person will not willfully commit unclean acts. Thus, Blessed are they that watch and guard ('keepeth') their garments- their bodies from being defiled with sin…. Jesus gave Himself for us so that we would be presented to Him not having spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. (Perfect!)
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Blessed are they that watch and guard ('keepeth') their garments.... is both a warning and an encouragement. We need to guard ourselves in the love (agape) of God looking for the mercy of the Lord unto the age of life.
(Believers that don't keep/ guard themselves in His love (keep His commandments) will temporarily remain in an of age of fire- the purge.)
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
(Again) Keep is from the Greek word téreó: to watch over, to guard.
(Again, we abide (keeping/ guarding ourselves) in God's love by keeping His commandments. John 15:9-10. Good works will be our armor.)
Verse 23- 'Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh' meaning When you save others, pulling them out of the fire, hate sin so much that you don't defile (spot/ blemish) your own body (garment).
Our armor.
(Remember the lazy drunken servant has his portion with the hypocrites- unbelievers. Matthew 24:40-51 and Luke 12:35-48)
1 Thessalonians 4:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
Let us watch and be sober. ---- Be sober, putting on the breastplate and helmet.... (our armor) the hope of salvation. Without watching and sober mindedness we will have no armor for the fire. (Be sober.... the hope of salvation.)
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Peter- Be sober and holy. - The Father judges every man's work without respect of persons so pass your time here in fear.
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Peter- The end is at hand so be sober and watch unto prayer and above all things have fervent love: for love covers the multitude of sins.
Love covers the multitude of sins because love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
(A little more on sins covered later.)
Casting off the works of darkness (sin) is our armor.
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
The apostles also got watch and be sober from Jesus teachings. Jesus is coming like a thief- a burglar and we need to watch, be sober, and be ready so our house, our body, won't be broken into.
(Jesus was talking privately and warning His disciples.)
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
The rest of the above teaching is Matthew 24:40-51. The servant of the Lord being rewarded with the reward of the inheritance or receiving for his wrong. (The drunken servant having his portion with the unbelievers. For there's no respect of persons with God.)
Jesus was warning the disciples (us) that they needed to watch and be ready and not let their house- body be broken into / penetrated [by the fire].
To be broken up from Greek diorussó {dee-or-oos'-so} from 1223 and 3736; to penetrate burglariously:-break through (up).
In the above warning, there's four workers and only two will be taken up so obviously it will be the diligent workers, those that live acceptable lives, which will be taken up into heaven to the marriage. The lazy slothful servants will be naked and ashamed and left behind receiving for their wrong and purging in the fire.
(Again- 2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. ETC.)
Jesus repeated the above warning to many church members in Sardis.
(For many are called but few are chosen.)
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
If they didn't repent and watch they wouldn't be ready. They would be considered dead and wouldn't be presented perfect (without spot or blemish) and so Jesus would come on them as a thief and their bodies would penetrated by the fire.
(This is why Paul wanted perfection for the out resurrection.)
The dead church members in Sardis that repented their sins and watched will have achieved perfection. They will be presented perfect (without having a spot or blemish- undefiled) and will be worthy to wear white, the wedding gown.
Unfortunately, those that were considered dead and didn't repent or watch will not have reached perfection and will be spotted and defiled and will not be worthy to wear white or be in the out resurrection- the marriage. (They will have no armor and their bodies will be penetrated by the fire.)
Verse 4- Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
All the naked and clothing teachings came from Jesus' kingdom gospel. Jesus- Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and [by doing so] clothing etc. will be added unto you.
Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Do the Gentiles is the Greek work ethnē from ethnos. It should be translated the nations.
Ethnos: a race, a nation, plural the nations (as distinct from Israel).
(Luke 12:29 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.)
Shall be added is from the Greek word prostíthēmi (from prós, "towards, with" and títhēmi, "to set, lay down") – properly, put together for a purpose; to gather ("add up"), stressing the objective of the increasing (reaching the goal for doing it).
