John 3:16
John 3:16 (faith) is an elementary / basic (principle) teaching of Jesus. We need to move on to John 15 and perfection (keeping His commandments / works) and that's what I hope to do here.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, ....
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.
After faith we need works. (The devils believe and tremble.)
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?)
'Everlasting life', 'life everlasting', 'eternal life' and 'life eternal' is the age of life.
Everlasting and eternal are 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);
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.
John 3:16 is more than believing and to fully understand it one must apply the "For" ("For God so loved the world....") and begin with John 3:1.
Then beginning with John 3:1, we learn that Jesus was teaching Nicodemus how to enter the kingdom of God- the heavenly Jerusalem.
Jesus to Nicodemus
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is the heavenly Jerusalem and it will be for those written/ those enrolled in heaven- those saved by grace that serve 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' literally means Ye are come near. Coming near does not mean we are there yet! Thus, Paul warning us not to resist ('refuse') and turn away from God.
-Two verses later-
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:
If we resist and 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.
(We must walk worthy- 2 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.)
Verse 29- 'For our God is a consuming fire' is a warning that unless we serve Him acceptably we won't be able to be near Him.
Jesus warned us in Mark 9 that "Every one" is going to be sprinkled ("salted") with fire and that this sprinkling, this trial by fire, will determine who is able to directly enter the age of life and receive the kingdom of God.
(More on life and the kingdom or the fire (the kingdom gospel; Mark 9; the gospel of Christ) soon.)
We were saved by grace to be obedient to the faith.
Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
After being saved by grace (being set free from sins curses and power) it's doing the doctrine (the gospel) that saves us from the fire.
Paul to Timothy, who he knew already was saved by grace- 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.
Doing the doctrine will save us because doing the doctrine will lead us to godliness (to perfection ('just men made perfect')- to holiness) and godliness is our hope for directly entering the age of 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;
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;
Paul was a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus for the purpose of getting God's chosen ('elect') people to acknowledge the truth, the truth that will lead them to godliness, in hope of [directly entering] the age of life.
Godliness (perfection) is our hope for the age of life because we are called to be holy (godly)- Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2. Sadly for many, many are called but few are chosen- Matthew 22:1-14.
The great gain of godliness is leaving this world.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Directly entering the age of life will be the crown of life and it's only for believers that endure temptation- that resist temptation- that live lawfully- that love Him.
The crown of life- 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.
Those that love Him 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.
No crown [of life] unless we strive lawfully- endure temptation.
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.
As believers we either will be rewarded by entering the age of life and by receiving the kingdom of God in heaven (the crown of life) or we will suffer loss and be purged- 'saved, yet so as by fire.'
1 Corinthians 3:15 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.
(God and heaven are our reward.
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.)
To be rewarded and directly enter the age of life and receive the kingdom of God in heaven (the crown of life) we must stop offending (stop sinning)- stop stumbling.
Believers that continue to offend (sin)- stumble will eventually fall and will be left to purge in the fire. (Hebrews 4:11, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 6:1-12, 1 Timothy 3:6, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 2 Peter 2:3-11, and 2 Peter 3:8-17 ETC.)
Jesus explained life and the kingdom of God (the crown of life) or the fire in Mark 9:33-50.
Mark 9:33-50
Jesus- Cut off your members that cause you to offend because it's better to enter life maimed or halt than the fire.
Jesus- Pluck out your members that cause you to offend because it's better to enter the kingdom of God than the fire.
(Jesus was teaching His disciples how to be first and directly replying to John.)
(Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.)
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 you 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: 44 Where 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.
(See also Matthew 5:27-30, Matthew 18:7-9 and Colossians 3:1-6 for similar and shorter variations of the cut off our members teaching- warning.)
Offend (3x) is from the Greek word skandalizó: to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble, to give offense.
For (every one shall be salted with fire) is from the Greek word gár (a conjunction) – for. While "for" is usually the best translation of gár, its sense is shaped by the preceding statement – the "A" statement which precedes the gár statement in the "A-B" unit.
Jesus' use of Greek gár/ "For" was Jesus explaining how we directly enter life and how we receive the kingdom of God in heaven (the crown of life) and it's this trial by fire that will determine who will be approved or not.
Jesus- If your members offend cut them off because it's better to enter life maimed or halt than the fire.... If your members offend pluck them out because it's better to enter the kingdom of God [in heaven] than the fire. FOR every one shall be salted/ sprinkled by fire and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt....
