More layers upon layers of meaning in God's Word! Hidden treasures actually.
Perhaps this is another hint, another whisper, another clue as to what we are looking for in the day of Noah and Lot and the coming of the Son of Man.
In Matthew 25 we see the parable of the virgins. Five were foolish and five were wise. The wise virgins were ready when the Bridegroom showed up, and they went into the Wedding and the door was shut. Noah went into the Ark, and the Lord shut the door behind him. Inside was safety. Outside the Flood. In Revelation 4 we see an open door in Heaven, then we see redeemed, rewarded men in Heaven (with crowns and white clothing). Here's today's tie-in with the story of Lot:
Genesis 19:10-11 - - "But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door." (emphasis mine)
It seems to be written all over the place there for us! Can you see it? Lot pulled through the door, into safety, outside the door, the men were smitten. Remember the Parable of the Virgins?
Matthew 25:10-12 - - "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'" (emphasis mine)
They wearied themselves to find the door ("Lord open the door"), but the Lord says, "I know you not."Wait a minute. He said, "I do not know you," huh? Where have we heard that before? Oh yeah, right here:
Matthew 7:21-23 - - "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'" (emphasis mine)
Its all there! Tucked right inside the story of Lot, which along with the story of Noah, we know tells us EVERYTHING we need to know about the coming of the Son of Man. We have doors, doors opened when the wise go through them, then doors closed and the foolish are without, trying to gain access. We have a few saved (Noah out of an entire world, Lot out of an entire city), we have "I know you not" told to the many, etc. Again, it's all there.
Why will so few be saved? Why will many be told "I know you not?" Why do people assume that God thinks like men think? Why do people assume that the grace and loving kindness of our Lord equates to a license to sin and do whatever they want?
1 Chronicles 28:9 - - "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."
The Lord does not change. If He expected Solomon to serve Him with a perfect heart, He expects us to (we have to at least try). If He expected a willing mind from Solomon, He expects it from us. If we seek Him, we will find Him. If we forsake Him, He will cast us off forever.
John 15:6-8 - - "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." (emphasis mine)
It's in the Old Testament. It's in the New Testament. If you abide not "in Christ" there is a terrible price to pay. Don't let the Babylonian snake oil, religious salesmen/CEO "religious leaders" sell you sugar coated lies.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) demonstrates the importance of overcoming. The difference between the wise and foolish virgins is their supplies of oil. While water represents the power of God's Holy Spirit to cleanse, oil represents its power to work, to do good. Thus, the difference between the virgins is their good works ("I know your works"), how much they overcame their selfish human natures by acting in love toward God and man.
Both groups had oil, but the foolish virgins did not have enough for the unexpectedly long delay (Luke 21:34-35). When the cry went out, their lamps were still burning but sputtering and about to go out. They were not prepared for the long haul. They had not continued to overcome. They were not enduring to the end. Their oil - - their good works, their overcoming - - proved insufficient for the task. In this one point, they failed, and what a foolish failure it was!
Emphasizing the importance of Luke 21:36 and watching, Jesus Christ makes a specific promise to those living at the end who are watching, that is, successfully overcoming: "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them" (Luke 12:37).
Conversely, considering the implications of John 17:3, Jesus gives a chilling judgment to the virgins who fail to overcome: "I do not know you" (Matthew 25:12).
(RESEARCH: Christian Apostasy / March 2009)
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April 19, 2009
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17 Comments:
well written jred
the oil of the ten vigins is also repestative of our faith in GODS WRITTEN & LIVING WORD/JESUS CHRIST!
if our true faith is wanning or false when he returns, we will hear the dreaded words! depart from me, I never knew you.
john
Like Elisha...who clearly seeing was able to see the warriors of the LORD all around him that outnumbered the adversary...He asked by supplication that his servant might also "see."
Elisha also asked for the double portion of Elyahs Spirit,a hard thing. Elisha answered and was told if he "saw" (meaning clearly seeing) the departure of Eliyah being taken up, his wish would be granted...(note that Elisha still had work to do and had to cross back over the Jordan while Elijah's work was done.)To be able to see something one has to continually watch, seeking after the object of desire like knocking on the door with diligence until it opens...harvests occur in their order as ordained by Yah...at maturity of His plan and desire that none perish...