In this teaching, Jesus was clearly teaching a spiritual teaching because at the time He said it every nation, Israel included, had clothing whether they seeked the kingdom of God and His righteousness or not. In fact, when Jesus said this, Rome ruled most of the known world and they had clothing and they definitely weren't seeking the kingdom of God or His righteousness for their clothing. The nations seeking clothing is a spiritual teaching and the nations seeking clothing will be believers that were left behind purging in the fire and the believers that sought the kingdom and God's righteousness will be clothed in heaven and will come down from heaven, after the purge, in the new Jerusalem.
(A little more on the nations (the purged believers) and the new Jerusalem (the bride of Christ) soon.)
Seek the kingdom and His righteousness. (Seek the kingdom and the righteousness that God approves.)
Jesus became sin for us and condemned sin in our flesh so that we could fulfill the righteousness of God's law (the ten commandments) i.e. so that we could be made the righteousness of God.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 6:1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 Corinthians 6:1, Paul beseeching them not to receive God's grace in vain, is warning and those that receive God's grace in vain will not be made the righteousness of God. They will not go into the marriage nor receive the kingdom. They will not have walked worthy of God's kingdom and glory calling/ invitation.
1 Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
2 Corinthians 5:1-11 (Clothed or naked.)
(Verse 3- some will be remain naked.)
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
If from Greek eige: if indeed, seeing that, unless, with negative otherwise.
Paul- If our earthly body were destroyed, we have a body from God. It isn't manmade. It's eternal and it's in heaven. We groan earnestly desiring to be clothed with our new body, which is from heaven., unless while being clothed with our new bodies we are found naked.
(Those found naked will receive for the bad they have done and will remain naked until after the purge.)
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
The earnest from Greek arrabón: a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest:--earnest.
Paul- We that are in this body do groan and are even burdened. We are burdened not to be naked but burdened to have our new bodies so that what's mortal will be swallowed up by life. God has worked this out for us and as given us His Spirit as the down payment.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment 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. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Therefore Greek oún (a conjunction) – therefore, now then, accordingly so. (oún) occurs 526 times in the NT and is typically translated "therefore" which means, "By extension, here's how the dots connect."
Paul- Therefore- This is how it works. We are always confident and know when we're in this body we're away from the Lord. (We walk by faith and not by sight.) We are confident and willing rather to be out of this body and to be present with Him and this is why we labor for Him. We labor for Him so that He will accept us. For we all must appear before Christ and receive for the things we have done in this body, whether they're good or bad and knowing what it's to fear the Lord we persuade other to fear Him also.
Our confidence/ boldness is in the Lord's and His promises.
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
(2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.)
Therefore- this is how it works. Those that labor for Him, doing good, will receive good. They will be accepted and will receive their new bodies. Those that don't labor, living bad, will not be accepted. They will be remain naked, bodyless, in the fire receiving for the bad they have done and knowing what it's to fear the Lord we persuade other to fear Him also.
(Those who don't labor for Him will have received God's grace in vain. Jesus died for them and set them free from sin but they continued to live in sin so therefore they will not be accepted until they have been purged.)
He has given us the earnest, the down payment, and now we must purchase our part.
Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
I love is from the Greek word philéō (from phílos, "affectionate friendship") – properly, to show warm affection in intimate friendship, characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship.
Jesus advised them (the church members who weren't living as they should) to buy gold and white raiment (our bodies) in the fire. White raiment so that they may be clothed and so the shame of their nakedness don't appear. Jesus warned them as many as He loves He rebukes be zealous therefore and repent. The ashamed naked ones who don't repent will be those He rebukes. His rebuke is with flames of fire.
Isaiah 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
(Psalms 38:1 {A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.} O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.)
Those He philō ("I love") will be rebuked and disciplined with flames of fire because they didn't keep/ guard themselves in the agape (love) of God (they didn't repent keeping Jesus' commandments) looking for Jesus' mercy unto the age of life.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
The love is from the Greek word agápē – properly, love which centers in moral preference. So too in secular ancient Greek, agápē focuses on preference; likewise the verb form (agapáō) in antiquity meant "to prefer" (TDNT, 7). In the NT, agápē typically refers to divine love (= what God prefers).
We repent to salvation- 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Unrepentant hearts store up wrath for themselves- Romans 8:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Impenitent from the Greek word ametanoétos: impenitent, unrepentant.
