NO. 748: “CALL HIS NAME JESUS”

No. 748

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)

The more intimately we know our dear Redeemer in the light of the Scriptures the more we will appreciate Him, love Him and seek to copy Him. No other life than His could withstand such continual and close scrutiny and still always be full of fresh revelations of moral dignity and character. Any other life similarly studied and criticized would reveal weakness, sin and degradation.

Of the four Gospels, only John’s account attempts to trace our Lord’s genealogy to the heavenly source, and to show us that before He was made flesh He was a spirit being with the Father and a sharer of His glory – a god with the God. But all of the Bible Evangelists clearly state that He was “made flesh.” (John 1:14) He did not remain a spirit being and merely assume flesh as clothing in which to appear to men. However explainable, the life power of the spirit being, the Logos, became the life power of the human being, born of a woman and under the Law, subject to all the conditions and circumstances of the Jews.

Matthew traces Joseph’s genealogy, although the Bible statement is clear that Jesus was not the son of Joseph. Nevertheless, being adopted by him as his son, Jesus might properly inherit through him. Luke shows the genealogy of Mary, through whom our Lord was actually related to our race in the fleshly sense and to the royal family of David, through the line of Nathan. (See Studies in the Scriptures, Volume V, Chapter 6.)

We know that December 25th is not the actual anniversary of the Savior’s birth. It is more likely around the anniversary of the annunciation by the angel Gabriel of His conception, our Lord being born nine months later, or about the first of October. Because His birth, death and resurrection mean so much to the human family, He may be celebrated any day, every day, by all who appreciate what He has done for the human race. With rejoicing hearts, we gladly join the majority of Christian people in celebrating our Lord’s birth in December.

THE DIVINELY ARRANGED TIME

Divine wisdom evidently arranged the world’s affairs in preparation for our Lord’s birth, the time being an auspicious one in several respects. The spirit of world-conquering that began with Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom had brought the various families or nations of mankind into closer contact with each other, broadening their ideas. This resulted in the transplanting of peoples from one land to another, thus making them more cosmopolitan in their sentiments.

Israel and Judah, transplanted in their captivity to Babylon, became so attached to the new environment there that comparatively few of them availed themselves of the offer of Cyrus to return to their own land. The Jews living among the Gentiles were by no means lost and had not entirely abandoned their hopes in the Abrahamic Covenant nor their faithfulness to the Mosaic Law. However, they were lax in these matters and filled with a love of gain and ease and did not cultivate the spirit of “Israelites indeed.” Nevertheless, they were influential in the nations where they dwelt, bearing witness to the hopes of Israel in the one God and in a coming Messiah, the Son of God, to be the world’s Deliverer.

The triumph for a time of the Greek Empire had produced a highly developed literature – the Greek language had reached its zenith, and was the literary language of the civilized world. The Roman Empire had conquered the world and was at the height of its power. As a result there was a time of universal peace, making it a more favorable time than any before it for the announcement of the Gospel and its spread from nation to nation. Israel itself had probably reached its highest intellectual, moral, and religious development. Additionally, the Scriptures state that “the people were in expectation” of the Messiah’s coming. (Luke 3:15)

It was just at this divinely arranged time that the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, issued his decree regarding the taxing of his worldwide empire. (Luke 2:1) The decree was not merely an assessment of taxes, but rather a census, or enrollment for taxation. Unlike the present custom, every male citizen was then required to report himself to the headquarters of his own family line. It was for this reason that Joseph came to Bethlehem with Mary, his espoused wife and the mother of Jesus. It was their native or family city, for they were both of the house of David (although through different lines), and Bethlehem was “the city of David.” (Luke 2:4-5) Thus by a decree over which they had no control whatever, providence brought Joseph and Mary to the very city most appropriate for the birth of the great heir of David, as had been foretold by the Prophet: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

Our faith is strengthened when we note how divine providence prepared for our Savior’s birth and the sending forth of the Gospel message. When we realize God’s care in the past over even the smallest details connected with the birth of our Savior, it gives us confidence in the future features of His plan – the fulfilment of all the exceeding great and precious promises centered in He who was born in Bethlehem. As the Apostle Paul stated, God loved us while we were yet sinners by making such careful provision for our redemption, and we may have confidence in His love and in His providential care, that according to His promise all things will work together for good to them that love Him. (Rom. 5:8; Rom. 8:28)

The same decree that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem brought many others of the numerous family of David, and as the inns of that time were comparatively limited, it was not unusual that the inn proper was full when Joseph and Mary arrived. In fact, it was customary then for many travelers to carry with them their own lodging necessities for use in the courtyards connected with the inns. Hence the experiences of Joseph and Mary were by no means remarkable and it is not surprising that a manger became Jesus’ cradle.

In Bethlehem there is today a certain grotto that is claimed to be the stable where Jesus was born. A Catholic church has been erected over this site, and various ceremonies are continually performed there. We feel little sympathy with such ceremonies, believing them to be in the nature of idolatry. The center of our interest is not the place of our Savior’s birth, the manger where He was laid, the ground He trod or His holy mother, although we reverence His life in the flesh and all circum­stances related to it, especially His experiences from the time of His consecration to His death.

Our greater interest is in our risen Lord, the spiritual One, far above manhood, far above angels, principalities and powers and every name that is named – next to the Father, and exalted to His right hand of power. (Eph. 1:20-21) The Apostle voices this sentiment well, saying, “Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” (2 Cor. 5:16) Our knowledge of Him as the risen and glorified Lord and Savior thoroughly outshines all of our interest in His earthly life, although His earthly life is interesting and profitable to us.

MESSAGE FIRST TO SHEPHERDS

As was the custom at that time, shepherds were with their flocks in the area that night, guarding them against thieves and wild beasts: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8) Although the shepherds would not be considered well educated, their occupation doubtless afforded them time for reflection and thought. The shepherd David, honored by God as king of His typical kingdom, was a great poet, and evidently much of his time while shepherding was given to poetry. One of his most beautiful poems portrays God Himself as the Shepherd of His flock – His people. (Psalm 23) The shepherds to whom the Lord sent the first message about His Son made flesh were likely familiar with David’s Psalms and with the Messianic hopes they contained.

The fear engendered in the shepherds at the appearance of an angel is simply and beautifully described: “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” (Luke 2:9) All mankind is more or less instinctively afraid of the supernatural: the very thought of being in the presence of holy angels naturally would bring trepidation. This is proper and natural, for most rational people realize their own imperfections and fear falling short if divine justice were to be applied to their own affairs. They seem instinctively to realize their need for divine mercy.

It is understandable that beholding the heavenly visitor frightened the shepherds, but his message was not one of condemnation but of divine mercy: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) Joy no doubt took the place of fear in their hearts as they heard the gracious words, and since that day it has been the same with all who have heard this true Gospel message and have comprehended it.

The angel further explained, showing the basis for the great Gospel message: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) The “good tidings of great joy” would come to pass because the Messiah so long looked for in Israel had been born. Not only would Israel be blessed and exalted to honor by this promised seed of Abraham, but also “all the families of the earth” would be blessed. (Gen. 28:14)

Then the angel told the shepherds of the humble conditions of this great King’s birth into the world: “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) This was to help them to identify Jesus, but it also refocused their thoughts from the grand results of salvation to its humble beginnings, lest they should be misled in their expectations. As with every part of the Divine Plan, we should not only tell of the future glory and greatness, but we are to tell also of the preceding sacrifice and humiliation, not only of our Savior, but also of His footstep followers.

