“… the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings… to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…” — Isaiah 61:1
No matter what noble struggles the nations have made toward freedom, as long as there is sin and death, we have no real and lasting liberty. For now over six thousand years, earth’s billions have been locked in a prison house of mental, moral and physical decay ending in death. All have inherited sin and fall under the death sentence placed upon their father Adam. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” In sin and death all are captives. Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 3:23; Genesis 2:17
The Scriptures guarantee that “the man Christ Jesus gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.” (I Timothy 2:6) Prophecies indicate that the fulfillment of this due time is very near, and that this release from the power of the grave is not just for a few, but for all the captives.
Justice for ALL
God’s four character attributes are justice, love, wisdom and power. He exercises these in complete harmony for the good of His creatures. Of these four, justice (fairness, righteousness) is the foundation of God’s throne. But how is justice a reality to the vast majority of humanity born into unequal environments, having no real opportunity to learn of Christ Jesus—the only name whereby they might be saved? Psalms 89:14; Acts 4:12
Peter, your presentation with a few bible verses is a matter of understanding. Bible verses could be understood right or not. I am afraid, you do not understand that right. John 3:36 and Matthew 12:31-37 shows us clearly, that the opposition against God’s work of salvation lead people against the unforgivable sin. So, I beg you take care of your interpretation, cause you could be in a very wrong direction leading people to not obey God’s with an urgent duty. Is a big sin to tell what they like to listen, and to remain in the sin: “You are not necessary to repent now, cause your nature are incapable to do now the right things, but you will be able to do that in millenium.”
Jani – Thanks for your loving concern about our salvation. We appreciate that you care enough to want to save us. If together, we hold the Bible as our authority above any Pope, Priest, Pastor or Governing Body, perhaps we can find agreement, if we are patient.
You have quoted Matt 12:31-37. Why here is speaking against the Son forgivable, but speaking against the Holy Spirit is not? Why would’t both sins result in the same punishment?
The answer is that blasphamy against the Holy Spirit is only possible if the Holy Spirit is indwelling. Only those in this Gospel Age, baptized into Christ (Rom 6:1-4), who receive the Holy Spirit are now under eternal judgement.
Heb 6:4-7 shows that it is those made “partakers of the Holy Spirit” who “fall away” cannot crucify Jesus again. In other words, the Ransom can only be applied once per person. Once applied, that person is on trial for life.
Heb 10:26-29 shows that “those who sin willfully” and have “counted the blood of the covenant by which he has been sanctified a common thing and insulted the spirit of grace” that “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” This is an anointed brother or sister with the Holy Spirit indwelling that is subject to “second death” if they deny Jesus.
In 2 Pet 2:1, it Is “those who deny the Lord that BOUGHT them” that “bring on themselves swift destruction.” So only those purchased by Jesus Ransom sacrifice are now on trial for life.
Jani – Jesus says in John 12:47-48, “I did not come to judge the world but time save it… the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” In other words, the whole world of mankind will be on trial for life in the thousand year millennial kingdom, being judged by the standards of God’s Word, then being aided by the Holy Spirit “poured on all flesh” Acts 2:17.
Regarding John 3:36, the whole world is under God’s wrath, whether they have rejected Jesus or never heard of him. God can even bring his wrath from civil government on those who practice evil (Romans 13:4), but that is clearly not eternal destruction.
1 Tim 2:4 says, God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” If this life is the only opportunity, God is not trying very hard to save people. You”ve got to admit that even some JWs knocking on a door do not always do a very good job witnessing. Jesus “gave Himself a ransom for ALL” (1 Tim 2:6). 1 Tim 4:10 shows “God… is the savoir of ALL men, especially those who believe.” In other words, he will even save those who are now unbelievers.
1 John 2:2 shows that Jesus is not only the satisfaction for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.
This is what John meant when he said, “God is Love.” (1 John 4:16)
Hi Peter,
You wrote>
“The answer is that blasphamy against the Holy Spirit is only possible if the Holy Spirit is indwelling. Only those in this Gospel Age, baptized into Christ (Rom 6:1-4), who receive the Holy Spirit are now under eternal judgement.”
Not only. Our Lord Jesus warnings were addressed even to the pharisee, scribes and high priests, and all his against him. Read again, carefully.
Jani – Jesus says in Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men… Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him…” Jesus sounds pretty generous and forgiving.
Yes, in the context he is warning the religious leaders, but where does get say they will be destroyed? He is warning them that “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him… in the age to come.” In other words, when God “pours His spirit on ALL flesh,” (Acts 2:17) in paradise earth, they will have no excuse for not repenting and following Jesus’ words at that time, “in the age to come.”
You have the liberty in Christ to believe what your honest study and conscience decides.
Peter, would you post here Matthew 12:32, please?
Jani – Here is Matt 12:32 “32 “And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come.” ASV
Peter, please remember> but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age,
It is written> Shall not be forgiven
You agree with our with Lord and Savior Jesus?
JanI – Thanks for responding. We have already covered this ground. “Shall not be forgiven” applies to the holy spirit anointed Christians.
Remember – Heb 6:4-7; 10:26-29 and 2 Pet 2:1 all refer to the judgement of the sanctified and holy spirit begotten Christians.
Jesus says in John 12:47-48, “I did not come to judge the world but time save it… the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” In other words, the whole world of mankind will be on trial for life in the thousand year millennial kingdom, being judged by the standards of God’s Word, then being aided by the Holy Spirit “poured on all flesh” Acts 2:17.
The ransom is presented for all (de jure), but the effect of the ransom (de facto) is only for that who believe. That is so clear> Matthew 9.14,15. If Sodom and Gomorrah were condemned to destruction, the people who reject our Lord, will more than that.
See for example the case of the homeless. De jure all have a shelter in the town, but de facto, only that who enter in it. The rest sleep on the street.
We don’t understand cause human rationalism is against God’s rationalism.
Jani – The Bible teaches that the people of Sodom will come back for the Judgement Day.
Ezekiel 16:53, 55 NKJV “When I bring back their captives, the captives of Sodom and her daughters, and the captives of Samaria and her daughters, then I will also bring back the captives of your captivity among them, When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters return to their former state, then you and your daughters will return to your former state.
Mark 6:11 NKJV And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
When Jehovah’s “judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants will learn righteousness.” Isa 26:9. The people of Sodom will have the opportunity to learn righteousness and repent.
Yes, even the “unjust” will be raised to lIfe (Acts 24:15-16). ALL in the graves will come forth (John 5:28-29). The wicked will bow at the feet of Jehovah’s people. (Isa 60:14; Rev 3:9)
Jesus is also the Savior of those who do not believe in Him until His kingdom is established on earth. (1 Jn 2:2; 1 Tim 4:10; Rom 8;19,21). In this paradise earth, all the wicked and unbelievers will have the opportunity to repent and follow Jesus and Jehovah (Rev 22:17; Dan7:14,27; Psa 72:8,11,17; Phil 2:9-11)