God's Unconditional Love - a bit more

The previous post discussed the character and eventual result of God's unconditional love for us.
Although the unconditional nature of God's love was mentioned and illustrated by verses like -

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

- it probably didn't get the attention it deserved. Hence this "a bit more".

Unconditional means with no conditions or no strings attached.
So it is safe to say that God loves His entire creation without imposing any limits or requiring anything in return. It is a choice He has made.

Jesus, in His famous Sermon on the Mount, was teaching His disciples they should treat their enemies as God treats His.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
[Matthew 5 : 44, 45  NIV]

Similarly, St Paul reminds us of Christ's focus in His sacrifice on the cross.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
[Romans 5 : 6 - 8  NIV]

So it was the sin of the ungodly and sinners that Jesus paid for - that's mine and everyone else's that I know.

And, of course, the entire world is also in focus when God's love is mentioned in the most famous verse in the Bible, although you might not easily recognise it from this literal translation.

For God so loved the cosmos as to give the Son, the only one, so that everyone having faith in him might not perish, but have the life of the Age.
For God sent the Son into the cosmos not that he might pass judgement on the cosmos, but that the cosmos might be saved through him.
[John 3 : 16, 17  DBH]

Let's finish with a reminder from St Paul about just how extensive and universal God's love is.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[Romans 8 : 38, 39  NIV]

Appreciating God's unconditional love for His creation is the backbone of my understanding of the achievement of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

Blessings, Barry

God's Unconditional Love

Yesterday I attended a baby dedication service for the son of a lovely young couple who are Youth Ministers in Melbourne.
It was the first time we have been to a gathering of so many people (suitably spaced and wearing masks) for many months.

The minister leading the service offered some excellent thoughts and prayers.
The first line of his opening prayer thanked God for His unconditional love.
What a great affirmation to start the afternoon!

God's unconditional love is the key to God's involvement with His creation.
God's unconditional love describes who He is. God is fundamentally and essentially love.

God is love.
[1 John 4 : 8b  NIV]

God's unconditional love is described this way:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
[1 Corinthians 13 : 4 - 8  NIV]

God's unconditional love compels Him to be the Saviour of all.

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  NIV]

God's unconditional love sent Jesus to earth to take the death penalty for the sins of the world.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
[1 John 4 : 10  NIV]
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
[Hebrews 2 : 9  NIV]

God's unconditional love requires Him to keep no record of our wrongs.

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

God's unconditional love has a plan involving the whole creation.

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 : 9 - 10  NIV]

God's unconditional love, expressed by Jesus, will ensure all people are in this final gathering.

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

Although the phrase "God's unconditional love" just rolls off the tongue of institutionally-trained ministers, I wonder how many really believe it.
Indeed, so many in the Christian religion, and their ministers, not only miss all of these wonderful promises, but are hostile to them.

I just don't understand how people who acknowledge God as having unconditional love can then describe their god as one who will willingly oversee the eternal torture of the majority of His creation.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is really good news for all - because of God's unconditional love which "never fails".

(It is clearly not just for believers, although believers do have a special calling as the advance party.)

Blessings, Barry
 

The CV of Jesus Christ

Here's another Hebrews rabbit hole I have been following, and following, and following, to the point where the book of Hebrews has become the main game for me lately - so rich, so full of deep contemplation and personal application.

My original study of spirit, heart and soul (SHS) has paused, maybe finished. With a background in science, mathematics and computer programming, all exploratory pursuits must end up with a definite, justifiable conclusion. It's just the way I am.

However, my SHS study hasn't produced such a conclusion.
Each time I thought I was closing in on one, I would discover other portions of Scripture that didn't agree with it.
So I have parked it to one side and have been lured into making some of the Hebrews rabbit holes my main current studies.

The first of these is from the opening verses of Hebrews:

... he (God) has spoken to us by his Son, (a)
whom he appointed heir of all things, (b)
and through whom also he made the universe. (c)
The Son is the radiance of God's glory (d)
and the exact representation of his being, (e)
sustaining all things by his powerful word. (f)
After he had provided purification for sins, (g)
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (h)
[Hebrews 1 : 2b - 3  NIV]

Clearly, this Hebrews text is giving us a summary of the CV of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man.
(A CV is the usual abbreviation for Curriculum Vitae, Latin for "course of life", and is a written overview of someone's life's work.)

How's that for a CV !!
Let's use a few examples from other parts of Scripture to demonstrate the truths listed here.