After the one angel delivered the good tidings of great joy, he was joined by an angelic host in a fitting climax: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-14)

Note the order of the heavenly message. First, there is the grand pronouncement of divine favor and blessing that will ultimately extend to all mankind. Then there is the specific explanation of how all this is to be accomplished – through a Savior, a Deliverer, who will deliver His people from death, the wages of sin, into eternal life and blessing. But as our opening text states, He must first of all save them from their sins. From other Scriptures we see that this salvation from sin signifies not only the payment on our behalf of the penalty for Adamic sin, but it also includes man’s subsequent instruction in righteousness, lifting out of sin all who are willing. (Isa. 26:9)

THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE MISUNDERSTOOD

The understanding of this message by many of God’s people throughout the ages has been false and sad; few have heard it and gladly appreciated it. How remarkable that nearly all of the different churches and their thousands of clergy and hundreds of thousands of Sunday school teachers have united in completely contradicting the message of the angels, a contradiction which not only injures their own minds and hearts, but also robs our dear Savior’s mission of most of its majesty. Further, it thoroughly dishonors and maligns the name of our gracious Heavenly Father by its misrepre­sentation of the salvation He has provided in Christ Jesus.

Some well-meaning but blinded Christians may be surprised and shocked at such a denunciation of the message they are delivering in the name of the gospel. The word “gospel” means “good tidings,” but instead of good tidings of great joy they are proclaiming bad tidings of eternal misery as the divine message and sentence passed on the vast majority of mankind. They likely are wholly unaware of how seriously they misrepresent the divine character and government in the message they spread. They misstate the Gospel, uninten­tionally out of blind­ness, the very blindness mentioned by the Apostle as originating with the great Adversary: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor. 4:3-4)

If all true Christians would study the message of the angel and see the depths of its significance, it would quickly revolutionize their teachings. But as our Lord declared, some of the deep things of the Divine Plan are hidden from many of those wise and prudent in worldly matters and are revealed only to the humble – the “babes.” (Matt. 11:25) Those who have their understanding even partly opened to the lengths and breadths, and heights and depths of God’s love will certainly rejoice that the ignorance of the world in general on this subject cannot continue forever; the opposition of the great Adversary who is blinding them cannot continue forever. “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.” (Isa. 29:18) Then all will see that the message of the angel was true. All will come to a knowledge of the Truth and have the opportunity for the grace, mercy and peace provided by the ransom-sacrifice of our Lord Jesus.

JESUS MEANS SAVIOR

When we teach of the grace to come to mankind, it should be coupled with the principle of salvation – the Savior was made flesh and His flesh was sacrificed for our sins. The glorified Savior will in due time reign with His Church, uplifting the world of mankind out of ignorance, superstition and general degradation. We should remember that our Lord’s name signifies Savior: “. . . thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)

How strange it is that anyone could refuse to see what the Scriptures plainly state – that God has provided through Christ that every member of the human family will have a full opportunity to relinquish sin, accept righteousness and attain everlasting life under the New Covenant. Further, the Scriptures state that any who will refuse to submit themselves to this righteous arrangement will be utterly destroyed from among the people. (Acts 3:23) None will be allowed to live in sin and opposition to God; God’s dominions will be unblemished. In no other way can there ever be full peace on earth among men. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” (Isa. 57:21)

The only solution offered by God for peace is the establishment of His Kingdom, for which our dear Redeemer taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10) That will mean peace in its fullest and most absolute sense. The Scriptural plan will not violate any individual’s will, but will merely offer to all through Christ an opportunity for everlasting blessing and peace. Those who fail to appreciate the divine offer will be cut off in the Second Death.

The shepherds who heard the message of God’s grace manifested their interest by visiting and paying their homage to the Savior. Likewise, each one who has heard of the grace of God with an appreciative heart can do nothing less than to seek the Lord, worshipping Him and serving His cause by sharing the glorious message. Let us each do so, that we may more and more increase in our hearts the joys of the Lord and our appreciation of His grand gospel.

A JOYFUL MESSAGE FOR THE SIN-SICK

There is great force and weight to St. Paul’s statement that the whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain, waiting for Messiah’s Kingdom and its long-promised blessings. (Rom. 8:19-22) Men may reason that there is no personal God, that there is merely a blind god of nature, an evolu­tionary force; nevertheless, deep down in their hearts, most believe there is a God. They almost unconsciously attribute to Him wisdom, justice and power, but few attribute to Him very much love or sympathy for humanity and its frailties.

Ironically, this intuitive knowledge of God is associated with the troubled condition of many human hearts. Deep down, the root of nearly every trouble is sin – disobedience to recognized principles of righteousness – and the fear of retribution and uncertainty as to what form it will take. This is true not only of many Christians, but frequently also true of others who have made no profession of faith.

This troubled heart condition is not always obvious. Sometimes the troubled heart seeks entertainment or sinful pleasure-seeking in an attempt to drown pain and grief. Some seek relief through alcohol or drugs; some resort to suicide. Sometimes the troubled one puts on a show, laughter and jokes masking a troubled heart. We can sympathize with these sorrow-laden hearts; we all walk through “the valley of the shadow of death.” Even if we are relatively untroubled ourselves, we are pained on behalf of others if we have a sympathetic nature.

We sooner or later realize the impotency of human sympathy. In our helplessness, we instinc­tively look to our Creator. In the hour of trouble remarkably few doubt the existence of God. But the heart of man fails when he looks to the Almighty for protection and considers divine justice and realizes his own weaknesses and shortcomings. How could he think that the Almighty would have interest in or care for such a worm of the dust as he feels himself to be? How could divine justice look with sympathy upon his history of selfishness?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” is the inspired message. (Prov. 9:10) Many surely experience this beginning of wisdom at some point in their life’s experience. But such fear is only the start of wisdom when it leads the fearful one to greater carefulness of living and to a desire for the Heavenly Father’s approval. Proper fear or reverence for the Almighty acts as a restraint upon sin. It tends to make one more thoughtful, more careful, and wiser.

“LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED”

Jesus had a message for those with troubled hearts: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1) Jesus addressed these words to Jews schooled in the divine requirements under the Law given by Moses. They believed in God; they recognized His justice; they desired to be His people. They knew Jesus and had traveled with Him as His disciples. They believed in Him in a general way and largely accepted Him as the promised Messiah, yet they found it difficult to express a fullness of faith.

We can hear Him deliver the same message to us today: You already believe in the Creator and His justice. You already desire to draw near to God. You already know that you are sinners, unworthy of eternal life. You have heard that He has sent His Son into the world as the Redeemer to provide for your recovery. You have heard that this is a manifestation of God’s love and sympathy for you. So now, “Believe also in me.”

The Father knows your heart troubles but He leaves the burden there until you appreciate its weight – until you are ready to cry to Him that you are sin-sick, weary, troubled, and above all, hungering and thirsting for righteousness and wish to be reconciled to Him. He has anticipated your needs, your longings, your necessities and He has already provided the Redeemer, who is mighty to save.

If divine justice is exacting to the last degree, believe that divine love, as represented in the Redeemer sent of God, is equally exhaustless, boundless – sufficient for all your needs. If you accept this divine arrangement through Christ, your heart troubles may be at an end. You will still have troubles of the flesh – weaknesses, aches and pains – but your heart will be joyful and happy in fellowship with the Father, through the Son.

HOW TO GET THE PEACE

Having heard of God and of Jesus and of the invitation to reconciliation, how do you proceed? To whom shall you go to gain the blessed assurance that your sins are forgiven, that you may “go and sin no more?” Which church shall you join? What clergy shall you consult?

We rejoice if you have come to this condition of seeking divine favor because, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matt. 7:7) Continue to seek and to knock and very soon the blessings will be yours, but first, make sure you are seeking the proper blessing. You want forgiveness of past sins and the assurance of divine love and care. You want the Heavenly Shepherd to take you for one of His sheep and look after your interests, both temporal and eternal. If so, you are seeking the very thing that God is pleased to give; many are seeking something else. They seek to maintain some of their own will while doing some of God’s will; they seek some sin and some righteousness. Unless they seek with purity of heart that which God is willing to give, they seek in vain.

None of us can claim God’s gifts on the grounds of justice or merit; all of His gifts are by grace. We cannot keep God’s perfect Law, not because it is too exacting, but because we are in a fallen condition. We were born in sin and “shapen iniquity.” (Psa. 51:5) However strong our will, our flesh is weak. God has made arrangement for this very condition during this Gospel Age. God’s gifts are open for the honest-hearted, the sincere penitents, the ones fully determined for righteousness.

