Rewards in Heaven AFTER and above the overcoming (Salvation)

It must first be made clear that salvation is fully paid for by Christ's work on the cross for those whom believe.  No man by his own deeds can work his own salvation,  " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" {Rom 3:23}, and, " For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" {Rom 6:23}.   But AFTER Salvation, in Heaven, the ‘saints’ (us in our eternal spiritual bodies after overcoming on the Great Judgment Day) are given certain rewards (clothed in certain garments) according to our good deeds (some more than others, though they all be in Heaven).  There is very little written of this, but perhaps the below several Scriptures may shed some light:

Matt 5:19
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (KJV)

Luke 7:28
28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.  (KJV)

Rev 22:12
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (KJV)

II Jn 1:8
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (KJV)

Matt 5:12
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (KJV)

Matt 6:20
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (KJV)

Mark 4:8
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. (KJV)

Rev 19:8
8        And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (KJV)

Rev 3:4-5
4        Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5        He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (KJV)

Rev 3:18
18        I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (KJV)

Ps 132:9
9        Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. (KJV)

Rev 7:13-15
13        And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14        And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15        Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (KJV)

God bless!

Nick

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Question #8
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The Parable Of The Wedding Feast

"W." ASKS:

Hi Nick,

The scripture in Matthew 22 is really sobering.  Do you believe that is describing someone was "is saved", or someone who is near salvation, calls themselves a Christian...thinks they are saved, but have never truly been born again?

W.

ANSWER:

Hello W:

I assume that you are speaking of the first 14 verses of Matt 22?  It is a parable about God’s plan for His children to "go to Heaven.”  Another one that is excellent is the one in the prior chapter (Matt 21:33-46) which speaks of the martyrs (prophets of old) and Christ’s crucifixion.  But regarding this one:

  The Parable Of The Wedding Feast:  Matt 22:1-14

What is the Wedding feast?  It is the joining of the body of Christ to Jesus Christ at the end of times and into the eternity (Jesus Christ as God: “I and my Father are one.” - John 10:30 ).  It is commonly referred to as “Going to Heaven.”

The Parable Of The Wedding Feast: (Verse in Green, commentary in black)

Matt 22:1-14 
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

The Kingdom of Heaven is 'the King in His dominion.'  For there cannot be a kingdom without a King.  God is that King Eternal.  We are God’s children, all of us, both good and bad, for even satan was a being (child) created by God:

Ezek 28:15
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. (KJV)

God likens His children going into the eternity (going to Heaven) with a wedding feast.  Jesus Christ is the Husband, and the church (a body of believers in good standing) is the bride.  God speaks on a level that our frail human minds and emotions can understand.  We can understand the love and protection a husband gives his true love, his bride; therefore we can understand how Christ Jesus loves and protects us, yea, even died for us; no more can a husband give to his wife than his own life.  Jesus said it a little differently, but it is the same thing, for His friends are to be His bride (spiritually speaking):

John 15:13-14
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (KJV)

Our Heavenly Father gave us to be a bride to the Bridegroom of all bridegrooms, Jesus Christ; and into Jesus Christ the Father God has entrusted us just as a man marries off his beloved daughter to a good man to keep care of her.  Any father who has given his daughter in marriage can understand the emotion involved in this. 

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 

The King (God) sent the prophet John the Baptist and the early Disciples of both John and Jesus Christ to call the lost sheep of the House of Israel to the wedding feast to be joined to the Lamb, Jesus Christ. But they would not come. They beheaded John and crucified Christ. Had they have accepted Jesus Christ as Messiah Savior at that time, then there would not have been a Second Advent, the First Advent would have been both Advents and the age would have been consummated. But they did not.

Matt 17:9-13
9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias [Elijah in the Hebrew] must first come?
11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. [see the prophecy {Mal 4:5-6}]
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.  (KJV)

4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

Christ has by now been crucified.  The Twelve Apostles begin their ministry.  Paul begins his ministry to "... bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" {Acts 9:15}.

6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

All twelve of the Apostles are martyred (with the possible exception of John, “ the disciple whom Jesus loved.” {John 21:20}.  Apostle Paul beheaded in Rome.)

7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

In 69 a.d. God uses the Roman Government to destroy Jerusalem, the Holy City (defiled).  The Roman General, Titus, besieges Jerusalem, takes her, and destroys the Holy Temple of God (then  defiled by Judaism (Phariseeism) on the Temple Mount Jerusalem (to date never rebuilt).

8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Christianity is now solidly founded on the blood of the Prophets, Apostles and the Son of God Himself.  Christianity becomes a religion and a storm that blows across the entire planet, overturning kingdoms, breaking through whole religions, shining light into the darkest corners of the globe, eventuality to touch each soul with the ultimate choice: Believe and live (eternally), or die in your sins.

