Charles Spurgeon: "I believe there will be more in Heaven than in Hell."
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Well, Catholic (and Orthodox) Christians do pray for the departed, and I think also some Anglican Christians also do, as I heard/saw the Church of England do so recently, at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's (may she rest in peace) funeral.
And one of the reasons we do is a passage in a Deuterocanonical (one of the 7 odd books in Catholic/Orthodox Bibles not in Protestant Bibles) Book called Maccabees which commends the practice: "45 And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. 46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." (2 Macc 12:45-46). Source online: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Maccabees 12:42-46&version=DRA
But, as Jocund and others said, even those who can be "saved through fire" (1 Cor 3:15 is another passage that St. Augustine etc understood of Purgatory, and concerning some of whom St. Cyprian said they will remain in that Fire till Judgment Day, but after that go to Heaven) should already have had the Holy Spirit before death, and thus believed in Christ etc. Of course, it can always happen in one's last moments (and there are known cases of that) and so imo we should leave Judgment to God, and pray in faith and hope and love for our dearly departed relatives and friends etc.
In the end, God will decide, and His Judgment will be Perfectly Just and Perfectly Merciful. But concerning the departed, other than praying for them, we cannot assist them. But concerning those living now on earth, and all future souls, we certainly can take actions etc to help them, by Evangelizing/spreading the love of God/winning Souls to Christ etc.
God Bless.
And one of the reasons we do is a passage in a Deuterocanonical (one of the 7 odd books in Catholic/Orthodox Bibles not in Protestant Bibles) Book called Maccabees which commends the practice: "45 And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. 46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." (2 Macc 12:45-46). Source online: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Maccabees 12:42-46&version=DRA
But, as Jocund and others said, even those who can be "saved through fire" (1 Cor 3:15 is another passage that St. Augustine etc understood of Purgatory, and concerning some of whom St. Cyprian said they will remain in that Fire till Judgment Day, but after that go to Heaven) should already have had the Holy Spirit before death, and thus believed in Christ etc. Of course, it can always happen in one's last moments (and there are known cases of that) and so imo we should leave Judgment to God, and pray in faith and hope and love for our dearly departed relatives and friends etc.
In the end, God will decide, and His Judgment will be Perfectly Just and Perfectly Merciful. But concerning the departed, other than praying for them, we cannot assist them. But concerning those living now on earth, and all future souls, we certainly can take actions etc to help them, by Evangelizing/spreading the love of God/winning Souls to Christ etc.
God Bless.
Notice in verse 15, who he died for. Did you even consider that the "sheep" may have been delivered (saved) from starving to death by finding pasture (spiritual food)?
If you reference all of the salvation scriptures to eternal deliverance, the scriptures will teach eternal deliverance to be accomplished by your good works
Well we need to stick with whats written. Rev 7:9 was talked about and if we are to believe that what is written is truth then "a great multitude which no one could number". That's how many where there. That means you could see all those people and you could not number all of them. Ooh lets break that down more, that in Rev 7:9 was just from the great tribulation. Then what did Christ once tell them? If you were blind you would have no sin you say you see your sin remains.
So we think most (8 billion) know which denomination is the real one with the real truth and know with out a doubt what so ever that Jesus Christ came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin was buried rose the 3rd day and is the only way to the Father? Most know this not just believe but know this? Easy to say this stuff on a Christian forum but standing talking to Muslim, Mormon JW groups like this.. I can say most would not be able to defend their faith.
Most are lost? Anyone that says this does not believe it and may be saved believe in Christ yet does not fully believe in Him. If we did every person we came across we would HAVE TO tell them with tears how loved they are how Christ came and died for them yet how many do we pass by never saying a word and we believe they are really all lost? Oh I bet we have some good excesses huh as to why we don't share this free gift He gave us.
Here's one take healing... Have to.. what happens to you when you pass someone sick or stuck in a wheel chair or see that ambulance pass by or car crash on and on? Me? I have to pray for them.. I HAVE TO! Its in me.. what I have had in me before I new it was written was "what if it was me what would I want..then thats what I have to do" I would want someone to help me to pray for me. I would wonder yet sadly know no one is praying for me no one knows I even exist. All those babies young and old used taken advantage of locked up kidnapped you name it. I know nice wonderful people that you go over to ask them to help for you know those young kids next door to them need help to hear "oh you hear the screams but you learn to ignore them".
My point is we say things we fully do not believe nor understand. God sees your heart. Most are so confused lost don't know what to believe .. God hears this knows this. Its those that hear and feel that call with in them know He is calling them but want this world and reject Him. Even that ..they are not judged on just one moment in time. I can be wrong.. but I love believing most are blind and know His heart His compassion His love His merch His grace.. really? God left heaven became His creation... I think He knows something we don't and can not see or understand. PRAISE GOD we have no say. But if you believe most are lost then if you do nothing you will answer to a GOD for what you believed true yet did nothing. We all will no offense
So we think most (8 billion) know which denomination is the real one with the real truth and know with out a doubt what so ever that Jesus Christ came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin was buried rose the 3rd day and is the only way to the Father? Most know this not just believe but know this? Easy to say this stuff on a Christian forum but standing talking to Muslim, Mormon JW groups like this.. I can say most would not be able to defend their faith.
Most are lost? Anyone that says this does not believe it and may be saved believe in Christ yet does not fully believe in Him. If we did every person we came across we would HAVE TO tell them with tears how loved they are how Christ came and died for them yet how many do we pass by never saying a word and we believe they are really all lost? Oh I bet we have some good excesses huh as to why we don't share this free gift He gave us.
