The Great White Throne Judgement

[donadams]

They certainly can be. But I wouldn't make that an iron-clad rule. The succession of kings in Israel made the successor an official king, but it certainly did not make them a godly king. Some were like David, and some were not.

Paul pointed out that there were false apostles in his day, and they may come outside of the Church and from within it, in my opinion.

its a dogma, but you right it does not make them godly, they are not impeccable
like those who sat in the seat of moses in matt 23 they had the authority and must be obeyed but were not acting in holiness! thanks

 

[RandyK]

its a dogma, but you right it does not make them godly, they are not impeccable
like those who sat in the seat of moses in matt 23 they had the authority and must be obeyed but were not acting in holiness! thanks

And I think your inference is right that those placed, by God, in authority should be shown proper respect. Even King Saul had authority from God in the height of his rebellion--something David acknowledged during his lifetime. We do not, in my view, have that kind of respect today, particularly by those in the media and in the universities/colleges. And the different, competing political parties also make respect a serious matter.

 

[for_his_glory]

Yes, that's what I just said. Jesus was standing "among them" and indicated the Kingdom was "within them." And so, he was suggesting that he had to literally be "in them" spiritually, just as he stood among them.

This was the 1st step in the Kingdom coming to them, not that it would be fully manifested on earth yet, but that it had to start by living "in them." The next step will be at Jesus' 2nd Coming, when once again, he will be "in their midst," as well as ruling over the nations of the world.

I can agree with this.

 

[for_his_glory]

Everyone is in the book of life. Some are blotted out. Revelation 3:5 mentions that those who overcome will not be blotted out of the Book of Life, implying that removal is possible. Exodus 32:33 also states, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book,” which has led some to believe that names can be erased.

Exactly. Only Jesus knows who are His own.

 

[for_his_glory]

I'm not sure?? I've asked myself this question for a long time, and don't have 100% assurance I'm right.

My current thought is that only those in covenant relationship with God have their names written in the book of life. For example, under the Law of Moses, all Israel was in covenant with God under that system, and as such, obedience to God under that system brought about the blessings of life in God. They were all initially written up as belonging in covenant with God, and written in the "book of life."

This is not to be confused with "Salvation," however, since being in covenant with God is not a secure position until one actually receives eternal life. When that point is achieved is a matter known by God.

Even those under the Christian covenant are not secure unless they've really and truly received eternal life. Can one be a "Christian" and not yet be saved? Of course.

Paul regularly encouraged "Christians" to ensure they really and truly belong to the "Saved." There is such a thing as "Nominal Christianity." We should treat all those who subscribe to Christianity as genuine Christians, whether or not they are truly "Saved" yet or not.

Just my view of it...

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

We will only be saved as long as we endure all things of this world that tries to come against us. The end is either the end of our physical life or still being alive at His coming.

The below scriptures are that of the Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 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:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

[for_his_glory]

Everything in the Bible is literal first and symbolic second. WE only teach the literal Bible to sunday school students. They do not learn the symbolic Bible until they are old enough to hear the sermons.

There are scriptures that talk about the third day and the seventh day. The third day from Jesus and the seventh day from Adam. I believe the Bible is very exact and precise. Jesus went to Calvary to pay for Adam's sin exactly 4,000 years from when they ate the forbidden fruit. I believe Jesus was born exactly 4,000 years after Adam was born. At least according to science and history. Not everyone accepts Science. I have done all the math, but we also have Bishop Usher's book, written 500 years ago.

Are you referring the third day being that of the time Jesus was in the tomb and God raised Him on the third day and are you referring the seventh day being the day of rest?

Just want to know if we are on the same page.

 

[for_his_glory]

Everything in the Bible is literal first and symbolic second. WE only teach the literal Bible to sunday school students. They do not learn the symbolic Bible until they are old enough to hear the sermons.

There are scriptures that talk about the third day and the seventh day. The third day from Jesus and the seventh day from Adam. I believe the Bible is very exact and precise. Jesus went to Calvary to pay for Adam's sin exactly 4,000 years from when they ate the forbidden fruit. I believe Jesus was born exactly 4,000 years after Adam was born. At least according to science and history. Not everyone accepts Science. I have done all the math, but we also have Bishop Usher's book, written 500 years ago.

Are you referring the third day being that of the time Jesus was in the tomb and God raised Him on the third day and are you referring the seventh day being the day of rest?