Mark 16:15-16
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  (KJV)

Matt 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (KJV)

Col 1:5-6
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:  (KJV)

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Both good and bad (false religionists & impostors as well as the true faithful).  It is now the great Tribulation, the end of the age is being consummated, all prophecy comes to pass as written.  The good (faithful) are preserved from the tribulation, they are sealed in their heads with the Word of God, they cannot be deceived by the false christ antichrist who comes claiming to be the True Christ, but does lie and is satan and his synagogue (the coming luciferian one-world religion):

Rev 3:10
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation [satan's (as the antichrist) hour, the great Tribulation], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (KJV)

Matt 24:21-26
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (KJV)

The Tribulation races on eating up souls like a machine.  The whole world is beguiled by antichrist (satan) just as Eve was beguiled by the serpent (satan) in the Garden with the lie: “Ye shall not surely die” (Gen 3:4) but received only misery and death, so also shall the end generation be beguiled by the false christ antichrist and his empty promise of the life eternal that he cannot deliver.  And as Eve gave away her promise of eternal life in the Garden of God, so do many give up their promise of eternal life in satan’s garden, the Great Tribulation:

Rev 13:3-9
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. (KJV)

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

One of the false religionists, a follower (whom KNOWINGLY followed) of the wrong christ antichrist.

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matt 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)

14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (KJV)

Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [antichrist], whose names are not written in the book of life [chosen] of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)

Eph 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  (KJV)

[End of parable.]

God bless!

Nick

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Question #7
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Did Jacob wrestle with Jesus, and who was Melchizedec?

Monika writes:

Hello Nick,

Thank you for listening to my question, In Genesis 32:24 it states :"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." My Pastor, when studying this verse this morning, said that the man was God Himself.  Does he mean it was Jesus Christ ? -- And if this was God Himself, does it mean that God's throne was on earth at this time also as it was at the time of Ezekiel? --- In verse 1 of Chapt.32 it says "and Jacob went his way, and the angels of God met him" :2 "And when Jacob saw them, he said, this is God's host ---" How did Jacob recognize the angels? There is no mentioning of any whirlwind etc. like in Ezekiel.

Thank you.
God bless you, 
Monika

Answer:

Hello Monika, thank-you for the kind words (not posted).

        Yes it was God that Jacob wrestled with, though I suspect God was going easy on him (ha-ha).  Below is the Scripture.  You will notice that word translated "man" is not "ish" as in regular every day man, but rather, "Enowsh" which is a mighty man, a just man, a man above men so to speak (The Companion Bible has an excellent appendix on this called "synonymous words for man ").  It is simply saying that God came in the flesh and dealt with Jacob.  When God is in the flesh, who is He?   You are correct, Jesus (Yehoshua - there are various spellings for this word but you know that it means "God with us").  Melchizedec was also Jesus (Melchisedec (Greek) {Heb 7:1-5}) and spelled: (Melchizedec (Hebrew) {Gen 14:18-20})

Gen 32:24-30
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man [Enowsh] with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. (KJV)

Peniel: Hebrew word #6439 Penuw'el or (more properly,) Peniy'el- Penuel or Peniel = "facing God."

--------------------

        Yes, God's throne, and therefore Heaven is wherever God is. So if God was there then His throne was. But, being that he was in the form of a man, as Jesus was on the earth, His throne would not have been visible. When God is in the whirlwind He does not appear as Jesus in the flesh but as God in His spiritual body. That is why the Hebrews of the Old Testament said that no man could see the face of God and live. For to see God you must be in His realm or He in yours (unless God wishes otherwise, with God all things are possible, but he does seem to operate in a ‘standard' way so as not to confuse us anymore than we already are).

        Heaven is a place with God and an age for us, and God can control that. Heaven is wherever God is whenever he is there. We call it 'going to' Heaven, but that just means going to be where God is. That's why earth becomes Heaven in {Rev 21:1-}, because God dwells with us on the earth. Earth was also heaven in the 1st earth age till Lucifer ruined it. The Garden of Eden was a 'little piece' of Heaven until Adam and Eve ruined it {Gen 6:3}. They would have been immortal and not needed Jesus had they not sinned with the serpent. They became flesh (mortal) like the sixth day creation, whom were mortal (but not liable to perish in the Lake of Fire because no law was yet then give to break.  No law = no sin) .

