Bible Studies

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As did Adam and the woman (1), believers who are out of fellowship with God will “run and hide,” separating themselves from religious activity, and minimizing contact with anyone whose presence might stir up a qualm of conscience.

This avoidance defense-mechanism may bring some temporary relief from the pressure that a call to repentance would otherwise generate, but does not cancel his or her appearance in the Court of Heaven.

Both believers and unbelievers have a face to face meeting with God coming, at which time each one WILL give an accounting of the choices (and accompanying actions) he or she made during his or her appointed time, here on Earth.

Although there is NOTHING that can be said or done to change the location or eternal experience of a departed soul, the passing of family members and friends are a stark reminder of the reality of our own coming departure, and the closing of the window of opportunity (2) it brings.

Every soul that was ever created WILL appear at ONE of the TWO events in Heaven. One event is recorded in 1Cor. 3: 12-15, other event is recorded in Rev. 20: 13-15.

At the 1Cor. 3: 12-15 event, there is NO eternal condemnation (3) for the born again believers in attendance. Every born-again will have a place and enjoy the general amenities of Heaven. That being said, the quality (productive vs. unproductive – Mark 4:19, 20), of each born again believer’s post salvation spiritual life will result in his or her either receiving or forfeiting 1Cor. 3: 15 reward and Rev. 2/Rev. 3 privileges.

The “fruit” of Mark 4: 19, 20 is the spiritual growth and the spiritual activity in one’s own life, and the evangelization and edification of others. Accordingly, this reward and these privileges are reserved for born-again believers who became advancing disciples during the course of their post (after) salvation spiritual life, here on Earth. This reward and these privileges are in addition to the general amenities of Heaven that will be experienced by all born again believers throughout eternity.

On the other hand, the Rev. 20: 13-15 event will be attended by all unbelievers who have been summoned up to the Court of Heaven from the torments of Hades (4). They will have their day in the Court of Heaven, but never-the-less, will be cast into what the Bible calls the lake of fire, where they WILL spend all of eternity future.

ALL arguments (good behavior, good deeds, “religious” activity (5), etc.) made by unbelievers for eligibility for entrance into Heaven will be dismissed. This is because they were never born again (6), having committed the unpardonable sin of disbelief (7).

Every soul that God created will give an account of himself or herself to God in the capacity of either a born again believer at the 1Cor. 3: 12-15 event, or in the capacity of an unbeliever at the Rev. 20: 13-15 event.

In which capacity, and at which event any one of us will attend, is the result of a choice (8) that we make during our time here on Earth.

All born again individuals will find themselves at the 1Cor. 3: 12-15 event.

All unbelievers will find themselves at the Rev. 20: 13-15 event.

Children may not be sure exactly what their parental response may be to the trouble that they got themselves into. Godly parents will be disappointed and even embarrassed, but would be even more hurt to learn that their offspring had a problem that they felt that could not come to them for help.

God the Father’s response to a confession of sin is made clear in His Word.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He WILL forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1: 9 NASB2020).”

The longer answer to the “drawing nearer” issue, explains how Fallen Man can go from dealing with a God who cannot even look upon ANY sin (9), to His being like the father of a prodigal son or daughter, who looks down the road every day, hoping to see his or her return, to WELCOME him or her home (10).

What took place to create this divine turn-about that allowed a holy, pure God to reconcile with a vile fallen creature?

Was it penance, good deeds, promises to reform?

Absolutely NOT!

What took place was the past, present, and future sin debt of the entire world (11) being PAID for IN FULL by the atoning Work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, with ONE exception.

This exception was not a deficiency on the part of the atoning Work that was accomplished and finished (12) on the cross. This exception was of divine planning and design, leaving the matter of individual faith (trust/confidence) in what was accomplished on the cross to be the determining factor for eternal salvation or eternal condemnation.

The unpardonable sin of disbelief is committed when one rejects the unadulterated Gospel Message. Salvation is eternally secured when one believes (places his or her trust and confidence) in a presentation of the unadulterated Gospel Message.

Born-again believers have good reason to be in fear of divine disciple, but have no reason to fear eternal condemnation (13).

On the other hand, unbelievers have every reason to fear (14) the torments (15) of Hades upon leaving this world, followed up by the Rev. 20: 15 Judgement Day, after which, they will ALL be tossed into what the Bible calls the lake of fire, for all of eternity future. ‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Born again, Church Age believers have the assurance of there being no eternal condemnation (16), but as many will learn soon enough, this is not a license to sin. During the Church Age, there is divine discipline (17), here on Earth, for post salvation sin that Christians commit throughout the course of their post salvation spiritual life.

This explains why many of God’s children seem to get caught and punished more often and more severely than many of their unbelieving counterparts.

God’s disciplining of His children is an act of love. It is for the purpose of keeping them on the straight and narrow way. Unbelievers are on a very different road, headed for a very different destination.

End of Part Two
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(1) Gen. 6: 3 (2) John 8: 24/2John 1:8 (3) Romans 8: 1 (4) Rev. 20: 13 (5) Matt. 15: 9 (6) John 3: 7 (7) John 3: 18 (8) John 3: 16, 18 (9) Habakkuk 1: 13 (10) Luke 15: 20 (11) 1John 2: 2 (12) John 19: 30 (13) Acts 5/Romans 8: 1 (14) Matt. 10: 28 (15) Luke 16: 24 (16) Romans 8: 1 (17) Heb. 12: 6

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