Unexpected Surprises

As you will know from previous posts and articles on the website, there are many direct Biblical references to God's ultimate reconciliation of all mankind to himself.
But there are also hints to be found in some quite surprising places; like in the Beatitudes. 

Although several of the Beatitudes promise rewards to those who seem to deserve them, there are two which give similar rewards to "outsiders".
The first one is

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 5 : 3  NIV]

Who are these "poor in spirit"?
Certainly not Christians, as they have the Spirit of God indwelling them that surely disqualifies them from being "poor in spirit".

We might call these "poor in spirit" as the "the lost" or "non-believers" - those who do not yet know and appreciate their salvation has been guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

And what is to be the eventual outcome for these non-believers?
"Theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
They are promised this great blessing of eventually belonging to the kingdom of heaven.

The second beatitude addresses a similar cohort.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
[Matthew 5 : 4  NIV]

Who are "those who mourn"?
Certainly not Christians, as they experience the joy of salvation and are looking forward to Christ's return.

We might call "those who mourn" as those who do not have this joy, or this hope for the future, or indeed those who see no point at all in their life and its struggles.
Indeed, not only are these mourning in their present condition, but are predicted to mourn when they see Christ at his coming.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
    and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.
[Revelation 1 : 7  NIV]

And what is the eventual outcome for these non-believers?
"They will be comforted."
They will be comforted or consoled; their anguish and grief will be dispelled by the compassion of God. Sounds a bit like reconciliation to me.

There are no clues in the Beatitudes about how God will handle these groups; only the promise that He will bless current outsiders as well as his followers.
But the how was provided by Jesus a few years later by his death and resurrection.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 - 20  NIV]

It's amazing how reading the Bible through the lens of God's master plan helps one to see aspects of this plan in so many unexpected places.

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

It's Christmas Time.

Billions of people around the world enjoy Christmas and Easter holidays.
And about a third of the world's population are Christians who are more likely to appreciate the significance of those seasons.

In a few weeks, on what we call Christmas Day, that third will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ into our world. The exact year of this miraculous event is not definitely known, but most biblical scholars and historians estimate that he was born between 4BC and 6BC, based on historical records, particularly the accounts of King Herod's reign and the biblical narratives.

But the reason for this event is much clearer, and gives rise to our enthusiastic celebration.
Jesus' life, death, resurrection and return to heaven were the events God arranged to reconcile the world to himself, and to no longer hold our sins against us.

Although this had been God's plan from before time began, and was forecast by the ancient Jewish prophets, it became a reality a bit over 2000 years ago when Jesus was born in Bethlehem; so beginning a whole new era in world history. 

The other billions in the world, who haven't yet realised their future is so secured by the execution of God's plan, will eventually do so because Jesus dealt with sin and death for everyone.
That's why I wish "Merry Christmas" to everyone, rather than "happy holiday" or "season's greetings", as all are included in God's plan - and that greeting is also a reminder that Christ is the reason for the season. 

One of my favourite Christmas carols is "Mary's Boy Child", sung by the Gaither Vocal Band. Its chorus has the words:

Hark, now hear the angels sing/ A new born King today/
And man will live forevermore/ Because of Christmas day/
Trumpets sound and angels sing/ Listen to what they say/
That man will live forevermore/ Because of Christmas day.

So I genuinely wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a great new year. 

Blessings, Barry 

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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

Enlightened Reasoning

People face many hurdles when trying to see that universal reconciliation (UR) is the plan and purpose of God.
Some are caused by translation issues in modern English Bibles. 

One of these describes salvation as being dependent on one's faith IN Jesus rather than salvation having been provided, without any input from us, by the faithfulness OF Jesus (in playing his part in his Father's plan to save the creation).

The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, which brought profoundly beneficial changes in society - intellectual liberation, scientific advancement, political reform and economic development among them. 

