Called Separate from the world?
God‟s judgment will be fair.
Are We being called Separate from the world? Unfortunately, there are many propagating the false narrative that people are going to get a second chance to enter God's kingdom basing it upon the following scriptures, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9 and John 6:44. The subject of whether some are called out from the rest of the world at this time to be part of the first resurrection, and that others are not called at this time, this is the same as saying the word of God is not for you at this time so go ahead and sin. They are telling people it is ok to sin because of Christ’s love, all people will be saved in the end.
This is the belief being taught in today’s world of Christianity, it is called “Universal Salvation,” “Universal Reconciliation,” or “Universalism” for short.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God and our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come into the knowledge of the truth." [The proper translation would be that the Lord desires, or wishes that all men would be saved, not that they will be!]
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish [does not want any to perish, does not say they will not], but that all should come to repentance."
John 6:44-47 "No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me has everlasting life." [it is clear that anyone who hears, learns, and believes the word, the gospel of Christ makes a choice, at that point they are, or are not, drawn to God based on their own choice.]
But is everybody going to be saved? The following are verses contradicting
universalism in that they state you must want to live a sin free life, and if
you do not, you will not be allowed into the kingdom, but destroyed.
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"
Job 21:30 "That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath"
Psalms 1:5-6 "Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Job 31:2-3 "For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?"
Ezekiel 18:4 "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die."
Ezekiel 18:20-27 "The soul that sins, it shall die. ...But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die [at the second resurrection] ... But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them he shall die. Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive "
Malachi 3:16 "Then they that feared the LORD spoke often to one another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name."
Malachi 4:1-3 "For, behold, the day comes, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yes, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch [totally destroyed]. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the LORD of hosts."
Matthew 3:10-12 "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees [Gods people]: therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit [Lived a Godly life.] is hewn down, and cast into the fire ...Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor [The earth], and gather his wheat [People living godly lives.] into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff [People living ungodly lives.] with unquenchable fire."
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness [Anyone who wants to know the truth, and live by it.]: for they shall be filled."
Matthew 5:20 "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no way enter into the kingdom of heaven." [The religious cults of the time portrayed themselves holy in public, but in private they where anything but holy.]
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened." [There is an invitation for all to knock on God's door, that makes it pretty clear that one has to want to know the truth, and then seek it.]
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." [Get that? Destruction! Not a second chance. Only a few are going to escape destruction, the second death!]
Matthew 7:19-23 "Every tree [person] that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire [destroyed]. ... Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but only he that doeth the will [follows the word of God] of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." [These are those that follow a false Christianity.]
Matthew 9:13 "for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." [Calling ALL sinners!]
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls." [Come to me, all, now not at another time.]
Matthew 12:36-37 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by thy words you shall be condemned."
Matthew 13:10-11 "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you [the disciples] to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." [When speaking of mysteries, he is talking to them on a personal level, telling them things that they do not need to know to make it into the kingdom, but what he would like them to know on a personal level. The disciples are his friends.]
Matthew 13:13-15 "therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which says, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they [It does not say that the Lord closed their eyes, but that they got tired of hearing the truth, they did not want to know!] have closed; lest at any time [at anytime they could have known the truth.] 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."
Matthew13:49-50 "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:"
Matthew 18:3-4 "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven [You have to be converted in your heart, and follow as a child would.]. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 20:16 "...for many are called, but few chosen." [it doesn't say only a few are called, many are called, few are chosen because only a few want to know the truth.]
Matthew 22:1-14 "And Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, ...Go you therefore into the highways, and as many as you will find, invite to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests..." [The calling is to preach to everyone, NOW!]
Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." [Notice that God's people consist of a small flock of individuals who actually obey him.]
Luke 12:47-48 "That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked." [Since no one is beaten after death, this is plainly speaking of punishment during this life. Have you heard the truth and ignored it?]
Luke 13:23-27 "...Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door [judgment day], and you begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not who you are: Then shall you begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets [These people heard the truth and did not act upon it.]. But he shall say, I tell you, I know not who you are; .."
