Too late after our death?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
If by that you mean I am someone who has an unshakeable faith in the triune God and believes that scripture is God breathed and should not be tampered with by anyone who desires to prune its beautiful blooms to make them better fit the garden of their own limited understanding, then you are correct in your assumption. I've said before that at the last supper Jesus broke bread and gave wine and told the gathered Apostles to "Take, Eat" and not "Take, Understand". I unquestioningly accept the words of Christ as a child and never once in my long life have they led me wrong in any way, shape or form.
Yep, you will find their doctrine very much in aligned with yours.

https://www.redletterchristians.org/
 

Derek1955

Active member
Jul 2, 2020
131
112
43
91
and, for 'our good pleasure', for our mind has to become one with His...
PHI. 2:5.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Through faith our mind has indeed become one with Christ therefore we cannot deliberately sin as our will and conscience are now unbreakably joined by our faith in Christ. This is God's gift to us which we must persevere with to the very end of our lives.
 

Derek1955

Active member
Jul 2, 2020
131
112
43
91
Yep, you will find their doctrine very much in aligned with yours.

https://www.redletterchristians.org/
The link leads me to a site I'm not at ease with. The words of Christ are used to push an agenda which appears to know more about the mind of God regarding the affairs of the world than does God Himself. I find the words of Shakespeare in Twelfth Night to be a reflection of how I wish to live what is left of my life in Christ, when he wrote: "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no man."
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
The link leads me to a site I'm not at ease with. The words of Christ are used to push an agenda which appears to know more about the mind of God regarding the affairs of the world than does God Himself. I find the words of Shakespeare in Twelfth Night to be a reflection of how I wish to live what is left of my life in Christ, when he wrote: "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no man."
They basically use the 4 gospels as their main doctrine, asking the popular question "What would Jesus Christ have said or done", for all issues.
 
Aug 16, 2020
282
55
28
Central Florida, USA
I definitely agree that there is no such thing as eternal conscious torment. The eternal punishment is dying a second time with no hope of ever being resurrected again.

When I say there is one resurrection I mean there is one resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. The righteous are resurrected to eternal life. The unrighteous is resurrected and face judgement and receive the wages of their sin which is being cast into the lake of fire which is symbolic for the second death.

Some other things we disagree on. I believe scripture clearly teaches that the power
Of the Holy Spirit given through the laying on of hands ceased with the dying of the apostles. I’m not catholic by any means.
Didn't suggest that you are Catholic. It's my impression we are discussing doctrines, not personal allegiance.

Without realizing it and by remaining Biblically illiterate, the post-protestant church has adopted many of the doctrines of the Vatican.

Some of these doctrines state that prophecy, gifts of the Holy Spirit and direct actions of God ceased a long long time ago in a land far away. [SPIRIT WARS - episode 1] ;) The actual timing of the cessation is in dispute (why not, everything else is disputed too - a sign of the times don't you know).

Some argue it ended with the destruction of the 2nd temple in 70AD. Others argue that spiritual gifts ended with the deaths of the apostles. Some argue that all things prophetic ended completely at the close of the first century. (Did God go off somewhere to relieve Himself and forget to come back to us?) The Bible is thus closed to further instruction and understanding. (Substitute Papal authority or American faux-Christianity in its place.)

Whether one claims membership in the Catholic church or not is irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

Catholic doctrines have been embraced by the post-protestant church (including but not restricted to the non-Biblical notion of rapture, the beast as a man instead of a religious institution [Catholic], and the excommunication of Jews from the church, with the church appropriating/stealing Jewish authority as "Spiritual Israel". This last is called Replacement Theology or Supersessionism and is not Biblical. Nobody cares, though. Our corrupt spiritual officials continue to have one hand on the Bible and the other in someone else's pocket.)

Notice if you will, that although the doctrine of the blessing of the Holy Spirit is said to have stopped with the death of the apostles, it does continue with a Catholic bishop laying his hand upon a young Catholic member at the time of confirmation. (Some now wonder how the Bishop's other hand, hidden by his official robe, is occupied. hmmm) I don't accept this dogma, but its part of Catholic doctrine. Is the Holy Spirit now subject to the restrictions and authority of the Holy See? (rubbish)

I have discovered a massive amount of Biblical prophecy that continues to be fulfilled to this day. For instance, prophecy of Revelation predicted the fall of the pontiff and his death at the end of the 19th century with a resultant restoration by the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in 1929. (Revelation says a head of the anti-Christ beast would be cut off and then miraculously restored.) It all happened exactly as Revelation predicted. Some may not like the prediction, also made in Revelation, that the United States will be in league with the anti-Christ beast/institution. It's all there, though, like it or not.