Hi JRed.
I have a real issue with faith + works. When you accept Jesus Christ as you personal Lord and Saviour you are saved full stop. We are saved by faith not by works lest no man should boast. Many people call themselves christians but don't really know about salvation. We are mear human beigns who fall well short of the glory of God. It is a narrow road but far from an impossible road. Sin is inevitable in everyones lives but it is the repentance of that sin that God looks for. Yes we nust strive to live a life of righteousness but even the apostle Paul battled continuously with his sin nature. I'm not advocating blatant outright sinful living but nor do i agree with a strong emphasis on works and worthiness. If works play a really big roll how do we ever really know when we have done enough. Salvation is a free gift form God through his son Jesus Christ's death on the cross for us, all you have to do is accept it.
Love your site.
Dear Anonymous regarding faith without works issue:
I understand what you're trying to say, however the Bible directly negates that point of view. See:
James 2
14 What [does it] profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what [does it] profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent [them] out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
I'm not trying to start a bible war, but my intent is to shed some light on the misunderstood subject. There is no salvation through works - ABSOLUTELY! Just as you said, it is not by works lest any man should boast. Works without faith is dead also. It takes faith plus works to have salvation. One cannot pray a prayer one day, continue living like before, in sin, and expect to be saved. It's like the parable of the 2 sons. One said, I will go work the field - but didn't, and the other said he wouldn't - but did.
Works are the natural byproduct of faith. Once we are saved it is by works that we accrue our eternal reward - what will pass through the fire gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and straw. The good works must be done for the glory of God and not for ourselves. Our tithes and offerings, our helps, our prayers, our witnessing, our sharing of testimonies, our support of widows and orphans, and various other things commanded by Jesus are accounted to us as righteousness. Without faith they are but dirty rags.
The issue is you can't have true faith without works, but you can't be saved by works alone. We must SERVE God to be saved. James is a very hard book to stomach and causes conviction in the heart of every believer I know, but the wise man loves rebuke so I try and walk upright and repent of my evil ways.
I hope this cleared up any misunderstanding.
..when I read Genesis 19/10,
immediately I remembered a story sent to SteveQuayle,
about a man being chased ( by 'demons ' and police ) but they could not see them..
http://www.stevequayle.com/News.alert/08_Prophetic/081231.giants_aliens.html
I started to wonder very much, if the REALITY will be changed ( for us )..?
- consider in next link the 'reality of the world' from the person being hypnotized:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNKPNCl9cP4&feature=related
it is one of my favourites :) I hope it s not improper here Jeff;
- it is showing the absurdity but reality of what a man ( a Soul ) can "see " or not
Lone
Can I add another piece to this prophetic puzzle?
Isaiah 26:16-21 speaks about the coming rapture...Go my people, enter your rooms and SHUT THE DOORS BEHIND YOU;hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins.
The first part of your post reminded me of this passage also, which is just more confirmation through the WORD.
God's blessings to you!
Can I add another piece to this prophetic puzzle?
Isaiah 26:16-21 speaks about the coming rapture...Go my people, enter your rooms and SHUT THE DOORS BEHIND YOU;hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins.
The first part of your post reminded me of this passage also, which is just more confirmation through the WORD.
God's blessings to you!
Hey JRed-I owe you an apology for assuming that because you posted that 2012 video, that you were in agreement with it. I have a bad habit of shooting first and asking questions later:) We are living in such deceptive times that I have become like a cornered animal, surrounded on all sides by false teachers, apostate churches... I am in defensive mode 24/7-ready to yell HERESY.Anyways..I just wanted to say you are doing such good work here for our Lord. I am finding out as a newer Christian that the more I learn the less I realize I know..how humbling! I come to realize also that I am no good at debating because I get too hot under the collar-haven't learned to control that yet....... Praise you in the name of Yeshua. Derek Wood
One more thing-it is too bad Christians can't be one in the body of Christ-I guess Yeshua knew that would happen, although in reading Acts last night, it started out good then.. well here we are now pretrib..mid...post...Lordship Salvation...Free Grace...Doctrine of Election...Free Will...Oh.. my stomach starts to ache and my head feels like it will implode......Peace Be With You in the name of Yeshua.