(a) Jesus Christ is God's spokesperson
Jesus made it clear on many occasions that he came to do his Father's will and to say what he had been instructed to say.

For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
[John 12 : 49  NIV]
And those words were spiritual and life-giving.
What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit.
[John 6 : 63  GNB]

(b) Jesus Christ has been appointed heir of all things
Everything in the universe is centred around and geared towards Christ - the perfected creation is his inheritance.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
[Colossians 1 : 15  NLT]
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
Revelation 11 : 15  NIV]
With all wisdom and understanding, he (God) 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]

(c) Jesus Christ made the universe
Genesis tells us that God created the universe and its original contents by speaking it into existence; he used his Word.

John informs us in his Gospel and The Revelation that Jesus is the Word of God and that everything was made through him.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
[John 1 : 1 - 3   NIV]
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
[Revelation 19 ; 13  NIV]

This fact is mentioned in Paul's letters also.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
[Colossians 1 : 16  NIV]

Although limited by the time and space he had created, and the earth-suit he lived in, we continued to get a glimpse of Jesus' creative powers when he was on earth.
For example ...
His first recorded miracle changed water into wine, creating carbon atoms and molecules where only hydrogen and oxygen atoms and molecules had previously existed. (John 2)

When feeding crowds of thousands using only a boy's lunch, he either multiplied that lunch may times over or created the necessary food from scratch. Either way - a creative act. (Matthew 14 and 15)

His miracles of healing often required the instant creation of healthy cells and body parts. (Luke 6 for example)  

(d) Jesus Christ is the radiance of God's glory
He accurately and brightly emits the majestic beauty and splendour of God.
Jesus prayed that he would do this while on earth.

Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
[John 17 : 3  WEB]

He said he would also do this when he returns.

For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.
[Matthew 16 : 27  GNB]

(e) Jesus Christ is the exact representation of his (God's) being

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.
[Colossians 1 : 15, 19  NIV]
... the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
[2 Corinthians 4 : 4  NIV]

Jesus often declared or inferred his oneness with God the Father.

I and the Father are one.
[John 10 : 30  NIV]
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.
Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
[John 14 : 9 - 11  NIV]
My prayer is ... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. ...
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity.
[John 17 : 20 - 23  NIV]

(f) Jesus Christ is sustaining all things
Not only did Christ create the universe, but is its continuing, controlling, cohesive force.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
[Colossians 1 : 17  NIV]
... there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
[1 Corinthians 8 : 6b  NIV]

(g) Jesus Christ provided purification for sins
He not only forgives sins, but destroys the devil's work.

He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.
[Hebrews 9 : 26  NIV]
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
And ... will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
[Romans 8 : 10 - 11  NIV]
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

(h) Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven

 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
 [Mark 16 : 19  NKJV]
 It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
[Romans 8 : 34  NKJV]
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
[Colossians 3 : 1  NKJV]
... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[Hebrews 12 : 1b - 2  NKJV]

Some Biblical authors discuss many of these features together in one sentence since Christ is the beginning and end of everything to do with his creation.
For example, Paul writing to the church at Rome ...

For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed].
To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.
[Romans 11 : 36  AMP]

Blessings, Barry

All English Bibles Agree

Another rabbit hole I have been exploring is the New Testament book of Hebrews. I've read it several times before, but this time I have been engulfed in it. I have only just started Chapter 3 after a few weeks' musing.

Why am I telling you this?
Well, while travelling down this deep rabbit hole I found another smaller one off to the side that I have spent a few hours exploring.
Hebrews 2 : 9 is one of the many verses in Scripture that explicitly informs us of God's plan to save the whole world.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower that the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. [NIV]

The way that various English versions of the Bible translate passages that state this plan, or infer it, often depends on the doctrinal position of the translation team or its financial backers.

It's quite amazing what a comparison between a literal translation and a popular version sometimes reveals when checking these "reconciliation of all" verses. Truly, some of our popular English versions do their best not to contradict their infernalist* beliefs.

Because the church for centuries has taught this infernalist* view (that it is not God's plan to save the world), and the majority of church-goers therefore believe what they have been taught, I was keen to see how the various versions of the New Testament handle this "risky" verse.

And boy was I surprised.
I have checked all the print versions I own and have researched all the digital versions available online and I have not found a single one that has fiddled with this text.

I just couldn't resist the temptation to again break my commitment to a season of "study only" and write a brief post to celebrate this amazing discovery with you.

So ... there is a chance that no matter which English version is used, whether translation or paraphrase, when Hebrews is read thoughtfully God's fantastic plan for His creation might actually be discovered.

