Book of Life

[stovebolts]

Sorry, I just found this..

therefore, all who have a breath are written in the book of life until they reach the point of terminal unbelief at which time their name will be blotted out of the book of life.

I'm taking this to mean that everyone ever concieved throughout the history of mankind, their name is written in the book of life, and that only those who do not live, "The Way" (terminal disbelief in opposition to God's Kingdom) will be blotted out. Is this correct?

 

[XTruth]

Do the kids under the age of accountability have their names in the book of life since they are given eternal life at death? I don't know, but one thing is for sure, all the adult righteous have had their names written in and all the humans in the list below have had a part of it and then had their name blotted out. Some to be written in again, some to have their names written in the earth. Eternal life is only a hope until fully manifested at death or the Rapture as proved by these people.

Adam and Eve - Genesis 2:17; 3:4-19; Rom.5:12-21; 2 Cor.11:3
Esau - Genesis 25:31-34; Heb.12:15-17
Aaron - Exodus 32:1-6
Nadab and Abihu - Leviticus 10:1-7
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, 250 Holy Men, and Thousands More - Numbers 16:1-35
The Prophet Balaam - Numbers 22:5 – 24:25
Saul - 1 Samuel 9:1 – 31:4
David - 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:14; Psalms 51
Lucifer - Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-18
Judas - Psalms 109:13; Matthew 27:3; Jn.17:12; Acts 1:20-25
Peter’s First Lost Salvation - Mark 14:27-31
Lot’s Wife - Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:30-35
Many Disciples - John 6:60-69
Ananias and Sappira - Acts 5:1-11
The Adamites - Romans 5:12-21
Peter’s Second Lost Salvation - Galatians 2:11-14
Barnabas - Galatians 2:11-14
The Galatians - Galatians 5:1-7
Demas - Colossians 4:14
Hymenaeus and Alexander - 1 Timothy 1:19-20
The Many Young Widows - 1 Timothy 5:11-15
The Many Others - 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 17-21
Hymenaeus and Philetus - 2 Timothy 2:17-18
The Demons - James 2:19
The Apostates -Romans 1:19-32; Heb.6:4-9; 10:26-31; 2 Peter 2:20-22
Israel - Judges 2:11-13; Rom.11:17-24; 1 Cor.10:1-12; Heb.12:25; Jude 5
The Holy Angels - Gen.6:1-4; Job 38:4-7; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6
Many Churches - Revelation 2:1 – 3:22

 

[Solo]

Sorry, I just found this..

therefore, all who have a breath are written in the book of life until they reach the point of terminal unbelief at which time their name will be blotted out of the book of life.

I'm taking this to mean that everyone ever concieved throughout the history of mankind, their name is written in the book of life, and that only those who do not live, "The Way" (terminal disbelief in opposition to God's Kingdom) will be blotted out. Is this correct?

All who God has called are written in the book of life, and those who are chosen remain in it.

• So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
  Matthew 20:16
  
  For many are called, but few are chosen.
  Matthew 22:14
  
  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  1 Peter 2:9
  
  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
  Revelation 17:14

 

[XTruth]

Sorry, I just found this..

therefore, all who have a breath are written in the book of life until they reach the point of terminal unbelief at which time their name will be blotted out of the book of life.

I'm taking this to mean that everyone ever concieved throughout the history of mankind, their name is written in the book of life, and that only those who do not live, "The Way" (terminal disbelief in opposition to God's Kingdom) will be blotted out. Is this correct?

All who God has called are written in the book of life, and those who are chosen remain in it.

• So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
  Matthew 20:16
  
  For many are called, but few are chosen.
  Matthew 22:14
  
  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  1 Peter 2:9
  
  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
  Revelation 17:14

He's basically saying,and using those verses to do so, that your name isn't written in the book of life when you come to Christ; but rather, it was already written in. And if a person never comes to Christ until they are 30, and lived a very worldly life in their teens and twenties, then their name was taken out, since it was already in there at birth. Then it is written in again when they are born again in their thirties. But, if they end up going back to love the world more than God again, like Demas (2 Tim.4:10; Ph'm 24; Col.4:14), then their names are not blotted out like they were in their teens or twenties, b/c even though they are transgressing God's laws again, they were born again and their names can't be blotted out again.

