I'm usually accused of twisting text when I simply copy and paste it verbatim (chased by a bullet point repetition). Can't get any plainer than to post the verses untouched as I did.
It doesn't make sense to address any other points you've replied to me until we settle this passage. Let's reread John 10 using your understanding that "The Sheep" = "Everyone". I inserted "everyone" into the text wherever references to "the sheep" appeared.
John 10:1-4 [brackets mine]
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into [everyone], but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of [everyone].
3 To him the porter openeth; and [everyone] hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and [everyone] follow him: for [everyone] know his voice.
John 10:7-16 [brackets mine]
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of [everyone].
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but [everyone] did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for [everyone].
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own [everyone] are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth [everyone], and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth [everyone], and scattereth [everyone].
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for [everyone].
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for [everyone]
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Notice how Messiah's words don't make sense when "the sheep" means everyone.
Everyone hears His voice?
Everyone follows Him?
Everyone knows His voice?
Everyone did not hear the thieves and robbers??
The wolf caught everyone and scattered everyone??? (Only Israel was scattered, by the way)
The hireling doesn't care for everyone? (who would be the hireling of everyone???)
And who are the "other sheep" if He was already speaking about everyone?????
If we kept "everyone" as the meaning, the only line that would make any sense - in the ENTIRE parable - is the one you believe about Messiah giving his life for everyone. The rest of the parable would be nonsense. God isn't the author of confusion.
----
I feel the issue is a bit of pride on the part of Gentile believers boasting against the broken-off branches (i.e. Jews) as if Gentile believers bear the Root ("this is our Christ! He died for the Nations!"). No, the Messiah didn't die for the nations. He died for Israel as prophesied to them in Jeremiah. Gentiles are then offered an opportunity to become part of Israel through the Messiah and thus partake in His salvation for Israel (i.e. His Death). Paul explains this in Romans 11. Everyone else is either a wolf, a thief, or a robber: enemies.
We must be humbled by the great mercy the Almighty has shown us by allowing Gentiles believers access into Israel's salvation, for "salvation is of the Jews" (- The Messiah; John 4:22). Gentiles believers are the "other sheep" brought into the fold of THE sheep, Israel. Thus "all Israel shall be saved", wild branch and natural branch.
When scripture conflicts with our doctrine we must accept scripture...but often times we are so uncomfortable with the change that we turn a blind eye to what the words are actually saying. Case in point below...
I guess that Roman 9:22 passage doesn't count? Here's a second witness. Does it count?
Proverbs 16:4
The LORD has made everything for His purpose--even the wicked for the day of disaster/doom.
John 10:1-4 [brackets mine]
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into [everyone], but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of [everyone].
3 To him the porter openeth; and [everyone] hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and [everyone] follow him: for [everyone] know his voice.
John 10:7-16 [brackets mine]
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of [everyone].
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but [everyone] did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for [everyone].
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own [everyone] are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth [everyone], and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth [everyone], and scattereth [everyone].
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for [everyone].
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for [everyone]
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Notice how Messiah's words don't make sense when "the sheep" means everyone.
Everyone hears His voice?
Everyone follows Him?
Everyone knows His voice?
Everyone did not hear the thieves and robbers??
The wolf caught everyone and scattered everyone??? (Only Israel was scattered, by the way)
The hireling doesn't care for everyone? (who would be the hireling of everyone???)
And who are the "other sheep" if He was already speaking about everyone?????
If we kept "everyone" as the meaning, the only line that would make any sense - in the ENTIRE parable - is the one you believe about Messiah giving his life for everyone. The rest of the parable would be nonsense. God isn't the author of confusion.
----
I feel the issue is a bit of pride on the part of Gentile believers boasting against the broken-off branches (i.e. Jews) as if Gentile believers bear the Root ("this is our Christ! He died for the Nations!"). No, the Messiah didn't die for the nations. He died for Israel as prophesied to them in Jeremiah. Gentiles are then offered an opportunity to become part of Israel through the Messiah and thus partake in His salvation for Israel (i.e. His Death). Paul explains this in Romans 11. Everyone else is either a wolf, a thief, or a robber: enemies.
We must be humbled by the great mercy the Almighty has shown us by allowing Gentiles believers access into Israel's salvation, for "salvation is of the Jews" (- The Messiah; John 4:22). Gentiles believers are the "other sheep" brought into the fold of THE sheep, Israel. Thus "all Israel shall be saved", wild branch and natural branch.
When scripture conflicts with our doctrine we must accept scripture...but often times we are so uncomfortable with the change that we turn a blind eye to what the words are actually saying. Case in point below...
I guess that Roman 9:22 passage doesn't count? Here's a second witness. Does it count?
Proverbs 16:4
The LORD has made everything for His purpose--even the wicked for the day of disaster/doom.