----------------

        As far as Jacob recognizing the angels; angels can be seen or not seen according to their wishes, angels can appear as flesh men or a spiritual beings according to their wishes. That is why the Scripture states:

Heb 13:2
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (KJV)

God bless!
Nick
WBSG

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Question #6
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The katabole (the destruction of the first earth age)

Chuck writes:

I was surprised by your interpretation of the first few verses of the book of Genesis.  I think it's sad that men can't find common understanding between the natural science and the science of God.  I think the author of this study has taken some liberties in translation, that are not necessarily correct. However, your Study Group remains a favorite. Thanks

Answer:

Hello:

        I'm glad you enjoy the site, and thank-you for the feedback.  I see you are having a problem with the Three Earth Ages study (WHEN WAS THE BEGINNING).  May I start by saying that true science and the Bible do not disagree.

        I am the author of the Three Earth Ages study, and while I respect your right to disagree with any given point, I feel led to show you a little deeper into the destruction of the first earth age and the reconstitution of the second earth age (our present one), of course you know that the Heaven age is the third 'earth' age.

        There is a very curios saying throughout the Word of God, it is these phrase: "from before the foundation of the world."  Apostles Peter, Paul, John, and even Jesus Christ used this phrase.  But what does it mean?  I mean, how can there be something BEFORE the "foundation of the world"? 

        Of course it is referring to before the foundations of this world, or better put, before the foundations of this world AGE.  It is referring to a dispensation of time before our present one.  There are not three separate earths, as one might misunderstand it to mean when the Bible says, for instance: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea" {Rev 21:1}.  It is the same earth, same Heaven, different time.   But back to "from the foundation of the world."

        There is a key to understanding in that phrase, it is found in the word translated to: "foundation" in our King James Bible.  It is the Greek word: "katabole."  We shall study deeper into that word.  It would have been better translated to "over throw," or, "destruction" as we shall see by it's own definition.  Please understand that the below definition for "foundation (Katabole)" does not necessarily apply every time you see the English word "foundation", for there are several different Greek words that translators simply rendered "foundation" and they all have distinct meanings.  Further down below, we shall supply all eleven verses in the Bible where the word appears.  But let's observe the definition of the word katabole: 

foundation:  Greek word #2602 katabole (kat-ab-ol-ay'); from #2598 (see below); a deposition, i.e. founding; figuratively, conception: KJV-- conceive, foundation.

Greek word #2598 kataballo (kat-ab-al'-lo); from #2596 (see below) and #906 (see below); to throw down: KJV-- cast down, lay.  

This word kataballo is used individually only twice in the Bible:

Every occurrence of kataballo Greek word #2598 in the Bible (KJV):

2 Cor 4:9
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down [kataballo], but not destroyed  (KJV)

Heb 6:1
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying  [kataballo] again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God  (KJV)

Greek word #906 ballo (bal'-lo); a primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense):  KJV-- arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust. Compare 4496.

Greek word #2596 kata (kat-ah'); a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive case, dative case or accusative case] with which it is joined): KJV-- about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, [charita-] bly, concerning, + covered, [daily-], down, every, (+far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in (-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-) on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+your) X own, + particularly, so, through (-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-) to (-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where (-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.

        Hopefully you can see by the in-depth definition of the word translated to "foundation" regarding our study that the word means the overthrow, the destruction of that first earth age and the beginning of the second (our current one).  Very little is written in the Bible about that destruction of the first earth age.  A couple places that do, are {2nd Pet 3:4-7, and , Jer 4:23-27}.  I hope that helps you to understand why there is a division in the middle of {Gen 1:2} across two separate earth ages.

Below, the first earth age is in blue and the second earth age in red:, divided by || for the color blind:

Gen 1:1-2
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. || And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  (KJV)

Below is every occurrence of the word katabole (foundation):

Every occurrence of  katabole, Greek word #2602 in the Bible (KJV):

Matt 13:35
35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. (KJV)

Matt 25:34
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (KJV)

Luke 11:50
50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; (KJV)

John 17:24
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (KJV)

Eph 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (KJV)

Heb 4:3
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (KJV)

Heb 9:26
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (KJV)

Heb 11:11 (THIS ONE IS INTERESTING!)
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. (KJV)

1 Pet 1:20
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (KJV)

Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)

Rev 17:8
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (KJV)

Below is Appendix #146 from the The Companion Bible that explains this Katabole of the first earth age:

 

Foundation of the World This Is Appendix 146 From The Companion Bible.    To arrive at the true meaning of this expression, we must note that there are two words translated "foundation" in the New Testament: (1) themelios, and (2) katabole.    The Noun, themelios, occurs in Luke 6:48-49, 14:29, Acts 16:26, Romans 15:20, 1Corinthians 3:l0-12, Ephesians 2:20, 1Timothy 6:19, 2Timothy 2:19, Hebrews 6:1, 11:10, Revelation 21:14,19. It is never used of the world (kosmos) or the earth (ge). The corresponding Verb (themelioo) occurs in Matthew 7:25, Luke 6:48, Ephesians 3:17, Colossians 1:23, Hebrews 1:10 and 1Peter 5:10. The verb is only once used of the earth (ge). Hebrews 1:10.    A comparison of all these passages will show that these are proper and regular terms for the English words "to found", and "foundation".    The Noun, katabole, occurs in Matthew 13:35, 25:34, Luke 11:50, John 17:24, Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 4:3, 9:26 , 11:11, 1Peter 1:20, Revelation 13:8, 17:8 and the corresponding Verb (kataballo) occurs in 2Corinthians 4:9, Hebrews 6:1 and Revelation 12:10.    A comparison of all these passages (especially 2Corinthians 4:9 and Revelation 12:10) will show that kataballo and katabole are not the proper terms for founding and foundation, but the correct meaning is casting down, or overthrow.    Consistency, therefore, calls for the same translation in Hebrews 6:1, where, instead of "not laying again", the rendering should be "not casting down". That is to say, the foundation already laid, of repentance, etc., was not to be cast down or overthrown, but was to be left and progress made unto the perfection.    Accordingly, the Noun katabole, derived from, and cognate with the Verb, ought to be translated "disruption", or "ruin".    The remarkable thing is that in all occurrences (except Hebrews 11:11) the word is connected with "the world" (Greek kosmos. Appendix 129.1), and therefore the expression should be rendered "the disruption (or ruin) of the world", clearly referring to the condition indicated in Genesis 1:2, and described in 2Peter 3:5-6. For the earth was not created tohu (Isaiah 45:18) but became so, as stated in the Hebrew of Genesis 1:2 and confirmed by 2Peter 3:6, where "the world that then was by the word of God" (Genesis 1:1) perished and "the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word" were created (Genesis 2:4), and are "kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment" (2Peter 3:7) which shall usher in the "new heavens and the new earth" of 2Peter 3:13.    "The disruption of the world" is an event forming a great dividing line in the dispensations of the ages. In Genesis 1:1 we have the founding of the world (Hebrews 1:10 = themelioo), but in Genesis 1:2 we have its overthrow.    This is confirmed by a further remarkable fact, that the phrase, which occurs ten times, is associated with the Preposition apo = from (Appendix 104. iv) seven times, and with pro = before (Appendix 104. xiv) three times. The former refers to the kingdom, and is connected with the "counsels" of God; the latter refers to the Mystery (or Secret; See Appendix 193) and is connected with the "purpose" of God (see John 17:24, Ephesians 1:4, 1Peter 1:20).    Ample New Testament testimony is thus given to the profoundly significant fact recorded in Genesis 1:2, that "the earth became tohu and bohu (i.e. waste end desolate); and darkness was on the face of the deep", before the creation of "the heavens and the earth which are now" (2Peter 3:7).

God bless you Chuck!

Nick
WBSG

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Question #5
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Under revision

Question #3
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Question #2
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The 'first' heaven and the 'first' earth reference in Rev 21:1

S. WRITES:

Question please: I do not want to be stumped if someone questions why the heaven/earth age that Lucifer was in is not counted as the 1st earth ages. - seeing that we know satan was in the 1st heaven/earth age ( I AM STUDYING YOUR LINK ON THIS) so my question may be answered.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

love in Christ,
S.

 

 
ANSWER:

I see what you mean about that Scripture. 

Rev 21:1
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (KJV) 

And it is somewhat confusing.  But it is not inaccurate, for the first heaven and earth did pass away:

2 Pet 3:6
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (KJV)

So the Scripture is not in error (of course).  But I see what you mean about it not mentioning the three earth ages.  For really, the one that is passing away in that verse is technically the second age (heaven and earth).

My opinion on the matter is that it can explained a couple of ways.

1). The Holy Spirit was not teaching about the tree earth ages in this Scripture, perhaps because none matter at this point for "the former things are passed away" (vs. 4), and, "Behold, I make all things new" (vs.5).

2). The Holy Spirit may have esteemed the first earth age as nonexistent anymore, for "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (2nd Pet 3:6). And ‘perished' is a complete and full act. See the Strong's word "perished" and the two root words:

Perished: Greek word #622 apollumi (ap-ol'-loo-mee); from 575 and the base of 3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively: KJV-- destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.

#575 apo (apo');a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative): KJV-- (X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.