Correct me if I missed something Solo, I don't speak on your behalf, but this is what I believe you have said. It is not clear and contradicts much, but this is where you stand and I'm sure you believe it's not sinking sand.

 

[Solo]

...therefore, all who have a breath are written in the book of life until they reach the point of terminal unbelief at which time their name will be blotted out of the book of life.

I'm taking this to mean that everyone ever concieved throughout the history of mankind, their name is written in the book of life, and that only those who do not live, "The Way" (terminal disbelief in opposition to God's Kingdom) will be blotted out. Is this correct?

All who God has called are written in the book of life, and those who are chosen remain in it.

• So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
  Matthew 20:16
  
  For many are called, but few are chosen.
  Matthew 22:14
  
  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  1 Peter 2:9
  
  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
  Revelation 17:14

He's basically saying,and using those verses to do so, that your name isn't written in the book of life when you come to Christ; but rather, it was already written in. And if a person never comes to Christ until they are 30, and lived a very worldly life in their teens and twenties, then their name was taken out, since it was already in there at birth. Then it is written in again when they are born again in their thirties. But, if they end up going back to love the world more than God again, like Demas (2 Tim.4:10; Ph'm 24; Col.4:14), then their names are not blotted out like they were in their teens or twenties, b/c even though they are transgressing God's laws again, they were born again and their names can't be blotted out again.

Correct me if I missed something Solo, I don't speak on your behalf, but this is what I believe you have said. It is not clear and contradicts much, but this is where you stand and I'm sure you believe it's not sinking sand.

When you look at God from man's perspective, it is misleading. God's ways are much higher than man's ways. God knows and has known from before the creation of all things who would be in the book of life; therefore, for His revelation to us concerning eternal life He puts it in terms that we might understand.

If you want to put God under the constraints of a timeline, which suggest that your idea of God is that He does not transcend the dimension of created time, then your understanding is flawed before it gets out of the gate.

Does God need the book of life to know who is eternally secure in Him? NO! Not one little teeny tine bit! All who have been called and chosen are in the book of life, and all those who have been chosen are those who have been born of God and sealed with His promise by the Holy Spirit. Those who have been called and not chosen are blotted out of the book of life; meaning that they do not have eternal life in Christ Jesus because they were never born again.

 

[francisdesales]

...therefore, all who have a breath are written in the book of life until they reach the point of terminal unbelief at which time their name will be blotted out of the book of life.

I'm taking this to mean that everyone ever concieved throughout the history of mankind, their name is written in the book of life, and that only those who do not live, "The Way" (terminal disbelief in opposition to God's Kingdom) will be blotted out. Is this correct?

All who God has called are written in the book of life, and those who are chosen remain in it.

• So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
  Matthew 20:16
  
  For many are called, but few are chosen.
  Matthew 22:14
  
  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  1 Peter 2:9
  
  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
  Revelation 17:14

He's basically saying,and using those verses to do so, that your name isn't written in the book of life when you come to Christ; but rather, it was already written in. And if a person never comes to Christ until they are 30, and lived a very worldly life in their teens and twenties, then their name was taken out, since it was already in there at birth. Then it is written in again when they are born again in their thirties. But, if they end up going back to love the world more than God again, like Demas (2 Tim.4:10; Ph'm 24; Col.4:14), then their names are not blotted out like they were in their teens or twenties, b/c even though they are transgressing God's laws again, they were born again and their names can't be blotted out again.

Correct me if I missed something Solo, I don't speak on your behalf, but this is what I believe you have said. It is not clear and contradicts much, but this is where you stand and I'm sure you believe it's not sinking sand.

When you look at God from man's perspective, it is misleading. God's ways are much higher than man's ways. God knows and has known from before the creation of all things who would be in the book of life; therefore, for His revelation to us concerning eternal life He puts it in terms that we might understand.

If you want to put God under the constraints of a timeline, which suggest that your idea of God is that He does not transcend the dimension of created time, then your understanding is flawed before it gets out of the gate.

Does God need the book of life to know who is eternally secure in Him? NO! Not one little teeny tine bit! All who have been called and chosen are in the book of life, and all those who have been chosen are those who have been born of God and sealed with His promise by the Holy Spirit. Those who have been called and not chosen are blotted out of the book of life; meaning that they do not have eternal life in Christ Jesus because they were never born again.