Blessings, Barry

* infernalist is a word used by David Bentley Hart (a literal New Testament translator) to describe defenders of the idea of a real hell of eternal torment.

Preparation of the Body of Christ

I'm still here - healthy and living in a fairly self-isolated way in Victoria, the premier COVID-19 state of Australia.

As some have noted, I haven't written anything for several weeks - either here or on social media.
Instead I have taken on a huge, but fascinating, study of  "spirit, soul and heart" from a Biblical perspective.
What are they, what is their role, how are they different, how do they interact with each other, etc. etc.????

I didn't plan to do any writing here until I had finished this study, but, as usual for me, I have fallen down several rabbit holes along the study trail, and thought I would mention one of them to you.

I have visited some of these rabbit holes before, but it's amazing how the Holy Spirit is always teaching you new things and challenging you in fresh ways, even in familiar surroundings.

The rabbit hole I want to share with you is one of the mysteries revealed to Paul that he shared with his young churches.

... the mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
(Colossians 1 : 27  NIV)

... Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you ... ?
(2 Corinthians 13 : 5  NIV)

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
(Romans 8 : 10 - 11  NIV)

... whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
(1 Corinthians 6 : 17  NIV)

... Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, ...
(Galatians 2 : 20  KJV)*

I have dwelt on these and similar verses for hours (it was a deep rabbit hole) and have been challenged by some searching questions:

• What would Christ be doing through me if I really believed Him to be in me?
• If I am living empowered by the faith of Christ, not my own faith, what results should I expect to see?
• What sort of person should I be becoming with God's Spirit living in me?
• As a member of the Body of Christ, having been chosen to serve with Christ in His coming Kingdom, how is my preparation for this role going?

Would you like to explore these questions in your upcoming times of reading, praying and meditation and share some of your thoughts with me?

Blessings, Barry

* I have used the KJV here because it correctly translates whose faith we live by. I discussed this in more detail about three years ago here.

Response to Universal Reconciliation Opposition - Part 13

This is the thirteenth in a mini-series of posts responding to the arguments offered by Dr Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (Dr Arnold) against God's plan to eventually reconcile and save all His creation.

His arguments against Universal Reconciliation (UR) are offered under five headings, the third of which is c. The Basis of the Final Judgement. (see a previous post "Opposition to Universal Reconciliation" here)

Under the c. The Basis of the Final Judgement heading Dr Arnold states that the third argument is to point out that the final judgement is based on deeds done in the flesh and not on what happens in the intermediate state and then lists several texts from the New Testament he hopes will illustrate his assertion.

The texts are Matthew 7 : 22 - 23; Matthew 10 : 32 - 33; Matthew 25 : 31 - 46; Luke 12 : 46 - 48; 2 Corinthians 5 : 9 - 10; Galatians 6 : 7 - 8; 2 Thessalonians 1 : 7 - 10.

There are three major judgements mentioned in the New Testament.
The first was on Israel and occurred in AD 70. 
The second will be on the Gentile nations prior to the Millennium
The third will be on the dead of all ages at the Great White Throne after the Millennium.

Dr Arnold has correctly discovered judgement in the verses he quoted, but incorrectly applied them to the final judgement - the one that best serves his doctrinal position of eternal punishment in hell for all who do not profess Christ during their physical lifetime on the earth - the final Great White Throne judgement in which "the dead are judged according to what they have done". [Revelation 20 : 12]

But as we will see, none of the verses quoted refer to this final judgement at all.

Jesus' teaching recorded in the Gospels was directed only to the kingdom age as this was the only future the Jews knew about. They knew nothing about the church age (the age of grace) and nowhere did He mention the eternal realm, even though most of our popular Bibles insert words like "eternal" and "everlasting" into the English text.

1.  Matthew 7 : 21 - 23

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ [NIV]

I have included verse 21, which Dr Arnold omitted, to show that the kingdom was the context of Jesus' remarks.

2.  Matthew 10 : 32 - 33

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." [NIV]

If we go to the beginning of this conversation of Jesus and His disciples, we will again see the kingdom context.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
[Matthew 10 : 5 - 7  NIV]

3.  Matthew 25 : 31 - 46
I won't quote this many verses here; please read for yourself. 

If you are reading one of our popular English Bibles, you will need to make corrections for "eternal" (as literal translations do) to see more clearly that this judgement is not the final one. (verse 41: eternal fire = fire of the Age; verse 46: eternal punishment = the chastisement of that Age; verse 46: eternal life = the life of that Age)

Again, the context is the King nominating those nations who qualify, by their good works, to inherit the kingdom.