1 Peter 4:17-18 "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
John 3:14-21 "...That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already [Though God would like all to be saved, those that refuse to believe in the Lord are condemned to perish, unless the believe in him. To believe is to also follow in what he has said.], because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
John 6:44-47 "No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me has everlasting life." [it is clear that anyone who hears, learns, and believes the word, the gospel of Christ makes a choice, at that point they are, or are not, drawn to God based on their own choice.]
John 9:39-41 "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not [Mislead concerning the truth.] might see; and that they which see might be made blind [Know the truth yet corrupt and twist it.]. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind [did not know the truth], ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see [But if you refuse to accept the truth when it is presented to you, your sin remains, you will not be forgiven.]; therefore your sin remains."
John 15:6 "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."
Acts 10:34-35 "Then Peter said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons [Not calling only a select few into the kingdom.]: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted [Living a righteous life is how one is accepted into the kingdom] with him."
Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" [God once overlooked their ignorance, but now commands all who hear to repent]
Romans 10:13-17 "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed [heard of]? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [Preachers are for a reason, to call sinners to repent, if we where called special by God there would be no need for preachers.] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias says, Lord, who has believed our report? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." [All the KNOWN world at that time had heard, the scripture has been fulfilled.]
1 Corinthians 1:18-30 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish [preaching is to save those that are going to perish] foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe [to save those that believe in this, what the world calls a foolish doctrine]. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block [the Jews considered their preaching an interference], and unto the Greeks foolishness [the Greeks considered there own beliefs to be wiser]; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
2 Corinthians 6:2 "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Hebrews 5:9 "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." [The Lord knocks at the door of all, whether you open the door and respond is up to you. It takes a little longer for some to respond to the knock than others. And for others they do not what to respond because they know what will be required of them if they open it.]
Revelation 21:7-8 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Revelation 22:14-15 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."
Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
2 Esdras also known as 4 Ezra 7:3-14 "I said, "Speak, my lord." And he said to me, "There is a sea set in a wide expanse so that it is broad and vast, but it has an entrance set in a narrow place, so that it is like a river. If any one, then, wishes to reach the sea, to look at it or to navigate it, how can he come to the broad part unless he passes through the narrow part? Another example: There is a city built and set on a plain, and it is full of all good things; but the entrance to it is narrow and set in a precipitous place, so that there is fire on the right hand and deep water on the left; and there is only one path lying between them, that is, between the fire and the water, so that only one man can walk upon that path. If now that city is given to a man for an inheritance, how will the heir receive his inheritance unless he passes through the danger set before him?" I said, "He cannot, lord." And he said to me, "So also is Israel's portion. For I made the world for their sake, and when Adam transgressed my statutes, what had been made was judged. And so the entrances of this world were made narrow and sorrowful and toilsome; they are few and evil, full of dangers and involved in great hardships. But the entrances of the greater world are broad and safe, and really yield the fruit of immortality. Therefore unless the living pass through the difficult and vain experiences, they can never receive those things that have been reserved for them."
2 Esdras also known as 4 Ezra 8:1-3 "He answered me and said, "The Most High made this world for the sake of many, but the world to come for the sake of few. But I tell you a parable, Ezra. Just as, when you ask the earth, it will tell you that it provides very much clay from which earthenware is made, but only a little dust from which gold comes; so is the course of the present world. Many have been created, but few shall be saved."
The Parables
Matthew 13:18-23 "Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of [God] the kingdom, and does not understand it, then comes the wicked one, and takes away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [Those that never heard the word of God or understood]But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that hears the word, and anon [straight forward, true, sincere, straightway, immediately, forthwith] with joy receives it; Yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word [obeying Gods word], by and by he is offended [is embarrassed keeping Gods word]. [Those that heard the word of God and understood but caved in to persecution or peer pressure] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word [Cares more for the things of the world than pleasing God.], and he becomes unfruitful. "[Those that heard the word of God and understood but cared more for the pleasures of the world] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth,..."[Those that heard the word of God and live according to it]
Matthew 13:24-30 "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy [satan] came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares [those who deny the word of God] also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them [no second chances here]: but gather the wheat into my barn."
Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
In the above parable everyone is rewarded for the works of this life, and
those that do not have good works are cast away, it is clear that there is no
"do-over".
Luke 19:12-27 "He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."
The above parable makes it even more clear that one is rewarded based on ones
works in life now! Those who did not want to live according to God's rule(s) are
dragged in front of the crowd and publicly executed, their chances are over to
enter the kingdom.
Luke 16:19-31 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
Catch that? "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they
be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" If they don't believe the
scriptures judgment is made!
Concerning the judgment of those that have NOT heard the truth.
God‟s judgment will be based on each individual‟s knowledge and
response.
"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month."Nehemiah 8:1-2
Hosea 7:12 "... I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard."
John 15:22 "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin."
[It appears those who died prior to Jesus first coming will be given
leniency]
Romans 2:5-16 "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart
treasures up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the
righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his
deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and
do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew
first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man
that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no
respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also
perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by
the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of
the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do
by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a
law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts,
their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while
accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the
secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." [The human
nature, or ones conscious, has right and wrong built in, and if you have not
heard the truth your judgment will be based on how you have followed your
conscious.]
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to keep
company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this
world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must
your needs go out of the world [Yet it is ok if it is in an effort to
preach to them.]. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if
any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator,
or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat
[it is not ok to keep company with them if they already know the truth].
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not you judge
them that are within?" [As Christians we are to judge those within
the body beyond what is actual open sin.] But them that are without God
judges. [God will judge those outside the body of believers on judgment
day based upon their deeds in life.]
2 Corinthians 5:10 " For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
The judgment of the dead at the second resurrection?
Matthew 13:37-43 "He answered ..., He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one [those that do not follow the word of God]; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire [destroyed]; so shall it be in the end of this world [When the kingdom of God is finally established once and for all.]. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire [destroyed]..."
Matthew13:47-50 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire [Destroyed for ever.]..."
Mark 8:34-9:1 "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them,...Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here[, which shall not taste of death [Speaking of the final death at the second resurrection.], till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power."
Revelation 17:8 "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the pit of the deep and goes to destruction. And those dwelling on the earth, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, shall marvel [They don't just marvel, they follow after it] when they see the beast [The beast is a false religious organization.] that was, and is not, and yet is. Here is the mind having wisdom: "
Revelation 20:11-15 "And I saw a great white throne [This is after Christ has ruled for a 1000yrs, and is now handing over things to the Father.], and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
It appears from all the verses above, ALL have access to eternal life! ALL
are called to come out of this evil world NOW! ALL have a right to the first
resurrection! And those that have not heard the word will be judged based upon
how they have acted in their lives.
Hebrews 9:27 "People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."
Jesus said that people will be judged based on what they did during their
lives. To claim a second chance philosophy based on a few misquoted scriptures
when there are far too many clear scriptures that refute the idea of a second
chance is to give license to sin.
So now lets examine the following scriptures that have caused the confusion.
The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1-14 "The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD."
First lets look at the time frame, Ezekiel 1:1 " In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God."
The Israelites were in captivity, no longer in their own lands. This vision was symbolizing the house of Israel being in captivity. The Israelites
were despondent with grief, they felt that there was no hope left for them as a
nation, and that they were cut off forever. The reviving of the bones signified God’s plan for the whole house (the whole
house would not only represent the hereditary house, but also the spiritual
house) of Israel’s future restoration and resurrection.
Conclusion
There is no such thing as “universal salvation,” which is an unbiblical.
Those that do not know God, or do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus will be punished with everlasting destruction
and go into perdition. They will be punished with flaming fire, completely burned up.
It ALL comes down to when a person hears the word, does he then accept and
believe the word and then act on that belief? There is no special few only being
called to God now.