Just want to know if we are on the same page.

 

[Fish153]

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

We will only be saved as long as we endure all things of this world that tries to come against us. The end is either the end of our physical life or still being alive at His coming.

The below scriptures are that of the Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 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:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

for_his_glory----

Question for you. Do you really think you or anyone else can "endure to the end"? I personally don't think any of us can endure to the end on our own. The only way to endure is to have the Holy Spirit living in you---and He endures for us. "He who endures to the end shall be saved". Is that stating that WE need to endure to the end, or is it stating that the one who endures to the end will PROVE he is a true Christian because his continued enduring had to be the Holy Spirit upholding him? We must be very careful thinking we CAN do anything at all without God's strength. Did Noah ENDURE the flood by hanging onto the outside of the ark on his own? Or did Noah GET INSIDE the ark the Lord provided to protect him, and to endure the flood?

 

[donadams]

for_his_glory----

Question for you. Do you really think you or anyone else can "endure to the end"? I personally don't think any of us can endure to the end on our own. The only way to endure is to have the Holy Spirit living in you---and He endures for us. "He who endures to the end shall be saved". Is that stating that WE need to endure to the end, or is it stating that the one who endures to the end will PROVE he is a true Christian because his continued enduring had to be the Holy Spirit upholding him? We must be very careful thinking we CAN do anything at all without God's strength. Did Noah ENDURE the flood by hanging onto the outside of the ark on his own? Or did Noah GET INSIDE the ark the Lord provided to protect him, and to endure the flood?

not of ourselves no

Lk 1:37 all things are possible with God!

so ask!

matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.


Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Phil 1:29
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Phil 4:13 I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.

Jn 15:1-6

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Amen?

 

[RandyK]

for_his_glory----

Question for you. Do you really think you or anyone else can "endure to the end"? I personally don't think any of us can endure to the end on our own. The only way to endure is to have the Holy Spirit living in you---and He endures for us. "He who endures to the end shall be saved". Is that stating that WE need to endure to the end, or is it stating that the one who endures to the end will PROVE he is a true Christian because his continued enduring had to be the Holy Spirit upholding him? We must be very careful thinking we CAN do anything at all without God's strength. Did Noah ENDURE the flood by hanging onto the outside of the ark on his own? Or did Noah GET INSIDE the ark the Lord provided to protect him, and to endure the flood?

With all due respect, it is obvious to me that when Jesus referred to the need to "endure to the end" he was assuming that it is a choice we must make. That being said, it certainly wouldn't mean that our choices are to be done without partnership with God. Everything we do virtuously we do through the help of God.

So when we choose to obey God we are in effect cooperating with the word of God, commanding us to obey. This enables us to participate in His virtue so that we are not doing good things alone, but rather, working together with God to obey Him and to produce His virtue in our lives.

Deut 30.11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

 

[Elijah7777]

Are you referring the third day being that of the time Jesus was in the tomb and God raised Him on the third day and are you referring the seventh day being the day of rest?

The point is the Church age was 2,000 years and the Kingdom age will be 1,000 years. There are many different terms used for this. For example the Holy Spirit dispensation, the age of grace, the time of the gentiles and on and on and on. I suppose the millennium is just a part of the Kingdom age. As you say, the Kingdom of God is in us. Jesus tells us to pray thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. All the books in the world would not be enough to explain what that means. John 21:25 says: "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."

This verse emphasizes that Jesus' actions and teachings were so vast that they couldn't all be recorded. It highlights the limitless nature of His works and the idea that His impact goes beyond what was written in Scripture.

There are several Bible verses that mention the third day, often symbolizing resurrection, fulfillment, or divine intervention. Here are a few key ones:

• Genesis 1:13 – "And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day."
• Hosea 6:2 – "After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence."
• Matthew 16:21 – Jesus foretells His resurrection: "He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things... and be raised up on the third day."
• Luke 24:46 – "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day."
• 1 Corinthians 15:4 – "That He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

You can explore more verses on the third day. You would think they were not related but they are very much related and all a piece to the puzzle of what the third day is. I esp like the once about Abraham that suggests that God was going to raise His son on the third day. This confused Abraham because he thought God was going to raise Isaic and Abraham does not seem to understand God was talking about His son Jesus.