Believers that stop offending (Those that keep His commandments) will be those rewarded. They will be build on the foundation of Christ and when they're tried all the good work they did will be be their armor for the fire. They will be enrolled ('written') in heaven- the just people made perfect- the heavenly Jerusalem- the kingdom of God. (Hebrews 12:18-29)
Casting off the works of darkness (sin) is our armor.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 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.
Being sober minded is our armor for the fire- Be sober, putting on the armor, the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 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.
(The drunken servants have their portion with the hypocrites/ unbelievers- Matthew 24:40-51 and Luke 12:35-49. No drunkards (etc.) have any inheritance in the kingdom of God [in heaven]- 1 Corinthians 6:7-10, Galatians 5:16-21 and Ephesians 5:1-6.)
Jesus is coming and his recompense will be with Him and every person is going to receive according to their work and those that do His commandments will enter the city- the heavenly Jerusalem- the kingdom of God.
Revelation 22:12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first andh the last. 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.
Reward is from the Greek word misthós (a primitive word, so NAS dictionary) – a reward (recompense) that appropriately compensates a particular decision (action).
Jesus (above) added "and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt", "Salt is good" and "Have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another" because the old testament sacrifices required salt and without salt they wouldn't be acceptable to God. Jesus was warning us that the fire is going to try us and we are to present our bodies as living 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.
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.
[Entering] the kingdom of God is not about what we eat or drink but....
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- He that serves Christ in righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost is acceptable to God.)
"For every one shall be salted with fire...." is no different than 'The fire shall try every man's work....'
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.
We either will be rewarded with life and the kingdom of God (the crown of life) or we will suffer loss and be saved- purged by the fire. (A little more being purged. later.)
(John 3 cont'd.)
After Jesus explained to Nicodemus that one must be born again to see and enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8) He explained everyone born of the Spirit is as the wind. (John 3:7-8)
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
"But canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
As you have been reading, being born of the Spirit doesn't guarantee a believer into the kingdom of God. ("Canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:") Believers will either follow the Spirit fulfilling the law, bearing fruit, unto sanctification and unto the age of life (the crown of life), or they will follow the flesh and fulfill the lust of the flesh and perish (ruin)- purge in the fire.
(Believers can perish- 1 Corinthians 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?)
1. Jesus condemned sin in our flesh (Jesus set us free from sin's curses and power) so that those born with the Spirit (believers) could fulfill the righteousness of the law- the ten commandments.
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.
2. After God's grace sets us free from sin i.e. After being saved from sins curses and power (Ephesians 2:8-9) and having sin condemned in our flesh, our sanctification ('holiness') and direct entrance into the age of life (the crown of life) is because of our fruit- the good work we will have done.
Paul- Being made free from sin you have your fruit- your good work unto sanctification and at the end [of this age] the age of life.
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.
Holiness is from the Greek word hagiasmos: consecration, sanctification.
Berean Literal Bible
Romans 6:22 But now, having been set free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end is eternal life.
Both holiness and sanctification are from the Greek word hagiasmos (hagiasmo and hagiasmon). Hagiasmos is translated both holiness and sanctification because becoming holy is our sanctification. For we are called to be holy ('saints')- Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2 etc.
See also Paul- Jesus' commandments are our sanctification (hagiasmos) in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
Paul- God has preferred ('chosen') us to salvation through sanctification (hagiasmo) and belief in the truth in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.
(The 'therefore' in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 is a warning.)
Since Jesus' commandments are our sanctification (hagiasmos) and since God has preferred ('chosen') us to salvation through sanctification (hagiasmo) and belief in the truth then Jesus' commandments and grace (belief in the truth) are our salvation. Thus Paul writing, Pursue ('follow') peace and holiness (hagiasmon) because without it no man shall see the Lord- God the Father [in heaven] in Hebrews 12:14-17.
Paul was preaching the kingdom of God gospel and again in the kingdom of God gospel believers will either stop offending and directly enter life and the kingdom of God (the crown of life) or they will purge in fire.
(Acts 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.)
Thus, it being our fruit/ our good work (keeping Jesus' commandments) that leads us to sanctification and the age of life (the crown of life)- Romans 6:22. Furthermore, we are only filled with the fruits of righteousness when we are without offence i.e. when we cut off our members that offend i.e. when we reach perfection.
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Faith without works is dead- James 2:14-26.
We need to abide in Him i.e. We need to keep His commandments bearing fruit unto sanctification and those that don't will be as a branch that's cut off and thrown into fire (saved/ purged by fire)- John 15:1-11.
We need to reach perfection and those don't will be rejected and burned (saved/ purged by fire.)- Hebrews 6:1-12.
