Critics of the greater hope have often asked some similar question to this. If everyone is saved, then why would the wicked want to leave their wickedness? Or, hey, let’s party on. Everything’s gonna work out!
First, I want to address the misconception that Universalists teach there is no Lake of Fire, no judgment, nothing to fear, God is only cuddly love and will bring everyone safely into the comfort of his embrace.
The only thing about judgment that Christian Universalists disagree with is its eternality!
Ps 94:10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
God is in the business of chastening all those He loves. Look around you, everyone is getting chastening even now in this life. Chastening takes on many forms, sickness, weakness, frustration, heartache, wounds, loss, even death. Family issues, imprisonment, war, the list goes on and on. Some turn at God’s reproofs, others don’t. When we turn to Him we begin to get to know Him. This is aionios life. Some will go to the final reproof of the grave where they will come face to face with the reality of their own foolishness. It appears that some will have a change of heart, just like Jonah did. Just like the rich man, but then they must serve their time. Mt 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. When they have paid the uttermost farthing, the implication here is, they shall come out. They were objects of wrath. They went through the discipline necessary to shape their free wills to choose to willingly submit to Jesus, who has saved them, though as if by fire.
God not only judges the wicked, but he also judges the believers. Ah, this we don’t like to hear but it is true. God is no respector of persons. Ac 10:34
2Co 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.
1Sa 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
Re 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
1Pe 4:17 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?
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
God forbid that we should take lightly God’s warnings of judgment, only because they aren’t infinite! What foolishness that would be!
God’s judgments are right and just. He disciplines the son in whom he delights. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.God’s judgments are real, they are fearsome, they are a form of encouragement to good works, but more so for those who believe than those who don’t. When we preach the contradictory message of an unchanging God of Love who will one day hate most of His children, we give excuse to many to not believe and benefit from the laws of God. God does not need our help in motivating sinners to come to Him by adding to His word, making His judgments infinite when they are proportioned to the sin.
Lu 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Christian, if these words are disconcerting to you, cheer up, after you are judged for your deeds you will be delivered into perfection in Christ. Now does this make you want to indulge in a life style that is displeasing to God? Or would this encourage you to be obedient and share the Good News with others?
Those who truly know Him, have a greater hope. If we judge ourselves, we shall not be judged. If we die to ourselves we shall experience the fullest life. If we forgive everyone who has offended us, we shall be forgiven. If we do not deny Him before men, He will not deny us before His father.
If we serve the Lord out of fear, our service will not bring the joy and peace that serving Him brings when it is motivated by love. Perfect love casts out fear. The child who willingly serves a good father out of love, has joy and peace but no fear, whereas a child who serves His father out of fear, has no peace or joy. Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.. If we serve our heavenly Father motivated by love, we enter the Kingdom, we receive the rewards of righteousness, peace and joy, but if we serve Him out of fear, where are we? 1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We consequently remain in torment when motivated by fear. When we know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Paul The Apostle Is A Universalist
Did you know that Paul, the apostle, in all his extensive writings to the church, never once warns about or teaches about eternal damnation? Yet, he says, Ac 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. How can this be?
Was Paul momentarily uninspired? ... No! Paul is a Universalist.
Ro 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (KJV)
Some who were defending the concept of eternal torment have responded to this verse by saying, "It's a gift and gifts have to be received." Perhaps that works for you?
That does seem to give a little wiggle room to the powerful teaching found in Rom 5, however, you'll notice the words in the KJV are in italics. The translators have put the words in italics to help the reader to know that those words are not in the Greek text, but are simply added to help the English flow. That's why Young's Literal Translation reads like this:
Ro 5:18 So, then, as through one offence to all men it is to condemnation, so also through one declaration of `Righteous' it is to all men to justification of life; (YLT)
This is crystal clear, and if you read the whole chapter, it is evident that God does all the work for us while we were yet enemies. He died for the ungodly, and that wherever sin abounds, grace MUCH MORE abounds.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
What was purchased? The whole field! According to Jesus. but Paul said:
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Was Paul momentarily uninspired? ... No! Paul is a Universalist.
Ro 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (KJV)
Some who were defending the concept of eternal torment have responded to this verse by saying, "It's a gift and gifts have to be received." Perhaps that works for you?
