The Book of Romans – Part 3, The Wrath of God – Its Blessing to the Elect

[Study Aired June 27, 2023]

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 
Romans 1:20 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; so that they are without excuse: 
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 
Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 
Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

Let’s start with the last few verses of our previous study.

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Paul is ready to preach the gospel to the Romans because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. As we know, only the believers in this age are the elect of God (the Jew first). We (the Jew first) are the receivers of the gospel, and in the ages to come we will preach the gospel to the rest of mankind (also the Greek). In the very next chapter of Romans, Paul tells us what the phrase “the Jew first” means.

Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 

In Romans 1:17, Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4: “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Our last study focused on this verse and revealed that living by faith is expressed by obedience to the Law of Christ. If we are not obedient, we will suffer the wrath of God. It is impossible for us to be obedient when we first enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, the wrath of God is upon us, and he takes us by the hand and we are lead through the fiery trials in order to mature us as a loving Father naturally does. The fiery trials have a purpose.

1Pe 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Galatians 6:1-10 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 

Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

In the following verses Paul gives us a warning and understanding how we are to search for the things of the spirit. 

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 
Romans 1:20 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; so that they are without excuse: 
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Paul reveals that if we have eyes to see the world itself tells us what God’s eternal power and Godhead is. Here is a second witness to this statement.

Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Returning to the phrase “the just shall live by faith” tells us that the things of the spirit are clearly seen and understood by those that “live by faith”.

“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven, (which is the kingdom of God), against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” is within us destroying the carnal mind.

Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

“The invisible things” are the things of the spirit which are shadowed by the physical world and the scriptures. It is precept upon precept, line upon line, and here a little and there a little that we can communicate spiritual ideas comparing spiritual with spiritual.

Isaiah 28:9-11 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Paul explains in Romans 1:21 the reason why we cannot live by faith until we receive the Spirit. It is because, despite having knowledge of God, people did not glorify Him as God nor show gratitude. Instead, their thoughts were pointless, and their hearts were filled with darkness due to their foolishness.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

When we enter this world, we fail to glorify God as He deserves and neglect to express gratitude. In our self-righteousness, we believe lies and deceive ourselves into thinking we are God, occupying His rightful place. However, this distorted perception leads to our own destruction. Before the old man is annihilated, it is subject to a “strong delusion” and will believe the lies of the synagogue of Satan.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

God’s wrath serves as the means by which we can overcome this “man of sin” and the “son of perdition.” It is through the righteous anger of God that justice will prevail.

Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 
Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

In Romans 1:22-23, Paul highlights the foolishness of those who claim wisdom but have become fools. They exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for idols and representations of earthly creatures. Instead of recognizing God as the true Creator, they assign divine qualities to created things. In their misguided attempts, they fashion gods of their own making, attributing power and significance to their vain imaginations.

Here is the outcome of the strong delusion.

Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

These verses highlight the consequences of our rejection of God. Because of our persistent unbelief and idolatry, God causes us to follow the desires of our own hearts, leading to impurity and dishonorable behavior. Instead of embracing the truth of God, we exchange it for falsehood and turned our worship toward created things rather than the Creator Himself.

Exodus 32:1-6 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Aaron and the Israelites were a type and a shadow of what our experience is when we first leave Egypt (the world) and are sent into the wilderness (Christianity). We accept the doctrines of the denomination of the church we are placed into as part of the strong delusion sent by God. This is an example of the “the things that are made” to teach us the things of the spirit.

Habakkuk 2:18-20 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

God’s wrath is a significant theme throughout the Bible. It refers to God’s righteous anger and judgment against sin and disobedience. The wrath of God represents His response to our rebellion and disobedience. It is the consequence of our sin and unrighteousness. God’s wrath is a just response to disobedience. God’s wrath is against those who reject Him and turn to idolatry having idols of the heart and worshiping another Jesus. The worship of creation and worship of idols are seen as an offense to God and denies truth. The presence of God’s wrath in Scripture serves as a warning to us. It urges us to turn away from our sinful ways and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. The wrath of God is ultimately realized in the final judgment when all people will give an account for their actions and the rejection of God’s salvation.

Romans 2:3-11 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? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 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; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.

While the concept of God’s wrath is often emphasized, it must be understood in the context of His love and justice. God’s wrath is not an arbitrary expression, but a necessary response to the rebellion against His nature. While God’s wrath is a reality, it is not His sole characteristic. God’s wrath is a tool to emphasize God’s love, mercy, and desire for reconciliation with all men. The purpose of understanding God’s wrath is to recognize the seriousness of sin and the need for salvation, leading to repentance, reconciliation, and having a relationship with God.