I think people are making too much about this "Book of Life". Does anyone think there is such a thing, literally? That God actually has a pen with an eraser to "blot" people's name out of it? Or is this more a literary device...?

Regards

 

[shad]

I think people are making too much about this "Book of Life". Does anyone think there is such a thing, literally? That God actually has a pen with an eraser to "blot" people's name out of it? Or is this more a literary device...?

Regards

I agree, I think God is giving a warning about being obedient to Him until the end.

 

[stovebolts]

All of those who are covenanted with God are written in the book of life until such time as they harden their heart and reach total unbelief to the point of God turning them over to a reprobate mind, at which time they will be removed from the book of life.

All who God has called are written in the book of life, and those who are chosen remain in it.

Those who have been called and not chosen are blotted out of the book of life; meaning that they do not have eternal life in Christ Jesus because they were never born again.

Those of us that are born of the Spirit are those that have overcome through the faith of Jesus Christ, and we will be clothed in white raiment, and God will not blot our names out of the book of life, but Jesus Christ will name our names before His Father and before His angels.

Solo,
While I believe that I understand your take on "Born Again", I fail to see a clear distinction on what or who is born again if being born again is a requirement for one to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now is the time to be clear, and to give clear, concise answers.

1. Must one hear the gospel of Christ to be saved, hence, born again?
2. Must one accept a personal relationship Jesus as Lord and Savior to be Born Again?
4. What does this personal relationship look like?

Please think these out before answering, because what I am really asking is this.
1. Do you believe that infants or children who die at early ages are destine to Hell (Eternal Torment)
2. Do you believe that people throughout the centuries that have never hear the name of Jesus, let alone have any idea of what a Jew is are all destine to Eternal Torment in Hell? You can use the Native Americans for example, or even the Eskimo's.
3. Is it possible to know Jesus, without knowing his name?

Grace and peace.
Jeff

 

[mutzrein]

I think people are making too much about this "Book of Life". Does anyone think there is such a thing, literally? That God actually has a pen with an eraser to "blot" people's name out of it? Or is this more a literary device...?

Regards

Yes I do, and one day it will be opened. I believe it has existed since the beginning of time as have the names recorded in it. Every person whose name is in it has been, or will be, afforded everlasting life. These are the children of God.

 

[Cornelius]

Only those who are "known" before the foundations of the earth is written in the Book of Life. Those who are not known, must "depart I never knew you" (meaning , God did not know them before the foundations of the earth ) Only those who love God are in the book and those who love God are keeping His Word. So it is rather simple. Here are the scriptures in some kind of order of progression:

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.


1Co 8:3 but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him. (So God knows those who love Him)

Here is how you know yo love Him. Love is not a warm feeling in your heart:

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.

Those who do not keep His commandments (His Word) will not be known by God:


Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
"I NEVER knew you" means they were not known before the foundations of the earth. NEVER. God sees the end from the beginning. He knows who they are that will ultimately love Him, through their obedience to His WORD.(not obedience to systems and denominations and "churches" and factions and sects.......but to His Word ) The rest will hear: I NEVER knew you.

 

[Cornelius]

Luk 14:27 Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(So here is one of many conditions to salvation ......taking your cross )

Luk 14:28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?
Luk 14:29 Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him,
Luk 14:30 saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

These start the Christian walk. They did not count the cost. They are written into the Book of Life at the start of their walk. Now they cannot finish. They are then taken out of the Book of Life. They were not "known" so they did not make it to the END.

Mat 24:13 But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
(These were KNOWN from the foundation of the earth )


C

 

[stovebolts]

Only those who are "known" before the foundations of the earth is written in the Book of Life. Those who are not known, must "depart I never knew you" (meaning , God did not know them before the foundations of the earth ) Only those who love God are in the book and those who love God are keeping His Word. So it is rather simple. Here are the scriptures in some kind of order of progression:

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.

Cornelius,
Taken within context, those "depart, I never knew you" (Mt 7) I believe are the religious elite. They are the ones who bind their overly restrictive and controlling religious zeal on others, thus keeping others from the Kingdom of heaven at the present time. The Pharisee's aren't the only ones ever to strain gnats while swallowing camels ;)

Rev 17:8 is speaking of the Kings of the world, who we may liken to Pharaoh, or loosely to those like Solomon before he repented, the Babylonians, Alexander the great and Rome with the ideology, "Peace through Victory", Hitler and other oppressive dictators. They represent Anti-Kingdom and systemic sin by building their empire through controlling and oppressive means to accumulate wealth and power through the destruction and degradation of others.