We need to be perfect for the hope of glory (being united with Christ into glory)- Colossians 1:27-29.
To be received by God and to become God's children we need to cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness (reach perfection)- 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1. (Jesus gave us power to become the children of God- John 1:12.)
(John 3 cont'd.)
Finally in John 3, Jesus explained to Nicodemus in order not to 'perish' and to ascend into heaven for the kingdom of God and the age of life (the crown of life) one must trust in Him. (John 3:13-16)
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(Verses 14 and 15 explain verse 16- "For God so the loved the world....")
For is from the Greek word gár (a conjunction) – for. While "for" is usually the best translation of (gar), its sense is shaped by the receding statement – the "A" statement which precedes the (gar) statement in the "A-B" unit.
(Again) Believeth is from the Greek word pisteuo {pist-yoo'-o} from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual wellbeing to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
(Again) HELPS Word-studies
('Believeth') Greek Pisteúō (from pístis, "faith," derived from peíthō, "persuade, be persuaded")- believe (affirm, have confidence);....
Perish is from the Greek word apollumi {ap-ol'-loo-mee} from 575 and the base of 3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:--destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.
Oxford Dictionaries
Perish: suffer complete ruin or destruction.
(More on perish- ruin later.)
When we are tried by the fire we must trust and have confidence in Jesus or else we will perish- ruin. Thus, verses 14 & 15- "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
The bronze serpent
After being delivered from Egypt, in the wilderness, the Israelites didn't trust God to deliver them into the promise land and they spoke against God and so God sent snakes on them and many of them were bitten and died. Then after they repented God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and put it on a pool and if someone got bit by a snake they were to look up at the bronze serpent with faith (trusting God) to be healed. (Numbers 21:1-9)
We will need to trust in the Lord....
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. 6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. 7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
A strong hold is from the Hebrew word maoz or mauz or maoz or mauz: a place or means of safety, protection.
Psalms 34:22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
( ....and none of them that trust in him shall be found guilty and perish.)
In Him shall be desolate from the Hebrew word'asham, aw-sham' or mashem {aw-shame'}; a primitive root; to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish:--X certainly, be(-come, made) desolate, destroy, X greatly, be (-come, found, hold) guilty, offend (acknowledge offence), trespass.
Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalms 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Psalms 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
Psalms 86:2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Psalms 115:11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Proverbs 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
(Buckler = Shield)
2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Today many believers believe all their sins have been forgiven but they have been taught wrong and/or they misinterpret the scriptures wrong and/or they just believe wrong. Jesus died for our sins- a believer's past sins. Apostle Paul clearly explains in Romans 3, that God sent Jesus to be a propitiation on account of remitting sins that are past i.e. on account of over looking past sins. Paul also clearly explained to the Hebrews that the new testament- Jesus' death was for the redemption of transgressions that they commited under the first testament i.e. for the redemption of transgressions that they previously commited- for their past sins. After all, according to the Word of God if or when we don't forgive others we won't be forgiven. We will be sent to the torturers until we pay for everything.
Again, Jesus was sent to be a propitiation for the remission of sins that are past- for the remission of past sins.
Romans 3:25 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;
[To be] a propitiation is the Greek word from my Greek word hilastḗrion (a substantival adjective, derived from hiláskomai, "to propitiate") – the place of propitiation; the lid of the golden ark (the mercy-seat) where the blood of a vicarious lamb appeased God's wrath on sin.
For is from the Greek word dia: through, on account of, because of.
The remission is from the Greek word paresis (from pará, "from close-beside" and hiēmi, "let go") – properly, to release something closely felt, i.e. an " 'overlooking, suspension, remission' of punishment for" (Souter).
Again, Jesus death was for the redemption of sins that were committed under the first testament- for the redemption of past sins.
Hebrews 9:14 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 from the Greek word kaleó: bid, call forth, name, invite.
(Again, Paul preached the kingdom of God- the crown of life or the fire (purge).)
Paul- Jesus is the mediator of the new testament and by His death, for the redemption of past sins, those that have been invited to receive eternal inheritance [into the kingdom of God] might receive it.
-One chapter later- (Hebrews 10:19-36)
Paul- If we (believers) sin willfully there is no more sacrifice for our sins, but certain judgment and fiery indignation which shall devoured God's enemies.
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.
Verses 26 - 27- 'For if we sin wilfully.... fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries' i.e. If we continue to willfully give into sin, after our past sins have been forgiven, we (Paul included himself) will be punished with the fiery wrath of God which consumes God's enemies.