Ephesians 2:1-7 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Here are the verses for our next study.

Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 
Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 
Romans 1:28 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; 
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 
Romans 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 
Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

We have shown that no one can come to Christ except the Father draw [ drag] him (Joh 6:44). We have demonstrated that it is only those to whom it is GIVEN to understand the mysteries of the kingdom who will do so, and the rest are blinded by God Himself (Mat 13:11, 17; Mat 20:16; Mat 22:14). These are New Testament scriptures which are ignored, denied and contradicted by the idols of our hearts.

Paul

“Who will have ALL MEN TO BE saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1Ti 2:4).

“God is the Savior of ALL MEN, specially [ because they are the FIRST FRUITS, not the only fruits] of those that believe” (1Ti 4:10).

What does Paul teach will become of you if you have evil works? “Every man’s work shall be made manifest” for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try EVERY MANS WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS” (1Co 3:13).

Peter tells us not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial that “IS TO TRY YOU… For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of GOD…” (1Pe 4:12, 17). These scriptures tell us the purpose of ‘fire’. So let’s go back to 1 Co 3 and let Paul finish his thought. “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereon [ on the foundation of Christ] he shall receive a reward” (1Co 3:14). Now this is commonly taught, but the next verse isn’t. What does Paul teach will happen to those who do not produce good works?: “If any man’s work shall be burned he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET SO AS BY FIRE” (1Co 3:15).

What Paul is saying is that anything that cannot endure the fire (gold, silver and precious stones) will be burned up (wood, hay, stubble 1Co 3:12).

This theme is repeated in Heb 6:8 “But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”

The Great White Throne Judgment and the Lake of Fire

So there is no way to avoid the fire that guards the ‘tree of life’, Christ. The only way to get to Him is through burning out of us everything that offends God.

There are two times when this will be done. There are two judgments: “For the time IS COME that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?” (1Pe 4:17, 18).

What is the end of those “that obey not the gospel of God” and where do the “ungodly and the sinner appear?” When is the “fulness of the Gentiles” accomplished? (Rom 11:25). (See the Law of Moses Versus the Law of the Spirit article on web page listed below, PDF version pages 20 and 92.)

They appear at the next judgment. They appear at the Great White Throne Judgment of Rev 20:11. And what happens there? Do the scriptures really teach us that the wicked dead, those whose works were “wood, hay and stubble”, “nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned”; “death and hell were cast into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:14); are these scriptures telling us that all these wicked dead will either be tormented in literal fire for all eternity or else be literally burned up and be dead for all eternity? No, of course it doesn’t. It is only an ‘idol of the heart’ false doctrine that makes our loving Father out to be so heartless.

This is not a black throne judgment, it is the white throne judgment. And what do the scriptures teach us judgment is?: “When we are judged we are chastened of the Lord…” (1Co 11:32), not killed forever or tortured forever.

There, now we know the purpose of judgment. “Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Heb 6:12) because “judgment must BEGIN [ NOT END] at the house of God” (1Pe 4:17).

Now if judgment “BEGINS with the house of God” and “we are chastened of the Lord” why would we think the second judgment would do anything else? What do the scriptures teach will be the outcome of God’s judgments?: “When thy judgments are in the EARTH [ the great white throne judgment; the chastening that befits a white throne] THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD will learn righteousness” (Isa 26:9).

So at the end, in the end of the book of Revelation, the story is the same as at the end of the book of Genesis: “God meant it [ evil] unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this [ white throne judgment] day, to save much people alive” (Gen 50:20). The parallel to this scripture in the New Testament is “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).

You may ask: ‘How can you possibly say “much people are saved alive” when we were just told they were cast into the Lake of Fire which “is the second death”?’

The answer is that you cannot separate verse 14 from verse 15. The “whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire” of verse 15 is for the destruction of “death and hell” in verse 14. The second death is the death or destruction of ‘death’ itself. We know this is so because we now know that judgment is chastening (1Co 11:32), and verse 13 of Rev 20 tell us “they were judged every man according to his works”. “There is nor more death” is only five verses below this statement. As long as even one person is dead, death has not been destroyed.