Psalm 9: 5 reads, You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

These are nations who turned to wickedness, but the kings in Revelation 17:8 were wicked from inception. These are the kings who deny that Jesus is the Christ. (1 John 2:22)

Now then, none of this address my concern with Solo, and I await his response.

Grace and Peace.
Jeff

 

[stovebolts]

Luk 14:27 Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(So here is one of many conditions to salvation ......taking your cross )

Cornelius,
How do you reconcile your statement above with the below scripture from Romans 2? In other words, "What does it look like for anyone to "Bear his own cross"?


Romans 2 12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Can somebody who has never heard the name of Jesus, "Bear his own Cross"?

Grace and Peace,
Jeff

 

[stovebolts]

I think people are making too much about this "Book of Life". Does anyone think there is such a thing, literally? That God actually has a pen with an eraser to "blot" people's name out of it? Or is this more a literary device...?

Regards

Joe,
I believe it's the idea behind the book... something we humans are able to relate to, it's tangible. God often allows the use of objects that we can relate to, to reveal his nature.

 

[francisdesales]

I think people are making too much about this "Book of Life". Does anyone think there is such a thing, literally? That God actually has a pen with an eraser to "blot" people's name out of it? Or is this more a literary device...?

Regards

Joe,
I believe it's the idea behind the book... something we humans are able to relate to, it's tangible. God often allows the use of objects that we can relate to, to reveal his nature.

I agree. The concept is the point. I believe it clearly shows that man is not condemn to a particular fate before they were born. Being erased (or added) to the "Book of Life" gives the believer the hope that God will indeed judge him based on his love he expresses over the course of his life, rather than randomly picking and choosing who will be condemned and who will share eternal happiness with God.

Regards

 

[Solo]

Solo,
While I believe that I understand your take on "Born Again", I fail to see a clear distinction on what or who is born again if being born again is a requirement for one to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now is the time to be clear, and to give clear, concise answers.

1. Must one hear the gospel of Christ to be saved, hence, born again?
2. Must one accept a personal relationship Jesus as Lord and Savior to be Born Again?
4. What does this personal relationship look like?

I will let Jesus Christ, the Word of God, answer your questions as He always answers in a concise manner, much better than I:

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Please think these out before answering, because what I am really asking is this.
1. Do you believe that infants or children who die at early ages are destine to Hell (Eternal Torment)

No where in Scriptures are we told that infant baptism is that which brings about one being born again, nor do the Scriptures give any place of reference to infants being baptized. I personnally believe that infants or children who have not come of age to hear the Word of God and believe will be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, not based on belief, but based on God's character and justice.

• 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
  Romans 5:8-21

King David fasted and wept for his child from Bathsheba while the child was still alive so that God might be gracious to keep the child alive; and after the child died, David arose and ate ceasing his fast. When confronted by his actions of ceasing the fast after the child died, David spoke that he could not bring the child back, but that he would eventually be going to him. Perhaps the age of accountabity comes into play, but the Scriptures are not concise in this matter. I believe that age of accountability exists, and that it is different for each individual. I believe it is based upon the time period that one can hear the Word of God and believe.

• 21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 2 Samuel 12:21-23

Also, the Scriptures are not concise in this matter, but, I believe that infants and children who are not yet able to believe are taken care of by God Almighty. The following words of Jesus Christ confirm this to me:

• 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
  Matthew 18:1-6

2. Do you believe that people throughout the centuries that have never hear the name of Jesus, let alone have any idea of what a Jew is are all destine to Eternal Torment in Hell? You can use the Native Americans for example, or even the Eskimo's.

The Scriptures teach that no man has an excuse for God's creation speaks of the Godhead, therefore, all mankind has made a choice to worship the creator or the creation. Jesus commanded us to teach ALL nations to observe those things that He taught us, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Why? So that they could be saved from the condemnation that was upon them. If mankind is saved without the gospel of Jesus Christ, why would Jesus command us to spread the gospel throughout the whole world?

