January 7, 2023
“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:16-19
These words of Jesus are part of the preparation for end time events. For the faithful man or woman of God, the worst that can happen is a shortening of his or her lifespan in this fallen world. Our walk with Jesus requires much patience. We are to build our soul’s character on the sure foundation that God will always tell us the truth.
The most acute challenges to an individual’s faith will come from among professed believers. This is because Satan’s most intense efforts to destroy the faith of God’s people is by working inside the church. We will need to deal gently and patiently with those do not agree with us.
Yesterday we looked at Paul’s custom of reasoning from the Scriptures. Relying upon what God has said is the safest and surest way to resolve disagreements. Let us take a look at a few scriptures that address the dispute regarding God’s dealing with sin and unrepentant sinners: is it death or endless torture?
God told Adam: “…you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:17
The soul who sins shall die. Ezekiel 18:20a
For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23a
We must remember that Satan made the statement: “You shall not surely die.” Genesis 3:4
The claim that souls are immortal has its roots in this lie of Satan. This false belief is the springboard into a host of false religions. Among Christians it means endless fiery torture for the lost. The core of the Gospel message is salvation and freedom from sin for the repentant souls who trust and follow Jesus. Immortality is a gift only for the saved! The “core of the core” is the transforming love, grace, and mercy of God.
…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23b
Jesus said: “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29 (see also John 3:15-16)
“Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the LORD God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” Ezekiel 18:23
The death of those who cling to their sin is an act of mercy on the part of our gracious God. The wicked shall perish . . . into smoke they shall vanish away. (Psalm 37:20) They shall be as though they had never been. (Obadiah 16) They shall be ashes under the soles of your feet … says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 4:3) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes [of the saved]; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4; see also 20:14)
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1