Harsh, it seems. However, the warning is an act of enormous mercy during this time of grace. It is what we are called to do, both for believers and unbelievers alike. If we do not, the soul will not survive. The unrepentant will be given over to oblivion.
Given over to eternal separation and lasting suffering. So there is an urgency to this demand from Jesus because our time is short. By the certain and clear words of Jesus, those who do not repent will perish in God’s judgment.
So today, I spent time in Luke 16. This is where we are reminded of the rich man’s situation—having been in abundance and no felt need upon God. He neglected his standing before the Lord and those among him.
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.
The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you, a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 16:19–31). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The evidence of repentance in a person’s life is what by the Spirit is doing within. If there is authentic repentance, that person is bearing fruit. It is the fruit of the Spirit that confirms a person’s standing. Through the word, ask for the faith that produces repentance for your enduring sanctification. Repent and put your faith in Christ so that you shall be saved.
There was a time when God promised that he would cause his people to be born again. A clear promise from within the book of Ezekiel (Ezk 36:25-27).
Following thereafter, Jesus spoke to Nicodemus saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” God the son knew he was speaking to generations through Nicodemus.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 3:3). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The world consists of two types of people. Those who are spiritually alive and those who are spiritually dead. And what Jesus demands of Nicodemus is what He demands of everyone in the world.
When the Spirit does find itself into God’s people, nothing is ever the same. You’re reborn and sealed. When the Holy Spirit comes to take up residence into your being. When everything who you were previously would tell you, “this is foolish.” Then in time, you begin to understand, the dead can’t see.
Cited from Ps. 14:1-4 are the words that clearly spell out the condition of people who are separated from God. As again referenced by Rom. 3:11-18, the specifics are about what people are predisposed to. To reinforce the fact that no one is righteous.
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, Not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 3:11–18).
Set apart and called for a purpose isolated, narrow, and exceedingly difficult to live. To press and to strive, to be willing to go and do. To produce and make certain the miracle of obedience born within.
Having just finished a slow-walk study of Acts where the ancient manuscript ends with the Apostle Paul in Rome, I have again undertaken a careful effort to go through the book of Romans. To retrace steps earlier taken. On the hope that the words will bring life and they are life and echo well beyond where we are.
I am newly awakened that the next 16 chapters are loaded with deep meaning from the Eternal and Most High. Far beyond my ability to absorb too much at once, I find myself going in reverse quite a bit. A rewind and retake of sorts to ponder, “Father what did you just say?” or “what was that again?” Numerous times anew to push me back in my seat and just mumble ‘wow’. Revealed are the words falling afresh. To newly accept what is accomplished as reality from a perspective that is not my own.
Out of my isolation, I am made aware and informed. Of a truth that I have seen before but have not recognized.
These are the words:
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
For some reason, especially certain and assured that these words will have the greatest bearing in the afterlife.
On the verge of shipwreck, Paul the Apostle as a prisoner of Rome is with a crew of sailors, soldiers, and prisoners on a vessel bound for Italy. They were about 276 persons in all. By the revelation of the Lord Jesus’ presence that Paul was to go before Caesar. To answer false accusations, but also to bring his testimony before Gentiles. Some Gentiles of which were of considerable influence and were being made accountable before the living God. They were made accountable in the hearing of Paul’s testimony while appearing before king Agrippa, governors Felix and Festus, and emperor Caesar. He witnessed that the Lord Jesus was pressing upon them the meaning of God’s kingdom as spoken of by Himself and the prophets.
Throughout Acts, from Pentecost all the way to Paul’s missionary journeys, the Holy Spirit was bringing to life Gentiles throughout numerous far-off locations. As the good news of redemption through Jesus made its way beyond the Jews, Paul the Apostle through great hardship carried the gospel to the common person.
So as commissioned by the Lord, Paul fully obeyed and sought to honor our Most High King. Among 276 souls and through distress, fear, uncertainty, beatings, imprisonment, and poisoning, he was brought through by what Jesus had him do. For His glory and for the people claimed for His kingdom.
That even when the Lord’s originally chosen people would not accept the prophets or Himself, His apostles would take the gospel to the common people, and the Lord would breathe His Spirit among them and bring them to life.
As it is written:
“Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.] And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” -Acts 28:28-31
The Lord Jesus, our King, once forsaken by not only God the Father in our atonement but by His apostles beforehand. First Judas, when Satan entered into him to betray the Lord. Then Peter, with his denial of Jesus three times. Upon finishing the Passover supper, the Lord’s suffering began not at the point of His entrapment. His trials began well before that and became pronounced mainly from the time of the Last Supper onward.