That does seem to give a little wiggle room to the powerful teaching found in Rom 5, however, you'll notice the words in the KJV are in italics. The translators have put the words in italics to help the reader to know that those words are not in the Greek text, but are simply added to help the English flow. That's why Young's Literal Translation reads like this:
Ro 5:18 So, then, as through one offence to all men it is to condemnation, so also through one declaration of `Righteous' it is to all men to justification of life; (YLT)
This is crystal clear, and if you read the whole chapter, it is evident that God does all the work for us while we were yet enemies. He died for the ungodly, and that wherever sin abounds, grace MUCH MORE abounds.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
What was purchased? The whole field! According to Jesus. but Paul said:
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Have We Lost Our Moral Sense?
Ro 2:14 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:
15 Which shew 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;)
God has placed in each of us a moral sense of what is right and what is wrong. Our moral sense tells us that to endlessly torment anyone is cruelty without purpose or benefit. It would be vindictive and hateful. Punishment is morally good only when it's designed to bring benefit to the afflicted. Anything else falls short of love. It is impossible to justify infinite punishment for any crime committed by a finite being, in a finite existence. This contradicts the very meaning of justify. For an accountants books to be justified, they must equal debits with credits. They must balance. Infinity can never be balanced with anything finite. Not even with everything finite combined. There can be no justice in infinite punishment inflicted for any amount of finite crimes. This would defy our moral sense if we still have one.
The advocates of endless evil evade the great moral issues. They will not face the question of the utter injustice of visiting finite guilt with an infinite penalty. They prefer to observe a discreet silence. They practically ignore the clear evidence of experts, which shows that moderate penalties are far more effective in repressing crime, and reforming the sinner, than are excessive punishments. They will not meet the arguments, which prove that the true conception of penalty is one, which, recognizing the need of retribution, yet lays the chief stress on its reformatory character.
They, in fact, substitute the "Great Taskmaster" for "Our Father," thereby obscuring, nay, almost denying, the fundamental fact of Christianity. They are strangely blind to the Vital question of the dualism virtually involved in teaching eternal evil. They do not seem aware that so to teach is to proclaim the defeat of Jesus Christ. They forget how indefensible is a dogma which, in fact, divides God into two Beings, which represents the unchanging One as changing from love here, to wrath hereafter. They have never explained when God Who "so loved the world" has ceased to love it, or how such a change is possible to Him, Who never can change. They attempt no answer when the moral degradation is pointed out, which a heaven involves, where we are to rejoice while our dear ones, or our fellowmen, for ever agonize. They are dumb, when asked to explain how sympathy can expire at the very gate of heaven; or how, if sympathy with the lost survive, the Blessed can know a moment's true joy. They do not explain how a process of degradation in hell can be endless: how moral rottenness can share the dignity of immortality: or how God can go on punishing His own children for ever, when all hope of amendment is past. They will not face the awful difficulty involved in God's free creation, in His own image, of myriads whom such a doom as hell to His certain knowledge awaits, They evade the difficulty, no less great, of conceiving a God, Who is Love, as watching to all eternity, unmoved and unloving, the agonies of His own children. They will not tell us why the savage is wrong, who mutilates his body to please his God; and the Christian is right, who mutilates his moral sense, his noblest part, by calling those acts good in God which he loathes in his fellowman.
This list, incomplete as it is, is sufficient to explain why those who would gladly, yet dare not, remain silent. God's honor is at stake: God's truth is at stake, when, in place of the Gospel, horrors are taught that especially wound that which is best within us, horrors that contradict alike man's conscience, primitive Christianity, and the express teaching of Holy Scripture. – Thomas Allin from “Christ Triumphant Universalism Asserted”
Look around you, I speak to thoughtful listeners. What is the fruit of the modern gospel? Where is the power of God today? Is it in the mega gatherings? Is it in the televangelists mansions? Is it in the multitudes of little gatherings dotting our land? Is it quenched because we are all preaching a false concept of God derived from tradition and from misleading translations of His life giving Word? How many preachers and pastors today are trapped in a pseudo spiritual existence for fear of losing their positions? These are not free to cross the tide of popular dogma. Unfortunately for them, the price is too high to even consider going there. So we perpetuate the myth of "eternal" hell, despite the insult it brings to the character of Jesus Christ and with no regard for the damage it brings to the coherency of the Word of God.