Now Paul’s statements in 1Co 3:15 “if any man’s [ sinful] works shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET SO AS BY [ the lake of] FIRE,” makes perfect sense.

Now it makes sense for Paul to tell the Corinthians “…deliver such an one [ the Corinthians’ fornicator] unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh [ death] THAT THE SPIRIT MIGHT BE SAVED IN THE [ great white throne judgment] DAY OF THE LORD JESUS” (1Co 5:5).

Joseph’s brothers were in total ‘outer darkness’, weeping and gnashing their teeth until Joseph revealed himself to them.

Next

When Christ told Martha:

Joh 11:24  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

I’m sure that you, with Martha, would say “Yes, Lord, I believe.” But what is it one believes if one says:

 “ALL Adam don’t get to be made alive in Christ, just all the Church…?”

Do you believe that Christ was telling Martha ‘I am the first but not the second resurrection?’

I think we all know better than that. It is not worded ‘As in Adam all die even so all who are in Christ shall be made alive.’ Here is what we are told is the power behind all resurrected bodies of all time:

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all  [same all who are in Adam. We are all, at one time ‘in Adam] be made alive.

The ‘all in Adam” is the same “all” who will be in Christ. If this is not so, then there would be no need for the next few verses:

1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24  Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

The destruction of death necessitates the salvation of all men of all time. But Christ is both resurrections: “As in Adam… SO in Christ… I am the resurrection”

There is a “first fruit” which is regenerated now and there is “the lump” which will come in with Sodom and Samaria through the purifying lake of fire. When all is said and done God “will have all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth.”

Rom 11:16  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. ***** Christ and His Church (“I am the vine and you are the branches”)…

The “evil reward” for not doing the Lord’s will” is the second judgment, the white (not black) throne judgment which will chasten  and judge those who refused to “judge themselves” now while still in this “vessel of clay.”

Here are but a very few of the hundreds of verses of God’s word which tell us plainly what God is doing with mankind:

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ***** this is the little all or the Church only…

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all ***** this is ALL ADAM …   men, specially [ not exclusively] of those that believe ***** He is special to the Church here in time but ALL ADAM will be changed in the last resurrection…

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us- ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ***** Again the Church

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  ***** Yes, this covers both resurrections…

And we also have this assurance from the book of Romans:

Rom 11:15  For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world [Even Sodom and Samaria], what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

***** I pray almost daily “Bring them Home Lord bring them Home !!!

Rom 11:16  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy : and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

All of the admonitions to avoid hell and the lake of fire are very urgent admonitions. However they have nothing whatsoever to do with avoiding eternal death or eternal punishment. what they are concerned with is “loss” of reward.

1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by [ the lake of] fire.

Some wonder if 1 Thess. 5:9 is the elect. Read Rom 9 and then read 1 Thess. chapters 4 and five together and you will see that mankind as a whole is not cast away and consigned to God’s wrath. Who is consigned to God’s wrath, be they elect or not are those who “know to do good and do it not:

I am at a loss to understand why some would have ‘all’ to mean anything less than all of God’s creatures who are in Adam. The advantage of being first is explained in Revelation and all the rest of the New Testament. The firstfruit overcomers are given rulership in the kingdom. All others are ruled over in the kingdom. But in the end God is all in all and not one soul is left out of Christ.

There are those who point to Joh 17 as if I would find there that

“ALL Adam don’t get to be made alive in Christ, just, all the Church…?”

Do you think that the fact that we enjoy eonian life necessitates that all others will not receive life? Do you believe that there is no life other than eonian life? Do you think that because “the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eonian life” that therefore those who receive eonian life can avoid death? This is not what Rom 6:23 is saying. Rom 6:23 says:

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

This verse in Romans does not contradict these verses in Hebrews:

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Judgment cannot be administered until after death: “… After this the judgment.”

Now since judgment is NOW on the house of God:

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:

… and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

… and yet we are told that it is appointed unto man once to die and after this [ death] the judgment,’ it is therefore needful that all who are being judged now have died or are dying daily to this flesh. Life comes only “through death:”

Col 1:22  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Heb 2:14  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;

So we see that the fact that the gift of God is eonian life, in no way excludes anyone from having to die first in order to obtain that life. We enjoy the kingdom now only in “earnest of the spirit” and not in “the fulness of the inheritance.” Is this joy we have now the kingdom? It certainly is. But is it the “redemption of the purchased possession?” Absolutely not! The best is yet to come.