Dear AprilLovesAnimals
Regarding your view in which you state that you must have faith and works for salvation. I feel very strongly about this and believe this is false doctrine and a lie. Faith + works = salvation is becoming very popular view point. As I stated before salvation is by faith through grace alone. There will be fruit as a result of being born again and naturally works will be part of a new life with Jesus. See the following.
Question: "How can salvation be not of works when faith is required? Isn't believing a work?"
Answer: Our salvation depends solely upon Jesus Christ. He is our substitute, taking sin’s penalty (2 Corinthians 5:21); He is our Savior from sin (John 1:29); He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The work necessary to provide salvation was fully accomplished by Jesus Himself, who lived a perfect life, took God’s judgment for sin, and rose again from the dead (Hebrews 10:12).
The Bible is quite clear that our own works do not help merit salvation. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done” (Titus 3:5). “Not of works” (Ephesians 2:9). “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). This means that offering sacrifices, keeping the commandments, going to church, being baptized, and other good deeds are incapable of saving anyone. No matter how “good” we are, we can never measure up to God’s standard of holiness (Romans 3:23; Matthew 19:17; Isaiah 64:6).
The Bible is just as clear that salvation is conditional; God does not save everyone. The one condition for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ. Nearly 200 times in the New Testament, faith (or belief) is declared to be the sole condition for salvation (John 1:12; Acts 16:31).
One day, some people asked Jesus what they could do to please God: “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” Jesus immediately points them to faith: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 6:28-29). So, the question is about God’s requirements (plural), and Jesus’ answer is, “God’s requirement (singular) is that you BELIEVE Me.”
Grace is God’s giving us something we cannot earn or deserve. According to Romans 11:6, “work” of any kind destroys grace—the idea is that a worker earns payment, while the recipient of grace simply receives it, unearned. Since salvation is all of grace, it cannot be earned. Faith, therefore, is a non-work. Faith cannot truly be considered a “work,” or else it would destroy grace. (See also Romans 4—Abraham’s salvation was dependent on faith in God, as opposed to any work he performed.)
Suppose a unknown benefactor—someone with whom I had no previous dealings whatsoever—sent me a check for $1,000,000. The money is mine if I want it, but I still must endorse the check. In no way can signing my name be considered earning the million dollars—the endorsement is a non-work. I can never boast about becoming a millionaire through sheer effort or my own business savvy. No, the million dollars was simply a gift, and signing my name was the only way to receive it. Similarly, exercising faith is only the way to receive the generous gift of God, and faith cannot be considered a work worthy of the gift.
True faith cannot be considered a work because true faith involves a cessation of our works in the flesh. True faith has as its object Jesus and His work on our behalf. See Matthew 11:28-29 and Hebrews 4:10.
To take this a step further, true faith cannot be considered a work because even faith is a gift from God, not something we produce on our own. “For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that [faith] not of yourselves: it [faith] is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him” (John 6:44). Praise the Lord for His power to save and for His grace to make salvation a reality!
Please understand that if works are required as part of salvation we can never have it!! It is a free gift. How mnay works would you have to do? When would you ever know if you had done enough??
I am very strong on this issue and sorry if I seem so.
Jred,
I am puzzled by the verse in Luke which says:
17:37 Then they asked him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, " Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."
as part of the "as in the days of Lot and Noah". Any ideas what the Lord may have been implying there?
I read your posts every day, pass them along and want to thank you for your diligence and help in understanding the word.
God bless,
Kim
We are not saved "by" works. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith without works is dead. In other words, mere belief is not enough. Our works must match our faith. We will be judged by what we did, not what we thought. We are saved "for good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." So, what do you think the Lord will do if we don't have the works to prove our faith. He will cut us off as unfruitful branches. The purpose of a branch on a grapevine is to bear fruit. If it does not, it is useless to the Gardener...