Conclusion
Paul- No crown unless we strive lawfully and the farmer who labors must partake of the fruits first.
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Paul was not teaching worldly things, verse 4- 'No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life.' No crown unless strive lawfully and the farmer who labors must partake of the fruits first are spiritual teachings. The crown is the crown of life and the fruits are from the tree of life.
The crown of life is to directly enter the age of life ('eternal' life)- no fiery purge.
(There shall be no more death is the age of life- Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.)
Those who will have strived lawfully / endured temptation / resisted sin will receive the crown of life when they're tried.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
(The Lord promised the crown of live to those who love Him.)
Jesus said He will appear [in person] to those who love Him i.e. to those who keep His commandments.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Will manifest from the Greek word emphanizó: to exhibit, appear (in person), to declare.
The farmers that labor must partake of the fruits first. (They will partake of the tree of life's fruit first.)
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
(The leaves are for the healing of the nations- soon below.)
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
These teachings all stemmed from Adam and Eve. God created them sin free but they sinned and were kicked out of paradise away from the tree of life.
(2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.)
After Adam and Ever were kicked out of paradise away from the tree of life God protected paradise and the tree with a fiery sword and now we must all go through and be tried by fire before entering the age of life- eternity.
Genesis 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Those who directly enter the age of life and receive the kingdom will be those that served Him acceptably. (The others will not be able to stand before God. For our God is a consuming fire.)
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Here are the first resurrection saints standing above the fire.
Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Again, the new Jerusalem, to where we have been invited, is the kingdom of God in heaven.
(Again....) Hebrews 12:18-29- You haven't come near a mountain that might be touched and burned with fire.... You have come near to the heavenly Jerusalem.... those written in heaven - to the spirits of just people who have been made perfect. Then two verses later (warning)- So see that you don't refuse and turn away from Him that speaks from heaven....
Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn,which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
(Those that don't listen to God, don't do what He says, will not receive the kingdom of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, in heaven nor will they be a part of it in the new Earth. They will have access to the new Jerusalem but they will be the nations.)
The new Jerusalem and the bride of Christ (just people made perfect) are one and the same and it's after the bride of Christ and the new Jerusalem descend out of heaven from God when the purged believers enter the age of life.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
(Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.)
The new Jerusalem's gates shall not be shut and the gates of it shall bring the nations into it.
Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
After the purge, in the new Earth, the leaves from the tree of life heal the nations.
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
The leaves healing the nations, just as most of the book of Revelation is, is symbolic and it too stems from Adam and Eve. The leaves represent the purged believers, the nations, receiving their new bodies. (They will no longer be naked.)
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Then at the end , in eternity, the bride that kept God's works, overcoming the world, will shepherd, the nations.
Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
He shall rule is from the Greek word poimainó: to act as a shepherd.
The end.
(Please use menu tab (if needed) and read the children of God.)
Forgiveness
Now I'm going to go over forgiveness in the gospel of Christ. (Jesus' use of forgiveness.) I shared everything else first because I wanted to show you that Paul and the other New Testament writers were teaching from Jesus' kingdom of heaven gospel. After Jesus' use of forgiveness I will show where Paul, Peter and James all taught that it was only our past which left us and were forgiven and after forgiveness it's our works that cover our sins.
The gospel of Christ forgiveness parable (Matthew 18:23-34)
(Jesus is answering Peter's question and is talking to His disciples.)
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 39 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
The above parable is a kingdom of heaven parable.
(The kingdom of heaven is only for believers.)
(20 verses before the forgiveness parable.)
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
We must become as little children and mature into the fullness of Christ- perfect.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(The above forgave, forgave and forgive are all from the Greek word aphiemi.)
After Jesus taught the kingdom of heaven is converted believers He used the above parable to explain forgiveness in the kingdom of heaven.
In the above parable the king called and forgave his servant's debt. After the servant was called and received forgiveness the servant wouldn't forgive his own servant and mistreated him. Then when the king heard how his servant mistreated his own servant the king delivered the servant to the tormentors until the servant paid all that was owed. Then after the parable Jesus warned Peter and His disciples that God the Father would do the same to them if they didn't forgive their brother's trespasses.