Then the king will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take the inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."
[verse 34  NIV]

So the judgement being addressed is that on the nations after the Tribulation and prior to the commencement of the Age of the Messianic Kingdom.

4.  Luke 12 : 46 - 48

The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. [NIV]

Prior to this description of punishments, verses 31 and 32 again demonstrate that Jesus was speaking to a Jewish audience, which included His disciples, about judgement relating to the kingdom age.

So each of the Gospel texts quoted relates to judgements on Israel or Gentile nations concerning the future Messianic kingdom, which occurs at least 1000 years before the final Great White Throne judgement inferred by Dr Arnold.

5.  2 Corinthians 5 : 9 - 10

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. [NIV]

The context of this chapter is the Church Age Saints, their resurrected bodies and their judgement for rewards at the Rapture.
Paul also wrote to this church in his earlier letter giving a few more details about the process involved. [1 Corinthians 3 : 10 - 15]
Consequently, this judgement is also well before the final judgement and is only for the Body of Christ.

6.  Galatians 6 : 7 - 8

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. [NIV]

Once "eternal life" is replaced with the literal "life in the Age" it is clear that this is talking about life in the kingdom and is therefore well before the final judgement which will occur after the kingdom age.

7.  2 Thessalonians 1 : 6 - 10

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.
This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. [NIV]

 Several literal translations into English of the underlined words above reveal that the penalty involved is to be totally excluded from the Lord's presence while the Christ's kingdom age is in progress, not for eternity as our popular versions suggest.

Who, indeed, a penalty, shall pay -  age-abiding destruction from the face of the Lord ... - Rotherham (REB)
who shall suffer justice - destruction age-during - from the face of the Lord ... - Young (YLT)
Who will pay the just reparation of ruin in the Age, coming from the face of the Lord ... - Hart (DBH)
who a just penalty shall pay, destruction age-lasting, from face to the Lord ... - Diaglott (DNT)
who shall incur the justice of eonian extermination from the face of the Lord ... - Concordant (CLV)

This judgement will occur at the second coming of Christ - when He comes to judge and rule in blazing fire with his powerful angels - described in detail in Revelation 19.
Again, these verses do not refer to the final judgement which will follow the kingdom age.
 
Once we have clarified which judgement is being discussed, I then agree with the remainder of Dr Arnold's assertion that those judgements are based on deeds done in the flesh.
However, none of these texts refer to the final judgement, but to judgements relevant to participation or otherwise in the millennial kingdom age.

The final judgement at the Great White Throne and subsequent purifying process in the Lake of Fire ensures God will indeed be the Saviour of all and achieve His plan of having everyone know the truth.

... our Savior God, who intends all human beings to be saved and come to a full knowledge of truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]
For we labor and struggle to this end, because we have hoped in a living God who is the savior of all human beings, especially those who have faith.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  DBH]

Clearly, a proper reading of correctly-translated Scriptures will not support the common church doctrine that most of creation will be eternally lost because ...

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]
For, even as in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified.
Yet, each in his own class.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22 - 23  CLV]

Blessings, Barry

Children in the Rapture

Recently I was asked, "At the Rapture, what happens to children who are too young to have faith in Jesus?"

This is a rarely addressed question as most discussions on the Rapture focus on the different outcomes for those in, or not in, the Body of Christ, and discussions about children usually centre around their eventual heavenly prospects should they have been too young to have heard and responded to the gospel.

Before we begin to discuss this uncommon question, let's remember that everyone gets saved in the end, including young children, at the consummation of the ages.

That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  NIV]

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22  NIV]

But what about youngsters at the Rapture, which is well before the end of those ages?

At the outset, I need to say that I cannot find anything in the Scriptures that directly addresses this question. (If you can, please show me in the Comments section below.)
So I admit that my answer can best be described as 'informed speculation'.

Do the Hebrew Scriptures throw any light on this question?
God made a distinction between those who rejected Him and their children when announcing who would enter the Promised Land..

In this wilderness your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.
Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected.
[Numbers 14 : 29 - 31  NIV]

And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land.
I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.
[Deuteronomy 1 : 39  NIV]

Jesus shines some light on the future of children as well.
He is speaking regarding membership in the Messianic Kingdom, which is to follow a little while after the Rapture.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
[Matthew 18 : 1 - 5  NIV]

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.
But the disciples rebuked them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
[Matthew 19 : 13 -14  NIV]

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
[Matthew 21 :15 - 16  NIV]

Paul's letter to Timothy also encourages me on this question.