The fire will only consume/ devour God's enemies (nonbelievers). It will purge His floor (believers that need purging).
John the Baptist prophesying Jesus- 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.
('And gather his wheat into the garner.' His wheat will be those enrolled in heaven- those that will be made perfect- those that reach godliness- those that endure temptation- those that love Him (those that keep His commandments)- those that will be rewarded- those that cut off (mortify) their members- those that reach perfection- those that have confidence and trust in Him.)
- Eight verses later-
Those with confidence and who do the will of God will be rewarded with the promise of eternal inheritance.
Hebrew 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.
Again, it was only our past sins that were forgiven.
Jesus- 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.
Again, if we don't forgive others we won't be forgiven. We will be sent to the torturers until we pay for everything.
Jesus warning Peter and the disciples- Matthew 18:33 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. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
To the tormentors is from the Greek word basanistés: a torturer.
(The tormentors is only a parable term. They will pay for everything in the fire.)
Peter also explained that a believer that lack godliness has forgotten that their old- past sins have been purged- 2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
We must walk in the light for Jesus' blood to cleanse us from all sin.
1 John 1:6 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.
Again, we will only have armor for the fire (salvation) if we cast of the works of darkness living a sober minded life.
(Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 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.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 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.)
We need to abide in Him because only those that abide in Him, those that keep His commandments, will have the confidence that's needed when they are tried by the fire. Believers that don't abide in Him, that don't keep His commandments, will be ashamed away from Him at His coming. They will be left to purge in the fire. (Romans 2:8 For there is no respect of persons with God.)
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 from 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 was used an additional 11 times in 1 John alone and it was translated, as it should be, from and of. (Of as in from someone.)
The ashamed believers will be written to be in the earth.
Jerimiah 17:13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.
They will be ashamed away from Him and written in the earth because they will not have worked, keeping His commandments, to abide in His love. (They will have lived wrong lives. They will not have perfected holiness- godliness.)
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.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Psalms 25:3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
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.
Paul- Be diligent to present yourselves approved unto God, a workman that doesn't need to be ashamed.
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.
To shew is from the Greek word paristémi: to place beside, to present, stand by, appear.
Study is the Greek word spoudason from spoudazó: to make haste, hence to give diligence.
Spoudason ('Study') is used three more times in the King James Bible. Once in Titus 3:12, where it's translated 'be diligent', and it's two other uses are also in 2 in Timothy where they are both translated 'do thy diligence' (2 Timothy 4:9 & 4:21).
New American Standard Bible- Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Believers that believe all their sins have been forgiven and do not repent their sins, not keeping His commandments, may think they will have confidence but if they live wrong or if any believer lives wrong their confidence will be worthless because the confidence of those that behave treacherously (transgressors / law breakers) is like a broken tooth or broken foot. (Their confidence will be worthless.)
Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
In a unfaithful man is the Hebrew word bō·w·ḡêḏ from bagad: to act or deal treacherously.
Though unfaithful people may deal treacherously and transgress, the word bagad (bō·w·ḡêḏ) doesn't mean in a unfaithful man. In fact, its three other uses are translated having nothing to do with faith. In Proverbs 21:18, just four chapters earlier, bō·w·ḡêḏ is translated 'and the transgressor.' It's two other uses, Isaiah 21:2 and Habakkuk 2:5, it's translated 'dealeth treacherously' and 'Yea also, because he transgresseth.'
The confidence of those that don't live right will be worthless! Thus, Peter warning women that they are/will be Sara's and Abraham's daughters as long as they do good ('well') and aren't afraid with amazement.
1 Peter 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
(Proverbs 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.)
Fearful believers will have their part/ portion in the fire. ("But the fearful and unbelieving....")
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
There's no respect of person's with God- Luke 12:23 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 servan 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.
Verses 45 & 46- "If that servant says 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…. and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."
Jesus isn't a hypocrite and if we (His body) become lazy ("My Lord delayeth his coming….") and stop laboring and preparing for His coming and begin to live unholy, sinful, unacceptable lives we will be cut assunder from Him. (If your hand (member) offend cut it off....)
(1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.)
2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Those that don't abide in Him, don't keep His commandments, will be denying Him by their works and if we deny Him He will deny us!
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Apostle Paul to Timothy- 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Again, believers are given the power to become the children of God- John 1:12 and it's only those that suffer [for what's right] with Him, those that cleanse themselves reaching perfection, those that purify themselves, those that do good works, who become His children- the bride of Christ- 1 Peter 5:10, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, and 1 John 3:1-3. For we are espoused to Christ and are to be presented pure- 2 Corinthians 10:17 - 11:1-3.
