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Many are called, but few are chosen

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eggi:
For many are called, but few chosen. (Mat 22:14 ASV)

The other day I was asked a question by an atheist. The question was: What is the significance of the story of Samson?
Since this was a direct question, I answered him, saying that Samson typifies God's elect. The reason he asked was because he was interested in this story as part of a study on how similar stories were told around the world. He held that Hercules was the same character as Samson.

The next question was:
How can you believe in a god who deliberately chooses only a few to know the truth, and then at a later point that god uses these people to let the other's know the truth, just to show the persons who were not elect that they were wrong?

I think the question is asked in an overly simplified way, but it made me think: Why did God need to show truth only to a few people in this time? Why can't He just show everyone the truth at the same time, give them some fiery trials and just move on?

Here's about how I thought:
Without trials and tribulations there is no way that we can learn any virtues. We can't learn good without knowing evil. If God reveals the truth to everyone at the same time, there will be no trials and tribulations. If God reveals the truth little by little to a few people, both the called and the chosen will have fiery trials and tribulations over a period of time.

So... There's my puny little theory, without any scripture to back it up. Sorry about that. I thought of a few verses, but I don't want to say anything for certain about this subject. I think Ray said something about this in an audio I heard. I pray this thread might cast some light on this topic.
What are your thoughts on this?

God bless you and keep you,
Eirik

brothertoall:
This is very interesting.

 I believe that God started dragging(drawing) me to Him many years ago. While in the church I tried to live for Him by the teachings of man and now that I look back it was always up and down. i had failed at every attempt and this went on for a few years.

 I believe it was God's will that I should go through this in order to know that it is all of Him and none of me.

 It amazes me how some will say that if God is going to save all then we can just live life to the fullest and we will be saved anyway. BUT it has worked just the opposite with me. Having been revealed the truth of our Father only brings me closer to Him and to be obiedent to Him. I can now believe and follow Him, not in fear, but in love. Not for what I can do for Him but what it is He was,is, and will be doing for me and all.

Am I one of the chosen? I don't know but one thing is certian, He loves me and His mercy indures.

 Hope this makes sence.

Thank you Eirik for starting this thread,

bobby(bob)

dcfreedom:
this is a very interesting subject. i also realize it is borderline questioning God. i did word study on the word chosen and it was very interesting. what was more interesting is the word potter came up so i did a study on that also. i know you are all familiar with Romans 9:20-21, 20 O man! who are you, to be sure, who are answering again to God? That which is molded will not protest to the molder, "Why do you make me thus?"
21 Or has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor? clv
 as i looked at this i started to read the whole chapter. i should have known i would find the answer. i would encourage you to read all of chapter 9 in Romans. you will find a witness to this in jeremiah 18, Isaiah 29,30,41 and 45. you will be quite suprized at what you find.

i hope this helps and stimulates more thought

hillsbororiver:
Hi eggi, in response to the question you asked I agree with what Isaiah and Paul had to say about what we know about the "mind of God,it is" very little. This little understanding we do have will grow day by day as we walk in spirit with Christ, as we study His Word, this is a procedure that takes time and patience, also it is done according to His blueprint and process detail (builder's terms) for each and every one of us.

(Amplified)

Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him?

Isaiah 40:14 With whom did He take counsel, that instruction might be given Him? Who taught Him the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding?



Romans 11:34  For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor?

It has been revealed that it is the Father's will to have Sons and Daughters, of whom our Lord is the firstfruit, the question could be asked why Jesus first? Why not everyone at once since eventually we will all be there anyway?

Discussing this with an atheist is difficult as they can not see the spiritual things;
   
1 Cor 2:14  But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

Why were we born when we were? Why were we given the better promise, the New Covenant? Why did God and why does God intend that some will see and others will not? 

From Lake of Fire Part XV  http://bible-truths.com/lake15.html

EVERYTHING HAS A PRECISE APPOINTED TIME

God Almighty is responsible for everything and He brings about everything only at its precise "APPOINTED SEASON AND TIME." Let's read it:

"To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecc. 3:1).