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
[1 Timothy 5 : 8  NIV]

I cannot imagine that God would counter His own advice, given through the Apostle Paul, by taking members of the Body of Christ to be with Jesus at the Rapture while requiring them to leave their young children behind to face the challenges of the Tribulation alone.
Can you?
And I think I'll join Abraham who asked God, "Will not the judge of all the earth do right?"
I am sure He will.

So my speculation, informed by these Promised Land and Kingdom Scriptures and reinforced by my belief that 'God is love' and a 'righteous judge', persuades me that children will be taken with the church, transformed into their spiritual bodies, and take their place with Christ in the kingdom - the Magnificent Messianic Millennial kingdom.

Blessings, Barry

Contentment in a Virus World

Readers of this BLOG and the book "The Really Good News About God" will know that I emphatically believe in the sovereignty of God - I believe He is in control of everything, past, present and future.

I can't always understand why He has done or is doing something, or has allowed or is allowing something, although I do see some general principles at work most of the time.

Because the Bible teaches that the end-result of this life in the space-time realm is the salvation and reconciliation of all creation, then understanding "the bad" in life is much easier.

For example, God uses "bad" people and situations as contrasts for Him, His people and His plans.
In the simplest terms, "the bad" is used to guarantee "the good" will glow.

And, of course, with the correct end-result in mind, "the bad" is clearly only temporary anyway, because God is the Saviour of all humanity [1 Timothy 4 : 10] and God eventually becomes "all in all". [1 Corinthians 15 : 28]
The Message version puts it this way:

When everything and everyone is finally under God’s rule, the Son will step down, taking his place with everyone else, showing that God’s rule is absolutely comprehensive—a perfect ending!

So what about our current COVID-19 situation?

Firstly, let's be assured that Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, is greater than any troubles we face, including this one.
We can trust him for our well-being no matter what form that takes.
Jesus said:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world."
[John 16 : 33 NIV]

Whether he walks through this situation with us or allows us to be taken from it doesn't really matter.
Whatever He decides for me is OK with me. Like Paul:

As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do.
If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose.
Hard choice!
The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful.
Some days I can think of nothing better.
But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here.
[Philippians 1 : 22 - 24 The Message]

So let's enjoy the peace Jesus gives and be content with whatever outcome He chooses for us.

Secondly, there's much that can be written about the need for contrast when God is achieving His loving purposes for His creation.
But I'll just mention a few examples to illustrate the point.

God used Satan to harass His servant Job in order to perfect and strengthen his faith.
God also used the evil intentions of Joseph's brothers to put Joseph in a position to save the fledgling Israeli nation from starvation and possible extinction.

God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that the extraordinary miracle of the Exodus from Egypt could take place for the people of Israel.
Paul reflects on it in his discussion of 'God's Sovereign Choice' in his letter to the early church in Rome.

For Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
[Romans 9 : 17 NIV]

I suggest that God might also be using the coming Tribulation in much the same way, and for Israel particularly to become so desperate for its survival, let alone its peace, that it will nationally call out for its Messiah.

Speaking to the Scribes and Pharisees about their rejection of him as their Messiah and the subsequent postponement of their expected kingdom, Jesus said:

"For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'."
[Matthew 23 : 39 NIV]

And when that happens some time in our future, it will instigate the Magnificent Messianic Millennial Kingdom.

Who knows what part this virus and its consequences might play in achieving God's eventual plan?
We don't - but we can postulate about how it might, especially with all this global talk about vaccines, nano-chip technology and compulsory immunisation.

But we can be sure of one thing - God knows, and is in total control of it all.

So, as those who are in Christ, we can be content in our virus world and where it might be taking us.

People may plan all kinds of things,
but the Lord's will is going to be done.
[Proverbs 19 : 21 GNB]

Blessings, Barry

Christians and the Mark of the Beast

About three weeks ago I mentioned two questions I had been asked concerning the Corona Virus COVID-19.

With so much reporting and discussion about the need for universal vaccinations and digital records of those receiving them, I have now been asked a further question about the "Mark of the Beast" mentioned in Revelation 13.

Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth...
It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.
[Revelation 13 : 11 - 17  NIV]

Scientific R&D in nano technology and the production of invisible inks, often alongside world-wide vaccine research, together with the hugely increased capability of the new 5G internet standard, could easily provide the ingredients for a compulsory system of global control of the distribution of goods and services.