As the days get closer to some sort of Ultimate Revelation of God in human history Biblical prophecy does indeed seem to get creepier and creepier with regard to its historic precision.

Study to show thyself approved, pilgrim.

that's me, hollering from the choir loft...
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,279
1,416
113
The link leads me to a site I'm not at ease with. The words of Christ are used to push an agenda which appears to know more about the mind of God regarding the affairs of the world than does God Himself. I find the words of Shakespeare in Twelfth Night to be a reflection of how I wish to live what is left of my life in Christ, when he wrote: "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no man."
I agree. I went to their site and found the same thing -- using the words of Christ to push an agenda!
 

Derek1955

Active member
Jul 2, 2020
131
112
43
91
I agree. I went to their site and found the same thing -- using the words of Christ to push an agenda!
I'm afraid that is a common failing of many Christians. All that is required for Salvation is to Love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul and mind and others as yourself. (Matthew 22: 37-40) Having agendas and/or arguments about scriptural meaning is frequently engaged in to cover an individuals shortcomings and to hide the fact that obeying those two commandments in their entirety is the most difficult of accomplishments, and I do not exclude myself from the forgoing.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
I think I see you pluck a verse at random and then just make something up about it that is unrelated to the verse ?
I would think. Its completely related.

Can we agree with God who works in us to both will and do his good pleasure. If he does not first give us his will or desire and empower us to do it?

Its all one work of the "one faith" of both the Son and the Father walking together in perfect agreement . as a labor of their love. The love that he works mutually as measure of faith in us called the same spirit of faith as it is written . .

2 Corinthians 4:13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;


Two is the one witness of God.

Amos 3:Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

No Father not seen, then no Son seen. No peace of God as two walking together in agreement to one faith (belief) that works in the new creatures

Making the Spirit of agreement in respect to fleshly fathers (Pharisees with Sadaucesss) seen takes away the faith of Christ as it is written in the law (1) and the prophets (2) .(sola scriptura).Or Moses and Elias.

The Catholics have simply copied the ongoing "law of the fathers" Men walking in agreement with each other comparing oneself to oneself as those who lord it over the faith of each other .Like the faithless Pharisees . And not walking in agreement with the faith of Christ as it is written.(sola scriptura)

The two witnesses of God. Law and prophets. The law of God shown working in. . . empowering the prophets. not a law of the prophets as commandment and oral traditions of men. But again of God who works in the prophets to both will and do his good pleasure .

They tried to prove that mankind worships our Father in heaven by venerating men seen on earth. But it revealed they were not walking in agreement to sola scriptura which they called heresy .

Rather than like born again Paul who worshiped the God of the fathers and not like them who worshiped the fathers as if they (a legion) were our father in heaven God. They could not as two walking in agreement with One Father. They have their legion called Apostolic succession.

Acts 24: 13-14 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,246
4,960
113
If we take Jesus at His word (and who dare not) there can be no forgiveness nor any improving of our lot in the afterlife for those who continually neglect the needy in this life. This warning was given by Jesus in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, recorded in Luke 16: 19-31

'There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.

But Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

He answered, Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

Abraham replied, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.

No, father Abraham, he said, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.

He said to him, If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead'.

We neglect this warning, given by Jesus, at our peril.
yes sir agreed indeed 😁

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat:

I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me:

I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:35-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,246
4,960
113
For the wages of sin is death.

Death is the wage in which you shall be paid if you are not found in Christ Jesus.
Moses delivered the ten commandments, these are the standards in which you shall live.
The ten commandments are the moral law which God has given to all in there heart.
Breaking just one commandment is breaking all.

It is appointed for man to die once then the judgement.

To the believer as well as the pagan this is a fact of life. If you choose not to believe in a after life or have another god in which you serve (which is breaking one of the commandments) you stand in judgement. If you do not have a advocate for your defence you stand guilty as charged for the law does not lie.

Not only is Christ our advocate he also paid the ransom.(wages)
For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Giving all who repent (change of mind and heart) and believe (not only in word but in deed) the free gift of salvation.

Salvation only comes from God. It cannot be earned it cannot be bought. It cannot be won. It is only by his grace that it is given.
By grace we are saved through faith, not by our own works least any man should boast. It is a gift from God.

We serve a holy and righteous God. Who cannot look upon sin. A just God who has made a way to escape.
A loving God who gave his only begotten. A compassionate God who wipes away every tear.
But also a God of wrath that is not equaled in his anger , not shy in his displeasure, who's very name makes the demons tremble.
Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Jesus the Christ is Lord.


Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged:

condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:

forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Give, and it shall be given unto you;
good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall be given into your bosom.

For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:36-38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the judges words are where we find our life

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;

whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭17:30-31‬ ‭

it’s about the things Jesus said it’s about how we treat other people who need mercy , forgiveness , help, hope ....none of us are good enough we failed ..... so God came to save us we have to hear Jesus
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,214
1,980
113
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:35-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬
^ This is a passage referring to the Sheep and goats [of the nations] judgment/separation at the time of His Second Coming to the earth (FOR the promised and prophesied earthly Millennial Kingdom, and their entrance into it [or not]--not "our Rapture" point in time--these will be "still-living" persons at the time of His "RETURN" to the earth [i.e. at end of the trib yrs]). The Sheep will be called "ye BLESSED" by our Lord, and the goats will be called "ye CURSED" [ring any bells?]... but the ones called here in vv.40,45 "the least of these My brethren" are not the ones BEING judged/separated in this setting [and are also not "the Church which is His body"]... they are [/will be] the believing remnant of Jews (having themselves come to faith IN/DURING/WITHIN those future trib years [FOLLOWING "our Rapture"]) who those "of the nations" [Sheep and goats of the nations (i.e. Gentiles)] will have either AIDED [/'blessed'] themselves, or will not have aided [/'blessed']--evidencing their faith--and at a time period that it will be of grave danger to themselves to do so.


____________

[note also... Eph4:32 (addressed to/for/about "the Church which is His body" [that's us]), "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, as also in Christ God forgave you."]
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,246
4,960
113
^ This is a passage referring to the Sheep and goats [of the nations] judgment/separation at the time of His Second Coming to the earth (FOR the promised and prophesied earthly Millennial Kingdom, and their entrance into it [or not]--not "our Rapture" point in time--these will be "still-living" persons at the time of His "RETURN" to the earth [i.e. at end of the trib yrs]). The Sheep will be called "ye BLESSED" by our Lord, and the goats will be called "ye CURSED" [ring any bells?]... but the ones called here in vv.40,45 "the least of these My brethren" are not the ones BEING judged/separated in this setting [and are also not "the Church which is His body"]... they are [/will be] the believing remnant of Jews (having themselves come to faith IN/DURING/WITHIN those future trib years [FOLLOWING "our Rapture"]) who those "of the nations" [Sheep and goats of the nations (i.e. Gentiles)] will have either AIDED [/'blessed'] themselves, or will not have aided [/'blessed']--evidencing their faith--and at a time period that it will be of grave danger to themselves to do so.


____________

[note also... Eph4:32 (addressed to/for/about "the Church which is His body" [that's us]), "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, as also in Christ God forgave you."]
hmm thanks for offering your thoughts
 

Derek1955

Active member
Jul 2, 2020
131
112
43
91
Simple you may be, but a Jew you are not

Ephesians 2:11-13 would be relevant here. Jesus was not addressing you in that parable
How can you be so certain that He wasn't? Surely God breathed scripture is aimed at the edification of all no matter to whom on the day it is addressed. On that thinking, anything Jesus said to the Jews or Greeks does not apply to me? I prefer to believe it does and I thereby try to obey and live in His grace,
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,246
4,960
113
How can you be so certain that He wasn't? Surely God breathed scripture is aimed at the edification of all no matter to whom on the day it is addressed. On that thinking, anything Jesus said to the Jews or Greeks does not apply to me? I prefer to believe it does and I thereby try to obey and live in His grace,
Of course it does Why wouldn’t it? Notice how some will accept one scripture but later in the same chapter that one doesn’t apply ? One verse theology is poisoning the church and then all of the “ well this line isn’t for you it’s for the Jews “ it’s strange how people still divide Jew and gentile I guess because they don’t understand Paul

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:3, 5-7‬ ‭

there is no Jew and gentile only the church every word in the New Testament is for believers hold your ground sir
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,214
1,980
113
there is no Jew and gentile only the church every word in the New Testament is for believers hold your ground sir
In "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY" (Eph1:20-23 WHEN [as to its existence]) there is indeed NO Jew or Gentile (in our standing before God IN CHRIST), true. THIS ^ is to/for/about whom "our Rapture" SOLELY pertains, for example (that is, it does NOT pertain to OT saints, nor to Trib saints, nor to MK saints [i.e. all of the "saints" outside of "this present age [singular]"]). We are instructed to be "correctly apportioning the word of truth" and we are to distinguish the things that differ (as opposed to lumping everything into one big mish-mash of mush, undiscerningly ;) ).
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,214
1,980
113
^ to go along with that last post of mine, another example:

Matthew 19:28 [Jesus speaking to "the 12"] -

"And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit down upon His throne of glory [see Matt25:31-34 as to its TIMING], you having followed Me, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judgING the twelve tribes of Israel."