We need to guard ourselves in God's agápē ('the love') looking for the Lord's 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. 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, we abide in His love by keeping His commandments- John 15:10.)
Keep is from the Greek word tēréō (from tēros, "a guard") – properly, maintain (preserve); (figuratively) spiritually guard (watch), keep intact.
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).
(What God prefers = the chosen in "For many are called but few are chosen." Matthew 22:1-14.)
Not all believers have guarded themselves in the agápē of God nor will they and those that don't will be rebuked and chastened- will be disciplined and purged in the fire.
The Spirit warning the Laodiceans- Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
This I love is not from agápē. It's philō and is from the Greek word philéō (from phílos, "affectionate friendship") – properly, to show warm affection in intimate friendship, characterized by tender, heart felt consideration and kinship.
Those He philie (loves) will be rebuked. They will rebuked with flames of fire. They will be rebuked with flames of fire because they will not have repented their sins i.e. they will not have kept His commandments guarding themselves in the love (Greek agápē) of God.
1. The Spirit warning those He philie (loves) to repent or He will rebuke them.
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
2. Unrepentant ('impenitent') hearts store up wrath (the fire) for themselves.
Romans 2:5 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;
(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.)
3. 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.
(David- Psalms 38:1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.)
Jude's verse 23- 'Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh' is Jude warning us that when we save others, pulling them out of the fire, we need to hate sin ('the flesh') so much so that we won't spot our own bodies (defile our garments).
(Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.)
Jesus loved and gave himself for the church in order that we would be presented to him having no spot.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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.
Peter also warned since ('Wherefore') there's going to be a new heaven and new earth we need to be diligent so that we will be found of Him in peace and without spot.
2 Peter 3:13 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.
Those with spot i.e. those that defile the temple of God will only enter the new earth and only after they have been purged- 'saved yet so as by fire.' (A little more on this later. See also The kingdom of God- the home page.)
They will be saved- purged by fire because they will have defiled their bodies- the temple of God.
1 Corinthians 3:14 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.
Him shall God decompose- break down- ruin- ('destroy')- purge.
(More on ruin later.)
They're going to be saved by fire because they will have unrepented sin or sins (spots/ blemishes)- they will have defiled the temple of God- their bodies (garments). (They will not have cleansed themselves perfecting holiness in the fear of God- 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1.)
It will only be believers without spot- those with undefiled garments (bodies) that will be ready to wear white- the marriage gown. (We are engaged to Christ and we need to be presented as pure virgins.)
The Spirit to the church in Sardis.
Revelation 3:4 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.
At the time spoken, there was only a few church members in Sardis that were worthy to wear white- the marriage gown. ("For many are called but few are chosen"- Matthew 22:1-14.) The others (the many) needed to repent and watch reaching perfection. (They were warned to reach perfection in Revelation 3:1-4. See below and soon.)
Paul (summarized)- I have engaged you to Christ and you're to be presented as pure virgins but I fear you're going to be corrupted as Eve was....
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 and pure (below in 1 John 3) are from the Greek hagnós.
Hagnós (an adjective, which may be cognate with hágios, "holy," so TDNT, 1, 122) – properly, pure (to the core); virginal (chaste, unadultered); pure inside and out; holy because uncontaminated (undefiled from sin), i.e. without spoilation even within (even down to the center of one's being); not mixed with guilt or anything condemnable.
Paul feared the corruption of their minds because a corrupt tree (person- mind) can't bear good fruit and fruit is needed for the marriage.
(Only those that go into the marriage escape the fiery wrath and directly enter the age of life.)
Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(John 15:1-11) 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.
(Again) 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.
John also explained those that have the hope/ the expectation of being like God and seeing God [the Father in heaven] as He is needs to purify themselves, as He is pure- perfect.
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.
Hope is from the Greek word elpis: expectation, hope.
If we want to become like God we must become perfect (pure)- Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. (etc.)
Jesus warning His disciples to be ready for the marriage- Matthew 25:10 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. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Jesus warned His disciples "WATCH THEREFORE...." because only believers that are ready, those that depart from iniquity- those that don't need to be purged, go inside [heaven] for the marriage.
(Saved = salvation from the fire.)
Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 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.
Believers that don't "Watch" and guard their garments (bodies) from being defiled with sin, those that don't depart from iniquity, those with spot, will remain naked (no new body) and 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 tēréō (from tēros, "a guard") – properly, maintain (preserve); (figuratively) spiritually guard (watch), keep intact.