You can read about some of this R&D on sites like www.sciencedirect.com and www.sciencealert.com and news.mit.edu.
Here's one example:

MIT researchers have now developed a novel way to record a patient’s vaccination history: storing the data in a pattern of dye, invisible to the naked eye, that is delivered under the skin at the same time as the vaccine.
[MIT News, December 2019]

So, although we could be swiftly heading towards having suitable technology for mandating such a global scheme, I don't believe its possible implementation as the "mark of the beast" is just around the corner.
Why?
I think the "mark of the beast" is due in the middle of the Tribulation, a 7-year period of conflict and devastation, and to be experienced after the Body of Christ, the universal, invisible church composed of all the true believers in Jesus, has been taken from the earth.

I know the Biblical study of the future, sometimes called eschatology or the study of end times, has produced hundreds of thousands of books, sermons and videos (and almost as many opinions), and my current view might be just one of them.

Nevertheless, my estimate is that the "mark of the beast" is at least 3 1/2 years away, even if the taking of the Body of Christ to be with Jesus happens as you are reading this.
And every day we find ourselves still here, the count for those 3 1/2 years has yet to begin.

So should Christians be concerned if a universal vaccination for flu and other corona viruses with accompanying quantum dot ink or other nano technology registration becomes obligatory and we are still here?
I don't see this as a problem until such an obligation is used as a passport for social/political acceptance or commercial transactions.
And we won't be around to see that!
We'll be gone by then!

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
[1 Thessalonians 4 : 16 - 18  NIV]

But even if my understanding of end times is not correct, I am sure of God's love and protection that doesn't depend on my accurate description of the future.
Check out these promises to God's faithful.

To his Hebrew saints of the Old Testament era:

Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
[Psalm 91 : 14 - 16  NIV]

To his Hebrew saints of the New Testament era:

"I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace.
In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.
But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
[John 16 : 33  MSG]

To his saints in the early New Testament churches.

You obeyed my message and endured.
So I will protect you from the time of testing that everyone in all the world must go through.
[Revelation 3 : 10  CEV]

Summing up:

• God's saints will not be here when the "mark of the beast" is mandated in the world.
• Restrictions or obligations introduced before then will not be the "mark of the beast", but may be used to produce it after we've gone.
• In the meantime, we should live confidently in God's love and providence through Jesus, our Saviour and Lord.

Blessings, Barry

Response to Universal Reconciliation Opposition - Part 12

This is the twelfth in a mini-series of posts responding to the arguments offered by Dr Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (Dr Arnold) against God's plan to eventually reconcile and save all His creation.

His arguments against Universal Reconciliation (UR) are offered under five headings, the second of which is b. The Fixed State of the Unbelieving Dead. (see a previous post "Opposition to Universal Reconciliation" here).

Under the b. The Fixed State of the Unbelieving Dead heading Dr Arnold claims that the unbelieving dead are seen in a fixed state that cannot be altered and then quotes numerous punishment and judgement texts from the New Testament hoping to illustrate his assertion.

My discussion in Parts 7 - 11 demonstrates that the punishment and judgement verses he quotes, correctly translated, say nothing about fixed states.
And how could they?
If God's plan is to save His creation and bring unity to all under the headship of Christ, these punishment states cannot possibly be "fixed".

(God) intends all human beings to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]
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]

Indeed the Bible says that God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. [Hebrews 12 : 11  NIV],

confirming the purifying purpose of the lake of fire for those whose names are not in the Book of Life at the final judgement.

Logic alone tells us that these punishments must just be temporary "stopping-off" places on the journey to God's final result, as all correctly-motivated punishments should be.

Also, how could they be more than temporary when ...

the Son of God appeared to destroy the devil’s work
[see 1 John 3 : 8b],
Christ appeared at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself
[see Hebrews 9 : 26],
and Christ must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
[see 1 Corinthians 15 : 25 - 26]

The only fixed state I can see in Scripture is represented by

God becoming everything to everyone (all in all).
[1 Corinthians 15 : 28]

Let's recall the underlying theme of God's creation, of which we are the highlight:

Everything comes from the Lord. All things were made because of him and will return to him.
Praise the Lord forever! Amen.
[Romans 11 : 36  CEV]

Blessings, Barry

Coronavirus Questions

Several people have been asking questions like:
Are we in the last days?
What is God saying to us through this coronavirus pandemic?