No earthly priest or minister is needed; but as the Master said, go to the Father in secret, in private. (Matt. 6:6) Do not go in your own name or by your own merit, but in the merit of the Redeemer. Go as the Scriptures instruct, claiming Him as your advocate and appealing in His name for the forgiveness provided by divine mercy. “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1) “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)

In prayer tell your Father that you are sick of sin and desire His righteousness. Tell Him of your appreciation for the glorious qualities of His character and of your desire to be as much like that character as possible. Tell Him that you know you are unworthy of His consideration unless the merit of Jesus is imputed to you, covering your imperfection. Tell Him that by faith you present your all to Him, that the merit of Christ may be imputed to you. Tell Him that you desire to be a living sacrifice – to be faithful unto death to Him, to His message in the Bible, and to the brethren.

Those who follow this course, are no longer heart-troubled. They will have troubles from the world, the flesh and the Adversary, but nonetheless they can rejoice: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

THE SCRIPTURES MISUNDERSTOOD

Billions currently living have in no sense of the word been called by the Lord, and therefore have had no opportunity to answer that call. Considering that this same condition has prevailed for centuries, the hearts of God’s people should be very troubled at the thought that these untold billions would be doomed to eternal torture. This prevailing misunderstanding of Scripture has resulted in a broad rejection of everything related to Christian faith. After all, why would a benevolent creator expose billions to the risk of eternal torture without giving them the slightest opportunity to hear of the only means by which they might be saved from it? As the Apostle said, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14)

When we get the correct, Scriptural view, however, we see that the penalty upon those billions is this: “Thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:17) We also see the salvation that God has provided from that penalty: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Heb. 2:9) We see that there is a due time for the testimony of this salvation to reach the world: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

The coming blessings will rescue the human race from the condition of sin and death, providing an opportunity for rising out of degradation up to full perfection of nature and all that was lost through Adam’s disobedience. This work of divine grace is to be accomplished for the world during the Messianic Age, when Christ and the Elect Church will constitute God’s Kingdom, with power and great glory for the blessing of the world.

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This paper is based on Reprint 2555 and What Pastor Russell Wrote for the Overland Monthly, pages 179-182.

Write to us at: epiphanybiblestudents@gmail.com

NO. 747: GOD’S GLORY IN OUR MINDS AND BODIES

No. 747

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor. 6:20)

The assertion of this text seems astounding when applied to any member of the human race. Consider the insignificance of humanity, even at its best, when compared to the greatness, majesty and glory of our Creator. Given that none are righteous and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, in what way is it possible for any of our race to add to the honor, dignity and glory of the Heavenly Creator? (Rom. 3:10, 23)

Surely all would agree that if we possess the power to glorify the Creator, the duty to do so should be incumbent upon us. We live by His grace, hence all the pleasures which we have received or may yet receive are among the blessings that come down from above. Our very existence and all that we enjoy of sustenance and material comforts, the beauties of nature and the fellowship of family and friends are ours by the provision of our Creator. As the Apostle declares, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (Jas. 1:17)

We should all feel the responsibility to make some return to the one who has provided so bountifully for our needs. Even though the conditions of this present time are far from perfect, far from satisfactory to the Lord Himself, He has promised us new conditions, a new heavens and a new earth – new arrangements both of government and society. (Isa. 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13)

Our opening text, like all the Scriptures, is addressed not to the world in general but to the household of faith. Although spoken specifically to the Church, it also applies to all consecrated believers. Nevertheless, it may be beneficial to consider it first from the standpoint of the world, and afterwards from the standpoint of those to whom it was most specifically addressed. How then can a worldly person (a “natural man” – 1 Cor. 2:14) glorify God in his body? He must start with a measure of faith, believing in God and believing that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, otherwise he would have no incentive to worship or glorify God. This limited knowledge and faith would have an influence upon all of his conduct of life, though not necessarily the same influence that it would have upon others still more enlightened – the household of faith.

Under favorable influences, such a natural man should desire to glorify his Creator in his body and should properly ask in what way he could do so. The answer is that he should use his body in such a way as to develop and preserve its powers, both mental and physical. This means he should take heed to diet, exercise, and the use of his time and talents so that all of these might serve their very best and noblest purposes, in his own interest and in the interests of others. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

The Lord declares that His work is perfect and that He made man in His own image and likeness. (Deut. 32:4; Gen. 1:26) The present condition of the human race, with all more or less in a fallen state, is the result of debasement through sin and disobedience. (Rom. 5:19) The spirit of a sound mind should tell us that this debasement not only disparages the glory of God but injures ourselves. A sound mind should prompt us to do all in our power to counteract these disadvantages and to restore the equilibrium of our being, thus recovering so far as possible our original condition of human perfection, the perfect human nature exhibited by our Lord Jesus while in the flesh. In our present condition our race is a dishonor to the Creator, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)

“YE CANNOT DO THE THINGS THAT YE WOULD”

Here the natural man finds an insur­mountable barrier. He can will himself to be perfect but he cannot actually be perfect. He can resolve that the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart will be acceptable to God, but he cannot make them so. He may resolve to glorify God in his body so that whatever he does is to the glory of God, but he finds the cravings of a fallen nature occasionally swerve him from that path, in spite of all his resolutions. He finds that he has inherited a downward tendency which he cannot fully overcome. He cannot do the things that he would. (Gal. 5:17)

He feels his helplessness – what must he do? He should cry to the Lord in prayer, telling Him of his desires to glorify Him and of his realization of his own weakness and insufficiency and generally imperfect condition. To those who take this course, who “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” who “seek” and “knock” desiring to do the divine will, the way will be opened, as the Scriptures promise. (Matt. 5:6; Matt. 7:7) To these the Lord will point out the great Redeemer, who is the Way, the Truth, the Life. To that natural man will come the knowledge that God, taking pity on our fallen state and knowing that we cannot recover ourselves, has provided a Savior and a great one, able to save to the uttermost all who come unto the Father through Him. (Heb. 7:25)

To those that seek, the revelation will be opened that Jesus left the heavenly glory, was made flesh and gave Himself a ransom for Adam and his race. They can thus see that by providing a redemption price for Adam’s sin, God can be just and yet cover the unintentional blemishes of all that come unto Him through the merit of this sacrifice. In this way, God can count them as though they were perfect, reckoning according to their intentions and not according to their actions. How wonderful, how gracious is this arrangement, designated by the Scriptures as justification by faith: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1) Oh that all could grasp even this primary feature of the Divine Plan and receive the great blessing which accompanies it!

THE PATH OF THE JUSTIFIED

Having peace with God as the Apostle declares, the natural man, once justified, determines anew that he will glorify God in his body. He strives anew to live a godly life, rejoicing that the Lord is willing through Christ to accept his good intentions and best efforts in place of perfection. Nevertheless, before long he meets with serious difficulty. He still cannot do the things that he would; he has the will, but actual performance is the difficulty: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Rom. 7:18)

He feels appalled at the tide of indifference, carelessness, superstition, folly, sin, and injustice all around him. He wonders why he ever undertook to walk in the ways of righteousness and to glorify God. His attempt to do so has put him in opposition to almost every person and arrangement of the present time. Heartsick, he stops to survey the situation, to determine whether he will go on or whether he will swerve and bend to some extent to keep himself more in touch with those who have less noble standards and ambitions.

Will he go on in his endeavor to glorify God in his body or will he turn aside and yield to sin in greater or lesser degree? He is at a turning point. He needs counsel, he needs assistance, and it is the Lord’s time to bring it to him. At this very juncture the Lord shows this faith-justified natural man that it is impossible for him to go on alone, by his own strength. Doing so will surely mean failure. The Lord offers him divine aid and assistance, but with one condition: full surrender – full conse­cration of mind, body, time, talent, and influence – everything, to the Lord’s care.