Verse 15- "I come like a thief...." is Jesus warning believers to be ready for His comings. (His and the Father's.)
Jesus is coming like a thief and we need to build our houses up (our bodies up). (The wise man built man his house upon a rock- Matthew 7:21-27 and Luke 6:46-49.) The bodies of those that don't build their houses up (those that don't build on the foundation of Jesus) will be broken into/ penetrated by the fire.
(1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.)
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. 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.
(Clearly according to the entire gospel, the laborers- the diligent workers will be the ones taken up. Sadly and unfortunately, as the rest of the teaching explains, the lazy, unruly, drunken servants will be left behind having their portion in the fire with the unbelievers. Matthew 24:36-51 and Luke 12:35-48)
To be broken up from the Greek word diorusso {dee-or-oos'-so} from 1223 and 3736; to penetrate burglariously:-break through (up).
Jesus to His disciples (paraphrased)- You better watch how you live because only some are going to taken up. You need to be ready so that your houses (your bodies) will not be broken into/ penetrated by the fire.
We need to build a good works foundation for the fire....
Paul to Timothy (summarized)- Charge the rich to do good so that they will be rich in good works, laying and storing up a good (gold, silver, precious stones) foundation against the time to come (the fire), so that they may take hold of the 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.
(Paul warning Timothy to charge the rich to do good works in order to [directly] enter the age of life is because of Jesus' teaching- "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." Matthew 19:16-26.)
The fire is not going to penetrate believers that build a gold, silver, precious stones, foundation. (Gold, silver, precious stones, do not burn in fire.) They will be rewarded with the kingdom of God and heaven. Those that build wood, hay, stubble, (briefs and thorns) will be burned and saved- purged by fire.
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.
Revelation 3:1-4
(Jesus to the church in Sardis.)
Jesus comes like a thief on believers that don't repent- on those that don't watch out they live. (We need to reach perfection.)
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.
Verse 1- "I know thy works.... and art dead."
Verse 2- "For I have not found thy works perfect before God."
The "dead" will be believers that didn't reach perfection and will not know/ experience the power of Jesus' resurrection. (The devils believe and faith without works is dead- James 2:14-26.)
Perfection is needed to be in the out-resurrection.
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.
That I may know is from the Greek word ginṓskō – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance). Ginṓskō ("experientially know") is used for example in Lk 1:34, "And Mary [a virgin] said to the angel, 'How will this be since I do not know (ginṓskō = sexual intimacy) a man?'"
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 only 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 that he would know/ experience the power of Jesus' resurrection.
(By reaching perfection he would be resurrected out from the dead (out from among believers that will not have reached perfection and nonbelievers which never had life) and into heaven.)
Perfection is needed- Matthew 5:43- 48, Matthew 19:16-22, Luke 6:40, John 17:20-23, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, 2 Corinthians 13:11 (below) Ephesians 4:11-13, Philippians 3:7-12 Colossians 1:27-29, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 6:1-8, and Hebrews 12:18-2.
(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.)
Verse 3- "....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" meaning if they didn't repent and watch they wouldn't be prepared and their houses- their bodies would be broken into/ penetrated by the fire.
When we are tried by the fire, it will only be those that are rich in good works that will be able to purchase ('buy') their new bodies ('garments').
The Spirit to the church of Laodicea.
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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 me 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.
(Those spued- Those vomited out of His mouth- Those rejected will be left behind naked and ashamed. They will be those rebuked with flames of fire.)
Spue is from the Greek word emeó: to vomit. (To reject with disgust.)
Verse 18- "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire," - "and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;...."
The Spirit was explaining the redemption- the purchasing of our new bodies- Romans 8:12-25. (We "buy" our new bodies (garments) in the fire.) (There's no redemption without someone paying for the redemption.) God has redeemed us, giving us His Spirit as the down payment ('the earnest'), and now we labor for God to be recompensed the rest of the payment. We labor to receive our new bodies- we labor to be accepted of God (we labor to be present with the Lord).
2 Corinthians 5:1-11
We will be clothed with our new body (our house) unless while being clothed we are found naked (ashamed away from Him).
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 is from the Greek word eige: if indeed, seeing that, unless, with neg. otherwise. (Eige emphatically introduces a qualified condition.)
(Next verses) God has worked this out for us (not being found naked) by giving us His Spirit as 'the earnest'/ the down payment and now we labor for the rest. We labor so that we will be present with Him- so that he will accept us.
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. 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.