Though he forgave the servant's debt in the parable the Greek word used for forgave doesn't mean forgiveness.
Forgave from Greek aphiemi.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Aphiemi {af-ee'-ay-mee} from 575 and hiemi (to send; an intensive form of eimi, to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
Aphiemi maybe translated having to do with forgiveness but the actual definition for aphiemi is to send forth i.e to send away. The servant's debt was legally forgiven i.e. it was sent away from him. He no longer was responsible for his debt but any future debt would be collected.
Aphiemi
The most common word in the King James Bible used to explain Jesus' forgiveness is the Greek word aphiémi.
The Greek word aphiémi is used 146 times in the King James Bible but out of its 146 uses it's only translated 49 times regarding forgiveness.
Forgiveness is basically our sins upon conversion were sent away from us i.e. they left us. Please know I'm in no way saying He didn't forgive us because He did. All I'm saying according to the gospel of Christ and the actual definition for aphiemi our sins left us.
Other uses of the Greek word aphiemi in the King James Bible.
1. Greek aphēken from aphiémi (Aphēken in red.)
(Aphēken from aphiémi is only translated about forgiveness once out of its 20 uses)
In the above kingdom of heaven parable the lord of a servant let the servant's debt leave Him. (He wasn't responsible for the debt anymore.)
Matthew 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Though he 'forgave' the debt any future debt would be collected.
Matthew 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Here aphēken was translated left- a brother left his wife unto his brother. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 22:25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
Here it was translated yielded up- under Jesus' power the Ghost left Him. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
The above use of aphēken translated 'forgave' was used in the parable Jesus told but here when Mark used it for Jesus' words it was translated hath left and here it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
Mark 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Here it was translated left- Jesus left Judaea. (Nothing was forgiven.)
John 4:3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
(The other 15 uses of aphēken are Matthew 8:15 & 19:29, Mark 1:31, 5:19, 5:37, & 12:20, Luke 4:39, 8:51, 12:39 & 18:29, John 4:28 4:52 & 8:29, Acts 14:17 and Hebrews 2:8.)
2-4. Greek aphiete, aphē and aphēsei from aphiémi (Aphiete, aphē and aphēsei in red.)
(All uses of aphiete used.)
If we let those who trespasses against us go our heavenly Father will also let our trespasses go / leave us but if we don't He won't.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Aphiete above was used by Mark twice (first 'forgive' in both verses) regarding Jesus' words and both times it was translated forgive but these two uses of it for Jesus' words have nothing to do with forgiveness. They were translated suffer (permit).
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Mark 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Aphē above was translated 'may forgive' (Mark 11:25) but here it was translated leave. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Mark 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Above in Mark 11:26 the second 'forgive' was aphēsei and it was used for Jesus' words but here it's used also by Mark for Jesus' words but here it has nothing to do with forgiveness. It was translated leave.
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
(The other 2 uses of aphēsei are Matthew 6:14-15 and the only other use of aphē is in 1 John 1:9.)
5. Greek aphes from aphiémi (Aphes in red.)
Here Jesus told the Father let them be. (He was permitting His crucifixtion to take place.)
Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Jesus was telling the Father, in that very moment, to let them be, as in leave them alone. He permitted His crucifixion to continue.
The above use of aphes in Luke for Jesus' words was translated 'forgive' but here when used for Jesus words it was translated suffer and here it has nothing to do with forgiveness. Jesus was permitting his baptism to be done.
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
King James 2000 Bible
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Permit it to be so now: for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he permitted him.
Here if someone sues you for your coat let them have your cloke also. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Here let it be or let it happen. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 27:49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Here leave her alone or let her do this. (Nothing was forgiven.)
John 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
(The other 10 uses of aphes are Matthew 5:24, 6:12, 7:4 & 8:22 Mark 7:47, Luke 6:42, 9:60, 11:4, 13:8, 17:3 and 23:34.)
6. Greek aphethēsetai from aphiémi (Aphethēsetai in red.)
All sin and blasphemy shall leave men but blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not leave men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man it shall leave him but whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost it shall not leave him.
Matthew the 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
(It was upon conversion when our sins and blasphemies left us.)