(a.) Forsaken – Satan demanded to sift Peter to ruin Jesus’ work and His followers (b.) Forsaken – Satan entered into Judas where he would afterward betray Jesus to religious leaders (c.) Forsaken – While Jesus prayed at the Mount of Olives in severe agony from his sorrow, His apostles were asleep nearby (d.) Forsaken – Peter denied Jesus three times while with others in the Lord’s presence (e.) Forsaken – By God the Father upon the Lord’s crucifixion
The will of the living God sets in advance eternal outcomes. It is made sure through all of creation and through the faith of His people. More specifically, it is faith as a spiritual dimension bestowed that somehow resonates with the will of YWHW.
Yet there are those who come and there are those who will not. In refusal, a choice of a will is enslaved to sin. To the eternal glory of God one way or another.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
For the weary and burdened, for those who are given to abundant life. Because, we bear His image, because of His infinite love, for His glory, and for His purposes.
Come to Christ to find rest for your soul.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
“And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.” In sadness and darkness and terror did the unhappy wretch set out upon his wanderings. Yet not in solitude. Even in this punishment, God had mercy; He gave Cain human companionship to soften and sustain him. The Bible makes no positive statement of any daughters born thus early to Eve; but Hebrew legends mention them, and the Scripture leaves us to assume them. For presently it speaks of Cain’s wife as accompanying him, and then of a son and grandsons gathering around the pair.
The little party fled from the more fertile regions of earth. Part of the curse upon Cain had been that when he tilled the ground he should get but little return in crops. This implies that his journeying was through a barren land. Hence the artist has here pictured Cain with fear fixed forever on his brow, leading his unhappy band through a wilderness, that dark and mysterious “land of Nod” wherein the Bible tells us that he dwelled.”
The Bible and its Story, Volume 1: The Law, Genesis to Leviticus Bewer, Julius; Horne, Charles
In Matthew 17, an amazing thing happens. Centuries ago four men head up to a high mountain where they came upon a situation that brought about wonder, deep reverence, and distress. While three of them were among themselves, the fourth one transformed into a being of a glorified appearance. Specifically, the man’s face emitted an intense shine like the sun. The man’s clothing became white as light. That man was Jesus the Messiah, the son of the Most High God.
Thereafter, two additional men who were once dead from thousands of years ago appeared with Jesus. To speak with Him, those men were Moses and Elijah. The two men that were speaking with Jesus as He was transformed into His glorified state. Who had his attention while a bright cloud appeared among them.
It was a cloud that appeared also among Jesus’ apostles as they were concerned about shelter and safety on the mountain where the encounter occurred. It was a cloud from which the Voice of YHWH spoke. The voice with a message to the negligent and reckless, “Listen to Him.” As the living God gave His reason; He was and is well-pleased with Jesus. By infinite wisdom and grace, it was a message to listen. A message from the living God about the man whose face shone like the sun. Listen to Him.
The winnowing fork in Matt 3:11-12 refers to the separation of both the repentant and the unrepentant. In my study today, it occurred to me that the chaff thrown into the unquenchable fire is the unrepentant. The unquenchable fire is not temporary as by baptism, but a “fire” everlasting.
Those who repent and trust in him will receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:16-21), while the unrepentant will receive the judgment of eternal fire, and even the repentant may undergo purifying fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” -Mt 3:11-12
The Lord (YHWH) is the name of elō·hîm (God). Elohim is plural for God; namely the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. YHWH is a Him who is three that bears one name elō·hîm among many others. So it appears from personal study, but there are other perspectives also.
Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.
LORD: 3068. יהוה YHWH (i.e. יְהוָֹה Yehovah or יַהְוֶה Yahweh) (217d); from 1933b; the proper name of the God of Israel:—GOD(314), LORD(6399), LORDS(111).
Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.
(1) Proper names: El, Yahweh, Adonai, Theos, Kurios (God). (2) Personal names: Father, Abba, Son, Jesus, Holy Spirit. (3) Titles: Creator, Messiah/Christ, Paraclete/Comforter. (4) Essential names: Light, Love, Spirit. (5) Descriptive names: Rock, Ba’al, Master, Rabboni, Shepherd. (6) Attributes: names of virtues or characteristics of the triune God-head.
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 881). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
El in the OT is used particularly in the earlier books, where it describes God’s exercising dynamic power as distinguished from authority. El speaks of God as the great doer and producer. He is the One who exercises such power that whatever is made, done, kept, or destroyed is his doing (cf. Ex 15). El is also used to express the idea that God is not to be identified as part of creation but as the One who is above, behind, and beyond creation (Ps 19:1). In relation to man, the crown of creation, God as El is totally other (Ez 28:2; Hos 11:9).