Here is his great struggle. Will he become a disciple of Christ, a follower of the Lamb, or will he stand on his own? Deciding on the latter course is a great mistake. To illustrate the results to be expected from this choice, the Lord gave a parable in which a man had a demon cast out of him, leaving his heart “swept and garnished.” However, rather than allowing the Lord to fill the place in his heart, he attempted to stand on his own, saying, “I will return unto my house whence I came out.” As a result, he was assaulted by seven other demons more wicked than the first. (Luke 11:24-26)

For the faith-justified natural man, acceptance of the proffered assistance of the great Redeemer is the only hope for going forward with his good intention to glorify God. The Redeemer does not force nor even urge this course, but counsels him to sit down first and consider the cost. (Luke 14:28)

If he has sufficient love for righteousness, love for truth, love for honorable and noble principles of life, he will desire to glorify his Creator by following the paths of righteousness. After complete consideration, he will determine that duty calls him to a full self-surrender. By this time, love for the Redeemer should be a powerful factor in his mind. As the Apostle states, he should realize that he is not his own but that he is “bought with a price” – the precious blood of Christ. If the man has the proper character, of the kind the Lord has been seeking during this Gospel Age, these considerations of duty and of love will decide the matter.

AFFECTIONS SET ABOVE

What could be more rational than the laying of all one’s time, talent, influence, property, etc., at the feet of the Lord, with a desire to use all of these in glorifying God? After coming to a knowledge of the grace of God in Christ, who could doubt His loving kindness, His tender mercies? Who could doubt that He would abundantly reward anyone thus coming to God in consecration, granting him, according to the Savior’s promise, a hundred fold more in this present time and everlasting life in the world to come?

When our hypothetical faith-justified believer makes his consecration, giving all to the Lord, we assume the Heavenly Father accepts the sacrifice and grants the blessing of a share in the Holy Spirit. The result is the gradual opening of the eyes of understanding, the gradual attainment of the spirit of a sound mind with respect to all the affairs of life, the gradual transformation of character, particularly in those features which were most defective.

He now begins to understand what the Apostle meant when he wrote, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2) The things of earth are all blemished, and, like a faded flower, they have lost their beauty and attractiveness to those who have a knowledge and appreciation of the fresher and better glories that are beyond. He now has the eye of faith, enlightened by the Word, illumined by the Holy Spirit, and can see things that before were not discernible.

All the divine promises from the lips of Jesus, the Apostles and the Prophets are now luminous, giving light upon the pathway and enabling the eye of faith to see the Kingdom glories even as we may see the sun through an obscure or smoked lens. Now he is not alone, for he has the companionship of He who promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;” and “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world [age];” and again, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20; John 14:3)

To those consecrated to the divine will, the presence and providential care of the Lord brings peace and joy which the world cannot know – which the natural man, even though justified by faith, cannot appreciate: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14) The more of the new mind the consecrated enjoy, the more they are taught of God by His Spirit through His Word, the better they will comprehend the fact that they not only owe the Lord a debt of gratitude for their natural life and earthly blessings, but additionally, they now owe Him a still greater debt on account of their redemption through the precious blood.

The words of the Lord and the Apostles indicate clearly that the consecrated should have a different view respecting their bodies than they formerly had. They should still consider it proper to care for and use their bodies to the Lord’s glory, but they should realize that their consecration to the Lord means something much more. It means their mortal bodies are to be surrendered unto death as the words of the Apostle state: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1)

The central thought of sacrifice is the free surrender or giving up of the thing sacrificed. While it might not be improper for the unconsecrated to think of preserving their life and earthly interests, those fully consecrated to walk in the Master’s footsteps put themselves under new conditions, which would hinder them from merely preserving their mortal bodies and conserving their best protective interests. They are to esteem that their time, talents, influence and wealth are not their own but are consecrated, given over, devoted to the Lord and to His service.

The sacrifice of these things means their spending, not their hoarding; whoever therefore has taken this position and rightly understands what he has done should see clearly that it is his business according to his vows to the Lord, to lay down his life in the service of the Lord, the Truth, and the brethren, by deeds great or small, as the Lord may grant opportunity.

This sacrifice includes money also, because it relates to the flesh, which is consecrated. The property of the consecrated is no longer theirs, but the Lord’s; it is not to be foolishly wasted or thrown away, but it is not to be hoarded either. Their duty is to sacrifice it, use it, to spend it according to their best judgment as to what would be pleasing to the Lord and honoring to His name.

We might think that the world would recognize these consecrated ones and their devotion to the Lord, rewarding them with great honor, but not so. The world did not know the Master, did not discern His spirit, and did not appreciate His sacrifice when it was being made. For the same reasons the world cannot appreciate the motives and devotion of those who follow in His footsteps. In the world’s estimation, those taking this step of sacrifice will deserve criticism and disdain, and they will be counted as “fools for Christ’s sake.” (1 Cor. 4:10; Rom. 8:36)

GLORIFYING GOD IN THE MILLENNIUM

Facts as well as the declarations of Scripture show that God is not glorified in our depraved race, but the very reverse – He is dishonored. However, the picture of the future presented to us by the Prophet is a grandly inspiring one: “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.” (Isa. 11:9)

This of course will be at the close of the Millennium, not at the beginning of it. During the glorious reign of Jesus and the Church, His joint-heirs in the Kingdom, the work of Restitution will go forward with nothing to oppose it. The power of God’s arm will be manifested throughout the great Mediator’s Kingdom, putting down all insubor­dination and every enemy to righteousness. All who will accept the divine favor will be lifted from the tomb and from the weakness, sickness and frailty of our present fallen condition. If willing, they will be lifted back to that perfect estate from which all fell in the person of father Adam.

It is for this reason that the Apostle Peter urged: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive [retain] until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21)

The Scriptures assure us that none will gain the Restitution privileges of perfection and eternal life against their will. God seeks only those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23) Nevertheless, we are assured that obstacles to repentance and conversion will be removed. Satan will be bound so as not to deceive the people during the thousand years of the Millennial Kingdom. (Rev. 20:1-3) Christ in glory will be the great Physician who will heal the wounds caused by sin and death. Those willing to obey the great Redeemer will not only be recovered from the tomb, but also from the dying process with its accompanying pain and sorrow. (Rev. 21:4)

The Apostle Paul declared that God will have all men to come to a knowledge of the Truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) This is our guarantee that the prophetic picture of the Millennial Age has not been exaggerated. Another picture of the conditions of the world at the close of the Millennium is given in the Lord’s last message to the Church: “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (Rev. 15:3-4)

The ways of the Lord are still obscure to the world, but the happy day is coming when the entire plan of God will be manifested to all. Only a few have yet been granted an appreciation of the deep things of God, but those who are the Lord’s now may see, understand and appreciate things to come. Through faith they now have a share in the glories of that coming Kingdom and are enabled to glorify God in their bodies by using them to His glory and praise.

THE PRAYER OF THE PSALMIST

The Psalmist gave us a prayer that is appropriate to all the Lord’s people: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psa. 19:14)

To a rational person, a virtuous, well-adjusted, and disciplined character is beautiful and an undisciplined, selfish, unjust, unkind, and violent-tempered character is repellent. The first evokes pleasure and admiration; the latter evokes pain. If men, who have lost much of the original image of God, can generally appreciate virtue and abhor the lack of it, how must a pure and holy God view the matter?

Those who have no personal acquaintance with God give no special thought to how they appear in His sight; but those who love Him and value His approval should carefully study to conform their conduct to His pure and holy mind. All the justified and consecrated are acceptable to God through Christ, whose robe of righteousness amply covers us despite our inherited short-comings and weaknesses; however, we are acceptable to God only to the extent we earnestly strive for the standard of perfection.

The above prayer of the Psalmist should constantly be in the minds of God’s consecrated children. But how may the difficult task of subduing the inherent depravity be accomplished? For some it is hard to control a hasty or violent temper and for others it is difficult to bridle a gossiping tongue. It is hard for some to be strictly just in dealings with fellow-men. There are a host of inherent weaknesses which we must strive against to be acceptable with God. The thoughts of our hearts are not manifest to fellow-men until we express them in words or actions; but even the thoughts and intentions of the heart are open and manifest to God.