I don't think we are in the last days just yet.
I addressed this question on Tuesday, January 29th 2019 under the heading "Are We in the Last Days?".
You can find that post in the BLOG ARCHIVE.

So, what might God be saying to us right now?

Firstly, he might be reminding us that we are living in an imperfect world that has fallen a long way from God's original design.

Just focusing on Australia and especially the last few months, we have suffered the peak of a prolonged drought, raging floods, fierce bush fires and cyclones, another contagious disease, rampant selfishness and opportunistic crime.

Even though we can't avoid them, we can prepare ourselves to face most of them: we can harvest, store and distribute water, back-burn and clear forest floors, become nationally self-sufficient for essential supplies, and treat each other with respect, love and care.

On a personal level, we can prepare ourselves too: we can rekindle or refresh our relationship to God, our trust in him and our Biblical view of the future - and enjoy the peace this gives us.
I touched on this in connection with the current virus crisis on Tuesday, March 31st 2020 under the heading "COVID-19 Opportunities".

Secondly, he might be reminding us that we are not the big shots we often think we are, but created human beings, fragile, temporary inhabitants of our planet, who must learn how to submit to the Creator and practise being humble to each other.

And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
[Micah 6 : 8  NIV]

Thirdly, he might be reminding us that we are all equal in his sight - all of equal value and all equally in need of a Saviour.

Rich and poor, white and coloured, male and female, young and old: for everyone the supermarket shelves are empty and the medical services strained. Mercedes and Commodores both stand idle in our garages.

The focus is on survival, regardless of who you are: health has become the main game rather than wanting, competing and possessing.

Within just a few days, the whole world has levelled out considerably - we are getting a glimpse of the social equality the Bible teaches.

Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
[Proverbs 22 : 2  NIV]
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
[Romans 3 : 23 - 24  NIV]

Fourthly, he might be reminding us to permanently change the way we live: to follow his example of impartiality and his intention to provide for all.

For with God there is no respecting of persons.
Who intends all human beings to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of truth.
[Romans 2 : 11; 1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]

Finally, an observation that should make us grateful.
We are so blessed to have a genuine Christian as our current Prime Minister, who regularly prays for the nation and seeks God's guidance as he directs our response to this crisis.
If you missed a recent example, have a look here:

Let's pray and listen carefully to what God might be saying to us -  individually and as a nation.

Blessings, Barry

"Every crisis is an opportunity."

Reconciliation of All

I am sometimes asked if I am a universalist. I don't like this word because it has so many different meanings.
Saying "yes" might mean I am agreeing to a meaning that is in the mind of the questioner, with which I might not agree.
So I try not to give a straight "yes" or "no" answer without sounding evasive.
Instead I say something like:

I believe God is the Saviour of the world (1 Timothy 4 : 10)
    through Jesus,
who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2 : 2)
    meaning that
God is no longer holding our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5 : 19)

Jesus will return when it is time to restore everything (Acts 3 : 21)
    by
drawing everyone to himself (John 12 : 32),
destroying his enemies (1 Corinthians 15 : 25),
including death (1 Corinthians 15 : 26),
so that only life will remain (1 Corinthians 15 : 22).

Everyone will eventually honour King Jesus (Philippians 2 : 9 - 11)
who will then hand his kingdom over to God (1 Corinthians 15 :  24).

God having brought unity to everything in heaven and earth (Ephesians 1 : 9 - 10),
thus having established a new heaven and new earth (2 Peter 3 : 13),
becomes everything to everyone (1 Corinthians 15 : 28).

So, am I a universalist?
Only if being a universalist means I believe the Bible teaches the universal reconciliation of all through Jesus. (Colossians 1 : 19 - 20)
And in our current coronavirus-induced climate of uncertainty and fear, that's a comforting position to hold.

Blessings, Barry

COVID-19 Opportunities

While we are gripped in the drama of this worldwide pandemic and thinking frantically about our survival, let's pause and decide to embrace some positive opportunities.

Firstly, let's pray for our leaders.

Our PM and his national cabinet are under great stress as they grapple with very difficult decisions for the nation.
While there are some of us who will always be looking for a chance to criticise our PM, our Premiers and our First Ministers, most of us would not want to be holding their position at a time like this and would much rather value the support and encouragement of the populous if we did.

So let's appreciate the enormity of their task and support them in it.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people;
for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct.
[1 Timothy 1 : 1, 2  GNB]

Secondly, let's rebuild our families.

Over recent decades, family life has become so fragmented and in some cases, has completely disappeared.
Many homes have become houses - places of residence at best, or unfortunately, postal addresses for overnight accommodation.