• 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:16-32

3. Is it possible to know Jesus, without knowing his name?

Grace and peace.
Jeff

No.

• But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
  
  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Matthew 12:21
  
  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47
  
  Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. John 2:23
  
  And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16

How many people in the world today have not heard the name of Jesus?

 

[Cornelius]

Luk 14:27 Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
(So here is one of many conditions to salvation ......taking your cross )

Cornelius,
How do you reconcile your statement above with the below scripture from Romans 2? In other words, "What does it look like for anyone to "Bear his own cross"?


Romans 2 12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Can somebody who has never heard the name of Jesus, "Bear his own Cross"?

Grace and Peace,
Jeff

First tell me what you understand by "bearing your cross"

C

 

[Cornelius]

Taken within context, those "depart, I never knew you"

In once sense that is correct. But in the wider context of the whole Bible, it also means that those who were never known , are those who did not bear fruit. They were not part of this scripture:

Mat 13:8 and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

C

 

[Joe67]

I believe the distinction between the common salvation and the special election into the priesthood of Jesus after the order of Melchisedec is not clearly discerned.

Jude 3
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. KJV

1 Tim 4:10
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. KJV

Faith is the instrument in the voice of God whereby he give us to believe the report concerning his Son, Jesus Christ, and in believing the report God justifies us and gives us peace with him; but we a given to continue believing that Mt.Sinai is the ultimate law of righteousness and that there is no righteousness/life for man apart from a weekly cycle of time. These continue living with the bond woman and her son until the time appointed of the Father.

The further discipline of God is the room of grace wherein he chooses/gathers a smaller number as recipients of greater trials and tribulations whereby they are fitted to a closer battle with their master and captain against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. These are drawn from the breast and are given strong meat that they might be teachers of other babes and those who are out of the way. They also are fitted with the armor and weapons of God. Their minds are opened to understand the foreknowledge of God without falling into lasciviousness. They are given to understand the chain of truth in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Then, at the will of the Father and the authority of Jesus, the holy Spirit moves upon the brethren to set them apart for special service.

Joe

 

[stovebolts]

C,
Just a quick reply, and perhaps sometime later today I can address ‘Bearing your own crossâ€Â.

As far as your earlier redaction where you linked Matthew 7 with Revelation 17:8, it’s simply bad hermeneutics. Let me explain if I can.
The context of Matthew 7 is directed at the Religious elite and those who proclaim the gospel under the guise of doing so for the Lord. This would harmonize well with Philippians 1:15-18 thus producing a good hermeneutic that one could expound upon because many similarities exist within the exegesis of each scripture.

However, if one were to look at Revelation 17:8, we see that a completely different tension is being addressed, as well as the type of person spoken of, for Revelation 17 is speaking of rulers of nations, not preachers of the gospel. Do the Exegesis, and you’ll find that it does not harmonize textually with Matthew 7 or Philippians 1:15-18, but rather, it harmonizes closer with 1 John 2:22. On a broader scope within the same topic, Revelation 17 disagrees with Psalm 9:5 and its adjacent hermeneutic in 1 Chronicles 36:23, Ezra 1 – 6 and Isaiah 44:28 in regard to the King of Persia, Cyrus, who gives his primary allegiance to the pantheon according to Cyrus’ own eulogy as preserved in Pritchard’s Ancient Near Eastern texts.

All that being said, I do understand how you come to your conclusion when you link Revelation with Matthew and from the surface, it does appear to agree. However, although it sounds as if it’s in agreement, it is not as briefly shown above.

Scripture is alive and breathing. It is based on different as well as similar events and conversations that have shaped and molded humanity for centuries. When one attempts to funnel all of one’s theology around a central message, we start to fit pieces of this story with that story with that story over there, and pretty soon, it’s all one story that has lost it’s depth, meaning and resonance within our lives, our culture and the cultures across the globe transcending time throughout the generations. I suggest that the Bible has many stories separate and apart from each other, and perhaps the central theme may well be how God responds, and reveals himself throughout redemptive history, as well as throughout our lives, our children’s lives, and our grand children’s children’s lives…

No promises, but I will try to address “bearing oneâ€â¢s Cross†later in the week if possible.
Solo,
I will attempt to address your posts as time allows.

Grace and Peace.