The Psalmist gives us the secret of a pure and noble life, acceptable to God: “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” (Psa. 119:15-16) Such a life cannot be attained merely by prayers and righteous resolutions. It also requires careful, painstaking attention and systematic and diligent effort at self-cultivation. It requires the vigilant weeding out of evil thoughts, and the constant cultivation of pure, benevolent and noble thoughts. These efforts are not to be made by the standard of our own imperfect judgment, but according to the standard of God’s Word. This standard is eloquently commended to us by the Psalmist:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey­comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (Psa. 19:7-12)

If we take heed to our ways according to God’s law, it will turn us from the path of sin to the path of righteousness. For the meek and teachable (the “simple”), the Lord’s instructions clearly point out the ways of righteousness. The “fear of the Lord” is not a slavish fear, but a noble reverential fear, begotten of love – a fear of falling short of His righteous approval. The law and the testimony of the Lord warn of the snares of the adversary, and everything which might discourage or hinder our growth in grace. Without the standard of God’s law we cannot see our “secret faults” – we cannot rightly judge ourselves. When we measure ourselves by God’s standard, we can detect and deplore our shortcomings, supplementing our efforts by our prayers to “cleanse thou me.”

There is still another part of this prayer that reads: “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” (Psa. 19:13) What are “presumptuous sins?” To presume means to take for granted without authority or proof. A presumptuous sin would therefore be taking for granted and asserting as truth something which God has not revealed, or perverting something He has revealed. Holding to any doctrine, merely on the grounds of fallible human reason and without divine authority would therefore be a presumptuous sin. An example of such a sin would be maligning the divine character by boldly teaching the blasphemous doctrine of eternal torment in direct contradiction of the Scriptures.

There are many other sins of the same character of greater and lesser degree, but the words here seem to refer directly to the danger of drifting into some particular error – the “great transgression.” Evidently this is the “sin unto death” referred to by the Apostles. (1 John 5:16; Heb. 6:4-6; Heb. 10:26-31) This sin presumes upon the love of God to bring us salvation, then willfully refuses it through the channel which He appointed – the precious blood of Christ, shed for our redemption.

Let us beware of the slightest tendency toward pride and self-will and the disposition to be wise beyond what is written in God’s Word, taking for granted what God does not clearly promise. If we watch and strive against the very beginning of that proud and haughty spirit which surely presages a fall, we will be “innocent from the great transgression.”

If we make the Word of God the theme of our constant meditation, its principles will soon be assimilated and become part of our mental makeup, making our characters more beautiful and commendable both to God and to our fellow men: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psa. 1:1-3)

These verses are foremost a picture of the perfect man, Christ Jesus, but they apply secondarily to those imperfect men and women who, being justified by faith in Christ, are walking in their Master’s footsteps. They are right at heart, even though sometimes imperfect through the weaknesses of their flesh. Fed by the river of God’s grace and truth, they are always fresh and joyous and fruitful. If we have this habit of mind, the acts of life will naturally conform. It will make happier homes; it will sweeten the temper, soften the voice, dignify the language, cultivate the manners, ennoble the sentiments and lend its grace to every aspect of life. It will bring in the principle of love and cast out the discordant elements of selfishness.

While the heights of perfection cannot be reached so long as we still have these imperfect bodies, there should be in every child of God a very perceptible and continuous growth in grace, and each step gained should be considered but the stepping stone to higher attainments. If there is no perceptible growth into the likeness of God, or if there is a backward tendency, or a listless stand-still, there is cause for alarm. Let us constantly keep before our eyes the model which the Lord Jesus set for our example – that model of the complete fulfilment of the will of God, in which the whole law was kept blamelessly. Let us follow His steps of righteousness and self-sacrifice as nearly as a full measure of loving zeal and faithfulness and loyalty to God will enable us to do, and we shall have a blessed sense of the divine approval now and the glorious reward of divine favor in due time.

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This paper is based on Harvest Gleanings, Volume II, pages 448-452 and Reprint 1295.

Write to us at: epiphanybiblestudents@gmail.com

NO. 746: MAN ASKS AND GOD ANSWERS - PART THREE

No. 746

Sin’s Penalty. The Two Hells.

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:22-23)

SIN’S PENALTY

What is the penalty of sin?

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:17)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned . . . For if through the offence of one many be dead . . . by one man’s offence death reigned by one . . .” (Rom. 5:12, 15, 17)  

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield your­selves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? . . . for the end of those things is death. . . . For the wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 6:16, 21, 23)

“For since by man came death . . . For as in Adam all die . . . The sting of death is sin.” (1 Cor. 15:21-22, 56)

“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (Jas. 1:15)

Does the soul die?

“Their soul [Hebrew nephesh] dieth in youth, and their life is among the unclean.” (Job 36:14, Darby)

“For thou hast delivered my soul from death.” (Psa. 56:13; Psa. 116:8)

“He . . . spared not their soul from death . . .” (Psa. 78:50)

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin . . . he hath poured out his soul unto death.” (Isa. 53:10, 12)

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezek. 18:4)

“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” (Matt. 26:38)

“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death . . .” (Jas. 5:20)

Is the death penalty a form of life?

“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil . . . I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deut. 30:15, 19)

 “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 5:21)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Rom. 8:13)

Is the soul’s existence conditional or unconditional?

“For the kingdom is the Lord’s . . . and none can keep alive his own soul.” (Psa. 22:28-29)

“O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive . . .” (Psa. 30:3)

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” (Psa. 33:18-19)

“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.” (Isa. 55:3)

“Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.” (Ezek. 18:27)

What does death as sin’s penalty mean?

(1) Cutting off: “Whosoever . . . goeth unto the holy things . . . having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence.” (Lev. 22:3) “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously . . . the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” (Num. 15:30) “For evildoers shall be cut off . . . they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.   . . . the wicked are cut off . . .” (Psa. 37:9, 22, 34)

(2) Perishing: “By the blast of God they perish . . .” (Job 4:9) “My brethren have dealt deceitfully . . . they go to nothing, and perish.” (Job 6:15, 18) “But the wicked shall perish . . .” (Psa. 37:20) “For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish.” (Psa. 73:27) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

(3) Devouring: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isa. 1:19-20) “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Heb. 10:26-27)

(4) Consuming: “But . . . the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs . . . into smoke shall they consume away.” (Psa. 37:20) “Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth . . .” (Psa. 104:35) “And . . . they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.” (Isa. 1:28) “By . . . the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.” (Job 4:9) “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:29)

(5) Destruction: “Is not destruction to the wicked?” (Job 31:3) “Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.” (Psa. 9:5) “But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.” (Psa. 37:38) “The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.” (Psa. 145:20) “And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together . . .” (Isa. 1:28) “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28) “And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3:23) “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” (1 Cor. 3:17) “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction . . .” (2 Thess. 1:9) “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you . . . even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. . . . But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed . . . shall utterly perish in their own corruption.” (2 Pet. 2:1, 12)

(6) Extinction: “As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.” (Job 7:9) “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. . . . I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.” (Psa. 37:10, 35-36) “Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.” (Psa. 49:12) “Let . . . the wicked be no more.” (Psa. 104:35) “. . . they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obad. 16)

What does Christ’s death as our ransom prove sin’s penalty to be?

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. . . . for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. . . . thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin . . . he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isa. 53:5, 8, 10, 12)

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28)

“But for us also . . . if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:24-25)

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. . . . But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . . when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son . . .” (Rom. 5:6, 8, 10)

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:3)

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.” (2 Cor. 5:14)

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”          (Heb. 2:9)

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1 Pet. 3:18)

What can save us from sin’s penalty?

(1) Repentance: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47) “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19) “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31)

(2) Faith: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. . . . He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:14-15, 18) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24) “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25) “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43) “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39)

THE TWO HELLS

Where does the Bible teach two hells?