Here's one take healing... Have to.. what happens to you when you pass someone sick or stuck in a wheel chair or see that ambulance pass by or car crash on and on? Me? I have to pray for them.. I HAVE TO! Its in me.. what I have had in me before I new it was written was "what if it was me what would I want..then thats what I have to do" I would want someone to help me to pray for me. I would wonder yet sadly know no one is praying for me no one knows I even exist. All those babies young and old used taken advantage of locked up kidnapped you name it. I know nice wonderful people that you go over to ask them to help for you know those young kids next door to them need help to hear "oh you hear the screams but you learn to ignore them".
My point is we say things we fully do not believe nor understand. God sees your heart. Most are so confused lost don't know what to believe .. God hears this knows this. Its those that hear and feel that call with in them know He is calling them but want this world and reject Him. Even that ..they are not judged on just one moment in time. I can be wrong.. but I love believing most are blind and know His heart His compassion His love His merch His grace.. really? God left heaven became His creation... I think He knows something we don't and can not see or understand. PRAISE GOD we have no say. But if you believe most are lost then if you do nothing you will answer to a GOD for what you believed true yet did nothing. We all will no offense
P
Regarding who and how many individuals will be in God's Kingdom is best left to Jesus to determine since He is our Creator and eventually our King. That may be pretty simplistic of an answer. So! Consider the size of the universe that science now tells us is of a size difficult to relate to.
In that sense why would the universe be of such great immenseness if not to be utilized. Even now mankind in their prideful thoughts think they will colonize some place other than Earth. Jesus probably had some vision when He created this universe of great size. In addition even our science is informing us of the likelihood of 'universes' beyond our universe. Our minds have a difficult time comprehending our universe. Exceptions here are those with big ego will say man can and will 'evolve' to higher level which is no supported by any thing I see in the Bible.
Another, paradoxical, natural occurrence is the numbers associated with reproduction of any living organism. Far more seed is produced than ever comes to fruition. Why did Jesus incorporate this, paradoxical, condition of the natural world in His Creation? I don't see the answer now but have a feeling that during His ministry He used parables regarding sowing seed to give us some idea of His intent with His Creation.
I am certain there is a lot more to Creation than we can possibly know at this or any time of our journey here on Earth. The following verse seems to apply mostly to peoples and I am almost certain there are verses that applies to knowledge in general...........
Romans 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!
So how many and who will be in God's Kingdom is not necessary for me or anyone else to know. People aren't good enough with the big numbers that we are confronted with today. An interesting aside on this.
On taking a tour of Fermi Lab in Batavia Illinois and also a group of high school students on field trip probably in hopes of 'indoctrinating' them in the science of 'particle or atomic' physics. At end of tour a classroom was available and a physicist intending to present students with a reason to pursue this science became so confused with the other extreme of Big Numbers, i.e. incredibly Small Numbers, and you could see the discouraging rather than encouraging effect this was having.
One final thought. Many people find math difficult at much simpler levels. Without modern cash registers some clerks couldn't make change. Jesus Created man to take care of His Garden and it was a cushy job which was blown. Although, my sense is that math would have even been easily understood. But seems like would not have been needed. Even early Israelites were advised NOT to take census but rely on God.
In that sense why would the universe be of such great immenseness if not to be utilized. Even now mankind in their prideful thoughts think they will colonize some place other than Earth. Jesus probably had some vision when He created this universe of great size. In addition even our science is informing us of the likelihood of 'universes' beyond our universe. Our minds have a difficult time comprehending our universe. Exceptions here are those with big ego will say man can and will 'evolve' to higher level which is no supported by any thing I see in the Bible.
Another, paradoxical, natural occurrence is the numbers associated with reproduction of any living organism. Far more seed is produced than ever comes to fruition. Why did Jesus incorporate this, paradoxical, condition of the natural world in His Creation? I don't see the answer now but have a feeling that during His ministry He used parables regarding sowing seed to give us some idea of His intent with His Creation.
I am certain there is a lot more to Creation than we can possibly know at this or any time of our journey here on Earth. The following verse seems to apply mostly to peoples and I am almost certain there are verses that applies to knowledge in general...........
Romans 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!
So how many and who will be in God's Kingdom is not necessary for me or anyone else to know. People aren't good enough with the big numbers that we are confronted with today. An interesting aside on this.
On taking a tour of Fermi Lab in Batavia Illinois and also a group of high school students on field trip probably in hopes of 'indoctrinating' them in the science of 'particle or atomic' physics. At end of tour a classroom was available and a physicist intending to present students with a reason to pursue this science became so confused with the other extreme of Big Numbers, i.e. incredibly Small Numbers, and you could see the discouraging rather than encouraging effect this was having.
One final thought. Many people find math difficult at much simpler levels. Without modern cash registers some clerks couldn't make change. Jesus Created man to take care of His Garden and it was a cushy job which was blown. Although, my sense is that math would have even been easily understood. But seems like would not have been needed. Even early Israelites were advised NOT to take census but rely on God.
P
Isn't this a waste of a minister's time writing about such a non-relevant to the individuals salvation topic. Has nothing to do with an individuals salvation. You and I will only know the answer to such a question in the sweet by and by if then. Like Jesus has a name for every star in the universe and despite what estimates people give it is a number that is almost meaningless to us since it is so BIG. I am not concerned with how many individuals are saved as I am confident Jesus could create another billion universes if need be.