2Co 1:22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2Co 5:5  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us

Here is how The Good News Bible words this:

(GNB)  “who has placed his mark of ownership upon us, and who has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.”

And here is how the International Standard Version puts this:

(ISV)  “who has placed his seal on us and has given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.”

These verses are in sharp contrast to these verses:

Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

This is indeed a glorious promise for all who partake of that blessed and holy first resurrection:

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Being in that blessed and holy first resurrection is not an end in itself. The very purpose for being “priests of God and of Christ and reigning with Him” is to show mercy to all mankind who are not in the first resurrection. But that mercy is not shown to mankind during the thousand years. It is rather shown to mankind in the lake of fire after the second resurrection. It is then that we “shall judge angels” because the lake of fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. At that time there will be nothing but spirits to be judged:

Eze 16:55  When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.

The dominance of an outward Jew during the millennium is not in the scriptures. It is those who are in that “blessed and holy first resurrection who will dominate at that time. It will be” He is a Jew who is one inwardly. He is NOT a Jew which is one outwardly.” All who have slain Christ and have not yet repented of doing so will be spirits in this lake of fire. They will be judged by those who are that fire:

Isa 33:14  The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isa 33:15  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

It is here that Satan himself will be judged and purged of his own carnal, rebellious mind. It is here that God will use his elect to judge angels:

Mat 25:41  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:

Without the “sum of God’s word” one would conclude that the sheep and the goats are all there standing before God and Christ to be judged at the same time. It is with what is later revealed in Paul’s and John’s writings in 1Co.15 and Rev 20 that we see that these are two separate judgments; one occurring now while we are in this flesh, the other occurring “after the thousand years are finished.”

It is then that the elect will be used by God to bring to God all who are yet in unbelief:

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

So those saints in that blessed and holy first resurrection will rule the world for 1000 years and then they “shall judge angels:” This is the reason for having a “blessed and holy first resurrection.” Here is how Paul summarizes this function of God’s elect:

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

It is through those who are in the first resurrection that God will bring in all the rest of mankind – “through your mercy.”

This same message is repeated by Paul in Galatians, Ephesians and Colossians.

So Paul concludes this incredibly revealing revelation with these words:

Rom 11:33  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!
Rom 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

While the word ‘all’ is not always intended to mean virtually every human in Judea coming out to be baptized of John or coming to hear Christ preach, when it comes to salvation, it is all inclusive.

I hope that you see who is in view when Paul uses the words ‘in Adam, and in Christ’ and I hope you see that we are only in God’s kingdom now ” in earnest… until the redemption of the purchased possession.”

When God has accomplished what he has chosen his firstfruits to accomplish, He will then be all in all. That is the goal of the universe. And God’s channel to achieve that goal is those who are in that blessed and holy first resurrection.

Mike,

If everyone is going to heaven or be saved anyhow, then why did Christ have to die?

Thanks,

D____

Hello D____,

Christ had to die so that everyone could be saved. If a fireman has to go into a burning building to save one person, and then finds there are ten in there, don’t you think he should go back and get them all? Are you suggesting that he just save the first one that he takes down the ladder? The fireman has to ‘ go into the building‘ to save them all. Christ had to come into this burning decaying world to save His elect first. It was Christ through whom God “created all things.” That is how we all ended up “in Adam.” We did not ‘freely choose’ to be “in Adam.” So Christ did not come to save only those who are “special’ to Him. He will “also” save ” all… in Adam.” Even those who have reject Him.

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Do you see what it says there? “ All in Adam… die.” That exact same “all… shall be made alive… in Christ.”

That is why Christ had to die. So that “all in Adam” could be “made alive… in Christ.”

1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially [ not exclusively] of those that believe.
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

As clear as this all is, the carnal mind in it’s pride and in the darkness of the lies of orthodox Christian teaching, clings to an eternal hell in which men are tormented forever with no end ever in sight. And the purpose for that torment is for the torment’s sake only. It has no other purpose. It is not to chasten or to reprove or to save. It is solely for the purpose of inflicting excruciating pain for all eternity! This demonic, depraved doctrine is easier for the carnal, orthodox Christian mind to comprehend than to admit that Christ would naturally go back into that burning, decaying building and save all who are in need of His saving power. In effect they all ask the same insane question, ‘If Christ is going to save every one in the burning building, why did he have to go into the burning building?’ The answer is always the same…

1Jn 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Mike