Elohim is also commonly used as the name of God, occurring over 2500 times in the OT. There are differences of opinion concerning the exact origin and meaning of this plural name. Some have suggested that Elohim is the plural form of El, but it seems more likely that it is a plural of Eloah, which appears in the poetical writings. Some critical writers have suggested that this plural form is borrowed from pagan polytheistic sources; but no such plural form is found among pagans as the name of a deity. Others have suggested that the plural form is used to indicate the triune nature of God, and support for this has been seen in the use of a singular verb with this plural noun. The biblical doctrine of the Trinity, as it is developed throughout the Scriptures, does not appear to be based on the use of this plural form of God’s name, even though the two positions are not contradictory.
The plural form, Elohim, is best understood as expressing intensity. God makes himself known by this name as the Lord of intense and extensive glory and richness as he exercises his preeminence and power in the created cosmos. Hence, when the Scripture speaks of creation, it states, “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth” (Gn 1:1). This name is repeated 35 times in Genesis 1 and 2 in connection with God’s power revealed in creation. In the Book of Deuteronomy the name Elohim is used repeatedly to stress the majestic power of God which was shown in Israel’s release from bondage in Egypt, her preservation in the wilderness, and her preparation for entrance into the Promised Land. In this context, God (Elohim) is also recognized as the lawgiver who will powerfully execute judgment on covenant-breakers. The psalmists also used this name repeatedly as they acknowledged and praised God the majestic ruler who had demonstrated his omnipotence in many dimensions of life (see Ps 68, in which Elohim appears 26 times.)
Evangelical scholars such as A. Juke and G. Campbell Morgan have interpreted Elohim as an expression of God’s covenant relationship with his people. They point to the use of Elohim when God spoke to Abraham and said he would be Elohim to the patriarch and his seed, that is, God would be in a covenant relationship to them (Gn 17:1–8). Included in this relationship is the idea that God is ever ready to use his power on behalf of those who are in covenant with him. Thus Elohim also expresses the concept of God’s faithfulness in regard to the covenant and the promises and blessings involved in it.
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 881–882). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House..
Yahweh (Joseph). Yahweh is a distinctly proper name of God. It is never used to refer to any pagan gods; neither is it used in regard to men. It appears 6823 times in the OT, occurring first in Genesis 2:4, where it is joined with Elohim. Yahweh is used 164 times in Genesis, and it appears 1800 times in Exodus through Joshua. It never appears in a declined form in the Hebrew language, and it never occurs in the plural form or with suffixes. It is abbreviated as Yah and Yahu (cf. Ex 15:2; Ps 68:4; Is 12:2, etc.).
The exact meaning of the name “Yahweh” is difficult to determine. Some have sought the root in the verb hayah (“to be”) or in an ancient form of that same verb hawah. There is no agreement as to whether or not the qal or hiphil form of the verb should be considered as the root. Those who opt for the hiphil form read Yahweh to mean, “cause to be”; thus Exodus 3:14 would read, “I will cause to be what has come to be.” Others look to the qal form and then translate the name as “I Am” or “I Shall Be.” Still others are inclined to disassociate the name from the verb hayah and regard it as an original and independent term, expressing the uniqueness of Israel’s gracious God.
Translators of the OT have not agreed upon the correct translation of the name “Yahweh.” Since it is translated into the Greek as kurios, which means “Lord,” many have rendered Yahweh as “Lord.” But “Adonai,” which is best rendered “Lord,” appears with Yahweh in various instances. The KJV, for example, translates “Yahweh” as “God,” and “Adonai” as “Lord.” Many modern translators have chosen to use Yahweh. The name “Jehovah,” as used in the ARV (1901) is judged unacceptable. This name arose due to the Jewish practice of not pronouncing Yahweh because of Leviticus 24:16, “He that names the name of Yahweh shall surely be put to death.” This warning against a vain or blasphemous use of the name was taken in an absolute sense, especially after Israel’s deportation (cf. Am 6:10). Hence, when reading the OT the Jews substituted either Elohim or Adonai for Yahweh. From this, the practice of adding the vowels of Adonai to YHWH (JeHoWaH) became established.