“And death and [1] Hades were cast into [2] the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:14, ASV)

What does the New Testament call the two hells?

(1) Hades: “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [Greek Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them.” (Rev. 20:13)

(2) Gehenna: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell [Greek Gehenna]?” (Matt. 23:33) (Gehenna, or the valley of Hinnom, was where the refuse of Jerusalem was cast out and burned.)

What does the Old Testament call both hells?

(1) Sheol (the first): “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [Hebrew Sheol]; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psa. 16:10)

(2) Sheol (the second): “As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave [Sheol] shall come up no more.” (Job 7:9)

Who goes to the first Sheol (Hades)?

(1) The evil: “Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell [Sheol]: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.” (Psa. 55:15) “Let me not be ashamed O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave [Sheol].” (Psa. 31:17)

(2) The good: “For I [Jacob] will go down into the grave [Sheol] unto my son mourning.” (Gen. 37:35) “Oh, that thou wouldest hide me [Job] in the grave [Sheol], that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!” (Job 14:13) “For thou wilt not leave my [Jesus’] soul in hell [Sheol].” (Psa. 16:10 – compare Acts 2:27-31)

 What puts people in the first Sheol (Hades)?

(1) Sin: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave [Hades], where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin.” (1 Cor. 15:55-56)

(2) Death: The sorrows of hell [Sheol] compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.” (Psa. 18:5)

(3) Trouble: “For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave [Sheol].” (Psa. 88:3)

(4) Pain: “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell [Sheol] gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” (Psa. 116:3)

When do people enter the first Sheol (Hades) and when do they leave?

They enter at death: “They shall go down to the bars of the pit [Sheol], when our rest together is in the dust.” (Job 17:16) “They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave [Sheol].” (Job 21:13) “Her house is the way to hell [Sheol], going down to the chambers of death.” (Prov. 7:27)

They leave at the awakening of the dead: “So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave [Sheol], that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!” (Job 14:12-13) “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell [Hades], neither his flesh did see corruption.” (Acts 2:31) “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them.” (Rev. 20:12-13)

Is there life or consciousness in the first Sheol (Hades)?

There is no life: “The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave [Sheol], and bringeth up.” (1 Sam. 2:6) “O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave [Sheol]: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.” (Psa. 30:3) “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave [Sheol]?” (Psa. 89:48) “Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell [Sheol].” (Prov. 5:5) “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell [Hades] followed with him.” (Rev. 6:8)

There is no consciousness: “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave [Sheol] who shall give thee thanks?” (Psa. 6:5) “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave [Sheol], whither thou goest.” (Eccl. 9:10) “For the grave [Sheol] cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day.” (Isa. 38:18-19)

Is there other scriptural proof of this unconscious state?

Scriptures that teach it plainly: “His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” (Job 14:21) “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” (Psa. 115:17) “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psa. 146:4) “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing . . . Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished.” (Eccl. 9:5-6)

Scriptures that show it figuratively: “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake . . .” (Dan. 12:2) “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” (John 11:11-14) “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death.” (Acts 7:60, 8:1) “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. . . . But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (1 Cor. 15:17-18, 20)

Will the first Sheol (Hades) be destroyed?

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave [Sheol].” (Psa. 49:15)

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave [Sheol]; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave [Sheol], I will be thy destruction.” (Hos. 13:14)

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell [Hades] shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)

“So . . . then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave [Hades], where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:54-55)

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell [Hades] and of death.” (Rev. 1:18)

“And death and hell [Hades] were cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:14)

How is Gehenna, the second hell, symbolized in the book of Revelation? What is Gehenna?

Gehenna is symbolized by a lake of fire: “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet . . . These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Rev. 19:20) “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are . . . And death and hell [Hades] were cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:10, 14)

Gehenna is the Second Death: “And death and hell [Hades] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:14-15) “But the fearful, and unbe­lieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8)

What is the fate of all cast into Gehenna?

(1) The devil: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb. 2:14) “He shall . . . break in pieces the oppressor.” (Psa. 72:4) “In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” (Isa. 27:1)

(2) The beast: “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” (2 Thess. 2:8)

(3) The false prophet: “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces . . . Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand . . . Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy.” (Isa. 8:9-10, 12)

(4) Death: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor. 15:26) “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)

(5) The first Sheol (Hades): “O grave [Sheol], I will be thy destruction.” (Hos. 13:14) “O death, where is thy sting? O grave [Hades], where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55)

(6) Incorrigible sinners: “Is not destruction to the wicked?” (Job 31:3) “Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou has destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.” (Psa. 9:5) “But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.” (Psa. 37:38) “When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever.” (Psa. 92:7) “The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.” (Psa. 145:20) “And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.” (Isa. 1:28) “And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3:23) “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” (1 Cor. 3:17) “. . . they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction . . .” (Phil. 3:18-19) “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction . . .” (2 Thess. 1:8-9) “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.” (2 Pet. 2:12)

What is the primary definition of the Greek “basanos,” translated “torment” in Revelation?

(1) To test (as testing metals by the touchstone): “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented [tested] with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment [testing] ascendeth up for ever and ever.” (Rev. 14:9-11)

(2) To examine: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented [examined] day and night for ever and ever.” (Rev. 20:10 – Compare to Isa. 14:15-20)

Literal Jerusalem destroyed its refuse in literal Gehenna. What will New Jerusalem do with its figurative refuse?

Cast it out: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Rev. 22:14-15)

Destroy it: “But I say unto you . . . whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell [Gehenna] fire.” (Matt. 5:22) “And . . . fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna].” (Matt. 10:28) “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell [Gehenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched . . . And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell [Gehenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched . . . And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell [Gehenna] fire: Where their worm [destruction] dieth not, and the fire [destruction] is not quenched.” (Mark 9:43, 45, 47-48)

If the sheep and goats of Matt. 25:31-46 are not literal but figurative, what should we conclude about the fire of this parable?

The fire represents punishment: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matt. 25:41)

The punishment is everlasting: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matt. 25:46)

The punishment is death, the cutting off from life: “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. . . . the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” (Psa. 37:9-10, 28) “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord . . .” (2 Thess. 1:9)

What are some Old Testament references to Gehenna, the Second Death?

“The wicked shall be turned back [Hebrew shuwb – to return or turn back] unto Sheol, Even all the nations that forget God.” (Psa. 9:17, ASV)

“To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.” (Prov. 15:24, ASV)

“Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell [Sheol].” (Prov. 23:14)

“Yet thou [Lucifer] shalt be brought down to hell [Sheol], to the sides of the pit.” (Isa. 14:15)

Will any be recovered from the Second Death?

“As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.” (Job 7:9)

 “And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm [destruction] shall not die, neither shall their fire [destruction] be quenched.” (Isa. 66:24)

“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Prov. 29:1)

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Taken from Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 17, pages 450-460 and 467-471. Edited for clarity and length.

Write to us at: epiphanybiblestudents@gmail.com

NO. 745: MAN ASKS AND GOD ANSWERS - PART TWO

No. 745

Man. Sin.

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psa. 8:4-5)

MAN

What is man?

(1) Man is a living soul: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen 2:7)

(2) Man is lower than the angels: “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels.” (Heb. 2:7; Psa. 8:5)

(3) Man is higher than the animals: “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psa. 8:6-8)

Man consists of what two parts?

(1) The body: “It is sown a natural body . . . There is a natural body . . . The first man is of the earth, earthy.” (1 Cor. 15:44, 47) “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground.” (Gen. 2:7) “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen. 3:19) “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.” (Eccl. 3:20)

(2) The life-principle (called the “breath” or “spirit” of life): “And the Lord God . . . breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Gen. 2:7) “And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood . . . to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life . . .” (Gen. 6:17) “And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.” (Gen. 7:15) “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts . . . Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?” (Eccl. 3:19, 21, ASV) “Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones . . . I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. . . . Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind . . . Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.” (Ezek. 37:4, 6, 9, 10)

What does the union of the parts produce? What happens when the parts are separated?