Luke 22:30 [also, to same] -

"so that you may eat and may drink at My table in My kingdom, and may sit on thrones, judgING the twelve tribes of Israel."



This will take place in (and during/throughout) the promised and prophesied EARTHLY Millennial Kingdom (and is not a promise pertaining to US ['the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY'] and what WE will do/be doing, but what THEY ['the 12'] will be doing, then and there [Acts 1:25-26 showing the replacement for Judas "one of the twelve"]).
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
113
I think it is a deep and abiding message, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16.
All that we have is to be used in service of God's purpose for us.

The other day a friend and I were having lunch at a diner I'd not visited in years. Just as we were about to depart this quite elderly man appeared at the end of our table. We were in a booth by a window. We thought at first he was going to ask for food or money, so we greeted him with smiles. He said he just wanted to come in and have a seat, so he sat beside me.

My friend chatted him up for a moment and then there appeared the mans wife. She motioned for him and said they were going to go to their own table now. So the elderly gent slid out of the seat and stood , holding the hand of his wife. As she let go and turned to walk to their table, he sat back down again.
He was clearly drawn to us and we didn't mind a bit. Finally the wife again told him they had to make it to their own table to order. The gentleman took his wifes hand and slid out of our booth and stood again. This time the wife held his hand, nodded to us, and guided him to their booth across the aisle.
He was an older man, age spots on his hands and arms. He'd seen quite a lot of life and was now tired and confused.

I turned away after he left and cried a bit to know his plight. And then I bought their lunch. The surprise would come when they didn't get their bill.

The point is, I think in times like that God sends opportunities for us to live the life we're now in and walk the path we're now on as one of his own.
It doesn't become a matter of thinking about it. As in, I recall that parable of the rich man and Lazarus, so I should do this or that so as not to suffer that fate. Rather, it becomes a matter of living while following the lead of our heart. I believe that is where God whispers to us from.

I watched that dear couple make their way to their own comfy booth and with tears starting to well in my eyes for how dear and how lost the man was, and yet how trusting in that he chose of all places there to sit with us. And then this whisper entered my mind that rather than depart as we had been about to, wait for them to order and then put their meal on my ticket. That whisper overcame the emotions of sadness and yet without hesitation I did put off leaving. And I did wait till they ordered. And as blessings would have it, when there were two waitresses in our area, their waitress happened to be our own.

That's why I say, all that we have is there to serve God's leading. Whether we pay attention or not is on us. And sometimes life can be so noisy that we miss that. But when we pay , pray , attention, it's wonderful. :)
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
113
Of course it does Why wouldn’t it? Notice how some will accept one scripture but later in the same chapter that one doesn’t apply ? One verse theology is poisoning the church and then all of the “ well this line isn’t for you it’s for the Jews “ it’s strange how people still divide Jew and gentile I guess because they don’t understand Paul

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:3, 5-7‬ ‭

there is no Jew and gentile only the church every word in the New Testament is for believers hold your ground sir
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

We are all one. The world sees barriers and separations. We're not of that place anymore.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,246
4,960
113
In "the Church WHICH IS HIS BODY" (Eph1:20-23 WHEN [as to its existence]) there is indeed NO Jew or Gentile (in our standing before God IN CHRIST), true. THIS ^ is to/for/about whom "our Rapture" SOLELY pertains, for example (that is, it does NOT pertain to OT saints, nor to Trib saints, nor to MK saints [i.e. all of the "saints" outside of "this present age [singular]"]). We are instructed to be "correctly apportioning the word of truth" and we are to distinguish the things that differ (as opposed to lumping everything into one big mish-mash of mush, undiscerningly ;) ).
it’s pretty simple really there is no difference to God who you are since Christ everyone is the same .

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:3, 5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Gentiles are included into what was promised to Israel the inheritance of the kingdom is the message of the gospel there’s only one kingdom of God for all people it’s a promise to Abraham remember but for all people ......
‬ ‭

the things only for Israel were
Mediated By Moses Only and governed by the prophets .

The prophets were also promising the New Testament and the messiah who would deliver it . That message is the gospel it was first preached throuoit Israel as a witness and then he sent Israel out to preach it in all the world as a witness .