With the prospect of community lock-downs staring us in the face comes the opportunity for families to restore family life again.

Parents and children getting to know each other.
Families doing things together.
Relationships inspired by loving and caring.

Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.
[Romans 12 : 10  GW]

Thirdly, let's show love to each other.

Isabel and I are in the so-called vulnerable age bracket and so have decided to stay at home during this time.
We are blessed to have two sons and their families living close by as well as young neighbours who have offered to shop for us (as well as the offer of a beautiful young refugee lady who lives several suburbs away).

To genuinely love others is to want the best for them and, wherever possible, to do that best.
So, in addition to loving family as previously mentioned, we could be looking for ways to love our neighbours - those known and unknown to us.
How?
To shop thoughtfully leaving sufficient on the shelves for others.
To offer to shop for those in lock down or self-isolation.
To use our phones and the internet to check up on and keep in contact with friends.
To show appreciation and courtesy to those on the "front lines" - medical, education, transport and customer service people.

Jesus answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
This is the greatest and the most important commandment.
The second most important commandment is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' "
[Matthew 22 : 37 - 39  GNB]

Fourthly, let's restore our relationship with God.

So many people are being terrorised by the situation we are in.
- the health crisis caused by the importing and sharing of a new rogue virus.
- the economic crisis caused by the virtual total shut-down of business activity and subsequent loss of income.

I think the PM is doing a great job in this unchartered environment although he appears to be following the advice of his medical experts at the expense of his economic ones when a middle course of action might be better for the welfare of the nation in the longer term.
However, I won't get into that here - I am only a physics and mathematics man and these are medical and economic challenges.

For me, both these crises seem to have morphed into one - the crisis of fear.
Decades ago, the majority of Australians had the faith to trust God, no matter what the circumstances.
As a nation, we have lost that.
But God is still God, and is the Master of the universe.
Nothing, not even COVID-19, changes that.

Here is an opportunity to restore that relationship and experience the peace that God can give even in the most trying situation.
And, in any case, even if it is our time to leave this planet, there is much better in store for all of us.
We can trust God for that too.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
[Psalm 23  ESV]

Blessings, Barry

Response to Universal Reconciliation Opposition - Part 11

This is the eleventh in a mini-series of posts responding to the arguments offered by Dr Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum (Dr Arnold) against God's plan to eventually reconcile and save all His creation.

His arguments against Universal Reconciliation (UR) are offered under five headings, the second of which is b. The Fixed State of the Unbelieving Dead. (see a previous post "Opposition to Universal Reconciliation" here)

Under the b. The Fixed State of the Unbelieving Dead heading Dr Arnold claims that the unbelieving dead are seen in a fixed state that cannot be altered and then quotes numerous texts from the New Testament hoping to illustrate his assertion.

(i) The Matthew texts, (ii) The Rich Man and Lazarus parable, (iii) the John texts and (iv)Two texts from 2 Peter were discussed in previous posts - Parts 7, 8, 9 and 10.

(v) Two texts from Jude describing so-called "eternal" dark outcomes for sinners.

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal (Gk. eonian = age-during) fire. [Jude 7  NIV]
They are like the waves of a wild sea. Their sins are like the dirty water along the shore. They look like stars moving here and there. But the darkest place has been kept for them forever (Gk. for an eon = for an age).
[Jude 13  NIV]

Once again, the correct, literal translation of the Greek destroys the "traditional" doctrinal of eternal punishment and darkness.

I have written about this mischievous translation (eonian=eternal) on several occasions; even so, I am considering writing a series of posts concentrating on these wrongly translated texts exposing how they have been used to induce the fear of eternal torment by a loving God for all those who have not been given the faith to become members of the Body of Christ during their lifetime on this planet.

Clearly the correctly translated punishment and darkness verses do not over-ride God's promise of restoring all things and bringing unity and harmony to the universe as the Bible records and I have quoted so often on this BLOG site, but instead show that any loss or correction will be limited to the ages, to the realm of time.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
[Revelation 21 : 5  NIV]
Heaven must receive him (Messiah) until the time comes for God to restore everything.
[Acts 3 : 21  NIV]
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]

Correct translations make all God's plans clear and unchallenged.
Those not called into Christian service in the Body of Christ in this age only miss out on the kingdom age.
They cannot miss out on eternity if God holds true to his promises - which he always does.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[Romans 8 : 38 - 39  NIV]

Blessings, Barry