An interesting question is whether Yahweh was used initially in a specifically geographical area. Some scholars have concluded that Moses first learned of the god called Yahweh while in the desert of Midian. Later it became the name used of the god worshiped in southern Canaan, that is, the area of Judah and Simeon. These scholars posit that Elohim was the name used in northern Canaan. They also suggest that each area developed its own religious traditions and wrote its “records of religious beliefs,” each employing the divine name in use in its respective area. Later, when the nation of Israel was united, the two documents were joined, and the names “Yahweh” and “Elohim” were both used to refer to their common god. This view of the origin and use of the names of God finds no basis in the text of the OT. Both names are used in unique combinations and are also shown to have been known and used long before the time of the exodus. Abraham, for example, spoke of lifting his hand to Yahweh, El Elyon (Gn 14:19–22), and Abraham and Isaac built altars to Yahweh and called on his name (13:4; 26:25).
The interpretation of Exodus 6:2, 3 has caused much debate. “And God said to Moses, ‘I am Yahweh; I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as El Shaddai, but by my name Yahweh I did not make myself known to them.’ ” This passage has been understood to mean that the name Yahweh was not known or used prior to the time of Moses. But that is not what the passage states; rather it speaks of the patriarchs not knowing God as Yahweh. They knew him as El Shaddai in actual revelatory historical deeds. They had not come to know God according to his unique character, that is, as Yahweh. In other words, God had always been Yahweh; he is saying to Moses that the descendants of the patriarchs would come to know the full rich meaning of the name by the way God dealt with them.
This name “Yahweh” reveals God’s nature in the highest and fullest sense possible. It includes, or presupposes, the meaning of the other names. Yahweh particularly stresses the absolute faithfulness of God. God had promised the patriarchs that he would be their God, that he would be with them, would deliver and bless them, keep them, and give them a land as a place of service and inheritance. Moses is told by God that Israel is about to behold and experience the unchangeableness of God as he steadfastly and wondrously remembers his word and executes it to the fullest degree. God would prove to be a faithful, redeeming, upholding, restoring God. In working out this redemption, God would demonstrate that he is all that his name implies: merciful, gracious, patient, full of loving-kindness, truthful, faithful, forgiving, just, and righteous (Ex 34:5, 6). Truly, Jacob had received an insight into the meaning of the name when he exclaimed, “I wait for thy salvation, O Yahweh” (Gn 49:18).
Yahweh, then, is the name par excellence of Israel’s God. As Yahweh, he is a faithful covenant God who, having given his Word of love and life, keeps that Word by bestowing love and life abundantly on his own.
In view of the richness of the name Yahweh, it can be understood why there were stringent rules regarding its proper use (Lv 24:11, 16). It also explains why thankful, rejoicing, worshiping Israelites used the abbreviated form of Yahweh in song when they sang Hallelujah: “Praise Yah” (Pss 104:35; 106:1; 149:1; 150:1).
Yahweh is used in a number of phrases which are considered names of or ascriptions of God. The most common of these compound names is Yahweh Sabaoth (“hosts”). The word “hosts” is used very frequently in the Pentateuch to refer to the armies of Israel (cf. e.g., Nm 10:14–28). This is because the word is derived from the verb saba which means “to wage” war. It also means “to serve” in some contexts; for example, Numbers 8:24 clearly has reference to the service performed in the tabernacle. The noun sabaoth first occurs in Genesis 2:1, where it refers to the many components of the earth and heaven. Some would limit the reference in these contexts to the stars. Still others would suggest that the sabaoth refers to the angels, appealing to Psalm 33:6 for confirmation.
The compound name, Yahweh Sabaoth first appears in 1 Samuel 1:3. In view of the frequent use of sabaoth in 1 and 2 Samuel to refer to armies (1 Sm 12:9; 14:50; 17:55; 2 Sm 2:8; 8:16; 10:16, etc.), it is thought that the compound name refers to Yahweh as the God of armies, that is, God has his armies to serve him. These are considered to be armies of angels who are ministering servants to God. It has been correctly pointed out that the compound name, Yahweh Sabaoth, is used most frequently by the prophets (Jeremiah 88 times, Zechariah 55 times, Malachi 25 times, Haggai 14 times) at times when God’s people had either suffered defeat at the hands of enemy armies or were threatened by defeat. So the compound name was used to remind them that their covenant God had great hosts to fight and work for him on behalf of his people. Thus, though Israel’s armies failed, their covenant God was sufficient for every possible circumstance. And it was to this Yahweh Sabaoth that Israel’s commanders were to give allegiance (Jos 5:14, 15), and in whose name Israel was blessed (2 Sm 6:18).
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 883–884). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
There was a recent posting on a familiar blog site about how to know God’s will. It was in reference to George Mueller’s outline about how to understand, discern, or follow God’s will. In faith, once it is understood, recognized, or accepted.
How to know God’s will for you:
1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s Will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3. I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
4. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.
6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.
Further interest in the amazing life of George Mueller is in this podcast:
