I as well as most people who read these posts understand that eonian does not mean eternal, but it relates to an ages or ages...and so considering the ages that God has used to bring us to where we are right now, it did not seem out of line to point out that EONIAN JUDGEMENT was something to be feared, that could mean an awful long time; that God is Holy and will have us a spotless bride, NO MATTER HOW LONG HE DECIDES TO MAKE IT TAKE.
Do you not see anything wrong with using FEAR as motivation to serve the Lord? God has not given us a spirit of fear [2 Tim 1:7] though the enemy constantly tries to use it. Why do you think Satan and his ministers use fear to have us 'serve the Lord'? Because everyone hates what makes them afraid and that's exactly what Satan wants.
Have you not read Ray's
last installment of the Lake of Fire series, that explains how all the fires used in symbolism (Gehenna Fire, Fire never Quenched, Eternal/Eonian Fire, etc.) are all the SAME fire and we ALL (saints and the wicked) have to go through it?
You have not a clue of the conditions that God will place people into, in the next age, and because you don't, you attempt to use fear to 'motivate' others. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but not everyone who is not of the Elect will be 'weeping and gnashing' their teeth. Most people of the world are blind sheep and will not have the same fate as the false shepherds who rule over them.
I was not referring to free will at all. I was exhorting others to yes STRIVE with all your heart to please him, to make your calling and election sure. I do believe there is/are many a scripture that tells us exactly that.
I want to please Jesus, to be an OVERCOMER, just as He was. Gods great ages of creation sober me and Jesus LOVING OBEDIENCE to His Father make me want to be like Jesus too. I DO NOT want to be lukewarm and spewed from his mouth like vomit (Revelation 3:16).
And Who places this effort to strive in us? Who makes us want to be like Jesus? Again, God ALWAYS makes the first step, not you. Your very words indicate you do not understand this, and why you refuse to believe that God calls people unto good works on His time, not theirs.
Do I feel their NOT enough chatter on these boards about overcoming sin, and obeying Christ? LET each person judge for themselves on that. I think it is entirely scriptural for each of us to search ourselves and see if we are giving proper due to obedience and LOVE for Christ. Are we forsaking the world and dying to the flesh, or not? As you Marques, wisely brought forth, do we hate the sin in each of us? Do we? Do we!? If not, why not? This question is NOT aimed at you, or anyone, it is aimed at all of us, individually and collectively.
Now we come to the heart of the matter. Since you don't
see the good works in each members life, you are pessimistic that they are happening in the first place.
Would you like a board on the forum dedicated to each member's personal achievement and good works? Or a donation amount next to each member's profile for everyone to know who gave what and for how much? Do you not see where and how pride & vanity would set in amongst us? Perhaps this is why the Lord said the following:
Matt 6:2-4 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.It was not my intent to go into the whole Free WILL thing at all. I find it is not productive to do while I judge myself. I am ONLY looking at my heart, as I judge myself. Speaking for myself, I am not looking for whys, I am looking for HELP from HIM, wherever I fall short. Bottom Line, do I love righteousness and actually hate wickedness? Do I love Him more than the world? Am I dying to my flesh?
But yet you always do, which is ironic, because time and again you prove you DO NOT understand it. You
speak as if people have free will but say you do not intend to talk about the subject.
You can look through your old posts for yourself: Never once, in all the many times you expressed a great desire to serve the Lord, have you EVER implied the desire, in and of itself, was from the Lord. Time and again you speak as if YOU initiated a relationship with God in order to for Him to bless you in good works.
I truly feel it is INDISPUTABLE if one is going to be part of the First Resurrection then your heart and actions will be in line with such a noble calling, and you WILL have a heart that desires OVERCOMING more than anything else in the world.
But on who's timetable? Yours? God tells us He will give us a new heart and mind [Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10]...but it takes one's lifetime for these things to be accomplished. It's foolish to assume that it will happen any sooner.
I suppose my following illustration might be misunderstood but I will try anyway, this being Veterans day, well, almost. I think being part of the First resurrection is much like receiving the highest medal the US government gives its soldiers, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Did the recipients of this medal do something to earn it? well, of course! very brave, very difficult, things that put their lives at great risk, essentially they died to themselves to help their comrades. Most recipients bear the marks in their body, and yet have the humility and bravery that escapes most of us all.
Did not Ray, also say, that getting saved is the HARDEST thing each of us will ever do? I believe He will stand behind that statement.
But that's not ALL he said or taught. And even Christ Himself said it was IMPOSSIBLE for one to be saved (in and of themselves). Only with God is it even possible. Always, God takes that first step.
Sorry if you found my post offensive. It was NOT aimed at anyone in particular and was not aimed at free will, which you have assumed. I think it is wonderful that many people have Great Knowledge, and this knowledge includes the understanding that God will save everyone. But that knowledge is NOT going to make you automatically in the First resurrection. Your works, your love for Jesus and your fellow man, your sacrifice, YES ALL THIS IS IN HIS STRENGTH< is what will be required to be there.
I don't know what else to say. I do not care how much head knowledge I have. I want HEART KNOWLEDGE, the heart knowledge that causes me to abandon ALL my besetting sins, that causes me to live in obedience and to do works that Jesus will be proud to say..Well Done my Good and Faithful Servant.
Peace
Who on this forum ever said that having great knowledge assured them a place in the First Resurrection? What do you base these false assumptions on?
What's the point of going on and on about how you want to be in the First Resurrection when it's not your choice? You do believe it is NOT your choice, don't you?
Let us simply wait on the Lord when it comes to being in the First Resurrection. You can't change one aspect of your chances on your own, can't add one cubit to your stature [Matt 6:27]. But even to wait, the patience needed, will only come from God.
Marques