#3639 olethros (ol'-eth-ros);from a primary ollumi (to destroy; a prolonged form); ruin, i.e. death, punishment: KJV-- destruction.

As to which explanation sits well with you, you must chose.  Personally, I feel that the first explanation is correct, the Holy Spirit simply wasn't teaching the three earth ages in that particular Scripture.  Just like when Paul said that he told them "repent and turn to God", surely Paul also told them to believe upon Jesus Christ.  But Paul doesn't mention that in THIS particular Scripture:

Acts 26:19-20
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. (KJV)

In conclusion, while the Scripture may be somewhat unclear, it is certainly not incorrect, for the Scriptures cannot be incorrect, only our interpretation them may be uncertain.

God bless, and excellent question.  Wish I could have given a more definite answer.  I so dislike answering a Bible question with " it may mean this, or, on the other hand, it may mean that."  For I believe that every answer is contained within the Scriptures, and that we just must locate it.  I, however, can do no better than I have on the matter.  Pray about it, the Holy Spirit does lead us in all matters Biblical.  Below is the Scripture in context:

Rev 21:1-5
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 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.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (KJV)

God bless, and ‘sorry' for the ambiguous answer.

Nick

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Question #1
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If Adam was Jesus' first ancestor, then where do the 6th day creation fit in?

BRENDA WRITES:

Dear Nick,

If Adam was Jesus's first earthly ancestor, then what about the sixth day creation? You touched on the "formed" and "created" with me once before, but I guess I'm still not getting it. Would you help me please.  My daughter is asking me and I will not give her answers until I feel secure that I've got the answers correct.  As Always Thank-you so much.

Sincerely,

Brenda

ANSWER:

Hello Brenda:

You are a wise and responsible parent to ensure that what your child learns about our Heavenly Father's Word is truly of His Word.  For as you know there is much false teaching out there.  So in answer to your question let's supply Scripture and let the Bible interpret itself for us.  If somebody tells you something that they cannot back up with Scriptures then be very wary, for either they haven't done their homework or they are wrong.  Never feel uncomfortable asking for Biblical documentation, and if someone gets upset at you for asking, well then you know what kind of teacher he is....  Jesus promised us that He insured that all our answers would be available to us in the written Word:

Mark 13:23 (Jesus speaking)
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. (KJV)

Ok, first let's document that Adam (and Eve) were Jesus' first ancestors on His flesh side, and determine who the serpent was:

Gen 3:15 (God talking to the serpent - satan)
15 And I will put enmity between thee [the serpent] and the woman [Eve], and between thy  seed [offspring, Kenites, the children of the serpent] and her seed [Jesus Christ]; it [the woman's seed - Jesus] shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his [Jesus] heel. (KJV)

Luke 3:21-23
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) [son in law] the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli [Mary's father, Joseph's father in law. This is Jesus' genealogy on His mothers side - not Joseph's!],
24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, ... [continued down to verse 38] 
..., 38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (KJV)

Ok, now I don't know if your daughter was asking because it seemed unfair or that it seemed like God was playing favorites.  He was not.  Through Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, all can be ADOPTED into that same family of God:

Gal 4:4-7
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  (KJV)

Rom 2:1-11
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.  (KJV) [God does not play favorites, nor is He ‘prejudice', we are ALL His children, and He loves us all the same when we come to Him through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Savior!] 

Does that help answer your question?  In the same vein, below in the Scripture, Paul is telling the Gentiles (all the peoples, ethnics, races of the planet) that although the Hebrews were the first to worship the Lord God, they did not do so well worshiping Jesus.  For God had that many Hebrews rejected Christ (spirit of slumber, eyes that cannot see ears that cannot hear the truth) and so Christ was therefore preached to the Gentiles. 

And because of this, the Gentiles may be saved.  Paul then goes on to compare the Hebrews to an Olive tree. The analogy being that God pruned many of the Hebrews off the tree so that the Gentiles could be grafted in by adoption through Jesus Christ.  Then the Hebrews who fell away could themselves be grated back in.  The Olive tree is God's eternal family, and all who accept His Son Jesus Christ are welcome into that family, for it was Jesus who paid the price for the family.

Paul then warns the Gentiles to keep good and faithful, because if God wasn't ‘afraid' (reluctant perhaps a better word) to cut off His people Israel, He also won't be ‘afraid' to cut off Gentiles who fall away from His will. 

Rom 11:13-36
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (KJV)

God Bless both you, your daughter, and your family.  In your prayers ask God to keep your daughter safe from all things, and to fill her with His Word - He will, dedicate her to Him.  God owns all souls anyway. God speaking: "Behold, all souls are mine" {Ezek 18:4}. 

Nick

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