(1) Their union produces a living soul: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen. 2:7) “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. . . . And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.” (Ezek. 37:10-14)

(2) Their separation destroys the living soul: “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psa. 146:4) “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit [Hebrew ruwach – breath] shall return unto God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7) “For as the body without the spirit [Greek, pneuma – life-spark, breath] is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (Jas. 2:26)

In what condition was man created?

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, and after our likeness . . . So God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Gen. 1:26-27)

“In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.” (Gen. 5:1)

 “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.” (Jas. 3:9)

What was the image of God?

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31)

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deut. 32:4)

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son . . .” (Rom. 8:29)

“God is love.” (1 John 4:16)

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. 3:18)

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Eph. 4:24)

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (Col. 3:10)

What was the likeness of God?

“And God said, Let us make man . . .  after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26)

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psa. 8:5-8)

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” (Heb. 2:8)

What are man’s chief physical qualities?

(1) Man is material: “The first man is of the earth, earthy.” (1 Cor. 15:47) “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same . . .” (Heb. 2:14)

(2) Man is mortal: “Shall mortal man be more just than God?” (Job 4:17)

(3) Man is dependent: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” (2 Cor. 3:5)

(4) Man is finite: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psa. 8:4-5; Heb. 2:6-7)

What were man’s original moral qualities?

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” (2 Pet. 1:5-7)

What was man’s original abode?

“And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden . . . And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Gen. 2:8-15)

What law was man under?

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2:16-17)

“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil . . . I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days . . .” (Deut. 30:15, 19-20)

SIN

What is sin?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4)

“All unrighteousness is sin.” (1 John 5:17)

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Rom. 8:7)

“And he that doubteth is damned . . . for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Rom. 14:23)

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (Jas. 4:17)

How did sin originate among angels?

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isa. 14:12-14)

“He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

“He that committed sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” (1 John 3:8)

“And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example . . .” (Jude 6-7, ASV)

How did sin originate among men?

“Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” (Gen. 3:11-13)

“. . . the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety . . .” (2 Cor. 11:3)

“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” (1 Tim. 2:14)

What was the result of man’s transgression?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12)

How many of the human race are sinful?

“. . . for there is no man that sinneth not . . .” (1 Kings 8:46)

“How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? . . . yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man . . .” (Job 25:4-6)

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isa. 64:6)

“What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. . . . Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.     . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:9-12, 19, 23)

“But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin . . .” (Gal. 3:22)

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. . . . If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8, 10)

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19)

How did all become sinful?

(1) By heredity: “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” (Job 14:4) “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psa. 51:5) “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” (Psa. 58:3) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation . . . by one man’s disobe­dience many were made sinners . . .” (Rom. 5:18-19) “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Eph. 2:2-3) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.” (1 Pet. 1:18)

(2) By personal wrongdoing: “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” (Eccl. 7:29) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of all.” (Isa. 53:6)

Sin can be committed in what ways?

(1) By thought: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5)

(2) By desire: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto to you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27-28)

(3) By word: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” (Jas. 3:2)

(4) By deed: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

What are the different kinds of sin?

(1) Sins of weakness and ignorance: “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. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.” (Luke 12:47-48) “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression . . .” (Rom. 5:14) “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” (Rom. 7:19-20) “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” (1 Tim. 1:13) “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” (1 John 5:17)

(2) Sins of willfulness: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit . . . If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Heb. 6:4, 6) “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” (Heb. 10:26) “There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” (1 John 5:16)

(3) Sins partly of willfulness, partly of weakness and ignorance: “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.” (Luke 12:47) “Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matt. 26:74-75)

What are the chief sins?

(1) Unbelief: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” (Heb. 3:12)

(2) Atheism: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psa. 53:1)

(3) Forgetting God: “According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.” (Hos. 13:6)

(4) Alienation from God: “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” (Eph. 4:18)

(5) Disobedience to God: “But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” (Rom. 10:21)

(6) Tempting God: “How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” (Psa. 78:40-41)

(7) Rebellion against God: “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High.” (Psa. 107:10-11)

(8) Blasphemy: “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” (Rom. 2:23-24)

(9) Belying God: “Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.” (Hos. 7:13)

(10) Dishonoring parents: “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.” (Prov. 30:17)

(11) Unchasteness: “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” (1 Cor. 10:8)

(12) Covetousness: “For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.” (Psa. 10:3)

(13) Evil speaking: “Speak not evil one of another, brethren.” (Jas. 4:11)

(14) Hatred: “But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:11)

(15) Scolding: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” (Gal. 5:15)

(16) Revenge: “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” (1 Thess. 5:15)

(17) Oppression: “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” (Prov. 14:31)

(18) Flattery: “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” (Psa. 12:2)

(19) Falsehood: “And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.” (Jer. 9:5)

(20) Hypocrisy: “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matt. 23:28)

(21) Murder: “They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.” (Psa. 94:6)

(22) Misleading: “A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.” (Prov. 16:29)

(23) Stealing: “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.” (Lev. 19:13)

(24) Pride: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” (Psa. 10:4)

Sin is committed against whom?

(1) God: “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.” (Psa. 51:4)

(2) Christ and the brethren: “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” (1 Cor. 8:12)

(3) Mankind in general: “Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.” (Prov. 3:29)

(4) Self: “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” (Prov. 8:36)

Why is sin permitted?

(1) To illustrate its terrible effects: “Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” (Rom. 7:13)

(2) To teach men to forsake it and turn to righteousness: “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” (Psa. 76:10) “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. . . . And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:20-21, 28) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Rom. 11:32)

What are the effects of sin?

(1) It dishonors and displeases God: “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?” (Rom. 2:23) “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (2 Sam. 11:27) “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” (Psa. 95:10) “For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.” (Deut. 25:16) “. . . thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.” (Isa. 43:24)

(2) It alienates, defiles and terrorizes man­kind: “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” (Col. 1:21) “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (Titus 1:15) “Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. . . . Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.” (Job 18:5, 11) “Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.” (Psa. 140:11) “Enter not into the path of the wicked . . . For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. . . . The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” (Prov. 4:14, 16, 17, 19) “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness     . . .” (Rom. 1:28-29) “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal. 5:17)

How can sin be overcome?

(1) By repentance: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

(2) By faith in Christ’s blood: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (Rom. 3:25)

(3) By consecration to the Lord: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1)

(4) By mortifying sin: “If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Rom. 8:13)

What will those who overcome sin receive?

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Rev. 22:14)

_______________________________

Taken from Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 17, pages 438-449, with additions. Edited for clarity and length.

Write to us at: epiphanybiblestudents@gmail.com

NO. 744: MAN ASKS AND GOD ANSWERS - PART ONE

No. 744

The Bible. God.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matt. 7:7-8)

THE BIBLE

Who is the author of the Bible?

“What advantage then hath the Jew? . . . Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” (Rom. 3:1-2)

“And take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17)

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21)

Through whom was the Bible written?

“David . . . the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” (2 Sam. 23:1-2)

“Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets.” (Zech. 7:12)

“As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.” (Luke 1:70)

“But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. . . . Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:18, 21)

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son . . .” (Heb. 1:1-2)

“Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.” (Rom. 1:2)

“Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Pet. 3:15-16)

What proves the Bible is inspired?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16)

Its inspiration is proven by:

(1) Its miracles: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:30-31) “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.” (Heb. 2:4)

(2) Its fulfilled prophecies: “Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. . . . Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods [mighty ones].” (Isa. 41:21, 23) “Thus saith the Lord . . . Ask me of things to come . . . who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord?” (Isa. 45:11, 21) “I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isa. 46:9-10) “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” (Acts 28:23) “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Pet. 1:19)

(3) Its practicability: “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11) “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (Jas. 3:17)

(4) Its reasonableness: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 1:18) “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” (Acts 17:2) “But . . . be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Pet. 3:15)

 (5) The shortcomings and characters of its writers: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:21)

 (6) Its superhuman knowledge: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. . . . But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 2:7-8, 10) “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies . . . I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.” (Psa. 119:98-100) “And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:24)

(7) Its indestructibility: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isa. 40:8) “Heaven and earth [the present ecclesiastical and social order] shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35) “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.” (1 Pet. 1:25)

What are the general contents of the Bible?