The implications of this verse are staggering. The very foundation of human psychology and theology crumbles under the weight of this declaration of God’s Word. This is undoubtedly one of the ten most profound Scriptures in the entire Bible.

If we are to be honest and believe this verse, then we must concede that absolutely NOTHING is left out God’s profound declaration except man’s anti-scriptural theory of "free will."

The word "season" in the KJV is translated from the Hebrew word, z[e]man, and is defined in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary as: "APPOINTED season, occasion, time." And "purpose" is defined as: "pleasure, desire, matter." Sometimes rendered as "purpose" or "event."

Here’s a second witness to this grand declaration:

"Because to every purpose [matter or event] there is time and judgment..." (Ecc. 8:6).

And a third witness:

"…for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work" (Ecc. 3:17).

Here are a couple translations that make this verse a little clearer:

"...for He has appointed a time for every matter, and for every work..." (The New Revised Standard Version).

"For He has set a season for every event and for every deed..." (The Concordant Literal Old Testament).

There is no wasted motion in God's creation, purpose and plan. Everything has an appointed time, and everything includes: "every purpose, every work, every matter, every event, and every deed." Where pray tell does "free will" fit into all this? It doesn’t. It clearly DOESN’T. Man has no free will. There is no such thing as free will. It is but the phantom of an "obscured heart" as we learned in Part C from Ecc. 3:11.

Again we ask, since "EVERY work, purpose, matter, deed and event" under heaven must happen at an "APPOINTED TIME," how can there be such a thing as human, uncaused, "free-will?"

Is any man free to do anything other than what God HAS "appointed time" for? No.

Is any man free to do anything that God HAS NOT assigned an "appointed time" for? No.

Is any man free to do or not to do anything that God HAS or HAS NOT assigned an "appointed time" for? No.

Then how can man have a free will?

Man’s will is predicated on previous circumstances and causes, all of which originate in God’s preordained plan and purpose.

Christendom and her fabled doctrine of "free moral agency" is trapped and completely book-ended between:

[1] "To every thing there is a season [appointed time],and a time to every purpose [matter or event] under the heaven" (Ecc. 3:1).

AND:

[2] "I know that, whatsoever God does...NOTHING can be put to it, nor ANYTHING taken from it: and GOD does it" (Ecc. 3:14).

Someone might see a contradiction in God’s teaching. If the two above Scriptures are true, then why does God warn against "adding to or taking away from His word?" Well, like everything else that is beyond the realm of carnal comprehension, all of these things too, have been foreordained and pre-determined to happen only at their "APPOINTED TIME." God has appointed a time for false prophets to add and God has appointed a time for false prophets to take away from His word.

Here is a bit more information this time from Lake of Fire Part VI; http://bible-truths.com/lake6.html

TWO JUDGMENTS BY FIRE

Constructing a building is a process that requires time and activity. Since God likens the building of His spiritual temple to the assembling of a physical building, then this process, likewise, requires time and activity. Time and activity is what we call living our lives. Now then, when does judgment begin at the building of this house of God? Answer:

"For the time IS COME that judgment must begin at the house of God…" (I Peter 4:17).
And so it clearly has already begun with the Apostles and New Testament Church nearly two thousand years ago. And it is still going on in the Church of God today, in every believer’s life, as he lives his life.

Therefore, Paul warns:

"But let every man take heed HOW he builds [his building’] thereupon" (I Cor. 3:10).

And so judgment is upon the building of God’s house as each individual believer is framed and fitted for the calling that God has for each individual. This judgment began in the days of the Apostles after the resurrection of our Lord. It continued generation after generation down through the age until today when it yet continues. And it will continue still further until the entire harvest of firstfruits is completed. Remember we already learned that if we would judge ourselves now, Paul said we would not be condemned with the world later (I Cor. 11:32).

His Peace and Wisdom to you,

Joe

hillsbororiver:
Good morning dc,

It looks like we were posting at the same time and thinking on the same lines, good stuff there Brother!

His Peace and Wisdom to you,

Joe

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