15 Which shew 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;)
God has placed in each of us a moral sense of what is right and what is wrong. Our moral sense tells us that to endlessly torment anyone is cruelty without purpose or benefit. It would be vindictive and hateful. Punishment is morally good only when it's designed to bring benefit to the afflicted. Anything else falls short of love. It is impossible to justify infinite punishment for any crime committed by a finite being, in a finite existence. This contradicts the very meaning of justify. For an accountants books to be justified, they must equal debits with credits. They must balance. Infinity can never be balanced with anything finite. Not even with everything finite combined. There can be no justice in infinite punishment inflicted for any amount of finite crimes. This would defy our moral sense if we still have one.
The advocates of endless evil evade the great moral issues. They will not face the question of the utter injustice of visiting finite guilt with an infinite penalty. They prefer to observe a discreet silence. They practically ignore the clear evidence of experts, which shows that moderate penalties are far more effective in repressing crime, and reforming the sinner, than are excessive punishments. They will not meet the arguments, which prove that the true conception of penalty is one, which, recognizing the need of retribution, yet lays the chief stress on its reformatory character.
They, in fact, substitute the "Great Taskmaster" for "Our Father," thereby obscuring, nay, almost denying, the fundamental fact of Christianity. They are strangely blind to the Vital question of the dualism virtually involved in teaching eternal evil. They do not seem aware that so to teach is to proclaim the defeat of Jesus Christ. They forget how indefensible is a dogma which, in fact, divides God into two Beings, which represents the unchanging One as changing from love here, to wrath hereafter. They have never explained when God Who "so loved the world" has ceased to love it, or how such a change is possible to Him, Who never can change. They attempt no answer when the moral degradation is pointed out, which a heaven involves, where we are to rejoice while our dear ones, or our fellowmen, for ever agonize. They are dumb, when asked to explain how sympathy can expire at the very gate of heaven; or how, if sympathy with the lost survive, the Blessed can know a moment's true joy. They do not explain how a process of degradation in hell can be endless: how moral rottenness can share the dignity of immortality: or how God can go on punishing His own children for ever, when all hope of amendment is past. They will not face the awful difficulty involved in God's free creation, in His own image, of myriads whom such a doom as hell to His certain knowledge awaits, They evade the difficulty, no less great, of conceiving a God, Who is Love, as watching to all eternity, unmoved and unloving, the agonies of His own children. They will not tell us why the savage is wrong, who mutilates his body to please his God; and the Christian is right, who mutilates his moral sense, his noblest part, by calling those acts good in God which he loathes in his fellowman.
This list, incomplete as it is, is sufficient to explain why those who would gladly, yet dare not, remain silent. God's honor is at stake: God's truth is at stake, when, in place of the Gospel, horrors are taught that especially wound that which is best within us, horrors that contradict alike man's conscience, primitive Christianity, and the express teaching of Holy Scripture. – Thomas Allin from “Christ Triumphant Universalism Asserted”
Look around you, I speak to thoughtful listeners. What is the fruit of the modern gospel? Where is the power of God today? Is it in the mega gatherings? Is it in the televangelists mansions? Is it in the multitudes of little gatherings dotting our land? Is it quenched because we are all preaching a false concept of God derived from tradition and from misleading translations of His life giving Word? How many preachers and pastors today are trapped in a pseudo spiritual existence for fear of losing their positions? These are not free to cross the tide of popular dogma. Unfortunately for them, the price is too high to even consider going there. So we perpetuate the myth of "eternal" hell, despite the insult it brings to the character of Jesus Christ and with no regard for the damage it brings to the coherency of the Word of God.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Unchangeable Love of God
God is unchangeably love. Therefore, in judgment He is love, in wrath He is love, in vengeance He is love-"love first, and last, and midst, and without end."
– Thomas Allin
(In the following paragraph, I have paraphrased Thomas Allin's nineteenth century words.)
There is nothing in the Universe stronger than love. Nothing more awesome; more relentless, yet tender. When love is seen in its true colors, there remains no excuse for the very common mistake of placing sin at the center of our moral system rather than grace. True! Judgment is still a real and valid truth, in fact it is a vital truth on which true Universalism is based, but Love is a greater truth that dominates the whole system. Therefore, it is imperative that we don’t “put the cart before the horse”. God’s Love is always the guiding force behind His judgment. Therefore punishment can't be endless.