Its contents can be broken down into:

(1) Doctrines and precepts: “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? . . . For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept.” (Isa. 28:9-10) “All scripture is . . .  profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16)

(2) Promises: “For all the promises of God in him [Jesus Christ] are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” (2 Cor. 1:20) “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.” (Gal. 3:16)

(3) Exhortations: “And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.” (Heb. 13:22)

(4) Prophecies: “Seventy weeks are deter­mined . . . to seal up the vision and prophecy . . .” (Dan. 9:24) “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” (Rev. 22:10)

(5) Histories: “Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings.” (2 Chron. 24:27)

(7) Types: “But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants.” (Gal. 4:23-24) “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Heb. 9:24)

What are the Bible’s leading characteristics?

Its main qualities are:

(1) Truthfulness: “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” (Psa. 119:160)

(2) Goodness: “And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.” (Heb. 6:5)

(3) Harmony: “And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written.” (Acts 15:15)

 (4) Comprehensibility: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height.” (Eph. 3:17-18)

(5) Authoritativeness: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20)

(6) Sufficiency: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation . . . That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:15-17)

(7) Efficacy: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)

What does the Bible effect?

Its main effects are:

(1) Repentance: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized . . .” (Acts 2:37-38)

(2) Faith: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

(3) Cleansing: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3)

(4) Enlightenment: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psa. 119:130)

(5) Sanctification: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

(6) Spiritual begettal: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth . . .” (Jas. 1:18)

(7) Spiritual quickening: “For thy word hath quickened me.” (Psa. 119:50)

(8) Spiritual growth: “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” (Deut. 32:2)

(9) Spiritual strengthening: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. . . . And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:10-11, 17)

(10) Spiritual balance: “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God . . .” (1 Thess. 3:12-13)

(11) Spiritual perfection: “All Scripture is . . . profitable . . . That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

(12) Salvation: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Rom. 1:16)

What should we do with the Bible?

We should:

(1) Love it: “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” (Psa. 119:97)

(2) Study it: “Search the scriptures.” (John 5:39) “Study to show thyself approved . . .” (2 Tim. 2:15) “But his delight is in the law . . . and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psa. 1:2)

(3) Assimilate it: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. . . . I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” (Psa. 119:11, 16)

(4) Practice it: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28)

(5) Spread it: “And he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully.” (Jer. 23:28) “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2)

GOD

Is there a God?

The proofs of God are:

(1) A first cause: “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36) “Thus saith the Lord . . . I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” (Isa. 44:6) “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” (Heb. 3:4)

(2) The design in creation: “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?” (Psa. 94:9) “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead [Divinity].” (Rom. 1:19-20)

(3) The immensity, variety, and harmony of creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth know­ledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” (Psa. 19:1-6)

(4) The absurdity of atheism: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psa. 14:1)

What is God?

What God is not: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” (Acts 17:29)

What God is: “God is a Spirit.” (John 4:24) “For a spirit hath not flesh and bones.” (Luke 24:39) “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim. 1:17)

Who is God?

“Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord[1] he is God; there is none else beside him.” (Deut. 4:35)

“For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible . . .” (Deut. 10:17)

“For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?” (2 Sam. 22:32)

“But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king.” (Jer. 10:10)

“Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.” (Rom. 3:29)

What are God’s inherent qualities?

God possesses:

(1) Personhood: “Who [Jesus] being the brightness of his [God’s] glory, and the express image of his person . . . sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1:3)

(2) A body: “And the Father himself, which hath sent me [Jesus], hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” (John 5:37)

(3) The spirit nature: “Now the Lord is that Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:17)

(4) Self-existence: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exod. 3:14)

(5) Eternity: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Psa. 90:2)

(6) Self-sufficiency: “Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25)

(7) Immortality: “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” (John 5:26)

(8) Omnipotence: “Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” (Rev. 19:6)

(9) Omniscience: “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (1 John 3:20)

(10) Omnipresence: “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth?” (Jer. 23:24)

(11) Supremacy: “Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.”         (1 Chron. 29:11) “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:6)

(12) Unity: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deut. 6:4) “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him.” (1 Cor. 8:6)

(13) Immutability: “For I am the Lord, I change not.” (Mal. 3:6) “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (Jas. 1:17)

(14) Invisibility: “Who is the image of the invisible God . . .” (Col. 1:15) “No man hath seen God at any time.” (1 John 4:12)

What are God’s chief moral qualities?

God is:

(1) Wise: “With Him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.” (Job 12:13) “He hath established the world by his wisdom.” (Jer. 10:12)

(2) Powerful: “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” (Jer. 32:17)

(3) Just: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deut. 32:4) “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne.” (Psa. 89:14)

(4) Loving: “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.” (1 John 4:16) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

(5) Holy: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:16; Lev. 11:44) “For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” (Isa. 43:3)

(6) Impartial: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. . . . There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:26, 28) “And . . . call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work . . .” (1 Pet. 1:17)

(7) Truthful: “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation . . .” (Heb. 6:18) “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” (Tit. 1:2)

(8) Faithful: “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand gener­ations.” (Deut. 7:9) “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).” (Heb. 10:23)

(9) Merciful: “For the Lord thy God is a merciful God.” (Deut. 4:31) “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psa. 136:26)

(10) Good: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.” (Psa. 107:1) “There is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

(11) Gracious: “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.” (Psa. 116:5) “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Eph. 1:6)

(12) Forbearing: “For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.” (Isa. 48:9)

(13) Longsuffering: “The Lord is . . . long­suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)

(14) Forgiving: “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression . . .” (Num. 14:18)

(15) Liberal: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas. 1:5)

(16) Gentle: “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.” (Psa. 18:35)

(17) Orderly: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace . . .” (1 Cor. 14:33)

(18) Fatherly: “Wherefore . . . I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:17-18)

(19) Kingly: “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth.” (Zech. 14:9)

(20) Peaceful: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

(21) Joyful: “And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand . . . for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers.” (Deut. 30:9)

What are God’s works?

His works include:

(1) Creation: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)

(2) Providence: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

(3) Redemption: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

(4) Instruction: “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” (Psa. 25:9)

(5) Justification: “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” (Rom. 8:33)

(6) Sanctification: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly.” (1 Thess. 5:23)

(7) Deliverance: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” (Matt. 6:13)

What are God’s rights?

He is entitled to:

(1) Ownership of all things: “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; . . .” (1 Chron. 29:11)

(2) Rulership of all things: “. . . thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.” (1 Chron. 29:11)

(3) Disposition of all things: “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” (Psa. 135:6)

(4) Our obedience: “Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” (Deut. 13:4)

(5) Our reverence: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb. 12:28)

(6) Our confidence: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5)

(7) Our love: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut. 6:5; Luke 10:27)

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Taken from Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 17, pages 429-438, with additions. Edited for clarity and length. More questions and answers from this Volume will be presented in future papers.

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INTO THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

Sister Angela Matthew of Trinidad finished her course on May 4, 2019 at the age of 68. She was born into the Truth and grew up in it, living faithfully to the end.  Her grandfather’s home was the headquarters for the vibrant Truth movement in Trinidad, and was visited by Brother Johnson and Brother and Sister Hoefle. She is now asleep in Jesus, awaiting the resurrection of the just. (Acts 24:15) We mourn her passing with her family and friends, but we “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:13)

Write to us at: epiphanybiblestudents@gmail.com

[1] In the Old Testament, Lord in all capital letters is the Tetragrammaton YHWH in the original Hebrew Bible. It signifies Yahweh, the proper name of the Almighty.