The third day theme runs deep in Scripture, often symbolizing resurrection, fulfillment, and divine intervention. The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 is particularly compelling—Abraham journeys for three days before reaching the place where he is to sacrifice Isaac. Many theologians see this as a foreshadowing of Jesus' resurrection, where God ultimately provides the sacrifice.

There are whole books written on the scriputres that talk about the third day in the Bible. Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia in 1991. The band's name references the biblical account of Jesus' resurrection on the third day. Third Day released multiple albums, won Grammy and Dove Awards, and had 28 number-one Christian radio hits.
The story of Jonah and the whale is deeply connected to the theme of the third day in biblical symbolism. Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, which Jesus later referenced as a sign of His own resurrection.

 

[Elijah7777]

With all due respect, it is obvious to me that when Jesus referred to the need to "endure to the end" he was assuming that it is a choice we must make.

Not always an easy choice. I was recently in the Emergency room and a doctor wanted to Euthanize me. He was actually pretty insistent but my son came in and put an end to that. So I am still enduring to the end.

 

[Elijah7777]

So when we choose to obey God we are in effect cooperating with the word of God

Philippians 2:13, which says: "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." This verse highlights that God is actively shaping our desires and actions, guiding us toward serving Him.

Many interpretations emphasize that God not only calls people to serve Him but also empowers them to do so. This means that our ability to seek Him, obey Him, and live according to His will is not just our own effort—it’s God working within us.

 

[Elijah7777]

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Does this mean us or those that believe? Does He really know us before conception. I am not so sure He does although past present and future are all one in HIm. Psalm 139:16 says: "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

All the possible DNA combinations is beyond our ability to understand, but not so for God. Our gifts, talents and abilities are given to us at conception before we are formed in the womb. We are to use what He gives us to bring Him praise honor and glory.

 

[RandyK]

Not always an easy choice. I was recently in the Emergency room and a doctor wanted to Euthanize me. He was actually pretty insistent but my son came in and put an end to that. So I am still enduring to the end.

Some doctors are devils.

 

[for_his_glory]

The point is the Church age was 2,000 years and the Kingdom age will be 1,000 years. There are many different terms used for this. For example the Holy Spirit dispensation, the age of grace, the time of the gentiles and on and on and on. I suppose the millennium is just a part of the Kingdom age. As you say, the Kingdom of God is in us. Jesus tells us to pray thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. All the books in the world would not be enough to explain what that means. John 21:25 says: "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."

This verse emphasizes that Jesus' actions and teachings were so vast that they couldn't all be recorded. It highlights the limitless nature of His works and the idea that His impact goes beyond what was written in Scripture.

There are several Bible verses that mention the third day, often symbolizing resurrection, fulfillment, or divine intervention. Here are a few key ones:

• Genesis 1:13 – "And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day."
• Hosea 6:2 – "After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence."
• Matthew 16:21 – Jesus foretells His resurrection: "He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things... and be raised up on the third day."
• Luke 24:46 – "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day."
• 1 Corinthians 15:4 – "That He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

You can explore more verses on the third day. You would think they were not related but they are very much related and all a piece to the puzzle of what the third day is. I esp like the once about Abraham that suggests that God was going to raise His son on the third day. This confused Abraham because he thought God was going to raise Isaic and Abraham does not seem to understand God was talking about His son Jesus.

The third day theme runs deep in Scripture, often symbolizing resurrection, fulfillment, and divine intervention. The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 is particularly compelling—Abraham journeys for three days before reaching the place where he is to sacrifice Isaac. Many theologians see this as a foreshadowing of Jesus' resurrection, where God ultimately provides the sacrifice.

There are whole books written on the scriputres that talk about the third day in the Bible. Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia in 1991. The band's name references the biblical account of Jesus' resurrection on the third day. Third Day released multiple albums, won Grammy and Dove Awards, and had 28 number-one Christian radio hits.
The story of Jonah and the whale is deeply connected to the theme of the third day in biblical symbolism. Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, which Jesus later referenced as a sign of His own resurrection.

Thank you for this as we are on the same page so far. Now, what about the seventh day?