Ro 5:20 ... But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
– Thomas Allin
(In the following paragraph, I have paraphrased Thomas Allin's nineteenth century words.)
There is nothing in the Universe stronger than love. Nothing more awesome; more relentless, yet tender. When love is seen in its true colors, there remains no excuse for the very common mistake of placing sin at the center of our moral system rather than grace. True! Judgment is still a real and valid truth, in fact it is a vital truth on which true Universalism is based, but Love is a greater truth that dominates the whole system. Therefore, it is imperative that we don’t “put the cart before the horse”. God’s Love is always the guiding force behind His judgment. Therefore punishment can't be endless.
Ro 5:20 ... But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A Sobering Thought
"Suppose it were offered to the father of three children to take his choice whether two should be received into heaven and one condemned to hell, or the whole should be annihilated in death. What would a parent say? Where is the father who would dare to secure the bliss of two children at the cost of the endless misery of one? Which of the family would he select as the victim, whose undying pain should secure his brother's immortal joy? Is there any one living who would not suffer himself and his children to sink back again into nothingness, rather than purchase heaven at such a price? Now, if so, if we should so act in the case of our own children, we are bound morally to make the same choice with respect to every one. No moral being would consent to purchase eternal happiness at the price of another's eternal woe. Hence it follows that a future life, on the popular view, is an evil to the human race, not to the wicked, but to all. For if annihilation of the whole race should be tendered as the alternative, no moral being could, as has been shown, refuse to accept it." - BARLOW, Eternal Punishment.
How can it be said that God the Father, whose very essence is agape love, has planned such an unloving act that has no redeeming good whatever?
What attribute in man would cause him to cling to such a belief in the face of the powerful Scriptural evidence against it? What attribute in man would cause him to refuse to view the evidence against eternal damnation dogma? What attribute would cause one to become agitated and irritated when confronted with biblical evidence against the prevailing, but awful belief?
What???
How can it be said that God the Father, whose very essence is agape love, has planned such an unloving act that has no redeeming good whatever?
What attribute in man would cause him to cling to such a belief in the face of the powerful Scriptural evidence against it? What attribute in man would cause him to refuse to view the evidence against eternal damnation dogma? What attribute would cause one to become agitated and irritated when confronted with biblical evidence against the prevailing, but awful belief?
What???
Did Jesus Accomplish His Father's Will?
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Mt 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
1Jo 4:14 ¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
How do we justify the contradiction that the popular dogma of eternal damnation brings to these clear statements of God’s word?
If our understanding be that wide is the road that leads to destruction is talking about eternal damnation, then Jesus failed in accomplishing the will of His Father. Far from saving the lost, far from saving the world, He is depicted as only managing to eek out a very small minority of all mankind. How can this be construed as a victory? In this false picture, Satan is the clear winner, and now evil will never be eradicated but rather perpetuated to remain endlessly. No, this is not the true picture that God’s word teaches. God is omnipotent. God is Love. God will accomplish His will. Jesus did finish the work. It is due time we testify of the truth of God’s glory and stop presenting Him as a loser. It is not Gods will that a single person should perish and He will do all His will.
1Ti 4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Mt 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
1Jo 4:14 ¶ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.Joh 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
How do we justify the contradiction that the popular dogma of eternal damnation brings to these clear statements of God’s word?
If our understanding be that wide is the road that leads to destruction is talking about eternal damnation, then Jesus failed in accomplishing the will of His Father. Far from saving the lost, far from saving the world, He is depicted as only managing to eek out a very small minority of all mankind. How can this be construed as a victory? In this false picture, Satan is the clear winner, and now evil will never be eradicated but rather perpetuated to remain endlessly. No, this is not the true picture that God’s word teaches. God is omnipotent. God is Love. God will accomplish His will. Jesus did finish the work. It is due time we testify of the truth of God’s glory and stop presenting Him as a loser. It is not Gods will that a single person should perish and He will do all His will.
1Ti 4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Unchangeableness of God
"If God be unchangeable, then what we see- of Him at any moment, must be true of Him at every moment of time; true of Him also both before and after all the moments of time; always and for ever true of Him. If His purpose be to save mankind, that purpose stands firm for ever, unaffected by man's sin, unshaken by the fact of death, unaltered and unalterable by men, by angels, by naught conceivable." - Salv. Mundi.
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