However, it also elevated mankind's opinions of himself and his supremacy over his world, reviving the ancient doctrine of man's free will with the capability of even outsmarting God's will and sovereignty.
Notice the outworking of this in Galatians 2:16 from a modern translation (NIV, first published in 1973) with those of older (KJV, published 1611) and more literal (DBH) translations.

know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. [NIV]

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. [KJV]

and who know that a human being is vindicated not by observances of Law but by the faithfulness of the Anointed One Jesus - even we have placed our faith in the Anointed One Jesus, so that we might be vindicated from the faithfulness of the Anointed and not from observances of the Law. [DBH]

The result of the Enlightenment, and popular English translations produced in its wake, was the transferring of responsibility for man's salvation from God's sovereign choice to man's free will choice.
What a shame. Because God's choice is for us all to be reconciled to God, which sounds much better than leaving the choice to us rebellious souls.

Yet the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, has not enabled many of us to steer clear of some very illogical reasoning regarding God's UR plan for his creation. Let's think about this example.

If God knows all things and therefore knew from the beginning that the final fate of people who make the wrong choice about Jesus, or of people who have never been exposed to the good news about Jesus, would be to suffer everlasting punishment, then God's choice to create those people would surely be an act of extreme cruelty.

The millions of church-goers who believe this end result for unbelievers will usually also declare God to be a God of love (and mercy and forgiveness) who sent his Son to die for the sins of the world.

I happen to believe that God is a God of love and that God gets his way (will reconcile all of his creation in the end).

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
[Ephesians 1 : 9, 10  NKJV]

Blessings, Barry

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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

Universal Reconciliation is Wrong

Universal Reconciliation is the understanding that the entire creation will eventually be reconciled to God.
This understanding is clearly wrong ...

IF Jesus did not die for the sins of the whole world.
But the Bible says that he did.

And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone.
[1 John 2 : 2  GNB]

IF God is still planning to make us pay for our sins.
But the Bible says God no longer keeps account of our sins.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NIV]

IF Jesus was always addressing eternity in his teachings.
But the Bible says he was solely focused on the kingdom.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
{Matthew 4 : 23  NIV]

IF the disciples and the Jewish crowds were also into eternity-thinking.
But the Bible says they were also totally kingdom-focused.

He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
[Luke 9 : 2  NIV]
Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
[Acts 1 : 6  NIV]
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
[Mark 11 : 10  NIV]

IF our English translations of the Bible really forecast eternal punishment.
But more accurate, literal translations of the Bible correctly speak of conditions in relation to the kingdom Age.

And these will go to the chastening of that Age, but the just to the life of that Age.
[Matthew 25 : 46  DBH]
And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.
[Matthew 25 : 46  YLT]

I'd rather believe the Bible, and especially an accurately translated one, which teaches that God's love motivated him to send Jesus to save us, not judge us.

For God did so love the world, that His Son—the only begotten—He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during.
For God did not send His Son to the world that he may judge the world, but that the world may be saved through him;
[John 3 : 16 - 17  YLT]

And since belief (or faith) is required, it will need to be given to everyone for God to achieve his revealed purpose - just as it has been given to many of us already.
(Believers in the current age are the firstfruits of the great harvest to come.)

How could God, who is love, which was demonstrated so clearly on the cross, want anything less for his creation than reconciliation of all?

In a nutshell:

With all wisdom and understanding,
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure,
which he purposed in Christ,
to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—
to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 8 -10  NIV]

Blessings, Barry
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

Second Edition Appendix

 I have finally begun work on the second (expanded) edition of the book "The Really Good News About God".
The first edition was published in August 2015 and I am hoping to publish the second edition in August 2025, the tenth anniversary of the first.

The expanded version will contain several appendices, one of which will be a response to the most common objections offered by ministers and other Bible students to the theme of the book; God's plan to reconcile the whole world to Himself.
Again, as in the book, I have used a predominantly Bible-focused response and I have chosen to address a selection of objections that also claim to be Bible-based.

A draft copy of this response is in the Downloads section of the website,  https://www.ibtechservices.com.au, and I invite comments/critiques to my response from readers of the BLOG.
These may be of two types.
1. Criticism of one or more of my individual responses,
2. The offering of further objections to the theme of the book that I should consider in a response of this sort.
I look forward to any gracious exchange of ideas these responses/critiques might create, as I have an insatiable thirst for truth, and exploring the Bible with input from others helps me fine-tune, and sometimes correct, my current ideas.

Blessings, Barry

The Big Picture

Most of the posts on this BLOG focus on God's plan to redeem and reconcile us all to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus almost 2000 years ago.
Even though Jesus' death cancelled sin and His resurrection abolished death, there was a third spectacular event that is also important  - Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after His resurrection.
This third event introduces us to the wider view of God's plan.

If we remember that God created the original heavens and earth

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
[Genesis 1 : 1  NIV]

giving mankind a mandate to rule

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
[Genesis 1 : 27, 28  NIV]

and eventually that there will be a new heaven and earth

Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, ...
[Revelation 21 : 1  NIV]

giving saints a mandate to rule

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
[Revelation 20 : 6  NIV]

we can see that God's plan of redemption and reconciliation is not an end in itself, but an essential component of the main theme, fitting as a bridge between the original heavens and earth and the new heaven and earth.

As important as that rescue operation is, it's only a (necessary) step in God achieving His original goal of bringing heaven and earth into submission and appointing His people to reign with Him.

This has always been God’s plan.
This is the big picture - the eternal plan of God.

Blessings, Barry

PS - We are currently living in the age when He is raising up His people to reign with Him over the new heaven and earth.

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Other Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

The Advance Party

St Paul often reminds us that God's plan is to have all His creation reconciled and living in peaceful relationship with Him and each other.
For example:

... God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 
[1 Timothy 2 : 3, 4  KJV]

Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 
[Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10  ESV]

If this is God's intention, then before the end of time, He needs to give everyone the opportunity to discover Jesus and what He has done for them.
Clearly that's not happening right now, so the time for the completion of God's plan must still be in the future.

Enter "The Advance Party".
In previous posts I have often referred to the Body of Christ as the Advance Party.
What do I mean by this description?
The Advance Party is a familiar term in other settings. 
For example, in an exploration mission, an advance party is often selected to go ahead and decide on the direction the whole party should take.
In a combat offensive, an advance party usually goes ahead to determine the strength and positions held by the enemy.
As a young Uni student I had a vacation job with a company that harvested and processed crops of peas and it was my job to go ahead of the harvesters and determine the readiness of crops by testing samples, the first fruits.

First Fruits of harvest functions in a similar way to its namesake in an exploration expedition (or even in an offensive combat undertaking) that goes on ahead to prepare the way for the main party (or troops). 
For Israel in Bible times, "First Fruits" refers to the first portion of the crop to ripen and was dedicated to God. They were a sample of what the ripened crop would be and a pledge or guarantee of the complete crop to be harvested at the appropriate time in the future.
Indeed, the nation of Israel itself was called the First Fruits from among the nations (Jeremiah 2 : 3)

In a similar way, Jesus was referred to as the First Fruits of the rest of mankind who are to be resurrected as He was. (1 Corinthians 15 : 20 - 23)

In the Scriptures the Body of Christ is referred to as the first fruits of the harvest of all mankind.

The Jewish Christians (Messianic Jews) of the first century were called First Fruits (James 1 :18) and were joined by Gentile Christians to become the Advance Party, the Body of Christ, of all mankind.

God is currently preparing this Advance Party for governing roles in tomorrow's world. 

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
[Ephesians 2 : 10  NIV]

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
[Revelation 2 : 26  NIV]

What a privilege to be called and to be trained to rule with Christ and to teach under Him when He comes in His Kingdom.
Others, not so called and trained now, or in previous ages, will be called and led to salvation in that glorious future.

Blessings, Barry

Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au