The above uses of aphethēsetai translated 'shall be forgiven' etc. was used for Jesus' words but here when Jesus' words are used it was translated shall be left and left and here it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
Luke 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luke 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
(The other 5 uses of aphethēsetai are Mark 3:28, Luke 12:10 (2x), Acts 8:22 & James 5:15.)
7. Greek aphienai from aphiémi (Aphenai in red.)
The Son of Man has the power to cause sins to be undone or omitted.
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Whatever sin caused the man to have the palsy Jesus caused it be undone or omitted. (The sin was rendered void.)
The above use of aphienai translated 'to forgive' was used for Jesus' words but here when Jesus' words are used it was translated undone and here it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Here let not a husband undo a marriage to his wife. (Nothing was forgiven.)
1 Corinthians 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.65
(The other 3 uses of aphienai are Mark 2:7 & 2:10 and Luke 5:24.)
8. Greek aphēte from aphiémi (Aphete in red.)
If someone trespasses against you and if you just leave them alone your heavenly Father will also leave your trespasses alone but if you don't He won't.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(In Matthew 6:14-15's forgive the Greek aphiete was used above in # 2-4.)
The above uses of aphēte were translated 'ye forgive' and they were used for Jesus' words but here when used for Jesus' words it was translated shall leave and here it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.70/
(The other 2 uses aphēte are Matthew 18:35 and John 20:23.)
9. Greek aphietai from aphiémi (Aphietai in red.)
When a person only has a few sins leave them they only love back a little.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
(Are forgiven is Greek apheōntai from aphiémi and all 6 of its uses regard forgiveness.)
The above use of aphietai was translated 'is forgiven' and it was used for Jesus' words but here when Jesus' words are used it was translated left and here it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
(The other 2 uses of aphietai are Matthew 23:38 and Luke 13:25.)
10. Greek aphiēsin from aphiémi (Aphiēsin in red.)
They questioned who is this that permits sins to go?
Luke 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Here for Jesus' words aphiesin was translated suffered. Jesus permitted John to baptize Him. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Here the devil left Jesus. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Here it's used for Jesus' words- the paid help leaves the sheep alone. (Nothing was forgiven.)
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
11. Greek aphēkamen from aphiemi (Aphēkamen in red.)
Let our debts go as we let our debtors debts go.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(The first forgive in Matthew 6:12 is Greek aphes and was used above in # 5.)
Here Peter answered and said we have left everything to follow you Lord. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
12. Greek aphēsō from aphiémi (Aphēsō in red.)
Peter asked Jesus how often should we leave a brother that trespasses against us. (Leave as in abandon.)
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Here for Jesus words it was translated leave. (Nothing was forgiven.)
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
13. Greek aphethē from aphiémi (Aphethē in red.)
They won't see and perceive nor hear and understand unless they're converted and their sins leave them.
Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Upon conversion our sins leave us. When we were converted our sins left us.
Above for Jesus' words aphethē was translated 'shall be forgiven' but here its other two uses are Jesus' words and it was translated be left. (Nothing was forgiven.)
Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mark 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
(All 9 other uses of Greek aphiemi regarding forgiveness. Greek aphientai used 4 times. Greek aphēka used 1 time. Greek aphēseis used 1 time. Greek apheinai used 1. Greek aphethēsan used 1 time. Greek aphiomen used 1 time.)
(All 45 other uses of Greek aphiémi not regarding forgiveness. Greek aphentes used 15 times. Greek aphete used 10 times. Greek apheis used 6 times. Greek aphēkan used 2 times. Greek aphiēmi used 2 times. Greek aphietō used 2 times. Greek ēphien used 2 times. Greek aphēkate used 1 time. Greek aphēkes used 1 time. Greek aphēsousin used 1 time. Greek apheinai used 1 time. Greek aphiousin used 1 time. Greek aphōmen used 1 time.)
As you read above aphiemi was our sins left us. Jesus described it as a legal debt forgiven. However even though the debt was forgiven any future debt would be collected. Now I'm going to go over Jesus' use of aphesis.
Greek aphesis (aphesin and aphesei) was translated forgiveness, remission and deliverance.
Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
áphesis (from aphíēmi, "send away, forgive" ) – properly, "something sent away"; i.e. remission ("forgiveness"), releasing someone from obligation or debt.
Something sent away is just like the above aphiemi, our sins left us or they were sent away- our legal debt was remitted. However, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance aphesis [literally] means freedom.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
859 aphesis {af'-es-is} freedom; (figuratively) pardon:--deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.
Strong probably did this because of the way they used it for Jesus words and according to Jesus He was was anointed to preach aphesin (deliverance) to the captives and to set at aphesei (liberty) them that our bruised.
(Both aphesin and aphesei are from aphesis.)
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
(Above) Jesus' blood was shed for the aphesin (translated 'the remission') of sins but for Jesus' words the same word was translated deliverance and according to the complete gospel (not a verse here or a few verses there) Jesus' blood was shed for the freedom (deliverance / liberty) from sins and Jesus came to preach freedom (deliverance) to the captives and to set free (liberty) them that are broken.
Even the first complete English Bible, the 14th century Wycliffe Bible, out of its 17 uses, only translated aphesis forgiveness once. I'm not saying He didn't forgive us because He did. I'm saying His love and forgiveness gave us freedom just as Jesus said He came to do.
When Jesus came who were the captives He delivered? Who did He set at liberty? Who was given freedom?
He didn't give deliverance, liberty or freedom to any captives other than His people. He didn't free the Hebrews from Gentile (Roman) rule nor did He free anyone from prisons. We were in bondage and slaves to sin and Jesus healed us. He freed, delivered, and gave us liberty from sin's power and curses.
Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
After aphesis / freedom / deliverance ('forgiveness') liberty is judgment.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The forgiveness is aphesin from the Greek aphesis.
(Again, it was translated for Jesus' words 'the remission' in Matthew 26:28- Jesus' blood shed for the remission of sins and deliverance in Luke 4:18- Jesus came to preach deliverance to the captives.)
It's technically forgiveness but that isn't what Paul meant. Paul wrote and meant that we have redemption through His blood even the freedom, liberty, deliverance from sins. However after freedom from sins comes judgment and this is why four chapters after Paul wrote 'the forgiveness of sins' he warned the Ephesian believers not to partake in sin or the wrath of God with the children of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Let no man deceive you is a warning. The subject is the wrath of God and Paul is warning them not to partake in sin or God's wrath with the children of Ephesians. This teaching and warning were first taught by Paul to the Colossians.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Even the forgiveness is aphesin from Greek aphesis. (Again, when used for Jesus' words it was translated the remission and deliverance.)
(Colossians 1) We have redemption through His blood even the aphesis / freedom, liberty, and deliverance from sin and then two chapter later, just as Paul warned the Ephesians, he warned the Colossians those that do wrong are going to receive for their wrong.
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
We went over this earlier: It's the reward of the inheritance or receive for wrongs. There's no respect of persons with God.
There's only two options: 1. The reward of the inheritance. 2. Receiving for our wrong without respect of persons (the fire).
'And there is no respect of persons' is a warning. You have read so many examples how we either will be rewarded or we will receive for our wrong….
Now, here is Peter and Paul both teaching that it was only our past sins that were purged or left us (forgiven).
2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
New Internation Version
2 Peter 1:9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Romans 3:24 - 26
Original justification
The remission of sins that are past- the remissions of past sins.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Verse 24- 'the redemption that is in Christ Jesus'
The redemption that is in Christ Jesus is God buying us back from the consequences of Adam's sin.
Redemption from Greek apolýtrōsis
apolýtrōsis (from apó, "from" and lytróō, "redeem") – properly, redemption – literally, "buying back from, re-purchasing (winning back) what was previously forfeited (lost)."
apolýtrōsis ("redemption, re-purchase") emphasizes the distance ("safety-margin") that results between the rescued person, and what previously enslaved them. For the believer, the prefix (apó) looks back to God's effective work of grace, purchasing them from the debt of sin and bringing them to their new status (being in Christ).