(Next verses) [We labor to be accepted of Him.] However ('For'), we all need to appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive for the works ('the things') that we did in the body. We either will receive good (our new bodies and the age of life) or bad (the fiery purge) and because we know what it's to fear the Lord we persuade others to fear Him also. For God is fully aware of our fear and I trust our fear is evident to your consciences also.
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.
For is from the Greek word gár (a conjunction) – for. While "for" is usually the best translation of (gar), its sense is shaped by the receding statement – the "A" statement which precedes the (gar) statement in the "A-B{ unit.
But is from the Greek word de: but, and, now, (a connective or adversative particle)
We are made manifest and are made manifest is from the Greek word phaneroo {fan-er-o'-o} from 5318; to render apparent (literally or figuratively):-appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
Every believer is going to receive good or bad depending on their works. For there's no respect of persons with God- Romans 2:1-16, Colossians 3:23-25 and 1 Peter 1:17.
Verse 11- 'Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;....' i.e. because we know what it's to fear the Lord we persuade others to fear Him also. Thus, Paul preaching the hope of glory (being united with Christ into heaven) warning- fearing people to reach perfection, as he labored and strived for it himself.
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 in you, the hope of glory: 18 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.
Fear
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
(Becoming wise is our salvation- 2 Timothy 3:15 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.
The wise man built his house upon the rock- Matthew 7:21-27 and Luke 6:46-49. Only the five wise virgins go in to the marriage- Matthew 25:1-13.)
Psalms 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The angel is from the Hebrew word malak. It's from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher):--ambassador, angel, king, messenger..
(Malak is used in Malachi 3:1 ("even the messenger") and Isaiah 63:9 ('and the angel') and both reference Jesus.)
Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Psalms 112:1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Those that agápē (love) God will properly fear Him- will revere Him. They will keep His commandments and cleanse themselves perfecting holiness. They will become the children of God- the bride of Christ.
(John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:)
John 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.
Paul- Having therefore God's promises (Him receiving us and becoming His children), let us cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 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.
We (believers) are only given the power to become the children of God. We need to come out from among nonbelievers and touch not the unclean thing i.e. We need to cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness (godliness) for Him to receive us and to become His children.
(Four to ten verses later (2 Corinthians 7:5-11) Paul applauded them for repenting to salvation writing 'Yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear....')
The marriage
(The children of God - The bride of Christ.)
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.
Of saints is from the Greek word hagios: sacred, holy.
Verse 7- "And his wife hath made herself ready" meaning she did it- the righteous- holy believers (saints) did it. They cleansed themselves perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Verse 8- "The fine linen is the righteousness of saints" meaning the fine linen- the brides wedding gown is all the good works the holy people did.
(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.)
(Again) We are called to be holy ('saints)- Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2. We are called to perfect holiness in the fear of God.
(New International Version)
Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Only the bride of Christ- God's children- those that cleanse themselves perfecting holiness in the fear of God- those that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb will receive salvation from the fire.
Revelation 7:8 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
Verse 8-10 'A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne.... saying, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."'
They are before the throne in heaven and have received salvation from the fire.
Verse 14- "These are they which came out of great tribulation."
For we all must go through much affliction- anguish- trouble ('tribulation') to enter the kingdom of God.
Tribulation (2x) is from the Greek word thlipsis {thlip'-sis} from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Suffering (tribulations) leads us to perfection- 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.)
Verse 15- 'Therefore are they before the throne of God....'
They're only before God the Father because they (verse 14) 'have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They cleansed themselves perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (Again) We are called to be holy ('saints')- Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2.
The fire ('the second death') hath no power over the holy- Revelation 20:6.
Believers that continue to willfully sin (walking over Jesus' death and grace) face a worse ('sorer') punishment than death. They face 'certain judgment and fiery indignation'- Hebrews 10:19-36. (We either enter the holiest- heaven and the kingdom of God or face 'certain judgment and fiery indignation.')
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. 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? ....
After the purge, the bride of Christ- the children of God- the holy Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven and then the believers that needed purging- the nations will be permitted to enter the kingdom of God's gates.
The holy city- the new Jerusalem i.e. the bride of Christ ('prepared as a bride adorned for her husband') comes down from God out of heaven.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 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.
The bride of Christ- the holy Jerusalem ("The bride, the Lamb's wife") descends out of heaven from God.
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,
-14 verses later-
After the bride of Christ- the holy city- the new Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven the gates of the new Jerusalem will be opened for the purged believers- the nations to enter.