 

[for_his_glory]

for_his_glory----

Question for you. Do you really think you or anyone else can "endure to the end"? I personally don't think any of us can endure to the end on our own. The only way to endure is to have the Holy Spirit living in you---and He endures for us. "He who endures to the end shall be saved". Is that stating that WE need to endure to the end, or is it stating that the one who endures to the end will PROVE he is a true Christian because his continued enduring had to be the Holy Spirit upholding him? We must be very careful thinking we CAN do anything at all without God's strength. Did Noah ENDURE the flood by hanging onto the outside of the ark on his own? Or did Noah GET INSIDE the ark the Lord provided to protect him, and to endure the flood?

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

What many are missing is the word "shall" in Matthew 24:13 as it's expressed as a future tense that indicates a promise.

For by grace, as it's only Gods favor extended to all who will receive it by faith, is a free gift as we become His workmanship created in Christ unto good works that God ordained that we should continue walking in the good works of Christ, Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 25:31-40. We can not earn our salvation by our own works nor do we even deserve Gods grace, Genesis 6:6-8. Only by a mustard seed of faith do we come to Christ and repent of our sins are we then only washed clean by the blood of Christ and become Spiritually reborn again (not saved) through the Spiritual rebirth of John 3:3-6 by that of Romans 10:9,10.

Matthew 24:13 says that those who endure until the end shall be saved. This means enduring all the trials and tribulations that this world will bring against us for the sake of our witness and testimony of Christ, Acts 14:22, Rev 2:10. The end means the end of our days here on this present earth when those in the grave and we who are still alive at His coming will then be caught up to Christ and are saved at that time as we have endured all things and never gave up our faith in Christ.

God's word never said we would not go through trials or tribulations, but through many trials and tribulations if we endure until the end then we will see the Kingdom of God, Acts 14:22, as we are all called into discipleship as we share our witness and testimony with those who have not yet repented and turned back to God. Below are twenty reasons why God allows us to go through trials and tribulations so that we will always remain in His will.


Why God allows us to go through trials and tribulations:
1. Training as God prepares us for the future
2. Patience as we rely and trust in God's timing
3. Perseverance through trials that we remain in Gods will
4. Trust as God's ways are not our ways and He has a better plan for us
5. To learn from our mistakes
6. To humble ourselves before Him
7. To discipline us
8. Teach us to be dependent on Him alone
9. To spend quiet time with God so He can speak to us
10. To teach us of His protection
11. That we also share in the sufferings of Christ that we be not ashamed
12. Strengthen us to become more like Christ
13. To develop character
14. Build up our faith in the Lord
15. For a testimony and witness to help others
16. To show us sin in our lives that we need to own up to having
17. To remind us that God is in control
18. Helps us gain knowledge and understanding God's word
19. Teaches us to be thankful
20. To take our mind off the things of the world and put them back on God

Satan's attacks are very real that can cause us to be sick, depressed and our anxiety levels can go through the roof. Satan will also put thoughts of suicide in our heads as he has done to me in the past. But, if we are seeking and growing our relationship with Christ we then learn to put on the whole armour of God as we stand against his devises, Ephesians 6:10-20.

 

[for_his_glory]

not of ourselves no

Lk 1:37 all things are possible with God!

so ask!

matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.


Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Phil 1:29
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Phil 4:13 I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.

Jn 15:1-6

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Amen?

Good scriptures. Read my post #97

 

[for_his_glory]

With all due respect, it is obvious to me that when Jesus referred to the need to "endure to the end" he was assuming that it is a choice we must make. That being said, it certainly wouldn't mean that our choices are to be done without partnership with God. Everything we do virtuously we do through the help of God.

So when we choose to obey God we are in effect cooperating with the word of God, commanding us to obey. This enables us to participate in His virtue so that we are not doing good things alone, but rather, working together with God to obey Him and to produce His virtue in our lives.

Deut 30.11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

It's like Daniel in the lions den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire, Daniel 6:16-28; Daniel 3:16-28, that they trusted God in all things that came against them.

Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

 

[for_his_glory]

Does this mean us or those that believe? Does He really know us before conception. I am not so sure He does although past present and future are all one in HIm. Psalm 139:16 says: "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

All the possible DNA combinations is beyond our ability to understand, but not so for God. Our gifts, talents and abilities are given to us at conception before we are formed in the womb. We are to use what He gives us to bring Him praise honor and glory.

God created all humans and wants all of us to be Holy and without blame before Him, but not everyone will be Holy and blameless before Him as many strayed away from God and His Son Christ Jesus never to turn back to Him again.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hosea 4:7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.