Adam and Eve were both created sin free and with free will and they sinned passing their curses down to us. However, Jesus' death and our conversion restores us back to how mankind originally was- sin free and free from sin's power but with free will and this is why Paul feared for the Corinthians being corrupted as Eve was. (2 Corinthians 11:2-3)
Jesus gave Himself that He might redeem us from all iniquity....
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(The peculiar people zealous of good works will be His bride.)
On the day of judgment we will either be justified or condemned by our words. Thus, James explaining that a person who doesn't offend in word is perfect. (Again, perfection is needed.)
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Jesus' blood only cleanses us from all sin if we walk in the light.
1 John 1:1 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Romans 3:25- 'Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood - 'for the remission of sins that are past'
People explain this as God showed His righteousness by overlooking and not punishing old testament sins but that isn't what Paul wrote! Paul's focus was our sins. The old testament believers did not have faith in the blood of Jesus. The remission or overlooking of sins that are past is through faith in His blood.
Paul wrote God sent Jesus to be a propitiation for those who have faith in Jesus' blood and those who believe in Jesus, which is us- the new testament believers.
It's 'Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood' ---- 'the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.'
It's the remission of past sins for those who have faith in Jesus' blood and those who believe in Jesus. It's the overlooking of our past sins.
What did God do? He sent Jesus to be a propitiation. Why did He do it? To declare His righteousness. What was the propitiation for? For the remission of sin that are past. How does the remission of past sins happen? Through faith in Jesus blood.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Hebrews 9:13-15
Paul also taught the Hebrews that Jesus' death, the new testament, was for the redemption of transgressions that were committed under the first testament i.e. past sins.
Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
They which are called and who hath called (below) from the Greek word kaleó: bid, call forth, name, invite.
(Hebrews was written to the Hebrews and Paul explained to them the new testament.)
The Hebrews had all worshipped under the old testament so he explained to them that once they become saved and enter the new testament Jesus' death paid the price for all the previous sins that they committed under the old testament i.e. their pat sins. Then once these sins were paid for the new testament began and they were to do good works worthy of repentance.
(Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.)
Paul also explained that Jesus' death and the redemption of past sins was so that those invited could receive the promise of eternal inheritance to the kingdom of God. However, one chapter later he further explained that we must do the will of God to receive that promise.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Again, Paul was teaching them (us) how to enter the kingdom of God and glory (the reward of the inheritance) and after being called / invited we must walk worthy.
1 Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
(Again, there's no reason to exhort and charge believers to walk worthy if every believer will be worthy of God's heavenly kingdom and glory invitation.)
Sins covered
(Upon conversion our sins are washed away, leaving us. After conversion we repent our sins and they're covered.)
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Peter is warning believers- 'The end of all things is near' - be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer 'and above all things have fervent charity - 'charity shall cover the multitude of sins '
Shall Cover Greek kalupto (Also used by James below.)
Short Definition: I veil, hide, conceal, envelop
Definition: I veil, hide, conceal, envelop.
(Being sober is our armor and hope for salvation- 1 Thessalonians 5:8.)
Charity Love covers the multitude of sins because love is the fulfilling of the law.
(If we truly love our fellow man we won't lie to them, we won't steal from them, or we won't murder them etc.)
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
(Also, by following and fulfilling the law we will repent all our sins and reach perfection.)
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Convert Greek epistrepsē he which converteth Greek epistrepsas
From epistrepho
Short Definition: I turn back to
Definition: (a) trans: I turn (back) to (towards), (b) intrans: I turn (back) (to [towards]); I come to myself.
Shall hide Greek kalypsei from the above kalupto
Short Definition: I veil, hide, conceal, envelop
Definition: I veil, hide, conceal, envelop.
This isn't a new convert. He's talking to the brethren. They're saved. Brethren, if any of you errs from the truth but one turns him/her back from the error of her/his ways his/her sins shall be covered. They will be covered because he/she repented.
There's isn't much information on the covering of sins. The New Testament letters are just follow-up letters from what the apostles told the early believers in person. They did however write as you have been reading the need to repent our sins (repenting our sins is covering them up), they wrote about receiving for wrongs and the purge. Plus we have the gospel of Christ, Matthew - John.
Conclusion: We are espoused to Christ. For many are called but few are chosen.
2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Matthew 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
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