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. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Verse 27- 'And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth' meaning the believers that defile their bodies- the temple of God (that don't do the will of the Lord) must be purged- saved by fire before they enter.
(Matthew 21:31 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.)
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. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
1 Corinthians 3:10-18 (Saved- purged by fire.)
(Again, "For every one shall be salted with fire"- Mark 9:33-50.)
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.
The next verses explain 'saved; yet so as by fire' (the purge) and it's for those that defile their bodies- the temple of God.
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.
Verse 14- 'And the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.'
As Jesus explained earlier, this trial by fire will determine who's going to be rewarded with life and the kingdom of God or who's going to suffer loss and be left in the fire ('saved yet so as by fire').
Verse 14 & 15- 'If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.'
(Again) Those whose work holds up in the fire will be rewarded into heaven but those whose work doesn't will be rejected (purged- rebuked and chastened with flames of fire).
(Again- 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.)
Even apostle Paul kept his own body under subjection to the law so that he would be approved.
1 Corinthians 9:26 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.
A castaway is from the Greek word adokimos {ad-ok'-ee-mos} from 1 (as a negative particle) and 1384; unapproved, i.e. rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally):--castaway, rejected, reprobate.
Heaven is the reward of the inheritance and it's those that do with their hearts unto the Lord that receive it and those that don't do with their hearts unto the Lord will do wrong and will receive without respect of persons (the fire) 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.
(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:)
Verse 17- 'If any man defile the temple, him shall God destroy.'
Him shall God ruin- purge.
Destroy is from the Greek word phtheírō. (Corruption below is from phthorá.)
Greek phtheírō
Short Definition: I corrupt, spoil, destroy
Definition: I corrupt, spoil, destroy, ruin.
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 (SINS) from God's temple- their bodies and it will save- purge them. Let no man deceive himself.
(1 Corinthians 3:13 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.)
Paul also warned the churches in Galatia to 'Be not deceived' and if they sow to their flesh they will reap corruption- ruin rather than the age of life.
(Note the 'BUT' and the 'WE'- WE will either reap (deserve) 'corruption' or WE will reap (deserve) the age of life ('life everlasting.')
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 7 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.
Corruption is from the Greek word phthorá. Phthorá is from the above phtheírō.
There really is no difference between the two. They both slowly destroy something. (They that defile the temple- their bodies will ruin).
Phthora {fthor-ah'} from 5351; decay, i.e. ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively):--corruption, destroy, perish.
(Again, he was teaching the kingdom of God) There's two options: 1. Believers that sow to the flesh will reap ruin ('corruption')- the purge. 2. Believers that sow to the Spirit will reap the age of life (the crown of life). Note the 'IF' in verse 9- 'And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.'
The context is reaping corruption or the age of life so- Let us not become fatigued ('weary') in well doing (in good works) because in due season we shall reap the age of life as long as ('if') we faint not in doing good works ('in well doing').
It's no different than any of Jesus warnings found in Matthew - John, believers are going to be judged for their works, and in order to have genuine confidence and trust for when the fire tries us we need to live right. Unfortunately, not all of us have or will and rather than inheriting the kingdom of God and heaven they will purge in the fire.
(Again) The confidence of those that behave treacherously (transgressors / law breakers) is like a broken tooth or broken leg- worthless.
Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
In a unfaithful man is the Hebrew word bō·w·ḡêḏ from bagad: to act or deal treacherously.
Again, bagad (bō·w·ḡêḏ) does not mean unfaithful. Its three other uses are translated 'and the transgressor', 'dealeth treacherously', and 'Yea also, because he transgresseth.'
Those that do these things 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, 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.
Conclusion
We are going to be tried by the fire and depending on our works we either will trust the Lord and be rewarded with life and the kingdom of God (the crown of life) or we will suffer loss and purge in the fire. We either will be the bride of Christ- the children of God- the holy Jerusalem or the nations needing to be healed from the fire.
Revelation 21:2 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.
A good soldier [of God] doesn't concern themselves with the affairs of this life. A good soldier wants to please God, who has enlisted him/her and there's no crown [of life] unless he/she strives lawfully. For the farmer that labors must partake of [the tree of life's] fruit first.
2 Timothy 2:4 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.
Laboreth is from the Greek word kopiáō (from kópos, "exhausting labor") – to labor until worn-out, depleted (exhausted).
If you haven't already please read The kingdom of God (home page) for a detailed work on the kingdom of God and then the children of God for a detailed work on the children of God. If you have any comments, disagreements, or questions please use the above comment link or contact tab, God bless and thank you!
