Friday: Further Thought ~ Receiving an Unshakeable Kingdom
Further Thought:
“During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent. ‘Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.’ 1 Corinthians 4:5.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Daniel declares that when the Ancient of Days came, ‘judgment was given to the saints of the Most High.’ Daniel 7:22. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: ‘I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.’ ‘They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.’ Revelation 20:4, Revelation 20:6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, ‘the saints shall judge the world.’ 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of death.
Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says Paul: ‘Know ye not that we shall judge angels?’ Verse 3. And Jude declares that ‘the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.’ Jude 6.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pages 660, 661.
Discussion Questions:
|
(17)
Most of the things we have been discussing in the last couple of weeks are either taking place where we cannot see or are in the future, which of course we cannot see either.
It's a bit like in mathematics, we have imaginary numbers which don't exist. Yet we have a whole branch of mathematics devoted to imaginary numbers. We write equations with imaginary numbers, and solve them; we draw diagrams to represent them (we even give them a name - Argand diagrams); we use them in trigonometry and calculus. Non-mathematical observers probably think that this is just evidence that mathematicians are a bit weird. Why would you think up a whole mathematics based on imaginary numbers? Aren't there better things to do in life?
Well, electrical engineers seem to think that imaginary numbers are just the trick needed to describe some of the issues of alternating current electricity. And AC electricity is real. You might not be able to see it, but if you stick your fingers in a power socket, you will certainly experience it. The point is, that the abstract theory of pure mathematics has a very real and practical application.
The ideas that we have been discussing this week are invisible (and by inference theoretical) and not relevant to the modern secular mind. Perhaps we need to be the spiritual "Electrical engineers" who apply the theory to practical applications.
The big picture message of Hebrews is:
...and:
Thank Maurice, I never thought about mathematics that way ...
You opened my mind !
I was somewhat intrigued, when I put up the SPD Discipleship Video for this week that they had chosen to change the spelling for the title of this week's lesson. I decided to check, thinking that it was just a difference between American and Australian English, but I discovered this:
Is the difference in meaning significant? Or is it semantic game playing? Just something to spice up your discussion this week!
I see absolutely no difference in the meaning of either spelling of "unshakeable or unshakable."
The fact to me is that what Jesus has done in the past and is doing now in the present is what is "unshakable." And when I place my faith on this, then this makes me also "unshakable," too!
Unshakeable...Shakeable regardless of the spelling, what scripture is telling us, all entropy in the physical creation and evil desires in minds and hearts will be transformed in a new creation.
God's Spirit is eternal.
God's Spirit fills both non personal matter (the decaying universe) and personal minds and motivation (on conversion in the Christ) in a body of decaying matter.
We await the final versus of 1 Corinthians 15 ...
God will be all and IN ALL in new heavens and new earth !
Unshakable. New resurrected bodies and new eternal transformed environment.
Well now, Larry Flynn, we do not have to wait for the resurrection and to have glorified bodies or even to wait for Jesus' second coming to be unshakable in Jesus now by faith in what He did before His first coming and at His first coming at Calvary and now in Heaven interceding for us. When we accept now all this of Jesus' past and present by faith, His Father sees us (now) as never having sinned at all and perfect because of His Son's Righteousness and flawless sinlessness in our behalf and therefore "unshakable" even now.
Thanks for the encouraging reply Pete.
However, I don't believe OSAS (once saved always saved) is the good news.
The Father reconciled all things onto HIMSELF (his own divine nature) in Christ Jeaus)
God cant be inconsistent with his divine nature.
2 Corinthians 5, colossians 1, ephesians 1
The reconciliation of fallen man in Christ, consisted of a renewal of fellowship with the Father by the Spirit, that the First Adam lost in his walk with God ...fellowship
The renewed Fellowship in Holy Spirit (the pearl of great price) through Christ makes us a Spiritual baby in Christ and acts within us to conform to the fullness of The New Mankind.
Jesus expressed the process as a Seed to maturity.
It's called the santification process.
God cursed fleshly Israel for lack of fruit and so with us !
Peter before his death reminded babies in Christ to continue in the partaking of the divine nature (holy Spirit) to be fruitful .
Read 2 Peter chapter 1
We are in a saved state currently when we continue to walk with God to maturity.
Blessings to you in the Spirit!
I also do not beleive in "Once saved always saved" either. However, Jesus said in Matthew 12:31 that "All manner of sin shall be forgiven men except the sin against the Holy Spirit." And the sin against God's Holy Spirit is not any specific transgression against the 10 Commandments but it is a sin of closing the hearts door to God's Grace and Mercy regarding God's sin solution through His Son Jesus.
I firmly believe that if we use the two words in the English language with the same meaning to create an argument, then it is a word game. Listening, in the past, I do not believe the Astralian ss share God's love young people do word games. I have not forgotten Professor Huberts words to a bunch of collage students. Who on his blog were using word semantics to such a degree that Douglas Hubert had to stop them by saying, ok students let's stop the word games. SPD Discipleship may say something to get you to think, however they don't make that their main point. Their existence is pointing us to the Love of God. Kudo's Maurice and DPD discipleship.
With these two words it is difficult to tell misspelling from correct spelling.
Be that as it may. I do believe unwavering is the same meaning as standing firm on Christ. Also not moving from a solid grip on our Saviour is the same as a unwavering faith in Christ both giving us peace of mind. Romans 5:1-5. Neither the Author/editors of ss lesson or the SPD Discipleship have the spelling wrong. This is another one of those quirks in the English language. Simular to Saviour and Savior. Both are the correct spelling, both are nouns. I prefer Saviour because it sounds like save your. Christ came to save your soul, not to condemn. And Savior sounds like saver, same meaning just a tad bit different spelling. Christ is Saver of my soul.
I agree with Pete and Larry, leaving out the e does not change the meaning of unwavering Love for Christ, or if you prefer, my love for Christ is solid, and sticks more firm than glue. I hope I am not fostering word games, they can get out of hand and become distructive and/or distractive. May God bless each and every one as this excellent quarter soon comes to a close and we start over from the begining next quarter.
One more point or question if you prefer. If I am solid and firm, am I not unweavering or unmovable? Romans 8:37-38. Let's be persuaded that nothing can deter us from to love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Just a thought ..
Ever notice in Genesis, that all environments in creation preceded its creatures. The creatures, birds, fish, Angels , man and beast were given bodies for that environment.
The Thoughts of having an immortal body is mind blowing !
Praise God in Christ !
1 Corinthians 15
God will all IN ALL
Studying the Scripture to find the right understanding about ‘Receiving an unshakable kingdom’ was reassuring. Scripture explains the kingdom of God to be within us – in our heart and mind - Luke17:21. It is our love of our Redeemer God and our desire to live as citizens of His spiritual kingdom which prompts us to unite as brothers and sisters of the Faith of Christ Jesus, His Gospel, by which we now live through faith as we lovingly serve one another.
Because this kingdom is spiritual and not made by man, man cannot take it away – it cannot be shaken!
Matt.24:14
”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.”
Matt.24:34-36
”Truly I tell you, this ‘generation’ will not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not event he angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Numbers 23:19
”God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
The meanings of unshakeable and unshakable are striking. I never knew that or even thought about the significance.
My biggest thinking point this week was... why the need for a judge if it's at the point of celebrating?
Any thoughts on this?
Hi Joleisa...
Not sure if I fully understand your question.
However, if you indulge me on the intrusion, I will give my 2 cents !
Celebrating and shaking is a double edge sword.
The judgment for the righteous in Christ is a reward, those not, are locked out of the wedding celebration !
In Christ 2 Peter 1:1-12, revelation 21,22