Isaiah 26:16-21 speaks about the coming rapture..."Go my people, enter your rooms and SHUT THE DOORS BEHIND YOU;hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins."
I do find it interesting that God is telling His people to "hide yourselves", and that His wrath is passing by. Sounds like they are still there, but hidden or protected from His wrath. Not removed to heaven.
The wedding feast takes place on earth in Jerusalem, so it could not be at the beginning of the 7 years. Read Luke 13:23-30. Also notice that all the Feasts that were commanded by the Lord for Israel to celebrate were intended to be celebrated "in Jerusalem". There will be no wedding feast in heaven. It will be on earth in Jerusalem at the end of the age.
So who are those who stand outside knocking? They are those who were not worthy to come to the feast, but who survived the "Day of the Lord" and who will populate the earth during the 1000 year reign of Christ.
Zechariah 14:16 "Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles."
The feasts of the Lord are ALWAYS in Jerusalem...
Hi, it seems that most people I have talked to about Faith+Works/Faith alone, who hold the Faith+Works view refuse to seperate salvation and inheritance. Salvation is by faith through grace alone and works effect your rewards. James is just saying in short that your faith is evident through your works. I think Paul clears it up for us. Vince
Hey folks , there a very simple thought process you can go threw about salvation by grace and rewards by works keep it simple. Grace by faith , that not of yourselves is free gift . It cannot be earned. But rewards and or punishment are according to works/or lack of. easily proovable by diff. levels of status in the kingdom. even the one who ends up with no fruit still has life [spirit salvation] just not any status in the kingdom. It wont be a very good Mill. for this one as their life would have been waisted here. He recieves the displesure of the Lord [which is not hell].It all so matches diff. times of pre trib./bride spring harvest rapture ,vs.those left behind for first part of trib. to increase 100 or 10 fold of their soul salvation which has nothing to do with spirit salvation. soul salv. is the goal end of your faith ,its something you strive [work] for read through the new test with this in mind spirit salv. for thows not yet in the race is something not earned . once your in the race you are to earnestly run and never give up till the end [ for the prize ] . So its on for the person to be put in the race free by grace then one to act grow unto the end for rewards/ punishment by what you bear spirit salvation and then soul salvation which is the end of your faith or goal. I hope this makes alittle more sense. read through new test with this in mind and scriptures will explode with clearity
kim
I may be able to give you some insight here.
as I have said in the past, the
corpes is the dead body of the evil ones who where taken!!!!
the vultures are the birds of pray ready to devoir the spiritualy dead body!!!!!
for that matter, when at any time through history has being taken been a good thing? almost never!
people were taken by birnie madoff
that wasn't good was it ?
people were taken by enron, not much good there!
you can be taken for aride by the mob, but that usually comes out bad
dosen't it.
so again if you want to be taken by lucifer your on the right track with the rapture .
GOD wake them up from thier slumber!!!!!!!!
john
Hi everybody. Thank you anonymous for rebutting. I fear I made myself unclear through wordiness. Sorry 'bout that. My point was that I agree with you - works do not save anyone. The bible is clear on that. But faith without works is dead... so that means that TRUE faith naturally produces good works. Not that the works save you even then! I know people who say they have faith but they have no works, no life change, and thus their "faith" is dead by virtue of the definition of faith.
False faith has no works. Belief is not faith. Faith is much more than just believing. If you have true faith you will bear good fruit. Christ Himself said so. Just as if one is watching, as He instructed us all, one will (as a byproduct of watching) make ourselves ready to meet Him by proclaiming the Kingdom is at hand.
Faith produces works. I guess that's all I was saying. The works don't save you, the faith does, but only true faith, and that produces works which fortifies your faith and thus ever transforms weak faith into strong faith, but even weak faith - if alive - will save anyone. Circular indeed.
I appreciate you being strongly opinionated about this. It's important! Again, I think we are in agreement but I just didn't articulate well.
It is by faith, absolutely, that we are saved - alive, dynamic faith alone.
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